Friday Flags: Show a Little Love for the Town Garage FlagWe have had a difficult and very cold winter so far and it is not over yet. The town garage is active ahead of storms with the trucks getting prepared for the storms as well as residents going in to pull a pail or 2 of sand for walkways.As I was pulling in it had shown a full wave, but when I got out of the car to take the photo it seemed to tease me and wanted me to spend some time there.As I was getting ready to take the shot, a truck parked right in front of me as if to check what I was doing. Once it pulled away, the wind stopped. I needed to step across the roadway, but traffic was heavy.Finally, I got my chance and took it.It was worth the wait, and I do hope that when I get back to town, the snow will be less on the ground ... 02/06/2026

Friday Flags: The School Flag Caught my AttentionIn our state, and many others as well, we make our property tax payments in 2 splits. The bills come out with cars and the first half of the real estate payment due in July, and the second half of the real estate payment is due in January.I made my way to town hall to drop off the second payment and as I walked back to my car, something was trying to get my attention.The flag in front of the Regional Middle School, Long Meadow was trying to get my attention.I didn't want to get into the school parking lot, but the flag seemed to just want to let me know how it looked.In as much as I had just completed one of life's guarantees, paying taxes, I considered it acceptable.I am perfectly willing to not have to make the second part of that life ... 01/30/2026

We Got a Dumping of Snow in Prospect CTThe mega-storm that hit the country this past weekend has many in a state of emergency.  We may have dodged a bit as originally it was supposed to snow through late afternoon today, but it passed quicker.I stepped onto the back deck to try and measure, and it showed as half a yardstick, 18"The roof over the basement entrance, shows it slightly in better detail.That is across the yard and driveway.Our plow man came by late yesterday afternoon and will most like come back at some point today.I still need to get out there and clear where the plow doesn't reach.Oh, the weather outside is frightful The National Weather service uses a deep orange for snow depth between 12-18 inches.It looks so peaceful and serene. Had it dropped a month ago, many would h... 01/26/2026

Real Estate Sales Update For Woodland Hills Condos in Danbury,CT For 2025 Located in the Shelter Rock district with homes located along Woodcrest Lane, Faith Lane, Brook Lane, Pondside Way, Maura Lane and Crestview Lane, this community ranks as one of the top luxury townhome communities in the Danbury, CT region. Read more about real estate pricing which is both valuable for current residents, owners that are thinking of selling their unit now or in the near future, or for long-term planning.  Style Low Price Average Price High Price # of Homes Sold Granville(Interior 2 Bedroom) $450,000 $470,000 $485,000 3  Amherst (end unit 2 bedroom)   $469,000   1  Ives(Interior 3 bedroom) $515,000 $533,725 $555,000 4  Fenton(medium sized end unit 3 bed)       0 Dalton(large end unit 3 bedroom with ... 01/23/2026

Friday Flags: The Prospect CT Town HallDriving through town there were trees waving with the gusts. As I started to reach the town center, I noticed the flags in front of the Prospect CT Town hall.There was a lot of wind as I was driving, but once I stopped, it seemed to disappear.The looked so good with the American flag and the POW flag against the blue sky. I needed to wait and see if I could get lucky.After 15 minutes, this is the best I could get, and I am wondering if it really blew once I drove out of sightFriday Flags: The Prospect CT Town Hall  01/23/2026

There are 4 things that make up what a house is going to cost you each month in the Greater Danbury, CT area. -Principal and interest for your mortgage. This is how much you borrow from the bank in addition to your initial investment. -Property taxes. This is money used to pay for schools, the fire & police department, and other municipal services. Most banks typically want this escrowed in the mortgage. -Any association dues. This could be a few hundred dollars a month if you purchase in a condo or townhome devolpment or a couple hundred dollars a year in a lake community, -Homeowners insurance-Mortgage insurance. This may be needed to protect your bank's interest in the property and may be needed depending on the type of mortgage you get, in case of your default on the loan. I advise ... 01/20/2026

Radon Levels Change with Cold Weather Radon is an odorless, invisible, radioactive gas naturally released from rocks, soil, and water. Radon can get into homes and buildings through soil, small cracks or holes in your home's foundation, or through water from a well. Over time, breathing in high levels of radon can cause lung cancer. Those that are the most vulnerable to Radon effects are small children, pets, elderly people, especially those with breathing issues and of course, smokers.Radon can build up in the air of homes and buildings. When you breathe in radon, its radioactive decay products can get trapped in your lungs. Over time, these radioactive materials increase the risk of lung cancer. It may take years before health problems appear. The EPA estimates that radon causes about... 01/20/2026

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man who deserves to be honored and respected.  Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, is a day very worthy of being celebrated.   Martin Luther King, Jr. deserves this honor and much, much more.  The opportunities many have today are a result of Martin Luther King, Jr. vision and work.Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream not for himself but for all mankind.  A dream of equality, freedom, and justice.  Nothing Martin Luther King, Jr. did centered on himself, it all centered on others.  His life was one of service to others unconditionally.As a young boy from a different country, Martin Luther King, Jr. taught me a major life lesson, one I learned very early in my life.  He taught me not only to dream, but to fully expect the dream to be fulfilled.  No matter h... 01/19/2026

A Cleansing with a Fresh Coating of SnowIt's January in New England, and with the dropping of temperatures there's also something else that drops and that's snow.When I looked out this morning it was white, and I don't recall hearing that in the forecast yesterday.It was a little less than 2 inches and left the trees and ground with a fresh white blanket.It was cold enough, so cleanup was easy, yet the frosting it left on the trees was pretty and may well stay around for a couple of days.The birds had little trouble finding the feeder so that is fine for them as well.A Cleansing with a Fresh Coating of Snow  01/18/2026

Friday Flags: Hotchkiss Field Flag Waving for MeIt has been a tough week, and I was not preprepared for this post. As I was making my way out of Prospect, I glanced over to the fields at Hotchkiss Field, and the flag was beckoning to me.I turned around and went in, parked and started to make my way over to where the flagpole was, which was on the opposite of the park.The wind had disappeared, and I felt I was going to be disappointed, but still, I had a streak to keep.The wind returned and I got my shot. So far this has been my best experience this week.Friday Flags: Hotchkiss Field Flag Waving for Me  01/16/2026

Danbury has two zip codes. The 06810 is zip code is everything south of I-84. Areas in this include Miry Brook, Shelter Rock, Long Ridge and Wooster Heights .In 2025, there were 153 single family homes sold with the average price being $546,720 & median $482,500.   For condos in the 06810, there were 196 units sold in 06810. Complex here include Woodland Hills, Timber Oaks, Rivington, Lake Place and Birchwood. The average sale was $421,950 with a median price of $378,500.     The 06811 zip code is everything north of I-84. Areas in this include King Street, Aunt Hack, Stadley Rough and Great Plain. In 2025, there were 218 single family homes sold with average price being $623,726 and the median of $558,750. For condos in the 06811 zip code, there were 159 condos sold . The average pric... 01/12/2026

Three Families Home for the HolidaysA Weston CT Real Estate StoryWrapped Just in Time for ChristmasWhen strategy, community and communication come togetherThere is something especially meaningful about helping families close on a home just in time for the holidays. As the year winds down and homes fill with warmth, traditions and togetherness, real estate becomes far more than contract and keys, it becomes about timing, trust and thoughtful guidance.This past holiday season, I had the privilege of helping three families successfully close on their homes before Christmas, including representing both the buyer and the seller of a special property at 104 Blue Spruce Circle in Weston, CT. It's a story that perfectly captures what great real estate representation truly looks like, collaborat... 01/08/2026

Congratulations to my friends on purchasing a home for their family in the town of Wilton,CT. Wilton is a lovely upscale bedroom community in Fairfield County, CT. It is about 35 minutes south of Danbury and 30 minutes north east from Stamford, CT.This was a fun one from when an old high school track-mate  called me out of the blue. We connected a few times adults at mutual friends weddings & bbqs and unfortunately a couple of wakes but didn't spend much time together as they bounced around a few spots after college.  So a couple of years ago saying they were going back to the area & wanted assistance on their move. In this super competitive market—and with their search limited to just a few towns in Fairfield County,CT—it took many jumps & false starts to clear the bar.  Multiple offer... 01/07/2026

I am pleased to announce the leasing of 2 Lake Terrace Drive  in Danbury,CT This property leased at the end of October 2025. Thank you to my loyal landlord client. This is our 6th time working together over the years to rent her family's guest home. I also have done a number of other transactions for her immediate family over the years as well. I appreciate her support even when things were not easy. We had considerable interest in the property over the time it was listed. We had to carefully screen tenants for credit worthiness and take into consideration some requested terms.  Due to the property being over 130 years old and being on right on Candlewood Lake for year round , there are some cool things but it wasn't for anybody. There is a private dock, but boats are not permitted to d... 01/07/2026

I just want to take this opportunity to say Happy New Year 2026 to all my friends here on ActiveRain.  I have been blessed to know several of you for many years, and have been blessed with new ActiveRain friends this year as well. I am all set to kick off 20265, and leave 2025 behind.  I am looking forward to the new challenges 2026 brings us, and hope the same for all of you. Life is to short to waist a precious minute of it.  Be thankful for what you have, and enjoy every minute of it. I look forward to reading each and everyone of your blogs, and hope you put up with my comments in 2026.  Stay Safe This New Years Eve&Party Safely!!!Happy New Year 2026!!!  01/01/2026

Highlights of 2025Homes, Milestones & AccomplishmentsLisa McDonald, Home & Lifestyle AdvisorAs 2025 comes to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect on the homes, stories and successes that shaped the year. From homes sold just in time for the holidays to listings preparing to welcome the New Year, this season is filled with both reflection and anticipation. This year in real estate wasn't defined by numbers alone or shifting market conditions, it was defined by people.  By milestones reached, chapters closed and new beginnings. Every buyer, seller and family I had the privilege of working with brought a unique story and I'm incredibly grateful to have been apart of so many meaningful journeys.A Year of Homes & New BeginningsIn 2025, we navigated changing markets, evolving goals and i... 12/30/2025

Friday Flags: The Prospect CT Post Office Waving HardDriving through town on my way in Waterbury I always pass the post office. This particular day the flags were really waving hard. I don't know if it was more than the wind, or just the wind gods giving me the shot I needed for the week.The flag was just raised to full mast as the state was honoring the 25th anniversary of the Sandy Hook School shooting.The second flag is for MIA's and POW's that was initiated in the 70's, many of them lost never to be returned.It is a proud flag and in the midst of the Holiday season, most appropriate as well. Friday Flags: The Prospect CT Post Office Waving Hard  12/26/2025

Merry Christmas To All My ActiveRain Friends In 2025Today is Christmas, and Christmas has always been a day my wife and I have spent with our two sons, but now that my sons no longer live in CT we have had to get a little creative in celebrating Christmas.My youngest son and his wife now live in Manassas, VA. and drove to CT last Friday, and were able to be at the family Christmas party on Saturday.  They normally alternate Christmas Eve and Christmas between us, and his wife's parents.  However, this year his wife's parents had to go to Florida, so we get to have them for both days. We are getting ready right now to have our traditional Christmas meal with them of stuffed jumbo shrimp, filet mignon, and twice baked potatoes.  Normally after our meal we FaceTime with my oldest son, and ... 12/25/2025

Our assignment for last Tuesday’s Zoom Meeting was to create a AI photo for a ZOOM background that represents our personality.  Well I was not getting the results I wanted, so I changed things up a little.  Presently this is the ZOOM background that I have when I sign in for our ActiveRain Weekly ZOOM Meetings.  It is a photo I took when I went back to the island I was born on a few years ago.  The island is the island of Santa Maria in the Azores, Portugal.  I decided to tell ChatGPT to use this photo and create a new photo based on this photo, but to zoom in closer on the homes and beach.  After a few tries the photo below is what ChatGPT came up with.I told ChatGPT to give me smaller homes, but this is the smallest homes that it finally came up with.  So at this Tuesday's ActiveRain ... 12/22/2025

How do you hire me as your home buying real estate agent?If you are considering looking for a new home in the Greater Danbury CT, we should get together before going and looking at homes.  Don't go online and start clicking! We can talk about the process, towns, what you want or don't want, financing, questions, what motivates your move , what's happening in your particular sub market and more.  This consultation should save you time and explain what sequence we do things in and help me diagnose before trying to solve your problem. Did you know that in CT it is illegal to be showing property without an agreement. The agreement says which towns we are looking in together, length of time we can work together and requested compensation.  This has to be done before entering a property, send... 12/22/2025