The market between 100-400k is moving pretty well now and I have still been inceasing my buyers list almost daily.  Its getting back to basics. 

GET UP EARLY!!!!!  5am on my block


Prepare client files for the day.....

Return all calls to clients which were recieved after 9pm (thats when I turn the cell off)

Hit the office to collect voicemail and by then I am ready to preview and show.  If I do not have clients that I am showing, I am either in the local town halls searching for foreclosures or previewing houses for clients that I think might work for them.

Let me know if you are in the market for a good buyer rep.  I have plenty of energy and an incredible back office team that allows me to focus on finding YOU the right property.

Good luck hunting, and let me know if I can answer any questions.]]>My buyer list has increased dramatically over the last few weeks.  I attribute this to a few things.  One reason for sure is the mortgage interest rates.  The country, even in the midst of an economic shake up, is experiencing industry loan mortgage rates.  Last week, for a period of time, I was able to lock a 4.75% interest rate without charging the borrower points.  This particular borrower is also eligible to take advantage of the $8000.00 NON Repayable tax credit against his 2008 returns!   I think he is planning on upgrading some appliances with his money, but the point it this money is going to immediately get spread into the local economy.  There are buyers out there that did not get sucked into the "too-good-to-be-true" financing options available from 2000-2006.  These buyers who have saved their money and maintained good credit are in a great setting for a new home purchase.  Home prices have taken adjustments to meet this new demand, interest rates are at an all time low, and a $8000.00 Check from the Government.  Sounds to me like the Perfect Storm.

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www.litchfieldconnecticut.com]]>I just wanted to get this out there.  Its sad to watch our country in financial jeopardy.  However, there are issues that NEED to be discussed.  As awful as they are.  Please protect yourself and the people you gift over the Holiday seasons. 

Clark Howard the consumer reporter suggest not giving gift cards at all this year If the business goes under, the card will be no good and that will just be money down the drain.

Its sad to see these companies hurting, but we all must protect ourselves.

Ann Taylor closing 117 stores nationwide A company spokeswoman said the company hasn't revealed which stores will be shuttered. It will let the stores that will close this fiscal year know over the next month.

Eddie Bauer to close more stores Eddie Bauer has already closed 27 shops in the first quarter and plans to close up to two more outlet stores by the end of the year.

Cache closing stores. Women's retailer Cache announced that it is closing 20 to 23 stores this year.

Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, Catherines closing 150 stores nationwide. The owner of retailers Lane Bryant , Fashion Bug , Catherines Plus Sizes will close about 150 underperforming stores this year. The company hasn't provided a list of specific store closures and can't say when it will offer that info, spokeswoman Brooke Perry said today.

Talbots, J. Jill closing stores. About a month ago, Talbots announced that it will be shuttering all 78 of its kids and men's stores. Now the company says it will close another 22 underperforming stores.. The 22 stores will be a mix of Talbots women's and J. Jill , another chain it owns. The closures will occur this fiscal year, according to a company press release.

Gap Inc. closing 85 stores. In addition to its namesake chain, Gap also owns Old Navy and Banana Republic . The company said the closures - all planned for fiscal 2008 - will be weighted toward the Gap brand.

Foot Locker to close 140 stores. In the company press release and during its conference call with analysts today, it did not specify where the futu re store closures - all planned in fiscal 2008 - will be. The company could not be immediately reached for comment.

Wickes is going out of business. Wickes Furniture is going out of business and closing all of its stores, Wickes, a 37-year-old retailer that targets middle-income customers, filed for bankruptcy protection last month.

Goodbye Levitz / BOMBAY - closed already. The furniture retailer is going out of business. Levitz first announced it was going out of business and closing all 76 of its stores in December. The retailer dates back to 1910 when Richard Levitz opened his first furniture store in Lebanon , PA. In the 1960s, the warehouse/showroom concept brought Levitz to the forefront of the furniture industry. The local Levitz closures will follow the shutdown of Bombay .

Zales, Piercing Pagoda closing stores. The owner of Zales and Piercing Pagoda previously said it plans to close 82 stores by July 31. Tod ay, it announced that it is closing another 23 underperforming stores. The company said it's not providing a list of specific store closures. Of the 105 locations planned for closure, 50 are kiosks and 55 are stores.

Disney Store owner has the right to close 98 stores. The Walt Disney Company announced it acquired about 220 Disney Stores from subsidiaries of The Children's Place Retail Stores. The exact number of stores acquired will depend on negotiations with landlords. Those subsidiaries of Children's Place filed for bankruptcy protection in late March. Walt Disney in the news release said it has also obtained the right to close about 98 Disney Stores in the U.S. The press release didn't list those stores.

Home Depot store closings (E. Brunswick, Rt 18 just put up their closing sign). ATLANTA - Nearly 7+ months after its chief executive said there were no plans to cut the number of its core retail stores, The Home Depot Inc. announced Thursday that it is shuttering 15 of them amid a slumping U.S.economy and housing market. The move will affect 1,300 employees. It is the first time the world's largest home improvement store chain has ever closed a flagship store for performance reasons. Its shares rose almost 5 percent.The Atlanta-based company said the underperforming U.S. stores being closed represent less than 1 percent of its existing stores. They will be shuttered within the next two months.

CompUSA (CLOSED) clarifies details on store closings. Any extended warranties purchased for products through CompUSA will be honored by a third-party provider, Assurant Solutions. Gift cards, rain checks, and rebates purchased prior to December 12 can be redeemed at any time during the final sale. For those who have a gadget currently in for service with CompUSA, the repair will be completed and the gadget will be returned to owners. http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9834177-7html

Macy's - 9 stores.

Movie Gallery - 160 stores as part of reorganization plan to exit bankruptcy. The video rental company plans to close 400 of 3,500 Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video stores in addition to the 520 locations the video rental chain closed last fall.

Pacific Sunwear - 153 Demo stores.

Pep Boys - 33 stores.

Sprint Nextel - 125 retail locations. New Sprint Nextel CEO Dan Hesse appears to have inherited a company bleeding subscribers by the thousands, and will now officially be dropping the ax on 4,000 employees and 125 retail locations. Amid the loss of 639,000 postpaid customers in the fourth quarter, Sprint will be cutting a total of 6.7% of its work force (following the 5,000 layoffs last year) and 8% of company-owned brick-and-mort ar stores, while remaining mute on other rumors that it will consolidate its headquarters in Kansas . Sprint Nextel shares are down $2.89, or nearly 25%, at the time of this writing.

J. C. Penney, Lowe's are scaling back.

Ethan Allen Interiors: The company announced plans to close 12 of 300+ stores in an effort to cut costs.

Wilsons The Leather Experts - 158 stores.

Pacific Sunwear Will close its 154 Demo stores after a review of strategic alternatives for the urban-apparel brand. Seventy-four underperforming Demo stores closed last May.

Sharper Image: The company recently filed for bankruptcy protection and announced that 90 of its 184 stores are closing. The retailer will still operate 94 stores to pay off debts, but 90 of these stores have performed poorly and also may close.

Bombay Company: (Freehold Mall store closed) The company unveiled plans to close all 384 U.S.-based Bombay Company stores. The company's online storefront has discontinued operations.

KB Toys posted a list of 356 stores that it is closing around the United States as part of its bankruptcy reorganization. To see the list of store closings, go to the KB Toys Information web site, and click on Press Information.

Dillard's to Close More Stores. Dillard's Inc. said it will continue to focus on closing underperforming stores, reducing expenses and improving its merchandise in 2008. At the company's annual shareholder meeting, CEO William Dillard II said the company will close another six underperforming stores this year.

]]>The snow has started.  Last night I left the office at 8pm.  The snow I had heard about on the radio was now visable to me.  The winter season is closing in on us and I thought I would remind everyone, that this is a great time to view properties.  You get the "winter look" of a home prior to the snow.  Driving conditions will worsen as the months progress.  Please, take full advantage of the few weekends coming up.  Its only going to get colder!

]]>Hello to all:

This morning I spent some time at the gas pump.  I was astonished at two things.  Its was nose burning cold and I was only paying $2.61 a gallon.  WOW!  As the combination of cold air and gas fumes rushed in and out of my nose I thought to myself.  What the heck happened?  The last few weeks of "media bashing" would have me believe that my country was broke, I was never going to make a living in this business and the free trips to the salad bar were coming to a close!  Yet, here I was, in a relatively affluent small town of New England paying $2.61 a gallon.  For reference, earlier this summer I watched as $4.50 a gallon blew through my gas tank like Cheerios off the kids table!  So I ask, in your opinion, what changed?  Why is the gas almost $2.00 a gallon cheaper?  Do you think this will continue?

Look forward to reading each response!

Thanks

Marcus Santore
www.litchfieldconnecticut.com

"The Timid Hang Back. But Those With Courage Will March On!"
Walter Chrysler

]]>I have been asked several times over the last month whether or not a person can even get a loan today to buy a house.  Lets face it, doom and gloom sells.  It always has, and it always will. I will be the first person to tell you that this "new" mortgage crisis,as our country has been through them before (80's and 90's), has expanded well beyond our borders and will have a resounding effect for years to come.  This is not news.  But, for a moment, lets sit back and look at it.  The customer with a 580 credit score, no down payment, and 18 months of job history should never have bought a home.  They were simply not prepared.  While home ownership does have its advantages, a buyer, needs to be informed and prepared in order to successfully own and operate a home.  Arguably, the single greatest commodity to the American family.  The buyers that have maintained good credit, have saved for a down payment, and are currently employed in the same position for a minimum of two years do have financing options. There is still 97% financing available, thats only 3% down payment. The buyers that are not in the same position will have no choice but to realign their debts, budget accordingly, and save for the purchase of a home.  Its called FUNDAMENTAL LENDING GUIDELINES.  Many generations before us saved, put 20% down, payed the house off and then had a mortgage burning party.  The home was considered the primary commodity.  NOT an ATM machine with which to refinance several times, each time pulling more and more equity from the home.  Eventually the home is stripped of equity and leaves the homeowner in a weak position when market conditions adjust a homes value.

Please contact me with any questions 

Thank you in advance,

Marcus Santore
Marrin  Santore Realty
www.litchfieldconnecticut.com
860-567-4551  

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