Many buyers consider working directly with the listing agent because it may seem convenient or potentially beneficial. However, doing so changes how representation works and can affect the level of advocacy you receive during the transaction. In most situations, buyers benefit from having their own agent whose primary responsibility is to protect their interests from offer through closing.Understanding the difference between representation roles is essential before deciding which path to take.What the Listing Agent’s Role Actually IsThe listing agent represents the seller. Their responsibility is to market the property, negotiate favorable terms for the seller, and help the seller achieve the strongest possible outcome. Even when a listing agent is professional and cooperative, their fi... 03/14/2026

A buyer’s agent is a real estate professional who represents the interests of the buyer throughout the home purchasing process. Their role extends from early planning and property searches through negotiations, contract management, and closing coordination. While many buyers encounter the term early, there is often confusion about what a buyer’s agent actually does and who they represent.Understanding this relationship is important because it directly affects how informed and protected you are during one of the largest financial decisions you will make.Who a Buyer’s Agent RepresentsA buyer’s agent represents you, the buyer, not the seller. Their responsibility is to advocate for your interests and help you make informed decisions at every stage of the transaction. This includes providin... 03/14/2026

Many homeowners wonder whether there is an ideal time of year to sell a home, with spring often viewed as the most favorable season. While seasonal trends do influence activity levels, there is no universally perfect time to list a property. Homes sell successfully throughout the year when pricing, preparation, and market conditions align with buyer demand.From a real estate perspective, strategic positioning typically plays a larger role in outcomes than the specific month a home enters the market.Why Spring and Early Summer Receive the Most AttentionSpring and early summer are commonly associated with increased housing activity. Warmer weather, longer daylight hours, and school calendar considerations often make moving more convenient for families. As a result, buyer demand tends to i... 03/14/2026

Mortgage rates are one of the most closely watched factors in the housing market because they directly affect affordability, purchasing power, and buyer confidence. It is understandable that many buyers and sellers want to know whether rates are likely to decline and when that might happen. The challenge is that mortgage rate movements are influenced by complex economic forces, making short term predictions difficult even for financial experts.From a practical standpoint, the more useful question is not whether rates will go down, but how current rates impact affordability and long term plans.Why Mortgage Rate Predictions Are UncertainMortgage rates are closely tied to broader economic conditions, including inflation trends, employment data, Federal Reserve policy, and financial market ... 03/14/2026

A slower real estate market often creates concern for both buyers and sellers, but it does not mean transactions stop or opportunities disappear. More commonly, it reflects a shift toward balanced conditions where urgency decreases, decision timelines expand, and strategy becomes more important. Housing markets naturally move through cycles, and slower periods are a normal and healthy part of that progression.From an industry perspective, understanding what actually changes in a slower market helps remove uncertainty and allows both buyers and sellers to make more confident decisions.What Defines a Slower Market EnvironmentWhen market activity moderates, the changes are typically related to pace rather than demand disappearing altogether. A slower market often includes: Longer marketing... 03/14/2026

Questions about whether home prices are declining tend to surface whenever the housing market transitions from rapid appreciation to a more moderate pace. Buyers worry about overpaying, sellers worry about missing peak value, and both groups often look to headlines for clarity. The challenge is that housing prices rarely move in straight lines, and they almost never behave the same way across all markets at the same time.From a real estate perspective, understanding local dynamics is far more valuable than interpreting broad national narratives.Market Cycles Often Create Perception GapsHousing markets naturally move through cycles influenced by interest rates, employment trends, inventory levels, and consumer confidence. After periods of strong growth, it is common to see price apprecia... 03/08/2026

Ale-tasters unite at Connecticut’s premier beer challenge!It’s back! Beer you can’t find anywhere else. Join us for the 5th Annual Noah Webster Real Ale Harvest Festival brought to you by the museum and the Harvest family of stores.21+ breweries create a unique cask of Real Ale good for this one day only and there is a catch. Their brew must include an ingredient from Noah Webster’s 18th-century garden or pantry list.Certified beer judges and celebrity judges choose the Cask Champion (2-5 p.m. session).YOU choose the Taster’s Choice Award winner. Your votes will be counted by the official Real Ale Fest accounting team of Clark Hirth CPAs using their weighting system designed just for the event.Live music at both sessions by Steal Your Funk! Food will be available for purchase.You will t... 09/04/2019

We focus on tax related issues, including civil and criminal tax controversies in West Hartford and across Connecticut and New York.  We deal with taxpayers who have fallen into the IRS Collection Division’s inventory and are dealing with federal tax levies by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”).  A question that comes up often is what can the IRS seize?There are two types of federal tax levies issued by the IRS: a “regular” levy and a “continuing” levy. A continuing levy is a levy issued by the IRS on wages or routinely paid commissions, so it will remain in place until it is released.A “regular” levy issued by the IRS reaches the assets owned by the taxpayer at the moment the levy is received.  For example: Assume Taxpayer owes the IRS $10,000.  Taxpayer has $100 in his bank account ... 06/18/2016

  It's a time worn, but true, common saying.  Suppose you were killed in an auto accident or suffered a sudden illness. Do you have a legal Will? What will happen if you do not? What if you survive but cannot make medical or financial decisions for yourself? Who will take care of your children? You are invited to a free presentation** at Sarah Poriss's office by estate planning Attorney Lillian Miller at 6:30pm on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 to learn about the reasons we should all have a will, a power of attorney document and a living will or health care instructions. These documents are very important to ensure your and your family's financial stability in case of the unexpected.   Attorney Miller has been practicing in the area of estate planning for over 25 years and is an enthusia... 11/01/2014

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE SPIN MONOGRAMS & GIFTS IN WEST HARTFORD! If you are lookingfor the perfect gift for just about anyone on your holiday list-- you should definitely check out Spin Monograms & Gifts in Blue Back Square in West Hartford.  I happened to come across this hidden gem one day this past summer while dining outdoors at The Cheesecake Factory.  This store is really fabulous, with an inviting display of gifts for all ages.  I love, love, love their personalization and monogramming service for just about everything in the shop.  They have beautiful initial necklaces and signet rings, and they'll customize every piece upon request.  They also have a great selection of bags for every occasion-- from clutches for a night out on the town to overnight bags and fun totes. Spin also has cu... 12/09/2013

Monday's Market Minute:  West Hartford, CT November is typically thought of as the turning point from fall to winter in the real estate world.  It's the time of year when not only have all the leaves fallen from the trees, but the time when home sellers ask themselves, "Should we take the house off the market until spring?" and buyers lament the lack of housing inventory to choose from.  It's quite a conundrum! Sales of single family homes in West Hartford during November churned along at about the same pace as last year.  In November, 2012 there were 48 closed sales; in November 2013 there were 50. However, the median sales price of homes in West Hartford was up by 11% when comparing closed sales from the past two Novembers: West Hartford, CT Single-Family Real Estate Sales   November,... 12/02/2013

 It's that time of year again-- the long anticipated leaf collection period!  The Public Works Department announced that West Hartford curbside leaf pick up will begin on Monday, October 21, 2013 and runs through December 27, 2013.  Each week on your regular refuse collection day crews will collect leaves bagged in 30 gallon biodegradable paper bags placed at the curb.  Bags should be placed at the curb by 6 a.m. and must weigh no more than 60 lbs. As an alternative, residents can mulch their leaves into their lawn with a mulching mower or deliver their leaves (free of charge) to the town recycling center at 17 Brixton Street during normal business hours (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)  Residents who hire a landscaping company to remove their leaves can obtain a voucher to allow their contracto... 10/20/2013

Just when you thought West Hartford couldn't possibly get more accolades, Family Circle magazine names West Hartford one of its "Best Towns for Families" in 2013.  Is it the great school system?  Awesome walkable Center?  Diverse neighborhoods?  Fantastic Leisure Services?  Responsible government?  Parks & Pools?  Shopping? Dining?  All of the above!!  According to Family Circle magazine, with the help of Onboard Informatics, a New York City research firm that provides real estate, demographic and other data, Family Circle initially assembled a list of 3,335 cities and towns with populations between 10,000 and 150,000.  From that, nearly 1,000 localities having a high concentration of households with median incomes between $55,000 and $100,000 were selected. Then each place was ranked f... 08/20/2013

Is it really possible that the year is more than half over? It seems that not so long ago we were turning the corner into the new year, the chill of December still with us. Now of course, that chill has long faded. Summer is here. Sam Keen, an American author and professor, once said of the season: "Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability."  When the hot weather comes, it's a reminder for all of us to slow down and locate a little of that respectable laziness. According to James Dent, "A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken." Though schedules are often filled with family vacations, road trips, and plentiful yard work, I hope you discover a slow afternoon somewhere in there. May your deep summ... 08/07/2013

All towns are not created equal, and recently West Hartford was ranked the #1 Top Town Overall (All towns, regardless of size) in the Greater Hartford area by Hartford Magazine.  (West Hartford also ranked #1 among the large towns).  Not only was West Hartford ranked #1 Overall but also #1 in the following categories: Best for families/schools Best for seniors Most affluent Most educated To add to its bragging rights, West Hartford ranked second in the categories of "young & hip", "city living", "leisure life", and "fastest growing".  Hartford Magazine looked at more than three dozen factors when determining the rankings including school test scores, crime rate, property taxes, median home price, voter turnout, and number of retail establishments to name a few.  Check out the complete s... 05/31/2013

5 Sure Signs that the West Hartford Real Estate Market has Shifted! With the spring real estate market in full swing, there are five indicators that West Hartford is shifting to a seller's market: Closed Sales. The first quarter of 2013 has seen a 22.5% increase in the number of single family homes sold in West Hartford when compared to the same time period last year (93 closed sales vs. 114 closed sales in 2012).    Average Sales Price. In West Hartford, 1st quarter sales posted a 3.15% increase in average sales price over 1st quarter 2012. The average sales price for a 3-bedroom, 2-bath, 2000 square foot home is $315,493 vs. $305,860 last year. Average Days on Market. Days on market for single family homes in town have shifted dramatically, down from an average of 91 days to 69 days o... 04/25/2013

West Hartford Real Estate: Monday Market Recap... What a whirlwind weekend in West Hartford!  Homes are flying off the market as fast as they come on.  This weekend alone several homes were listed and under contract within a few days in West Hartford.  Check out the days on market of these 10 properties that went under deposit in the past weekend: Property Address List Price List Date Contract Date Days on Market 18 Ledyard Road  $599,900    2/28/2013   3/16/2013 16 22 Clifton Avenue  $399,900    3/14/2013   3/16/2013 2 258 Tunxis Road  $329,900    3/1/2013   3/15/2013 14 30 Gifford Road  $269,900    3/4/2013   3/15/2013 11 38 Wells Road  $339,900    3/4/2013   3/15/2013 11 65 Grennan Road  $369,900    3/11/2013   3/16/2013 5 68 Sheep Hill Drive  $379,000    10/19/2012   3/15/2013 147 7... 03/18/2013

THE HIGH COST OF OVERPRICING... I see it everyday in the MLS when I look for properties for my buyer-clients, or work on pricing for a listing appointment, or talk to sellers whose listing has expired and they don't understand why-- the high cost of overpricing.   Sellers who have a skewed perspective on the value of their home should realize that correct pricing is their most valuable marketing tool.  When a home is overpriced, it is viewed (from the buyer's perspective) against other similarly priced homes.  If those homes have more amenities, larger square footage, better location, etc., then the over-priced home only serves to showcase the other homes as being of better value within the price range.    These two actual property history charts from our MLS show how this works with th... 03/13/2013

West Hartford Real Estate Market Insider - Zip Code 06107 Do you live in zip code area 06107?  Or are you thinking of buying a home in West Hartford's 06107?  This area covers primarily what's called "West Hartford Center" and approximately 18,000 residents occupy this space.  This area of town is the most "walkable" with dining, shopping, and entertainment within a few blocks of many homes.  (You can check out the "walk score" for any property.)  The average household income here is around $76,240 which is considerably higher than the US average household ($56,604).   The average sale price in this area is $379,967 for a 4-bedroom, 2-bath, 2,100 square foot home.  Click here or on the charts below for more detailed real estate, community, and school information for this area.  02/24/2013

"We are never, ever, ever... going to find a home!" I'm sure Taylor Swift won't be singing this tune, but many potential home buyers in the West Hartford area are. Housing inventory is so low right now, there are only 165 homes on the market in West Hartford-- that's a very small percentage in a town with over 18,000 single family homes!  And I receive inquiries every day from ready, willing, and even ABLE buyers wanting to purchase a home in West Hartford.  Of course, time of year has something to do with this conundrum, however, it feels like there is a subtle shift occurring in the market.  I've had buyer and seller-clients in multiple offer situations in West Hartford over the past 6-9 months and a declining absorption rate seems to indicates a trend where the inventory is decreasin... 02/23/2013