A Warm Holiday Greeting and Happy New Year From Carbutti & Company Realtors

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It’s hardly believable that we are at the cusp of yet another year – and it’s almost 2013! With a fantastic year behind us, we look ahead toward a great future in the coming months. I can’t tell you how much of a pleasure it has been serving our community members with the expert advice, one-on-one care and guidance with real estate endeavors in our communities.

Here’s a warm, resounding “Thank you!” to all our current and past clients. We believe you are more than just clients; you’re our friends and neighbors. We cherish that special relationship we have with each and every one of you.

Whether you have engaged in the purchase of a new home, sold a property or just needed advice and counsel on your real estate transactions – we have enjoyed being a part of the journey with you. In fact, we take so much pride in everything we do, that we take it into our communities and actively involve ourselves through charitable activities and donations. It’s just one of the ways we express our gratitude to you.

With Carbutti & Company Realtors, you will never find the mass-market approach to doing things. Instead, we manage each client, each transaction and each task with the utmost attention, skill and concentration necessary to get the job done and get it done optimally. As an independently owned real estate company, we strive to continue providing the most premium of quality service in the industry today.

Our premium quality comes from our expert team, support staff, administration group and extensive network of vendors and partners in the community. Here’s a shout out to them too!

Once again, thank you for trusting us with one of the most important aspects of your life and we wish you a warm, wonderful holiday season – with many happy times to come in the New Year and beyond!

Is Now the Time to Buy a Home or Should I Rent In Today’s Marketplace?

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It’s an age-old question and even in today’s largely buyer-centric marketplace the question still arises in many people’s minds “should I buy a home or should I rent?”

Truth be told, today’s interest rates are unprecedented. Mentioned time and again by such investment gurus as Warren Buffett and Donald Trump, not to mention countless industry analysts and experts, these historic lows give buyers so much more to work with.

With rates hovering in the low 3s and even lower for shorter term mortgages, buyers can afford so much more house these days with the same amount of payment. In terms of whether or not renting is a better choice there are several factors to consider.

Reasons to Buy a Home Instead of Rent

We’ve already covered interest rates but it’s more than just what your monthly payment is or how much house you can afford with the lower monthly payments. With the cost of borrowing so low, many times buyers can obtain an assumable loan making their home a very viable property for future sale.

Add to the very low cost of borrowing the fact that prices are lower than they have been in a long time, and it’s a win-win situation because in most cases the monthly expense is less than if you were to be renting.

The fact that equity building is rarely possible with rent situations, what better than to own your own home and build value? In fact, with today’s low prices and rates combined when we see appreciation, it will be noticeably significant.

One more factor that many renters love from the moment they take the plunge and decide to own their home – is the sense of autonomy. The home is yours and you can do with it whatever you want. You can have pets or not. You can hang window coverings that suit you without restrictions. There are fewer rules and regulations to worry about than in a leased home.

Why Renting Might Make More Sense

There are some reasons that renting is a better choice for some people. In light of our housing market challenges from just a few years ago many people are still working on rebuilding their credit and financial outlook. There may be uncertainty with job location and the looming potential of a transfer could contribute to house-buying apprehension. In the same way, you may not know exactly what your housing needs are; is there a family on the way and will there be enough space? What type of housing will work best for you and your family? Homeowners that prefer to avoid maintenance concerns and like the idea of someone else handling all of that may lean toward a leased home, though condos can take care of that issue. A lot of times people are afraid of the commitment itself that goes with buying a house. For them, perhaps waiting until they feel the time is right may be in order.

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With the housing market as it stands right now, the cost to rent is definitely higher than to buy a home these days. Many people shy away from the prospect of buying when the think of the down payment but the truth is that the majority of loan products nowadays require a minimal down payment, often very close to the amount you’d expect to pay when renting. The expense that goes into the first and last month’s rent plus security deposit, for an average single-family home that rents for about $1600 a month can easily be channeled into a purchase if all the other factors line up.

If you would like to explore your options, we invite you to contact us today. Our expert team will sit down with you and carefully consider all available alternatives so you can make an informed decision. We look forward to serving you!

Welcome to the Town Tours for Durham and Middlefield, Connecticut

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The most well loved characteristics of the perfect towns in New England tend to surround the sense of community and the people that make up the life of those towns. Middlefield and Durham are no exception. Today, we share with you some of the most beautiful rolling hills in a picturesque setting that will take your breath away.

Middlefield Home of a Generations’ Long Family Tradition

When you arrive in Middlefield, you will immediately be taken aback by just how serene the area is and the people’s genuine warmth. In fact, one of the most cherished aspects of this great town is Lyman Orchards – a place where family, friends and neighbors convene to do any number of activities together. You can enjoy fruit picking with the family, sample delicious bakery treats, enjoy a nice lunch at the farm’s deli and more.

Another great destination for residents and area visitors is Lake Beseck. The classic waterfront brings the perfect blend of relaxing backdrop to enjoy in great weather and allows you to use the lake for fishing or boating as well. Peckham Park is another fantastic place to spend time with your loved ones – with a host of things to do including outdoor skating in its unique skating area, picnicking in the pavilion or playing sports in the many fields. Younger children also enjoy their time at Peckham Park with a fantastic playing space designed to keep your youngsters very happy!

Historic Durham Brings Character and Charm to Your Life

Imagine walking into an area that stood strong centuries ago, rich with history of our ancestors and the solid past of our forefathers. Durham is exactly that place and as you find yourself going through town, you will immediately fall in love with the beauty and charm of this lovely New England town. Ripe with farm lands, both dairy and others, the small town environment is exactly what you need to keep your family close knit with others in the community while living on large, gorgeous stretches of land at the same time.

There are so many great things to do in Durham, including the area-renowned Durham Fair where the entire town is off to enjoy the festivities and activities lined up for everyone. And there is no shortage of warm, inviting neighbors to welcome you into the community and make you feel right at home. 

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In terms of homes, there is an eclectic mix of classic architecture built as many as three hundred years ago as well as a host of newer homes that had been constructed in the 80s, 90s and more recently. This is a great place where you will get a lot of value in whichever property you might choose to make your home. Homes with lots of land attached are available while at the same time you can find the perfect blend of small cottage charm with neighbors nearby.

There is much more to see and enjoy in both these fantastic towns and we welcome the opportunity to share more with you! Contact us today for a customized look at the areas you’d like to see!