Posts by Deborah Laemmerhirt, CT, Ridgefield, Bethel,Kent,Brookfield, Newtown, Redding,Roxbury,Bridgewater, CT Specialist, Exquisitely Serving Sellers&Buyers (Previews - Coldwell Banker - CT)

CT Kitchen Trends   Deborah Laemmerhirt  203-994-4297   www.HomesInConnecticutForSale.com

CT Kitchen Trends. It can get rather expensive to redo Kitchens with each trend. According to Zillow Digs” Kitchens featuring black counter tops, open shelves or glass-front cabinets and darker paint tones are popular with homeowners, as seen in Home Design Trend Report for 2014. If you like black the counter tops can be quite stunning, however this is still trendy. In my opinion open shelve in the kitchen is space that can be used for storage it there were doors but many like the open look. If you think that you could be selling your CT Home in the near future you may wish to consider a more neutral approach. But that is totally up to you.

Elle Decor predicts jewel tones and rich colors will dominate kitchen design in the year ahead. They describe Kitchens as becoming glamorous! Designer cabinets painted with jewel colors, shiny metal counters, back splashes and fixtures are select to create this trend. Dramatic and beautiful but very trendy.

If you can afford to update again in a few years, you can take the risk of putting in trendy counter tops that look like malachite, agate or other stones. A neutral Granite or Corian will outlive the trendy choices and still be upscale and purposeful. Painted cabinets go in and out. If you are updating with existing cabinets, painting would give you a different look for an interim feature. Again, if you think you might have to move and will be selling your CT home in a few years you are best to stay more neutral. This is true for the flooring as well.

CT Kitchen Trends. Go with the trend if you must, but, if you’re going to have to live with your kitchen for many years or you plan to sell in a few years and don’t want to have to remodel again, stick with neutrals for counter tops, walls, flooring and cabinetry. Save the bolder patterns for less expensive accents like paint, curtains, rugs and pillows.

CT Kitchen Trends

Household Possessions Inventory  Deborah Laemmerhirt  203-994-4297.  www.HomesInConnecticutForSale.com.

Household Possessions Inventory – in case of a disaster. Do you have a list of all your personal belongings in case of an emergency? Natural and man made disasters happen – are your ready to provide proof for any claims you may have to file?

Get this free and easy-to-use app that creates a quick inventory of your household possessions, including all the new home electronics and grown-up toys you bought during the holidays.

Setting aside a few minutes to create (or update) an inventory of your personal possessions can really pay off if you ever have to file a homeowners insurance claim. Video – Importance Of Doing A Home Inventory

Get the job done quickly and easily with the Know Your Stuff app for iPhone, androids and computers from the Insurance Information Institute.

If you’re not into apps, you can list your possessions in a notebook and keep receipts in a folder. Make a copy of the information to put in your safe deposit box or your can send it to a trusted friend or relative who lives in another area (if there’s a local natural disaster they can send you your information).

Inventory of Household Possessions

No matter how you choose to do it, the important thing is to create a home inventory and update it when you make major purchases. An up-to-date home inventory will:

Help you purchase the right amount and type of insurance. Make filing a claim as simple as possible. Substantiate financial losses for tax purposes or when applying for financial assistance.

You can use the Know Your Stuff? – Home Inventory website to set up an online account and store information about your insurance policies.

The software guides you through the process of creating and updating your home inventory, allowing you to set up rooms and list items within those rooms. You can also upload photographs and scanned receipts or appraisal forms, and generate several types of reports once your inventory is complete, or if you need to file a claim.

The software includes free, secure online storage at Amazon, so you can access your inventory anywhere, anytime-which can be important should you need to evacuate your home in a sudden emergency.

Household Possessions Inventory.  If you are like me you will put this off until another day, however with everything happening around us and the ease of recording out belongings it is time to consider accomplishing this. One idea is to get together with friends and help each other.  Make a day or weekend of it and have fun while doing so.  With today’s technology you should be able to store and access this information at any time and from anywhere!

Weston CT – Community Events.  Deborah Laemmerhirt  203-994-4297.  www.HomesInConnecticutForSale.com

Weston CT – Community Events. This month the Weston Public Library is hosting a number of art, entertainment and educational activities.

Here are a few of the offerings:

Story Time for 2’s

January 21, 2014 from 11:00am to 12:30pm OR January 22, 2014 from 11:00am to 12:30pm Weston Public Library, Weston, CT

Movie Night – The Butler (PG-13)

January 22, 2014 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm Weston Public Library, Weston, CT

Minecraft Meetup

January 26, 2014 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm Weston Public Library, Weston, CT

Norwalk Camera Club

January 27, 2014 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm Weston Public Library, Weston, CT

Weston CT – Community Events.  Come and get out of the cold! Don’t see anything that interests you? Contact the Weston Public Library for additional offerings. Additionally, the Weston Commission for the Arts organizes music, art and other cultural events. AND there is an active senior center that offers yoga, fitness, crafts and other activities.

If you are looking to this area for a possible RELOCATION – check out the homes for sale on the map below. Weston is a residential town in Southwest Connecticut about 45 minutes from New York City. Approximately 20% of Weston CT population commutes into NYC.

The Median Sales price of Weston homes has remained relatively stable over the last year. Still a great time to buy your next home – see home availability beneath the Weston CT Median Sales graph on the MAP.

Weston CT Upcoming Community Activities

  On the map below find all available properties. Click on the house icon to view information on that particular property. Questions? Please call or email. Check out additional information at www.HomesInConnecticutForSale.com.

Market Upswing for CT Home Sellser.  Deborah Laemmerhirt  203-994-4297.  www.HomesInConnecticutForSale.com

Market Upswing for CT Home Sellers: Experts say 2014 is going to be an equity building year for homeowners.

  Positive Upswing for Home Sellers. Experts predict the housing market will continue to improve in 2014, although housing prices might not rise quite as much as they did in 2013. The National Association of Realtors estimated home prices would finish 2013 up 11.3 percent from 2012 levels. These are national prices, in our area the numbers are not to these levels.

NAR predicts the median existing home price will rise 5.3 percent to $207,200 in 2014 and the median price for new homes will rise 5.1 percent to $276,700.

Homeowners Continue Building Equity which is the best news for CT Home Sellers.

Despite the Great Recession, real estate continues to be an effective way to build wealth. If you bought the median-priced home in 2004 with a 30-year mortgage, you’d now have $28,114 in equity on average. If you bought the median-priced home in 2012, you’d have more than $23,000 in equity. Owning property is a solid investment, you can borrow against it when you have equity. Your investment always has value, unlike stocks or similar investment.

Positive Upswing for Home Sellers. Even those who purchased at the market peak in 2006 and were hit by the biggest price declines are close to having positive home equity.

A homeowner who bought in 2006 would have seen his home decline in value and by 2012, he would have owed about $28,200 more than his home was worth on average. But, by the end of 2013, he would be only $4,700 underwater, NAR says. Keep in mind that we are discussing the National Real Estate Market and Real Estate is a LOCAL market.

Market Upswing ForCT Home Sellers,  The real good news is that most homeowners who bought their homes after 2007 have positive equity. If the economy continues to regain ground and the interest rates continue to remain lower we will experience recovery and growth.

Good News for Home Sellers

CT Home Sellers – Photo Tips.  Deborah Laemmerhirt  203-994-4297.  www.HomesInConnecticutForSale.com

CT Home Sellers – Photo Tips. You’ve been working on your home. Cleaning, de-cluttering closets and cabinets. Moving extra furniture, packing away extras and shining wood, door knobs, mirrors and windows.

Once your home is in tip-top shape and sparkling clean, it’s time to set the stage for some photographs.

Some tips:

• Remove personalized items and unnecessary decor from rooms since you want photos to allow potential buyers to picture themselves living in the home,.

• Show off your home’s best features. Maybe it’s how the sun shines on a bowl of fresh fruit on the breakfast table every morning, or how nice the fireplace glow looks from across the room. Remember to also include outdoor photos of the landscaping and yard.

• Use the sun to your advantage. Have the house photographed on a bright day, so natural light fills every room. When rooms are brightly lit, they give off a more aesthetically pleasing feel and appear larger in pictures. Some photographers prefer inside photos to be takes on a bright day, not necessarily full sun. Most agree, exterior photo are best with the sun overhead and some clouds on the sky.

• Be sure to have the photographer take multiple photos of each room, using different angles. Since most multiple listing service Web sites allow for more than 20 photos to be posted, it is best to give potential buyers a big selection of pictures. More photos usually lead to more requests for walk-throughs, putting you right where you want to be.
• Wide Angle Photography.  Ask for the photographer to use a wide angle lens.  Take a look at the difference and you will never change back for home photos.

CT Home Sellers – Photo Tips. You need to hire a internet and photo savvy realtor to implement an internet aggressive marketing program. The Internet provides a golden opportunity to help market your house to its best advantage. That’s where the buying public is these days, so use high-qualify pictures to position yourself for a faster sale. Some listing agents have worked on their photography skills and have invested in quality equipment. Others will hire a photographer. The great thing about an agent who works at their photography is that you will get a tremendous number of photos that are put out in a number of ways so your house gets see and sold. Interview for your agent carefully, this is an important business decision.

CT Home Sellers – Is Your Home Photo Ready?

CT Home Sellers – Photos are KEY!  Deborah Laemmerhirt  203-994-4297,  www.HomesInConnectucutForSale.com

CT Home Sellers – Photos are KEY! According to the National Association of Realtors about 85% of all home buyers start their search on the Internet. Think about it – if you are moving when your home sellers how have you been looking? This popular trend illustrates the importance of uploading photos that really pop when trying to attract potential buyers through the Web. They have to be great quality but also represent the home in the best way possible. Often buyers will pass up a home when they cannot get a good sense of the home. If there are no kitchen photos, for example it may be assumed that there is something wrong there!

While the facts and figures provided are important, the biggest draw will often come from attention-getting pictures of the home. After beginning the listing process, having the agent come out to photograph the home is usually one of the first steps toward a sale.

Of course, photos that look natural work best, but that doesn’t mean you can’t dress them up a bit. Lighting is important, as well as having photos taken with a number of different angles. Additionally, wide angle photography helps display rooms and homes with a more in person perspective.

What are the home buyers looking for? Home buyers want a residence that meets their spatial needs and other specifications, but they also want to find a home that they can picture themselves living in. Simple things can be done to give your house a more ambient look. You can create this vision using properly staged photos.

Getting ready for the photos: Organize, Clean and Repair

CT Home Sellers – Photos are KEY!  When considering how to display your home through photos, think about interested buyers. Whether the likely buyers are retirees or first-time homebuyers, your photos should reflect your target audience in each room of the house. Ask your real estate agent who they think would be looking at your home.

Begin by doing a little organizing. Remove objects, like toys, photos and newspapers, that can make an area look cluttered. Next, a thorough cleaning is in order. Shelves must be dusted, coffee tables should shine, and mirrors need to be free of streaks. Believe it or not, potential buyers notice the smallest things in photographs, like the number of dishes in the sink. Be mindful of how others will perceive the home.

If any home repairs are needed, take care of them before having photographs taken. There is nothing less appealing than posting “work in progress” photos. Also, consider removing outdated wallpaper or other features that might make the home appear old. Even simple repairs can transform bathrooms and kitchens into real head turners.

CT Home Sellers – Photos are KEY!  Now get your agent in and Get Your Home SOLD!

CT Home Sellers – Get Your Home Ready for Photos

Redding CT Market and Homes For Sale  Deborah Laemmerhirt  203-994-4297.  www.HomesInConnecticutForSale.com

Redding CT Market and Homes For Sale. Are you looking for an area that will provide you with quiet previcy while remaining convienent for area amenities and commuting? Check out Redding CT. The map below will show you the current available Redding CT homes for sale. Scroll down for additional information. As you can see on the map there is a wide range of homes with most being on two plus acres. This Map is a great interactive tool that gives you the ability to change your search.

Or you can search here as well: Redding CT Homes For Sale

Redding CT Homes for sale. As can be seen from the graph below the homes in Redding CT over the last year have increased in median price from 450K to 550K. So, along with most of our area towns the home prices are recovering and at this point in time, still a great opportunity for both buyers and sellers.

Redding CT Homes for sale

For commuters there is the opportunity toward NY or down county (Fairfield) by train or car. Live in a country setting with quite privacy and a spacious home but still stay connected with New York and Lower Fairfield County. Taxes remain low making this a great opportunity to buy a Redding CT home.

Interested in additional Market Analysis, what about Community Information or the local Schools? Select the link below for a complete view of Redding CT:

LINK TO MARKET INSIDER

Once in Market Insider, if you scroll down on the community tab you will be able to explore information on area income, education, weather risks, crime risks along with locations of nearby grocery, other retail business and medical providers. This tool gives you the opportunity to explore an area before you start looking at homes. You actually have the opportunity to compare two area towns to further your research.

Redding CT Homes for sale

Bridgewater CT – Homes For Sale 

Bridgewater CT – a CT town to explore!  Deborah Laemmerhirt  203-994-4297 – HomesInConnecticutForSale.com

The real estate in Connecticut is full of history – that is if you ask people in the know. Some realtors just have a knack for knowing details of their environment and I enjoy being one of them.

Come visit this quaint quiet town and you will not want to leave.  Tucked into the beautiful rolling Litchfield Hills this town offers spectacular estates and affordable homes as well.  Take a look at Bridgewater CT – Homes for Sale while you are there.  Enjoy traditional events like the Bridgewater CT Country Parade and Fair which occurs towards the end of August each year or boating and other water activities on Lake Lillonah or some of the small town gatherings and events.  The village store is a focal point in town and the site where the famous Bridgewater Chocolate was created years ago. The Bridgewater Chocolate Company is currently located in neighboring Brookfield CT.

At first, some are hesitant at the idea of houses for sale in such a small town: a hamlet really with a population between two and three thousand people. Hesitation, however, usually turns to intrigue when they learn that some of Bridgewater’s more famous residents have included these celebrities: the actress Mia Farrow, as well as the dynamic duo of television news reporter Diane Sawyer and her funnyman husband film director Mike Nichols. Just come and hang around at the village store to hear about more residents! 

Have a look at the MLS listings of the town to see what kind of real estate listings you might find.  See BELOW!

I love being able who is able to guide prospective buyers in the direction of their dream home, especially in a beautiful little town like Bridgewater.  How else could a home buyer find the unexpected treasures?

Take a look at Bridgewater homes for sale below and let me know what you think:

CT Estate Homes – Deborah Laemmerhirt  203-994-4297 – HomesInConnecticutForSale.com

Looking for an Estate Home?  Purchasing a luxury home is not only rewarding, it is also another way of securing your hard-earned assets. When you are ready to make this investment, you will want to work with a REALTOR® who is familiar with the high-end market—a professional who will work to find a home or estate that will fit your lifestyle and needs. Deborah Laemmerhirt, Broker specializes in the luxury market and is committed to helping create your first-class lifestyle.

Built or refurnished with the best designs and materials, luxury homes allow individuals and families to live a lavish comfortable lifestyle. Most of these homes have such superb features as high-quality furnishings, professional appliances, spacious rooms, upscale flooring, landscaped properties, and spectacular views. If you are ready to sell your home, Deborah can help you successfully market your luxury home. We are up to date on the latest market conditions and can offer guidance and expert recommendations so that you can maximize the return on your home. We can also make suggestions on how to show your home in the best light. Whether you are buying or selling an estate home,Deborah Laemmerhirt is available to guide you.

Interested in exploring the possibility of a CT Luxury Estate Home? Please start your search with the map below – if you cannot access what you are looking for please call, text or email me and I will get back to you as quickly as possible.