Your home – where you celebrate the holidays, where you welcome family and friends, and where you make cherished memories.

BUYERS, BUY NOW!

Regardless of the “doom and gloom” stories your nightly news likes to report, now is a great time to buy real estate. While the 2007 collapse of the sub-prime mortgage industry triggered disaster headlines all across the country, the truth is that numbers are trending upwards and consumers are ready for action.

Now is a great time to buy because all the “fence-sitters” who thought it might be too risky to put their homes on the market are now itching to get moving. They are encouraged by two recent news events:

First, the U.S. Government has created the FHA Modernization Act of 2007, which makes it easier for people who can’t afford traditional loans to find reputable loan programs. This will end many of the “predatory” practices of certain sub-prime lenders, while maintaining the ability for lower-income individuals to buy a home.

Second, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that as 2007 ends, nationwide home sales are once again trending upward. This is amazing news for an industry that has received a series of severe blows by the news media in the last year.

Both of these recent developments are “booster shots” to the real estate market. With such good news, people who had been fearful to list their homes are reassured by a more positive outlook.

And there are a lot of them! After sitting on the fence for months, the good news will motivate them into action in 2008 —which will make this year a great time to buy a home. When listing your home you just want to be the best in your price point as inventory is building up this spring. Consumer confidence has been so low but we’re optimistic that with the rate change it will spur people to make a move. If you need any update information feel free to call or email me and many thanks to the people who called to say they enjoyed the calendar. Roger did the photos as I’m sure you guessed. Think Spring.

Every time you come home you should feel like you’ve arrived. As of December 1 we have 246 homes for sale priced from $279,900 to $8,000,000 and 29 condos freom $189,000 to $999,000. Average time on the market is almost 200 days.

An interesting quote

“I’ve lived a life that’s full. I’ve traveled each and every highway; and more, much more than this, I did it my way.” This was originally written and performed by Paul Anka, and covered by Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. But it’s the hope, wish and thought of every person on the planet, including you. Happy holidays from my home to yours.

If anyone has any interest, I have recently done a 1031 exchange and it’s a great investment tool and defers gains. You also can have multiple properties. It’s a great time to buy a retirement property and put that in an exchange, where you rent it for a period of a year and a day and then you have some options when selling or rolling it over to another property. Call if you have any interest in learning more - 203 -438- 2284

The fifty five and over market is the fastest growing market in real estate. Every day 10,000 boomers celebrate their 60th birthday. To add to this issue, Toll Bros. has built a beautiful new complex here in town and mostly sold out. I have listed a beautiful new townhouse with master bedroom on the main floor for sale at $750,000 or for rent at $3200. This is age restricted where one person has to be 62 years old.

At present there are 241 homes on the market and 37 condos.

Housing and lack of consumer confidence are slow to come around this year but Ridgefield continues to be a very sought after town. We are hoping for a turn around but some good houses are selling - it’s just taking longer. Average house sits on the market 214 days so that’s where we are at the moment. Let’s see if the Fed cuts rates any time soon.

Fireworks tonight, free band concerts at the Ballard Park on Tuesdays - how great is living here?? Housing market moving along but a little slower than year’s past. All the inventory is available on my website under buying at www.RidgefieldRealEstate.com

Available on www.RidgefieldRealEstate.com under buying. Search the Multiple List for your price range.

The Memorial Day parade enjoyed a beautiful beautiful day and the town is looking fabulous. Lots of activities with concerts in the park on Tuesday nights at Ballard Green, and the housing market is moving along. Still a lot of nice homes on the market and the golf course never looked so good.

With the spring flowers starting to bloom, people are out shopping for homes once more. The National Realtors Assoc. said the market has bottomed and we are seeing that now. However, that being said, there are 277 homes on the market so buyers have some nice choices. Town was mobbed today with traffic coming and going to different events and most homes are starting to see the buyers drifting in so that’s a good sign. I have a beautiful townhouse for sale in an age restricted condo complex which is brand new by Toll Bros. for $699 if anyone has any interest. It also has a full basement, two car garage and over 2700 sq ft with master bedroom on the main floor. A real gem. Soon to be listed on my website. Any questions - just call me at direct line 438-2284.

Happy Easter to everyone. Market is definitely picking up. All homes for sale are listed at www.RidgefieldRealEstate.com under buying.