What's Happening in New Haven....

Well, we all got our hopes up as the weather warmed up, the sun was shining and it was still light as I left the office at 6 PM. All hope for an early spring dissolved today as the rain turned to snow.

All is not lost because as I was leaving the office I noticed several batches of "Spring Ahead" & "Remember to turn your clocks ahead" post cards in the out going mail box. Those cards are a reminder that soon my car clock will be correct again. I never adjust it. I'm sure I have a manual somewhere. Occasionally one of the kids will re-set the clock; change my favorite radio station; adjust the drivers seat and then I don't know if I'm on time or late.

Rain or snow, life in New Haven continues to present a host of interesting opportunities. Last Sunday, I attended a concert at Woolsey Hall featuring the New Haven Chorale & several school musical groups. The pure sounds of children singing - I think is one of the most beautiful sounds ever. This was all for the support of St. Martin De Porres Academy.

Wednesday offered a free lecture on Darwin at the British Arts Museum and a tour of his works, both written & illustrations. A second lecture & Birthday cake was served at the Peabody Museum in celebration of Darwin's birthday.

Thursday my neighbors Arlene & Bob invited everyone in our court yard to a Birthday party for Abe Lincoln. The conversation centered around the one dollar bills & shiny pennies spread amongst' the deserts on the table (we all hoped they were party favors)and the freezing cold air outside.

Friday, as Chair person of the North End Club, I had the pleasure of introducing Donald Margulies, the world renown play-wright. He was a colossal success and charmed everyone present.

Back in the office, the agents are enjoying a surge of pent-up home sales. Multi offers on homes priced right are not uncommon. Notice that I said priced right.

I also hired 3 new agents this week. This is the perfect time to start a career in real estate. It allows time for the 60 hours of classes needed to obtain a state licence; complete our in house training; learn the workings of the office; spend time shadowing the successful agents; join the local Board of Realtors; and learn the computer programs for the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

If you enjoy working with people and need a flexible schedule, a real estate career is the answer. When the market cycles up again and it will....you will be ready with good work habits and the confidence to succeed.

It may be snowing outside but the festivities continue inside.

The ice & snow continue to remind us that we are only half way through the winter season. Even the freezing cold air and slushy sidewalks fails to shut down our wonderful little city.

Last Friday evening, I joined some friends for an early dinner and on to the World Premiere opening of "Coming Home" by Athol Fugard, at the Long Wharf theatre. The lobby was filled as usual, but it was such fun saying "Hello" to friends as I made my way across the room to my seat.

Coming Home is Fugard's follow-up of his play Valley Song, revisiting the same characters 10 years later.The main character, Veronica, comes home to Nieu-Bethesda in order to make plans for her young son's future, knowing that aids will end her life soon. The sadness of the story is balanced by the humor & lovable character of Alfred, whom Veronica has chosen to be her husband and father for her son.

It was a wonderful performance and we all joined the cast & crew for a champagne celebration after.

So it really does not matter that the Mayor has imposed a parking ban and the snow continues to fall and freeze. Life in New Haven just moves indoors. Next week it will be the Symphony at Woolsey Hall; a lecture about Picasso at the Yale Art Gallery; the Exhibition Tour of,The Tea Culture of Japan; and I must not forget the Super Bowl (but I must confess I don't know who will be playing).

Monday mornings mean - back to reality. Yes, homes continue to sell and buyers continue to surf the web sites looking for the best values.

Remember, that as many people that have spent and lived beyond their means or lost their jobs - there are a lot of people who have not. These are the people who are now taking advantage of the the decreasing home values; low interest rates; buying larger homes for less money and they still have a job to go to come Monday morning.

For those who have their home for sale and no showings or offers, it's always the price. When a home is priced right, there is a good chance you will get multi offers. It really does happen, even in this market.

Is it the extreme weather or the inauguration?

Well, the day is finally here and our city has come to a halt. Is it the extreme cold weather that is keeping people home or is it a preoccupation with the final days before we have a new President in the White House?

No matter where you are, conversation centers around the historic swearing in ceremony in Washington. Many friends and neighbors are making the trip, in some form of travel, just to see and be a part of history; no matter what the accommodations, or frigid weather they will have to endure, or form of travel needed to get there.

On the local streets and in the office, people are happy and the atmosphere is excitable. It's hard to focus on real estate. Tomorrow, I'm sure the office will be quiet, as people watch the swearing in ceremony.

In New Haven, the day will end with a Gala Inaugural Ball at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale. I am particularly excited, because my granddaughter, Justine and her friend Roberto,will be joining me for an evening of dinner and dancing. The music of Phil Brown's Top Notch, 12-piece orchestra and Aqua ha Chocolate, a 10 piece salsa band, will provide the music and entertainment of dance exhibitions that will include Kenyan dancers and a performance by the Latin Heat Dancers. A large screen TV will show the festivities going on in Washington and the Inaugural Ball, all happening at the same time. A portrait painted by Tony Falcone, of Obama titled "Acceptance" will be auctioned to raise scholarship money, later in the evening.

Meanwhile, people are beginning to call the office for appointments to talk about - has the time finally come to list their home? I do think that we have bumped along the bottom of the housing market long enough and people are ready to get on with their lives.

Investing In Real Estate For You and Your Children's Future

Over the holidays I spent a lot of time with family, especially the grandchildren who range in age from 7 to 26. Dinner conversations were lively & boisterous.

The topics centered around academics, sports & scholarships. Academics were a given because everyone was expected to do well & be on a honor roll or Deans List. Homework was not complained about except by the parents, who insisted there was just to much. Sports were a never ending discussion. The pressure to be the best was really amazing. Is this peer pressure or parent expectations for financial benefit?

The daily schedules the kids & parents have to manipulate are more challenging then any wedding planner would have to endure. Not mentioned yet are the community volunteerism projects needed to round out a good school application.

As the cost of education rises along with cost of living, scholarships become increasingly important. Lowering the stress levels of all involved -
needs to be considered.

Here is one suggestion, that if started early enough, could alleviate some of the pressures parents & children face.

If parents or grandparents bought an investment home when the child and/or grandchildren were young, and sold when the time for college arrived, the appreciation of the investment could be substantial.

The pros are: mortgage interest rates are the lowest ever in many, many years; the inventory of homes available to choose from is very high; sellers are willing to negotiate because of credit debt and poor decisions made in an unstable economy.

The only con I can think of could be - if you purchased the largest & most expensive home in the neighborhood. Your protection would be a a good Realtor, who can give you supportive info and opinions of the neighborhood with a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis).

Today....is a good day to start investing.

Happy New Year from New Haven, CT.

It's New Year's eve and it's snowing here in New Haven. The Christmas tree on the Green is glowing with beautiful blue lights and the Menorah candles are lit.

As challenging & interesting as 2008 was, I find myself looking forward to a better & brighter year in 2009.

Happy New Year everyone!