Peggy Chirico ~ Hartford & Tolland County Real Estate Blog: December 2011

New Year's Eve ~ First Night Hartford 2012

First Night Hartford 2012 is Hartford CT's affordable, family-oriented, alcohol-free, multicultural, and artistically-inspired celebration of the new year. Now in its 23rd year, each year gets better and better.

This year's festivities include activities at Bushnell Park, the Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford Public Library, State House Square, City Hall, the Old State House, Center Church and many other locations.

First Night activities begin at 2:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve and culminates in the last fireworks display at midnight; however, the free ice skating in Bushnell Park will begin at 11:00 a.m. and continue until 1:00 a.m. The types of performances  include:

• Fireworks
• Carousel rides
• Horse-drawn wagon rides
• Magic shows
• Live music and dancing
• Art installations
• Ice carving
• Dance performances
• Fortune telling
• Tours and so much more

A Few Days Left for Charitable Contributions

I was cleaning out my mail drawer in an effort to get a jump on my new year's resolutions and came across a few mailings from my favorite charitable organizations.  In the hurry of the holiday season, I threw them in the drawer with all good intentions of sending in my donations.  Good thing I decided to clean out the drawer.

Several of them had matching donations.  In other words, the organization will double the size of your donation if a contribution is made by the deadline, which in these instances was 12/31/11.  That's hard to ignore!

There is always time to donate to a worthy cause, but if you get it in before 12/31/11, you can take it as a tax deduction.  And if the organization is offering a matching donation, your favorite charity will get twice the amount you contribute.  Very good reasons for cleaning out your mail drawer and writing a few checks now!

No matter what holiday you celebrate, I hope that your holiday season is a peaceful and happy one for you and your families. The years go by too fast for us not to take time to reflect on what is really important in life, and the holidays are the perfect time to take stock.  We spend most of the year hurrying from one task to the next, but the holidays are the best time to sit back, listen to some music, sip a little wine, and enjoy the moment with family and friends.  Happy holidays! I hope all your wishes come true.

Vernon CT Market Report for November 2011

Real estate sales in Vernon CT during November were typical of most of the year, holding steady at 14 homes sold.  However, this is just 2/3 of what was sold in November 2010 (22).

The median price also took a big hit this November over last November ($146,250 was the median price for November 2011 compared to a median price of $226,000 for November 2010).

 Here is the breakdown by price range:

It's interesting that all the sales this November were under $250,000, whereas last November there were six in the upper price ranges. When we look at how November compared to the rest of 2011, we can see that the number of houses sold are within a fairly tight range, but the median prices are all over the place. One of the problems with looking at median prices is that it is a reflection of who is buying houses in any given month, and during November, buyers were buying lower-priced homes.

There are also 22 homes under contract (with a median list price of $169,555) and 15 homes under deposit(with a median list price of $149,900), so we should expect similar numbers over the next couple of months. Here is a recap of the year so far in Vernon CT:

I think it is interesting to see which houses actually sold during November 2011 in Vernon CT, along with list price, sold price, and days on market (DOM):

If you are looking at a home in Vernon CT, there are currently 116 homes on the market with a median list price of $205,900.  That means that there are 10.9 months of inventory (the absorption rate) in Vernon CT. Generally speaking, sellers are facing a longer time on the market unless their homes are priced right for the condition, and buyers have a greater selection, depending on the price range they are looking in.  If you are thinking about buying or selling in Vernon CT, be sure to contact me.  I would be happy to help you!

People are always asking me if they should list their home during the holidays or keep their home on the market during the holidays.  Of course, there are good reasons to do so, but keep in mind that you might need to rethink your holiday decorations.  Barbara Altieri of RealtyQuest has written an excellent post about tasteful holiday decorations that is a must-read if your house in on the market during the holidays!

December's Season of Celebrations and Sharing ~ Visit Santa at Wickham Park

Visit Santa Clause at Wickham Park in Manchester CT.  From December 15 through December 23, you can visit Santa at the log cabin at the top of Wickham Park (you will also get an amazing view of the Hartford skyline).  Feel free to bring your camera for that special picture with Santa, without the glitz and confusion of Santa at the mall.  The cabin is a cozy place, reminiscent of Santa's real home (minus the toy workshop, of course), with holiday decorations and refreshments.

I used to take my children here when they were young, and we all enjoyed it.  Wickham Park has been hosting Santa for 30 years, and the tradition continues.  The event is free; however, in celebration of their 50th anniversary, Wickham Park will be collecting non-perishable food items for local food pantries, so be sure to help out.  Santa will notice what a good boy or girl you are!

The hours for visiting Santa Claus at Wickham Park are 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. during the week and from 12:00 to 5:00 on the weekends, but only from December 15 through December 23.

December's Season of Celebrations and Sharing ~ Holiday Toy Drive

A few days ago, I dropped off a few toys at the Manchester Police Department for the Blue Angels' Toy Drive. The boxes didn't look very full, so I was glad to read that others were concerned about the lack of donations, too.

To draw attention to the toy drive, a festive holiday production will be put on by C.A.S.T. (Children's Associated Summer Theater), Northstar Dance Academy, and Summit Studios of Manchester.  

The holiday show at East Catholic High School, 115 New State Road, Manchester CT on December 15, 2011 at 7:00.  The price of admission will be one new, unwrapped toy (minimum value of $10) for the Manchester Police Department's Blue Angels Toy Drive.

Enjoy a fun holiday show and donate to a good cause at the same time.  Doors open at 6:15.  For more information, call 860-649-5062.

If you can't make it to the holiday show, but want to donate anyway, you can drop off your donations at the Manchester Police Station (corner of East Middle Turnpike and Princeton Street) in Manchester CT.

Bloomfield CT Market Report for November 2011

There were 13 homes sold in Bloomfield CT during November 2011.  This compared a bit unfavorably when compared to November 2010 which showed 17 homes sold, but 13 is the most number of homes sold in one month in Bloomfield CT since June.

The median price for November 2011 was up from last November ($192,500 for November 2011 vs. $180,000 for November 2010).  Here is a recap of homes sold and median price by month for 2011 so far:

All in all, the real estate market in Bloomfield CT seems to be picking up.  Another positive sign is that there are 11 homes under contract and 21 homes under deposit, so let's hope that Bloomfield closes out the year with another increase in homes sold.  

Here are the homes which sold in November, with list price, sold price, and days on market (DOM).

If you are looking for a home in Bloomfield CT, there are currently 125 on the market, ranging in price from two-bedroom, one-bath, 768 sq. ft. ranch for $79,900 to a four-bedroom, 4.2-bath, 2899 sq. ft. colonial on Gillette Ridge Golf Course with four acres for $1.2 million.  The median price is $199,000.  As you can see, Bloomfield offers a wide range of homes for sale in many great neighborhoods, close to town or out in the beautiful countryside.  Please let me know if you would like help with your search.

December's Season of Celebrations and Sharing ~ Gingerbread Festival in South Windsor CT

I had a chance to visit the Gingerbread Festival at Wood Memorial Library in South Windsor CT.  The wonderful smell of gingerbread overtakes you as soon as you walk in the front door.  What a fun event!  There are over 50 gingerbread houses built by various businesses, groups, clubs, and individuals (both adults and children).

South Windsor CT Market Report for November 2011

The weather following our freak snowstorm on October 29 was wild and crazy, but the real estate market was pretty tame in South Windsor CT during November 2011.  There were 13 homes sold compared with 14 homes sold in November 2010.  The total homes sold per month were at the lowest since March 2011.

In November 2011, the median price was $240,000, compared with a median price of $281,950 in November 2010.  Here are the properties that sold in November 2011 in South Windsor CT.

The median price also took a hit when compared to the past few months.  Here is a recap of the number of closed sales and median price by month for 2011 to date:

On a brighter note, however, there are 6 homes under contract and 22 under deposit, so we will have to wait and see how many properties close by the end of the year.

The South Windsor CT has always been a desireable real estate market, and buyers hoping to find their next house in South Windsor only have 77 homes to choose from.  They range in price from $14,900 for a two-bedroom, one-bath 700 sq. ft. mobile home to $1.3 million for a six-bedroom, two-bath, 3054 sq. ft. farmhouse on 75 acres.  The median price of homes on the market is $269,900.

Given the inventory, the absorption rate for South Windsor is 8.08 months.  Of course, with such a wide range of prices, buyers need to realize that there are quite a bit fewer homes at their preferred price point. If you are buying or selling a home in South Windsor CT, please contact me if you would like more information about the South Windsor CT real estate market.