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

"Second Time Around", an upscale consignment shop in West Hartford is hosting a "Girls' Night" on Thursday, February 21st from 4 - 8 p.m.  Wine, cupcakes, and of course shopping!  STA is located next door to Grant's Restaurant at 977 Farmington Avenue in West Hartford and will be featuring great spring and resort designer fashions.  A definite must do for all savvy shoppers! 02/20/2013

Happy Valentine's Day West Hartford! Haven't found the perfect Valentine gift yet?  Or worse yet, haven't made your V-Day plans? Don't worry, you've still got 24 hours... Considering chocolates, the Valentine staple?  Stop by at Bridgewater Chocolate, 12 LaSalle Road, West Hartford, which offers several options including a Valentine Assortment with toffees, turtles, peanut butter and Belgian chocolates in a red box with a gift bow in half, one or two pound boxes for $20.50, $37.95 and $67.75.  Another local favorite, Munson's Chocolates at 62 Isham Road, West Hartford has chocolate heart pops for $1.60 or red foil milk chocolate long stem roses at a budeget-friendly $3.98 each. Flowers are always a hit on V-day!  Check out the great floral selection at Lane & Lenge Florist on Park Road-... 02/13/2013

Your FREE list of up-to-date West Hartford homes for sale will be sent to you. Your FREE list will include... Detailed property information including all information on the property... Multiple pictures of most homes... How to see & inspect the property... And much more.. It has never been a better time to buy one of these homes. Now you can get West Hartford homes for sale sent to you before almost anyone else finds out about them. If you are looking to get the most real estate for your money, then this list of West Hartford homes for sale is for you. Your list of all homes now for sale in West Hartford will be sent to you along with all new ones as soon as they come on the market. Click the link below.   West Hartford CT houses, condos, short sales and foreclosures 02/08/2013

The West Hartford Real Estate Market Housing Market has seen a sprint in activity. Although month over month change is -11.99% ( Due to holidays ) and the inventory in West Hartford is shrinking. This time back in October, there were 437 Single Family Homes & Condos listed for sale in West Hartford. The median sales price of $299,950 is still hanging steady. West Hartford, CT remains a popular city to move to. The Center is 15 minutes from downtown Hartford, where you can find art museums, the Connecticut Science Center, sports arenas and concert halls, such as the Bushnell Center for Performing Arts. It is two hours from both Boston and New York City. The addition of Blue Back Square is a added bonus for residents and visitors. Start your home search today! Click below to get started: ... 01/10/2013

For Active Adult Communities in West Hartford, call Lewis and Beth McIntyre 860-508-7855 West Hartford Active Adult Communities   West Hartford Active Adult and over 55 Communities There are many lovely active adult or over 55 communities in West Hartford; 4 of which I'll be featuring in this post. Laurel Hill, located off of Farmington Avenue and consisting of 108 units built in the mid 2000's. Most recent list prices range from mid $200's to low $400's, sale price range from $230,000 to $419,000. Promenade, located off of Farmington Avenue and consisting of 179 units, built early 2000. Most recent list price range from $224,000 to $275,000, sale price range from $212,000 to $268,000. Henley Woods, located off Simsbury Road, consists of 64 units, built early 2000. List price ranges fro... 12/17/2012

We all know that West Hartford is a great place to live, and I am often asked about affordable luxury condos by young, urban professionals (formerly known as yuppies) as well as others who are thinking about downsizing and prefer lots of amenities.  Although "affordable" and "luxury" shouldn't really occupy the same phrase, it is possible to find affordable new construction homes in West Hartford. One of the first places to look is Quaker Green, located at 30 Schoolhouse Drive in West Hartford.  This development is situated within a few minutes drive to popular West Hartford Center, where shopping, dining, and entertainment abound.  In addition, Cobins Corner & Westfarms Mall are just up the street, and a thriving Elmwood Center is right around the corner.  Beachland Park, with walking ... 11/01/2012