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Welcome to The CT Home Blog

All about Connecticut Real Estate and Homes For Sale. Whether you are buying or selling real estate,  you have come to the right place. The CT Home Blog offers real estate tips. home buying and home selling advice,  other useful information, and we update current mortgage rates for Connecticut every Friday. There is plenty of local town demographics on our site and market statistics, too. Bookmark us, tell your friends, and come back often. We're here at TheCTrealtyBlog.com  to service your needs whenever you are ready. -Judy

 

Monday
Mar162015

Judy Szablak Recognized Internationally in Coldwell Banker's Worldwide Network

Westport, Conn. (March 16, 2015) COLDWELL BANKER® — one of the world’s leading brands for the sale of million-dollar-plus homes and one of the largest residential real estate brokerage franchisors with more than 86,000 independent sales associates in the United States, Canada and 41 other countries has recognized Judy Szablak, an Associate-Broker affiliated with the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office in Westport with the Coldwell Banker® International Sterling Society award.

With more than 31 years of experience, Szablak has been successfully meeting the needs of homebuyers and sellers in the towns of Easton, Fairfield, Norwalk, Trumbull, Weston and Westport. She maintains the weekly “Real Estate Report” for WestportNow.com, and  is a syndicated real estate columnist  for Hearst Connecticut Media, with her column, “Real Estate With Judy”,  appearing in eight southwestern Connecticut online newspapers.

Judy has several professional designations including Accredited Buyers Representative, Certified Residential Specialist, Graduate- Realtors Institute, e-PRO Internet Certified, Cartus Certified Relocation Specialist, and Seniors Real Estate Specialist . Szablak is also a member of the National and Connecticut Associations of Realtors.

“The International Sterling Society award is presented to real estate professionals like Judy Szablak who through their skills and hard work have helped to meet the needs of their seller and buyer clients. Judy’s  deep understanding of the local market has helped her earn this honor,” said Cathleen Smith, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Connecticut and Westchester County, N.Y. “I wish Judy much success in the coming months and year.”

Szablak is affiliated with the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office in Westport, CT, located at 472 Riverside Avenue. She can be reached there at (203) 257-5892.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, a leading residential real estate brokerage company in Connecticut and Westchester County, N.Y., operates approximately 51 offices with more than  2,200 affiliated sales associates serving the communities of Connecticut and Westchester County, N.Y. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is part of NRT LLC, the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage company.

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: Find out more about Judy here

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

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

Sunday
Mar152015

Thinking about Selling? Make Sure You Know About (SBO) Strategic Buyer Optimization Techniques.

The manner in which we buy and sell homes is evolving, and one MUST embrace the technology and the more savvy buyers that come along with it.

This may be a little technical to you, but if you are selling your home, make sure you know about SBO.  (Strategic Buyer Optimization)

For starters, it includes professional photography and "buyer optimized descriptions", and it's all part of Strategic Staging. If you haven't heard of these terms, ask any one of my three seller clients who all benefited from these strategies, and closed on their home in the last 30 days from the power of SBO.

Call me or contact me to learn how these strategies can work for you

JUST IN THE LAST MONTH:

1)  Home went under deposit in just 22 days when two other nearby homes priced similarly have languished on the market for 155 days, and 267 days, respectively.
2) Condo went under deposit in  just eight days AND sold a the highest price in the complex in three years!
3) Home in need of cosmetic and structural work sold in a bidding war 2.5 percent above asking price.

 Ask me how I can help you.  Email me today

 

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: Find out more about Judy here

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

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

Thursday
Mar122015

Our Newest Website www.BestWestportHomes.com

We invite you to visit the latest  addition to our family of real estate websites. This is our fourth real estate site serving the Fairfield County, Connecticut area, and our "Market Insider Reports" has already proven to be a big hit! Check it out!

Additional features include insider tips, comprehensive individual town analyses, community info, and local school information, as well as easy home searches.

www.BestWestportHomes.com 


A special note to sellers- Your home can be featured on the front of this website. Contact me for details. (203) 257-5892


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: Find out more about Judy here

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

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

 

 

Tuesday
Mar102015

Have You Checked Around Your House for Mold?  

Mold is a relatively common household occurrence that can potentially cause health problems as well as damage to structures and surfaces. Although most molds are harmless, some can cause serious respiratory problems, especially in sensitive individuals, so it's important to be aware of potential mold growth in your home. As with most things, a little knowledge goes a long way - read below for information that will help you identify a mold problem.

Mold Basics:
Mold enters your home as tiny spores, which need moisture to begin growing, digesting and destroying. Mold can grow on almost any surface, including wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paints, carpet, sheet rock, and insulation, given the right conditions.

Identifying the Problem:
Mold most often appears as small black or white specks in places like your damp bathroom or basement walls. To the unaided eye, mold has a variety of appearances: fuzzy, velvety, leathery, powdery, and glassy. Mold colonies may appear to be black stains or patches of white, yellow, green, brown, black, gray, or even pink. Some mold may be hidden behind wall coverings or ceiling tiles, but is often visible to the naked eye.

Where to Look:
Mold grows best when there is an abundance of moisture, so it is often found in areas with water damage or excessive humidity. Mold can also be found growing along walls where warm moist air condenses on cooler wall surfaces, such as behind dressers, headboards, and in closets where articles are stored against walls. Mold often grows in rooms with both high water usage and humidity, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements.

Trust your nose:
The compounds produced by molds have strong smells, which are volatile and quickly released into the air. Because these compounds often have strong or unpleasant odors, they can cause a "moldy" or musty smell frequently associated with mold growth. A musty odor suggests that mold is growing in the building and should be investigated.

Trust, but Verify

Especially in winter, your nose can be irritated by a variety of causes such as allergies and dry air. It is suggested that you test your house for elevated mold spores in the air, and also for elevated levels of allergens. This can be especially useful if you’ve recently moved into a home with wall-to-wall carpeting. If you suspect a mold problem, you should address the issue as quickly as possible, as mold can spread quickly. A professional can help you spot water intrusion that you may not be able to see with infra-red detection. As long as the moisture problem is corrected, you can successfully clean up a small amount of mold yourself using a simple solution warm water and soap, however larger infestations should be tested and removed by a professional mitigation expert.

Article courtesy of David R. Leopold, ACI

 David Leopold
146 Coleman Road
Fairfield, CT 06825
tel: 888-801-7111
fax: 203-374-4564
David.Leopold@pillartopost.com

www.pillartopost.com

Book an inspection 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: Find out more about Judy here

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

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

Wednesday
Mar042015

Connecticut Financing Update and Today's Mortgage Rates March 4, 2015

Rates have now been at the same levels for three continuous weeks.  Rates still look very attractive at these levels and it’s time to jump into refinancing your existing mortgage with my help or purchase a new home with Realtor Judy Szablak.  The 10 year is at 2.02

 Mortgage Rates:

 Conventional 30 year fixed – 3.99% - APR 4.047%

 Conventional 15 year fixed - 3.375% - APR 3.469%

 FHA 30 year fixed – 3.75% - APR 5.337%

 FHA 15 year fixed – 3.25% - APR 4.837%

The above rates are based on a loan amount of $417,000 for a single family home, a borrower’s middle credit score of 780 and a 20% down payment.  If you would like a customized rate quote for your own specific loan scenario then please feel free to email me at nima@primeres.com or call me directly at 203.913.6016.

This is not an offer for ext
ension 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


 

 

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: Find out more about Judy here

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

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