Norwalk CT is ready to send out notices for new taxes. Did yours go up or down?
Click on the City of Norwalk link to find out http://my.norwalkct.org/eTaxbill/
Betty Bondi
Bondi Realty Group LLC
Five reasons your home isn’t selling
Five reasons your home isn’t selling – Fairfield County CT
#1Price
There is a perfect price for every home. Sometimes it takes adjustments to come up with the right one. The formula is not magic. The best way to price a home is to use sold comparable in your neighborhood. It doesn’t matter that your neighbor’s home is on the market and they are asking more than it is worth. No one will come to see it and it becomes a dead listing. If your home or property is exceptional, then we recommend hiring a professional appraiser to determine its value.
#2 Your Real Estate agent
Hire a professional agent with experience in all types of economic markets. There are always difficulties with transactions in every market place. When times are good it seems like homes are easy to sell. This is not always the case. Housing is selling quite well right now, but that doesn’t mean it is easy. There is very little good inventory. Buyers are willing to pay a premium for a home that is pristine and totally remodeled. They are also buying homes that are well kept and in the best neighborhood and school districts. The homes that are in need of severe remodeling and are run down or have strange floor plans are more difficult to sell. That’s where an experienced agent comes into play. They have the knowledge and expertise to get the highest realistic price for your home. If your property is unusual find an agent who specializes or has experience in selling this type of home. Make sure your agent comes with experience. When hiring an agent, ask to see if they are familiar with your area or if they have personal references from happy clients. If not, interview another agent. This could make all the difference in whether your transaction goes smooth or not.
#3 Condition
Prepare your home to make it saleable and look the best it can. Clean, clean and clean again. Make sure it sparkles and smells fresh. De clutter is your new favorite word. Get rid of or store anything and everything that you don’t need. Less is more when it comes to making your home look spacious and roomy. Paint – This is the easiest, least expensive way to make a big impact. Fresh paint goes a long way and don’t just paint the walls white. Buyers love subtle color in warm shades of beige, gray and yellow. I call it Pottery Barn chic. If you have carpeting that is dated, get rid of it. Today’s buyers want hardwood floors and will pay the price to have them. How old is your boiler? Is your oil tank in good condition? What kind of condition is your roof? Is the electric up to code? Buyer’s don’t want or have the means to replace the big ticket items when purchasing a home. What is the condition of your kitchen and baths? If they are less than perfect, then make sure they are clean and painted.
#4 Landscaping
Curb appeal is super important. What does your property look like? Do you have a manicured lawn and planting beds? If your grounds are unkempt, then buyers figure the rest of your home is too. Get rid of those tired old over grown plantings that cover the foundation and windows of your home. Buy some fresh plants to present a better picture. Clean up any debris around the house. No one likes to see a messy yard, including your neighbors.
#5 Exterior
Do you have peeling paint or is mold on your home exterior? Wash the windows, power wash the house, fix any rotted wood, paint or touch up where needed. When the outside looks good, buyers know the inside will match.
It’s a proven fact that all this advice goes a long way. Following these rules will make the difference of whether your house sells for the highest and best price or not. We have the experience and track record of selling homes priced at market value which are in good condition and they sell in one day!
Betty Bondi
Bondi Realty Group LLC
203-899-9990
Popular Architectural Home Styles Fairfield County
Popular Architectural home styles
Oh how I love Queen Ann Victorians. Could it be I love this style home because I started my life in one? One of the best examples in Norwalk is on Elmwood Avenue. My grandmother owned this grand property and today it still is one of the most beautiful homes in Norwalk. When you step out back you are overlooking all of South Norwalk and our lovely waterfront. These homes were usually built by industrialists to accommodate large families and at least one live in servant. Where site location made it possible, much thought was given to orientation and views. Windows were varied in layout and dimensions on the same house, all made of wood. The porch, with ornamental wood railing and spindles, became very important as an outdoor living and entertaining area in the summer months.
My second home was a Folk Victorian Style in East Norwalk. This home was built in the early 1900’s. The architecture was beautiful but much less ornate than the Queen Anne. Many of these homes feature a wraparound porch with flat jigsaw cut trim in a variety of patterns. Others had spindles and gingerbread details. Folk Victorian house differ from Queen Ann style as they are orderly and symmetrical with no towers or bay windows.
My third home is a dramatic change in style from Victorian; its Mid Century Modern. This is a comfortable style which features open floor plan with clean simplicity and integration with nature. Like many of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs, Mid-Century architecture was frequently employed in residential structures with the goal of bringing modernism into America’s post-war suburbs. This style emphasized creating structures with ample windows and open floor plans, with the intention of opening up interior spaces and bringing the outdoors in. Many Mid-century houses utilized then-groundbreaking post and beam architectural design that eliminated bulky support walls in favor of walls seemingly made of glass. Function was as important as form in Mid-Century designs, with an emphasis placed specifically on targeting the needs of the average American family. Examples of residential Mid-Century modern architecture are frequently referred to as a California Contemporary.
This style home has caught on in popularity recently and if restoration is kept in line, these homes can command a good price.
One of the most popular home styles in Fairfield County is the traditional Colonial. This rectangular two story style home has the main entrance in the front and symmetric windows on either side. All of the public rooms are on the main floor. The main staircase is usually behind the front door and leads to a hallway and bedrooms.
Buyers with small children prefer this style more than any other. Colonials typically sell at a premium because of the desirability.
When restoring or remodeling your vintage home, stick with the architectural look the home was intended to be. You will get the greatest return on your investment if you follow this simple rule.
No matter what style home you choose, whether it’s a Ranch, Mid-Century modern, Split level, Cape, Colonial, Raised Ranch, Victorian, Antique or Cottage keep in mind you should feel comfortable with your choice and try to consider the old saying “location, location, location”.
Betty Bondi
Bondi Realty Group LLC
203-899-9990