DSNEWS.com is reporting more good news for the 2012 housing market.

There are still some threats to the recovery (foreclosures, euro crisis, etc.) but some analysts are feeling a little more confident about the housing prospects in 2012.  Lenders are starting to loosen up, and loans are starting to become a little easier to obtain.

One huge factor that needs to recover is consumer confidence.  The confidence in the housing market was shaken in the 2007-2008 market crash, and it has taken some time to recover.  As more good news, albeit meager, continutes to make headlines, consumers will become more and more confident on America’s future and the housing market will tend to follow that confidence.

 

New Listing!  38 Chapel # 1 was just listed for $1,100 / month!

This 1 BR, 1 Bath apartment offers and updated kitchen and bath, and is within walking distance to restaurants and shopping.  It features OFF/ST parking for 1 car and has washer / dryer in unit!

For more information about this specific unit, CLICK HERE

 

For information about every rental in Norwalk, visit www.ToddTurcotte.com

 

Just Reduced!  17 Glendenning was just reduced to $254,000.

This 3 BR, 1 Bath single family home is located between West Rocks Rd. and East Ave.  This home offers a 1 car attached garage and a pergola-covered patio in the back yard!  This home is a potential short-sale.

For more information about this specific home, CLICK HERE.

For more information about Norwalk area real estate, visit www.ToddTurcotte.com

 

New Listing!  39 Stuart # 5 was just listed for $324,000.

This 2 bedroom townhouse in Norwalk offers 1.5 baths, 1,200 of living space, and OFF/ST parking.  This townhouse is part of an 8-unit complex, and it convenient to I-95, Merritt Parkway, South Norwalk, and the Merritt 7 office park.  This is a potential short-sale.

For more info about this specific condo, CLICK HERE

To ask any questions about this Norwalk condo for sale, or to inquiry about any other properties, visit www.ToddTurcotte.com

 

New Listing!  61 Plattsville # B2 was just listed at $1,750 / month.

This Norwalk townhouse in nearly new, having been built in 2005, and offers 2 BR, 2.5 Baths, reserved OFF/ST parking, W/D in unit, and a huge basement for storage.

For more information about this specific Norwalk townhouse rental unit, visit:  http://cmls.paragonrels.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=6a908722-d304-4588-9640-6546fd0e1eed&Report=Yes

For information on other rental properties in Norwalk, and any other questions regarding real estate in lower Fairfield County, visit: www.ToddTurcotte.com

 

As a buyer, there are many benefits to having your own real estate agent represent you in buying process.

Some buyers don’t even realize that there is no fee to work with a real estate agent in our area of Connecticut.  Here in lower Fairfield County, the seller pays the real estate agent fees and commissions.  The buyer basically gets their own representation for free.  Realtytimes.com reports that 89% of buyers in today’s market are using their own agent, up from 69% in 2001.

But why don’t buyers just represent themselves?

Most buyers don’t represent themselves because the buying process has become more complicated.  Today’s market is filled with foreclosures, short sales, and many other situations where it helps to have the advice and guidance of an agent.  How should I present my offer?  What type of inspection should I do before closing?  Should I ask the seller for any concessions or credits?  These are some of the questions your real estate agent can help you answer.

Why should a buyer get their own agent when they can go directly to the listing agent?

Some people would assume work with the agent who has the property listed.  This is certainly an option, and many homes are purchased using this method every year.  If an agent represents both sides in a sale, they must disclose their dual agency to both the buyer and seller.  However, one aspect most buyers don’t know, is that the listing agent has fiduciary responsibility to the owner or seller of the home, even if they represent both the buyer and the seller.

Having your own agent when buying a home, means that they are tuned-in to exactly what you want (or at least they should be).  This way you only have to explain your situation, and what you are looking for in a home, one time.  As you look at homes, your agent can narrow down the search criteria more and more until they find that perfect home for your situation.

For more info on “buyer agents,” check out this article from Realtytimes.com: http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20120117_youragent.htm

 

For questions and information on Norwalk area real estate, visit www.ToddTurcotte.com

 

 

 

Just Rented!  9 Glenwood Ave # 3 just rented for $1,850 / month.

This 2 BR Norwalk townhouse is BRAND NEW, with stainless steeel appliances, granite kitchen, 2 full bathrooms, a full basement with laundry and storage, OFF/ST parking, a

New Listing!  25 Maple St. # 4 was just listed for $900 / month.

This 1 BR near the center of Norwalk offers and updated kitchen and bath, laundry in the building, and OFF/ST parking.  It won’t last long at this price!

For more information about this specific 1 BR for rent in Norwalk, visit: http://cmls.paragonrels.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=2c1120e0-6fc4-4d73-b166-46645d59be15&Report=Yes

For info about every rental in Norwalk, visit www.ToddTurcotte.com

 

New Listing!  6 McAllister was just listed for $374,000.

This 3 BR, 2 Bath Ranch features a finished basement and a 1 car garage.  This property is a potential short-sale.

For more info about this home, check out th

Welcome to the year 2012, the year of the “home buyer.”

Perspective is everything.  That can certainly be applied to our current real estate market in the US.  If you are a seller, who purchased your home in 2005-2007, the current real estate market probably gives you indigestion.  Your home is likely worth much less than you paid for it, and you are “upside down” in your mortgage.

If you in the market to purchase a property, things are looking great!  Here is what we know:

1. The bursting real estate bubble, along with a slew of foreclosures, has suppressed prices to levels not seen since 2000-2003.
2. Interest rates are still near record lows, around 4% for a 30-year fixed.  Rates are even lower for a 15 year fixed rate.
3. The worst of the housing crisis seems to be behind us.
4. Rent increased in 2011, and that trend is expected to continue in 2012.

 

2012 will be a great time to buy a property.  In most cases, you can pay less each month for a home you own, than you would to rent a comparable property.  Not only is your monthly payment a little less, you are paying down principle each month, and building equity.  As rents continue to rise, you can rest assured that your mortgage payment will not (if you have a fixed rate mortgage).  Taxes and insurance on your property may increase, but your mortgage payment will not.

Most economists are reporting that the housing market should stabilize in 2012.  There are still a lot of foreclosures that need to be processed.  The speed an efficiency that bank’s process the foreclosures (foreclose on the property, and sell on the open market) should increase in 2012, however the low interest rates should help keep prices stable.

No matter if you are a first time home buyer, purchasing an investment property, or buying a second home, 2012 will be a great year to enter the market.

For insight on the top 5 reasons to own a home, see this Quicken Loans.com article:  http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/top-5-reasons-buy-home-2012

 

For more information, or to contact me with any questions, visit www.ToddTurcotte.com