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

January 2010 Market Watch for Cheshire CT

Cheshire Active Listings: There are a total of 129 properties actively on the market with an average list price of $467,654.

Cheshire Sold/Sale Pending: There are currently 34 properties with sales pending and 124 properties that closed in the past 6 months.  The average sold price for Cheshire is $374,857 and the average time on market is 88 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 approximately 5 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.

In every community there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart there is the power to do it.
~Marianne Williamson

July 23rd 2007 marks a tragic event for the town of Cheshire where Jennifer Hawke-Petit and her two daughters, Hayley and Michaela were murdered in a home invasion. As tragic as this event was, this day is not marked by sadness.

In fact, Cheshire has turned this day on its head and made it one of the most uplifting events the community has ever seen.

Fellow Cheshire residents Don and Jennifer Walsh came up with the idea to hold a luminary event for the entire town while raising funds for the newly established charity, Hayley's Hope and Michaela's Miracle MS Memorial Fund.

Over 1,000 volunteers and numerous businesses came together to light over 137,000 luminaries at the edge of the properties of almost every family in the Cheshire community. The result was something so spectacular that pictures or words cannot do it justice.

The true character of our community was revealed through this event. On a cold Connecticut winter night, thousands gathered outside. First in silence in memory of the family, and then, slowly but surely people gathered to talk to each other. Some found old friends, but many found new and the community of Cheshire became a little bit closer.

This Saturday, January 9th, the time has come to do it again. You can purchase luminaries at R.W. Hine Ace Hardware store while supplies last for $10. Sand for your luminaries, donated by Cheshire Stoneworks, is located behind Ye Old Body Shop. An avid participant, I will be a street captain for Mixville Road. I hope to see you there.

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert

People dream about places like Cheshire, Connecticut.  From the sledding hill where children talk about venturing during the winter months, to cheering on the local high school’s football team and from strolling along quaint roads lined with burnished leaves in the fall, to the communities’ summer festivities…  Cheshire embraces everyone with the feeling of “home.”  

A sense of contentment and belonging to a community are no more clearly seen than in the longevity of the town’s family owned R.W. Hine Ace Hardwood Store.  This year will celebrate the store’s 100th year in business since it’s founding by Raymond Walter Hine in 1910.  Maple Avenue has been the nesting spot for this community staple and has watched the store grow in inventory and size over the last century.  

For the past 30 years, R.W. Hine Ace Hardware has been owned by my family and I’m so proud to be a part of its’ rich heritage.  Integrity, quality and the long-standing tradition of services appeal its customers who seem to more closely resemble family friends.  This is just one of the many reasons visitors find their way to this charming town and decide to make it their permanent home.  

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert

Here in Cheshire, we love our sports.  We're a town of hard workers and passionate people and it's not entirely uncommon for Cheshire athletes to leave our town and make a name for themselves.  Lets take a look back at one of our greatest, Brian Leetch.

Leetch picked up his first pair of skates at Cheshire Sport.  In the beginning, it was just a friendly pick up game with the neighborhood kids at the local skating rink that his dad managed.  For them, it wasn't about specific drills or skills, it was just about learning to stay up on the ice.

It soon became pretty evident that Leetch was more than just learning to skate.  By his sophomore year at Cheshire High, he was scoring 53 goals and 50 assists in one season.  

Incidentally, Leetch was also an amazing baseball player.  He had a 90 mph fastball and pitched Cheshire to a state championship by his sophomore year.  But Leetch made a choice to stick to hockey.

Fast forward to his senior year when Leetch was quickly snapped up by the New York Rangers in their first-round draft pick.  Leetch decided to make his first stop Boston College, his second stop the US Olympic team and finally, his NHL debut with the Rangers in 1988.

After 18 NHL seasons with the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafts and Boston Bruins, he is considered one of the top defensemen in NHL history. He was officially inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008 and later the Canada Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009.  Along the way he collected countless awards including the coveted Norris Trophy - twice.

Leetch once said of his hockey beginnings in Cheshire that he never looked at himself as having a unique talent - only a strong responsibility to his teammates to play well so that his team could be successful.

That's the kind of attitude that we are proud to represent in Cheshire. Leetch wasn't just notorious for being the greatest defenseman of all time, he was known for being a fan favorite and a team leader.  Which makes him the perfect inspiration for all of the future superstars to come out of Cheshire...

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert

After 8 inches of snow our building is still looking as beautiful as ever.

Around town the school break is fast approaching. A few younger residents are already enjoying the winter weather at Mixville Recreation Area, the town sledding hotspot.

Not sure if any of you have met them, but introducing Sally's lovely ladies, Belle(5) and Sophie(3), they sure love the snow.

The wonderful thing about being located in New England is being at the heart of so many different cultures.  What is one of the best things about different cultures?  Food or course!  Cheshire has a wide variety to choose from when it comes to restaurants.  Find great food, and often, a great story behind Cheshire’s cuisine...

Rossini’s Pizza Restaurant
This authentic Italian restaurant is a must try in Cheshire.  It has been serving the community for over 30 years and has become a local favorite. As a family owned business, the friendly atmosphere is just what you are looking for in a local restaurant.  However, authenticity is not sacrificed for convenience.  You can guarantee that when owner Ralph Fusco came from Italy 35 years ago, he did not intend to serve anything less than authentic, fresh and delicious Italian food to his patrons.

The Watch Factory Restaurant
If you have never tried Austrian food, you will want to start here.  Owner and chef Markus Patsch came to Cheshire in the mid 90’s to open The Watch Factory and bring a little something different to the community.  Feast on Wiener Schnitzel for dinner apple strudel for dessert.  The menu features a border of messages reminding you to “sit long, eat much, laugh often and gemutlichkeit, which is Austrian for comfort and satisfaction.”  Fantastic and unusual is what your menu, but warm and inviting is your atmosphere.  

Toyo Sushi Japanese Restaurant
Master Chef, Tony Chen, comes armed with 12 years of experience to bring to Cheshire the fresh and quality sushi that is often hard to find. The fish is handpicked daily and the menu is extensive.  Chen and his staff go that extra mile to make every patron feel welcome and comfortable.  Try the Beef Negimaki for appetizer then an asparagus and crab meat hand roll and on to a Sushi Dinner Entree.

Blackie’s Hot Dog Stand
It's all about the relish at Blackie's Hot Dog Stand! This special secret family recipe is what put this place on the map. You cannot come to Cheshire without eating at Blackie’s.  This place transcends beyond Cheshire fame - it is a Connecticut institution.  The hot dog and home-made relish recipes are so classically good that they haven’t changed since 1928.  What started as a gas station that served hot dogs to hungry patrons, has developed into one of the most sought after hot dog stands in New England.  In fact, it was voted New England’s Best Hot Dog in 2007 and Connecticut’s Best Hot Dog in 1996 and 1998. 

These places are more than just restaurants.  They are the owners that put their heart and soul into their businesses.  They are the the patrons that come from across the street or across the country to experience them.  They are another piece of what makes Cheshire such an amazing and delicious community.

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert

December 2009 Market Watch for Cheshire CT

Cheshire Active Listings: There are a total of 146 house properties actively on the market with the average price of $472,787 in Cheshire.

Cheshire Sold/Sale Pending: There are currently 34 properties with sales pending and 191 properties that closed this year.  The average sold price for Cheshire so far this year was $376,756 and average time on market was 55 days.  The average current list price to sold price ratio was 95.78%, meaning these sellers received on average 95% of what they were asking for their property at the time it sold. 18 houses closed in November with an average of 107 days on the market and average sale price of $404,325.

Absorption Rate/Supply: The definition of absorption rate is the number of weeks it takes to sell the current inventory at the present rate of sales.  Absorption rates tell us how many months of supply is on the market based on historical data.  For our purposes, we are tracking data over the last 6.0 months.  The current supply of homes on the market at this time is 10.46 months.

Data based on the last 6 months ending on December 4th, data provided by the Multiple Listing Services.

Hi, Everyone!  Cheshire's Dept of Social Services distributes gifts through the Adopt a Family program every Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Thanks to Sally and Sally Bowman Real Estate, a 12 year old girl and her family will have some very nice gifts to open this year!  

Cheshire, Connecticut is ready for its close up!  First, it was put on the map when it was featured in CNN Money Magazine’s "Best Places to Live 2009," and now, Cheshire is on its way to the big screen.

The newest Robert DeNiro film, “Everybody’s Fine” used Cheshire Correctional Institution’s unused old North Block to shoot some of its scenes.  Much of the rest of the movie was filmed in the state of Connecticut. 

This isn’t Cheshire’s first brush with fame.  It is also the birthplace of some pretty famous people.

Soap opera star Jay Bontatibus, Welcome Back Kotter star Ron Palillo (better known as Horshack) and, of course, teen hearthrob James Van Der Beek best known for his role as Dawson Leery on Dawson’s Creek.

What else is Cheshire famous for? 

It has been designated the “Bedding Plant Capital of Connecticut” by the Connecticut General Assembly.

A well-earned reputation of excellence for its education system.

What about its warm and inviting family-oriented community?

Fame doesn’t always have to come from Hollywood.  Cheshire is famous for many things that might not be worthy of the big screen, but still make it a wonderful place to live.  And at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.

Sally Bowman
Sally Bowman Real Estate
Your Cheshire Real Estate Expert

Friday, December 4, 2009 7:33 AM EST

Home sales in state up 3rd straight month

BY DAVID KRECHEVSKY REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN