Archive for May, 2009
All About the Farmington Valley Greenway
May 28th, 2009 categories: Central Connecticut News & Information
For the last eight years, my parents have lived in Avon next to the Farmington Valley Greenway trail. I’ve walked it, biked it, and even had to chase my dog down it a time or two. I’ve seen people skating and skiing on it.
Now that their home is on the market, it’s beginning to hit me that I’m not going to be able to just walk out their back door and have easy access to the trail. Unlucky me. Lucky new homeowner.
This is the trail as it crosses Scoville Road near Avon Old Farms School. On a warm day, this intersection is pretty busy.
There is some parking here but it’s not official. The map below shows the trail and official parking.
If you haven’t been on the trials yet, the Farmington Valley Trails Council is hosting their Trails in Motion event on June 6th where they’ll be offering 50-mile, 30-mile and 10-mile bike tours.
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New Listing at 14 North Farms Road in Avon
May 20th, 2009 categories: Real Estate Listings
This beautiful 3,552 s.f., 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath ranch home in Avon was just listed for $475,000.
Located on a 1.63 acre lot on a cul-de-sac near Avon Old Farms school and Fisher Meadows, the property backs up to the Farmington Valley Greenway trail.
Lightly wooded yard is private yet sunny.
Let your dog/child/self run free in this large level yard set back from trail.
Trail entrance from Scoville Road.
22 x 30 Great Room has many possibilities. Used as informal game room on one side.
Living room on the other side. Floor to ceiling brick see-thru fireplace unifies the space.
Bring the outside in with this 4-season heated sunroom off kitchen.
For more details on 14 North Farms Road in Avon:
14 North Farms Road, Avon, CT Postlet
14 North Farms Road, Avon, CT Slideshow
Contact me to schedule a showing.
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When is it a good time to upgrade electrical panel to circuit breakers?
May 19th, 2009 categories: Home Buyers, Home Owners, Home Sellers
When is it a good time to upgrade your electrical panel to circuit breakers?
When your insurance company threatens to drop your policy.
I can be easily persuaded and luckily, it’s not going to cost too much.
Homes with fuses aren’t all that common any more but you may come across them during your home search. If at all possible, avoid buying a house with fuses because it will be hard to find home owner’s insurance. Ask the home seller to upgrade prior to closing and this is a perfect reason for requesting it be done.
Electrical Storm by U2
Do you dig real estate news, tips and advice? Sniffing around for pet-related information in Connecticut?
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Don’t Forget to Check Flood Maps Before Buying a Home in Central Connecticut
May 13th, 2009 categories: Central Connecticut News & Information, Home Buyers
Home buyers have to do a lot of due diligence before buying a home. Home inspections, building permits, comparable sales, appraisal, crime statistics, sex offenders, schools, zoning, etc. Add one more item on your to-do list - flood maps.
The house isn’t in a flood zone. Or is it?
You may think that property you’re buying isn’t anywhere near a river, lake, ocean or other body of water. Why check?
Even if the property is not technically near a body of water, the federal government, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) to be specific, can say it is. And therefore, it is. Even if FEMA is wrong.
Late last year, FEMA issued new flood maps for the entire country after a five-year project. Many properties in Hartford County that had previously not been classified as being in a flood zone now are. These homeowners are now required by their mortgage companies to carry expensive flood insurance, around $1,000 - $1,500/year. Flood insurance rates have recently gone up, making the impact of the map changes more painful.
After doing extensive research on flood zones and flood insurance for a client, I came into contact with several homeowners who were fighting FEMA’s new maps in Wethersfield. According to these homeowners, their properties had never flooded once since they were built more than 60 years ago. Furthermore, FEMA has classified properties as being in a flood zone even though they never officially mapped the properties and are suspected of using maps that pre-date the developments.
FEMA’s response to these homeowners has essentially been “prove your home isn’t in a flood zone” which entails the homeowner hiring a surveyor and then submitting a request to have the map changed which can take months to have approved, if it is approved at all.
And even if a home is determined not to be in a flood zone, part of the property can be considered to be in flood zone and a mortgage lender can require a flood insurance policy. Worse, the property can be removed entirely and a mortgage lender can still require flood insurance.
Where Do You Get Flood Zone Information?
There are three places you can check.
Floodsmart.gov - This is helpful for a quick look. You type in the property address and you’re told whether the property is in a low- or high-risk area. But don’t stop there.
FEMA’s web site - Again, you type in the address but on this site, you have to physically look at the map and the legend to see if the property appears to be in or near a flood zone.
Then, you have to look at the attached Letters of Map Change which exempt properties listed although they appear to be in a flood zone on the map.
Town Engineering Department - If you can’t determine whether the property is in a flood zone or not based on the maps, then take a trip to town hall. The engineering department will have the flood maps handy. But more importantly, you can ask for someone to review the map with you and give you their opinion.
Shouldn’t Flood Zone Information Be Disclosed?
Yes. There is a line on our disclosures but not all homeowners know that their property has been reclassified. If the owners don’t have a mortgage, it’s an estate, foreclosure or as-is sale, then the owners likely don’t know whether or not a home is considered by FEMA to be in a flood zone. For this reason, it’s best to research the property before hand or during the inspection contingency time period. If there are any questions, talk to your real estate agent and attorney about ways to protect yourself in the event a property you’re buying ultimately requires flood insurance.
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Pretty Dogwood Flower
May 7th, 2009 categories: Central Connecticut News & Information
I heart spring.
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