New Haven & Fairfield County Real Estate Video Blog with Jonathan Carbutti

Tune in to ABC's and CNBC’s Shark Tank to see Jonathan with real estate magnate Barbara Corcoran

Tune in to ABC's and CNBC’s Shark Tank to see Jonathan side-by-side with real estate magnate Barbara Corcoran.

Corcoran is Shark Tank’s resident real estate mogul and a prominent self-made multi millionaire. She is now endorsing a select few of the best real estate minds in the country, Jonathan being included. Jonathan will appear in a commercial airing in several episodes throughout the season.

Jonathan's company, Carbutti & Co Realtors, is a dominant leader in the real estate industry, providing phenomenal service and expertise to a wide base of clientele in the New Haven and Fairfield area.

“To sell your home on time for the most money, you need a sharp agent with a marketing strategy that creates the most demand,” Corcoran said. “Bottom line, you need a partner willing to put their own money on the line for you …. Jonathan Carbutti knows how to attract the right kind of buyers and create so much demand that if your home doesn’t sell at a price and deadline you agree to, Jonathan will buy it!”

Corcoran is an iconic figure in the New York real estate scene and nationally known as the real estate contributor to the NBC TODAY show. She has invested in more than two dozen businesses to date on Shark Tank, and has written several well-received books including Shark Tales: How I turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business.

Why Is Now the Time to Make Your Move?

There are many great New Haven County area homes for sale. Click here to perform a full home search, or if you're thinking of selling your home, click here for a FREE Home Price Evaluation so you know what buyers will pay for your home in today's market. You may also call me at (203) 269-4910 x 12 for a FREE home buying or selling consultation to answer any of your real estate questions.

Today, I want to talk to some of those buyers that are on the fence right now.

If you're on the fence about buying right now, you really shouldn't be. There is a ton of inventory in our market right now, especially for first-time home buyers. There are a lot of bank-owned properties and we're being flooded with HUD properties, which are priced perfectly for new buyers.

The best news of all is that interest rates are just incredible. I have some clients getting rates as low as 3.75% fixed with no points, and other clients getting 4-4.25% fixed without points depending on their credit, income, and job history. Long story short, rates are fantastic and you have a lot of options. FHA, CHFA, and VA loans are only a few examples of the many opportunities you have to lock in a low rate.

If you are thinking about buying but haven't yet spoken to a lending partner and gotten pre-approved, I urge you to do so as soon as possible. Our lending partners have some of the best programs in the state and some of the best rates around!

If you haven't yet gone out into the marketplace to take a look at some homes to see what you can afford for your money, don't hesitate to give me a call. I would love to sit down with you and pair you up with an expert agent and advisor who could take you out to the marketplace to find your dream home.

Ultimately, you're the only one who knows what you want; it's not our job to tell you what is right for you. However, it is our job to ensure the process goes as smooth as possible and that you get the best possible deal.

Where Is the Connecticut Market Heading?

October is here, so I thought it might be a good time to take a look at where the market has been over the last few months and where it might be heading!

The average days on the market are increasing here in Connecticut, as they are across the country due to school starting and the colder weather starting to take hold. In New Haven County, the median list price is around $260,099 and the market action index is at about 30.1.

In other words, it seems to be pretty even between inventory and the number of buyers in the marketplace. Some of the properties are sitting on the market a little bit longer, inventory is growing, and we will see less activity on the buying side as we get closer to the holidays, which is traditionally what happens.

If you're a seller right now, you're definitely going to get market value as far as price is concerned. Buyers are buying properties right now, but now is not the time to try and set a sales record for your given neighborhood by getting the highest price that's ever been had.

Buyers right now are very educated and are looking at a lot of the same information you're looking at. There is something to be understood about putting your house on the market: any house is going to get the most activity and the highest and best offer in the first couple weeks if everything is done right.

Keep in mind that there is a fine line between pushing the envelope on price, which we can definitely do, and overpricing your home. The last thing you want to do is cross that line and overprice your home, and that's really where the real estate professional comes in.

Right now, the most popular homes are four-bedroom/two-bathroom upgrader homes. There are a lot of first-time home buyers who bought a home five to seven years ago, they've outgrown the house, and they now need a bigger, four-bedroom home. Many of these people are looking now, as it's a great time to buy due to low interest rates.

Are You Looking for a Beautiful Place for a Horse Farm?

Today, we want to share an incredible listing with you that's a bit different. Make no mistake about it, this home at 29 Hunters Trail, Bethany, Connecticut is a horse property. It's perfect for anyone who wants a farm on a spacious 5.3 acres in Bethany.

As you enter the front door of this custom-build, colonial home built in 1976, you're going to see the many extras the sellers took into account when they originally had the home built. There is an open foyer and hallway straight ahead, while to the right there is an open and spacious living room with a lot of natural light. Once walking through the living room, you'll find yourself in a fully functional kitchen with space for an eat-in area as well. Moving on, you'll see a very functional and comfortable family room that has a sliding door that opens up to the deck out back.

As you make your way upstairs to the second floor, you're not walking into a cramped hallway. Rather, you walk into an open hallway that leads into three spacious bedrooms with a lot of closet space. Overall, the home has a lot of the updates and features you would expect to find in a custom-built colonial.

This is the perfect location for the horse farm you've always wanted. The property sits on 5.3 beautiful acres of forest and has two separate stalls and barns for horses and outdoor equipment. Everything that you need to run a fully functional farm is here.

There are beautiful stone walls outlining the edge of the property, and there is a fenced-in area for horses, all the equipment you need for farming, and a fully stocked pond, as well. The best part of this property is its seclusion; on and around the area are numerous horse trails that stretch for miles. Just next door, the neighbor has a state-of-the-art horse facility and has an arrangement with any potential buyer to allow them to use her facility as long as she is allowed to use the horse trails to walk her horses.

If you have any questions about this incredible property, or if you know anyone interested in buying a horse farm, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. I would love to help you out!

Who's the Best Interior Designer in Wallingford?

Today I will be introducing a great new business into the community as part of my Small Business Spotlight. Design House Interiors is run by Judi Granucci, who says that she has always had a passion for surrounding her clients with beauty. She has been in the business since the mid-80's and has had multiple businesses since then.

Judi loves having her business located in the restaurant district, and she also thinks that Wallingford is a great location for her business, as it is in the middle of the state and has become a destination of sorts.

At Design House Interiors (http://www.designhousect.com/) Judi can help from concept to completion. Some people come in and speak about paint consultation, and others come in for a full makeover. The main thing that Judi does in her business is to provide solutions for her clients.

No matter how large or normal your budget may be, Judi can work to meet your needs. Please feel free to contact her if you need any assistance when sprucing up the interior spaces of your home.

As always, reach out to me with any and all of your Connecticut real estate needs!

Why Do We Love Madison?

Madison, Connecticut, is a quintessential New England beach town that appeals to both vacation and year-round home owners, and it's surprisingly affordable. A lot of people we know have moved here recently because they are tired of the crowded streets and overpricing that happens so often in the cities. This is a great place to raise a family.

The terrain of the town is relatively flat, so there are a ton of great places to take a walk or bike ride. Whether you are in the historic district or at the beach, you can have an awesome walk with a great view.

When you think of Madison you think of beaches, and they have some of the best in Connecticut. They have three private beaches for residents to use, as well as one of the largest state parks in Connecticut, Hammonasset State Park. Surf Beach is a place that my family loves going to. We love to head to the beach, start up the grill, and go crabbing during low tide. We have a blast each time we go.

Downtown Madison is as diverse as it is wonderful. The culinary scene here is the best in Connecticut. The Madison farmer's market is year-round, and this isn't just a summer community. It's centrally located as well, and not too far from NYC.

If you have any questions for us about Madison or want to take a look at some properties in the area, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

What Questions Do You Have About Homeowner's Insurance?

Hey everyone, thanks for joining us today. I am happy to be joined by Frank Apuzzo, with Ferguson and McGuire Insurance, who is here to answer some questions we have received lately. A lot of first-time home buyers are out there looking for a home in our market, so we wanted to give you all some good information on where to start when it comes to getting your homeowner's insurance policy.

What are some of the questions a first-time home buyer should be asking an insurance professional?

First off, you should find a local agent or broker in your area that has access to multiple insurance carriers so you can make sure you're being covered by a reputable company. You also want to make sure the company will be able to pay if you have a claim. The company should be an "A-rated" insurance company.

What should you be looking to get covered on a good homeowner's insurance policy?

A lot of first-time home buyers call and tell us their agent told them they just need hazard insurance, which covers the structure of the home and the mortgage in the event of a loss. To make sure you have the right policy, you'll also want to notify the insurance company of any upgrades to the home. They will also want to make sure your wiring is safe and new and your heating and ventilation is up-to-date.

What are some hurdles that first-time buyers experience?
One of the biggest questions first-time buyers have about their policy is, "Why do I have to pay for my Homeowner's insurance in full?" Well, the insurance companies don't care who is paying it or how, they just want it paid in full. When you pay it all at once, the leftover money will be held in escrow. In essence, you are paying for your policy in advance.

What are some advantages of hiring a local insurance agent?

One of the best advantages is that you can have someone that goes out and inspects the home in person before you list. This way, there are no surprises when it comes to getting coverage.

If you have any questions for us at all, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. If you have any questions for Frank, give him a call at (203) 537-7194. We look forward to speaking with you soon!

Why Should Home Sellers in Connecticut Be Happy?

The busy season is here and the home selling season is off to a hot start. A lot of our buyers have been experiencing multiple offer situations, and they're having to compete with a lot of other buyers out there.

Right now, we are in the midst of a seller's market, and in the next few months, you're going to see a lot of new inventory start to come on the market.

The most popular type of home in Connecticut right now is the 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom upgrade homes. These are flying off the shelves, and if you're looking to sell one, you'll be able to get top dollar.

A market action index of 29.7 tells us we are in a strong seller's market, but need more inventory to keep us going.

If you have been thinking at all about selling in Connecticut, you're about to miss your market. May and June are the prime home selling months in Wallingford, so it's essential to make your decision soon!

If you have any questions for us or would like an honest, realistic estimate of what your home can sell for in this market, don't hesitate to reach out to us!

Tune in to ABC's and CNBC’s Shark Tank to see Jonathan with real estate magnate Barbara Corcoran

Buying a New Haven or Fairfield County Home? Search all Homes for Sale

Selling a New Haven or Fairfield County Home? Check out our FREE Home Value Report

Tune in to ABC's and CNBC’s Shark Tank to see Jonathan side-by-side with real estate magnate Barbara Corcoran.

Corcoran is Shark Tank’s resident real estate mogul and a prominent self-made multi millionaire. She is now endorsing a select few of the best real estate minds in the country, Jonathan being included. Jonathan will appear in a commercial airing in several episodes throughout the season.

Jonathan's company, Carbutti & Co Realtors, is a dominant leader in the real estate industry, providing phenomenal service and expertise to a wide base of clientele in the Louisville area.

“To sell your home on time for the most money, you need a sharp agent with a marketing strategy that creates the most demand,” Corcoran said. “Bottom line, you need a partner willing to put their own money on the line for you ….Jonathan Carbutti knows how to attract the right kind of buyers and create so much demand that if your home doesn’t sell at a price and deadline you agree to, Jonathan will buy it!”

Corcoran is an iconic figure in the New York real estate scene and nationally known as the real estate contributor to the NBC TODAY show. She has invested in more than two dozen businesses to date on Shark Tank, and has written several well-received books including Shark Tales: How I turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business.

Is Buying a Home for 3% Down in Newtown Even Possible?

New Haven County Real Estate Agent Jonathan Carbutti talks about the new 3% down payment mortgage program for first-time home buyers, courtesy of Fannie Mae.

Today I want to talk to you about a great new mortgage program that just launched. Fannie Mae now has a 3% down home loan available for first-time home buyers. Buying a home just got a whole lot easier, not to mention cheaper.

This 3% down product is very competitive with FHA and, in some respects, is even better than a similar FHA product. With the Fannie Mae 3% down loan, there is no upfront mortgage insurance.

If you are a first-time home buyer and haven't owned a home in the last 3 years, give me a call or send me an email. I'd love to talk to you about this program and see if you could qualify. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Why Should You Be Looking at HUD Homes?

New Haven and Fairfield County Real Estate Agent

Welcome back, everyone. Today I want to talk about one of my favorite topics, and one of my favorite kinds of homes to sell, HUD homes. We sold 3 in the last 6 days, with 2 of them being really great deals for first-time home buyers.

If you yourself are a first-time home buyer, you should check out www.hudhomestore.com. Here you can take a look at all of these properties. While you can look at them online, drive by them, and walk around the outside, you can't look at them on the inside or bid on them without a HUD certified broker like myself.

Not all brokers and agents understand the process of HUD homes. We have sold many of them in the last few years, helping many first-time buyers get a great deal.

An important thing to remember is that not all HUD homes are a great deal, so you should be working with an experienced HUD broker who has sold them and knows the process.

If you would like to talk about HUD homes, or have any questions about them, give me a call or shoot me a quick email. I will give you the honest scoop and tell you exactly what's involved. I look forward to hearing from you!

Has Your Home Been on the Market for Months Without Selling?

I've been speaking with a lot of frustrated buyers here in New Haven and Fairfield County. A lot of homes are hitting the market and not selling, but you should know that it's not a problem with you or your home.

We've been selling properties that have been sitting on the market. Just the other day we got a home that had been on the market for 10 months, and we sold it in 5 days.

The reason I'm telling you this is because there are certain steps that need to be taken in order to sell your home. It's not just about re-listing with another agency and dropping the price.

All you need to do is re-position your house with professional photography, professional video, and 13 month home warranties. We have a proven track record of selling homes like these.

Now is a great time to sell in New Haven and Fairfield County. We have a lot of pent-up demand and there are also a lot of frustrated buyers that are looking for a home but simply haven't found it yet.

If you're thinking of selling, let's start a conversation. Give us a call or send us an email, we would be more than happy to help you start the selling process.

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