Dan Cummings - The Running Realtor: July 2008

Leaving the heat of the city for a day at the shore is now a whole lot easier with Eastbound Trains to Guilford, Connecticut.  Folks from Manhattan typically think of New Haven as the end of the line but effective on the 4th of July Shoreline East added convenient connections that leave Union Station minutes after the arrival of trains from Grand Central that will deliver passengers to Guilford.

There are many activities within walking distance of the Guilford Train Station.  Walk less than 1/4 of a mile to step back in time while you wander the grounds of the oldest house in Connecticut.  Now a museum the Henry Whitfield House was constucted of stone around 1639.

Continuing in a northward direction about a half mile will bring you to the Guilford Green.  Considered one of the most picturesque town centers in New England you can simply enjoy the open space, poke around the surrounding shops or enjoy lunch at Whitfield's. 

My office happens to be right next to the restaurant so if you like Guilford and decide a second home in the suburbs would be a great weekend retreat from NYC contact  Dan Cummings - The Running Realtor via email or call my 24 hour access line : 203-672-2455

Everyone needs water to survive but if you want to enjoy the water of Long Island Sound the newly refurbished boat launch in Guilford Connecticut offers easy access for a modest fee. The Boat Ramp is cconveniently located at the end of Whitfield Street about a mile south of the Town Green.

For a nice lunch or dinner The Stone House Restaurant is within a few hundred yards of the boat ramp. During the summer months if you'd like a bite to eat in a less formal setting the Little Stone House Cafe offers soups, salads & sandwiches with live entertainment from local singers. Sit outside and enjoy a leisurely lunch, glass of wine or a beer while you relax.

For More Information About:

Guilford Real Estate Agent

Historical Home Prices in Guilford

A few Good Places to Eat

Dan@CummingsTeam.com

On Wednesday July 16, 2008 the annual Main Street Festival returns to Middletown.  This is one of the more spectator friendly events for a 5k race and offers plenty of activity to keep family and friends occupied during the 20-40 minutes it takes most participants to cross the finish line.

Not your typical 5k is a fitting name for this run.  The first time I ran in Middletown was the only time I have ever done a showing in my running gear.  I was working with a young couple that requested a second look at a house in Middletown so I tossed on my running shorts and my Ravies Tee Shirt.  I wound up talking them out of that house because of the extensive work required and their limited budget but the race finish photo turned out pretty good and I have used it ever since.

My second running of the race in 2007 offered another first. At that time I was a relative "Newbie" on ActiveRain and planning to meet one of the old timers at the race. Afternoon thundershowers brought torrential rain but surprisingly George Souto did not cancel and attended My Rainy Run.

Hopefully the third time will be a charm with blue skies and low humidity but regardless of the weather I am pre-registered and will be running.

If you are considering buying or selling a home in my territory of New Haven County  just contact me, Dan Cummings, The Running Realtor via email at Dan@CummingsTeam.com or call my 24 hour access line : 203-672-2455

Single family home sales in North Haven tumbled in the prime spring market of 2008.  Closings during the months of April, May and June saw most of the activity from first time home buyers and drove the median sales price to its lowest point in over three years. 

Second Quarter of 2001 :   63 homes sold with the median price of $192,500

Second Quarter of 2002 :   70 homes sold with the median price of $201,500

Second Quarter of 2003 :   47 homes sold with the median price of $235,000

Second Quarter of 2004 :   71 homes sold with the median price of $260,000

Second Quarter of 2005 :   62 homes sold with the median price of $311,000

Second Quarter of 2006 :   67 homes sold with the median price of $315,000

Second Quarter of 2007 :   61 homes sold with the median price of $325,000

Second Quarter of 2008 :   62 homes sold with the median price of $282,500

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

Single family home sale prices in North Branford recovered a little after the steep drop-off in prices seen during the same time last year.

Second Quarter of 2001 :   25 homes sold with the median price of $198,900

Second Quarter of 2002 :   26 homes sold with the median price of $253,000

Second Quarter of 2003 :   51 homes sold with the median price of $258,900

Second Quarter of 2004 :   39 homes sold with the median price of $292,500

Second Quarter of 2005 :   37 homes sold with the median price of $314,000

Second Quarter of 2006 :   27 homes sold with the median price of $350,000

Second Quarter of 2007 :   26 homes sold with the median price of $297,500

Second Quarter of 2008 :   25 homes sold with the median price of $311,800

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

Single family home sale prices in Branford are off about 7-1/2% from last years closing prices. Volume during the prime spring market also fell to its lowest level in years. 

Second Quarter of 2002 :   37 homes sold with the median price of $250,000

Second Quarter of 2003 :   55 homes sold with the median price of $279,900

Second Quarter of 2004 :   80 homes sold with the median price of $315,000

Second Quarter of 2005 :   71 homes sold with the median price of $345,000

Second Quarter of 2006 :   57 homes sold with the median price of $396,000

Second Quarter of 2007 :   54 homes sold with the median price of $387,000

Second Quarter of 2008 :   41 homes sold with the median price of $358,000

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

Single family home sale prices in Guilford tumbled nearly 15% during the prime spring market of 2008. This is similar to the downturn seen in North Haven but both of these towns have a diverse housing base with many lower priced homes that are attractive for first time buyers.  Mid-priced homes remain sluggish while lower priced homes are selling.

Second Quarter of 2001 :   108 homes sold with the median price of $295,000

Second Quarter of 2002 :   111 homes sold with the median price of $359,000

Second Quarter of 2003 :    99 homes sold with the median price of $369,900

Second Quarter of 2004 :    92 homes sold with the median price of $399,500

Second Quarter of 2005 :    83 homes sold with the median price of $485,000

Second Quarter of 2006 :    87 homes sold with the median price of $525,000

Second Quarter of 2007 :    76 homes sold with the median price of $522,000

Second Quarter of 2008 :    69 homes sold with the median price of $427,500

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

Single family home sale prices in Madison remain the highest along the shoreline of New Haven County but sales volume dropped substantally.  Typically around 80 homes sell during the prime spring months of April, May and June but with only 49 closed sales this year is the slowest of the decade.

Second Quarter of 2001 :   84 homes sold with the median price of $326,000

Second Quarter of 2002 :   84 homes sold with the median price of $381,000

Second Quarter of 2003 :   80 homes sold with the median price of $452,000

Second Quarter of 2004 :  102 homes sold with the median price of $457,500

Second Quarter of 2005 :   92 homes sold with the median price of $537,500

Second Quarter of 2006 :   77 homes sold with the median price of $608,500

Second Quarter of 2007 :   80 homes sold with the median price of $542,000

Second Quarter of 2008 :   49 homes sold with the median price of $495,000

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

The traditional Music  Under The Stars concerts are underway in North Haven this season and rumor around town is that the fun festivities may not be the same under the new town administration.  For as long as I can remember it has been acceptable to pack a few beers for a relaxing night of music on the Town Green.

When I noticed the show tonight featured "Big Shot" a Billy Joel tribute band I asked my wife if she wanted to go. Since I'm not always in tune with the latest trends she informed me that word on the street is anyone on town property with alcoholic beverages will be fined.  Not sure if she was trying to give me a nudge for Tee'd Off Tuesday but it sort of worked.  Although I'm not officially annoyed about the rumor I would be pissed if I get a ticket.

After searching the town web site I did find an ordinance that indeed prohibits the consumption of "alcoholic liquor" on town property and began my investigation into the Grey Area.   Of course the bureaucrats that earn their living sucking tax dollars out of our pocket never make anything easy to understand. 

My first thought was liquor is a distilled process so maybe beer & wine are except from the ordinance since they are fermented beverages and are commonly allowed where "Hard Liquor" is not.  Well the town cronies included language to define alcoholic liquor as described in Section 30-1 of the Connecticut General Statutes which after a little more investigation I discovered includes all liquid and solids with an alcohol content of more than 1/2 of 1% by volume.

My next task was to find out how much alcohol is in my beer of choice, Heineken contains 5.4% alcohol when measured by volume so it looks like the law clearly spelled out in black & white.  The only shade of grey left is whether the first selectman issued her blessing allowing the town folks to carry on as they have in prior years.   

Guess I'll just pack my cooler with a couple of cold ones and see what happens.  Anyone interested in discussing real estate within my territory can feel free to contact me or catch me at the concert for a little conversation between songs.