Archive for the 'Weekend' Category

Celebrate West Hartford 2011

Gather ’round everyone, it’s once again time to “Celebrate! West Hartford.”

This year’s festival marks the 25th anniversary of the event and will be held on June 11th and 12th, 2011 on the Town Hall property in the Center. It will have all the usual attractions, including craft booths, rides, food carts, petting zoo, booths for local businesses/organizations, and a trolley. Saturday’s musical entertainment looks to be high school jazz bands, while Sunday has a slate of 3 bands each playing a 2 hour set. Check out the complete schedule of events for more details.

If you can break away from the fun, we’ll be hosting two open houses on Sunday afternoon where we promise to NOT have live music. 83 Kenyon Street in Hartford, and 97 Lancaster Road in Glastonbury will both be open from 1:00 to 3:00.

Willimantic Victorian Days 2011

This weekend is a terrific opportunity to see Victorian architecture … it’s the beginning of Willimantic Victorian Days 2011! Of all the exciting things to do this weekend in Greater Hartford, this should be number one for old house people. Festivities extend all weekend, with a highlight being the 13th Annual Victorian Homes Tour. Fourteen homes are scheduled to be open this year. The complete schedule breaks down the different events and activities held in addition to the House Tour.

If those homes aren’t enough Victorian architecture for you, come check out two Victorians in the West End of Hartford on Sunday during their open houses. 101 Kenyon Street and 171 Girard Avenue will be open from 1:00 to 3:00.

Finally, those experiencing Victorian home overload can tour a spacious and modern condo at the Grosvenor House on Prospect Avenue in West Hartford. Other units in the complex will also be open for tour from 1:00 to 3:00 on Sunday, allowing you to compare and contrast. I think this one’s the best of the lot, not that I’m biased or anything…

Weekend Plans: May 14th, 2011

We’ve been spending a lot of time outside recently. For the most part we’ve been cleaning up the yard from the winter, but we have also begun to plant the flower gardens for the spring. Clean-up and gardens have overlapped a little bit this year. We had been concerned about the snow crushing our shrubs, but they bounced back surprisingly well. However, in other parts of the yard, we did lose a couple of garden plants that we are working to replace.

The Knox Parks Foundation is holding their Annual Plant Sale today and tomorrow at their Laurel Street greenhouse in Hartford. It’s a great place to pick up whatever you need to make your garden shine this summer. As an added bonus, they have horticulturalists on site to help you make the right decisions. 75 Laurel Street, Hartford. Friday 5/13/2011 from 9:00 to 6:00 and Saturday 5/14/2011 from 8:00 to 12:00.

Another good place to buy plants is the Regional Farmer’s Market at 101 Reserve Road, Hartford. The place is packed on Saturday mornings in the spring, it’s actually quite a sight. Two pointers for those looking to venture out: First, get there early for the best selection. And by early, I mean very early. Like 6am. They supposedly open well before dawn, but we’ve never dragged ourselves out of bed to make it down there before 5:30 or so. There’s usually still some good stuff by 7:00 as long as you’re not looking for anything too specific or exotic. My other tip is to bring something to haul your purchases around with. Most people seem to bring little red wagons, though I’ve also seen wheelbarrows and other types of push carts. The ground is a bit rough, so make sure whatever you bring has larger wheels.

This week is the Brimfield Antiques Show just over the border in Brimfield, MA. It is also a sight to behold, and we took a quick trip up on Wednesday to drink it all in. Properly describing the event is a challenge, so I’ll just say it’s a combination of an antique show, flea market, and garden center (but not plants) with all the fair food you know and love. And it’s bigger than you can possibly imagine. Some of the stuff is reasonably priced, while other items seem insanely expensive, though negotiating is always encouraged. It’s just an interesting day to see everything that people have gathered up and have for sale. The show opened on Tuesday and closes on Sunday. Different fields are open each day. Some charge admission, though we have only paid to see anything on a couple of occasions.

Finally, electronics recycling comes to Hartford this Saturday. Safely get rid of all that junk that doesn’t work anymore – for free. But wait, there’s more! Paper shredding is also available. Collection is from 9:00 to 1:00 at the CRRA Trash Museum at 211 Murphy Road, Hartford.

Open Houses

We have three fantastic houses open this weekend, have you seen them yet?

171 Girard Avenue, Hartford, $365,000, Sun from 1:00 to 3:00
Amazing Great Room in a house full of character! (details | photo tour)

21 Rodney Street, Hartford, $260,000, Sun from 1:00 to 3:00
Updated granite kitchen and newer baths! (details | photo tour)

54 Gifford Road, West Hartford, $259,000, Sun from 1:00 to 3:00
Move-in condition on cul-de-sac close to WH Center! (details | photo tour)

What Else?

Send Kyle (KyleB@KyleB-RE.com) a quick note if you know of other events we should include … thanks!

Weekend Plans: May 7th, 2011

This weekend is the Hill-Stead Museum May Market, an antique and craft festival at the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington. In addition to touring the property and exhibitor booths, there are also special programs and demonstrations with local experts. The event runs Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 4:00, admission is $12 at the door, children under 12 are free.

The Greater Hartford Real Estate Blog would like to wish all the mothers out there a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend. Thanks for being such a great Mom, Mom!

Open Houses

65 Westerly Terrace, Hartford, $300,000, Sun from 1:00 to 3:00
This spacious home is in a private neighborhood setting, but offers all the conveniences of an in-town location. A traditional center hall Colonial, the property features a large living room that opens to a first floor family room, oversized kitchen with eat-in space, and large fenced back yard. The master bedroom has a private full bath, and all three bathrooms in the home have been updated. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2,304 sqft on 0.37 acres. More details and a photo tour are available.

What Else?

Send Kyle (KyleB@KyleB-RE.com) a quick note if you know of other events we should include … thanks!

Weekend Plans: Apr 30th 2011

This Saturday, April 30th, marks the beginning of the Coltsville Vintage Baseball League season. Saturday’s doubleheader begins at 10:30 at the Hendricksen Avenue side of Colt Park in Hartford. There is no cost for parking or admission – just stop by with your lawn chair to enjoy some olde time baseball and beautiful weather.

The MDC also kicks off their season this Saturday. Yes, I’m talking about the ever popular Household Hazardous Waste Collection season! This week they’re at Farmington High School collecting much of the nasty stuff you have in your basement. Here are the ground rules for this year, including who can participate and what the MDC will accept. They also have suggestions about what to do with the stuff they can’t accept (like latex paint).

Looking ahead to next weekend, Sunday, May 8th is Mother’s Day. Now is the time to start thinking about ideas. If in doubt, buy her a house. I was talking to your mother the other day and she definitely said she wanted one, and she also said that she preferred one of the super-cute places she saw on the Greater Hartford Real Estate Blog! You don’t want to let her down, do you? Think of everything that she’s done for you all of these years…

Open Houses

This week we’re doing a West End open house triple header. Three unique homes, each with tremendous historical character, all in one great neighborhood. Which one is right for you (or your Mom)? There’s only one way to find out – come visit us on Sunday!

171 Girard Avenue, Hartford, $365,000, Sun from 1:00 to 3:00
This is the perfect home for entertaining in any season. Featuring a huge Great Room with fireplace and built-ins, 171 Girard can accommodate gatherings of any size. Expand out to the deck and pool in the summer, or work your way back up to the living room and dining room in the cooler months. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and 3,019 sqft on 0.25 acres. More details and a photo tour are available.

101 Kenyon Street, Hartford, $317,000, Sun from 1:00 to 3:00
This one-of-a-kind Victorian has large spaces and unique details on an oversized lot. The living room spans the entire front of the home, connecting to the sun room with southern exposure. The dining room is also generously sized and opens to the large, renovated kitchen. Out back is an enclosed porch and patio overlooking a terrific yard. 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths and 2,861 sqft on 0.33 acres. More details and a photo tour are available.

83 Kenyon Street, Hartford, $289,900, Sun from 1:00 to 3:00
This home has more traditional Victorian architecture, and also some nice updates. There are terrific details throughout the property, starting with the outside and continuing into the foyers and public space on the first floor. The home features a nice mix of old and new, with four completely renovated baths and a large 3rd floor media room. 4 bedrooms, 2 full and 2 half baths with 2.555 sqft on 0.19 acres. More details and a photo tour are available.

Anything Else?

Send Kyle (KyleB@KyleB-RE.com) a quick note if you know of other events we should include … thanks!

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