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

May is finally here and we are all slowly coming out of cold weather hiding and looking for ways to mingle with friends and family in the community. What do you feel like doing with your upcoming weekends in Cheshire now that the weather is getting nicer?

Looking for arts and culture? Or maybe you are looking to get active or contribute to a good cause. What about just a fantastic night full of good food and live entertainment? Cheshire has it all available this May. A variety of choices for all different ages, tastes, and occasions...

Raw Data: The Weather Project works by Suzan Scott
When: Re-occuring Monday through Friday until May 13th from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Kohn-Joseloff Gallery, Cheshire Academy, 10 Main Street
What: A one woman show highlighting the work of painter Suzan Scott presented in the Kohn-Joeseloff Gallery in Cheshire Academy. The exhibit will feature selected paintings, photographs and digital art based on Scott's exploaration of work based on the sky, named "The Weather Project." Suzan has exhibited widely in galleries in Connecticut and accross the country.

Cheshire YMCA Sea Dog 5K & Healthy Living Expo
When: Sunday, May 23 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Bartlem Park, 525 South Main Street Route 10
What: This is the first annual Healthy Living Expo for Cheshire. Featuring a 5K Run/Walk and Kids Doggie Dash Fun Run, its goal is to raise Cheshire's awareness of health and wellness issues and educate the community about all of the health related services and products available to Cheshire's residents. Among other charities, the money raised through this event will go towards the Strong Kids Campaign, providing kids, teen, and families programs they would not normally have access to. If that is not enough incentive to get involved, they also offer prizes, T-shirts and a post race party to all registered runners!

Live Entertainment at a few of Cheshire's Favorite Eateries:
C.J. Sparrow's Pub & Eatery Entertainment Schedule
When & What: May 13th Ken Safety's Open Mic Show
When & What: May 14th Big Fat Combo CD Release
When & What: May 15th Tall Horses

The Funky Monkey Cafe & Gallery Entertainment Schedule
When & What: May 15th Ross Riskin
When & What: May 22nd Stand Up Comedy
When & What: May 28th Live Music with Johnny Neon of Neon Dust
When & What: May 29th Live Music with Parker's Tangent
Call 203-439-9161 to reserve a table.

If you're looking for somebody to show you some beautiful Cheshire Real Estate, show you around, or just show you a good time, don't hesitate to call me.

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert

May 2010 Market Watch for Cheshire CT

Cheshire Active Listings: There are a total of 125 properties actively on the market with an average list price of $463,643.

Cheshire Sold/Sale Pending: There are currently 55 properties with sales pending and 101 properties that closed in the past 6 months.  The average sold price for Cheshire is $358,432 and the average time on market is 120 days.

Absorption Rate/Supply: The current month supply of homes on the market is defined as the ratio of the current inventory of active listings compared to sales.  In other words, given recent sales activity, one can estimate how long it would take for the entire inventory of active listings to sell, assuming no new listings were to appear on the market.  At the present time it will take a little less than five months to sell all of the current active listings, without adding any new homes for sale.  

Data and charts based on the last 6 months, data provided by the Multiple Listing Services.

Featured Listing of the Week: 40 Loray Court

A beautiful Vermont setting in Cheshire! With a desirable open floor plan, this four bedroom and three bathroom contemporary home contains an intimate feel throughout. Walk  into the living room and you will be amazed by the cathedral ceiling and large wooden staircase leading up to the bedrooms. A form al dining room, elegantly lit by chandelier overlooks a picturesque view – the perfect location for enjoying the company of those closest to you. The immaculate kitchen is sure to be appreciated by the food connoisseur in your brood and offers a breakfast bar for quick meals or an eat-in area for many home cooked ones!

Master bedroom suite has a double door closet, an ideal first floor location and convenient access to the hot tub on your private deck. With a balcony off of each second level bedroom, you can let in a cool breeze and enjoy the vast scenery during any time of year. Go into the screened porch and bask in each season with a cup of coffee and a book, or bring company to pass the time with. Added bonuses include a three car attached garage and a lower level with office and media room. Take a look - you won’t be disappointed!

Please give me a call if you are interested in checking this one out. All I can say is that the house has been very well taken care of, the formal dining room is fantastic,  and one look at the gazebo and you will fall in love with this property. On top of it all, the caliber of this Cheshire home at this price is unheard of; you can be sure that this is one of those gems that you won't be able to get at this value for much longer.

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert

"Food is our common ground, a universal experience."
-James Beard

Food has always been a way of bringing people together and a large part of defining a community. When you leave home, often, one of the things you miss the most is the food you could only get in your hometown.

What would you miss if you had to leave Cheshire? The delicious Blackie's hot dogs topped with their special relish? Or would it be the perfect pizzas with thick crust, quality cheese and amazing sauce that only Rossini's could serve?

Here is your perfect opportunity to sample and delight in all of Cheshire's best food and make a contribution to a Cheshire foundation in need. This Thursday, April 15th is the 7th Annual Taste of Cheshire. It will be held at the Aqua Turf Country Club in Plantsville, CT from 7 pm to 11 pm. More than 25 different Cheshire restaurants will be there to make your mouth water. Plus, there will be a silent auction and a performance by famed stand-up comedian Moody McCarthy, featured on "Last Comic Standing" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

The event will benefit the Cheshire Education Foundation's effort to build Science Centers in each of the town's elementary schools. The goal of the Cheshire Education Foundation is to make Cheshire's science program a model within the state of Connecticut. Tickets will be $35 per person or $350 for a table of 10. Go to www.cheshirenewcomers.com for more information.

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert

I'm sure by now you have caught a good case of cabin fever and are itching to get out and enjoy the weather. It really is an amazing feeling to finally get a good dose of fresh air and feel the warmth of the sun for the first time in months. Cheshire boasts a beautiful nature scene and offers some wonderful ways to celebrate Earth Day this year. 

Black Bears in Connecticut
Date: April 7th
Time: 7:00 PM
You may not believe this, but in recent years, black bear sightings have become increasingly popular in the Cheshire area. If you were ever curious about these adorable, yet intimidating creatures, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection will present a learning lecture at the Cheshire Public Library.

Maintaining Healthy Perennials
Date: April 20th
Time: 7:00 PM
Whether you have a green thumb or completely clueless when it comes to gardening (but want to get better this spring), you will want to attend this Cheshire Public Library presentation. It explains how to fertilize, mulch, irrigate, divide and keep plants free from disease.

Earth Day Celebration - Open Space "Open House"
Date: April 22nd
Time: 6:00 PM
The wonderful thing about Earth Day is that it really makes you stop and appreciate the environment that you have around you. The Cheshire Environment Commission will clue you in on all of the hiking spots and outdoor opportunities in Cheshire that you may never have known existed. Stop by the Cheshire Public Library and pick up free property maps and information.

Earth Day Celebration - History of Connecticut Forests
Date April 22nd
Time: 7:00 PM
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station may open you mind to something that has been going on for the last 400 years. They will educate you on how Connecticut's forests have evolved over the last few centuries, covering the impact of time and human activity on our forests.

For more information on any of these events, visit the Cheshire Public Library. However, if you have any questions about the beauty of this community outside and in, don't hesitate to contact me.

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert

"I love Opening Day. I think we all do, whether it's the players, coaches or front office. It's just a special day in our American culture. It's weaved into the fabric of what we are, and I think it's a great day."
 - Padres manager Bud Black

There is something so wonderfully exciting about opening day. It is more than just the first day of the baseball season, it symbolizes a sort of re-birth.

It is a time to forget last year's baseball season to start a clean slate. It is a time for Cheshire to forget that the cold winter ever happened, strip off our winter coats and put on our baseball caps.

It is a time and a place to bring the Cheshire community together for cross town rivalries, hot dog eating and bleacher cheering.

Opening day is one of the most popular days to play hooky in America for good reason - it's a true sign that spring is here and it is time to play ball.

Here are the opening days most important to Cheshire, CT.

Cheshire Youth Baseball and Softball - May 1st

Cheshire High School Varsity Baseball - Wednesday, April 7th
    CHS vs. Daniel Hand
    3:45 pm

Cheshire High School JV Baseball - Saturday, April 4th
    CHS vs. East Haven
    10:30 am

Cheshire High School Freshman Baseball - Friday, April 9th
    CHS vs. East Haven
    3:45 pm

Cheshire High School Varsity Softball - Friday, April 9th
    CHS vs. North Haven
    3:45 pm

Cheshire High School JV Softball - Friday, April 9th
    CHS vs. North Haven
    3:45 pm

Connecticut Defenders Minor League Baseball - Thursday, April 15th
   
LA Dodgers, Team of Cheshire's Golden Boy Brad Ausmus - Tuesday, April 13th

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert

I may have mentioned in the past the highly regarded status of the Cheshire school system, but as a lifetime Cheshire resident, it may be hard to take my word for it alone. However, if ever there was evidence of the amazing Cheshire education system, it would be the most recent visit from members of a group from the country of Azerbaijan.

Representatives from the former Soviet Union-bloc country came to Cheshire to research the model of education that they would like to bring to their own schools. What better form of flattery than a foreign country modeling off of Cheshire's school system?

They began their tour in Chapman Elementary School, then on to Cheshire High School, observing daily activities in the two different levels of education. Armed with cameras and video equipment, the group watched students share work with their classrooms, inquired about the importance of parental involvement in Cheshire schools, and admired how student's accomplishments are put on display throughout the halls and classrooms.

Sometimes we take our education system for granted.  When faced with a country that is impressed and inspired by what we consider to be mandatory in our schools, we realize how lucky we are.

If school system is important to you in your move, then Cheshire Connecticut is definitely a community to consider. As a lifelong Cheshire resident and Cheshire grammar school alum, I can attest to its wonderful education system. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about Cheshire schools.

On an important side note, if you have heard talk of Chapman Elementary School closing, have no fear. Chapman School parents, past and present will not allow this to happen.

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert

We are all slowly stripping off our winter layers, the air feels lighter and we all have an extra spring in our step. Spring is definitely on its way to Cheshire - a very popular time for many to put their homes back on the market.

One of your first steps as a seller is to make your home look as presentable as possible. You know what that means - Spring Cleaning!  Now that it is lighter and we can see a little better, dust and cobwebs stands out even more.  There is no better time then when the weather gets warmer to clean the home.

Before you get started, a little spring cleaning history...

The origins of spring cleaning date back to the Persian New Year. Iranians called it "khooneh tekouni" which translates to "shaking the house." On this first day of spring, they would clean their homes from top to bottom. Another possibility of its origin was the ancient Jewish practice of cleaning the home before Passover. In North America and Northern Europe, back before the invention of the vacuum cleaner, March was thought to the be best time for dusting because it was warm enough to open the windows and doors, but not warm enough to invite the insects in.  

Okay. Now that we have sufficiently put it off, it's time to get cleaning.  Cleaning an entire house is a very overwhelming process.  These are just a few tips and tricks to get you started.

1) Pick a bright day you can open up the blinds and let the sun shine in.

2) If it's warm enough outside, open up the windows to let the house air out.

3) Always start at the top when cleaning any room - Ceiling to walls to floors.

4) Walls: Clean the walls first with a cloth or microfiber mop. Then, if its safe for the walls, take a damp cloth to remove any sort of residue. (Tip: A mild vinegar is great for removing stains)

5) Window Coverings: Wash any fabric drapes and air dry them out outside.

6) Windows: Once again, using that spray bottle of vinegar along with a newspaper is a great way to really make the windows shine.

7) Carpet: Sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda over the carpeting, let it sit for a few hours, and then vacuum up.

As you go along, pay close attention to places and things that may need repairing. Spring cleaning is the perfect time for this because you are going to be getting up close and personal with areas of your home you may not normally notice.

If you are looking to put your Cheshire home on the market this spring, don't hesitate to contact me.  I can be a great resource for Cheshire vendors that may be able to help you with the cleaning jobs that are too overwhelming to do on your own. Until then, keep that spring in your step!

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert

It's March. The smell of spring is in the air, and people are itching to get outside and celebrate.  That can only mean one thing - It's St. Patrick's Day in Cheshire!  So you may know that three-leaved shamrocks are lucky and that catching a Leprechaun will lead you to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but you may not know the real history of St. Patrick's Day.

St. Patrick is the most commonly recognized Saint of the Patron Saints of Ireland. St. Patrick's Day used to be celebrated as a religious holiday, but became public in 1903. In fact, there was even a law introduced that required all pubs to be closed on St. Patrick's Day. It wasn't until the mid-1990's, however, that the Irish government decided to capitalize on the day and use it to showcase Ireland and its culture.  Today, St. Patrick's day is celebrated in Ireland, America, and beyond by Irish and non Irish alike.

How does Cheshire celebrate St. Patrick's Day? For starters, Sally Bowman Real Estate is hosting the business after hours for the Cheshire Chamber of Commerce this Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. There will be Irish food, green beer, door prizes, and the perfect opportunity to meet people in the community. Call the Chamber at 203-272-2345 if you would like to join us.

It's always a good time to go to a few of Cheshire's local pubs, but on St. Patrick's Day, it's even more enjoyable than usual. I highly recommend the Victorian House  or the Waverly Tavern, a long time Cheshire business celebrating its 18th anniversary this March.

If you're looking for a place to take the kids, then a big parade is just the ticket. The Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade is sure to be a day full of excitement for any kid, young or old. It is actually Connecticut's largest single-day spectator event.

If you're looking into Cheshire real estate, St. Patrick's Day is the perfect time to come see a close-knit community have a good time and welcome in Spring with open arms.

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert