Local community and real estate information for Cheshire CT by your Cheshire Real Estate Experts, Sally Bowman Real Estate

October 2011 Market Watch for Cheshire CT

Cheshire Active Listings: There are a total of 133 properties actively on the market with an average list price of $480,273.

This past weekend, Sally Bowman Real Estate hosted a chili cook off in Cheshire which had a tremendous turnout. With plenty of hungry guests, and local restaurants and delis serving their delicious chili, the event was a complete success!

Congratulations to Michael’s Deli, the winner of the chili cook off! We also want to give a big thank you to the other generous chili contributors: Thank you Tracey at Funky Monkey Cafe, William from the Vic House, Owen and Bryan from Owen’s Deli, Frankie from the Notch Store, Tom from Yellowfin’s and the winner Michael and Alice from Michael's Deli. You guys rock!

Not only did the cook off welcome great food and even better company, but it also supported a good cause for the Cheshire Community. All proceeds went to the Cheshire Community Food Pantry, and the day ended with a whopping $2,100 in donations and 901 pounds of food.

Thank you to everyone who came to support us.
It was a wonderful day and an amazing
contribution to the community.

For those of you who couldn’t make it, there is still time to make a donation to the Cheshire Community Food Pantry. If you are interested in making a donation, please follow this link: http://www.cheshirefoodpantry.org/

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert
Cheshire Homes

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Each year, as we exit summer and go into fall, a certain spirit enters Cheshire, CT. From the beginning of the school year until the holidays, many Cheshire residents seem to focus a lot of their energy on giving back to the community. As a Cheshire real estate and community expert, I always find that I’m proud of my town around this time of year. Everyone comes together as a community and supports one another during what is a difficult time for many.

Whenever I show Cheshire home buyers and newcomers around town, I always highlight how much our community loves to give back. When people start searching for a home, they start by picking out the perfect neighborhood. After all, if you don’t love your community, you won’t ever be 100% happy in your home. When potential Cheshire residents hear how much our town supports one another, it immediately adds an additional level of charm and appeal to our area. Our supportive spirit is one of many reasons living in Cheshire is so great, and this weekend is no different.

As your Cheshire real estate agent, I consider it a responsibility of mine to be active in the many charity events that go on all-year round. I also make it a priority to tell as many people as I can about each event and get the community involved. Here are two events going on this weekend that you won’t want to miss!

Saturday, September 24th - The 2nd Annual Mari’s Miles of Smiles Race at 8:00am
Norton School
414 North Brooksvale Road
Cheshire, CT  06410

The Mari Hall Family Foundation is a Cheshire, CT based charity that works to promote awareness and make a difference in the lives of those living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This Saturday, head out to Norton School and enjoy either a 10K run or the Family Fun Run. Not only will there be an opportunity to win some great prizes, but the Family Fun Fest, which takes place after the race, will feature dance and exercise groups, food vendors, face-painting, moon bounces and other carnival activities. It’s a way to get the family out for some fun and exercise while benefitting a great cause, as all of the proceeds will go to the Early Intervention Center at Darcey School and Birth to Three programs, both of which serve kids with autism in Cheshire and surrounding areas.

Sunday, September 25th - The Sally Bowman Real Estate Chili Cookoff at 11:00am
Sally Bowman Real Estate
220 Old Towne Road
Cheshire, CT 06410

Did you know that September is Hunger Awareness Month? Hunger is a growing, national problem, and that is no different in Cheshire and its surrounding communities. Sally Bowman Real Estate is taking action to help combat hunger by holding a chili cookoff! Local restaurants from all over the area, such as the Funky Monkey Café, Yellowfins Seafood Grille, Victorian House, Michael’s Deli, Owen’s Deli, and Notch Store will be fighting it out to see who can craft up the best chili concoction. For just $1, you can try and vote for your favorite chili. All proceeds will benefit the Cheshire Food Pantry. If you’re a restaurant interested in participating this weekend, there is still time! Contact us to sign up.

Events like these are just two of many going on in the Cheshire area this fall. Our commitment to giving back to the community, our love of fun family activities, and the willingness of our residents to participate and help out is what makes these events such a success! If you want to hear more about what it’s like to live in Cheshire, or you want to see some of the gorgeous homes available on the Cheshire real estate market, don’t hesitate to contact me! I’m here to help, and I’d love to show you what our town is all about.

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert
Cheshire Homes

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There is nothing like a warm bowl of delicious, homemade chili – especially at the start of the fall season in Cheshire, CT. The way the spices, beans, meat, poultry or vegetarian flavors mix together is something close to perfect. One of the best things about chili is that there are so many different ways to make it, and just about every Cheshire family or restaurant has their own unique recipe. 

Hungry yet? 

Luckily, we can enjoy all the fabulous homemade chili we want at the Sally Bowman Real Estate Chili Cook Off! Join us in Cheshire for a fun-filled afternoon of great food and even better company. Not only will the event be centered upon indulging in a variety of chili concoctions, but we will also be collecting food and monetary donations for the Cheshire Food Pantry. Although all donations are welcome, the Cheshire Food Pantry is in need of cleaning products, paper products, personal care products and cereal. 

The Low-Down

1 Donation = 1 Ticket to vote for your favorite chili creation!

Who Can Come

The event is open to any and all restaurants. And there’s still time to join the FUN! Contact Sally at 203-272-2828 to be a part of the social, happening event, as well as to contribute to a good cause!

Who Will be There

Notch Store, Owen’s Deli, Michael’s Deli, Victorian House, YellowFin’s and Funky Monkey Café.

When and Where
 

Date: Sunday, September 25, 2011
Time: 11AM – 2PM
Address: 22 Olde Town Road, Cheshire

All proceeds will be donated to the Cheshire Food Pantry. We encourage everyone to come out and arrive hungry!

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert
Cheshire Homes

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Labor Day has come and gone and September is in full-swing in Cheshire, CT. This can only mean one thing: fall is just around the corner. Before we know it Cheshire's weather will be dropping, outerware will come back in style, and instead of planting flowers we will be raking leaves. Whether you're ready for the change of season, or dreading the soon to come cold fronts, now is the perfect time to start indoor and outdoor fall maintenance to your Cheshire home.

Indoor Maintenance:

Insulate Drafty Windows and Doors: There’s nothing worse than a cold draft on a cold night in Cheshire. It’s important to check on the indoor insulation to prevent cold drafts from entering your Cheshire home. Not only will proper insulation keep you warm and toasty, but it will also keep your heating bill at a reasonable price.

Apply Weather-Stripping to Exterior Doors: You can use weather-stripping in your home to seal air leaks around movable joints, such as windows or doors. Sealing your home with tight-fitting weather stripping can make you feel warm all winter long. However, your home may or may not need weather stripping. If you can feel cold air coming through around windows and doors, then you’ve got your answer.

Insulate your Hot Water Tank: If your water heater's storage tank doesn’t have a high R-value of insulation, adding insulation to it can immensely reduce heat losses. Additional insulation will also save you money on your heating costs. Luckily, insulating your storage water heater tank is simple and inexpensive, and will pay for itself in the long-run.

Check the Attic for Proper Insulation: Attics are one of the easiest places in a Cheshire home to insulate. Loose-fill or batt insulation is typically installed in an attic, with loose-fill being the less expensive of the two.

Inspect and Test your Furnace: Regular furnace maintenance is the key to an efficient heating system. Failure to keep up can result in high expenses and could even be dangerous. To make sure your furnace is in tip-top shape, contact an HVAC professional to schedule an inspection.

Outdoor Maintenance:

Rake and Remove Leaves: Even the cold months call for proper lawn maintenance. Keeping up with leaf removal will prevent dead patches of grass from appearing on your Cheshire lawn in the spring.

Store or Cover Patio Furniture and Grills: If left unsheltered, your outdoor furniture and appliances could endure damage during the winter months. Make sure these things are stored away or properly covered until they are ready to be used again.

Fertilize Grass with Winterizer: Fertilizing your Cheshire lawn with winterizer will help strengthen its root structure, and make for great spring grass!

Trim Shrubs and Trees: Trimming your shrubs and trees will prevent spring overgrowth.

Clean your Gutters: Remember this one, it’s important! Cleaning your gutters will prevent them for storing ice and pulling down the entire gutter system, and possibly even parts of the roof.

From Cheshire real estate to community events to home maintenance, it is my job as your Cheshire community and real estate expert to make sure you are covered on anything and everything. If you ever have any questions or concerns on how to better prepare your home, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am here for all of your Cheshire home needs!

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert
Cheshire Homes

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August has come to an end, and it’s time to face the facts: summer is pretty much over in Cheshire. But despite the changing of seasons, warm weather is still in the forecast, meaning there is still time to tackle some beneficial home maintenance projects. The best part? All of these projects are completely DIY, which means you don’t need to hire a handyman to help with your Cheshire home.

Revive Your Lawn:  
We all know that keeping a lawn healthy and green is a challenge for any Cheshire homeowner. Although lawn maintenance doesn’t require a lot of time or know-how, you will need to be around a lot to make sure your lawn is receiving the TLC it needs on a regular basis. Weed removal, raking and leveling soil and fertilizing are all great starters!

Power Wash Your Siding:
Make the exterior of your Cheshire, CT home look like new again with some fast-flowing water and a little bit of soap. This job requires just about an entire Saturday or Sunday. But of course, less time will be needed if you have a helpful partner. To complete the job you will need a power washer, nonpolluting detergent, a garden hose, and dropcloths to protect shrubbery. To protect yourself and others, make sure to wear rubber-soled shoes (no sandals!) and keep the power washer pointed at the project itself.

Remove Wallpaper:
Maybe you moved into your Cheshire home with not-so favorable wallpaper already in tact. Or perhaps you picked it out yourself and it’s time for a change. Either way, it’s time to do something about it! Pick a day when it’s too hot for an outside DIY project, or a rainy day that’s better spent indoors. This project requires no special skills or experience – just patience and willingness to make a bit of a mess!

Paint a Room:
Now that you’ve removed the wallpaper, it’s time for phase two. With a little bit of time and creativity, revamp a room in your Cheshire home with a good old fashioned paint job! Painting is one of the most popular DIY projects, and can be accomplished by any Cheshire CT homeowner prepared to get a little messy. Before you begin, fill any nail holes with a wallboard repair compound and sand them smooth, and always use a coat or two of primer so the old color won’t show through.  

Install a Storm Door:
This project only requires two hours of your time and will add an extra flare to your Cheshire home. All you need is the door and your toolbox, amounting to be quite a steal compared to what a pro would charge. A storm door will act as a barrier to weather, reducing the effect of air leaks entering your home. It will also protect your primary door, which will reduce maintenance costs and add an extra level of security.

Take advantage of what’s left of this great weather in Cheshire, CT and complete those projects that have been put on the backburner for too long!  You will pat yourself on the back come next summer when your home is looking stunning and fresh! Remember, there is no shame in calling a professional. If at any time you are unsure of how to complete a project or fear that continuing without help may cause problems in the long run, call a professional.  

If you ever need any help with anything regarding your Cheshire home, don’t hesitate to contact me! As your Cheshire real estate agent, I make it my priority to help your homeownership experience be as easy and stress-free as possible. I look forward to hearing from you!