Have you been thinking of redoing your kitchen and just not sure which direction to go in? There are so many choices out there today and it really can be confusing!
Granite Concrete
Butcher Block Quartz
I found the attached “quiz” that can get you started on what countertop may be the best option for your lifestyle. See what you think…
(Unfortunately you do have to copy & paste, but I think you’ll find it worthwhile!)
As always, If I can offer any assistance, don’t hesitate to call!
Every seller wants to get the best price for their house. We learned in basic Economics that it’s all about supply and demand – the best price for any item will be determined by the demand for that item relative to the supply.
Inventory of houses for sale is well below normal numbers, in most price ranges…
There is historical evidence that the demand for housing is about to increase dramatically. Each year, more homes sell in May, June, July and August than any other four months of the year. Here is a graph of home sales last year by month:
This could be the perfect time if you’ve been thinking of selling. You want to make sure your house is available for sale during peak selling season. If you are thinking of selling this year, contact me-I’m always available to talk!
Let the blooming continue as temperatures start to warm up and we spend more time outside!
Peonies
The fattest and most scrumptious of all flowers, a rare fusion of fluff and majesty, the peony is now coming into bloom.
–Henry Mitchell, American writer (1923-93)
Peonies are outrageously beautiful in bloom. These perennials may live longer than you do and require little maintenance as long as they are planted properly and establish themselves; they do not respond well to transplanting. In most of the country, the rules for success are simply full sun and well-drained soil. Peonies even relish cold winters, because they need chilling for bud formation. The variety of colors is limitless – red, pink, yellow, white and on and on.
Yellow trillium is a true spring plant: Once its flowers die back at the season’s end in June, the foliage recedes, too. Even so, its marbled leaves and delicate yellow-white blooms are a welcome sight in April & May. This beauty thrives in shade and moist, well-drained soil and grows up to 16 inches tall and 12 inches wide.
The delicate blooms of sweet mock orange belie its easy-growing nature. After planting it, you hardly have to do a thing to this compact shrub! In addition to pretty white flowers, the plant supplies an intoxicating fragrance. Best planted in full sun and moist, well-drained soil, this shrub grows up to 3 feet tall and wide.
Whether you prefer the light purple blooms or the white, there’s no sweeter spring fragrance than the blooms of this spring favorite! They come in all shapes and sizes, from dwarf shrubs to taller trees. The lilac blooms on old wood, so hold off on pruning until right after the same year’s flowering is finished. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and can get as big as 20 feet tall and wide.
Pick your favorite color, and there’s likely an iris to fill your spring garden desire. Most put on their bloom show toward the end of spring, but the plants’ tall growth and delectable petal variations make them pretty additions to a variety of garden styles. Best in full sun and well-drained soil-long and slender at 34 inches tall and 12 inches wideAzalea
Its bright color burst is short-lived, but azalea’s solid mass of flamboyant flowers provides a just-right transition from spring to summer bloomers. Pair the shrubs with hellebores, for an early-season showstopper. Part shade and moist but well-drained acidic soil, they grow up to 10 feet tall and wide.
After the monochromatic tones of winter – shades of white and gray (& slush!), nothing’s better than the cheerfulness of spring flowers. If you didn’t remember to plant your tulip and daffodil bulbs last fall, don’t worry. There are plenty of hardy plants just waiting to cheer you up!
Nothing announces the beginning of spring like crocuses! One of the first flowers to “spring up” announcing the departure of winter with their lovely pink, purple, yellow, or white petals. They do well in full sun and well-drained soil and grow up to 6 inches tall and wide.
Cool weather is just what pansies prefer. An easy to grow annual – it’s one of the best flowers to plant in spring for early-season containers and window boxes, relishing the variety in bloom color as much as their cheery uplifted petals. They do best in sun or part shade with moist, well-drained soil. They usually grow 10 inches tall and 12 inches wide.
Also known as a Lenten rose or Christmas rose, hellebores produce spring flowers of delicate beauty and surprising resilience. In warmer climates, it may even tolerate light frosts, making it one of the best flowers to plant in spring. For unusual flowers, see if you can find the double-bloom varieties. They grow best in shade and moist, well-drained soil. They can grow as tall as 12 inches and spread to 18 inches in width.
A spring perennial flower which and make its appearance as early as March, shooting up white flowers that last until late spring. It’s one of the best flowers to plant in spring and a good fit for either a shaded or woodland garden. These delicate beauties prefer shade and moist, well-drained soil and are petitie at 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide.
Both fragrant and festive, the bright clusters of snowdrop anemone are happiest in slight shade. The beauties have an added bonus – the plant may put on a second bloom show in the garden once cooler fall temperatures arrive. Another gentle bloom measuring up to 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide.
The market is in full bloom as well, so feel free to give a call!
Is this the most dreaded day of the year? Many US residents mark April 15th as D-Day – the day to file their income tax returns to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Income tax was first introduced in the United States in 1861, while Abraham Lincoln was President. The rate was 3% and levied on incomes above $800 per year . The resulting revenue was used to help fund the American Civil War. In 1872 the income tax was seen as unconstitutional and the law was repealed. It was hard to take back a tax once it was in place so the idea of a tax on personal income, at a rate of 2%, was reintroduced in the Revenue Act of 1894 even though the legal status of this kind of tax was still unclear.
In 1913, the “Sixteenth Amendment” to the Constitution was ratified which allows Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the states or basing it on the US Census. The amendment was adopted on February 3, 1913.
The details of the income tax system have changed greatly since 1913. The top rates of tax have varied enormously and were particularly high during the First and Second World Wars and the Great Depression. Individuals and families with very low levels of income do not have to pay income tax and may even receive subsidies.
In 1913 Tax Day, or the filing deadline, was March 1. However, it was moved to March 15 in 1918 and April 15 in 1955, where it has remained. If April 15 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a civil holiday, such as Patriot’s Day, the deadline is extended to the next working day. An extension due to a holiday may only affect certain states. In 2007, the residents of some states were granted an extension due to the disruption to public life in many areas caused by a huge Nor’easter. In 2007, the observance of Emancipation Day in Washington DC extended the 2006 income tax filing deadline from April 16 to April 17, for the entire nation.
The majority of residents in the US file tax returns to the IRS of all income that they received in the previous fiscal year. Some groups, particularly veterans, pensioners and some low-income families, do not have to file a tax return unless they wish to qualify for certain types of income subsidy. Others may wait until the last moment to file their return and pay any money they owe. As with everything, some people find filing a tax return to be complicated, while others feel they should not have to pay income tax at all. Income tax returns may be filed on paper or electronically. Today, people are encouraged to file a return via the Internet since it is felt to be more efficient and reduces the risk of mistakes being made or documents being lost in the post.
Tax Day is not a federal public holiday in the United States. Schools, post offices, stores and other businesses and organizations are open as usual. Public transportation runs on its usual schedule and no extra congestion is expected on highways, however, most post offices are open late to accommodate taxpayers who wait til the last minute to mail their returns.
So, whether you file on time, wait til the last minute or file an extension – there’s no escaping it, taxes are one of the 2 things that are guaranteed in life.
The income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf has. Even when you make a tax form out on the level, you don’t know when it’s through if you are a crook or a martyr. ~Will Rogers
Winter is still rearing it’s ugly head here in lower Fairfield County, but patches of green are starting to peek through. As the weather warms up so is the housing market. Spring is one of the busiest times of year for real estate, and homeowners planning to put their homes up for sale shouldn’t wait for the flowers to bloom. If you’re thinking of selling, here are some tips that you can use to prepare your home to sell this spring:
If potential buyers are turned off by the outside condition of your home, there’s only a slim chance they’ll be interested in looking inside. Do a semi-spring clean up by picking up fallen tree limbs and getting rid of last fall’s leaves that may have found their way back onto your lawn. Trim back bushes and branches so the house can be seen and brighten up the yard with some colorful flowers or planter boxes. Adding window boxes or front door flower containers is easy, looks fresh and can provide an uplifting ambiance as you walk past them into your home. You might also consider pressure washing the driveway, sidewalk, and patio. If you really want to go all out consider a fresh coat of exterior paint to give your home an instant facelift, (but wait until the weather dries out a bit or the paint won’t adhere). Just make sure the color pairs well with the rest of the exterior. Finally, repair anything that’s showing wear and tear. Remember, the outside of your home is the first impression – you should do your best to make it a great one!
Before you even get an offer? Yes! This isn’t as crazy as it sounds. Potential buyers want to see the space they may be buying, which means you need to pack away your excess furniture and clutter to show a room’s full potential. You’ll also want to box up your winter wardrobe. Bulky winter clothes take up lots of space, so move them out as you de-clutter your closets. You’ll impress buyers with all that room.
Send your drapes or curtains to the dry cleaners or wash them in your own washing machine if possible. Toss blinds into a soapy bathtub for a quick wash. If you have a pet, you’ll want to clean your carpets to remove any odor or stains. Spring is not only a colorful season, but a fragrant one, too. Bring the aroma indoors. Scents have a profound effect on mood, so infusing scent into your decor with diffusers, candles, or fresh cut plants/flowers can change the overall feeling of a space. Just be careful not to go overboard and be mindful that people have allergies this time of year so a little can go a long way.
Consider spring colors – yellows, pinks, lavenders, or pale blues. These items are inexpensive accents that can do a lot to spruce up the interior of your home. Soft spring colors will light up any room. Tuck away the heavy, winter flannel comforter and pull out crisp linens with coverlets for color.
An old fashioned “spring cleaning” can go a long way!
False. Top producing agents, those who enjoy a solid reputation in the community and practice real estate honestly and truthfully, are very careful to uphold a client’s trust. Making misrepresentations or a false statement is against the law. Agents who break fiduciary relationships or fail to disclose material facts are subject to prosecution and a loss of their license to sell real estate.
False. Since 1974, agents have been prevented from receiving any kind of kickback or favor from real estate vendors. It’s against the law. It’s against RESPA: the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. Some agents are slower than others to realize how the law affects them, but most have heard of RESPA and would not jeopardize their license, regardless of the temptation.
False. There is no excuse for habitual tardiness among professionals. Every person deserves respect, and respect is earned by providing what is promised and being on time. If your agent has a god-like, self-deluded impression of her or his own importance, find another. Clients who listen to agents’ excuses allow tardiness to happen. Don’t let a few bad apples give the entire industry a perception it doesn’t deserve.
False. Ever hear a friend say this: “Every dime more you pay for that house makes the agent more money, so don’t trust that agent.” That’s a misunderstanding. The difference between $300,000 and $310,000 is about $150 to an agent. Do you really think the agent pays any attention to the commission difference of a $10,000 spread?
False. Unless you have a signed representation contract with an agent or that agent represents the seller, that agent you call doesn’t have to show you anything. You can’t call a local real estate office and demand service or demand to be shown homes, because agents don’t work for free.
If you aren’t planning on writing an offer with the agent you call, be upfront or don’t waste that agent’s time. But don’t expect that agent — who is likely to earn nothing — to be too excited about jumping in the car with you. That agent is not obligated to show you anything. Nor is the listing agent obligated to show you a listing if you are represented by another Realtor.
False. An agent’s average annual salary is less than $36,000 a year. You will find that about half the agents in any large brokerage close less than four deals a year. That is very tough to live on, especially once office fees are paid, MLS fees and lockbox fees are deducted, overhead and expenses for the agent are deducted, errors & omissions insurance and office supplies are paid.
Any agent worth her salt wants disclosure. Why? Because she wants what is best for her client but also, and this is not to be taken lightly, because she does not want to be sued. Agents must disclose material facts. A buyer is always, without fail, better off knowing the truth about a house. Good agents care that a buyer receives full disclosure and are willing to fight for repairs on the buyer’s behalf or help the buyer cancel the transaction.
False. Discount brokers like to propel this myth. They claim to save sellers money by charging less. The truth is agents who are top producers and excel in this business do not discount services. Why? Because they don’t have to.
Less-than-full-service agents can’t afford all the bells & whistles paid for by full-service agents, who tend to draw higher offers. It boils down to you get what you pay for. A 2% commission reduction doesn’t amount to much when your price is discounted 10% or more because your agent couldn’t afford full market exposure.
False. Busy agents and top producers don’t have the luxury of time to waste when selling their own home. They also understand the market better than your average home seller, which means if a home isn’t selling within a reasonable period of time, it means it is priced too high.
If the agent needs to sell, they might even cut the buyer a better deal than the buyer can get on the open market. After all, the person most likely to be persuaded by a sales pitch is a person who sells for a living.
False. Federal Fair Housing laws prevent a real estate agent from discriminating against a number of protected classes, which automatically prohibits an agent from disclosing anything remotely relating to the protected classes. Therefore, it may come as a shock to many people that agents cannot disclose crime rates, school stats or ethnic mixes of neighborhoods. If that kind of information is important to you, an agent can tell you where to find it but cannot provide it. Those who tell you otherwise are misinformed.
If you are looking for a professional REALTOR, call me today!
Besides an upscale kitchen and plenty of space, what are new-home buyers’ looking for these days when house hunting? Here are just a few of the latest in-demand amenities.
1. Walk-in closets: Large closets, particularly in the master bedroom, is among one of home shoppers’ top priorities. Many home owners have said they’d sacrifice another household feature in order to have his-and-hers closets in the master bedroom.
2. Luxurious laundry rooms: Buyers are looking for more than just a place to stick their washer and dryer. They want upgraded laundry rooms – complete with skylights, built-in ironing boards, space for folding clothes, extra storage, and upgraded appliances.
3. Energy efficiency: Home buyers are looking to cut utility costs, and energy efficiency appliances and products can be one way to do that. Low e-windows, Energy Star appliances, and programmable thermostats are more in demand than ever.
4. Great rooms: These large open spaces that often merge dining rooms, living rooms, and kitchens continue to be in high-demand among home shoppers. “Great rooms are wonderful places where everyone in the family can sit around, or where the kids can do their homework while you get dinner ready. Today’s great rooms are large, bright and just make you feel good being there.
5. Taller first-floor ceilings: Morse home buyers want the first floor to stretch beyond the typical eight-foot ceiling. They’re asking builders for 9ft ceiling heights. The taller ceilings can open up living rooms, dining rooms, and other spaces on the first floor. But home shoppers say they can do without the cathedral ceiling in the family room, which can be too costly to heat and cool. Also, they aren’t preferring the higher ceilings on the second floor, which many home buyers say they want to feel more cozy.
Call me today and let’s chat about what you might be looking for in your new home!
The American Irish soon began to realize, however, that their large and growing numbers endowed them with a political power that had yet to be exploited. They started to organize, and their voting block, known as the “green machine,” became an important swing vote for political hopefuls. Suddenly, annual St. Patrick’s Day parades became a show of strength for Irish Americans, as well as a must-attend event for a slew of political candidates. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman attended New York City ‘s St. Patrick’s Day parade, a proud moment for the many Irish Americans whose ancestors had to fight stereotypes and racial prejudice to find acceptance in the New World.
Today, people of all backgrounds celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, especially throughout the United States, Canada and Australia. Although North America is home to the largest productions, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in many other locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore and Russia.
Did you know that up until the 1970s, Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17? This is because the day was a religious occasion. That changed and beginning in 1995 the Irish government began a national campaign to use interest in St. Patrick’s Day to drive tourism and showcase Ireland and Irish culture to the rest of the world. Today, approximately 1 million people annually take part in Ireland ‘s St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin, a multi-day celebration featuring parades, concerts, outdoor theater productions and fireworks shows.
Wishing you all, no matter your nationality, a Happy St Patrick’s Day and the “Luck of the Irish”!
So everything is negotiated, all terms have been agreed to, the mortgage commitment is in, now what?
It’s time to start packing. Sometimes this can be the most daunting task. If you’re not sure what you are taking with you, it’s best to sort things into three categories…keep, donate and discard. Charitable entities have become very picky in what they will accept as donations, so make sure you check with them before assuming they will take your items. Transferring utilities such as electric and heating (whether gas or oil) should be arranged up to two weeks prior to closing. At this time you should return your cable box and if you still have a hardwired phone arrange for service to be terminated. If you have city water the attorney will take care of the account transfer.
Your home should be left in “broom clean” condition after the movers have left and the house has been emptied. This includes wiping out cabinets, cleaning appliances and bathrooms. Don’t forget to check your attic and basement for stray items. As you are packing you should put all appliance and house related paperwork in one spot for your buyers.
The day of the closing the buyers and their agent will schedule a “walk-through” just prior to attending the closing. They will be checking that the house is in the same condition as it was prior to your move out. They will check appliances, make sure there are no gauges from furniture being moved and that everything that was supposed to be included in the sale is still at the house with no additional personal items remaining.
Lastly, you will meet with your lawyer to sign papers and hand over your keys and garage door openers. Sometimes you can pre-sign the paperwork because most attorneys schedule closings when the buyers money is wired and received (the timing of this is sometimes hard to predict).
Now your done and onto the next chapter in your lives!
My Stamford CT Home 