Posts Tagged ‘Home Buying’

• Aug 24

  4 Tips for Buying a Historic Home in Connecticut

  Connecticut is chock full of historic houses, which makes it a haven for history buffs or anyone who wants a home with a story to tell. While these old houses can be enchanting, keeping them comfortable and protected isn’t easy. Here are four ways you can make sure your historic Connecticut house remains the home of your dreams for years to come:

   

  1)    Insulate. Many homes built in the 17^th and 18^th centuries have paper-thin walls and little to no protection against the cold New England winters. On top of that, old oil- and wood-fueled heating systems are expensive to run and maintain. Insulating your attic and the space between your walls is one of the best “comfort upgrades” you can do for your home. It’s a safe and affordable investment that will keep your historic house cozy even after the snow starts to fall.

   

  2)    Bring the Power. Although your home’s very first owners probably went without power, these days we need electricity. Most colonial homes have some sort of power system, and depending on when it was installed, you could be stuck with an outdated knob-and-tube system that produces low wattage and is risky to boot. It’s not cheap to update your home’s power, but modern electrical systems run much more safely at a much higher wattage. If you want to watch TV, cook a roast and browse the Internet at the same time, an electrical overhaul will probably be a necessity.

   

  3)    Keep the Structure Sound. Above all, a solid and safe foundation is the most important thing when it comes to restoring and maintaining a historic home. Hundreds of years can take their toll on load-bearing beams and brick foundations. While you should never invest in a historic house with a crumbling foundation, if you’re concerned about the structure of your own home you can retrofit braces and beams to enhance stability. Be warned, though: if you let your structure crumble so far that you need to brace it, you’ll be dishing out a pretty penny for the repairs.

   

  4)    Keep It Up to Code. Because historic homes have lower property taxes, there are specific Connecticut real estate laws that define what makes a house historic. Keep a copy of these guidelines on hand when you make any renovations or repairs to make sure that your home stays … well, historic.

   

  If you’ve ever fancied a historic home, don’t be put out by the work required to keep it. If you budget your time and resources, you can live happily ever after in the colonial Connecticut home you’ve been dreaming of.

  Tags: Connecticut real estate, Home Buying
  Posted in Home Buying | No Comments »

• Aug 21

  Buying a Home in San Diego: Rancho Peñasquitos

  Rancho Peñasquitos is a town-sized community located in northeastern San Diego that’s perfect for anyone who wants to raise a family within the city limits. Its excellent schools, easy access to the outdoors and famous holiday spirit make Rancho Peñasquitos a great place to live for kids and adults alike.

  Rancho Peñasquitos means “little crags” in Spanish, and the community certainly lives up to its name. It shares a border with the Las Peñasquitos Canyon Reserve, a 4,000-acre expanse of pristine desert habitat and one of the largest urban parks in the country. The canyon offers hiking and climbing for the active enthusiast as well as a spectacular view at sunset.

  The canyon isn’t the only way to get outside in Rancho Peñasquitos. There are four other public parks in the neighborhood, as well as a skate park and multiple athletic fields.

  Rancho Peñasquitos is more than an urban nature preserve, though. It’s also one of the most festive communities in San Diego. The community holds the Fiesta de los Peñasquitos street fair on the first Sunday of every May, has a great fireworks display on the Fourth of July and, in the winter, transforms itself into Christmas Card Lane – a community-wide display of lights and decorations that’s considered one of the best in all of San Diego.

  Nearly 55,000 people call Rancho Peñasquitos home, and its residents range from young couples to established professionals. Because of this variety, you can expect a lot of choice when looking to buy a home in the neighborhood. Houses start as low as $159,000, but they can sell for nearly $1 million if your budget is big enough. There are a few foreclosures in this neighborhood, and you should consider them prime San Diego real estate.

  Whether you want to raise a family in San Diego or just relocate the one you have, you can’t go wrong with Rancho Peñasquitos.

  Tags: Home Buying, San Diego real estate
  Posted in Home Buying | No Comments »

• Aug 19

  Buying a Home in Connecticut: Newtown

  Many people who buy a house in Connecticut are searching for that picturesque small town that defines the Constitution State. Well look no further, because there’s one small town in southwestern Connecticut that’s a great place to live for families and young couples alike. Whether you want to raise a family or just settle down, Newtown has got you covered.

  Founded in 1705, Newtown encompasses 60 square miles of Fairfax County, which makes it the fifth largest town in the state. It puts all that land to good use, too. Newtown is home to numerous parks – including the Collis P. Huntington State Park – as well as multiple playgrounds, athletic fields, nature trails and a nature center.

  If you like playing sports more than hiking, Newtown has what you’re looking for. In addition to scholastic sports, the rec center offers swimming, tennis, softball, baseball, volleyball, lacrosse and soccer lessons and leagues to residents.

  The town is also a great place to buy a piece of Connecticut real estate that’s steeped in history. There are 12 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and two different historic districts. Newtown is also the birthplace of the game “Scrabble” as well as the hometown of actor Anthony Edwards and Olympian and reality TV star Bruce Jenner.

  About 25,000 people call Newtown home. Three quarters of the town’s residents are married couples, and almost half of all the residents have children. Like most towns in New England, houses in Newtown tend to be a little pricier than you’d find in other parts of the country. Anyone looking for a home should expect to pay between $250,000 and $700,000.

  If you want a home in a small Connecticut town that’s got strong ties to history and easy access to the great outdoors, you can’t go wrong with Newtown. Natural beauty and New England charm help make it one of the best places to live in the Constitution State.

  Tags: Connecticut real estate, Home Buying
  Posted in Home Buying | No Comments »

• Aug 15

  Buying a Home in San Diego: Serra Mesa

  Families or older couples looking at houses for sale in San Diego should definitely give Serra Mesa a close look. This vibrant community, located in east San Diego near Interstate 95, is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, its excellent healthcare facilities and the scenic Ruffin Canyon.

  Serra Mesa is named for Father Junipero Serra, a Franciscan monk who established the first Franciscan mission in California. Missions had several functions, one of which was to tend to the sick. Serra Mesa continues that tradition today with three different hospitals – including the only women’s hospital in the city of San Diego as well as the only hospital dedicated to pediatric care. Some of the community’s other public fixtures include a public library, two elementary schools, William Howard Taft Middle School and Kearney High School.

  Nature enthusiasts will find plenty to do in Serra Mesa. In addition to several public parks, playing fields and rec centers, the community is home to the Ruffin Canyon Open Space preserve – 84 acres of pristine natural habitat at the edge of town. The canyon is a great place to hike and is home to some of the best primitive trails and coastal sage scrub plants in the state.

  Sports fans are also in for a treat, because Qualcomm Stadium is less than five minutes away. During the fall you can catch a San Diego State football game on Saturday and come back again Sunday to watch the Chargers play.

  Serra Mesa is home to 24,000 people, and most of them live in single-family houses. Eight thousand of these residents are young couples, and 6,000 are children under the age of 18. It makes sense that young families would flock to Serra Mesa when you consider that some homes sell for as low as $150,000 – an absolute steal for San Diego real estate.

  If you want a small-town feel in the big city, you can’t go wrong with Serra Mesa. The easy access to nature and the low housing costs make the community perfect for budding families or for retirees who are looking to spend their golden years somewhere quiet.

  Tags: Home Buying, San Diego real estate
  Posted in Home Buying | No Comments »

• Jun 19

  Buying a Home in San Diego: Mission Valley

  Mission Valley is an excellent neighborhood in San Diego for buying a home. It’s a hub of the city for shopping and sports, and it’s an excellent choice for young professionals looking for a central location.

   

  The neighborhood has few traditional homes but is also full of condominiums and apartments that are great for young families and singles looking to be in the middle of everything. A trolley to downtown provides a convenient, car-free way to get around, while the many highways offer an easy way to explore the city in a vehicle.

   

  Shopping abounds in Mission Valley. It’s the home of three major malls as well as many other strip malls and shopping plazas. Fashion Valley Mall, Hazard Center Mall and Westfield Mission Valley are all located in the neighborhood. They offer shopping choices from Anthropologie and Jimmy Choo to Target and Bed Bath & Beyond.

   

  If you like football, you’ll love living in Mission Valley. It’s the home of Qualcomm Stadium, where the San Diego Chargers and the San Diego State University Aztecs play games in the fall and winter.

   

  Mission Valley is also bordered by the Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, which gives families a unique way to explore the history of San Diego. There are tons of museums and other historical sites, including a blacksmith, a reconstructed old courthouse and five original adobe structures to explore. SeaWorld, Mission Bay and other fun places for families are also located near Mission Valley.

   

  Mission Valley is subdivided into two smaller neighborhoods: Mission Valley East and Mission Valley West. Buying a home or condo in the area costs around $250,000 to $300,000. Mission Valley East is slightly more expensive, but otherwise, the neighborhoods are very similar. Both neighborhoods are part of the San Diego Unified School District.

   

  If you’re looking for a quick commute to downtown San Diego and a safe neighborhood with many amenities, Mission Valley is a great choice for buying a home. You’ll be in close proximity to lots of opportunities for work and play, right near the heart of San Diego.

  Tags: Home Buying, San Diego real estate
  Posted in Home Buying | No Comments »

• Jun 10

  Is Buying a Home for You?

  Many people feel that they should think about buying a home once they reach a certain age or stage in life. Some people are ready for the commitment, but others aren’t. Before you leap into a major purchase, you should consider whether or not you’re ready. If you’re on the fence, here are a few helpful tips that may help you decide if buying a home is for you:

  • Can you make a financial commitment? It doesn’t matter where you are in life: you can’t buy a home unless you can get a loan or pay in cash. Check your credit scores, take a hard look at your debt-to-income ratio and make sure you’re financially stable. Banks will want to know all that and more – so make sure you’re rock-solid before you think about buying a home.

  • Budgeting and you. Are you the type of person who tracks each expenditure on a complex spreadsheet? Or are you more likely to “wing it” and spend without thinking? If you’re more like that, then you may want to hold off on buying a home. Owning a home requires being able to budget. Not only will you have a mortgage payment to worry about, you may be looking at increased utilities and maintenance fees.

  • Can you stay put? For most people, it takes at least three years simply to recover the cost of buying a home. If you think you might get a promotion or are thinking about going back to school, a home may tie you down. However, if you’re relatively stable, then a home is a great option for you.

  • Talk with a real estate agent. If you can find a local real estate agent, they may be willing to sit down and talk with you about buying a home. A real estate agent can give you information you might not be able to find online – after all, they know the local market better than anybody else.

  There are many considerations that go into making such a major purchase. If you’ve thought about the practical side of owning a home, then you can proceed with confidence. Don’t feel that you “have to” buy a home at a certain time in life – rather, focus on your own personal situation and what’s right for you, right now.

  Tags: buying a home, Home Buying, real estate agent
  Posted in Home Buying | No Comments »

• Jun 8

  Buying a Home in Connecticut: Middletown

  Buying a home in Connecticut is a great choice for families who are looking for a friendly state with lots of historical importance. The state is very small, so being centrally located can be a boon if you’re planning on doing lots of sightseeing and traveling. The appropriately named Middletown may be an excellent choice for buying a home if you’re looking for a nice neighborhood that’s within easy reach of every part of the state.

  Middletown is located in Middlesex county, and just over 40,000 people call it home. Wesleyan University is there, so Middletown is something of a college town. The city is responsible for many cultural firsts, including Connecticut’s first public high school – which brought in students from across the state – and Connecticut’s first Hindu temple. Middletown also has one of the few youth playhouses in the entire state, Oddfellows Playhouse, which attracts many teens from around Connecticut.

  One reason Middletown is so appealing to all types of people is the variety of housing you’ll find there. Because the town is spread out over a fairly large geographic area, you can find everything from single family homes to condos and apartments. This may make Middletown a good choice for you, since you can rent while you’re looking into buying a home. The median price for a home in Middletown is around $175,000, but you can also find a fairly large number of more expensive houses.

  Children in Middletown have plenty of options for education, since there are two public and two private high schools in the area. Middlesex Community College is also located in the city.

  Families looking for entertainment will not be bored in Middletown. It’s a quick drive to New Haven and other cities in the area, plus beaches are only minutes away. There’s also a children’s circus – where kids learn and perform circus tricks – and a children’s museum that’s perfect for younger children. The whole family will be sure to enjoy hiking and getting in touch with nature on one of the many hiking trails located in Middletown.

  When you’re considering buying a home in Connecticut, consider Middletown. It’s a great city with lots to do. Its central location gives you quick access to the rest of the state, while its reasonable home prices help your wallet.

  Tags: Connecticut real estate, Home Buying
  Posted in Home Buying | No Comments »

• Jun 3

  Buying a Home in San Diego: Scripps Ranch

  Scripps Ranch is an upscale neighborhood in San Diego that’s perfect for families and singles alike. While it’s primarily known for its status as a bedroom community in San Diego, it has many distinguishing features of its own that make it a great place for buying a home.

   

  Scripps Ranch is home to just under 35,000 people. While there’s a large diversity in terms of age in the area, the median age is 39.5. The area has been growing, with a population increase of about 15 percent since 2000. Many families live in the area, but it’s also home to a number of single people.

   

  The city has an interesting history – originally, it was owned by E.W. Scripps, a prominent newspaper publisher. Originally the site of his winter home, the land eventually became a small community located near San Diego. Many of the original trees planted by Scripps’s gardeners are still in the area.

   

  The median price of a home in Scripps Ranch is $427,000 and has been falling very slightly for the last year. With only 64 foreclosures, it may not be the best area for flipping homes, but the area offers many fantastic values for people looking to relocate.
  People in Scripps Ranch enjoy participating in a variety of fun local activities, from hiking and boating at Lake Miramar to enjoying the town’s many community fairs and events. The Scripps Ranch Civic Association plans tons of town events, from a Fourth of July parade to a Spring Community Fair.

   

  Children in Scripps Ranch can go to one of four elementary schools, and eventually they finish up at Scripps Ranch High School, which is nationally ranked. Although Scripps Ranch itself has only one small higher education facility, the greater San Diego area offers many opportunities for post-secondary education.

   

  Several major companies are headquartered in Scripps Ranch, including Hitachi, LG Electronics and Lockheed Martin. However, most adults in the community work in San Diego rather than in Scripps Ranch itself.

   

  If you’re thinking about buying a home and relocating to San Diego, Scripps Ranch is a wonderful neighborhood. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the community, as well as fantastic schools and great homes.

   

  Tags: buying a home, Home Buying, San Diego real estate
  Posted in Home Buying | No Comments »

• Jun 1

  Buying a Home in Connecticut: Hartford

  Are you thinking about heading to Connecticut and buying a home? Look no further than Hartford. From its long legacy as a classic American town to its wonderful architecture and houses, Hartford is a great city for buying a home.

  Hartford is currently the third-largest city in Connecticut, just behind Bridgeport and New Haven. It’s the seventh-largest city in New England as a whole, with a population of just under 125,000. The city boasts a long history of American firsts, from the first public park to the first public art museum.

  Hartford is a major component of the so-called “Knowledge Corridor” along with its sister city, Springfield, Massachusetts. Many notable companies are headquartered in this area, including Spalding and Yankee Candle. The area is also home to many higher education institutes, from two-year schools to nationally-recognized four-year schools such as Wesleyan University.

  Homes in Hartford are reasonably priced – the median for home prices is around $130,000. Hartford is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own average price. The neighborhoods are diverse, and each has its own distinguishing features.

  Historically, Hartford has served as headquarters for many insurance companies, giving the city the nickname “Insurance City.” Many of them still remain there, including Aetna and The Phoenix Companies. The insurance industry helped Hartford build up its reputation as a knowledge center and also helped boost the GDP to over $100 billion a year for the combined Springfield-Hartford area.

  Hartford is a great city for buying a home if you’re interested in cultural events and spaces. The city is notable for its many historic buildings and monuments. Many classic examples of colonial architecture still stand, and many are open to the public. In addition, the city has many notable entertainment options, from the Hartford Symphony Orchestra to the Tony award-winning Hartford Stage.

  Buying a home in Hartford gives you many options for enjoying some of the best parts of Connecticut. This diverse city manages to maintain a small-town feel throughout the different neighborhoods, but it also has all the amenities of a large city. Hartford is an outstanding place to raise a family – so if you’re relocating to Connecticut, consider Hartford.

  Tags: buying a home, Connecticut real estate, Home Buying
  Posted in Home Buying | No Comments »

• May 26

  How To Choose Your Connecticut Real Estate Agent

  People from Connecticut have different needs and wants when it comes to real estate agents. Whether you’re buying or selling in Connecticut, your real estate agent can make all the difference in the world. Find the best real estate agent for you by following these quick tips:

   

  ●      Schedule an appointment. Don’t count on blind luck when looking for a great agent. Sitting down with a few agents can help you get a feel for how they work and how they’ll treat you. Make sure you ask them questions about their past clients – and be sure to get references. Generally speaking, the way your agent treated past clients is the way they’ll treat you.

   

  ●      Make sure they’re in the neighborhood. Your real estate agent doesn’t actually have to live in the same neighborhood, but an agent that focuses on your area will be better equipped to sell your home – or find your dream home! Connecticut neighborhoods are incredibly diverse, so an agent who works in the neighborhood you’re interested in can save you time and even money.

   

  ●      Are they in your price range? We’re not talking commission here (although we’ll get to that) – we’re talking about the price of your home. Real estate agents handle a variety of homes, but some agents have more experience with expensive homes. Others don’t. If you’re trying to sell a million-dollar mansion, you’ll want a real estate agent who can handle the challenge. Likewise, a less expensive home may not need all the bells and whistles that come along with some real estate agents.

   

  ●      Fees and commissions. Most real estate agents charge a 3 percent commission – with another 3 percent going to the buyer’s/seller’s agent. However, these rates are typically negotiable. When you’re looking for a real estate agent, let them know you want to negotiate right out of the gate. You can weed out the agents who aren’t interested in taking the drop in commission and find somebody who’s right for you.

   

  It doesn’t matter if you’re buying or selling – the right real estate agent can make any real estate transaction a snap. Just make sure you’re working with a great Connecticut agent and the rest will fall into place.

  Tags: buying a home, Connecticut real estate, finding an agent, Home Buying
  Posted in Home Buying | No Comments »