The 129 new listings entered into the Consildated MLS on May 1, 2007 have been on the market for 10 days.  This is an update what has been reported: 113 ACTIVE (out of 129)2 Reduced (Norwalk - Woodbury)1 Raised (Redding)2 Pending (East Haven & Westport)10 Accepted Offer (CTS-continue to show "bindered")(Shelton, Norwalk, (2) Fairfield, Stratford, New Milford, Stamford, Redding, Ansonia, Stratford)1 Back on the Market (Ansonia)  05/11/2007

     I have not had a chance to blog lately.  Too much to do and not enough time in the day.  But, I am grateful for this blessing.      Something tickled me today that I thought I would share real quick.  "Real Estate Karma".  We had a seller that got discouraged when their house was on the market.     Since our service was above and beyond, it was disappointing that when the contract expired the seller listed with someone else in a bigger company.        Well, today those sellers called.  A buyer contacted them directly to look at it.   The house is still listed with the other company, however, the Seller did not contact their agent.  They don't want to deal with them.  The Seller wanted us to have the information to sell their house to the Buyer.  Wow! ... Chris is meeting with them ... 04/24/2007

Want to "buy" into a novel idea?   Best deals for "self-help" and "get rich" books and other material is not at Amazon.com.  Nope!  Go to Salvation Army and Goodwill. (The link is to shopping Goodwill on-line)   Check out your area second hand store.  Why pay hundreds of dollars at 2am in the morning to infomercial megalamanics ?  The only one getting rich is them!   But, then there is that age old burning question as you stand there in the second hand store, "why would someone get rid of such priceless books on making everyone  millions?"  Hmmmm.....    I am no different from anyone else.   I am interested in improving myself and my lifestyle.    I just got back from Borders book store where I was buying three (3) skinny-minny  "weekly reader-sized" books on marketing for $25 a book.  ... 04/18/2007

   "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans".  John Lennon quotes (English Singer, Songwriter and Political Activist.)       My day is planned and organized in writing, yet it transitions into something different as my life is penciled in to other people's plans.      The term blog from Wikipedia: blog (short for web log) is a user-generated website where entries are made in journal style...    This is what I base my blog on, day to day happenings or reminiscent thoughts of days gone by.     I have yet to share unrelated stories like literally running into Barbara Bush the night before my Principle and Practices Final. Oh, then there was the time I sold a house that was wired by extension cords. These are just a samples of  the rich pageantry of life that is min... 04/18/2007

Counterculture author, icon Kurt Vonnegut Jr. dies at 84By Mark Feeney, Globe Staff  |  April 12, 2007Kurt Vonnegut Jr., whose blend of absurdist humor, science fiction, and antiestablishment politics made his novels "Slaughterhouse-Five" and "Cat's Cradle" campus classics in the '60s and '70s, died last night in Manhattan. He was 84.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Photograph copied from Wikipedia.My father-in-law was a friend of Kurt Vonnegut's in the 50's when he lived on Cape Cod. He even co-wrote a story with him.  Emory Beck. Typescript of play by Robert B. Ruthman and Vonnegut .  From the stories that have been told at family gatherings about Mr. Vonnegut, his refrigerator (of that time) was loaded with thought pr... 04/12/2007

Current Market Analysis - Condo Activity   Fairfield Connecticut  StatusClassTypeAreaNo. of ListingsDollar VolumeAverage PriceMedian PriceAverage DOM Active Listings74$52,202,452$705,439$599,45042Listings Under Contract4$1,699,800$424,950$374,95035Listings Sold 20073$910,000$303,333$275,00030As the renters think about changing their scenery a distinct interest in Fairfield Condos has emerged. Median Price Condos/Coops are popular with the lookers right now. Updates and over-all condition seems to be a big deciding factor on which condo to buy.  Even if the condo is priced lower, buyers are wanting updates, not TLC.Polish up your condo with fresh updates before you put it on the market, you will find your buyer faster! 03/22/2007

    I just read Inman's Article on "Open House Don'ts".  The only thing I saw missing from the recipe was "be sure the Seller hides their prescription medications".  (Inman Article will self-destruct at mid-night.)    Years ago, I held an open-house for an associate in a lovely upscale neighborhood.  Every guest through the door was neatly dressed and I was not suspicious of any "evil doers".    Close to the end of the open house, there were potential buyers going in one direction, and another going toward the opposite end of the home.  Placing myself in the middle, I tried to monitor the visitors.  Hearing the  the medicine chest open,  I made it to the bathroom (not expecting to see) a gentleman looking at the bottles in the cabinet.  I made a polite comment about plenty of storage in... 03/21/2007

I am celebrating 2 months of blogging on Activerain.  I would like thank anyone and everyone who took the to view my blog. Whether you liked them or not.  Thank you!   For anyone who feels discouraged:  Never give up  --  "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up". Quote - Thomas A. Edison    Date Title Comments Views Clicks 03/12/2007 Creativity, Courage, and Commitment 2 102 16 03/07/2007 Crow and Grow! 3 70 24 03/06/2007 Victory Ball 2007 - 10th Anniversary Charity Event 1 105 21 03/05/2007 Radar and ESP 0 136 18 03/03/2007 I See Dead People...on Mailing Lists 2 250 78 03/01/2007 Lead Me To Your Taker - Slow Burning Hot Topics - Q's & Q's 2 222 43 02/26/2007 Trumping on Active Rain - Did Donald Buy The Blog? (Donald & Me ... 03/12/2007

Ruthman Real Estate   Current Market Analysis - Fairfield, CT   January 1, 2007 to 3/10/2007 as per the Consolidate MLS   Status Class Type Area No. of Listings Dollar Volume Average Price Median Price Average DOM   Active Listings 494 $561,777,853 $1,137,202 $749,950 81 Listings Under Contract 80 $76,982,245 $962,278 $707,000 94 Listings Sold 2007 52 $36,451,000 $700,981 $511,250 ACTIVE Single Family Single Family Detached FAIRFIELD 352 $442,874,415 $1,258,166 $835,000 89 Sub Total 352 $442,874,415 $1,258,166 $835,000 89 REDUCED PRICE Single Family Single Family Detached FAIRFIELD 32 $23,161,389 $723,793 $599,250 67 Sub Total 32 $23,161,389 $723,793 $599,250 67 RAISED PRICE Single Family Single Family Detached FAIRFIELD 2 $3,395,800 $1,697,900 $1,697,900 123 Sub Total 2 $3,395,800 $1,... 03/10/2007

Dear Reader, I would like to take this time to quickly introduce one of the best Realtor's that I have met in the many years that I have been in the Real Estate Financing Business: Realtor Helene Daly of Fairfield County Real Estate About Realtor Helene Daly: Helene DalyFairfield County Real Estate 200 Mill Plain RoadFairfield, CT 06824Phone: 203-913-4026Fax: 203-255-5952E-Mail: helenedz53@aol.com Website: http://www.helenedaly.com/ *    Listing and selling homes in Fairfield, Southport, Trumbull, Westport, Easton, Bridgeport,        Stratford, and Newtown.*    Resides in Fairfield, married and raising five school-aged children.*    Member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church serving as Eucharistic Minister, Parish Advisory Board       member, active in the St. Thomas Home-School Association an... 03/02/2007

 SIFTING THROUGH THE DIRT AND GRAVEL OF REAL ESTATE BLOGS SEARCHING FOR GOLD       Treasure Hunting through blogs looking for nuggets of golden wisdom from real estate professionals worth their metal?  Keep in mind:     YOU are the basic element for successful golden opportunities.     Prospecting through blogs is worthwhile way to see who you really are and where your professional and personal improvements may lie.                          There is real estate gold dispersed throughout the entire AR site, but generally not enough gold to make operation payoff with only a few clicks of your mouse. Keep looking. Sampling will help you find higher-grade of real estate experiences, innovation and informative deposits. Regardless of suggestions or input you receive from others, you make the... 02/23/2007

Years ago, I was contacted by a young lady that was bit the "Flipping Bug" and was suffering. She was a little panicked and needed help.  The agents she called did not want to be bothered.  There was no money to be made. She purchased a small urban property that needed TLC on a 0% for 6 months credit card. She did this without professional consultation or representation thinking that would save money. At the time, her plan seemed good to her, but the neighborhood was bad.  The sweat equity and beautiful upgrades were lost.As a professional courtesy, I walked her through the selling process.  There was only a little out of pocket money lost to her.  She followed my advice  pricing it for a "quick sale" and got it sold expeditiously.Even  though the flip was a flop, she managed to keep he... 02/21/2007

       I just purchased a woodburning insert for my friend.  On a visit to my hometown, he admired my parent's insert and remarked on how it efficiently heated their home.      Since, he never bought firewood before and was not sure how much would be enough. I found this information to educate him and thought it may be handy for other consumers out there that are looking for an alternate heat source and were thinking of buying firewood. What is a cord?And how to avoid paying too much for oneFirewood quantities are sometimes difficult to estimate. The official measurement of firewood is a "cord".  To help you make an accurate estimate, here is how some common units of firewood measurement compare to the full cord. A full cord is a large amount of wood. It measures 4 feet high by 4 feet w... 02/13/2007

       With the real estate market  seemingly more adaptable to smaller business models, Chris and I saw a window of opportunity and we took it.  Life isn't easier and there is still hardwork, but it would have been a mistake not to venture forth from the large corporation.          We can compete!   Our business is expanding and fills our time.  We work past our expectations and this has enabled us to continue down the path toward success.  We gain momentum with each accomplishment.       In our business successful agents have to be action-oriented and have a positive attitude.   There is a special camaraderie between us and are equally confident in our strengths and skills.           We look forward to the future with commitment and gratitude to all our supportive friends and customer... 02/13/2007

     I believe in giving.  Professionally and personally, I feel like I get so much in return.  Whether it be reciprocity for a favor or the reward of a sincere thank you.     My precious time is given freely to friends.  For the past few years I have enjoyed the friendship of a 92 year old woman.  I am especially appreciative of our times shared; mostly laughing about boys!  When we are together we both feel 16 again! I also love learning from her life experience, her gift to me!      And even though my prosperity has been modest, I have never missed the dollars that I have given away here and there to charities.  I am still rich!      I wake up each day, ready to "give" it all that I got!                    02/12/2007

  A house is a major purchase for almost anyone. Taking the time to study the property one last time before closing is a smart thing to do.Here are a few tips from experienced real estate professionals for spotting potential last-minute problems.Walk-through less than 24 hours before the closing:. You don't want too much time to lapse between the walk-through and the closing.Take your time: Don't feel rushed or pressured by the seller.Take the walk-through in daylight hours.Bring the home inspector's report. Or better yet, bring the home inspector.Examine the now-empty garage, basement, crawl spaces and attic. When they are occupied, these areas are hard to examine.Take photos: Document any damage you see in the home 02/08/2007

     For the most part I have a happy life.  My time is precious to me, so I can't waste it on negativity.  I control my own happiness.  I have justifiable concerns and on occasion will state them, but I don't whine.  No good can come of it.  I am helpful to others in need, but some people's problem seem to rule their lives.  I avoid negativity like the flu!       I am grateful that I am rarely tense.  I deal with stress by taking walks, (I really think I should be thinner.)       Even through all the daily dealings (I do this full-time and then some), I sleep well at night and feel energized in the morning.  Having a positive attitude makes me strong enough to face each day.          Build yourself a better tomorrow by being positive, (no matter what your circumstances!)        02/06/2007

    I answered the phone and heard a cheerful voice ask for "Soandso",  an agent I used to work with before I went on to be an independent broker.  I told caller that "Soandso" did not work here, but I used to be her associate manager and thought "Soandso" was a lovely person, (which is very true.)   Before I divulged any other information, I asked what the phone call was pertaining to.  She revealed that she was working with "Soandso" on a rental.      I quickly looked up on-line if "Soandso" was still at the same company.  She was.  I gave the caller "Soandso" phone number with a sincere message to tell "Soandso" I said "hello and that I think of her often."      I may be a small competing company now, but I value my friends and real estate acquaintances.  I also respect customer's p... 02/06/2007

My humble opinion about real estate blogging:      If Real Estate Agents are "originals" or "creative" (they are not going publish their money making ideas for competitors and all to see) Well, not until they find a way to make a profit off of it. ...OK, you might get secret recipe for great Guacamole. Real Agents are in sales, but we are a bunch of buyers!  We buy into ideas that other agents sell (blog).  We are a "gotta have it group", when it comes to products.   Check out all the ideas, tools and products that are available to real estate agents.  There is a huge market in selling to each other!  ... I fondly refer to it as: SSS, Subliminal Sales to the Salesperson.     Then, there is the real estate "quickie" blog. Cut and paste; such as The Inman News articles, as well as other m... 01/30/2007

Top 7 Ranked Things To Do In Fairfield:    #1 Connecticut Yankee Balloons: 120 Flax RoadFairfield, CT 06824 203-255-1929 Hot-air balloon flights over the Litchfield Hills, central Connecticut and the Housatonic and Naugatuck River valleys, weather permitting. #2 Ogden House & Gardens: 1520 Bronson RoadFairfield, CT 06824 203-259-1598 18th-century saltbox farmhouse furnished to portray the lives of its Revolutionary-era inhabitants.   #3 Connecticut Audubon Center at Fairfield: 2325 Burr StreetFairfield, CT 06824 203-259-6305 http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Asi32MjBhNtJ7_ZIpMggvSvaPmoL/SIG=11t57pifg/**http:/www.ctaudubon.org/centers/fairfield/fairfield.htm Natural history exhibits, compounds for non-releasable animals, references library and shop in nature center.  #4 Walsh Art Gallery: at ... 12/24/2006