Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC Blog: July 2009

"This budget battle is about our economy, jobs and our properity for the next 20 years." - Gov. Rell

I remember, years ago, making time to hit the local town halls to pick up a copy of the listing property's field card.  In the town of Manchester, Ct, they kept an account for you.  That was before the internet became the great tool that it now is.  You could call their office, give them the addresses that you needed, and within minutes, they would fax it to you.  Of course, if you were not standing at the office fax machine, another agent could snap up that listing away from you, simply by reading the field card or just taking it.  Having your name written on the field card, by the town staff who faxed it to you, certainly helped. We loved the service that this town offered, just the same, and used to wish all the towns were that cooperative with Realtors.  It saved us time, gas and money.

The field card is a form that the towns use to describe the fundamentals of your property.  The lot size, the deed (volume and page numbers), the interior square footage of the home, the type of heat in the home, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and what the owners of the property paid for that home when they bought it, along with the date of their or previous transactions.  The assessment and appraisal values are listed there, too.  Some cards offer more information than others.

Then, there was a term that the town's use for properties in their database, the day book.  It's a printed out report of the latest ownerships and/or liens, that are happening, day to day.   Expecially, in the type of market that we are now experiencing, this is still a good place to check, prior to listing a property.  You do need to know who owns the property and what liens there may be attached to it.  Looking up the deed is good, but, to find out recent activities on the title of that property, go for the day book.  By the way, the day book can go back thirty days or more.

Here are a few links to some of the towns in my area of Connecticut.  If you Google "Town Assessements", you should be able to find a similar product where you might be looking for a home.  The town records still should be checked, to be sure.  They are updated more often than these sites would be.

Online Property Cards       Local Cards by Town

Accuracy is important in our business, so, do check back with the local town for verification.  To see the surrounding properties or neighborhood, go to Google Earth.  This is an amazing tool, too!

This is a good week.  Not sure why, but, just grateful that it has gone so well.  The stock market performed really well, all week.  Could that be it?  The listing prices are really taking a tumble lately, could that be it?  The rates are still very low.  Yeah!  Could that be it?  The sun came out today, all day.  Yeah!  Could that be it? For 1st time homebuyers, there is that treat of the $8,000, if they qualify.  For 2nd and 3rd time homebuyers, they take a little shave off of their price and then, move up to their dream home and save tons!

I had two offers come into today on my listings.  Set up a bunch of showings, too.  Almost like the old days!  Prices are down, buyers are smarter and the sellers are more receptive.

There are many choices for why we are busy.  Whatever that reason may be, it's nice to see that people are getting over their fears.  They are out shopping again.  For homes, cars, and soon, for back to school supplies and clothes.  I have noticed that they already have the school supplies displayed in the stores.

Can't wait until tomorrow!  Wonder if more offers will come in?  Whoo Hoo!

It's a Good Life!

Local good stuff!                         Best of the Best!                 Enjoy the Outdoors!

How about, if the government, were to issue, up to $5000, to anyone who would like to sell their present home, to move up into a more energy efficient home?  If they are willing to help the car sales, why not the home sales?  Sure, the $8,000 1st time homebuyer credit helped, but, now what?  Why just make that offer to 1st time homebuyers?  Why not expand that to all buyers, for any home?  Whether you owner occupy the home or not?  How about a 2nd home, a vacation home?

I think that we should all write notes to the US Congress and make these suggestions. 

 The economy would certainly get more of a boost if they made those changes.   Investing in real estate is still the best place to grow your money.  Yes, it is over time.  But, still, why not make the offer to the public?  Should you be punished because you want a 2nd home, or a more energy efficient home?  Think about it, plumbers, carpenters, electricians, masons, cabinet makers, etc., would all gain work.  The supply houses would be selling lumber, fixtures and tools, again.                     

      Landscape Construction Company

If they think that taking old cars in trade will help the environment, just imagine what would happen if homes were traded up!  They need to stop putting so many restrictions on the offers.  20% down payment for conventional loans, 3.5% on FHA, now the closing penalty, the high credit scores.  Yes, no one who had a 400 credit score should have been allowed to purchase a home.  Do we need to jump that up to 720?  Years ago, before the crazy market, it was 620.  Still a good score.  The main object should be, are they paying their bills.  Are they saving monies?  Do they pay their taxes, ie, have copies of their IRS returns? Investors, too, are being punished.  The normal downpayment is 20%, but, some banks are asking for 30% down, and for a time period of only five years for holding the commercial or investor loan.  What about stated income?  What happened to American Free Enterprise? 

Find a Builder, Today!

Please take a few minutes and write to your US Congress Representative or Senator.  Let them know that housing will grow the economy, the fastest.  They are up for re-election in 2010, so, they will be listening to you, now.

If you are looking for privacy and still want to be close to our everyday conveniences, here's the home for you!  This home is set on 1.09 acres.  Some of it is wooded and allows just enough sunshine to peep through.  The home was built in 1996.  It offers gas heat, vinyl siding, thermal windows, an outside storage bldg, paved driveway (with a turn around), oak floors in the 2nd level bedrooms, two full baths (the 2nd floor bath, also, includes a whirlpool tub), three skylights for star gazing, four bedrooms(two are on the 1st floor), an office/study, a living room, dining room and an applianced kitchen.  There is a full basement, too!  Lots of storage:) There is plenty of room to expand the living space, or to, add a garage!

New Price ~ $249,900

Call Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC today to see this home!  860-646-3455

You'll Love Working with Fran!