Dave Jones, Prospect Ct Real Estate Broker/REALTOR's Dave Jones Realty, llc

A few days back I posted a blog about the storm that ws just hitting New England.  Well 5 days later, the power is back on for us.

Well here is Prospect about 70% of the town has power again but the news is filled with towns that are still experiencing 100% outage!

In the 5 days without Power / Water / Heat I have seen and done a lot of things.

I have shoveled water into a garbage can to have it melt in order to get water to flush the toilets.

I have waited 30 minutes in line for Gas, and 30 minutes for a coffee.

I was almost hit by a startled deer that was obviously confused by the crazy weather.

I stopped my car to move debris so it would be easier to pass.

I drove through 6 towns trying to find 5 gallon gas cans.

I saw a pushing match break out at Lowes over a generator. The employees broke it up quickly, it could have been a lot worse.

I took my kids "for a quick ride". It was really a ride just to warm up a bit since it was only 38 degrees in the house.

I drove around from Starbucks, to Dunkin to Panera Bread trying to find a wifi connection so I could modify the status of one of my listings. (There is only so much you can do from the new 4S iPhone I just bought.) It was funny to look around the parking lot I finally ended up in and see a row of cars with laptops on their dash! Crazy!

I threw away an entire restaurants food supply. My family owns a Restaurant and we had to throw EVERYTHING away. It makes you sick to your stomach knowing people are going hungry and we have to through away 60 Gallons of ice cream, 100lbs of Hamburgers, 50 lbs of Hotdogs, etc etc. We literally filled a Dumpster.

I had to go to the car every four hours to charge my cell phone.

We listened to the radio in our home. I don’t think I have ever done that.

Some good things have come from this whole disaster.

I have seen more neighbors helping neighbors than I ever have in my life. I believe this has made us all a little more resourceful. My neighbor suggested I hook my gutters up to a pale so when the snow melts I have water to flush the toilets, WOW!

I have seen some people being more understanding and sympathetic. Today alone I saw someone let an elderly lady buying batteries and a blanket go in front of him in line.

Since all the traffic lights were out, courtesy was needed to take turns at intersections.

We were more together as a family this week. My family spent the night at my wife's sister's house since they had heat. My kids thought it was the greatest thing ever. it was their first slumber party. We blew up air mattresses and camped out in their basement. We even had a family dinner, made popcorn and watched a movie. it is something that would have never have happened if it wasn’t for this storm.

We spent a lot of "family time" together since there was no TV, computers, and school. We played board games by candle light and read books by lanterns. We had a snowball fight, made snowmen, and really just got back to basics. If it wasn’t for the extreme temperatures, it would have been manageable.

I know there have been more and more storm related deaths reported every day. As this goes on and on, people are becoming more desperate. There was a family that brought a gas grill inside for heat and families with generators in their basement because they were afraid they would be stolen. These tragedies could have all been prevented. I thank god my family made it through with just some "inconveniences" and I pray for the 500,000 people here in our state that are still in the dark and the cold. I hope the worst is behind us,and better days are ahead.

New England gets hit with a Blizzard in October!

It was hard to believe when I first heard it... A big Nor' Easter was headed for New England, the weekend BEFORE Halloween!

I think I, like most just figured it was a lot of fuss over nothing.  After all, it is OCTOBER.  We are still playing Fall baseball here in Prospect.  Well believe it or not, the Weather Men were RIGHT.  If anything, they under estimated.  The last time we checked on the porch it was 12+ inches.

Driving around town it is easy to see all the homes that still have their Air Conditioners in, lawn furniture out, etc. 

I have a feeling it is going to be a long winter here in CT.

 Just posted an update on this storm here.

Welcome to 11 Cambridge Drive, Prospect.

Private and secluded custom built 3200+ sqft home situated on a nature lovers 2 acre dream lot. 4-5 BRs, 3.5 baths, gleaming hardwood & detail throughout. 9' ceilings, LG MBR, w private bath and WIC. Private & serene setting with IG pool. 3 car garage. Home shows BEAUTIFULLY. the wood boiler saves the home owner on average $3,000-$5,000. The large 3 bay garage is open bay (no poles), is plumbed for heat, and has 10' ceilings.

One of the best built homes currently available for sale in the town of Prospect.

A friend of mine and his wife have partnered with Spill the Beans in Prospect to create "Thanksgiving Angels"

They will be prepairing for pickup or delivery entire Thanksgiving Dinners including; Turkey, gravy, Stuffing Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Bread, Salad and Pie.  The dinners will be fully cooked, and can just be heated and served!

If you know of a Prospect Family in need this Thanksgiving, nominate them.  It is very discreet and it will help to make their Holiday a little brighter!

The Deadline for Entries is November 17th, 2011.  The space is limited, so please get your entry in early.  You can contact Colleen Farrell at 203-414-5385

You can nominate people in person at Spill the Beans 49 Waterbury Road Prospect Ct.

You can also pick up brochures for the event at local area businesses including Dave Jones realty's office at 16 waterbury Road, Prospect CT.

This is the November 2011 Cheshire Connecticut Real Estate market report.

The Residential Real Estate market is actually UP in Cheshire CT, one of the only towns taht can say ths in New Haven County.

The average asking price for a residential home in Cheshire CT for September is up 4% over August, and up 3% over six months ago. Looking back at the last 2 years, the average asking price is up 3% over one year ago and up 4% over two years ago.

If you have any specific questions on the Real Estate market contact us direct. 

This is the November 2011 Real Estate market report for Prospect Connecticut.

The average asking price for s Home for sale in Prospect CT in September is down 4% from August, and down 7% from six months ago. Looking back at the last 2 years, the average asking price is down 4% from one year ago and down 8% from two years ago. The market is still rather slow here in Prospect, but well priced and well presented homes are still selling.

One of the newest listings here in Prospect is Dave Jones Realty's listing at 11 Cambridge Drive, Prospect CT

You can see the average selling price for a Residential home in Prospect is just under $300,000

We are proud to bring you one of our new listings, 280 Hitchcock Road Waterbury. This is a fantastic, well maintained unit.

Beautifully kept unit, w/ great floor plan with dining room. Fresh paint, newer windows and roof, Brand new Central Air and heat system. Oak cabinets Large living room w a tranquil window seat. great commuter location, Make an appointment today.

The 2011 Fall/Winter Prospect CT Parks and Rec guide is now out.  it includes everything from Youth and Adult Basketball, Swimming and even Fencing!  The guide is about 20 pages long so send me an email or a text and I will email it right over to you.

There are some great programs available, and they are not just for children.  The Parks and Recreation Department in Prospect can be reached at

36 Center Street

Prospect CT 06712

203-758-4461

So we received a call from a local homeowner who was interested in leasing a home that we had for sale.  They explained they were upside down on their current home.  The home loan was purchased by Kondaur and they sent out “Their REALTOR” to do a CMA and brought a listing agreement.  The sellers explained they felt as though it was a little too much pressure and they did not want to sign.  The sellers also were told they would be offered $3,000 in a “cash for keys” program.  They would have to use the agent the Asset manager picked however.  They were also led to believe the money was given upfront.

Now haveing completed more than a few short sales in Prospect, and surrounding areas of New Haven county, I knew this couldn’t be true.  I explained how they “May” be eligible for relocation assistance if they met certain criteria.  I also explained how the program works, and that it is paid at closing.  Upon hearing this they called their asset manager back and it seems the story changed a little.  They were told, “yes it is paid at closing, and it is $2,500.”  The rep at Kondaur also stated “You have to use our agent, you can’t choose your own”.  This now stunk to high heaven.   As long as the home is owned by my client (not foreclosed) the homeowner has 100% right to choose their listing agency. 

The sellers really wanted us to list and sell their home since we had hit it off so well, and we were a lot “less pressure and honest” than the other company.  They asked if we would contact the bank for them.  We proceeded to have all the authorization to release information forms signed and then contacted Kondaur.  The Rep I spoke to told me point blank “The seller does not have a choice of who they use, it is my choice”.  I explained to her that here in Connecticut, as long as it is not foreclosed, it is the sellers choice.  I also explained that we work very hard for our listings and would get it sold in the shortest time possible.  The Kondaur rep said she did not need to talk to me, her decision was already made.  I again explained that it was not really “her decision.”  She said it was too late the listing was signed already.  I knew of course it wasn’t and let her know that.  She really didn’t know what to say and just said “I can’t discuss this with you”.  I explained I had authorization and would gladly fax it over.  She hung up on me!

I was frustrated at this point and contacted anyone from Kondaur I could find on the internet.  I received an email back from a manager and they said “We will look into it”.  Two days went by without a response. 

My seller called again and said her Kondaur rep called and was very aggravated that they had me call her.  The Kondaur rep also said my seller would not be eligible for the relocation assistance if they used me!  Can you say ILLEGAL!!! Not to mention this is not true.  I have gotten almost every one of my short sales some relocation assistance since the law passed. 

 Today I received a call from the other Broker, the one “required” by Kondaur.  He explained that the rep at Kondaur is “comfortable” working with him and wanted to keep her “paycheck secure” by using him.  He also explained that he has the paperwork signed now and has listed the property. I do not fault the Broker, and I appreciated him manning up and calling me.  I do the process of kondaur steering and pressuring clients into using their “preferred people” is highly illegal.  The rep told my people they “had no choice” and pressured them into something they didn’t want to do.

The moral of the story?  If your loan is serviced by Kondaur Capital and you are in need of doing a short sale, YOU HAVE A CHOICE!  Pick the agent that will help you the best, have YOUR interests at mind, and work you through the difficult situation.

 If you need to contact Kondaur, they can be reached at;

Kondaur Capital Corp.

Contact Information:

Address One City Boulevard West Suite 1900

Orange, California 92868

Telephone 888-566-3287

Fax 877-566-3287

Email Info@kondaur.com

5 things you can do TODAY to jump start your Real Estate Career.

Being a small broker (7 agents in our office) I see how easy it is for new, and sometimes experienced, agents to get in a rut.  Things go on in our personal lives, deals fall apart and add frustration, buyers are on the fence, sellers need to realize the market is still in a funk, etc. Sometimes it is just a matter of a new agent not knowing where they should begin.  There are some easy things to do TODAY to help jump start your business and get you on the right track.

1)      Get your contact list in order.  The agents in my office hear me preach this probably a little too much.  There is a reason why however.  In this past year 85% of my sales where generated from my SOI (Sphere of Influence).  This is the single most important think for a new agent to do.  It is hard for all your friends and family to use you as “their” REALTOR if they don’t know you ARE a REALTOR!  Get out letters to all of them and let them know where to find you and how to contact you.  If you are not a new agent then remind people.  It is amazing how easy it could be to forget.

2)      Get out and have coffee!  Stop in your local coffee shop or restaurant.  Find a table, bring a book (or your tablet) and make eye contact.  In the community I am in I literally cannot sit for 10 minutes without someone coming in that I know.  If you did item #1 right, then they will already know you are in Real Estate and ask “How’s the market?” Know some facts.  How many homes are on the market? What price range is selling? See if they know of anyone buying or selling. Make sure you have your cards on you.

3)      Make your “Core 100” list. This is a list of business professionals you regularly use.  Being in the business we are in people are always going to ask if you know a plumber, contractor, landscaper, mortgage guy, home inspector, etc..    Reach out to the people you utilize now and let them know you are going to be sharing their names.  Ask them to meet you at idea #2 and bring you their business cards.  Explain that you would love it if they keep you in mind if they hear of anyone looking to buy or sell a home.  You would be amazed at what a valuable asset they can be to your business.

4)      Host an Open House.  The first listing I ever had and the first home I ever sold where from an Open House I volunteered to do for my old broker.  As we all know, open houses don’t sell homes.  They do help you the agent find buyers however.  Have a good sign in sheet that captures the right information.  Be cordial, and not pushy.  Find out where they are from, and what their situation is.  The day after the open house send them a “Thank You” card.  They will be amazed at the time you took and it will help them to remember you.  One new obsession I have is SendOutCards.  It is a godsend for Real Estate professionals.  (try sending a card free here and see for yourself) I am going to a separate blog on SendoutCards this week.  It has changed my business in the past month.  I am someone who tries EVERYTHING.  I have used lead services like Market Leader (The BIGGEST waste of money), TopProducer’s Postcard campaign market Builder (UGH),  Realtor.com’s Buyer Assist (Ouch) and even now my current program House Hunt which isn’t living up to the hype AT ALL.. 

It is also important to enter all these people into whatever contact manager you are using.  This will allow you to follow up with them in the future.   I use TopProducer 8i and love it. 

5)      Write a blog post.  It is easy to do, if you can compose an email, you can Blog.  Pick a topic you are passionate about or a community you know.  Activerain blogs get the highest search results.  Utilize this to your advantage and become a Rainmaker (this is one of the good investments, not like the others I listed in #4) “If you build it, they will come.”  Be sure to interact. Be Active! Read the wealth of blog posts from the insanely knowledgeable.  It will also help you get referrals from out of state.  I sent a listing to Paul Silver in Rhode Island and he did a great job getting it sold and getting us paid.  I thought I had a buyer lead for him too but they have decided to stay put.   

This is a start.  I have several more that I will follow up with shortly.  Any questions about any of the items I listed above, contact me.  The main thing to do is get out, and get noticed.  Make sure everyone that you come in contact with knows what you do for a living. The worst thing to do is wait for the business to come to you.