393 Acres, One Dollar, and a 15-Year Vision: Inside the Preston Riverwalk Redevelopment

393 Acres, One Dollar, and a 15-Year Vision: Inside the Preston Riverwalk Redevelopment

For decades, one of the largest pieces of undeveloped land in Southeastern Connecticut sat quietly along the Thames River.

If you’ve driven Route 12 in Preston, you’ve likely seen the remnants of the former Norwich State Hospital campus — a massive property filled with empty buildings, overgrown roads, and a history stretching back more than a century.

Today, that same site is slowly transforming into what could become one of the largest redevelopment projects in the region’s history: Preston Riverwalk.

This story isn’t just about development. It’s about environmental cleanup, long-term planning, infrastructure challenges, and the enormous effort…

253 Views, 0 Comments

The Impending TikTok Ban and Its Broader Implications

In recent weeks, the buzz around the potential U.S. government ban on TikTok has reached a fever pitch. With nearly 170 million American users engaged on the platform, the prospect of losing such a prolific source of entertainment and connection has sparked significant public debate. However, the issues at stake extend far beyond TikTok’s vast user base, touching on critical concerns regarding national security, data privacy, and the influence of foreign powers in American digital spaces.

The Heart of the Matter:

At first glance, TikTok is a vibrant social media platform where creativity and content reign supreme. Yet, beneath the surface, the implications of its operations are vast and complex. Owned by ByteDance, a company based in China, TikTok…

681 Views, 0 Comments

Ethical Real Estate Practices: Lessons from the MV Realty Lawsuit and the Importance of Due Diligence

In real estate, the ethical standards we uphold not only define our business practices but also cultivate the trust we establish with our clients. The recent legal challenges faced by MV Realty in Florida highlight crucial aspects of transparency and fairness in real estate transactions. This blog post explores the implications of the MV Realty lawsuit for the industry and underscores the critical role of due diligence in protecting both agents and homeowners.

The MV Realty Case: An Overview MV Realty, known for its unique homeowner benefit agreements, is embroiled in a lawsuit filed by the Florida Attorney General. The company is accused of deceptive practices by securing 40-year contracts with homeowners that require a 3% commission from any…

1451 Views, 0 Comments

Temporary Buydowns: An Alternative to Price Reductions.

The reality of price reduction is that when a seller lowers their price, the buyer may not know that the price has been reduced, and they likely don’t really care, because they will begin their negotiation from the new, lower price. When this happens, the seller gets no credit for reducing the price, and that is a shame. Also, after a seller or builder has done a price reduction, they are much less likely to entertain the thought of another one. So, reducing price is not always the best option if that leaves no further room for negotiations, which is understandable.

 When the buyer looks for financing, they are seeking the lowest interest rate available on the mortgage, with 0 points. As you know, a buyer can pay a point or two and get a lower interest…

673 Views, 0 Comments

How Climate Change is Reshaping Insurance and the Housing Market

The growing ferocity and frequency of extreme weather events, tied intrinsically to the rapidly changing climate, have sent shockwaves through sectors that once thrived on predictability and historical data – notably, the insurance and housing markets. Jacob Bogage’s recent Washington Post article encapsulates the urgency and gravity of the situation, focusing on how major insurers are pulling away from covering the very natural disasters that are increasing in frequency.

Insurance companies, at their core, are in the business of evaluating and pricing risk. Historically, they've spread these risks across various geographies and disaster types, ensuring that catastrophic payouts in one region are balanced by calmer conditions elsewhere. However, as…

718 Views, 0 Comments

Should the Grey Water from Washing Machines be expelled into the Septic System?

Professionals in the real estate industry often face complex issues involving regulations and guidelines that impact their clients' properties. One such issue is the disposal of wastewater from washing machines into septic systems. To ensure the best outcomes for clients, real estate professionals must conduct thorough due diligence and vet the sources of information they rely on. The case of Tim Bray, broker/owner of Seaport Real Estate Services, highlights the importance of obtaining accurate information from reliable sources, especially when dealing with matters that can have significant consequences for homeowners.

Due diligence is the process of gathering and analyzing information to make informed decisions. This often involves researching…

740 Views, 0 Comments

Embracing the Value-Driven Approach

In today's fast-paced and competitive real estate market, many realtors are experiencing frustration with the current business landscape. The growing emphasis on marketing, lead generation, and sales tactics has overshadowed the fundamental principles of the profession: providing exceptional value and service to clients. However, there is a better way to succeed in this evolving industry by focusing on adding value to the consumer through extensive research, advanced valuation techniques, and personalized service rather than solely relying on marketing strategies and Lead generation. 

The Value-Driven Approach

At its core, the value-driven approach emphasizes the importance of understanding client's needs, preferences, and goals. This approach…

700 Views, 0 Comments

Are AVMs Sabotaging Property Valuations?

Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) have become increasingly popular in recent years as a tool for estimating property values in the real estate industry. These models employ algorithms and vast amounts of data to generate property valuations quickly and efficiently. While AVMs may offer several benefits, including reduced costs and faster processing times, they are not without their drawbacks. 

Limited Data and Data Quality

One of the primary reasons AVMs can be prone to errors is the quality and availability of data used in the valuation process. AVMs rely on historical sales data, property characteristics, and local market trends to generate valuations. However, the data available may not always be accurate, complete, or up-to-date.…

1626 Views, 0 Comments

Things to consider when adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)

If you're a homeowner considering adding an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to your property, here are some things to consider:

1.    Local regulations: Be sure to research the local regulations and zoning requirements in your area to ensure that you are allowed to add an ADU to your property. Some towns may have restrictions on the size, location, or appearance of ADUs.

2.    Building codes: ADUs must meet the same building codes and safety standards as other residential units. It's important to hire a licensed and experienced contractor who can ensure that your ADU is built to code and is safe for occupants.

3.    Financing: Adding an ADU to your property can be a significant investment. Consider the cost of construction and any…

2714 Views, 0 Comments

Reasons Why Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's) can help the housing crisis

1.     Increased Housing Supply: ADUs create additional units within existing residential lots, which can increase the overall housing supply in a given area. This can be especially helpful in high-  demand areas with limited housing availability.

2.     Affordable Housing: ADUs can provide affordable housing options for low-income families, young professionals, and older adults who want to age in place. By creating smaller, more affordable units, ADUs can help address the affordability crisis that many communities are facing.

3.     Multigenerational Housing: ADUs can provide a solution for multigenerational families who want to live together but also value their privacy. By creating separate living spaces, ADUs can allow family members to…

1112 Views, 0 Comments