Eastern Connecticut Real Estate | Eastern CT Real Estate Blog

Inman Real Estate Connect 2008

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:28:11 -0400

Not exactly a vacation in San Francisco

Yes, I'm one of those. I happen to love attending conferences and conventions. I consider an event to be a "conference" when it meets my attendee count of around 2000 attendees or less. I prefer this smaller crowd over events like the National Association of Realtors© Convention where a gazillion people show up in one of the typical convention cities like Las Vegas or Orlando.

I attended my first Inman Real Estate Connect Conference in January. It was held in New York City which allowed me to just hop a train to the event. Inman Connect is billed as the place where "Every year technologists, real estate professionals and industry leaders convene to explore some of the most pressing issues the industry is facing."

Inman Connect, being held this week in San Francisco, is preceded by Bloggers Connect which is a gathering of geeky blogger types. I guess someone thinks I fit the description because I will be speaking on a panel today.

Here's where it gets confusing. This year, Bloggers Connect, which preceeds Inman Connect, was preceded by REBar Camp. Got it? REBar Camp was a casual affair with lots of good sessions and networking. I got to meet a bunch of blogger friends in person who usually just hang out in my computer.

So why am I telling you all this? Because I'm out of town all this week and I thought you might want to know. Not to worry. You will receive the same customer service as if I was still at home. I'm never too far from my Blackberry or my laptop.

For those who suggested that I "have a nice vacation" ....HA Keeping up with geeky types, most of them half my age, is hard work.

The Best of Eastern Connecticut

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:34:42 -0400

The Mansfield Drive-In

by guest blogger, Elise Hanks

Once or twice a summer we would all load into the car and head out. Clad in our pajamas and clutching our choice of either candy or popcorn, we were nestled next to our friends and were wound up with excitement. After nearly forty minutes of anticipation and determination not to eat our snacks on the trip there, we spilled out of the car eager to claim our place. As my parents backed either the truck or the van into the parking space someone always raced to the speaker while another one of us clamoured for a trip to the snack bar or playground or bathroom. We had reached the Drive In. It was thrilling to have driven so far to this mysterious lot occupied by scores of cars and three enormous movie screens. We snuggled into our seats and dug into our popcorn, fingers greasy before the film even started.

The Mansfield drive-in is perfect for a summer evening of relaxation tinged with adventure. The drive-in always shows double features and always shows six movies a night. The first set of movies begins at dark; for bigger families the set up is perfect. Older kids can venture to another screen (which is still within eyesight) and set up camp in folding beach chairs. Small children might even fall asleep during or after the first movie, leaving mom and dad with some time to themselves and a peaceful drive home. Taking the family out to the movies can be dismaying for those with bigger families and for those movie-goers who enjoy a snack or a soda. At the Mansfield Drive-In, admission is $9.00 per adult (12+), $5.00 for children (4-11), and free for those three and under. Don't forget that you are getting two movies for the price of one (come to think of it, less than the price of one!) and the comfort of your own vehicle packed with blankets, a cooler, snacks, pillows, and whatever else you might want with you. If you love perusing the snack bar as much as my dad, the one in Mansfield will not disappoint. With burgers, hot dogs, fries, popcorn, candy, soda, and ice cream, the snack bar is loaded with choices. However, there is one night a week that is better than all the rest at the drive-inn...Wednesday night. On Wednesdays every carload can get in for $18.00, whether it is a van or a suburban.

If you have a free night this summer, take a drive to Mansfield and take in a double feature. I promise the vintage atmosphere of a drive-in paired with the excitement of doing something out of the ordinary will make a lasting impression on you and your family.

Ledyard and Gales Ferry Real Estate Update

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:06:33 -0400

Ledyard and Gales Ferry Homes for Sale, Pending and Sold

I'm often asked "How's the market in Ledyard?" Well, it isn't as good as 2003 or 2004 or even 2007 but it isn't as bad as some people think. One or two houses sell each week. Prices continue to drop but not like they have in Florida, Las Vegas or Phoenix. Buyers are picky and slow to make a home buying decision because they can be. Many buyers are looking for perfect condition and a bargain.

I think we still have a ways to go in price reductions. Bank Foreclosure inventory is starting to increase and there are way too many homes on the market with unrealistic prices. I never know whether it is the agent or the seller who just doesn't get it.

Inventory in Ledyard dropped slightly this week to 139 active residential listings. There were only 2 new listings last week which is quite a difference from the previous week when there were 13 new listings to report!

There was only 1 pending sale reported and 5 closed sales. 11 sellers reduced the price of their homes.

Today's Ledyard Snapshot

Number of Ledyard Homes Currently for Sale: 139
Last week there were 142 residential listings and one year ago there were 123 residential listings in Ledyard.

Number of Ledyard Homes Currently Pending: 26
One year ago there were 34 pending sales in Ledyard.

Number of Homes Sold in 2008: 61
One year ago there were 126 closed sales in Ledyard.

The highest priced home to sell in Ledyard this year sold for $740.000

There were 11 price reductions this week totaling $149,000.

Buttonwood Farms in Griswold Connecticut

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:46:07 -0400

Sunflowers for Wishes

I'll be out of town next week so yesterday I headed up to Buttonwood Farms in Griswold for a sneak peek of "Sunflowers for Wishes". The owners of Buttonwood Farms plant 10 acres of sunflowers each year providing 300,000 blooms framed by blue skies and stone walls. The sky wasn't so blue due to the heat and humidity and it was a little early for the big show but I still enjoyed the view and snapped a few photos. You'll find them on my Flickr page along with some photos I've taken in the past.

Bouquets of cut sunflowers will be available all next week in exchange for a $5.00 donation to the Make-A-Wish foundation. People and their cameras show up from all over the state to visit and also enjoy the farm fresh homemade ice cream sold there.

Eastern Connecticut Photo Friday

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:51:06 -0400

A golfing Dilemma

I posted this photo on my Flickr page and titled it "A golfing dilemma". I received a couple interesting comments proving to me once again that my blogosphere friends are always at the ready to be helpful.

Ledyard and Gales Ferry Weekly Update

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:55:59 -0400

Ledyard and Gales Ferry Homes for Sale, Pending and Sold

Inventory rose sharply this week to 142 active residential listings. There were 13 new listings to report this week. It appears that Pfizer layoffs may be contributing to the increase of residential listings. There were only 2 pending sales to report and only 2 closed home sales. Those price reductions keep on coming; there were 11 price reductions this week totaling $144,000.

New London County Second Quarter statistics have been released by the Eastern CT Association of Realtors©. The number of sales of single family homes in New London County is down 37.45% from the second quarter of last year. In addition, the average price is down 16.18% while the median price is down 11.69%.

Today's Ledyard Snapshot

Number of Ledyard Homes Currently for Sale: 142
Last week there were 136 active listings and one year ago there were 122 residential listings in Ledyard.

Number of Ledyard Homes Currently Pending: 31
One year ago there were 39 pending sales in Ledyard.

Number of Homes Sold in 2008: 55
One year ago there were 111 closed sales in Ledyard.

The highest priced home to sell in Ledyard in 2008: $740,000

There were 11 price reductions this week totaling $144,000

This week's photo was taken on Reuven Drive in Ledyard.

Showhouse Ready on Route 12 in Gales Ferry

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:11:18 -0400

Welcome guest blogger Jo Wood!

I've spent many blogging words on the subject of getting a home on the market and ready to show. In 2003 and 2004, it almost didn't matter, as homes sold as fast as they were listed. Today is a whole different story; average isn't good enough as buyers are looking for homes in great condition and "showhouse ready".

I met Jo Wood of Showhouse Ready, through my business networking group, the Rose City Chapter of BNI. Showhouse Ready is an interior decorating & design studio located on Route 12 in Gales Ferry. While the studio might look small from the outside, here is where Jo offers a full range of window treatments including window shades, blinds and shutters plus custom-made draperies and hardware. She also offers several lines of custom made furniture, re-upholstery services, paint color consulting, room and space planning and yes, home staging.

Jo has over 25 years of experience in the fields of interior decorating, design and fine art. For 10 years she was a designer with Ethan Allen Home Interiors. This position gave her wide exposure to a variety and range of homes in Eastern CT, from small to large, traditional and contemporary. She has worked on all types of homes from small beach cottages and modest retirement condominiums, to multi-million dollar homes. She likes to pride herself on the fact that she can work within any budget and strives to get her clients the most for their money without sacrificing customer service and personal attention.

Jo is new to the world of blogging but I've convinced her that a new voice on my Eastern CT Real Estate Blog would be welcomed by my readers. Jo will be joining Elise Hanks as an occasional guest blogger. Like Elise, I've given Jo a free voice in blog topics. In fact, Jo's first post won't have anything to do with decorating, design or home staging.

Watch for it this week!

The Best of Eastern Connecticut

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 10:40:21 -0400

Saw Mill Pond in Ledyard

by guest blogger, Elise Hanks

Upon reflecting on local places that hold my favorite memories, I recalled countless afternoons and evenings spent at Saw Mill Park in Ledyard. A National Historic Landmark, the park holds great educational merit; the water-powered saw mill and its museum run in April and May and October and November on Saturday afternoons. In addition to the huge up-down mill, the park hosts a shingle miss, gristmill, a working blacksmith shop, ice harvesting equipment, and various other mill artifacts from the Industrial Revolution. Housed in a restored building from 1860, the mill is a truly awesome experience for a kid; I was both enthralled and terrified as I watched the spinning saw zing through massive tree trunks.

Although I enjoyed watching the mill in action, for me the allure of the park did not lie within the buildings. Saw Mill Pond is many things for me. It is where I caught my first fish with the help of my grandfather and where I went exploring with the neighborhood gang of girls. I began frogging there; I would search the mud and lily pads for frogs and try to catch them, either with my special net or my own hands (I always let them go). I crossed my first monkey bars there, saw a snapping turtle for the first time, and fed the ducks regularly. My family drove my brother's remote control boat around the pond and my dad kicked out to the middle on a boogie board to retrieve said boat when it got stuck in the lily pads. I even had a birthday party at the pond. In wintertime I have ice-skated near the shallow shore and once built a snowman there so the ducks wouldn't be too lonely.

Whether fishing or frogging, feeding the ducks or enjoying a picnic, Saw Mill Pond is a great place for an afternoon outing. Several swing sets, picnic tables, and a set of monkey bars are fun for those who have no desire to squelch through the mud in search of animals; spring and summertime peepers, pumpkin fish, painted turtles, bull frogs, the occasional egret or heron, salamanders, ducks, and snapping turtles can all be seen at the Park this summer. Saw Mill's rustic charms include the small waterfall that gushes out from under a wooden bridge that is always picturesque. The park is great for a nice stroll, a few laps around makes for a scenic, easy jog, and is always peaceful enough for reading at one of the picnic tables.

Elise Hanks, 2007 graduate of Ledyard High School, is a summer employee at RE/MAX Realty Group and weekly contributor to the Eastern CT Real Estate Blog.

Eastern Connecticut Photo Friday

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 21:24:07 -0400

The perfect place for a Ledyard garden.

I've always admired the large (and flat) back yard of this home on Reuven Drive in Ledyard. A new owner will soon be enjoying it! I hope they have a riding mower.

Ledyard and Gales Ferry Real Estate Update

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 07:15:13 -0400

Ledyard and Gales Ferry Homes for Sale, Pending and Sold

Ledyard/Gales Ferry inventory dropped slightly this week to 136 active residential listings. This is primarily due to a number of listings expiring at the end of June, plus 5 pending sales to report this week! Four new listings came on the market and there were 2 closed sales reported. There were 8 price reductions this week totaling $125,000. The New London Day reported (via The Warren Report) that home prices have been dropping about 1% per month in New London County and predictions are that we still have a way to go. Despite this gloomy outlook, homes are selling if they are aggressively priced and in great condition. Average condition isn't good enough!

Today's Ledyard Snapshot:

Number of Ledyard Homes Currently for Sale: 136
Last week there were 143 Active listings and one year ago there were 117 residential listings in Ledyard.

Number of Ledyard Homes Currently Pending: 31
One year ago there were 37 pending sales in Ledyard.

Number of Homes Sold in 2008: 52
One year ago there were 108 closed sales in Ledyard.

The highest priced home to sell in Ledyard this year: $740,000

There were 8 price reductions this week totaling $125,000

Photo of the Gales Ferry One Room School House

Connecticut Real Estate, My View

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 20:17:29 -0400

I had an appointment last week on a home that offered no listing or commission opportunity for me. Instead, the owners were just interested to know what their home might be worth. When I pulled up to their home on Ramblewood Drive in Gales Ferry, I was delighted to find out it was a home I had long admired for its lush perennial gardens. When I expressed my interest, the very nice owners gave me the grand tour of the grounds. We talked for quite awhile about hosta and hydrangea and I left with a rose bush cutting and a number of photos. They stopped in the office a few days later for their market analysis and invited me to come back for plant cuttings any time. I promised I'd stop by in the fall to see what their gardens had to offer.

A few days later, I went to a home near the Norwich Golf Course to help a homeowner decide what projects to tackle in case he decides to put his home on the market. As I walked room by room taking notes, I noticed lots of photo equipment. It was obvious this homeowner had more than a passing interest in photography. Having promised myself this year that I will buy a real camera and take some photography classes, I asked the seller a few questions. Ok, maybe more than a few. I left with a number of photography books that the nice seller insisted I borrow for as long as I wanted.

And so I did not list a house on Ramblewood Drive in Gales Ferry or one in Norwich by the golf course, but I did make new friends who were most generous in sharing their passions with me. Real estate is not always about the commissions we make but about the nice people we meet along the way.

Eastern Connecticut Photo Friday

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:45:02 -0400

Someone buy this boat, please..

I know you've seen it. This boat, prominently located on the corner of Route 12 and River Road in Gales Ferry, has been for sale ($995 or best offer) for 23 years. Ok, maybe not quite, but it sure seems that long. I'd guess this boat has been sitting in this same spot at least 5 years, probably longer. Frankly, I'm tired of looking at it but I have a master plan. If I can find 100 people to contribute $10 each, we can all buy this beauty and send her out to sea where she belongs. Your generosity will benefit the beautification of Gales Ferry.

The Best of Eastern Connecticut

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:41:15 -0400

Fred's Shanty in New London, CT

By guest blogger, Elise Hanks

As a girl who loves burgers and fries by the water, I feel compelled to write about my all-time favorite place to go for that taste of summer. Fred's Shanty in New London, just a few miles down the shore from Ocean Beach, is famous for its food. More sophisticated summer shack connoisseurs love their clam chowder, lobster rolls, and fried clams. As an individual who doesn't eat much seafood I can only vouch for the burgers, fries, and chicken... and I love all of them! Shoestring fries that have been fried to just the right golden brown can't be beat. In addition to seafood and grill fare, Fred's also has an ice cream window.

Located overlooking the Thames River, Fred's Shanty has a dock perfect for boaters to pull up to for an afternoon or evening snack. The outdoor, covered seating allows customers to enjoy the picturesque scene of boats bobbing in the water, birds whirling overhead, and the water making its way into the Atlantic. Fred's boasts being famous since 1973, but for me it was famous the night my parents read me Mark Sasha's Night of the Moonjellies, a book about a young boy who helps his Gram at the summer stand by the sea. At the end of the night, the boy is rewarded for a day of hard work with a surprise outing on the boat. He is amazed to see the water water beneath him filled with tiny, shimmering moonjellies. As a childhood book, Night of the Moonjellies was one of my favorites. The amazing illustrations and the reality of the story made the book real to me.

It is certainly true that one may enjoy Fred's without the book and the book without Fred's, however for me, a perfect evening was a late dinner at the Shanty and then reading the book with my family while staring at the water, trying desperately to see the moonjellies.

Fred's is open for lunch and dinner spring through October, however the best time to spot moonjellies is in August and September.

(Photo of Fred's used with permission from NewEnglandSite.com)

Elise Hanks, 2007 graduate of Ledyard High School, is a summer employee at RE/MAX Realty Group and weekly contributor to the Eastern CT Real Estate Blog.

Connecticut Condo with a View

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:52:44 -0400

Determining value or not...

There are many factors to consider when determining the value of real estate. In addition to square footage, condition and amenities, there are things like steep driveways, busy roads, power lines, and bright colors. In New England, swimming pools don't necessarily add value like they would in Florida or Georgia. Electric heat can negatively affect value despite rising oil costs. Water, mountain and sunset views increase value.

I recently completed a market analysis on a foreclosed condominium in the Jewett City area of Griswold. This condo has a view. Unfortunately, the view is of a cemetery. A very close up view of a cemetery. Out of every back window. You get the picture. Actually you really do get the picture since you will find a picture below of the view from the bedroom window.

So how much is that view worth in time and money? For my analysis, I deducted 5%. I also assumed an increase in days on market. There are some buyers that won't consider this condo no matter what the price. I'm hoping others might enjoy the benefit of having quiet neighbors.

Ledyard and Gales Ferry Real Estate Update

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:55:28 -0400

Ledyard and Gales Ferry Homes for Sale, Pending and Sold

Ledyard/Gales Ferry real estate inventory stands at 143 active residential listings. Last week 8 new listings came on the market. There were 2 pending sales and only 1 closed sale. Price reductions continue to be rather remarkable; there were 12 price reductions this week totaling $176,000. The number of sold homes (50) in 2008 are about half as many as last year at this time. (104)

Although nothing is normal in 2008, the upcoming Fourth of July week is usually quiet with a decrease of showings and pending sales.

Today's Ledyard Snapshot

Number of Ledyard Homes Currently for Sale: 143
Last week there were 143 active listings and one year ago there were 116 residential listings in Ledyard.

Number of Ledyard Homes Currently Pending: 27
One year ago there were 41 pending sales in Ledyard.

Number of Homes Sold in 2008: 50
One year ago there were 104 closed sales in Ledyard.

The highest priced home to sell in Ledyard this year" $740,000

There were 12 price reductions this week totaling $176,000.

Eastern Connecticut Real Estate | Eastern CT Real Estate Blog

Inman Real Estate Connect 2008

The Best of Eastern Connecticut

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Ledyard and Gales Ferry Real Estate Update

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Buttonwood Farms in Griswold Connecticut

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Eastern Connecticut Photo Friday

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Ledyard and Gales Ferry Weekly Update

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Showhouse Ready on Route 12 in Gales Ferry

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The Best of Eastern Connecticut

See Also

Eastern Connecticut Photo Friday

See Also

Ledyard and Gales Ferry Real Estate Update

See Also

Connecticut Real Estate, My View

Eastern Connecticut Photo Friday

See Also

The Best of Eastern Connecticut

Connecticut Condo with a View

See Also

Ledyard and Gales Ferry Real Estate Update

See Also