Life in Newtown, CT

195 Alpine Drive, Newtown, CT was LISTED FOR SALE by BOB & RICHELLE WARD, Realtors, ABR

• Listed Price: $219,900
• 2 or 3 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom
• 904 Square Feet
• .34 Acres

Charming starter home with yellow pine floors, wood burning stove, vaulted ceiling and beams. Versatile floor plan with 2 or 3 bedrooms, 1 full bathroom. Lots of nice touches throughout. Multiple decks in rear. Wainscoting, built-in cabinetry. May be subject to third party approval. Character abounds - Wow!

Click here for more information about 195 Alpine Drive, Newtown, CT.  

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

26 West Street, Newtown, CT was LISTED FOR SALE by BOB & RICHELLE WARD, Realtors, ABR

• Listed Price: $299,900
• 2 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom
• 977 Square Feet
• .73 Acres

Adorable Ranch Located in Newtown's Borough  Sit on the open front porch of this ranch style home located in Newtown's Borough. Vaulted ceilings in both Kitchen and Living Room. Hardwood floors throughout & fireplace in Living Room. Skylights, built-ins, beams, wainscoting, French door, Koi pond & bridge over brook in backyard.

Visit www.26WestStreet.com or Click here for more information about 26 West Street, Newtown, CT.  

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Newtown, CT Parks and Recreation  We try to post useful information that helps people to know more about Newtown.  Last April, we posted about Golf Courses and Parks in Newtown.  In this post, we mentioned Newtown Parks and Recreation, as they run the town parks.  Newtown Parks and Recreation is responsible for more than the town parks - they also have Town Programs.

Newtown Parks and Recreation puts out new programs each season.  They print up a nice program that describes each program and gives the schedule for each one.  Programs are very diverse and some are broken out by age range.  Here's a sampling of what Newtown Parks and Recreation typically offers:

• Swimming at the Newtown High School and the town pool at Treadwell Park
• Day Trips - there is usually one to NYC
• Computer Courses
• Adult Programs - Yoga, Knitting, Portuguese, Pilates
• Fun for All Ages - Legos, Claymation Moviemaking, Skating at Dickinson Park
• Youth Programs - Dance, Home Cooking, Etiquette
• Youth and Teen Programs - "The Garage" Teen Center, Intro to Animation
• Teen and Adult Programs - Self Defense, Zumba, Scrapbooking
• There are even Kidsfit Programs and Preschool Programs!

The newest park to Newtown Parks and Recreation is the dog park located over at Fairfield Hills.  We understand that it will be called "Park and Bark".  There are many places in Newtown to walk your dog, but the dog park will be a nice place for dogs to play together.

When you see the next Newtown Parks and Recreation flyer, check it out and sign up for a class or two.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

55+ Active Adult Communities in Newtown, CT: Market Update 2/16/10  Last September, we posted a general information blog about the different 55+ Active Adult communities in Newtown, CT.  Several people contacted us for more information about this type of housing and we thought it a good idea to update you from time to time about what is happening with 55+ Active Adult real estate in Newtown.

• As of today, there are 18 (eighteen) homes listed for sale in the different communities around Newtown
• 1 home is marked as being under deposit
• The actively properties range in price from $254,000 to $473,545
• The average list price is $357,023
• The average market time for these 18 home is 94 days
• There are 7 homes that are pending sale
• 1 home in the 55+ Active Adult communities have sold so far this year

We hope you find this information to be helpful. If you would like us to send you a list of available units in Newtown's 55+ Active Adult Communities, please email us or call us at (203) 470-9818.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Ram Pasture, Newtown, CT  We recently posted a blog, Pictures of Newtown, CT.  The photos posted are all iconic Newtown, CT images, but the one location that we frequently pass by is Ram Pasture.

Ram Pasture is located at the intersection of Route 25 and Route 302 (Sugar Street).  It's a big open field with a pond.  The annual holiday tree lighting takes place here and until recently, we didn't really know much more about Ram Pasture.

So, Richelle took a trip to the Cyrenius H. Booth Library to find out more.  There she found "A Mosaic of Newtown History", a book written by Dan Cruson, Town Historian.  Inside were several pages about the history of Ram Pasture which were quite informative.  Here is a little history:

• The original name for this section of land was "Home Common" and it contained what is today known as Ram Pasture
• Ram Pasture was owned by individual town residents until it was reassembled as a 12.5 acre parcel of land by Mary Hawley, Newtown's benefactress, in the 1920's
• Upon Mary Hawyley's death, ownership of Ram Pasture went briefly to Yale University. 
• The Newtown Village Cemetery Association maintains this property
• In all likelihood, very few rams actually grazed on Ram Pasture

Ram Pasture is quite pretty and a very peaceful place.  It is a reminder of Newtown's history and of days gone by. 

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Short Sales in Newtown, CT - as of 2/8/10.  Back in September 2008, we posted a blog titled "Short Sale - What is It?".  We think this is useful information as we frequently explain what a short sale is to both buyers and sellers.  Our intention is to update you every 2 months about the short sale activity in Newtown, CT.

As of today, the short sale market in Newtown looks like this:

• 16 are Actively listed for sale
• 2 are under deposit
• 8 are pending sale
• 1 closed in January
• 1 closed in February

The price range of the actively listed short sales in Newtown range from $129,900 to $579,900. 

If you would like a list of the short sales in Newtown, CT, just email us and we'll forward it to you ASAP. 

If you would like to sell your home and feel it might be a short sale, please contact us - we can help.  Anything you tell us will be held in confidence and will not be shared with anyone else.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Recap of Short Sales in Newtown, CT 2009  So several times during 2009, we posted blog entries about the status of short sales in Newtown, CT.  With the advent of the New Year, we thought a short recap would be in order.

So here's how short sales in Newtown shook out for the year:

# of short sales sold in 2009:  10
# of short sales that were pending sale at year end:  5
# of short sales still actively listed at year end:  18

Below are links to our 2009 short sale posts:

# of Short Sales - January 2009
# of Short Sales - March 2009
# of Short Sales - May 2009
# of Short Sales - July 2009
# of Short Sales - September 2009

All information is direct from the multiple listing service (MLS).  Recap of Short Sales in Newtown, CT 2009

To get a list of the short sales in Newtown, CT, just send us an email and we'll forward it to you ASAP. 

If you need to sell your house and feel it might be a short sale, please contact us - we can help.  Anything you tell us will be held in confidence and will not be shared with anyone else.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

10 Marlin Road, Newtown, CT was LISTED FOR SALE by BOB & RICHELLE WARD, Realtors, ABR

• Listed Price: $499,900
• 4 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms
• 3,096 Square Feet
• 4.66 Acres

~ Open House:  Sunday, February 28, 2010 - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm ~

Classic 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom Colonial on 4.66 acres with a large portico at the entry, a screened in porch and deck in the rear. Formal Living Room and Dining Room. Den/Office with Fireplace and a large Family Room with vaulted ceiling & beams. Good sized room throughout with a nice floor plan and flow. Main floor laundry. Oversized windows. Master bedroom suite with walk-in closet and full bathroom. Upscale Rollingwood Estates in southern Newtown.

Click here for more information about 10 Marlin Road, Newtown, CT.  

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Newtown, CT Real Estate Market Statistics - January 2010  Back on January 17, 2010, we reported some basic real estate market statistics for Newtown, CT. Marilyn Katz of Prudential Connecticut's Realty's Westport office asked "How do your numbers compare with the first half of the year?"  Well, that got us to thinking ...

We just did a comparison of the closed sales in Newtown, CT for both January 2009 and January 2010 - this is what we found:

Closed Sales January 2009

Closed Sales January 201

What do all these numbers mean?  Closed sales more than doubled in 2010.  Homes are selling quicker at a higher average price.  The sale price to list price ratio was surprising as the gap increased from 5% to 7%.  At the high point of the market, the sale price to list price ratio was 98%.  Bottom line: the real estate market in Newtown, CT was better in 2010 than in 2009.

We hope that this information is helpful to you.  If you have any questions about Newtown, CT Real Estate Market Statistics, please email us.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
(203) 470-9818

The Inn at Newtown, Newtown, CT  We recently posted a blog, Pictures of Newtown, CT.  The photos posted are all iconic Newtown, CT images, with one being The Inn at Newtown.

To many long time residents, The Inn at Newtown is still the Hawley.  The Hawley Manor was the name of this business from approximately 1930, when Mary Hawley died, until 1999 when the establishment was sold to the current owners.

The Inn at Newtown is comprised of several distinct parts:

1. The Tavern:  The more casual part of the restaurant.  Get a table by the windows in front & watch life in Newtown.  The bar is also located in this area.
2. The Restaurant:  The more formal part of the restaurant.
3. The Fairchild Room:  Great space for a private party.  Weddings.  Birthday parties.  Graduation parties.  Banquets.  Business dinners.  Anniversaries.  Church socials.  Family reunions.  Sports team dinners.  Bereavement dinners.
4. Proud Mary's:  Open Friday and Saturday night.  Proud Mary's has a separate entrance from the parking lot side of the building.  The fireplace with seating, make for a cozy place to have a drink
5. Outdoor Dining:  During the warmer months, enjoy your meal AND eat outside on the deck.

The Inn at Newtown is centrally located on Main Street - just Sorth of the Flagpole.  The Inn at Newtown holds wine tasting events, has special Holiday menus and great hamburgers with tabasco onions!

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818