Yesterday I was stuck on the letter "S" and planned to write a piece on home security but instead wrote about the tragic crime that has been on my mind.  Today I woke up with "T" and decided to Think like a Thief.

We have all seen tips about what to do when we go away.  Stop your mail and newspaper or have a neighbor bring it in so the pile doesn't advertise the fact that you are away.  Place lights on automatic timers so they are turned on and off to simulate activity.   These are certainly worthwhile tasks but my concern is not so much for the material possessions that can be replace but more importantly the safety of family members while home.

EXTERIOR precautions make sense to deter criminals when you are home or away. 

• Eliminate the hiding places - Keep bushes trimmed so you can see, especially around the entryways.
• Lock the doors - consider an additional interior safety bar or lock for extra protection while you are home.
• Lock the windows - also use supplemental means to prevent opening if the pane of glass is broken.
• Remove clutter - Ladders, tools, bats or horseshoes can be used to gain entry or as weapons.
• Security System - A monitored system is good but even just the sign of one can be a deterrent.

INTERIOR protection for you valuables and your family.

• Keep Cash and Jewlery stored in a safe location that is out of sight.
• Keep your eyes and ears open for strange sounds or sights at your home and your neighbors.
• Dogs - if you like animals the security value of a large dog is a plus.
• Weapons - in a life or death situation strategically placed weapons my save your life.
• Think - be cautious before you investigate a noise - when in doubt call authorities.

Remember as law abiding citizens we look at the good and tend to forget there are plenty of terrible people in this world.  The turn the other cheek mentality does not always work.  Some crime calls for TERMINATION TIME!

Those of you that follow my blog or that of our Fitness Club Queen know we have been discussing eating habits for quite some time.  Suzanne follows strict rules that if I understand correctly says something like if it tastes good don't eat it.  I on the other hand have always had a hefty appetite and although I try to eat healthier I do not banish any foods and on occasion still enjoy some thousand calorie snacks.

The other day while out with some guys I had a larger than usual lunch, Pepe's Pizza, four of five slices if I counted right.  Later that night my wife and I headed to TGIF's for her dinner delight. I decided to eat light and ordered the Atkins meal of Sizzling Chicken with Broccoli.

Suzanne suggested the meal was still out of whack, implied it was filled with calories and way to much fat.  I have been the same weight most of my life and since I'm a numbers nut I keep important junk filed just right.  The graphic above is my actual body fat analysis from 1994, my first day at the gym.  Coincidentally an inch here and there has shifted around but my weight is only one pound less today.

The BMI calculator used today confirms the reading from all those years ago but I have never really known how many calories I should be eating.  The first site I found had an easy way to Calculate the Intake but I wanted to confirm the results with a little more sophistication.

The information at the left shows I need 3350 calories per day to maintain my current weight and when putting in a target of losing 1 pound per week the daily intake drops to 2850 calories. Exactly correct since 3500 calories are equal to one point and dropping 500 per day will allow me to slowly melt away, theoretically..

The Quickie Calculation was also quite accurate. Activity level is somewhat subjective.  Based on the more sophisticated calculator that show me requiring 3350 calories I am considered a little above moderately active.

• For sedentary people: Weight x 14 = calories per day

• Moderately active use  Weight x 17 = calories per day

• Active People use their Weight x 20 = calories per day

Suzanne..... Test out the calculators and let me know what you think!

  Dan Cummings, Connecticut's Running Real Estate Agent 

This morning I woke with the letter "S" on my mind and SAFETY has been in my thoughts all week. 

Monday a horrific crime was committed in Cheshire, Connecticut.  Two career criminals that were recently paroled spotted a Mother & Daughter in the local super market Sunday night and stalked them.  Reports do not mention any contact that evening but they followed the pair and found out where they lived.  Seems they returned to the area in the middle of the night, left their car over a mile away and walked to the home.

Cheshire is typical of many surrounding towns where crime is never given much thought.  Many people leave their homes unlocked and enjoy the peaceful tranquillity of suburban life.  At 3:00am the criminals entered through a basement door and terrorized the family for hours.  The father & husband, a local doctor was severely beaten in the basement of his modest colonial home on Sorghum Mill Drive.  His 48 year old wife and 11 year old daughter were sexually assaulted.  No details have been released concerning the 17 year old girl.

When the bank opened Monday morning one of the intruders forced Jennifer Hawke-Petit to withdraw $15,000 and she was able to alert the teller of trouble.  Within a half hour she was strangled in her home, her two daughters were tied to their beds as these ruthless x-cons set the house a blaze.  When officers arrived one heard a girl's scream but both died of smoke inhalation.  Dr. Petit was staggering out of the home as the suspects fled ramming the police cruiser that was in their way.

"Suspects" doesn't quite seem like the appropriate word to describe these guys.  They were witnessed by police leaving the burning home in the stolen vehicle owned by the Petits and crashed into two more police cruisers in their attempt to escape...

This is clearly a case where Deadly Force would be completely justifiable and in my opinion preferable to the years of appeals that will drag on for this Capital Crime.

Since I know how much you love

cake & calories

I found the perfect Treat!

 

My streak of running in the rain continued tonight with a few spectators on the sidelines to witness my slower than expected finish time.   About 4:00pm the thunder started rumbling and the rains began to fall. I was hoping it would pass but when I arrived on Main Street in Middletown it was pouring. 

Normally my wife does not attend any of the races but she planned on hanging out with George Souto at the festival.  Due to the heavy rain and slightly behind schedule arrival we didn't have a chance for photo's before the run but managed a few at the end.

George thanks for coming out, hope you had fun, maybe next year I'll watch you and Sandra run...

   Dan Cummings, Connecticut's Running Real Estate Agent 

Homeowners in New Haven County can receive a free Comparative Market Analysis ( CMA ) of their home without any pressure of a formal meeting.  Many homeowners in the early stages of considering a move are reluctant to seek the knowledge they need to make an informed decision.  There always seems to be one more repair or a bit more cleaning that should be done before talking to "The Realtor"

• Are you thinking of selling and wondering what your home is worth in todays market?
•                                                                                                                                                                                 *
• Is the media hype of gloom and doom swaying your decision not to market your home?
•                                                                                                                                                                                 *
• Are you searching for an easy way to get a realistic estimate of you home value?

If your answer is "YES" to any of the above questions just CLICK HERE to fill out a very brief form and the finished report detailing the value of your home will arrive in your email. 

Don't be confused about the quality of our on-line CMA.  This is not some vague guesstimate that you might find from some web site offering instantaneous results.  With the vast amount of data on-line today we can research your property & base the pricing on similar homes currently on the market and recently sold in your area.  Be aware that this in not an automated report,  it is a detailed analysis that may take a day to complete.

Here is a sample showing a few pages of a fictional report.  Your personalized report will include target pricing for your property based on comparable homes and our knowledge as locally licenced real estate agents.   Get started by requesting you CMA today!

When you are Coming to Connecticut -  Contact Dan Cummings - The Running Realtor for help with Real Estate.

During the last decade as mortgage rates dropped to historic lows and housing prices climbed the new construction in the Connecticut Shoreline towns have mainly been McMansions.   Many of these homes include a large bonus room above the 3-car garage that is typically sparsely furnished or cluttered with an abundance of toys.

As the aging Baby Boomer's re-evaluate their housing need the Home Fitness Room is becoming increasingly popular.  According to the American Institute of Architects Home Design Trends Survey the Exercise Room has moved into third position as desirable amenities in a home.  The Number One feature on the list of specialty rooms is a Home Office and in second place the Media/Theater Room.

As the children age and you are looking for ideas to transform the newly found space in your home designing a personal fitness room may be a good solution for your health as well as your resale value.

Downsizing is also an option,  Contact Dan Cummings "The Running Real Estate Agent" to further discuss the housing market.

Just dawned on my that today is Friday the 13th again.

Cannot recall which clients I have dealt with on this superstitious day in history but I know there are times that I've made reference to the date while writing contracts.

Last year one of my clients had the unfortunate incident of their house catching fire a few months after they moved in.  I just reviewed the dates and don't see any related to Friday the 13th.

Curious if anyone has interesting stories about reactions they receive from people putting together contracts or closings on this date.

OPEN HOUSE -  Sunday July 15, 2007 between 12-2 pm. 

All are Welcome... Buyers, Sellers & Just Curious Lookers...  

The Location :  383 Brushy Plain Road - Branford, Connecticut 06405 

The Description:   Nestled amongst hundreds of acres located in the north western hills of the Connecticut shoreline town of Branford sits a 3000 SF Contemporary Colonial that awaits its next owner. This is a very rare and unique opportunity to live within nature's paradise that was created over millions of years and is protected for the future. Although you have the peaceful seclusion of this sanctuary it offers convenience for commuters. When your workday ends and ready to play there are an abundance of activities steps from this home. This property borders Pisgah Brook and the supply pond areas of the watershed offering plenty of hiking & fishing.  More Information.

The Financials:  Asking price of $949,500

The Directions:  Exit 54 off of I-95 and travel 2 miles north on Brushy Plain Road.  From I-91 you can take Exit 8 onto Route 80 and turn right on Totoket Road to Brushy Plains. Click Here for a map.

If for any reason you are unable to attend on Sunday and you would like to arrange a private showing You can contact Dan Cummings at 203-672-2455. or email Dan@CummingsTeam.com

One advantage to the real estate business is the ability to shift gears during the slow periods and enjoy a little free time.  Last week we took the journey north to Maine.  After arriving at midnight on Tuesday I was off to the Races for an 8:00am start.  The 5k road race drew over 400 runners this year.

After the long drive and 5k run I was back at the cabin and ready to launch the boat by ten. We anchored a few hundred yards off shore to relax and catch a few rays before lunch.

Later in the day we cruised out to Lothrop Island to see if the birds were around. It is the only time we have seen the two eagles together on one branch.  The Island consists of black sand beaches and is home to many rare plants. Today I discovered there is an Eagle Cam focused on the nest. so bird watchers can sneak a peak anytime.

Next we picked up a local ( cousin George ) and towed him out a few miles so he could test his boat.  He also used the opportunity to collect some black sand, a few volcanic rocks and capture his shadow to prove he was there...  Many times local folks don't explore their areas the way a vacationer does. 

Suppose I am guilty of missing many of the Connecticut attractions. When I'm home I'm working and Maine is Vacationland.