Happy New Year

Here it is, another new year! Congratulations too all of you, my friends, my team mates, our clients and followers. I wish you all the best ever of: Health, Success, Friendship and your dreams coming true!

I have already attended two events last night with some of the nicest people you will ever get to know. First the D'Ausillio's beautiful home in Greenfield Hill - great camaraderie with some old friends and the chance to meet some new friends. Thank you Dave and Terri, I wish I could have stayed longer.

Then it was on to the Sidebottom's in the beach area. Great food and the chance to meet a lot of people that I never new before. Thank you Phil and Barbara for your warm hospitality.

For those going out tonight be safe - but to all:

The Happiest New Year Ever!

Laugh for our Troops

Last night was the 3rd annual Fatty Production of "Laugh for our Troops" put on by Jon Fatigate in Fairfield. Despite the blizzard going on outside the place was almost packed with young and old there to hear some of the funnies comedians on the east coast. All the proceeds go to help out troops serving over seas. You can check out their web site for more info and to see how much money they raised.

A BIG Congrats goes to Jon and his staff for making this another memorable event.

Fairfield Board Christmas Party

What a wonderful party last night at the Burr Mansion in Fairfield. It was the Fairfield Board of REALTORS Christmas party. Joan Nealy and Kate Munson did an awesome job as Co-Chairman, and their committees worked so hard to make everything perfect. We all must remember that without the support of our sponsors events like this would never happen. Thank you!

This was Marty Cassey's last fling as our Board President - Thank you Marty for all you did as President.

Melissa Reilly our 2010 President will be a wonderful President. Melissa was one of the mighty 14 that traveled to Mobile, Alabama in 2006 to build a house with Habitat after the Hurricanes did so much damage to the Gulf Coast Region.

Merry Christmas everyone.

RE/MAX Heritage Christmas Party

What a wonderful event last night, John and Lori Gray hosted our office party at their lovely home Westport. Carrie and Kathy did an amazing job with 5 different courses of food matched with the perfect spirits for each. Such great friendship and an opportunity for the newest members to be shown off. Rich and Tanya looked awesome and the very newest Kalid and Rosland.

We all owe Virginia and the Gray's a BIG thank you.

Happy Thanks Giving

Too all our friends, clients, family, neighbors and followers it is our time to thank all of you for being who you are. You have all helped shape who we are, and for that we are thankful.

From our team to yours we wish you a Happy Thanks Giving:
good health
good wishes
good success
good food
good thoughts and Peace.

Beautiful Day in Ct.

What a beautiful day in Connecticut today, just like the days in San Diego! I was lucky enough today to play golf with some old friends at my old club, Oronoque Country Club. It was McNeil and me against Freddie and Brian, what a match but in the end they beat us! I was pleased with the way I played, shot a 83 with two straight birdies on 8 and 9!

Getting ready for a BIG meeting tomorrow-meeting Attorney General Blumenthal in Hartford to discuss the HVCC issue in Ct. Stay tuned and I'll let you know what happens.

This past Friday I got to MC the installation of officers at the Eastern Ct, Association of REALTORS-very cool.

We're Back!

San Di ago was just awesome! What a place for a convention: great weather, really great networking with old friends and now some new friends, and realllllly great food!

The NAR Convention was as usual inspiring and thought provoking, but the best quote I heard in a speech all week came from the President of our new credit union! He said, "Many people say real estate will lead us out of this recession - but I say it will be the REALTORS that lead us out of this recession"! Here-here Tom Glatt, you are now the man!

There was so much discussed that I can't put it all in a blog, so if you would like me to come and speak at your office or Board just contact me so we can pick a date.

A special "THANKS" to all of you that stayed in touch while we were away...

BIG day at the Convention

We started the day with a walk around the harbor and the Midway aircraft carrier-AWESOME! Then we spent some time at the Expo where there was just so much to look at and learn about. We did order our new signs, they should be really great..



We then attended the General Session where each of the State's REALTORS of the Year were introduced, Nicole Dagata is such a wonderful representative for our state. Then we got to meet the "Good Neighbor Award" winners. How much people do for those less fortunate. The REALTOR family is so wonderful, how proud I am to be a small part of it.



President Charles McMillan wrapped up his year, and what a year he had, and what a wonderful representative he was for our organization. So many successes: we finally won a big victory, banks will be prohibited from ever entering the real estate business! With NAR's help the original $8000 tax credit was approved, and then as recently as a week ago we were able to not only get it extended through April 2010 but increased to others that have owned a home for 5 consecutive years. And the REALTORS Credit Union was started.



Finally our key note speaker Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State. She made me proud to be an American, her intelligence and eloquence of recalling stories of her years in the White House. Gosh, what a great President she would make! There were 8000 REALTORS in this large hall that gave several standing ovations.



Wish I had time to tell you more but it's off to another function and then get ready for our 8:00am National Board of Directors meeting.



Thanks to all that have sent comments back.

HVCC Discussion at the Convention

What a day at the convention, HVCC (Home Value Code of Conduct) is a HOT topic nationally and one that is impacting the value of properties and what banks will lend on. This all started in May 2009 as property values were in a spiral and banks were tightening qualifications to be granted a mortgage.



AMC's (Appraisal Management Companies) those companies that hire and assign the appraiser to do the job started sending appraisers into areas they are not geographically familiar with. This has created a nightmare for sellers driving prices down even further, for buyers because banks are unwilling to give the mortgage, for the REALTORS and originators. We in Fairfield County have seen many appraisers coming in from New Jersey thus creating even larger problems!



NAR has been working with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and FHA to workout a solution to this problem, one thought is to limit the distance an appraiser can travel to do a quality appraisal. This is a major problem !



After sitting in a meeting for 2 hrs with government representatives it's obvious the government reps just don't get it! They listened, gave poor responses to questions, said they would look into some of the problems that were raised-but it was still pretty obvious they are NOT in touch with reality....



Please keep watching here because in the future I will be giving you some ideas you all can do to help. Declining property values effect all of us. Abraham Lincoln said: "The Strenght of a nation lies in the homes of it's people"!



On another note, our new business cards arrived, wow! These cards are classy and beautiful and what a wonderful way to launch a new and dynamic real estate team.

At the Convention

What a day at the Convention! Committee Chair/Vice Chair luncheon and orientation, then off to Co-Chair the Mid State Forum with Chair Jaren Davis from Utah. What a great group we had who shared stories of issues, problems and successes from their various states. It's kinda funny, as much as you think your state is the only one with tax problems, budget deficits, politicians that can't make the right decision, appraisal issues, foreclosures, short sales and on and on - the reality is, many of the problems we face are the same.

I met some wonderful people today that shared so much, and the general feeling is with all the work of our association and many in Washington, the worst of this housing market is behind us!

When our session was over we got to hear from National President Charles MacMillion and CEO Dale Stinton, with all NAR has planned for the future. A new web site will be launched this week to help aid homeowners and consumers: www.houselogic.com

We are now off to the installation of next years leaders.

On our way!

37,000 feet in the air and on our way to San Diego for the National Association of REALTORS Convention. Wow what a thrill! Joe, Rich and Phyllis I hope the entire team can come next year. We have high expectations and are looking forward to a really great year ahead.

Watch for daily posts from the convention floor.

NAR Convention

This Thursday the NAR Convention and Conference starts in San Diego, 25,000 REALTORS from around the country will arrive for industry education and to see the latest in technology. Let's not forget, we will also be thanking or Legislators from around the country for extending and expanding the "home buyers credit".

I will be posting new blogs daily from the convention floor - stay tuned!

Conference call with Senator Chris Dodd

Today I was able to participate on a conference call with Senator Chris Dodd regarding the home buyers tax credit. As Chairman of the Banking Committee Senator Dodd has worked extremely hard to help first time home buyers. Senator Dodd gave us the good news, the $8000 first time home buyers tax credit will be extended until April 30, 2010. In addition, there will be a $6500 tax credit for those interested buyers that have lived in their homes for five consecutive years and are interested in moving up.

Also, the income limit to qualify for these programs has been increased to $125,000 for a single and $225,000 for a married couple. The Senator expects the President to sign this tomorrow so the program will remain continuous and seamless. This is great news for the economy and the housing market.

We welcome everyone to contact the Senators office and just tell his staff THANK YOU.

Tax Credit Extended!

Friday.
Senate leaders announced they have agreed to an extension of the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit through April 30. The popular credit, which has strong support from the National Association of REALTORS & Mortgage Bankers Association, is set to expire Nov. 30.
The CR, which keeps the federal government running through Dec. 18, passed the House on a 247-178. The Senate vote was 72-28.

Meanwhile, members of the Senate said they substantially reached an agreement on extending the first-time home buyer tax credit, adding it to a bill that would extend expiring unemployment benefits.

The amendment would extend the existing $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers and offer a new $6,500 credit for existing homeowners who have lived in their current residence for a consecutive five-year period within the past eight years. Under the amendment, home buyers would be required to be under contract by April 30 and close before July 1.

Ken DelVecchio, President of Ken DelVecchio and Associates and immediate Past President of The Connecticut Association of REALTORS said, "This is exactly the news we were all hoping for". "The housing industry has started a slow and fragil recovery, if this program was not extended I believe we would have seen the brakes put on regarding home buyers for many months to come"!

"AND YES, I really do think this is the best time to be a BUYER!"

Tax Credit Update!

We've heard from a lot of you this morning that saw news reports about the tax credit. The bottom line is that nothing has been voted on at this time. Here is today's update:
Senate leaders of both parties, key Senate Finance Committee members and staff, and the homebuyer tax credit sponsors Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT, and Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), have reached an agreement on extending and expanding the housing tax credit. However, right now, there is no agreement on how to attach this tax credit to the pending Unemployment Insurance bill, or whether to offer the tax credit agreement as an amendment to another bill, or whether to bring the agreement to the Senate floor and vote upon it as a separate, stand alone bill.
After Senate action - if passed - the legislation must still go to the House of Representatives for consideration. There are still a number of steps to take before anything is final. We will continue to keep you updated as we receive additional information.
In the meantime, please continue to encourage REALTORS to respond to the homebuyer tax credit Call for Action. Thank you for all the phone calls you're making - the Senate is hearing you loud and clear.

Ken DelVecchio & Associates meeting tonight

We had a dinner meeting tonight to discuss future plans for the team and our plans to be the most professional real estate team in Fairfield County. Many great thoughts for the future, but the really good news is we are all on the same page - money is never going to be the main motivator! Making sure the client is given the best possible service, with the most professional advise we can provide. whether it's tax advice, investing, staging or pricing we will be there for our clients in so many ways.

Stay tuned in to hear more about our future plans.

Extend The Tax Credit!

In just a few short weeks the $8000 tax credit will expire! Connecticut's two Senator's along with our Congressman believe the tax credit should be extended, but many in Congress feel it is costing the government too much money and it should truly end. This is BAD for a struggling economy that depends so much on the housing market, not just in Connecticut but throughout the country. Abraham Lincoln once said, "The strength of our nation lies in the HOMES of our people"!

So what can you do? Contact your Senator's and Congressman and let them know you care about our country and you believe as the housing market improves so will other economic indicators. Improved housing will help make us strong again, it will help put people back to work.

Ct. Magazine rates the towns!

November 2009 - the newest Ct. Magazine just came out today, Fairfield gets the BEST town to live in with a population of over 50K! Did you know we specialize in Fairfield?

First time home buyers, there's still time to take advantage of the $8000 tax credit!

Attorney General Blumenthal Speaks to REALTORS

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal spoke to the Greater Fairfield Board of REALTORS this morning in Fairfield. One issue that came about that is impacting the real estate industry in Connecticut is appraisals on the sale of properties, the issue is HVCC or Home Value Code of Conduct! We as REALTORS are finding appraisals of poor quality because the appraisers are not from the area, many are coming in from New Jersey!

Attorney General Blumenthal asked if we could set up a sub committee to work with him and his office to help work through this issue. Ken DelVecchio and Jeff Vangele have been appointed as co-chairman of this sub committee and are in the process of setting a meeting with the Attorney General.

We will keep you informed as this progresses.

CAR and Congressman Jim Himes Meet and Greet

President Ken DelVecchio and Rich Fatigate with Congressman Jim Himes. The meet and greet focused on issues surrounding Real Estate in Connecticut including the first time home buyer's tax credit.

Welcome to YourHomeFirst

Ken DelVecchio & Associates is taking Fairfield County Real Estate by storm. Our recently formed team features some of Fairfield County's most talented, innovative, experienced and exuberant members. Ken DelVecchio, our team leader, brings over 20 years of successful negotiation, advocacy, hard work and commitment to his clients. 2008 Connecticut Association of Realtors State President, 2007 Realtor of The Year in Connecticut-His consistent success and leadership qualities are the driving force behind this committed team.

Vice President Nannette Dujany-Fatigate, in over 13 years of experience, has prided herself in going above and beyond servicing her clients with hard work, integrity and care. Leading her team by example, Nannette works diligently to make sure that every transaction is handled professionally and successfully.

Chief Financial Officer Joe Braccia's versatility makes him a key member to this team. With a strong accounting background and real estate licence Joe offers financial expertise in both commercial and residential real estate. In the last 20 years Joe has worked side by side with some of the largest and most active developers and investors in Fairfield County. Joe provides endless advice and knowledge to his team and clients.

Chief Information Officer Rich Fatigate brings to the team cutting edge marketing, innovation and savvy technology skills. He is young, enthusiastic with an entrepreneur mindset and business background. Rich leads the team with the technology skill set that ensures clients stay ahead of the curve.

Welcome Everyone

We will soon be bringing you the latest news and information about real estate in Fairfield County...Stay Tuned!