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Market News
Yesterday I found the time to really study what has been going on in the market over the last 6 months. The findings were a mix of good and bad.
The average median asking price in Stamford for example has stayed steady at roughly 730k. The average median sold range is showing roughly a 7% decline. Hate to see the decline but it's no where near the double digits many other areas of the country are experiencing. So that's good. Even better is that new contracts over the last 3 months are significantly up over the 3 months prior. More good news!
Remember if you are going to sell and buy again, this is a great time. You may be selling lower but you will be buying lower as well. I personally just did this successfully!
Here is a link to a great article from The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121553612650836199.html?mod=djemRealEstatet
Got a question? Call or Email me!
Victoria | |
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Tips for Remodeling to Sell
By Mary White
 Remodeling your home to get it ready to sell doesn't have to be a painful undertaking. With some advance planning, careful consideration of what improvements will really impact the sale of your home, and wise choices, you'll be surprised at how simple remodeling can really be. Keep these three simplified solutions for remodeling to sell in mind, and you'll be pleased with the results.
Keep Your Expectations Realistic - If your... Read More | |
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The Latest Kitchen Trends
By Kristie Leong
 There's something comforting about spending time in the kitchen. It’s a place to gather with friends and family to cook, eat, and share stories of the day. People are demanding more of their kitchens these days, as it becomes a place for a couple to relax after a hard day's work. Gourmet cooking has become somewhat of a national pastime as people discover how relaxing the art of preparing a gourmet dinner together can be. Here are some of the most important kitchen trends for 2008... Read More | |
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What to Plant Where Grass Won't Grow
By ARA
 Almost every homeowner has an area in the landscape where grass just won't grow, but there is something you can do to fill in the space. "Stepables creeping perennials provide a great solution for these problem areas," says Frances Hopkins, founder and CEO of Under A Foot Plant Company.
When deciding which perennials to plant, she recommends you first determine how much you are going to use the planted area. Will the area have sun exposure and experience light, moderate or heavy foot traffic? When choosing plants, keep in mind the denser the plant, the more traffic it will take.
Hopkins says the number one thing to look for is sun to shade ratio and where the light hits. Next, test soil quality by taking a sample to a local garden center for analysis, and improving the soil's nutrient content if necessary. It's also important to make sure the area you will be planting in has adequate drainage.
To learn more tips on replacing grass with creeping perennials, log onto stepables.com | |
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Cut Water Costs in
Your Garden
By Keesa DuPre
 Do high water bills have you down? Here are some techniques—some simple, some not so simple—to help you cut down on water costs over the summer. Applying even one will help reduce your water bill. Applying most or all will net you drastic reductions.
1. Water Deep, Not Often. Far too many people try to save water by reducing the time they spend watering; for example, they water twenty minutes instead of an hour. When you water for only a few minutes, you don't give the water time to soak deeply into the soil. The result is a shallow layer of damp earth that encourages shallow roots. When the next drought comes along, you may find yourself having to water two or three times a day just to keep your plants from drying out.
Instead, water deep. Let the sprinkler or hose run for an hour or an hour and a half at a time, but only every other day in dry conditions (water every three or four days when there's plenty of moisture in the air). This gives the water... Read More | |
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Creative Ways to Own a Home
By Summer Banks
 If you are struggling financially but still want to own your own home, there are a few creative steps you can take to achieve your goal.
Start with a fixer upper. There are many houses out there that are in need of repair, and these houses are generally lower in cost. So if a fixer upper is what you can afford, invest in it. Just be careful not to buy a home that needs more repairs than what you can make in potential profits when reselling it.
Another option for getting affordable housing is buying into a place with shared ownership. There are different options for this type of ownership, but the most common is called "tenants in common." Although this option will be less expensive, it can have legal... Read More | | |
