Historic Homes Rehabilitation Tax Credit

The West End of Hartford contains multiple Historic Districts, which include just about all the properties in the neighborhood. In addition to recognizing the architectural importance of the collection of homes, and helping protect the properties from inappropriate modifications, the Historic District designation also creates opportunities for owners. One interesting incentive is the Historic Homes Rehabilitation Tax Credit. This past month I had an opportunity to sit down with Lucas Karmazinas, an independent consultant in

We Buy Houses

I see signs all over town advertising for people, or companies, that are willing to buy homes. There is a great diversity in the type of signs. The two examples here highlight some key decisions that go into creating the signs: 1. Do I get it printed, or do I write it by hand? 2. Do I spring for a toll-free number, or stick with a local number? 3. Do I mention cash? Most signs

August Contracts: A Wash Out

Single-family contracts totaled 532 in August, a slight decline from July’s total, though an increase over August 2010’s tally – it was a summer month with sporadic activity. Hurricane Irene passed through the County during the final week of the month, putting most of the real estate market on hold for at least three days, with some areas affected through the end of the month. We don’t know for sure how much of an impact

Hurricane Irene: Feeling Fortunate

The storm has passed, the skies have cleared, and the wind has died down. It is a bright and sunny Monday. Sunday morning – before the eye of the storm arrived – turned out to be the worst of the weather for Greater Hartford. That’s when the bulk of the rain came through, and the strongest wind gusts, though they did not approach hurricane strengths. The rain died out quickly as the storm moved north

Hurricane Irene Prep: Essential Supplies?

Since we’ve never been through a Connecticut hurricane before, nor have we been through one in a home we owned, we’ve spent the past couple of days preparing. We’re taking it seriously – this could be a dangerous situation. We’re most concerned about the large trees surrounding our home. Amy is worst-case-scenario-ing every tree near us falling on our house and the damage that will be done. Staying locked up in the house with her