We have all heard of the cuts made to heating assistance programs by the Federal Government. After what we went through in New England last year it doesn’t make sense to me, but then again, nothing does. I know many who make hard choices lately because the cost of heating their homes has risen while their incomes have fallen. According to the town of New Milford, last year, $850,000 in heating assistance was given out to residents that qualified, this year, due to the cuts, they anticipate only $510,000 to be available. More people have less money these days, the costs associated with heating homes has risen…. it is a terrible situation.

The Town of New Milford is committed to raising money for our own Fuel Bank program. This Sunday, January 8th, is the Walk for Heating Assistance Fund Raiser, a 5K walk to raise money. The walk begins at 1:00 pm at the Richmond Senior Center on Main Street. To join the walk you need to give at least $10, but get people to sponsor your walk in order to raise more money! Registration begins at 12:30 in the Richmond Center dining room.

There will be prizes to the highest adult and youth pledge collectors! They are hoping to raise $20,000 with the walk, which is a drop in the bucket, all things considered. They want to load the streets of New Milford with walkers for this event, so come on down! (It was noted that this is a walk, not a run.)

This event is organized by New Milford Social Services, New Milford Senior Center and New Milford Parks & Rec department. The major sponsors of the event are ABC Fuels, Norbert Mitchell & Company and Marandola Fuel Service. Leahy’s Fuels and Superior Plus Energy Services are also sponsors of the event.

So come on down, have some fun, join in and fill the streets of New Milford with people walking for a very worthy cause!!!! It might be your neighbor, a friend, a family member who goes without heat this year because of these budget cuts. No one should go cold, no child, no senior, no person in our town should go without heat. Yet many will, I have no doubt of that. Do what you can, even if it is just the $10 donation!

For more information and for pledge envelopes you can contact the New Milford Social Services Department at 860.355.6079 or New Milford CT Senior Center at 860.355.6075.

(Children under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult.)

A few scenes of Christmas in Litchfield County. Take a drive and check out the holiday displays! Here are a few of my favorites, taken on a drive through Kent, New Preston and New Milford!

How’s the real estate market in New Milford, CT? Check it out.

As of December 7, 2011 in New Milford, CT there were 209 single family homes for sale. This is down 47 from last month at the same time. I would attribute some to the storm damage (again), some to the time of the year, and some to the general state of the real estate market. For sellers, this is a good thing, when there is less on the market there is a greater chance your house will sell.

16 single family homes sold in New Milford, CT in November 2011. This is down 1 from October.  Of these homes that sold, the average list price was $331,100. The average sale price was $317,007, which is up $24,000 from last month. But because October was down from September, we are still behind a bit. The average market time was 106 days which is down from October. Only one short sale was included in November’s sales and no foreclosures.

The median sales price in November was $278,500.

The October snow storm probably did not have anything to do with the number of closed sales in November as they were, most likely, already under deposit prior to the storm. Where we may be seeing consequences of Snowtober is probably in the amount of homes that went under deposit in the weeks after the event.

The average list price of single family homes for sale in New Milford, CT is $482,010, down appx. $10,000 from last month.

The average market time for these active listings in New Milford, CT is 195 days, up from last month. (Snowtowber result I am sure)

The median price of a home for sale in New Milford, CT is $349,900.

The highest price home for sale in New Milford, CT is $5,900,000, a beautiful estate belonging to a world famous comedienne, and located on the New Milford, New Preston, CT border. This home, as of today, has been on the market for 951 days as of today.

The lowest priced home for sale in New Milford, CT is $107,100, an antique near town, built in 1900. This home is a foreclosure and will require quite a bit of work.

Of the 209 single family homes for sale in New Milford, CT, 11 homes are under deposit. The average list price of these homes is $355,036, the average market time is 103 days.

Currently there are 25 homes that are in the pending sale status in New Milford, CT. The average list price of these homes in the pending sale status is $280,970. The average market time for these homes is 137 days. Three of these are foreclosures and 5 are short sales.

What does all of this mean? As I said previously, the October snow storm had a huge impact on the market. Many properties were damaged, without power, unavailable to be shown. The cleanup still continues. We continue to see up and down every month, and now that we are so close to the end of the year we show sales are still down, prices are still down, it is a buyers market and will continue to be so for a while to come. Predicting the real estate market is something I don’t think anyone can do these days with figures that look the way they do. I know one thing.

The key to selling a home in this market is to price it far better than the other competing homes in the same category. You must grab the buyers attention right from the start, not chase the market down or languish on the market because you outpriced yourself right out of the game.

Check out my customized marketing strategy to better position your home in today’s real estate market.

Buyers can take advantage of some pretty amazing deals these days, between jaw dropping interest rates and home prices, as long as the seller realizes that, in all honesty, the best price they will realize
from the sale of their home is the one a buyer is willing to pay and the bank is willing to loan on it. Still, with the uncertain job market, many seem to be hesitant to get out there and look.

Check out the previous home sale market activity report for October, 2011.

Interest rates are still low, housing prices are low, are you are ready to buy a home in New Milford, CT?

Click here to search for homes for sale in New Milford.

The above statistics are provided courtesy of Greater Fairfield County Multiple Listing Service (CMLS). Information provided is deemed reliable, but not necessarily accurate. There may be discrepancies, as mistakes in inputing can be made, and the fact that Connecticut has more than one multiple listing service. There may be instances where a home was/is for sale in New Milford and is on the other multiple listing service. Most of the homes for sale are listed on CMLS, therefore that is where I base my statistical information. I do believe it gives a good sense of what is happening in New Milford.

I know how busy Santa is these days, making a list and checking it twice, this is crunch time for him. However we have managed yet again to get the jolly old elf himself to take the afternoon off from his busy schedule and come to New Milford! We are getting closer, Sunday December 18th from 1-3 pm Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the bandstand on the Village Green in New Milford, CT, enjoy a horse drawn hayride around the green, have some hot chocolate and don’t forget to bring your camera’s!

Every year I have the privilege of being a part of Holiday on the Green, our office has sponsored this event for a long time. Together with Housatonic Valley Insurance, Prudential Connecticut Realty of New Milford proudly presents Holiday on the Green. Come and enjoy the fun with us! This event is free for all, our gift to you.

Here is a slide show of last years Holiday on the Green. I do hope to see you there.

The Christmas trees are standing at the ready for this years Festival of Lights on the green in New Milford. The festivities begin at the south end of the green this Saturday, November 26th at 5:00 pm with Christmas karaoke, (new one on me), tree lighting at 5:30 along with readings, singing and a visit from Santa Claus!

2011 marks the 45th year of this wonderful tradition on our beautiful village green. The trees are donated by the New Milford United Methodist Church and the event is sponsored by the Village Center Organization. Come on down and join everyone for a good old fashioned time.

Enjoy a night of shopping, dining, or just enjoying the sites. Help to kick off a great holiday season in New Milford, CT at the Festival of Lights on the most beautiful village green in all of Connecticut! 

Originally posted at 2011 New Milford CT Festival of Lights.

I often wonder what there is to do in Litchfield County during the holiday season, or any time of the year for that matter. I have run across a great site that tells you what is going on, you can filter it by dates if you like. A great way to make sure you don’t miss out on the holiday activities this season.

LITCHFIELD HILLS CONNECTICUT

The site is run by the Western CT Visitors Bureau. There is a wealth of information on the site, all in one place! Plan your holiday events in the Litchfield Hills and enjoy!

Of course you can use the site at any time of the year, a great way to keep in touch with what is going on around us in the beautiful Litchfield Hills.

48 Reservoir Rd in New Milford, CT, a great 3 bedroom colonial for sale. For those kitchen lovers, this is perfect. Great space, granite counter tops, wonderful eat in area with fireplace, leads out to the deck. The downstairs is in the process of being painted, just move in and enjoy this  3 bedroom home in New Milford, CT!

48 Reservoir Rd, New Milford, CT. Just reduced to $319,900!