From the Desk of Fredda Takacs.....

Dear Friends,

We have record low interest rates and our Fall real estate market, while late this year, is kicking into gear and there are many incredible deals out there!  If you (or someone you know) have been waiting to make a move, the time is now!  And remember, when you buy or sell a home with me, you get entered to win a 1 in 50 chance for a trip for two to Hawaii with a $5,000 cash value or the $5,000 in cash as well as many other valuable prizes - everyone of my clients who closes with me and attends my party is a winner!  Tell your friends and family! 

If you think you are paying too much property tax on your home, the time to take action is coming soon.  Every year, each town in Connecticut permits property owners to appeal their property tax assessment.  That assessment coupled with the mil rate posted by each town formulates the taxes you are asked to pay.  However, if you think that your property was over-assessed during your town's last re-evaluation, you need to contact your town's Tax Assessor's Office in the beginning of January and file an application for an appeal.  The window of opportunity stretches from January 1st through Mid February.  You can not appeal your taxes based upon property values decreasing, because they have gone down for everyone.  However, if during the most recent re-evaluation you think your property was over-assessed, I can help.  I can provide you with a market analysis of the value of your home during your town's last assessment and let you know if I think you will have sufficient amunition to request an adjustment in your taxes.  Just find out the year of your town's most recent re-assessment and give me a call.  I'm happy to help.

Additionally, those of you with designated wetlands on your property may also be able to reduce your taxes.  You see, if you can't further expand your homes or develop your property due to conservation/wetland restrictions, you may be eligible to receive a tax credit for lack of use.   It makes good sense to contact your local Tax Assessor's office and find out if they may reduce the value of your property should it have restrictions on development due to wetlands.  In Fairfield, I've had clients actually apply to expand their homes, have the proposal rejected due to wetlands, and then bring that rejection to the Tax Assessor's Office.  These clients have received reduction of taxes up to 20%.

And, of course, the sales statistics for October, 2011 are below - Only William Raveis compiles this information for you every month so that you can keep an eye on your market.  I asked Bill Raveis, CEO of William Raveis Real Estate Mortgage and Insurance, his impression on the overall real estate market and Bill said, "It's not a bad market and I'm optimistic about the housing recovery.  Over the past 6 months, supply of homes have dropped about 30% which means that our market is stabilizing.  We have the lowest interest rates I've ever thought possible, and still plenty of inventory to choose from.  Buyers have choice, great rates, lower prices, and improved market conditions.  I believe those buyers who buy now will be patting themselves on the back in the future.  It's a great time to buy."

If you or someone you know wants to buy or sell, please tell them: Call Fredda 1st!  My list to sale ratio of 98% is 3%-6% higher than the average list to sale ratio throughout lower Fairfield County.  Therefore, my sellers save 3%-6% on average.  The time it takes me to sell a house, on average, is only 64 days (compared to 97-140 days) and my success in selling homes as well as helping buyers find the perfect home is unparrelled with 12 consecutive years as #1 in Customer Service for the #1 Real Estate Office of the #1 Company in Connecticut.

Please contact me if you or anyone you know needs to sell or buy a home.  I am ready, willing, and proficient at making real estate dreams come true!

Sincerely,

Fredda