Make Way for Spring & Summer

A most anticipated action with the arrival of spring is to free yourself of cabin fever and finally emerge into the great outdoors.  Here is a great article c/o HGTV featuring inspired outdoor ideas.  Just click on the link below...

Dreamy Decks & Patios

Compass Real Estate Group, LLC

354 Pequot Avenue

Southport, CT  06890

(203) 255-7410

www.compassreg.com

Get The Most Out Of Your Job

Real Estate Professional Job Opening

 

After a very successful 2013, Compass Real Estate Group, LLC has grown and opened its doors in a new location of Southport,CT.  We are looking to expand even more by adding Licensed Real Estate Professionals to our organization.  Full-time and Part-time positions are available.

 

Requirements:

 

·         Licensed Real Estate Professional preferred, but willing to train the right person

·         Desire to work independently

·         Ability to work comfortably with buyers and sellers while showing properties, negotiating contracts, etc.

·         Strong work ethic with excellent communication skills

 

Benefits:

 

·         Generous commission

·         Flexible schedule

·         No desk fees

·         Supportive and energetic atmosphere

 

 

 

 

Join a company that is making its mark in the Real Estate community!

Contact us for more information:

 

Compass Real Estate Group, LLC

354 Pequot Avenue

Southport, CT  06890

 

(203) 255-7410

 

info@compassreg.com

 

And check us out at: www.compass-reg.com

Celebrate Victory

That's exactly what you should do when you land a home in a great spot.  Located on Victory Street, this north end Cape features 1366 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, living room, eat-in kitchen, full basement, 1 car garage, off-street parking and a fenced-in yard.  

Just steps from the Lake Forest area, this property offers a quiet neighborhood setting, yet is still convenient to major highways, restaurants, entertainment and shopping galore. $1,950/month

To schedule a viewing, contact:

Compass Real Estate Group, LLC

354 Pequot Avenue

Southport, CT  06890

(203) 255-7410

www.compassreg.com

Playroom, Wine Cellar or Movie Theater??

Recently posted on www.huffingtonpost.com, here are some innovative ideas that can take your basement to a new level...

The 19 Coolest Things To Do With A Basement

It's hard to see past the limitations of a basement. The space is often dark, damp and unfinished. But a few talented designers were able to see the potential. If we ever won the lottery, we might try one of these really awesome ideas.

Create A Giant Playhouse

Midcentury Kids by Grand Rapids Interior Designers & Decorators Mindi Freng Designs

Have The Bar Of Your Dreams

Craftsman Wine Cellar by Seattle Architects & Designers Board and Vellum

Make A Game Area

Traditional Family Room by Foxboro General Contractors Twin Peaks Construction, LLC

Create A Den

Eclectic Basement by Portland Interior Designers & Decorators Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc.

Two Words: Wine Cellar

Mediterranean Wine Cellar by Dallas Interior Designers & Decorators R Brant Design

Play Ping-Pong In Peace

Modern Basement by Chicago Photographers Cynthia Lynn Photography

Have A Nice Quiet Place To Watch TV

Contemporary Media Room by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Lizette Marie Interior Design

Create A Space To Store Your LEGO Collection

Craftsman Basement by Seattle Architects & Designers Board and Vellum

Make A "Loft"-Style Living Space

Modern Basement by Chevy Chase Architects & Designers Wentworth, Inc.

Add Tons Of Storage

Contemporary Basement by Washington Architects & Designers E/L STUDIO

Have An Indoor Hockey Match, Whenever You Want

Contemporary Basement by New York Interior Designers & Decorators Melanie Morris Design

Let The Kids Take Over

Traditional Basement by Greenwich General Contractors DeRosa Builders LLC

Or Let The Adults Take Over With A Brewery

Contemporary Basement by Ottawa Design-Build Firms Just Basements

Hold Band Practice 

Contemporary Basement by Salt Lake City Photographers Lucy Call

Add A Kitchenette

Contemporary Basement by Portland Design-Build Firms Mosaik Design & Remodeling

Make Your Own Art Studio

Eclectic Basement by Atlanta Design-Build Firms MOSAIC Group [Architects and Remodelers]

Create Your Own Sports Memorabilia Museum

Eclectic Basement by Scottsdale Interior Designers & Decorators VM Concept Interior Design Studio

Work Out Without Being Bothered

Contemporary Home Gym by Atlanta Architects & Designers Daniel M Martin, Architect LLC

Go For A Swim

Modern Pool by New York Pools & Spas Design by Guncast

(c/o Huffington Post)

Compass Real Estate Group, LLC
354 Pequot Avenue
Southport, CT 06890

(203) 255-7410
www.compass-reg.com

Why Can't I Sell My Home?

I remember stumbling across this blog a few months ago.  It's written by Julia Sweeten from hookedonhouses.net

Makes you wonder why some houses stay on the market for months, maybe years at a time...

6 Real Estate Photos 

That Have Me Baffled

by HOOKEDONHOUSES on SEPTEMBER 10, 2013

1. Does this listing photo from Key West make you want to kick up your feet by the pool and stay awhile…or just keep on walking to the next house?

2. Using a panoramic shot of the kitchen in this listing might not have been such a great idea…

3. Nothing sells a house faster than a close-up of a light fixture with a banana peel, right?

4. Liane Jamason came across this listing that boasts “a pool private enough so you can skinny dip” and “modern raspberry shag carpet” in the bedroom that includes a “50 Shades of Grey dancer pole and mirror on the ceiling with disco ball.”

So many questions. Since when do the words modern and raspberry shag carpet belong together? Why did they have to put the image in my head of the homeowners skinny dipping? And as Liane asks, what is Winnie the Pooh doing in the Shades of Gray bedroom, anyway? (Maybe we don’t want to know…)

5. They’re cleaning this For Sale By Owner in Albuquerque for you as we speak!

6. Maybe that woman could take that mop on over to this house in Asheville next?

by HOOKEDONHOUSES

So before taking the photos that are representing your home, 

keep these tips in mind:

On the Interior:

• Different rooms look best at different times of the day, so give yourself a day to take the pictures.
• Interior photos are best taken when shafts of light are coming through the windows; it creates a welcoming mood.
• Shoot rooms from an angle to make them appear larger.
• Get dynamic shots by capturing images at a low angle or with something in the foreground. 
• A photo should only contain two walls of the room; taking three walls creates a shoebox effect.
• Make sure window treatments are straight, blinds are drawn or consistent with other windows in the shot.
• If a room is empty, bring in a prop to give it a sense of scale. 
• If a room is full, tidy up clutter and position furniture so it doesn't mask the architectural features of the home.

On the Exterior:

• Keep the sun behind you, shining on the front of the home.
• If there are heavy shadows from trees, take the photo on an overcast day.
• When using a wide-angle lens, take exterior photos from a ladder or the top of your car.
• Be sure to remove garbage cans, cars, decorations, or any other clutter in the yard.

Happy Selling!

Compass Real Estate Group, LLC

354 Pequot Avenue

Southport, CT  06890

(203) 255-7410

www.compass-reg.com

Standing Out In The Crowd

The real estate market, especially in Fairfield County, CT, is exceptionally competitive.  With so many traditional "big box" companies, it's hard for the smaller independent firms to stand out in the crowd.  So how do you know if you should choose a big box agency or small real estate firm to help you buy or sell your home?

The majority of the time, a real estate union happens like this...

• You make the decision to buy a home.  
• You start scouring the real estate section of the paper or spend hours scrolling through countless real estate websites.  
• You finally find your dream home and dial up the agent who's representing it, only to find that the home you spent hours searching for is now pending a sale.  
• However, by making that connection, you now have a real estate agency who has found a potential buyer. 
• A relationship is formed and a contract is signed.

Let's face it, most of the time, the home you see in the newspaper is not the one you end up buying. So the most important thing to do before venturing out in the real estate market is to select the right agency.

Call me partial, but I've seen what goes on behind the scenes of a smaller agency, and I know many of our clients enjoy the individual experience they get from working with a boutique firm.  

Our agents are natives of the area; they know the ins and outs of each neighborhood and have connections galore.  They know that word of mouth and reputation count, so they're conscientious to give each person the attention they require, which is why the majority of our business comes from referrals of satisfied clients.

But to be fair, I've listed the pros and cons of both Big Box and Small Firms (c/o Colin Ryan for the Placester Real Estate Marketing Academy)...

"Independent real estate firms come in all shapes and sizes. Some have only a couple agents, while others have multiple offices. Nevertheless, because they don’t have to answer to tyrannical corporate policy, independent brokers are often more adaptable and give agents more direct input on policies and programs. Since they’re founded locally, independent companies also have a local authority, with a reputation for offering a more personal touch and deep knowledge of the area."

Compass Real Estate Group, LLC

354 Pequot Avenue

Southport, CT  06890

(203) 255-7410

www.compass-reg.com

Celebrate the New Year Here...

Talk about a fresh start for the new year... This beautiful ranch style home in Easton has recently been the lucky recipient of a complete renovation.  Located in a quiet neighborhood and just minutes from the Merritt Parkway, this home is packed with many desirable features.  $707,000

As the new owner of this home, you'll appreciate that all the exterior features have been completely updated, including a new roof, new siding, new windows, new stone walkway, and a recently paved driveway.  The exterior also features a 2 car attached garage and a deck overlooking 1 acre of level yard and trees.

On the interior, you'll enjoy an open floor plan with approximately 2,800 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a living room with fireplace, dining room, a large gourmet eat-in-kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops and viking range, hardwood floors throughout and a full basement.  

The newest additions to the home are a family room with vaulted ceilings and fireplace, bedrooms that showcase the design expertise of California Closets, and a new central air system.

 To find out more about this amazing property, contact:

Chris Constand
203.545.8242

Compass Real Estate Group, LLC

203.255.7410

www.compass-reg.com