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

For single family Cheshire properties there was a total of 111 homes listed as of December 30th and 2 of the 111 Cheshire homes was actually newly listed in the past week. With an average of 2,572 square feet and 4 bedrooms, the average list price comes out to $471,068. Finally, these homes have an average of 227 days on the market.

The numbers for Cheshire condos are promising. The average list price is at $249,822 with a total inventory of 49. The average Cheshire condo size is currently sitting at 1,445 square feet, along with an average of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 199 days on the market.

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
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Cheshire Homes

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January 2012 Market Watch for Cheshire CT

Cheshire Active Listings: There are a total of 97 properties actively on the market with an average list price of $488,480.

Christmas is over. The presents were unwrapped, the eggnog was guzzled, and the guests and relatives have finally departed (hopefully). Now you’re left with a huge mess to clean up and a Christmas tree alone in the corner. While many of us have a fake tree that can easily be stowed away until next year, there are plenty of families who cherish the look, feel and smell of a real live tree. So now lies the everlasting question: What do we do with the tree?

No matter if it comes down December 26th or stays standing lit and bright well into January, the question of what to do with our Christmas trees is always a lingering question. Luckily, tree recycling services are not far from Cheshire. If you’d like to recycle your Christmas tree, make the short drive over to Meriden or Wallingford where your tree will be handled with the proper post-Christmas care it deserves.

The Meriden Transfer Station will be accepting trees for recycling. Across from Meriden Markham Airport, you have the luxury of dropping off your tree on Mondays from 7:30am - 11:00am, Wednesdays from 10:30am-2:30pm and the first and third Saturday of the month from 7:30am - 12pm. 

Location: Meriden, CT on Evansville Road

The Wallingford Compost Center will also be accepting recycled trees at the small fee of $0. The center operates Monday, Thursday and Saturday from 8am – 4pm and will be shutting down January 14th. That means you still have a few weeks to enjoy the natural beauty of your cherished tree!

Location: 157 John Street, Wallingford, CT

When dropping off your tree at any recycling service, please make sure that it is clear of all decorations including lights, ornaments, tinsel and any other items. Trees containing these items will not be accepted!

Now, if you don’t want to take your tree to a recycling center, there are a few alternative options. You can cut the tree into smaller pieces and use in your yard waste container. Trees can also be used to make awesome bird feeders, by placing your Christmas tree in your backyard or garden and decorating it with orange peels or strings of popcorn. Finally, your Christmas tree can be put to good use by using it in your mulch. After all, trees are biodegradable.

There you have it, Cheshire! Don’t kick your tree to the curb and expect the waste collectors to pick it up! Give your tree the chance to be recycled or be used for another great purpose. For more community info, keep on reading my Sally Bowman Real Estate Blog. Or better yet, if you or someone you know is looking to dive into Cheshire real estate, contact me for a proper introduction.

Have a great day!

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

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For single family Cheshire properties there was a total of 113 homes listed as of December 16th and 1 of the 113 Cheshire homes was actually newly listed in the past week. With an average of 2,575 square feet and 4 bedrooms, the average list price comes out to $465,515. Finally, these homes have an average of 230 days on the market.

The numbers for Cheshire condos are promising. The average list price is at $242,455 with a total inventory of 53. The average Cheshire condo size is currently sitting at 1,431 square feet, along with an average of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 190 days on the market.

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

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The halls are decked. The tree is lit. Your railings, banisters and door frames are sporting the perfect amount of garland and string lights. Now it’s time to focus on the big picture: preparing your Cheshire home for the stampede of guests who will be visiting for the holidays. Of course you’re more than happy to welcome family and friends into your humble abode, but that doesn’t mean you’re Martha Stewart. Don’t worry. Your Cheshire real estate agent has you covered. Follow these easy steps and hosting your holiday event will seem like no trouble at all. 

Head Count: First things first. Whether you are expecting a large or small group of guests, make sure to get a complete headcount at least a few days before the doorbell rings (that means you still have some time!). That means get on the phone very soon and make sure there are no unexpected guests on the way. If there are, you will be prepared instead of traumatized when you don’t have a plate ready for your nephew’s new girlfriend. Even if you are 100% positive you have accounted for everyone, it doesn’t hurt to have an extra folding table and chairs handy.

Quick Fixes: That wobbly chair in the dining room has been left unattended for far too long. Those nicks and scratches on the table have surpassed the stage of being an eyesore. Now is the time to take a chunk of your day and devote it to making these quick household fixes. Fortunately, they are relatively simple (and inexpensive) and won’t take away from your shopping schedule.

Clean-Up Plan: This may seem like it’s one of those things that can wait until the last minute, but trust me, you will be happy you planned this out before your house looked like a tornado swept through. While it’s impossible to completely avoid a mess after the festivities have come to an end, it is still possible to strategize a way to keep garbage duty to a minimum. For starters, hang garbage bags on your door knobs throughout the main level of the home. While this may look kind of silly, your guests will get the hint that you’re trying to keep your house somewhat clean in light of entertaining them on this joyous occasion. This plan will also save you time during the actual clean-up process and you won’t have to walk around the house with a garbage bag and pick. 

Guest Accommodations: Hooray! It’s time to finally put those guest bedrooms to use! (Or maybe the couch) It may be ages since the last time your guest accommodations got any use, so what do we do now that the time has come? To start, replace the bedding with clean, fresh linen and add some extra pillows and blankets at the foot of the bed. If you want to take it a step further, lay out some magazines or quick reads on the nightstand. Although you’re an amazing host, your guests might need some downtime. Aside from the bedrooms, make sure to have extra toiletries on hand. Additionally, be prepared to have more of your guests spending the night as this time of year can present Cheshire with a less than favorable forecast. 

As your Cheshire real estate agent, I am here to help you with all of your real estate and household needs. Keep on reading my blog for more tips and tricks, as well as community and Cheshire real estate related news. If you find yourself becoming overwhelmed with all the holiday hubbub, give me a call and we can talk it out. However, if you are interested in buying or selling a Cheshire home, I think that’s more of my specialty. :)

Happy Holidays!

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

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The holiday season brings so much cheer and excitement to the town of Cheshire. With so many great things going on, it’s hard to pick and choose which to take advantage of. If you are seeking an opinion from your Cheshire Real Estate agent, here are a few of the best holiday events taking place this week in and around Cheshire!

There is a contest going on…

Some of you may have noticed that a bunch of houses in Cheshire are sporting bright lights, snowmen, wreaths and other festive decorations. This can only mean one thing: Christmas is well on its way and the residents of Cheshire want to show everyone their holiday spirit. Well, this year your passion for holiday decorating can be used for an even greater purpose. Patch.com is launching a nationwide contest to find the best and brightest Christmas decorations out of 860 towns. The winner will receive a whopping $100,000 that will go towards their local schools.

Here’s how it works: After all the photos of the best-dressed homes have been submitted, Cheshire Patch readers will vote for their favorite house in the neighborhood. The winner will then represent Cheshire in the national contest. After that, Patch judges will vote on the winners from the 860 towns and narrow it down to 24 finalists to compete at the national level.

If you’re in the running but don’t win the big bucks, don’t get discouraged, you have a good prize coming your way, too. Each finalist will have their electric bill for the month of December paid for by Patch (up to $500).

We all have that neighbor who shows up the rest of the block when it comes to Christmas decorations, give them some credit this year and submit a photo of their decked out home.

The contest is already underway so submit your photos ASAP!

There will be a Christmas Holiday Open House…

The Cheshire Historical Society will be hosting their Christmas Holiday Open House again this year as Christmas Day draws nearer and nearer.

Some Historical Society members consider it the “society event of the year” and expect to have a great turnout as they have in past years. After undergoing decorations by the Suburban Garden Club, the Hitchcock-Phillips house in Cheshire will be glimmering with holiday spirit.

Guests are welcome to bring their sweet tooth as the event will offer cakes, cookies and other holiday treats. All rooms of the house will be open for viewing and the event is open to the public.

There’s a Gingerbread House Workshop…For Adults

The holiday season is the perfect time to bring out your artistic side. What better way to show the creative world what you got than to build a super-duper gingerbread house? Well, this week in Middlefield you can do just that. You can also bring your own beer and wine to help get the juices flowing.

This Friday, December 16, get the holiday fun that all adults deserve and get your craft on by making your very own homemade gingerbread house at the Gingerbread House Workshop for Adults. Construction materials, snacks, soft drinks and hot apple cider will be provided, but if you want something a little more potent it’s B.Y.O.B. Prepaid reservations are required so don’t wait until the last minute to reserve your spot. Seriously, this is exclusive. The workshop is open to adults ages 21 and up!

If you’re lucky, you just might run into me while you’re out and about in Cheshire. If you do, don’t forget to say hi! While I have been really good at offering up tips on things to do lately, don’t forget that I am still your go-to source for all of your real estate needs. Whether you’re buying or selling a home in Cheshire, my door is always open. Thanks for reading my blog and please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions!  

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

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…in Cheshire! I hope that you’ve been partaking in plenty of festive activities here in Cheshire and that your holiday spirit is in full swing. While real estate is my forte, I am also pretty good at scoping out cool stuff to do in the Cheshire, CT area. If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, look no further. Your Cheshire real estate agent has everything you need to make this weekend fun-filled with holiday cheer.  

Culinary Walking Tours: This year’s Culinary Walking Tour will take you to nine different restaurants and eateries in downtown New Haven. This extraordinary culinary event will give you the chance to get a unique perspective of the food culture of New Haven. Come join the delicious fun on Saturday, December 10!

It’s a Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play: Don’t miss the performance of “It’s a Wonderful Life: Live Radio Play at the Wharf” from December 8 through December 17. Inspired by the classic holiday film, this holiday performance will bring the spirit of the holiday season to life for the whole family. The show is performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast, where five actors will play the roles of dozens of characters as well as produce the sound effects throughout the performance.

Holiday Craft Fair: The Bethany Farmers Market presents Holidays at the Hall. Come on out to Bethany this Saturday from 10am-3pm and experience the Holiday and Craft Fair Shopping Extravaganza! The fair will feature over 20 crafters and vendors, including food vendors, and proceeds of the event will benefit the Connecticut Food Banks. If you are attending (and I think you should) it is requested that you bring a non-perishable food item for donation. Happy shopping!

Annual Fantasy of Lights:  This year marks the 17th Annual Fantasy of Lights, which has over the years become a holiday tradition for thousands of families. Make the Fantasy of Lights a part of your holiday tradition and enjoy the show from the convenience of your own vehicle at New Haven’s Lighthouse Point Park. The Fantasy of Lights display will continue through January 7th.

Adult Crafternoon: If you like arts and crafts, this might just be the event for you. Join fellow crafters at the Connecticut Historical Society for a fun-filled and relaxed afternoon of creating holiday items such as gift tags, garland, snowflakes, cards and other paper crafts. If you have your own materials, feel free to bring them along. If not, plenty of supplies will be provided.

There you have it, Cheshire. I hope this round-up will spruce up your weekend for you. Although this is the season for giving, take some time away from your holiday shopping and make sure to get out and do something you really enjoy (for some of us that actually is shopping). And don’t forget! Keep up with my Sally Bowman Real Estate blog for more community updates, tips on the real estate market, and buying or selling a home in Cheshire.

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

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