FHA UPDATE  FHA UPDATE On January 21, 2010; the federal housing commissioner announced news about the increase in upfront premiums for FHA mortgage insurance.  Effective for FHA loans for which the case number is assigned on or after April 5, 2010, FHA will collect an upfront MIP or Mortgage Insurance Premium of 2.25%.  This will be an increase of 0.50% from current MIP of 1.75%. If you have any FHA questions please feel free to email me at: nima@concorde.bz Nima Rezvan Executive Mortgage Banker Blackberry: 203.913.6016 Email: nima@concorde.bz Website: http://www.NimaLoans.com   01/29/2010

Do you qualify for a short sale? Or are you just "upside down"? A short sale can be an excellent solution for Connecticut homeowners who need to sell, and who owe more on their homes than they are worth. But how do you know if you will qualify for a short sale? In the past, it was rare for a bank or lender to accept a short sale on a Connecticut home. Today, however, due to overwhelming market changes, banks and lenders have become much more negotiable when it comes to these transactions. Recent changes in corporate and government policy have also improved the chances of getting a short sale approved. What is a short sale? Here's a more official definition: A homeowner is 'short' when the amount owed on his/her property is higher than current market value. A short sale occurs when a neg... 01/19/2010

A dumb blonde is walking along, lost, and encounters a deep and wide river. She looks up and down the river for a way across but is unsuccessful in finding one. Yet, when looking to the other side again, she happened to see another blonde on the opposite river bank. She tried calling to her."How can I get to the other side of the river?" she shouts loudly.The other blonde replied "What for? You're already on the other side of the river!" ☺ MattToll Free: 888-NCFIXER (623-4937)Toll Free Fax: 888-FAX-4020 (329-4020)Local: 860-282-6181330 Roberts Street 4th FloorEast Hartford, CT 06108 credit repair company  01/07/2010

Mike -   I hope you can get this message out to more people. A friend of mine in the Air Force is deployed to Iraq for a second time. There are 40 enlisted people from his unit that live on a base without any store to buy items. The Army Air Force Exchange (AAFES) have Post Exchange (PX) stores on many bases in Iraq but not on their base. Military service members and contractors can buy personal hygiene items, food, snacks, soda, Gatorade, military clothing, books, magazines, DVDs, electronics, etc. from the PX stores. It provides a nice break from the hardships and dangers of Iraq. And that saves the families of military personnel from paying for the necessities of life here and shipping them to their loved ones in Iraq. Theses service personnel and their families need your help. I hav... 11/28/2009

What do you do when a blonde throws a grenade at you? Pull out the pin and throw it back!What do you do when a blode throws a pin at you? Run like hell because shes has a grenade in her mouth!!  ☺ MattToll Free: 888-NCFIXER (623-4937)Toll Free Fax: 888-FAX-4020 (329-4020)Local: 860-282-6181330 Roberts Street 4th FloorEast Hartford, CT 06108 credit repair company 11/21/2009

Fairfield Beach Update for September 30, 2009 There have been 49 Single Family homes sold so far this year.  This is down from the 59 that sold last year at this point.  It continues a two year decline from the 89 Homes that sold in 2007 or a 45% decrease in units sold. The Average Selling Price this year for the Beach Area is $794,113. The Good News is that this represents only a 8% decrease from last year.  It is 15% below the Average Price in 2007 of $986,840. There are 84 Homes for Sale currently.  We are averaging 7 Homes sold per month for the first 9 months of the year.  This means we have a 12 month inventory of homes or the other way to say it is - The Average Market Time for a home in the Beach Area is 12 months. The homes for sale range from a small Ranch for $267,000 which j... 10/22/2009

After 9 months ending September 30, Fairfield has sold 21% fewer homes than for the same period last year.  There have been 343 Closings.  This is approx half the number of homes that sold for this period in 2007 (644 homes).   The Average Selling Price came in at $724,891 down 10% from last year.  The ASP is off 18% from 2007. There are 453 Homes for Sale in the Town ranging in price from $215,000 for a Bungalow to $15,500,000 for an 1854 Antique in Southport. To see all the homes for sale, please visit www.tetreau.com.     These numbers are based on data supplied by the Greater Fairfield County MLS.   10/02/2009

Excellence is celebrated 50 years later.... Fairfield Warde HS would like to recognize the 50th anniversary of the 1959 Andrew Warde football team's undefeated, state championship season during halftime of the Fairfield Warde HS football game v. St. Joseph HS on Friday, Oct. 30th.  Game time is at 7:00 pm.  Any former players or coaches from the 1959 team are invited to join in the celebration.  If you plan on attending, please contact Warde Athletic Director, Chris Manfredonia at 255-8387 or cmanfredonia@fairfield.k12.ct.us Just a little tidbit...the Coach of the Undefeated Eagles was my Dad Fern Tetreau. See you at the game! Mike   09/30/2009

Just in Time for Labor Day.....More Good News!  Fairfield Home Sales are catching up to last year and now only trail by 16%.  314 Single Family homes have sold so far this year compared to 372 for the same period in 2008.  Unfortunately, this is still only about half the 601 homes that had sold in 2007.   Prices seemed to have stabilized too.  The Average Selling Price this year is $726,722.  This is 9% lower than last year's $797,330.  It also trails the $877,530 Average from 2007 by 17%.   There are 448 Homes for sale in Fairfield ranging in price from $215,000 to $15,500,000.   To see all the homes for sale, just visit www.tetreau.com     This report is based on information provided by the Greater Fairfield MLS.   09/05/2009

After seven months, the Fairfield Condo market is holding compares favorably to last year. However, it is still down from the levels in 2007.     42 Condos have sold so far in 2009.  This is only 2 less than the 44 that had sold at this point last year.  It is still down 42% from the 73 that were sold in 2007.   Prices are stable with the Average Selling Price coming in at $433,117.  This is down only 2% from last year but is still significantly below the $523,654 Average from 2007.   There are currently 105 Condos on the market in Fairfield ranging in price from $199,000 to $1,297,692.     This analysis is based on data from the Greater Fairfield County MLS. 09/01/2009

Through July 31st, 37 Single Family homes have been sold in the Stratfield Neighborhood.  This is down 30% from the prior year when 53 homes sold.  This total is off 46% from the  68 homes that sold in 2007. It appears that the "train station effect" has not had a big impact.  Fairfield is building a third train station much closer to this neighborhood which should attract more commuters.   Let's take a look at how prices are holding up.  The Average Selling Price so far this year is $461,432.   This value is 17% below the 2008 Average Selling Price of $553,714.    There are currently 43 Homes for Sale in the Stratfield Area ranging in price from $359,900 to $929,000. If you would like more information on these homes, please visit www.tetreau.com     This analysis is based on data from ... 08/31/2009

Yes it is a tough Real Estate Market but Fairfield's University Area is out performing most towns and neighborhoods.  The University Area refers to those homes surrounding the Fairfield University Campus.  Through July 31st, 55 Single Family homes have been sold.  This is up 8% over the prior year.  That's right more homes have been sold.  Unfortunately, the number of sales is still far below the 97 homes sold in 2007.  The University Area has always been in top demand due to its proximity to Fairfield's Downtown Train Station.   Amazingly, prices seem to have held up too!  The Average Sales Price so far in 2009 is $626,219.  This is up 4% over last years Average Price and only down 7% from 2007 levels.  Overall, this is the best performing neighborhood in all of Fairfield.    There are... 08/30/2009

The recent slowing in sales has hit the prestigious Greenfield Hill neighborhood too. This section of Fairfield is home to some of the largest properties and estates in town.  As of July 31, 31 Single Family homes have been sold.  This is down 25% from the homes sold last year.  It is a decrease of 55% from the 69 homes that sold during this period in 2007.   The Average Selling Price for the year is $1,183,563.  This compares to an average for last year of $1,319,107 or a 10% decline.  It is off 18% from the same period in 2007 when Homes averaged $1,445,488.   The higher end homes seem to be feeling the impact of this downturn too.  There were 4 Homes sold for over $2 Million this year compared to 12 homes in 2007.  This represents a decline of 66%. This analysis is based on data from... 08/29/2009

The Fairfield Beach Area has traditionally been one of the strongest Real Estate markets in Town.  Buyers who wanted to be close to the water and preferred New Construction really drove this market for the last ten years or more.   Through July 31st of this year, 38 Single Family homes had been sold.  This is down 10% from last year and 43% from the 67 homes that sold in 2007.   The Average Sales Price came in at $775,882. This a decline of 20% from last year's Average of $995,554.  This Analysis is based on data from the Greater Fairfield County MLS.   To see all the homes for sale in Fairfield County, visit http://www.tetreau.com   08/28/2009

The last two years have not been kind to Southport Real Estate.   21 Homes sold so far this year....down 22% from last year and down 54% from 2007. Median price is up 6% over last year but down 16% from 2007. The increase over last year may be just a function of too few homes being sold.   Avg Selling Price is off 11% from last year and a whopping 46% from 2007. The Average Price in 2007 was $1,790,685. Southport is a great example of the current problem in the Real Estate market. Simply, it is a lack of buyers. Southport is a very desirable and prestigious location.  It is Fairfield's town within the town.  The harbor area is as beautiful as ever.  There are plenty of homes for sale at some very good prices. Mortage Money is available and being offered at some very good interest rates.... 08/26/2009

Fairfield kicked off the National Pop Warner Football season with their Annual Sullivan Bowl.  Four games were played on Sunday with the Fairfield Giants going up against the visiting Seymour Tigers. The 9AM game featured the Jr. Pee Wee team keeping Seymour at bay with a 12-0 victory.  The 11AM game featured the Pee Wee teams in a closer contest with the Giants emerging victorious 6-0 over the Tigers.  The 1PM gave the Jr Midgets a chance to show their stuff....and they did giving Seymour a 8-0 loss and keeping the scoreboard empty of any Tiger Points. The Midget Game on 3PM added to the scoring and the excitement.  Fairfield Scored to take a 7-0 lead. The Tigers came back to make it 7-6 at the half.  Fairfield scored first in the second half to go up 13-7.  Seymour hung tough and even... 08/24/2009

1. Sing the Batman theme incessantly. 2. In the memo field of all your checks, write "for sensual massage." 3. Specify that your drive-through order is "to go." 4. Learn Morse code, and have conversations with friends in public consisting entirely of "Beeeep Bip Bip Beeep Bip..." 5. If you have a glass eye, tap on it occasionally with your pen while talking to others.6. Amuse yourself for endless hours by hooking a camcorder to your TV and then pointing it at the screen. <7. Speak only in a "robot" voice. 8. Push all the flat Lego pieces together tightly. 9. Start each meal by conspicuously licking all your food, and announce that this is so no one will "swipe your grub". 10. Leave the copy machine set to reduce 200%, extra dark, 17 inch paper, 98 copies. 11. Stomp on little plastic ket... 08/18/2009

TAX FREE Sales Week in CT!   One-Week Sales and Use Tax Exclusion in August for Clothing and Footwear Under $300 from Sunday, August 16th to Saturday, August 22nd. It is up to everyone to get out there and shop! Support your Town and your State. Save, Save, Save.  Special Thanks to State Senator John McKinney for giving us the heads up reminder for this great way to save money.  08/17/2009

How to fix your credit in Fairfield CT: Part 1 of a 4 part series First and foremost get a copy of your credit report!  You can't fix something if you don't know what's wrong.  Everyday I have people call me up to repair their credit because they "know it's bad" but don't know exactly what's there.  Well step one is to pull your head up out of the sand and look around (insert chuckle here).  Now the next question to answer is do you want a "soft" or a "hard" pull.  A soft pull is when you check your own credit report.  A soft pull inquiry does not count against you.  A hard pull is when your credit is checked by a lender, car finance company, credit card issuer, etc.  Hard inquiries can have (not always) a small (read usually less than 5 points) effect on your credit score. First, there... 08/17/2009

 Over the past few weeks the news surrounding FICO has been coming fast and furious. The Federal lawsuit filed by FICO against Experian, TransUnion and VantageScore Solutions was partially dismissed but left several counts that will now proceed to trial later this year. Additionally, the credit scoring company announced that FICO 08, their newest credit score, would be available at all three of the national credit reporting agencies starting in August 2009. This means that Experian has finally agreed to install and make available the credit score several months after TransUnion and Equifax had done so. Regarding the FICO lawsuit: On July 24th the Honorable Ann Montgomery ruled on a request to dismiss a lawsuit filed in Federal court by FICO (more formally referred to as Fair Isaac) agai... 08/07/2009