Central CT Real Estate News & Commentary

West Hartford Market Retains Value!

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 15:41:00 GMT

The West Hartford market was steady for the first half of 2011 in terms of prices holding relatively steady. However, with the expiration of the 2010 tax incentive program, the number of transactions was well below the 336 closed in the first half of 2010--there were 251 closed sales of houses recorded in the Multiple Listing Service for the year through the end of June (this 251 figure is consistent with 254 closed sales for the same period of 2009--before the special buyer‘s tax program was in effect). Another encouraging statistic was the median Days on Market for these 2011 sales at 33 days. This shows that well-priced properties are still selling quickly (and in multiple offers). The Days on Market is a week longer than in 2010 (27 days).

For 2011 sales, the median list price was $319,000 & the median sale price was $305,000. The range in sale prices for the year started at $45,000 and continued to $2,725,000; this range shows both great choice and affordability in town (for the first half of 2011, there have been 5 sales above $1 million and 31 below $200,000).

The median sale in 2011 was 32 Tunxis Road, selling in 37 days. The asking price was $322,000, reduced by the seller to $310,000 and the buyer paid $305,000 for a 3-bedroom, 1 1/2 bath Colonial home with a 1-car garage & a remodeled kitchen.

Looking to the present, there are 284 houses available to purchase as of today (this inventory is up slightly from 270 homes for sale in July of 2009. The prices range from a low of $132,500 for a 3-bedroom, 1 1/2-bath (1,071 sf) home at 101 Hillcrest Avenue to a high of $2,900,000 for a 7-bedroom, 7.4 bath (8,624 sf) home at 74 Whetten Road. The median-priced property is located at 228 Ridgewood Road (3-bedrooms, 1 1/2-baths & 1,424 sf), with an asking price of $319,900. Note that there are currently 29 homes in town priced below $200,000 and 12 priced over $1M.

Currently, there are 116 houses under contract in town. The highest-priced is 99 Norwood, with an asking price of $1,298,000 (6-bedrooms, 3.3-baths, 6,500 sf). The median is 14 Montclair, priced at $359,000 (4-bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, 2,138 sf). The lowest-priced is 892 Flatbush, priced at $108,000 (2-bedrooms, 1-bath, 1,056 sf).

For more information on the value of your home in this market, contact Brent today by cell (860-614-8927) or email (

If you want the approximate value of your home, and are not ready to be contacted by an agent, visit

brentbell@remax.net). Ask a real estate expert with 20 years of local experience. You can find this blog directly by visiting www.MyCTRealEstateBlog.com.www.WestHartfordHomeValues.com. Fill out as much detail as possible about your house. Brent will respond by email only (unless you request a phone call) with an estimate of your home's current value within 24 hours of your request!

Stability Continues: West Hartford Market Statistics for Q1 of 2011

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 03:00:00 GMT

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Despite the weather, 83 single-family homes closed during the quarter (compared to 91 for the same period of 2010). Buyers paid between $103,000 for 85 Meriline Avenue-- an 808 sf home with 2 bedrooms and one bath-- and $990,000 for 26 Cranbrook-- a new construction 4,887 sf home with 4 bedrooms and 4.1 baths. The median-price paid was $285,000, which purchased 106 Lyman Road, which offers 1,963 of living space with 3 bedrooms & 2.1 baths.

Interesting comparisons from the first quarter of 2010:

-- Median price was up $1,000 (last year $284,000 was paid for 528 Fern Street, offering 1,680 sf of living space, 3 bedrooms plus 2.1 baths.

-- Highest price paid was up $7,500 (last year $982,500 was paid for 21 Brookside Place, offering 5,000 sf of living space, 5 bedrooms plus 4 baths.

Looking to the present, there are just 197 houses available to purchase as of today (an extremely low inventory for a town of over 60,000 residents). The prices range from a low of $69,000 for a 3-bedroom, 1-bath (837 sf) home at 114 Meriline Avenue to a high of $2,750,000 for a 4-bedroom, 3.1 bath (3,013 sf) home at 15 Waterside Lane. The median-priced property is located at 1845 Asylum Avenue (4-bedrooms, 1 1/2-baths & 2,089 sf), offered for $345,000.

Currently, there are 101 houses under contract in town. The highest-priced is 70 Ferncliff, with an asking price of $1,500,000 (5-bedrooms, 6.2-baths, 5,500 sf). The median is 102 Grennan, priced at $329,000 (4-bedrooms, 1 1/2-baths, 1,765 sf). The lowest-priced is 96 Elmhurst Street, priced at $100,000 (3-bedrooms, 1-bath, 843 sf).

For more information on the value of your home in this market, contact Brent today by cell (860-614-8927) or email (brentbell@remax.net). You can find this blog directly by visiting www.MyCTRealEstateBlog.com.

If you want the approximate value of your home, and are not ready to be contacted by an agent, visit www.WestHartfordHomeValues.com. Fill out as much detail as possible about your house. Brent will respond by email only (unless you request a phone call) with an estimate of your home's current value within 24 hours of your request!

Statistics based on MLS data obtained April 4, 2011.

2010 RESULTS: Homes sell faster in West Hartford

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 03:00:00 GMT

The West Hartford real estate market continued to be strong & stable during 2010! There were 602 closed sales of houses recorded in the Multiple Listing Service for the year (off just 4% from 624 during the same timeframe in 2009). Another encouraging statistic was the median Days on Market for these sales at 33 days. This shows that well-priced properties are still selling quickly (and in multiple offers). The Days on Market is 4 days less than in 2009 (37 days).

Comparing one town to another can be a challenge for homebuyers and realtors alike. Interesting statistics for your thoughts: West Hartford single family sales in 2010 -- 601, Glastonbury 318, Avon,Simsbury & Farmington combined 581!

Average days on market for a home to accept a contract for 2010 -- West Hartford 33, Simsbury 39, Glastonbury 43, Farmington 52 & Avon 62...

For 2010 sales, the median list price was $309,900 & the median sale price was $299,900 (compare to $292,000 and $285,000 in 2009). The range in sale prices for the year started at $60,000 and continued to $1,987,500; this range shows both great choice and affordability in town.

The median sale in 2010 was 28 Argyle Avenue, selling in 78 days. The asking price was $315,000 and the buyer paid $299,900 for a 3-bedroom, 1.1 bath Colonial home with a 2-car detached garage just a few blocks from West Hartford Center.

Looking to the present, there are 163 houses available to purchase as of today. The prices range from a low of $110,000 for a 2-bedroom, 1-bath (808 sf) home at 85 Meriline to a high of $3,995,000 for a 9-bedroom, 6 1/2 bath (13,132 sf) home at 112 Stoner Drive. The median-priced property is located at 14 Waterside Lane (2-bedrooms, 1 1/2-baths & 1,447 sf), with an asking price of $349,900 with lake rights. Note that there are currently 10 homes in town priced below $175,000 and 12 priced over $1M.

Currently, there are 66 houses under contract in town. The highest-priced is 70 Ferncliff, with an asking price of $1,500,000 (5-bedrooms, 6.2-baths, 5,500 sf). The median is 74 Spring Lane, priced at $315,000 (3-bedrooms, 3 baths, 1,640 sf). The lowest-priced is 58 Newington, priced at $134,900 (4-bedrooms, 2-bath, 2,082 sf).

For more information on the value of your home in this market, contact Brent today by cell (860-614-8927) or email (brentbell@remax.net). Ask a real estate expert with 20 years of local experience. You can find this blog directly by visiting www.MyCTRealEstateBlog.com.

If you want the approximate value of your home, and are not ready to be contacted by an agent, visit www.WestHartfordHomeValues.com. Fill out as much detail as possible about your house. Brent will respond by email only (unless you request a phone call) with an estimate of your home's current value within 24 hours of your request!

28% Spike in Closed West Hartford Sales

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:04:00 GMT

The West Hartford market was helped by the tax credits for the first half of 2010! There were 327 closed sales of houses recorded in the Multiple Listing Service for the year through the end of June (up 28% from 254 during the same timeframe in 2009 & up from 283--2 years ago). Another encouraging statistic was the median Days on Market for these sales at 29 days. This shows that well-priced properties are still selling quickly (and in multiple offers). The Days on Market is 5 days less than in 2009 (34 days).

For 2010 sales, the median list price was $299,999 & the median sale price was $292,500. The range in sale prices for the year started at $67,000 and continued to $1,340,000; this range shows both great choice and affordability in town (it also shows progress since in the first half of 2009 no one paid over $1M to purchase a home in town; in contrast, the highest sale in 2008 was $2.441M).

The median sale in 2010 was 14 Hamlin Drive, selling in only 7 days. The asking price was $299,900 and the buyer paid $292,500 for a 3-bedroom, 2 bath Split-level home with a 2-car garage.

Looking to the present, there are 249 houses available to purchase as of today (this inventory is down slightly from 270 in 2009). The prices range from a low of $155,000 for a 3-bedroom, 1-bath (976 sf) home at 58 Jackson Avenue to a high of $4,800,000 for a 9-bedroom, 6 1/2 bath (13,132 sf) home at 112 Stoner Drive. The median-priced property is located at 19 Fernridge Road (3-bedrooms, 1 1/2-baths & 1,380 sf), with an asking price of $335,000. Note that there are currently 4 homes in town priced below $175,000 and 11 priced over $1M.

Currently, there are 97 houses under contract in town. The highest-priced is 46 Old Stone Crossing, with an asking price of $2,150,000 (6-bedrooms, 6.2-baths, 8,000 sf). The median is 80 Thomson, priced at $299,900 (3-bedrooms, 2 baths, 1,589 sf). The lowest-priced is 12 Kingston, priced at $65,000 (2-bedrooms, 1-bath, 652 sf).

Remember: Members of the military on active duty still have July to use their tax credit!!!

West Hartford Market Statistics for 2009 and January 2010

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:11:00 GMT

The West Hartford market had a sluggish start and a very strong finish in 2009. There were 624 closed sales of houses recorded in the Multiple Listing Service for the year (down from 646 in 2008). One of the most encouraging numbers was the median Days on Market for these sales at 37 days. People in many other parts of the country would be amazed that half of the houses took contracts just over one month (or less) after their debut on the market!

For 2009, the median list price was $292,000 & the median sale price was $285,000. The range in sale prices for the year started at $72,500 and continued to $2,600,000; quite diverse housing stock in West Hartford!

With the usual caveats that averages result from the actual homes sold in a given year, the number of closed sales in 2009 is down 3.4% from the 2008 sales level. The median sales price is off 6.25% from 2008 to 2009.

Looking to the present, there are just 169 houses available to purchase as of today (an extremely low inventory for a town of over 60,000 residents). The prices range from a low of $107,500 for a 2-bedroom, 1-bath (1,050 sf) home at 688 Flatbush Avenue to a high of $2,295,000 for a 6-bedroom, 6.2 bath (7,012 sf) home at 51 Old Stone Crossing. The median-priced property is located at 42 Spring Lane (4-bedrooms, 1 1/2-baths & 2,076 sf), offered for $339,900.

Currently, there are 51 houses under contract in town. The highest-priced is Lot 7 at Cranbrook, with an asking price of $995,000 (4-bedrooms, 3.2-baths, 4,289 sf). The median is 1122 Trout Brook Drive, priced at $274,900 (4-bedrooms, 2 1/2-baths, 2,170 sf). The lowest-priced is 14 Saint James Street, priced at $159,900 (2-bedrooms, 1-bath, 965 sf).

For more information on the value of your home in this market, contact Brent today by cell (860-614-8927) or email (brentbell@remax.net). You can find this blog directly by visiting www.MyCTRealEstateBlog.com.

Statistics based on MLS data obtained January 14, 2010.

West Hartford Market Statistics - 2008 Year End & Early 2009

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:28:00 GMT

The West Hartford market had a slow start and a strong finish in 2008. There were 646 closed sales of houses recorded in the Multiple Listing Service for the year (down from 725 in 2007). One of the most encouraging numbers was the median Days on Market for these sales at 27 days. People in many other parts of the country would be amazed that half of the houses took contracts less than one month after their debut on the market!

For 2008, the median list price was $312,900 & the median sale price was $304,000. The range in sale prices for the year started at $120,000 and continued to $2,441,000; quite diverse housing stock in West Hartford!

Looking to the present, there are 205 houses available to purchase as of today (a fairly low inventory for a town of over 60,000 residents). The prices range from a low of $154,000 for a 2-bedroom, 1-bath (768 sf) home at 73 Meriline Avenue to a high of $2,100,000 for a 6-bedroom, 4 1/2 bath (6,941 sf) home at 118 Sunset Farm Road. The median-priced property is located at 17 Fernridge (3-bedrooms, 2-baths & 1842 sf).

Currently, there are 47 houses under contract in town. The highest-priced is 49 Pheasant Chase, with an asking price of $925,000 (5-bedrooms, 4.2-baths, 5,121 sf). The median is 46 Ledgewood, priced at $299,900 (3-bedrooms, 1 1/2-baths, 1,658 sf). The lowest-priced is 120 Grove, priced at $120,000 (3-bedrooms, 1-bath, 1,162 sf).

West Hartford Real Estate Statistical Report

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 03:00:00 GMT

With all the doom & gloom in the national and local press, I am opening this blog with some statistics (data from the CT Multiple Listing Service as of today - January 31, 2008). Let's first look at closed sales of single family homes in West Hartford over the last 5 years:

Year	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007

# of Sales	854	897	851	800	728

Avg. List $	299,154	326,110	362,104	360,022	379,158

Avg. Sales $	292,795	318,963	352,675	353,259	368,941

Avg. Days on Mkt.	31	34	35	40	48

As you can see, with only 165 houses on the market in West Hartford today (and 62 currently under contract), our market is much healthier than many other parts of this country!

Real estate is local! With 19 years of experience in Hartford County real estate, I would be happy to give you statistics which apply to your neighborhood. Email me (brent@brentbellcrs.com) or call me today (860-614-8927) for more information!