Of particular interest to me are his comments on the major demographic trends in real estate:

Liniger says that Millenials will be buying homes sooner than people in Gen X (my generation); however, with the first wave of Millenials in their early to late 20’s, we haven’t seen that yet. The logic used to be that the Millenials would be the beneficiary of their parents’ wealth (Baby Boomers) and would have Mom & Dad help finance their home purchase. But with the economy, pensions, employment prospects all on the decline, I think Millenials are just as happy to stay home with Mom & Dad for a while and Mom & Dad can’t afford to contribute.

Colleen Edwards interviewed generational researcher, Chuck Underwood, on her blog, The Real Story, and he also thinks is the case…for now.

However, this leads to another trend I’ve talked about for a few years: multi-generational housing.  What type of houses do 2-3 generations of a family want to buy? It needs to be large enough to accommodate everyone. It needs to have separate living areas. Maybe it’s a multi-family home or a home with an in-law? Maybe it’s a large home with two levels and two kitchens?

Liniger calls this “cross generational,” and thinks it will have an impact on our housing market. I think, however, it’s not only a trend among recent immigrants.  If your family history included a time where family members of a different generation lived together, even if it was 50 years ago, the idea isn’t that unusual.

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Click here for a pdf flyer.

Stop by with your cans or bags of cat food (or donations) and take a tour of this fantastic house. It’s conveniently located just minutes from Enfield Square Mall and exit 48 off Rt 91. Take Elm Street to Freshwater Blvd to Saint James Avenue.  There will be signs.

Two years ago, I hosted a very successful Feral Cat Food Drive in my office one weekend in December. In two days, I collected approximately 650 lbs of cat food to feed hungry feral cats. This was but one car load.

This year, I hope to do better than that but I need help. Pass this along if you know anyone who might be interested.

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West Hartford Leisure Services recently announced their Fall/Winter 2010-2011 programs.

Fall/Winter 2010-2011 Program Brochure

Sign up online

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My initial reaction? Blame my husband, of course. I stopped washing my clothes with his clothes, thinking that this eau d’gym sock was because my fresh smelling clothes were intermixing with his odiferous work clothes.

But after a few weeks of laundry apartheid, my laundry was actually smelling worse.  My next step was to be more diligent about using fabric softener sheets and drying my clothes until they were crispy.

I finally realized I was facing a larger problem when I began to notice that everyone in my house smelled bad, except the dogs. The dogs actually smelled better than we did.

I headed over to my laundry room and discovered the culprit.

My front loading washer. (more…)

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Real estate agents were super busy this year as many families took advantage of the $8,000 tax credit for first time homebuyers.  Millions of people cashed in, according to the Internal Revenue Service.  Because of the sheer number of applications sent in, the IRS was delayed for weeks.  Some people are just now receiving their returns!

Unfortunately, for the average population, the time for the tax credit has passed.  However, military personnel still have until April 30, 2011 to sign a sales contract and June 30, 2011 to complete the sale.  That’s one whole extra year to still be able to claim the tax credit.

via JColman

The extension was enacted because of the many service members still on active duty.  They do not have the time to search for a home much less think about claiming a tax credit.  So, the government hopes the extension will give such persons who start to return home the ample time to find and buy a home. (more…)

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But listing my aunt’s house reminds me that every home has a story - a past, a present and a future.  I usually can’t tell you the past. Sometimes I don’t know and neither do the sellers.

Listing agents also have to be cautious in describing a home in a way that would exclude potential buyers - like “great family home,” just because the last owners had 6 kids and every single neighbor has kids. So, we come up with really boring copy that doesn’t interest or draw in any buyers.

Buyers, though, always want to know about the owners - who they are, why are they selling, etc. So it’s not just about the physical house. It’s also about the buyers relating to the owners and having some kind of connection.

So allow me to give 32 Rustic Lane some past, at least through my eyes. It’s by no means a complete picture - I am but one person who’s spent holidays at 32 Rustic Lane. But they’re my memories. My anecdotes to share. And maybe through the home’s past, a buyer will see their future…

32 Rustic Lane, East Hartford

(more…)

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The lyrics to Prince’s “1999″ seem to best express the last month in the Central CT real estate market and what lies ahead.

“..when I woke up this mornin’, could’ve sworn it was judgement day. The sky was all purple, there were people runnin’ everywhere. Tryin’ to run from the destruction, you know I didn’t even care. Say, say two thousand zero zero, party over, oops out of time. So tonite I’m gonna party like it’s nineteen ninety-nine.”

June was a very busy month for closings - especially in comparison to June in the last two years. Median sales prices went up. Homes were even selling a little closer to asking price. Some of this is due to the tax credit, but the rest attribute to normal reasons people buy and sell real estate (job relocation, divorce, marriage, downsizing, upsizing, etc.). Plus, low interest rates are luring first time buyers who missed the credits into the market.

Will this continue? Look at the inventory - 3,658 single family homes are on the market. That is the highest I’ve seen it since I began tracking. And you have to assume a fair percentage of the pending sales will get re-listed.

Recovery from the spring market won’t be as quick as taking an Alka-Seltzer in the morning to cure a hangover. From people who service the real estate business - lenders, stagers, home inspectors, etc - I’ve heard they’ve all suffered a dramatic slowdown in the past weeks.

The market will slow over the summer but not come to a grinding halt.  Pressure will continue to push prices down. Well priced homes in good condition will sell and sell quickly - the one fact we can always count on.

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I found this list of fireworks in Connecticut for this July 4th weekend. Have a great weekend!

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$256,900. 2,000 s.f. Has 4 Bedrooms, 2.1 Baths, 2 Car Garage and is in a very convenient location. Private yard with deck and shed. Nice curb appeal. Large 3-season Sunroom.

Great layout ideal for in-law, home office or teen suite. 3 Bedrooms, 1.1 Bath Upstairs. Master bedroom has 1/2 bath. Downstairs is Bedroom, Family Room, Office, Potential Kitchen (plumbed), Full Bath & Storage. 8 Rooms total. 2 Fireplaces. New Wood Floors.

Directions: Elm St (220) to Freshwater to Saint James.

Detailed Listing Sheet

Realtor.com Link

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Lower Level Family Room with Wet Bar. Floor to Ceiling Stone Fireplace in Living Room. Granite and Stainless Steel Appliances in Kitchen.

Large Rooms. Master Bedroom Suite with Full Bath and Walk-in Closet.

Great Location Near CCSU, Rt 9, Stanley Golf Course, Stanley Quarter Park and Westfarms Mall.

Virtual Tour - 90 Golf Boulevard New Britain

Directions: Stanley or Ella Grasso to Barbour to Golf

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