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The following Connecticut towns / cities had revaluation in 2022: Ansonia, Berlin, Bristol, Cromwell, East Haddam, East Windsor, Farmington, Glastonbury, Goshen, Granby, Guilford, Middletown, Morris, New Britian, Plainfield, Preston, Simsbury, Southbury, South Windsor, Sterling, Waterbury and Winchester. If you own a single-family house, condominium or 2–4-unit house in one of these towns, check your mail for a notice from the town / city informing you of your homes new value for taxation purposes. Values have gone up significantly over the past few years.  You may be shocked at the percentage increase proposed by your town or city. If you feel the municipality has overvalued your property, give us a call (860)678-8704 to get information on the tax appeal process. It is important that you act quickly as there are strict dates imposed by the towns / cites in the appeal process. 

Low inventory of all types of housing continues throughout our market. Currently there is 2.2 months of inventory on the MLS.  Normal inventory would be four to six months. The median days on the market is 18 days. In February 2021 it was 45 days. 

Locally Farmington has 1.5 months of inventory. In February 2019 there were 5.5 months of inventory. There are 6 active condominium listings and 24 single family listings from $305,000 to $3,350,000. 

The national news paints a grim picture for real estate but until sellers outnumber buyers creating an oversupply, values should hold steady.

Pre-listing appraisals are used by property owners to help determine a completive list price. The property owner can use the appraisal whether they are going to do a "for sale by owner" or use  a real estate agent. The appraisal process allows for an unbias opinion of value by a valuation expert. Given the challenging market conditions with limited inventory in most markets, determining market value requires expert analysis. 

Give us a call to help determine your properties market value before listing it for sale. 

We have received a number of request recently to provide appraisals for sales between family members. Getting a professional appraisal is the right way and the fair way to value the real estate for all parties involved.  The seller is getting the maximum value for their asset and the buyer is not over paying. Other family members not involved in the transaction should have no recourse for some other family member getting  "a good deal". There are also IRS tax implications for proving the value of the asset so it is not assumed to be a gift but a market transaction between family members. If you find yourself involved in buying or selling real estate between family members or friends, consider getting an appraisal.      

This past week I appraised a home that was built in 1986 and was located in Windham County. As soon as I looked at the foundation walls in the unfinished basement I knew there was a problem. The concrete foundation walls had staining and spider web cracking consistent with defective concrete. I really started to feel bad for the home owner, who has no idea that there is a problem, as he just bought the home in 2018. My question is what did the other appraiser, the home inspector and the realtors do last year to protect this poor guy? 

For anyone buying a home in Hartford, Windham, Tolland, Middlesex and New London Counties that was built between 1983 and 2016, I strongly urge you to do your do diligence and get a core sample of the foundation to assure the concrete is sound.

Many home owners are overpaying for real estate taxes and do not even realize it. The town or city in which they live is over valuing homes thus the home owners are over paying in real estate taxes. The State of Connecticut requires that towns and cities do a revaluation every 5 years. The date of valuation is October 1. Every town is different as to when its five year term begins and ends. An over valuation of just $14,000 can result in an over payment of $300-$400 per year. Over the five years between revaluation that is $1500-$2000. What if there is a $50,000 over valuation? I did several tax appeals last year were the over valuation was in excess of $100,000.

So how does a home owner appeal the valuation of their property? Glad us asked. The appeal process is that same from town to town but the timing is slightly different. First call the town assessor for an appeal form and ask when the appeal must be filed by. The appeals are usually done between February and April. Step two call Complete Appraisal LLC to speak about how we can help you through the appeal process, Step three SAVE SOME $$$$$$. 

Complete Appraisal extends warm holiday wishes to all our friends, associates and clients. Thank you to all for a very successful 2018. Checkout new content on our site for preventing holiday theft and winterizing you home.

Sincerely,

Chris Caccamo

A common questions I receive is the difference between VA, FHA and conventional appraisals. 

Most conventional appraisals will be completed "as is". This does not mean every house will qualify for conventional  financing. Many lenders have minimum requirements that a property must meet.  If a house is in poor condition or undergoing renovations a lender may require repairs or the renovations to be competed.

FHA loans have the highest level of property requirements. They are often referred to minimum property standards (MPS). FHA also refers to the 3 S's Safety, Security and Soundness. While there are many items I am looking for, the most common FHA repairs I see are peeling paint on homes built before 1978, stairs without handrails and missing electrical outlet covers.

VA appraisal requirements are somewhere between conventional (lowest requirements) and FHA ( most requirements).