Home Security Basics In Connecticut

News reports all over the country are filled with stories of rising crime. Homeowners and business owners alike are concerned and looking for better ways to safeguard their properties and lives. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of options available on the market; from full service security companies to DIY smart home systems, there is a solution available for every budget.

Following a few simple strategies can help protect you and your belongings from theft and crime.

Install a Security System - Security systems are one of the most effective ways to protect your home. Many systems include motion detection video surveillance as well as two-way communication.

Be Unpredictable - Burglars love routine. Using smart home devices it's easy to create unpredictable patterns for lights and sound. Leave a car in the driveway if you're traveling as well, that makes it look like the home is occupied.

Think Like a Criminal - Spend some time looking at your home and identify the weak points. Secure all doors and windows. Lock all entry points and be creative with a hidden key. Look for hidden entry points; where would you try and break-in? Do you have dark areas that are not visible from the street?

Finally, don't make it easy for the criminals to track your movements. Refrain from advertising your trips on social media and consider asking a friend or neighbor to visit your home occasionally while you're gone. The more your home seems occupied, the less appealing it will be to criminals.

Dark-Sky Ordinances - What It Means To A Homeowner In Connecticut

Dark-sky ordinances are popping up across the country. The movement started when a few amateur astronomers realized that urban lights were blotting out the stars, causing a disruption in sleep for both wildlife and humans alike. This nocturnal light pollution hurts the environment and affects the feeding, mating, and living patterns of local wildlife.

To combat this effect more and more communities are adopting dark-sky ordinances designed to limit the negative impact of artificial light. Compliance with the dark-sky regulations is the responsibility of not just the city, but homeowners within those zones as well, all designed to illuminate skyglow.

Skyglow is the reflection of light caused by the saturation of artificial light. It's the orange glow in populated areas that prevents one from seeing the stars. Dark-Sky rules are designed to combat this and use a variety of methods to reduce or illuminate this light pollution. In addition to limiting the time and type of lighting, they also employ specific light strategies to comply with the ordinances.

Homeowners in a dark-sky location must also adjust the lighting on their property to avoid citations. As with commercial properties the use of directional lights, lower "lamp" bulbs, and compliant fixtures allow the homeowner to have adequate lighting, while observing dark-shy practices.

The International Dark-Sky Association or IDA offers resources for communities, business owners and homeowners that identify best practices and compliant lighting strategies. As more cities recognize the benefits of dark-sky policies on the environment and their citizens, expect to find more dark-sky ordinances across the country. 

Are you thinking of moving to Litchfield, Connecticut, but aren’t sure how much it will cost you? In this episode of CT Life, I'm going to share everything about the cost of living here in beautiful Litchfield. We’ll explore everything from housing to gas prices so you know exactly what to expect.

We work with many people who move in and out of Litchfield. One of the top questions we always get is about the cost of living. I’m going to give you some bottom line numbers, starting with the cost of housing. If you're not familiar with the area, you'll definitely appreciate this.

The Cost Of Housing

One of the first things you're going to have to decide is whether you want a single-family or multifamily house. Are you just looking for a piece of land? Should you rent instead of buy? The price of housing varies, depending on your answers to these questions. If you have any additional questions, I or somebody from my team would be happy to help. However, here are some numbers to get you started.

The average three-bedroom home sold in Litchfield for $528,000. For this price, you can expect three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an average of 52 days on market. A two-bedroom here in Litchfield would run you approximately $279,000. For this price, you'll get 1,225 square feet, one and a half baths, and an average of 44 days on the market.

The average two-bedroom condo sold for $351,000. For this price, you would expect 1,761 square feet, two and a half baths, and 36 days on the market. Additionally, the current mill rate here in Litchfield, Connecticut is 27.6. An example of how this computes is a house that sold for $300,000. The assessment was $170,000, making the taxes $4,800.

Taxes And Transportation

In addition to housing costs, there are some other things you’ll have to account for as well. For one, the annual state income tax here in Connecticut is 3% on your first $10,000. The taxable income goes up to 5% from $10,000 to $50,000. Once you're over $50,000 to $100,000, it's 5.5%. From $100,000 to $200,000, your taxable income is 6%. This is for all of Connecticut, regardless of what town you pick to buy in.

The next expense you’ll have is the cost of gas. Here in Litchfield, Connecticut, gas is currently averaging $4.19 to $4.49 a gallon. You will definitely need a car to get around. In general, gas in Connecticut is always one of the highest of all the states.

Make Litchfield Your Home

I hope this gave you some insight into the cost of living here in Litchfield. If you have any additional questions about Litchfield or anywhere in Connecticut, please don't hesitate to reach out. We help people move in and out of Connecticut every day, and it’s our specialty. We have an office right here in Litchfield, a member of my team would love to start showing you properties as early as this weekend.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel so you never miss an episode of CT Life, my show all about living in Connecticut. Stay tuned to see what I feature next!

The Drop in Mortgage Rates Brings Good News for Homebuyers In Connecticut

Expert Housing Market Forecasts for the Second Half of the Year In Connecticut

What Does an Economic Slowdown Mean for the Housing Market In Connecticut

What Can You Expect The Second Half of 2022 In The Housing Market In Connecticut

Since the beginning of the year, the US economy has been cooling off. After several years of strong growth, rising inflation and energy costs are affecting US households in the buying or selling or real estate, there is confusion and fear about how the economic slowdown will affect their options.

Geroge Ratiu is a senior econmist for research with Realtor.com and in a recent article, he outlined his predictions for the second half of 2022 US Housing Market.

Mortgage Interest Rates - As the Federal Reserve continues to tighten credit flow to slow the economy and flight inflation, expect to see rising mortgage interest rates as well. Ratiu predicts interest rates as high as 6% by the end of the year.

Home Prices - Home prices will continue to rise, but not as quick;y as we've seen. There are still buyers in the market who will want to jump

Sellers Advantage- Sellers have enjoyed a strong seller's market for the past year and Ratiu expects this to continue for well-positioned homes. Homes priced reasonably and in good condition will continue to garner multiple offers through the rest of 2022.

While inflation and rising interest rates affecting the US economy, home buyers and seller should stlll expect the second half of 2022 to be a good market to make a move. The slower pace should also allow them to carefully consider offers, and make good decisions for their future.

5 Yard Design Fails Homeowners Make In Connecticut

Warmer weather is here, and homeowners are ready to get outdoors. Over the past decade, our yards have become an extension of our living space. But as spring fever takes over living space. But as spring fever takes over avoid these mistakes that can derail the best of intentions and turn the yard into an epic failure.

5 Yard Design Fails Homeowner Make

1. Unrealistic Expectations - Expecting a picture-perfect yard at once can cause more damage than just disappointment. In a rush to get that lush look instantly, they do not allow for growth and plant too close together, ultimately strangling the plants and requiring replanting.

2. Using Indoor Items Outdoors - While it's trendy to mimic indoor living outside, such as kitchens and living spaces, one cannot simply take an item designed for indoor use and move outdoors. Big-screen TVs, indoor sofas, and wood tables are just a few examples of indoor items that will not last in an outdoor environment.

3. Not Protecting Materials - Backgrounds are not maintenance-free. Decks need to be re-stained or painted and furniture should be stored in extreme weather to increase longevity.

4. Ignoring Planting Guidance - Magazine and Pinterest photographs offer a multitude of pictures to inspire new gardeners, but these may not work for every yard. Planting sun-loving plants in the shade or vice versa is a recipe for disaster and will not create the beautiful garden desire.

5. Ignoring HOA Rules - Before spending time and money on plants or trees, it's worth reading the fine print in HOA or community rules. These rules can be enforced and no one wants to pay to remove landscaping that's non-compliant.

Everyone wants the perfect yard. With the arrival of warmer weather, every yard can offer fresh air living options if these design mistakes are avoided.

Are Buyers Avoiding Your Listing? Strategies to Revive a Stale Listing In Connecticut

It may seem like every listing sells the frist weekend these days, but as the market begins to slow down, more sellers are facing the dilemma of an aging listing. If your are listing has been on the market for a while, buyers naturally assume that there is something wrong with the home and avoid viewing the home. Fortunately, there are strategies to renew the listing and re-engage buyers'

If your listing is losing steam, the first step is to understand why. Typically if a home is not getting offers, it's priced too high. Even homes in terrible condition will sell quickly for the right price. In a market where homes are selling quickly for the right price. In a market where homes are selling quickly, it's common for sellers to assume they can push their listing price even higher, but savvy buyers and agents will reject overpriced homes.

Another strategy is to put the home on hold and make a few updates. In most cases, simply adding a fresh coat of paint and new carpet can offer a more appealing look to buyers. In other cases, to garner a top price, sellers may need to replace appliances or more. Always weigh the cost in dollars and time before making significant updates.

Finally, some Multiple Listing Services (MLS) allow an agent to refresh the listing by temporarily taking it off the market for a few days and then placing it back on "active" status (with seller authorization). This triggers new alerts to both buyers and agents who are looking for a comparable property. If your listing is not getting the attention it deserves, speak to your agent about your options.

Is Homeownership Still the American Dream In Connecticut