The Missing Domino: First-Time Buyers

Red House

I really enjoy watching a creatively placed set of dominoes fall down piece by piece. There’s a rhythm and organization to it all that is very appealing … I find it calming. Mind you, I’m not the one to set them all up, but that’s a different story. Real estate can be like knocking over dominoes. When people want to move within a town, they often will have to sell their existing home in order

17 Vanderbilt Road, West Hartford

17 Vanderbilt Road

This is the perfect property for those who want the character and size of an older and charming West End home but also want everything that West Hartford has to offer. A gracious full-width porch welcomes guests and is a wonderful place to relax and socialize with neighbors. Inside, there is a traditional center hall, front to back living room with fireplace and large formal dining room. The kitchen has granite counters, stainless steel appliances

March Contracts: Trending Behind Previous Years

Hartford County Single Family Contracts in March 2014

The Hartford County single-family market ended the first quarter with about 5% less activity than observed in the first three months of 2013. March of this year resulted in more than 11% fewer single-family contracts than March of last year. The market has continued to feel slow as we gradually transition from winter into spring. The inventory of available homes is currently at 5.0 months, which is higher than the 4.6 months observed at this

February Contracts: Wait For It…

Hartford County Single Family Contracts in February 2014

There were 509 single-family contracts that came together in Hartford County in February of 2014. This is slightly fewer than last month, and slightly more than February of last year. Like February of 2013, the winter weather influenced the real estate market. This time it was a couple snow storms and severe cold. Sellers have been reluctant to list their homes for sale, for a couple reasons. They worry that the it’s not quite spring,

Changing the Light Bulbs

Winch

I have learned a secret for changing the light bulbs in those huge chandeliers that hang over the grand stairway of big houses. All you have to do is install a winch directly above the fixture and wire the light with a plug. You can then disconnect the electrical and gently lower it down to a comfortable level to replace the bulbs, or to clean it. Here is an example of such a system from