Valerie Osterhoudt's Blog

So many people are looking for a rent that will take a dog or cat... here you go. Centrally located in the state and in a desirable area.

Rental Properties... commune living?  As of late, I've been working more with rental properties and finding people rents in the Middlesex County of CT, than with the listing of homes or the working with buyers. 

A few weeks back, I received a call from a prospective renter.  During the conversation I was told that they were looking for a 3 bedroom rental, and that 6 people would be renting this property.

Since then I have received at least 4 more calls with people looking at the same scenario. The most recent was a husband and wife looking for a 3 or 4 bedroom rental.  This would be for them, their two children and her brother and girlfriend.

Another call came in where the renters would be a single mom, her two children and her parents.

These are tough times we are in, as we are all aware of. With short sales and foreclosed properties, and with people loosing their homes, they need some place to live.

When you have 6 people going in on a home rental for $2,500, it is less expensive than a single person looking at a rent at $900.00.

At present I have 2 bedroom townhouses, 3 bedroom townhouses, a home, and a few rentals in multi-family homes, in the Cromwell, CT and Middletown CT areas. With how things are going, I'm not sure they will last long.

Is this a sign of times to come, were people are now joining up to live together?  With all the technology and progress with have... are we reverting backwards to commune living?

WEEKLY TUESDAY TRIVIA QUESTION

Yes, it is Tuesday, and you know what this means... another segment of the Weekly Tuesday Trivia.  I must admit, I've been remiss, but hopefully I;m back on track.

This week's question is going to be on Nature.

All the best of luck... do NOT use the internet to answer the question... and I'll be back next Tuesday (giving enough time with everyones schedule) to answer this question.

This week's question is.....

What sea mammal's upper lip moves much like the trunk of an elephant?

 

***As always, please try to answer(s) this question without using the Internet. If you should, don't ruin the fun for others. Just take a guess, and I will follow up with the answer when I post next week's question***

It is drawing near the end of the day, Monday.. but it is never too late to be inspired.  Most of us in real estate, or for that matter any career or task we undertake will appreciate this.

 

Men's best successes come after their disappointments.

 

Author:  Henry Ward Beecher

 

This is one saying that I keep remembering when I go through tough times.  Hope this motivates you too.

PAY IT FORWARD... Brought neighbor to the hospital.  As most of you know, I live in Cromwell Hills, a condo complex in Cromwell CT.  There are over 520 units in all, but are broken out into courts.  This gives it a neighborhood type of feel.

This morning I was going out to dump the garbage when I noticed an ambulance in our court.  One of my neighbors was having troubles breathing... ended up being pneumonia.

Her roommate was upset, and rightfully so, both are not young (like who is anymore), and it was taking a toll on her. 

I offered to give her a ride to the hospital.  This way she didn't have to worry about driving, and maybe getting into an accident.  That would be all they need. 

I just got home a little while ago.  I realized on the way back in the car, that we learned more about each other today, and I'm grateful for that.  Maybe something good came out of something bad.

 

 

 

 

RENTAL PROPERTIES... In Central Connecticut.

Cromwell CT is in the center of the state of Connecticut, which makes it an ideal place to live.  Easy communting (for the most part) to the majority of the state.

Wondering how to get your foot-hold into this town?  Or perhaps you are looking for one of the surrounding towns of Berlin, Rocky Hill, Middletown, Berlin or Portland Connecticut?

I always say, start by renting.  This way you can find out about the area. 

It just so happens that as of today, I have 4 rentals available for immediate occupancy.. and another available as of October 1st. 

They range from a one bedroom with ALL utilities included, to a 2 bedroom townhouse condo.

Some are pet friendly and waiting for you to come take a look.  So, if you wish, please call me to schedule a viewing of one or more of these properties.

 

 

 

Power outages.. wonder how bad Connecticut is????

I'm sure there are people all over the country that are either worried or curious about how bad the northeast was hit by the *tropical* storm.

Here is a link via CL&P that will give you the statics as of Monday, August 29th at 5:29pm.  This is not a pretty picture.  I live in Cromwell CT, and we presently have 4,014 customers out of electricity, out of a total of 6,926 customers.  That is 57%.

What I would like to know, is if this was actually a hurricane of a category 1 or above, how would we have fared?  Let's take what we have learned from this storm, and put it to good use. 

The weather patterns are changing, and we need to take heed.

PAY IT FORWARD... Water, water everywhere.....  As most of you are aware, there is a hurricane (Irene) coming up the east coast.... hitting NC today, Friday.

I'm sure everyone is getting ready doing what they can.  Today, I've spent the day (only inside for a few minutes to get something cool to drink, and write this blog) then going around to see what I can do to help fellow neighbors in Cromwell Hills.  I've been removing items from balconies and patios for most of the day.

I'm going back out to help neighbors and fill containers with water.  Most stores are out of water, and I'm going around filling containers so no one is out of water *should* we loose electricity.

This is the time when we all need to help one another... let's all do our part to make the impact of this hurricane bearable.

If you live in Cromwell and need some help, please give me a call.  I'll try my best to assist you.

 

 

 

 

 

PAY IT FORWARD....  Let's go Swimming.....  As you may recall from previous *pay it forward* blogs, I've been helping out my son's best friend one way or another.  Well this week was no exception.

My son is on vacation this past week with his father...  and I love how quiet, and peaceful it has been here.  However on Friday this changed.

My son's friend called wanting to get together with him.  When I mentioned that he was away all with with his dad and would not be back until Sunday evening, he was discouraged.  He wanted to come over and play... and get out of his house.

I mentioned that I would be at the Cromwell Hills pool that day helping out, and if he wanted he could come over and enjoy the pool while I was there.  He thought this was great.  So, within a half hour he was at the pool splashing around.

Then he came home with me and I made him dinner, than brought him home. 

I might not have had a quiet evening at home that I was looking forward to, but neither did my son's friend, which is more important.

 

 

Available October 1st...