Awesome Location! Private Backyard; Nice Views; Open Floor Plan; Bright & Sunny; Wood Floors; Large Rooms; New Carpeting; This Condo Is Very Roomy & Shows Very Pretty. The Lower Level Is Finished add square footage not inlcuded in the 1365 total!! Loads Of Storage. This one is not to be missed and priced at $133,000  will surely not last!   12/30/2011

Rental Properties... commune living?  As of late, I've been working more with rental properties and finding people rents in the Middlesex County of CT, than with the listing of homes or the working with buyers.  A few weeks back, I received a call from a prospective renter.  During the conversation I was told that they were looking for a 3 bedroom rental, and that 6 people would be renting this property. Since then I have received at least 4 more calls with people looking at the same scenario. The most recent was a husband and wife looking for a 3 or 4 bedroom rental.  This would be for them, their two children and her brother and girlfriend. Another call came in where the renters would be a single mom, her two children and her parents. These are tough times we are in, as we are all awa... 10/10/2011

WEEKLY TUESDAY TRIVIA QUESTION Yes, it is Tuesday, and you know what this means... another segment of the Weekly Tuesday Trivia.  I must admit, I've been remiss, but hopefully I;m back on track. This week's question is going to be on Nature. All the best of luck... do NOT use the internet to answer the question... and I'll be back next Tuesday (giving enough time with everyones schedule) to answer this question. This week's question is..... What sea mammal's upper lip moves much like the trunk of an elephant?   ***As always, please try to answer(s) this question without using the Internet. If you should, don't ruin the fun for others. Just take a guess, and I will follow up with the answer when I post next week's question*** 09/27/2011

It is drawing near the end of the day, Monday.. but it is never too late to be inspired.  Most of us in real estate, or for that matter any career or task we undertake will appreciate this.   Men's best successes come after their disappointments.   Author:  Henry Ward Beecher   This is one saying that I keep remembering when I go through tough times.  Hope this motivates you too. 09/26/2011

PAY IT FORWARD... Brought neighbor to the hospital.  As most of you know, I live in Cromwell Hills, a condo complex in Cromwell CT.  There are over 520 units in all, but are broken out into courts.  This gives it a neighborhood type of feel. This morning I was going out to dump the garbage when I noticed an ambulance in our court.  One of my neighbors was having troubles breathing... ended up being pneumonia. Her roommate was upset, and rightfully so, both are not young (like who is anymore), and it was taking a toll on her.  I offered to give her a ride to the hospital.  This way she didn't have to worry about driving, and maybe getting into an accident.  That would be all they need.  I just got home a little while ago.  I realized on the way back in the car, that we learned more about... 09/18/2011

RENTAL PROPERTIES... In Central Connecticut. Cromwell CT is in the center of the state of Connecticut, which makes it an ideal place to live.  Easy communting (for the most part) to the majority of the state. Wondering how to get your foot-hold into this town?  Or perhaps you are looking for one of the surrounding towns of Berlin, Rocky Hill, Middletown, Berlin or Portland Connecticut? I always say, start by renting.  This way you can find out about the area.  It just so happens that as of today, I have 4 rentals available for immediate occupancy.. and another available as of October 1st.  They range from a one bedroom with ALL utilities included, to a 2 bedroom townhouse condo. Some are pet friendly and waiting for you to come take a look.  So, if you wish, please call me to schedule a... 09/13/2011

Power outages.. wonder how bad Connecticut is???? I'm sure there are people all over the country that are either worried or curious about how bad the northeast was hit by the *tropical* storm. Here is a link via CL&P that will give you the statics as of Monday, August 29th at 5:29pm.  This is not a pretty picture.  I live in Cromwell CT, and we presently have 4,014 customers out of electricity, out of a total of 6,926 customers.  That is 57%. What I would like to know, is if this was actually a hurricane of a category 1 or above, how would we have fared?  Let's take what we have learned from this storm, and put it to good use.  The weather patterns are changing, and we need to take heed. 08/29/2011

PAY IT FORWARD... Water, water everywhere.....  As most of you are aware, there is a hurricane (Irene) coming up the east coast.... hitting NC today, Friday. I'm sure everyone is getting ready doing what they can.  Today, I've spent the day (only inside for a few minutes to get something cool to drink, and write this blog) then going around to see what I can do to help fellow neighbors in Cromwell Hills.  I've been removing items from balconies and patios for most of the day. I'm going back out to help neighbors and fill containers with water.  Most stores are out of water, and I'm going around filling containers so no one is out of water *should* we loose electricity. This is the time when we all need to help one another... let's all do our part to make the impact of this hurricane bea... 08/26/2011

PAY IT FORWARD....  Let's go Swimming.....  As you may recall from previous *pay it forward* blogs, I've been helping out my son's best friend one way or another.  Well this week was no exception. My son is on vacation this past week with his father...  and I love how quiet, and peaceful it has been here.  However on Friday this changed. My son's friend called wanting to get together with him.  When I mentioned that he was away all with with his dad and would not be back until Sunday evening, he was discouraged.  He wanted to come over and play... and get out of his house. I mentioned that I would be at the Cromwell Hills pool that day helping out, and if he wanted he could come over and enjoy the pool while I was there.  He thought this was great.  So, within a half hour he was at the ... 08/21/2011

PAY IT FORWARD... Loaning out DVD's.  This past Tuesday, it poured here in Cromwell, CT.  It got so dark and black in the early afternoon... you knew something was going to hit... but what? My neighbor has a satellite dish, and as usual she lost service as soon as the sky turned Grey.  She waited it out for about an hour, but still she had no TV service.  She called me so upset.  I told her that I had movies on DVD that she could borrow.  That sounded good to her and she came over.  When Hollywood Video went out of business, I bought a lot of movies... a good 300 of them.  When they only cost .35 cents.. how does one go wrong.  lol. Well when my neighbor came over, she had a field day going through all the titles.  She took three and could not wait to watch them.  They were all comedies... 08/14/2011

PAY IT FORWARD.... Giving out discount cards.  You know how we all like a deal?  It is even better if someone could help us with a little *Extra* off our purchases.  This is EXACTLY what what I did for a couple who was purchasing a lot of items at Kohl's Department Store.  The other night after dinner, I went to Kohl's to find a few things.  Of course, when you ARE looking for something in particular, you never find it.  Which is what happened to me.  I like shopping at Kohl's they have very high quality items.  On my way out of the store, I saw a couple purchasing an arm load of clothes.  I inquired if they were using a discount card, or had a means of reducing the price other than the sales price the items were already at.  They responded *no* and had a curious look on their face.  I ... 07/14/2011

Pay It Forward....Helping out a whole condo complex.  Cromwell Hills Condos in Cromwell Ct, has had a complex tag sale for the last 3 years.  There is a lot of interest in having one this year.  People are looking to sell things to make some extra money, and I'm sure people are out there looking for great deals. The woman that ran it this year, choose not to do it this year... too much work, little return.  So, I've stepped up to the plate to run it this year. As it stands right now, we have 18 families participating with a whole slew of items...everything thing from antiques, beds, rugs, electronics, brand new bikes, you name it.. THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. Yes, I am using this site to help out Cromwell Hills Condo Complex with their tag sale. So if you are in the area of Cromwel... 07/10/2011

As of late I've been going in many different circles, with a lot on my mind.  Last week I had surgery again on my left knee, and have been preoccupied with that.  Never the less, during the night I wake up with so much on my mind... then I came across this quote (unknown author) and thought I would share it with others who might be tossing and turning too.   You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind.   FOR ACCURATE INFORMATION ON REAL ESTATE... CONTACT YOUR LOCAL AGENT    Info about the author: Valerie Osterhoudt is a Cromwell Connecticut Residential Realtor who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Middlesex County of CT, which includes Cromwell, Rocky Hill, Berlin, Middletown, Wethersfield, Newington, as well as all other surrounding areas... 06/27/2011

PAY IT FORWARD...  And it only took 5 minutes. Tuesday of this past week, we had a bad rain storm here in Cromwell and Middletown CT.  Some people were without power for a while I gather.  I was walking out the door to an appointment when I received a call from a neighbor.  You might remember her from an early post here on Pay It Forward.  She was the one that I took out and drove around with for the day, she was shaky and not sure if she should drive, and we ended up going out to lunch too.  Anyway I was just leaving when the phone rang and it was my neighbor looking for help.  She had her electricity back on, but her cable was out.  She called the cable company and they tried to send a "refresh" signal to her set, but it did not work.  She was wondering if I could drive her to the loc... 06/25/2011

PAY IT FORWARD... In one hand and out the other. Yesterday was my monthly trip to the local grocery store to recycle soda and water bottles.  As you may recall, last month I gave my tickets to a woman and her children. This month they were no where in sight.  So I went into the store to cash them in.  On the way out, my friend was setting up a booth to raise money for the 3 day, 60 miles walk to help find a cure for breast cancer.  I bet you have already figured out what I did.  I did, I gave the money from the bottle return to them as a donation.  I just didn't feel it was my money to keep.  That old saying "In one hand and out the other", seemed befitting for the day. Like everyone that donated yesterday, we all hope that the one dollar, or 5 dollars, or even that nickel that we contr... 06/19/2011

Dairy Queen Cromwell CT Cromwell Middle School Fundraiser 5:00pm to 8:00pm Do something good by Eating Something Good!! Now that school is coming to an end, people are thinking of vacations.  This however, is just the beginning for the Cromwell CT PTO to work on getting school supplies.  Budgets are tight, which I'm sure comes to no surprise to anyone.  The local PTO is trying to raise money for student scholarships, school supplies and computer technology.  If you are looking for a place to go out and eat, and also help the Middle School with a fundraiser.. here is your change to do both at the same time.  Today, Monday, June 13th, (and every first Monday of the month) Dairy queen in Cromwell will donate 10% of their net sales for the evening to the Cromwell Middle School PTO. So, mom... 06/13/2011

PAY IT FORWARD... I  can only hope.  I have written a few times about a friend of my sons, and how he has taken food from my home. How he is only 12 years old and has the responsibility of taking care of his 2 year old niece.. without adult supervision at times.  He is the one that I bought flowers for, so he could give it to his mom for Mother's Day. Two days ago, on Friday, I caught wind of a church here in Cromwell, CT that is looking to help out a needy family.  I called the church and explained what was going on, and gave them as much information as I could on this boy, who is my son's best friend, and what his family is going through. They thanked me and said they would look into it.  There is no way I will ever know if this family is chosen by this church, but at least there is h... 06/12/2011

Where do you draw the line when it comes to sharing information?  Since I've been in real estate (over 11 years now) I done a lot of work selling condos in the complex where I live, Cromwell Hills. I also done rentals in Cromwell Hills as well.  Which has lead to my building up a reputation of being a good, going above and beyond, Realtor. I've worked hard to get where I am now, by doing my due diligence for my clients.  To the point that I am now getting referrals from these people I've assisted. With this, other agents and brokers in the area (going all the way to along the coast line of CT) are calling wanting to know how I am keeping deals together.  Who am I working with, can they have their names and numbers of these people and companies, because they are trying to sell condos in ... 06/03/2011

"Find the cost of freedom, buried in  the ground." Today is Memorial day, this is the day when we should take some time our of our day to remember the lives of our servicemen and women and honor them.  Some gave the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy today, and every other day.   No matter what your plans are, I hope everyone has an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend, and that you are able to enjoy some of the activities that will be going on in you community and with your families. HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY     05/30/2011

To everyone reading this blog, I'd like to wish you a Happy Memorial Day. Please remember what this day is truly about and pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed thieir lives for our freedoms. The annual Memorial Day Parade in Cromwell, CT starts at 6pm Monday, May 30th. You will want to get there early for good seating. The parade will commence the green on West Street across from the fire department, and head North on Main Street.  It will continue Norht to New Lane. Then it will turn left onto New Lane, then left back onto West Street. This is a great event for young and old.. when was the last time you had candy thrown to you while watching a parade? ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE I'D LIKE TO TAKE THIS MOMENT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO IS READING THIS WHO HAS SERVED THIS COUNTRY. I W... 05/29/2011