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(Written by Bob Ruth) The first step in buying a home is deciding how much of a payment you can afford. This is usually done with the help of a loan officer who will try to get you pre-qualified for the necessary financing to buy a house. Getting pre-qualified before you go and look at houses is the best option in my opinion for 3 reasons :


1 -  You'll go out knowing how much you can afford which saves time.

2 – You’ll be less likely to look at houses that are beyond your ability to purchase...nothing is worse than falling in love with a house only to find out that you cannot get the financing because it is beyond your means financially.

3 -  The Realtor will be able to negotiate more effectively for you due to the fact that you can tell…

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Which waterfront community will you choose?

Seaport Real Estate Group actively tracks over sixty waterfront communities along the Connecticut Shoreline from the seaports of Stonington to the beaches in Branford. Each of these communities offer unique attributes, amenities and property types that cater to the lifestyles of its residents. For more information about Waterfront Communities & Shoreline Properties for sale in southeastern Connecticut please visit Seaport Real Estate Groups Shoreline Guide.

Find the Perfect Home at the Right Price 

When buying a home it is important to determine exactly what you want and need in order to make smart decisions. But, a waterfront home is not just any home. Special considerations need to be taken to ensure…

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5 years ago most real estate markets were thriving....all except for one. The commercial multi-family marketplace was taking a major hit. After all, anyone with a pulse could get a loan and purchase a single family home as opposed to renting. Vacancies were at an all-time high and many commercial apartment brokers were forced out of the market.

The recent paradigm shift has created huge opportunities for those who stayed in this segment of the market. As a potential homeowner it is now very difficult to get a loan. People who previously possessed good credit and owned huge homes are now forced to rent due to the loss of an income.

Commercial lenders have closed their wallets, put their feet on their desks, and are playing the waiting game. The…

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While the economy in Mystic Country slowly recovers from this economic
debacle, we look to each other for signs of improvement. We often ask our sphere
of influence how business is going and believe that the answer will somehow act
as a road sign for what is to come or a litmus test of our own present success
level. For some reason there are always a few individuals in each trade who
consistently remain busy and the work continues to flow to them like a river to
the sea.   I pride myself in working with the best business people in our region.
These individuals have not only mastered their craft but they uphold a moral
code and desire to do what is right. Have you ever worked with someone who took
pride and ownership in their trade? A…

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A recent article in The Day News Paper quoted an economist as says, “Connecticut housing has become
more affordable relative to residents' income, declining from a high of 5.4
times income to a current level of 4.2 times income - still about a point
higher than the national average.”

This was a great article and I think that it deserves a look. Click here
to view the article. We feel that the Mystic Country portion of CT is extremely
unique and must be analyzed independently form the remainder of the state.

Homes selling at 4.2 times income levels are not necessarily a great thing. If
we take a look at the Case-Schiller Index which states that equilibrium in a
perfect world is 3 times household income then we still have a long way to go.
Those figures become much…

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