National Real Estate News from TheCTrealtyBlog- Week of 10/15/12 (Video)

This week's national real estate news update highlight -  improving markets across the country....  Click here for more... on buying short sales, staging your home for sale varyiing  credit reports

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The Featured Home of the Week is at 125 Norton Road in Easton  for $1.4M. See the virtual tour HERE

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like:

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Connecticut Financing Update and Today's Mortgage Rates 10/13/12

The weather is starting to get cold but it's still a perfect time to purchase a home and/or refinance your existing mortgages.  There are no major real estate financing news to share today.  Mortgage-backed securities are unchanged from yesterday's closing levels (FNMA 30-year 3.0 at 105.10), which is about 9/32 higher than yesterday at this time. Favorable repricing took place yesterday. Early investors may have priced at lower levels. Mixed inflation data had little impact this morning. Currently, the 10 year yield is at 1.67%.

Today's Mortgage Rates

Conventional 30 year fixed          3.375%                 APR 3.428%

Conventional 15 year fixed          2.875%                 APR 2.968%

Conventional 5/1 ARM                2.75%                  APR 2.80%

Conventional 7/1 ARM                2.875%                APR 2.925%

The above rates are based on a loan amount of $417,000 for a single family home, a borrower’s middle credit score of 740 and a 20% down payment.

This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend. All loans must satisfy company underwriting guidelines. Information and pricing are subject to change at any time and without notice. This is not an offer to enter into a rate lock agreement under any applicable law.

 

As a lending professional, Nima Rezvan meets a wide range of real estate lending needs, whether it be a first time purchase, second home purchase, or refinance. He welcomes the opportunity to serve your needs with quick and accurate real estate financing advice. With his expertise and knowledge, he will make sure you understand the features associated with the loan program you choose and that it meets your unique financial situation.

With more than 10 years of mortgage lending experience, Nima specializes in  Conventional Mortgages,  Jumbo Loan Financing, Refinance, First Time Home Buyers and Federal Housing Administration/Veterans' Administration (FHA/VA)

782 Clinton Avenue

Bridgeport, CT 06604

Phone: 203.913.6016

Email: nima@primeres.com

Tips on Winterizing Your Pool in Fairfield County CT

If you haven't winterized your pool and live in Fairfield County, Connecticut, this weekend is a perfect time. The weather is supposed to cooperate with us, and that in itself will make the whole process a lot easier.

When the leaves fall and the weather turns cooler, it’s time to clean, protect and cover your pool for the winter. If you’re doing the project yourself, keep these suggestions in mind:
Keep things clean
•    Skim and vacuum the pool thoroughly to remove leaves and other debris.
•    Scrub and brush the walls and floor of the pool as necessary.
Safety tip: Wear non-slip shoes while cleaning the pool to avoid falling as you reach out with cleaning tools.
Treat the water right
•    A week before closing the pool, balance the water chemistry. Take a sample to a local pool professional for testing to be sure you’ve achieved the right levels.
•    If you have a solid cover, drain the water five to six inches or to just below the skimmer; drain 12 to 18 inches if you have a mesh cover.
•    Eight to 24 hours before closing the pool, “shock” the water to remove contaminants.
•    Add an algaecide to curb algae growth during the winter.
Safety tip: Open chlorine containers and other chemicals outside to prevent inhaling strong vapors.
Take care of systems
•    Blow the water out of the plumbing lines, one at a time, using a wet/dry vacuum at the skimmer opening.
•    Add antifreeze to the lines, one at a time.
•    Pull the drain plugs from the pool pump to drain the pump. Drain all filters and the heating and chlorination units as well.
•    Lubricate all moving parts.
Safety tip: If you’re not comfortable performing this part of the closing, contact a pool professional to ensure the job is done safely and thoroughly.
Cover things up
•    Inspect your cover to make sure there are no tears or damage.
•    Make sure the safety cover’s anchors are not broken or corroded; for floating covers, replace any cracked or damaged floating tubes.
•    Throughout the winter, periodically remove water that has accumulated on the cover’s surface. Use a cover pump or siphon off the water with a garden hose.
Safety tip: See that the pool cover fits snugly. Gaps, sags and open areas allow dirt and debris to get in, as well as making the area less secure for children and pets.
Store your goods
•    Remove pool components such ladders, handrails and skimmer baskets.
•    Store all pool and spa chemicals on a top shelf or in a locked cabinet.
•    Put away swim toys and pool accessories.
Safety tip: If you need to dispose of any pool chemicals, never put them in your garbage or pour them down a drain. Instead, contact the nearest hazardous waste facility for disposal instructions.

Article submitted by Brennan Purdy of State Farm Insurance

My vision is to be an insurance professional whose actions are driven by keeping the customer's best interest as my primary goal. My staff will treat all my customers in a caring, friendly, and professional manner. My office will provide warm, efficient, and seamless services to our customers at all times. I expect my business to be comprised of knowledgeable, multiple-line customers who see my office as their first and best choice for all their insurance and financial service needs

For more information on these and other home safety tips, stop by my office or visit www.brennanpurdy.com. My office is conveniently located in downtown Bethel. 203-798-7300.                   211 Greenwood Avenue , Bethel, CT 06801

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The Featured Home of the Week is a three bedroom, three bath home on 1.24 acres on  4 Highwood lane in Westport  for just  $700,000. See the virtual tour HERE

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like:

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

National Real Estate News from TheCTrealtyBlog- Week of 10/8/12 (Video)

This week's national real estate news update highlight -  pending sales fell 2.6 percent for August after 2 year peak with the Northeast the only area showing a modest gain....  Click here for more... on buying vs. renting, habitat for humanity, and sprucing up your home for a sale and more plus current  interest rates.

The Featured Home of the Week is a three bedroom, three bath home on 1.24 acres on  4 Highwood lane in Westport  for just  $700,000. See the virtual tour HERE

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like:

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Judy | Post a Com

Inspecting Residential Home Heating Oil Tanks In Connecticut

Heating oil, which is more commonly known as Fuel Oil No. 2, is used to heat 7.7 million American homes each year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Heating oil is in a category of fuel oil that also includes Fuel Oil No. 1 (kerosene), range oil and jet fuel. It is essentially the same as diesel fuel except without dye (and the state taxes). For home heating use, oil is usually stored in tanks that are underground, in basements, or above ground outside of the house. Heating oil is safe when stored and used appropriately, but accidental spills and undetected leaks can endanger health, property and the environment. Inspectors and their clients should be aware of some of the hazards of a leaking or damaged above-ground oil tank.

 

(Note:  For a discussion concerning the dangers of submerged or underground fuel storage tanks, see our article on Underground Fuel Storage Tank Hazards and Inspection.)

 

How common are leaks?

 

Oil leaks and spills can happen at a residential property for a number of reasons, such as when a storage tank develops a leak or is damaged or overfilled, or if oil is accidentally filled into a septic tank or into fuel lines that are no longer attached to the tank. A spill might even happen on a nearby property and the oil may flow into a neighbor's yard. Regardless of its cause, cleaning up an oil spill is extremely expensive, often costing hundreds of thousands of dollars or more, and putting homeowners in danger of bankruptcy.

How toxic is home heating oil?

Heating oil is also an environmental pollutant that can poison soil, groundwater, and wildlife and their habitats. It has a relatively low toxicity to humans –- less than that of gasoline, for instance -– although it can harm people through the following methods of exposure:

• inhalation of vapors:
  
  
  • Short-term exposure to heating oil fumes can cause headaches, nausea, increased blood pressure, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.
  • Long-term exposure to heating oil fumes, often due to undetected leaks, can cause liver and kidney damage, diminished ability to smell and taste, and other serious health problems. Heating oil is not currently known to cause cancer, although one of its constituents -– benzene –- is carcinogenic.
    
    
• skin contact, which can lead to itchiness, redness, pain, blisters and peeling; and
  
  
• ingestion, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness and breathing difficulties. In large enough quantities, ingestion can lead to coma or death.

Signs of a Possible Leak

 

The following conditions can aid inspectors and homeowners in identifying leaks or conditions that may lead to leaks in above-ground heating oil tanks:

• drips or any signs of leaks around the tank, filter, fuel-delivery line, valves, piping or fittings;
• signs that the tank has been patched to temporarily conceal a leak (depicted in the photo below);
• rusty, loose, wobbly or bent tank legs, or a cracked foundation, which can indicate poor tank stability. A full 275-gallon heating oil tank weighs more than 2,000 pounds, so it needs strong legs and a sturdy foundation;
• poor condition of oil tank lines. Check these periodically and contact the oil supplier if they look questionable. Keep the vent line clear of any snow, ice and insect nests;
• dying vegetation surrounding an outdoor tank.  An oil leak may be the cause of damaged or dying plants or grass nearby;
• wet spots or rust on the tank’s outer surface;
• old fuel-fill lines are no longer connected to the tank in use. If these lines are inadvertently filled, a massive oil leak will result. Unused/unconnected fuel lines from replaced oil tanks should be removed;
• overhanging eaves that may allow ice or snow to fall onto the tank and melt, potentially corroding the tank;
• fuel lines that are not covered by protective casing, even if the tank is underground;
• oil stains on the ground or a strong odor of oil around the tank;
• a cracked, stuck or frozen fuel-level gauge, or signs of fuel around the gauge;
• a clogged or restricted tank vent blocked by snow, ice or insect nests; or
• signs of an oil spill around the fill pipe or vent pipe.

 

What should you do in case of an oil spill?

 

Homeowners should take the following steps in the event of a residential oil spill or leak.

• Act immediately. Even after the source of the leak is stopped, the leaked oil will saturate surrounding soil, flow into cracks and drains, and get beneath floors and walls and remain there until it is cleaned up.

• Turn off all sources of flames or sparks in the area, such as pilot lights in water heaters and furnaces. Unplug any sparking mechanisms. Do not smoke or light matches in the area. While heating oil is less flammable than gasoline, it is still possible for it to ignite.
  
  
• Ventilate the area. Clothes and furniture will absorb the oil smell and may need to be discarded. Open windows and close cold-air returns, heat registers and other openings that may allow fumes to enter other areas of the home. Make every effort to seal off any air flow between the spill and the inhabited areas of the home.
  
  
• Be sure to keep pets away from any contaminated area. 
  
  

• Clean up small spills by donning rubber gloves and old shoes and clothes that can be thrown away afterward. Avoid skin contact and inhalation of fumes. Larger spills will require professional cleanup.

 

In summary, home heating oil is a moderately toxic substance that can do serious damage to buildings and the environment.  InterNACHI inspectors and homeowners should keep an eye out for any signs of an undetected leak or an accidental spill.  If a leak or spill is discovered, take immediate safety measures, including contacting the fuel supplier.  

 

by Nick Gromicko and Rob London

And a note from Judy: If you suspect youe tank is leaking, call a professional IMMEDIATELY.

Nick Gromicko, FOUNDER. http://www.nachi.org
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) is the world's most elite, non-profit inspection association.
President, ComInspect, www.cominspect.com
Director, Master Inspector Certification Board, www.certifiedmasterinspector.org
Author, 15 books and Co-Host of  http://www.NACHI.TV

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Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like:

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com    and   www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY