Are you moving to Cheshire, Connecticut, and want to know more about it? In this episode of CT Life, I’m going to give you five reasons why people love moving to Cheshire. We’ll talk about everything from the sense of community to local festivals so you can see if Cheshire is right for you.

Community And Location

There is a reason why more and more people are moving here to Cheshire. Reason number one is the sense of community. Everybody loves the small-town aspect of Cheshire.

Reason number two is the location. Cheshire is centrally located halfway between New Haven and Hartford. This means it's also super central to Amtrak and Metro North train lines that run to Hartford, New Haven, and all the way to Grand Central. This makes Cheshire a great town for commuting, especially with close proximity to Yale and Quinnipiac.

Activities And Education

Reason number three, there are plenty of things to do. Cheshire has trails, shopping, restaurants, orchards, museums, rec centers, and a town pool. Reason number four is active events like the Fall Festival. This is a must-attend event every year with food trucks, fireworks, and fall festivities.

There's also live entertainment, a car show for car enthusiasts, a carnival area, and crafters with tents. You’ll also want to check out the Strawberry Festival, which happens every year in June. It’s a must-see.

Lastly, the fifth reason many people say is a big factor for them moving to Cheshire is the school system. You can see all the school reports right on our website.

Make Cheshire Your Home

Now that you have all the information you need, the last thing you might want to do is set up your home search. If you have any additional questions about Cheshire or Connecticut in general, please reach out. Whatever information you need, my team of agents would be happy to help you and get you into the area.

Don't forget to subscribe to my channel if you enjoyed this video so you never miss an episode of CT Life, my show all about CT. Stay tuned to see what I feature next!

6 Features of a Kitchen Remodel That Are a Waste of Money In Connecticut

Kitchen remodels are always popular. The pandemic has increased home improvement projects even more as people embrace the idea of staying home more. While it's easy to find inspiration for these kitchen remodels there are great ways to save money and still create beautiful, welcoming space.

6 Kitchen Remodel Features That Are a waste of Money

1. Expensive Backsplashes -  Backsplashes can make a huge visual impact, but more expensive is't necessarily better. There are many cost-effective materials that mimic expensive quartz, marble and glass.

2. Designer Appliances - Designer lables look great on shoes and purses but look for style and function for new appliances and forget the designer brands that can  cost twice as much for the same look.

3. Trendy Hardware - Hardware is one of the least expensive ways to update to a kitchen, but there is still a cost. Balance personal style with price and avoid fad fixtures that will need to be replaced soon.

4. High- Tech Gadgets - Tech is fun but will you really use your refrigerator to build a shopping list or turn on your oven from the beach? Most likely, tech gadgets in the kitchen will go to waste.

5. Moving Electrical/Plumbing - When possible, work within the current layout of electrical and plumbing access. Relocating these sources is expensive and difficult

6. Open Shelving - Displaying beautiful plates and glassware may be appealing but consider the upkeep to maintain this look. You may end up adding closed cabinets anyway for more money after the remodel.

Taking the Fear out of Saving for a Home In Connecticut

Millennials Are Still a Driving Force of Today’s Buyer Demand In Connecticut

Millennials Are Still a Driving Force of Today’s Buyer Demand

Should I Move For My Job In Connecticut

The question of moving for a new job is not uncommon. In the past few years, more and more companies are moving their entire operations out of high-tax states to those more business-friendly. Possilbe work-from-home options further complicate the decision to move with your company. So, should you move when your company does?

Things to Consider Before You Move for Your Company

Career Growth - One of the biggest reasons to stay with your job through a move is career growth and advancement. Speak with your manager or HR professional about what kind of career path is available before you decide.

Better Location - Companies moving away from family and friends may be too high a price to pay to stay with your company . Aging parents or the school your children enjoy may encourage you to stay put.

Personal Relationships - Moving away from family and friends may be too high a price to pay to stay with your company. Aging parents or the school your children enjoy may encourage you to stay put.

Remote Working Option -  If you do not want to move, ask if a work-from-home situation is available. If so, understand the impact it may have on your career.

One big advantage a move like this has is you already know the company, the employ and the corporate culture. Consider all the options available and you'll be able to make the best decision for you and your family.

Are you thinking of moving to Cheshire and want someone to give you the bottom line of what it's really like? In this episode of CT Life, I’m going to give you the good, the bad, and the ugly of living in Cheshire, Connecticut. We’ll look at everything from restaurants to the weather so you know exactly what to expect.

When it comes to living in Cheshire, Connecticut, there are some great things about living here and some not-so-great things. Living in Cheshire has its pros and cons, just like every place, but we're going to start by giving you the top three reasons people love living here in Cheshire, Connecticut.

Why People Love Chesire

The very first and most popular reason people are moving to Cheshire is that there are plenty of great restaurants and shops. Some of the popular restaurants are Viron Rondo Osteria, 122 Elm Street Tavern, and Bone In Prime Steakhouse.

In addition to great restaurants and shops, the second reason people love calling Cheshire home is that it’s super centrally located. Chesire is halfway between New Haven and Hartford. This means it's also central to the Amtrak and Metro North train lines that run to Hartford, New Haven, and into the Grand Central Station in New York City.

The third reason that people love living here is that Cheshire is super family-friendly. There are many community events throughout the year such as the town's annual Strawberry Festival, which is always a huge hit. Many people also say a big factor for them moving to Cheshire is the school system. You can see all the school reports right on our website.

Rentals And Nightlife

Now that you know about a couple of the pros to living in Cheshire, let's give you the lowdown on some of the cons. Not everything is perfect, so if you're serious about moving here, you need to know this stuff.

First, did you know that Cheshire doesn't have much of a rental market? If you aren't looking to buy and simply want to rent, you're going to feel a little put out because there aren’t a lot of rental properties available. You don't have a lot of options.

If you can deal with the lack of rentals in the market, maybe you won't mind the lack of nightlife. If you want any type of nightlife, Cheshire might not be the place for you. You're probably going to have to go to New Haven, Hartford, or the casino, as it's definitely more of a suburban area. If you are used to a city with a lot of nightlife options, you're going to have to venture out to larger cities for that.

Weather And Security

One more thing you need to be prepared for is the weather. If you're moving within Connecticut, it's not going to be too different than what you're used to. However, if you're moving to Cheshire from another state, be prepared. We have bitterly cold winters, and the summers are often hot and humid.

Another con to living in Cheshire is literally that: the convicts. Cheshire has a security prison, which concerns a lot of people moving into the area. They have a maximum security and a medium-security prison, and there is also a youth facility in Cheshire.

The one thing I like to think of though is, if God forbid anybody escaped from the prison, they probably wouldn't stay close to the prison. They would probably hightail it out of town, so you probably don't have to worry about that. It's also a very rare occurrence when it happens, but it's something you need to be alert to.

Make Chesire Your Home

I hope this video gave you some insight into the pros and cons of living in Cheshire. We help people move every day in and out of Cheshire, Connecticut, and we would love to be your resource. If you have any questions about Cheshire or the market here in Connecticut in general, feel free to reach out and I’ll be happy to connect.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel so you never miss an episode of CT life, my show where we talk about everything CT and living here in Connecticut. Stay tuned to see what I feature next!

Fall 2022 Housing Market Update In Connecticut

Buy now or wait! This is the question on all potential homebuyers' minds this fall. Over the past few weeks, the mortgage interest rates have soared to a 14-year high. Excessive government spending combined with surging energy costs and rising inflation has caused many would-be homebuyers to lean toward the wait side of that argument. But is this really a bad time to purchase a new home? Maybe not.

First, there is no way to predict the bottom of home prices for any recession. If the economy continues to struggle, it's likely that home prices will continue to drop, offering better sales prices. But at the same time, inflation is still rising, and the Federal Reserve has clearly indicated they will raise interest rates as needed to cool this trend. This means that while home prices may come down some, the cost to borrow money will also rise; for homebuyers on the fence, they are hoping that the lower sales price will outpace the rising interest rates.

The truth is there is no way to know this.

Therefore, is this a good time to buy a home? Yes, if the home buyer finds the right home. There are three important things to consider. One rising inflation will affect rent prices and stable mortgage payment is a great hedge against increased housing costs. Two buying a home allows the new homebuyer to start building equity immediately. Finally a mortgage can be refinance when the economy recovers, home values recovers, home values recover and interest rates come down. So, potential homebuyers should not shy away from buying a home if they find the right fit for their needs. 

Is My House Up to Code In Connecticut

Building codes change over time and for people who have owned their homes for a long time, they may not know if their home is out of code and if so does it matter.

Building codes and violaions from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and focus on issues that can affect the safety of the dwelling and its occupants. A home that's up to code may answer the questions:

• Does the home have fire escapes and exits?

• Are plumbing lines intact and functional?

• Are construction materials in good condition and free from asbestos and other hazardous chemicals?

• Is the home well-it and free from tripping hazards?

• Is the HVAC system working efficiently?

Avoid Code Violations

There are things to look for in both an existing house and a potential home.

• Check for any permits on the home and always ensure any work done on the home includes permits.
• Test for hazardous materials such as asbestos or lead. These materials are common in older homes. If found, these need to be removed by professionals to avoid health issues from contamination.
• Poor bathroom ventilation is a big code violation. The humidity can lead to rot and mold which is expensive to remove and dangerous to the occupants health
• Shoddy, electrical work is also common in older homes. Lack of grounded wires, spliced wires and DIY repairs duct-taped together can be very dangerous.

Understanding code violations can help the homeowner to avoid issues. All this information is readily available through local jurisdictions and home inspectors can provide more explanations to help mitigate any problems.

Are you thinking about living in Cheshire and you're curious about what it's going to cost? In this episode of CT Life, I'm going to break down the costs of living here in Cheshire, Connecticut. We’ll look at everything from the cost of housing to gas prices so you know exactly what to expect.

We work with many people who move in and out of the great town of Cheshire, Connecticut. One of the top questions we always get is what is it going to cost. So if you're wondering about the cost of living, we’re going to give you the bottom line numbers. If you're not familiar with the area, you're probably also going to learn a few things about the local costs as well.

The Cost Of Housing

 First, let's talk about the obvious: the cost of housing. One of the first things you're going to have to decide is if it’s better to buy or rent. What kind of housing do you need? Are you looking for a single-family or multifamily? Do you want an apartment or a home?

The price of housing varies, so if you have any additional questions, we can send you more detailed information. To start, here are some general pointers. The average three-bedroom single-family home here in Cheshire is roughly $395,000. For this price, you can expect 2,059 square feet and eight rooms. It would be on the market for an average of 27 days.

A two-bedroom in the same area would run roughly $310,000. For this price, you could expect 1,266 square feet, five rooms, two baths, and 28 days on market. The average two-bedroom condo would run roughly $224,000. For this price, you can expect 1,443 square feet, five rooms, two bathrooms, and an average of 23 days on market.

If you're looking to rent in the area, you can plan on spending anywhere between $1,880 to $3,500. It's also very difficult to find rentals here. Lastly, property tax in the area can vary. Cheshire's current mill rate is 33.22, which means the average $400,000 home would have property taxes right around $6,000.

Taxes, Gas, And Groceries

Now that you have a good idea of how much it costs for housing in Chesire, let’s look at some additional costs. The annual state income tax here is a rate of 3% up to $10,000 taxable income. It jumps up to 5% from $10,001 to $50,000, then goes to 5.5% from $50,001 to $100,000. After that, it’s 6% from $100,001 to $200,000.

Gas prices here average currently about $3 a gallon and yes—you will need a car to get around. Connecticut typically is one of the places with the highest gas prices in all of the United States. Cheshire has a few large grocery stores, so you can save some money on your grocery shopping. However, you would have to go to a neighboring town if you want to shop at Costco, Home Depot, or a similar big box store.

Here in Connecticut, we do have some other costs that some people don't expect. For example, there is annual property tax, not only on your real estate, but also on your car. We also have a sales tax of 6.35%, and you also will pay property tax on your home.

Enjoy Connecticut Living In Chesire

I hope this gave you some insight into the cost of living here in Cheshire, Connecticut. If you have any additional questions about Cheshire, please don't hesitate to reach out and ask. And if you’re thinking of moving or relocating here, somebody from my team would love to show you around and teach you all about Cheshire.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel if you want to receive more videos that are focused on everything Cheshire in Connecticut. Stay tuned to see what I feature on the next episode of CT Life!