With the Closing of a Transaction, My Pledge's Are Honored . . . Pay It Forward Throughout my RE/MAX career, I have always been a Miracle Agent. That doesn't mean that it was a miracle if I sold a home. Being a Miracle Agent in the RE/MAX System, means that I choose to make a donation to the Miracle Home System from the proceeds of my commission. These donations are used to fund special programs at the nearest Children's hospital, which in this case is the Children's wing at Hartford Hospital. All donations are used locally, and are used wisely. All donations will have a card sent out to the person we designate. I take an equal amount and donate to the Susan G Komen Foundation. This is to fund a cure for breast cancer, which hits very close to home for me. As the Komen Foundation send n... 09/06/2011

Enjoy a Labor Day of Minimal labor   It's Labor Day, which was a day originally intended to be a day of recognition for those that labor hard all year round. And maybe just a way of putting a holiday at the beginning of fall. The tone of the day has gotten lost over the years, as stores stay open for shoppers; we in real estate are still making calls and showing houses; and few people are just taking a break. Historically, we in the United States have been recognized by foreigners as people that work too much, and don't know how to take time off to relax. The history of this country has and will continue to be as a land of opportunity where hard work can pay off, and anybody that is willing to put in the efforts can succeed. So if your choice is to take advantage of the offering and rel... 09/05/2011

A Spray of Color all Alone  . . Sunday Photos Along a boundary area of rhodendra and junipers I had planted a dozen dwarf rose bushes, called Meiderlander Roses. They needed little attention and would keep their flowers a long time. Most of the bushes had died. As I spent all of Saturday catching up on long postponed yard work, I was taken by a spray of color amongst a wall of green. One of the Meiderlander bushes had blossomed. It didn't finish the work for me, but gave me just enough of a spark to get me to understand that what I was doing would look good when done. A Spray of Color all Alone  . . Sunday Photos 09/03/2011

Hurricane Irene, Aftermath in Prospect CT By the time Hurricane Irene Came into CT it was down graded to a tropical storm, but the winds still topped out at over 70 mph. Many town residents were without power and some still are. At the height of the storm at least 26 town roads were blocked from tree damage.   Utility crews were out all over the area towns taking care of the big damage first. Tree cutting crews were working along side the utility people to get the limbs away as quickly and safely as possible. There was one reported fatality attributed to the storm. Late Sat evening evidently a power line came down across the back of a house setting in on fire. A resident of the home was overcome. At least 2 volunteer firemen were also shocked by the wire, and taken to the local hospital... 08/30/2011

Sunday Photos . . While the wind howls and the Rain Pours down The Northeast area is getting the brunt of Hurricane Irene. The winds howled all night, and already some roads are closed, people are without power and the first fatality in CT was here in Prospect CT, a house fire as a result of a downed power line. There will be a lot of damage, and a lot of photo opportunities. Pictures, like this, only with slightly better focus are common in rainstorms. The Insurance companies are also going to be out in force over the next week. Connecticut, and specifically Hartford was once known as the Insurance Capital of the world. My Insurance company comes from Massachusetts. And they will be down in Prospect this week as well. Flying limbs, and glass don't mix well. Hopefully another one won't ... 08/28/2011

Hurricane Irene is Coming to Connecticut It's been over 20 years since we've had a Hurricane's force hit us here in Connecticut. That storm left much destruction and took six lives. We've had big winds, lots of rain, and as recently as this past week, the ground shook with a 5.9 earth quake. There are ways to prepare to ensure there is minimum damage to your home, and to be ready for a power outage. Around the house, store away any loose items. Put the lawn chairs away as they can become missiles. If there are loose items hanging around the house, like those flag poles, take them down as well. If you have the time, and you have those loose branches still hanging over the house or near the windows, get them cut down. Along the shore, if you have those large glass windows overlooking that... 08/26/2011

CT Tax Free Week for Back to School Clothing Purchases   It's back to school time, almost. Kids are already starting to get a little sad about their summer vacation coming to an end. Parents are already starting to feel a reprieve as their kids will be heading back to school shortly and they may just catch a breather. It is time, however to get the new clothes needed for school. Here in Connecticut, bargain hungry shoppers are getting ready, and the state of CT is again offering it's CT Tax Amnesty Week for shoppers of children's back to school clothing. The CT Tax Free Week will run from August 21 thru 27. During this period, each purchase of children's clothes and shoes under $300.00 will be tax exempt.     Wise shoppers will use this, especially if they have several kids needing new ... 08/16/2011

Here are a Couple of Free Tickets - - - Pay it Forward   We recently attended an outdoor concert that featured Big Band Music and specifically the music of Benny Goodman. I truly enjoy listening to the swing music of the late 30's and 40's, and ther's nothing like hearing it live by a 16 piece orchestra. We had made up our minds to go and as luck would have it, I simultaneously got an online offer to purchase 4 tickets for the price of 2. As I was in-line at the ticket booth, I saw a couple coming up in the same direction. Just as I received my tickets, they got in line behind me. I asked if they had needed tickets, and when they nodded yes, I just handed them our spares. A big smile on both their faces, made better as they were obviously of an age where they may have heard Benny Goodma... 08/15/2011

Prospect CT Real Estate Sales Report for July 2011     Currently in Prospect CT there are 75 active residential listings for sale, with 19 new listings being added in July. They range from a corporate owned 840 square ft, 2-bedroom mobile home, listed at $23,000 to a 5300 square ft, 4-bedroom colonial with 18x36 pool listed at $629,000.     The average list price of the homes currently available for sale in Prospect CT is $321,663. The average days on market for these homes is 135 days.   There are currently 5 homes under contract in Prospect CT. The average list price for these homes is $365,332 with an average day on market of 226 days.   There were 7 closings in Prospect CT in July. They ranged from a 1,170 Sq ft 2-bedroom ranch needing TLC, which sold for $120,000 to a 2,656 sq ft 3... 08/09/2011

Within the Walk, A Field of Color I was invited to play along with a few friends at a golf course in Central CT. The course was interesting and there were some well laid out plantings to match the fairways. As I approached a tee, I was taken by a blaze of yellow alongside the tee box. Obviously years of growth had made a rather picturesque border. This patch of black eyed susans just stood out amongst all the green of the course. Just a little life, and I also mad par on the hole. Within the Walk, A Field of Color   08/06/2011

Mayor Robert Chatfield is asking everyone to save the date for his annual Kid's Summer Fun week. It will be daily 11am to 1pm on the town green. Monday August 22nd is Character Day Have fun with train rides and your favorite princess and characters as they spend the afternoon with you and the children. Come dressed as your favorite characters.  Ride on the Cho0-Choo Express, Face Painting, Make your own ice cream sundae. Tuesday August 23rd is Beach Day Cool off in the water sprinkler while you are entertained by T-Bone.  Get together to create and decorate your own sand castle.  Bring your own shovel and pails. Design your own sand art and take it home.  Bring your bathing suit and towel for the day.  Hot Dogs and Fruit Cups. Wednesday August 24th is Safety Day Public safety day with F... 08/01/2011

Is There Such a Thing as Providing Too Much Service to a Client? Our business is one of providing a service to our clients to make the sale or purchase of a residence go smoother. We have all manner of expertise available to us through our affiliations with other real estate professionals. However, when does service extend too far, or is there such a thing as too much service? I had a contact for a sale of a residence from people that lived out of state. They had to sell a home because one of their family members was going into assisted living. I had done a market analysis, sent it to them as was told that when they came to Connecticut, we would complete the paperwork and get the house listed. In the meantime, a neighbor was watching the home for them, as it was vacant. I received an em... 07/15/2011

Mother Nature Leaves Her Mark . . . And it's Here for A While I had the opportunity to play golf late Sunday afternoon at a course unfamiliar to both of us, which always makes for a challenge. New experiences, unfamiliar course, a lot of poor shot selections. As we approached an elevated green, we noticed some rather strange markings burnt into the green. It had the look left behind by ground moles when they get into a lawn, or water stains that flash dry. There was one tell tale mark that seemed to tell more of the story. A bolt of lightening had hit the ground and the dissipation of the energy left the pattern burnt into the green. It killed the grass, which will take some time to grow back, but until it does, this will be a reminder to anyone out in an open area when those dark cloud... 07/11/2011

Fantastic Raised Ranch in a great new subdivision! 120 Mikayla, Prospect, CT 06712 View Map To be built, foundation is in. There is still plenty of time to be part of the building process. Kitchen to feature granite counters, hardwood floors upstairs, great open floor plan, 4th BR in lower level, fantastic builder in a great development Details Asking Price: $379,900 MLS: W1062759 Sq. Feet: 2200 Lot Size: .92 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 # of Floors: 2 Garage Size: 2 Subdivision: Woodmont Estates Year Built: 2011 Contact InfoDave Jones Broker/Owner, REALTOR, e-PRO, Certified Distressed Property Expe Cell 203-910-2638 Dir (866) 612-8376 Email | Website All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. Stop in and see the quality from ths builder First hand!0 07/10/2011

Prospect CT Real Estate Sales Report for June 2011   Currently in Prospect CT there are 73 active residential listings for sale, with 18 new listings being added in June. They range from a corporate owned 1,679 square ft, 3-bedroom ranch, listed at $175,000 to a 5300 square ft, 4-bedroom colonial with 18x36 pool listed at $629,000. The average list price of the homes currently available for sale in Prospect CT is $339,280. The average days on market for these homes is 130 days.   There are currently 8 homes under contract in Prospect CT, with 1 going under contract in June. The average list price for these homes is $340,182 with an average day on market of 182 days. There were 5 closings in Prospect CT in June. They ranged from a 2,573 Sq ft 4-bedroom raised ranch needing TLC, which sol... 07/09/2011

Letting the Mechanic know his Help Was Appreciated . . . Pay it Forward   I recently had to take my car to the service center in town because I noticed a puddle of water on the mat on the passenger side of the car. My thoughts were of a leaky window seal or a broken air conditioner, neither of which would be pleasant. The mechanics looked at the seal from the outside then pulled the car onto the lift and sent it up. With a piece of wire in hand, he went under the car, looked around for a few minutes, and started to send the wire up. Within seconds he was rewarded with a water dousing. Evidently something had clogged the discharge hose of the air conditioner, and when he stuck the wire up it freed the hose and he received a little cold water shower. As I have an account with them, I thou... 07/06/2011

Music And Fireworks a Perfect Fit! The summer venue of the Hartford CT Symphony Orchestra is the Meadows in Simsbury CT. There with a band shell, professional lighting and sound system. The musicians take a summer break and entertain under the stars to 3-4,000 of their closest friends. Officially, it's the Talcott Mountain Music Festival. Picnics on the lawn or dine at a front row table, but the music is the same to all, just perfect. We attended the Friday night concert on July 1,  which was the salute to America night, understandably. The Governor's Honor Guard, presented the colors as well as the flags of our nation's services. How awesome a concert where the history of National Anthem is first explained, and then as those first chords are struck, all stood to attention and sang alon... 07/02/2011

Fourth of July Fireworks and Festivities for the Waterbury Ct Area   We have a great weekend of festivities and parades in the Greater Waterbury Ct area scheduled. Friday: July 1Oxford CT: The Quaker Farms Fire Company Carnival continues tonight through Saturday at Quaker Farms School, 30 Great Oak Road, with fireworks tonight at 9:45. The event is open from 6 to 11 p.m. Come out for some fun, food and to support the efforts of the volunteer fire department   Sunday:  July 3 Bristol Ct: At Lake Compounce Theme Park they will set off fireworks for the Fourth of July weekend a day early, Sunday Night at 10:00 p.m. The park opens at 11 a.m. and rides will run until the fireworks start. Lake Compounce is the longest continuously running amusement park in our country. There is an admission c... 07/01/2011

A Comment Heard in Passing becomes a Random Act of Kindness . . Pay it Forward I had caught a comment made by a friend of a friend about needing a chest of drawers for a bedroom. The person making the comment was an elderly woman that lived alone and was having a tough time. As I was assisting a client to empty a home as their family member was confined to a nursing home, I made a pitch for the chest of drawers that was going to charity. I arranged for one of my nephews to help me move the chest. we picked it up, called the woman and told her we were coming over. As we placed it in her bedroom, she was ecstatic. It fit perfectly, was obviously a very high quality piece of furniture and the colors matched. We thought we were done, but not to be. Before we left, we rearranged her furnitur... 06/27/2011

Can you ever be Too Young to Learn?  . . . Sunday Photos This weekend we had the Traveler's Championship here in Cromwell. It was a real shoot out as the young pros from all over the world came in for a tune-up maybe in advance of the British Open in 2 weeks. Or just to take advantage of the big first prize and the bigger named golfers are not here. Golf is not an easy game to learn and even more difficult to master. It takes a lot of focus and dedication. A lot of time, and a lot of instructions.   We had our 2 year old grandson, Raphael along for the day, and he was curious about the game. Under the attentive eye of Grandpa Ed, Raphael took his first stab at the game He paid some attention to the instructions, and shows some promise, but nothing worthwhile comes easy. It's all about h... 06/25/2011