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New Milford, CT Real Estate News

By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
The Edwin Kinkaide Concerts on the Green series 2013 in New Milford, CT.     It's that time of year again! The free concert on the green series will kick off next Saturday at 7:30 pm. I love this series, the music is always great and we have such a good time. I even see people bring full dinners, complete with folding tables, to take full advantage of the programs. Bring your own chairs, blankets, snacks and get ready for a great time! Concerts held at the bandstand on the south end of our beautiful Village Green. And this year we have 5 Saturdays in August, which means 5 free concerts on the green! The lineup for this year: Saturday, August 3, 2013: The Jolly Beggars, Celtic folk music and storytelling thejollybeggarsmusic.com Saturday, August 10, 2013: Dixieland Jazz Band Saturday Aug...
Comments 7
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
I know what I think about living here in New Milford, CT, I love it! I recently watched a news clip about life in West Hartford, a fairly affluent town about an hour plus away from New Milford. Residents were approached while walking in the downtown area were asked what they liked about living there. There were three answers that resounded from all questioned. While I was watching I realized that New Milford, CT has the same things to offer our residents that the people of West Hartford were raving about. So I decided to do a little raving and bragging of my own about New Milford, CT. Reason #1. The vibrant and beautiful downtown area with all the shops and restaurants. New Milford has that for sure. We have one of the most picturesque New England style town greens that I know of, with ...
Comments 6
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
46th Annual Village Fair Days in New Milford CT! It's almost here, I am watching our beautiful Village Green change from the picturesque centerpiece of our downtown area to... well.. a place buzzing with activity! This morning when I got to the office they were just starting to set up the tents, when I left, they were up! Village Fair Days is always full of fun, food, shopping, information from local companies, crafts, races, games, performances and more! The list of scheduled activities just keeps going on and on, better to visit the Chamber of Commerce website to check out the schedule of activities here. This year our office is right in the middle of all the activity, I won't miss a thing! Stop in and say hi, we will still be open for business during the fair. They do suggest you lea...
Comments 5
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
The village green in New Milford has been so busy lately! So much has been going on here in New Milford, right outside our office windows. First, the building in our office has a whole new look and it is amazing! (no photo for you yet, sorry). The building next door, the old Sloan's pharmacy is getting their face lift both inside and out and boy oh boy is it shaping up. The activity level on the green itself is heating up in anticipation of Village Fair Days (next weekend), planning for electricity and tents, etc. Everyone is very, very busy. And of course there is the usual, people coming and going, enjoying the shops and restaurants downtown. I love having our office here! Yesterday I got a whole new perspective on the downtown area. Despite the oppressive heat and my very large and u...
Comments 11
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
Home sales are UP in New Milford, CT! We are seeing an improving real estate market in New Milford. Single family home sales for the month of June 2013 reached 30, which is the highest it has been for a long, long time. (June 2010 had 31 sales). According to the absorption rate we are still in a buyers market, but that number is sliding down. The tide could turn very quickly in the next few months to a sellers market. Buyers should take advantage of this while they can! It is still a buyers market. The absorption rate is how long it would take to sell the current inventory if no more homes came on the market. A balanced market is 6 months. Anything under 6 months is a sellers market, anything over is a buyers market. We are at 8 months right now. What is selling? 40% of the homes sold i...
Comments 3
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
Here is it, my best advice to FSBO's in New Milford, CT. The for sale by owner sign is on a very busy street, perfect place for a sign actually. Traffic often comes to a crawl by the sign. But ... you can't read the telephone number! And I have tried, even when I am stopped. I just can't read the number!!! Most people aren't telepathic. Seriously. If you are going to go it alone when selling your house in New Milford, CT, or anywhere in Southern Litchfield County, make sure you know what you are doing. I feel for this owner every time I drive by and wonder how on earth people are going to call him? I mean, he doesn't live in the house, there are tenants there. They aren't home during the day, so you can't really go up and knock on the door to find out what is going on. And getting to th...
Comments 39
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
The Fourth of July in New Milford, CT. What's on tap for 2013? We have lots of activities going on in New Milford to celebrate the 4th of July this year. Fireworks this year are scheduled for Friday, July 5th at full dark (approximately 9:30 pm). But there is much, much more going on downtown! In preparation of all the events being held on the New Milford Village Green, the town will be closing the crossover across from the town hall at 2:30 pm, and Bank St will be closed at 3:30 pm to traffic. The Lions Club carnival on Youngs Field will be open at 6:00 - 11 pm on the 4th, 5th & 6th. I95 will be on Bank Street beginning at 5:00 pm to help heat up the celebration Water Witch Hose Company No. 2 will be offering rides on a fire truck. (I know three grandsons who will love this one) Beginn...
Comments 3
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
They have the property owner, FirstLight Power Resources in common! (But what the heck is the 440 line?) Those who have direct water frontage on Candlewood Lake are well aware of what the 440 line is, or they should. It is at the 440' elevation mark, where your property ends and FirstLight's begins. It is what prevents home owners from actually owning to the waters edge and beyond. A few home owners own below the 440 line, a very, very few. That 440 line also marks restrictions! Recently home owners with "waterfront" property on Candlewood Lake received letters from FirstLight Power Resources, the actual owner of Candlewood Lake. They are out checking the shoreline up to the 440 line AND this includes docks. They are making the rounds, looking at what is there then checking against perm...
Comments 3
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
We're telling you first, before anyone else. A waterfront home on Candlewood Lake is coming on the market, very, very soon! You can keep a secret, right? Well here it is. We are taking photos, measuring, flagging for the sign, all in all getting ready for our latest listing to hit the market on Candlewood Lake. A few fun facts about our new listing: Waterfront Fantastic 24X28 deck overlooking the lake 3 bedroom, 2 baths Dock Easy access to private beach All for $509,900. Stay tuned for more information on this fantastic waterfront home on Candlewood Lake in New Milford! We will let you know when it's live! For now you will have to be satisfied to see what The SPA Team is willing to endure for our clients.    
Comments 2
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
"We just want to throw it on the market and see what happens" (better known as Spaghetti on the Wall Real Estate). I have been on more than a few listing appointments in Southern Litchfield County where the seller has said this to me. Especially when it comes to the price. It usually means they want, or need a certain price point that is not feasible (and they probably know the price is unrealistic). P.S. If the agent is saying that to you as a seller, my advice is run, run, run away! Spaghetti on the wall real estate this ain't! Years ago, eons ago, my brother lived with 2 male cousins in a small, family owned house that was next to a barn. The guys were not interested in cleaning... to say the least. The line between the house and the barn was often blurred.. The kitchen cabinets alwa...
Comments 18
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
It would seem home sales are rising in New Milford CT! Finally! Single family home sales are up, higher than they have been in quite some time. The average sales price dropped just a bit, listing priced dropped quite a bit from April 2013. So, how is the real estate market in New Milford, CT? Take a look at these numbers for single family homes: May 2012 19 sold average list price $345,317 average sale price $321,137 absorption rate 14 months April 2013 16 sold average list price $450,474 average sale price $324,394 absorption rate 12 months May 2013 25 sold average list price $401,873 average sale price $323,073* absorption rate 9 months * the average sale price for May 2013 includes a sale of $1,349,900 which has pulled the monthly average up, but is not typical. Things are looking be...
Comments 4
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
Memorial Day 2013, New Milford, CT. The Village Center was packed full of people today, it is always so nice to see so many gathering together to remember those who have given their lives while in service to this country. I know to many Memorial Day means BBQ's and picnics, shopping and sales, the kick off to summer. Sometimes it feels like we no longer remember why Memorial Day is so important. Then I realize that it is those who serve this country that keep it possible for us to have our parades, to continue this way of life we continue to love. We can honor the lives that were lost by keeping them in our hearts, celebrating their too short lives by watching the parades pass by, the happy children, the solemn veterans and everyone in between. Here are a few random shots I took this mo...
Comments 8
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
Watching certain markets across the United States heat up you can't help but wonder what is happening to the housing market in New Milford, CT? We are on track to have the best month in number of sales for 2013 if things continue to go as they have so far. Of course I won't be able to tell until the end of the month and there are only a few more days for any closings to happen. Sales are still down however, we haven't broken 20 for a month since last year. The success of the real estate market is tied to many other things, none less than the employment rates in the state, the proximity of jobs available to New Milford, confidence in the housing market, good rates and a lower housing inventory. Connecticut again posted a rate higher than the national unemployment averages which needs to ...
Comments 5
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
Arriving at the list price for your home in New Milford, CT.  There really is no mystery in arriving at the list price for your home, it is a fairly straight forward process. After looking at your home we look at what has sold that is comparable to your home and what is currently on the market that is comparable to your home. Then we suggest the fair market value for your home. Easy peasy for us, perhaps not so easy peasy for you.  Where to list your home for sale after getting the fair market value for your home in New Milford, CT? At the end of the day the listing price is really your choice. We do give you all the tools necessary to make the decision that is right for you. We also believe that the best choice is to list a home close to fair market value. The simple fact of the matter...
Comments 6
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
I am so looking forward to this Memorial Day in New Milford, CT. Our office is on the green now, right in the thick of the parade route! I have it all planned out, I am bringing my chairs to the office on Sunday night, parking my car at my daughters house on Monday and walking to the office. Every year for as long as I have lived here I have gone to the Memorial Day Parade in New Milford, and I have enjoyed one year just as much as the next. There is something so very moving to be with others while remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us. Of course we also think of Memorial Day as the kick off to all things summer, barbeques, pool parties, hotdogs and hamburgers, watermelon and picnics. But it truly is so much more. It is a day to pause and reflect of the greatest sacri...
Comments 2
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
I set out this morning to get a few photos for my Memorial Day post about all the festivities that will be in New Milford, CT. I realized that I had gotten away from the real meaning of Memorial Day and wanted to go in search of it. I had done some research into what Memorial Day was all about and wanted a photo of a tombstone of someone from New Milford, CT who died while serving in the Civil War. That probably sounds gruesome, however the reason behind was simple after I started writing. A bit of Memorial Day History. First called "Decoration Day", it was a day to honor all those who gave their lives in the Civil War, both Union and Confederate soldiers alike. Many have come to believe that the first real Decoration Day observance was held in Charleston, South Carolina on May 1, 1865....
Comments 10
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
SOLD in New Milford, CT, 83 West #8, a New York style condo unit in a small complex. From listing to offer, 31 days, from offer to close, 13 days! I met the potential buyers at the unit, within 5 minutes they asked to go back to my office and make the offer. Full price, wanted to close in a week. I did convince them that perhaps 2 weeks would give the attorneys time to do their job, time for the condo resale documents to be delivered for examination and approval, time for a title search to be done, time for the unit to be cleaned out and they agreed to the extra week. I have to say, the buyers were a real estate agent's dream, and the seller was too! Cash, no contingencies. And the attorney's were wonderful too. My seller got his wish, a NON investor buyer that will make the condo a hom...
Comments 2
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
With spring upon us and summer almost here, thoughts are turning to fun on Candlewood Lake! And what better time to buy a home in one of our many communities around Candlewood Lake. Prices are good, interest rates are low, low and low, it is the perfect time if you are thinking about owning a lake home in the area. Homes set around Candlewood Lake in Danbury, Brookfield, New Milford, Sherman and New Fairfield CT. Homes of all sizes and prices. Waterfront, water communities, homes with a view, private beaches, docks available, the choices are staggering! Something for everyone I have to say. From multi million dollar estates to modest homes, homes set in the woods surrounding Candlewood Lake, homes in well established lake communities, modern homes, traditional homes, stone cottages, con...
Comments 5
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
The question I hear most often... "how's the real estate market in New Milford, CT"? With all the national hype telling everyone that it is a buyers market, that things are exploding, that things are much, much better it can be a difficult question to answer. All real estate is local, New Milford CT is not following the national averages.  So, just how is the real estate market doing in New Milford, CT. It is a mixed bag. There are certain things you need to watch for in order to make that determination.  How many active listings are there? Currently there are 207 single family homes for sale in New Milford, CT. Last month at this time there were 176 active single family homes showing for sale. For sellers it means there is more competition and prices won't rise simply because of supply...
Comments 2
By Andrea Swiedler, Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties)
During the month of May, 2013, the New Milford Public Library is hosting a wonderful event from May 1st thru May 24th. Come and learn about New Milford, how the past brought us to the present time. Hear about the New Milford talking stove (I have NO idea about this one but I am very tempted to see what that is all about. I will hide behind one of my grandsons because the event is really for kids). Learn about Merwinsville Hotel, New Milford during the Civil War, Woodland native lifeways, hat making in New Milford, (big thing in days gone by), all about tobacco in the area, (don't grimace, we still love those wonderful old tobacco barns that are left standing), the impact the First Congregational Church had on the development of old New Milford, and much, much  more. The event will end w...
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