UI Saves You Money
Tax Credit Information
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
Connecticut Idol Tickets on sale $20
What is a "Binder" Q & A
...lol...
Plus so much more....
Access your local market information, current interest rates, and the latest real estate news at:
Fredda's Newsletter any time during the year or go to
www.FreddaFirst.com and select the newsletter tab.
Town Real Estate Sales Information:
The numbers are in for the beginning of 2010 and the market is STRONG! Sales are up across the board, in every town! Most importantly, Greenwich, Westport, and Stamford are rebounding. Throughout the years, I predict the future of our area's real estate based upon what goes on in these three towns. In the past two years, Greenwich, Stamford, and Westport have plummeted in sales, prices, and list to sale ratios. Now, sales are skyrocketing and prices are stabilizing and even starting to increase. This is the strongest real estate conditions I've seen in the past 5 years. This is particularly important because we have been seeing an increase in sales in the lower price ranges in the past two months due to the tax credit. With both markets being positively impacted and with this trend continuing, I am expecting the recession to be slowing down and the market to be recovering in 2010.
To See Your Home Town's Housing Newsletter, please click on one of the below links:
Want to know what your home would sell for, call Fredda First for a free analysis of your home's current marketability and value. (203) 259-6789.
| Product |
Interest Rate |
Annual Percentage Rate |
| 15 YR Fixed Conforming |
4.250% |
4.393% |
| 15 YR Fixed Jumbo |
5.125% |
5.374% |
| 30 YR Fixed Conforming |
4.875% |
5.027% |
Mortgage rate Information:
Rates are low. Below are William Raveis Mortgage rates as of February 25, 2010:
| 30 YR Fixed High Conforming |
5.000% |
5.116% |
| 30 YR Fixed Jumbo |
5.625% |
5.781% |
| 30 YR Fixed Super Jumbo |
5.625% |
5.781% |
| 5/1 YR ARM Conforming |
3.500% |
3.323% |
| 5/1 YR ARM Jumbo |
4.500% |
3.597% |
| 5/1 YR Portfolio Arm |
4.500% |
3.597% |
Theater News:
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater... at Johnny Ray's in Milford...
Mark Your Calendars : Sunday April 25th and Sunday, May 2nd...
Call Fredda First for tickets - 203-259-6789....
The time is March, 1933. Prohibition is in full swing. This roaring mystery-comedy is set at the Imperial Ballroom in Atlantic City, where you are one of the guests watching a live radio broadcast while dining and enjoying an evening of entertainment. Your host Sammy “Pretty Boy” Bambino has his hands full with a cadre of guests, crooks and ladies of the night. Sultry silent-screen star Miss Ruby Devine, on this very special evening, will debut her singing talents. But before a note is sung, a baby is snatched, a prisoner has escaped from the pen, a G-man arrives disguised as a nun. . . and the bullets start flying. This is non-stop interactive mystery comedy set in a time and place audiences will never forget all while dining on a fabulous 3 course meal offered by this 4 Star Restaurant located in the heart of Milford, Ct.. http://www.johnnyraysrestaurant.com/Home2.html.
Tickets: $60 per person includes show and meal.
Want to be part of the Action? Auditions will be held for Boardwalk Melody Hour Murders, by Tom Chiodo on Sunday, March 7th, and Monday, March 8th at 8pm at Johnny Rays Restaurant, Milford, CT. Rehearsals will run Monday-Thursday evenings throughout March and April. Performances Sunday, April 25, and Sunday, May 2.
The above shows and performances are presented by Slant of Light Theater Group. Slant of Light and I are working towards providing education to Junior and High School students on the importance of Education and Self-Esteem to help prevent and combat Drug Use, Domestic Violence, and Eating Disorders within our youth. Please support us - you'll make a difference while having fun..
"It's fun to have fun, but you have to know how." - Dr. Seuss
2010 Economic Forecast
Barry Habib has written a wordy, but interesting and encouraging economic forecast for 2010.. please click on the following link, and if nothing else, scroll to the summary:
Saving You Money!!!
Extended until March 31st!
UI's Weatherization Program: - Clients are saving 25%+/- on utility bills by taking advantage of some great Green offerings from UI - I can't encourage you enough to take advantage of these great savings. One client has informed me that not only did UI save them $$$, help prevent loss of heat and a/c through their windows, they reimbursed them to increase their insulation. What are you waiting for? Go to the site and sign up today. I believe UI charges $80 for this service which is easily recovered over and over again. The lower your bills, the more value your home has to you and your next buyers: Go to:
Weatherization Program
$12.50 U.I. Water Heater Rental - A new energy efficient, fully installed 80 gallon Hot water heater - only $12.50 per month - this deal pays for itself! Go to:
Water Heater Rental
If you know of a program or service that helps save home owners money, please let me know!
Tax Credit Expires on 04/30/2010 - We must be in contract... or lose up to $8,000!
Less than 60 days left to take advantage of the $8,000 Tax Credit:
Short Sales and Foreclosure Information:
Fredda has created an up-to-date list of current foreclosures, short sales and bank owned properties throughout Fairfield County and New Haven County. For a personalized search of those deals that would be of most interest to you, Call Fredda First or email
Fredda@FreddaFirst.com/.
Fredda's Office Awards and News:
Fredda named “No. 1 in Customer Service” for December, 2009. This is the 5th Month in 2009 Fredda received this honor. Linda Meyers stated, “The Excellence in Customer Service award is granted on a monthly basis to the sales associate who has exhibited an overwhelming commitment to extraordinary service. Fredda has the distinct honor of receiving this award five times during 2009.
Jackie Seawright joins Fredda's Team as Marketing Coordinator...
Looking for Buyer's Agents... If you know of a Real Estate agent you think would compliment my team, please call me and let me know. I'm looking for a few good people..
We are working at developing Fredda's Referral Group. In these tough times, we must strive to not only provide the best possible customer service, but we must support each other's through referring each other's business whenever we know of someone seeking a professional. If you would like to be included in Fredda's Referral Group, please contact me:
Fredda@FreddaFirst.com. Jackie and I are going to be hard at work cultivating this group to provide networking, professional promotion and referral opportunities.
From the Desk of Bill Raveis, CEO & Chairman: Bill Raveis has stated that he believes this year sales will increase 15% over last year and that prices will rise 5%. He is confident and I am hopeful that his predictions will be realized and that we all will benefit from the beginnings of an economic recovery.
Client Appreciation Event and Fundraiser Information:
I am working towards organizing a Client Appreciation Event this coming summer: an evening of dancing along with a silent auction benefitting Slant of Light Theater Group.
Slant of Light works to help promote artistic expression and action. We are currently working to provide a series of Live Theater to Junior High and High School Students throughout the region. It is the goal of the program to help reinforce positive self esteem in our youth. Positive self esteem directly reduces the risks of violence, eating disorders, and drug addiction. Our children are our future, please support Slant of Light.
"Call Fredda First" Corner
Today's Question:
"What does a "Signed Binder" mean to a buyer?"
Answer:
"In Fairfield County, a signed binder represents the seller formally accepting your offer and listing the property as under deposit. Next the seller's attorney prepares contracts and forwards them to your attorney. You will sit with your attorney, review the contracts and render the remainder of your deposit (Typically between 3% and 10%) once you are satisfied with your inspections. The process takes about two weeks, and it is important to keep an eye on dates, make sure you get information quickly, and negotiate any issues within the given time frames on the binder. If you decide against pursuing a contract on the property in any part due to your inspections, you will be entitled to your deposit back providing you request such before your inspection contingency date expires. The 2 weeks between binder and contract is an important time frame during which you, your Real Estate Agent, your Real Estate Attorney, your Mortgage Broker and your Building Inspectors all need to work closely and efficiently. Things that "go wrong" in this regard usually are due to poor information from inspections, attorney's not being responsive, agents failing to watch dates, or buyers moving too slowly. Once you've decided on a home, that's when a good agent begins the hard work of making sure the process goes through smoothly and efficiently straight until closing. It's our job to make sure you are protected, educated, and supported throughout the home buying process. For more information on Fredda's buyer programs or testimonials from past buyers, please go to
www.FreddaFirst.com."
More to come...on Slant of Light, our upcoming Client Appreciation Event, and on-going Market Information!
Criticism Requested: I want this newsletter to give you the information you most want to see. Write me at Fredda@FreddaFirst.com and let me know what type of real estate or community information you would like to see included in this Newsletter!
Fredda B. Takacs
Sales Vice President
William Raveis Exceptional Properties
2525 Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
(203) 259-6789 - office
(203) 521-0300 - cell
www.FreddaFirst.com
Fredda@FreddaFirst.com
