[mels]

Originally Posted by liroc59

Your suggestions are well taken. My sister and I will do two, three, town zones. When I am on Realtor or Zillow and I see something of interest and no sooner...Contingent. How can folks doing this so quick...without the seeing the property in person...or just over the internet?

Having bought a house during these crazy times, I can offer some advice. Sure, there were the rare instances I heard of people buying via their RE agent facetiming them, but that was the exception. Well priced properties can go contingent within a day or three in the town I bought, so I had stiff competition. The way it worked was this:

1. Have all finances in order and preapproval letter for the mortgage in hand before even looking at homes. Your offer won't be considered without this.

2. You have to be ready to go to the showing that day or the next when a house comes on the market and then put in your best offer. You don't have time to take a week scrolling through Realtor.com. Interested in a house new to market? Act fast. I had MLS listings sent to me from my agent as soon as they became active so it was all in real time. I remember one house that I ended up not liking where I was one of 14 showings on day 1.

The "good" houses in my price point (which was the most competitive price point) went contingent within days. If you didn't see the house early on, then you were shut out. If you are serious about buying, you need to be ready to move as soon as the house comes on the market. It required schedule flexibility because if I was busy at work the day a house that looked promising came on the market, I needed to find time ASAP to go visit with my RE agent.

[Stepfordct]

Mels is 100% right on the money.
You need to have your house in order, and know what you want or can live with.
Act fast. No excuses.

The other thing I told a friend who wanted to digest the info and reflect.....losing out on every house.
Make the offer! Your offer might not be accepted anyways. And if it is you still can kill the deal later if needed.

[liroc59]

Thank you all so much for your advice!! I do have cash for a home up to $400,000. Does that make a difference? I will get serious buying by late March, April 2021.

Also, I have state income tax question. Did Connecticut change income tax on income, and social security, like..exemptions.

I think I am going to collect SS this comming year. In July, God willing, I will be 62.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by liroc59

Thank you all so much for your advice!! I do have cash for a home up to $400,000. Does that make a difference? I will get serious buying by late March, April 2021.

Also, I have state income tax question. Did Connecticut change income tax on income, and social security, like..exemptions.

I think I am going to collect SS this comming year. In July, God willing, I will be 62.

All cash offers can make a difference. Sellers love them since it’s usually a fast closing with no questions or issues. It will help when you make an offer.

To answer your question on the income tax, yes the tax on Social Security has changed. Individuals are exempt up to $75,000 per year. Couples are $100,000. Jay

https://ctsenaterepublicans.com/2020...ng-your-taxes/

[CTartist]

The state has senior property tax relief and many towns have senior tax property relief on top of that. That is also something else to have in mind when looking at the different towns.

This is from 2012 but it can give you an idea of what town have it. Call the specific towns you are interested and ask them about their programs.
https://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/rpt/2012-R-0222.htm (different towns)
https://uwc.211ct.org/property-tax-c...lderlydisabled (state program)

[Stepfordct]

Originally Posted by liroc59

Thank you all so much for your advice!! I do have cash for a home up to $400,000. Does that make a difference? I will get serious buying by late March, April 2021.

Also, I have state income tax question. Did Connecticut change income tax on income, and social security, like..exemptions.

I think I am going to collect SS this comming year. In July, God willing, I will be 62.

All cash as Jay said weighs a lot in the negotiation.
Some folks will make all cash offer, but still get a mortgage. Kinda of a win/ win perhaps. But you have to be ready to close with all cash worst case scenario.

[riffwraith]

Originally Posted by mels

You have to be ready to go to the showing that day or the next when a house comes on the market and then put in your best offer. You don't have time to take a week scrolling through Realtor.com.

This ^ !

I can also speak from experience, as I just closed on a condo 2 wks ago. It was on the market for 5 hrs when I saw it, and was off the market the next morning when I handed a dep check to the listing agent. The neg took place the eve prior.

Originally Posted by mels

...there were the rare instances I heard of people buying via their RE agent facetiming them....

OMG - people do that???

I believe there are some beaches near Glastonbury? You may want to look there; it's really nice, with plenty of stores/shopping/etc. Plenty on the market to fill your needs:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/9...74099314_zpid/


https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...74062053_zpid/

Originally Posted by liroc59

I do have cash for a home up to $400,000. Does that make a difference?

It can. Cash is King. Usually. Some people won't care (ultimately it doesn't really matter who/where the money comes from, as long as it's green), but some people are willing to take a little less to be able to do the deal quicker, and not have to worry about a deal falling through due to credit/finance issues. Which happens quite often, BTW. Just be ready to hand a 'proof of funds' letter from your bank to the listing agent.

Good luck!

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by riffwraith

This ^ !

I can also speak from experience, as I just closed on a condo 2 wks ago. It was on the market for 5 hrs when I saw it, and was off the market the next morning when I handed a dep check to the listing agent. The neg took place the eve prior.



OMG - people do that???

I believe there are some beaches near Glastonbury? You may want to look there; it's really nice, with plenty of stores/shopping/etc. Plenty on the market to fill your needs:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/9...74099314_zpid/


https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...74062053_zpid/



It can. Cash is King. Usually. Some people won't care (ultimately it doesn't really matter who/where the money comes from, as long as it's green), but some people are willing to take a little less to be able to do the deal quicker, and not have to worry about a deal falling through due to credit/finance issues. Which happens quite often, BTW. Just be ready to hand a 'proof of funds' letter from your bank to the listing agent.

Good luck!

Congratulations on the condo. That is great news.

Glastonbury is a great town but it is not near any beaches. It’s about an hours drive to the shore. It’s up to the OP if that is close enough or not. Also, there are not a lot of good homes on the market here. Well located, well priced homes in good condition are going under contract within days if not hours of listing. Many are going for over asking. The two homes you posted are on busier streets and appear to be a bit overpriced for the locations. There are better homes in better locations in town. Jay

[SteveM85]

Originally Posted by liroc59

Your suggestions are well taken. My sister and I will do two, three, town zones. When I am on Realtor or Zillow and I see something of interest and no sooner...Contingent. How can folks doing this so quick...without the seeing the property in person...or just over the internet?

How can folks be doing this so quick? are you serious? you need to ask.
Because it's CT, that's why. There's a waiting list to get in. Hordes are standing in line and camping out. I mean come on. Who wouldn't

You need to get signed up with a realtor who has a pulse of the town. Knows the ins and outs and is ready to pounce for you.

Best of luck

[riffwraith]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Glastonbury is a great town but it is not near any beaches. It’s about an hours drive to the shore.

Oh.


Funny - I did a real quick search before I posted, and I found:


There are 39 Glastonbury beaches to pick from. Find the perfect places to go with your kids and get out on your next adventure!


Turns out, there are indeed many beaches right near Glastonbury. Problem is, it's Glastonbury, U.K.