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

Octagon House

Octagon House

Building houses in the shape of an octagon was apparently fashionable in the 1850s. The promoter’s arguments didn’t connect with the masses, however, so most of us live in rectangular houses instead. Some historic octagons are still present in Connecticut, but there are also some newer vintage octagons in the area. Here are two that we have come across in the past few months. Both were built in the 1980s.   Note: These homes are

Accent Bricks

Accent Bricks

I always enjoy seeing this home as I drive by – the accents give it a little something extra. It would still be a very handsome home without the details, being a brick structure from 1923 (according to the town). The accents give it a slight Victorian vibe that I usually don’t see done in this area. There are other homes out there with accent bricks, you just have to be on the lookout for

January Contracts: Cool Start to the Year

Hartford County Single Family Contracts in January 2014

The Hartford County single-family home market began 2014 with 519 contracts in January. The total was more than 4% lower than January of last year, though still higher than any other year since our data began in 2009. January was the longest cold stretch that we can remember in Greater Hartford. There have been brief deep freezes, but our experience in the area is that the temperature rarely falls below 20 degrees for long. This

148 Westgate Street, West Hartford

148 Westgate, West Hartford

This expanded Cape is conveniently located in Elmwood, close to shopping, restaurants and highway access. The first floor features a large remodeled kitchen with eat-in space which opens to an oversized family room. The family room overlooks the level backyard and has a wood burning stove and access to a deck, great for entertaining. A formal dining room has a fireplace. Two bedrooms and a renovated bathroom complete the first floor. Upstairs there are two