Newsweek Ranks Ridgefield High School No. 151 Nationally

The fourth best public high school in Connecticut and the 151st best public high school in the entire country.

Those were the honors Newsweek bestowed on Ridgefield High School Thursday morning when it released its annual America’s Top High Schools list for 2016.

The Tigers finished with a college readiness score of 80.6 and a graduation rate of 98.2%, with 90.1% of Ridgefield students heading to college after receiving their diplomas in June.

Some of the other information that Newsweek posted in its ranking for Ridgefield High School includes:

Student Retention: 99%
SAT/ACT Composite Score: 58.5
Avg. SAT Score: 1724
Avg. ACT Score: 26
AP/IB/Dual Enrollment Composite: 78.1
Avg. AP Score: 91.2
Dual Enrollment Participation: 4.5

RHS finished behind Weston High School (No. 39), Wilton High School (No. 56), and Avon High School (No. 116) in the state rankings.

Below the Tigers on the list of Connecticut schools were East Lyme High School (No. 224), Haddam-Killingworth High School (No. 277), and Farmington High School (No. 286).

The list included 500 national public high school scattered across America. A total of 16 Connecticut schools made the list.

Last year, Weston cracked Newsweek’s top 100 at No. 47 and Staples High School in Westport finished No. 63.

Fast forward to 2016, and Staples did not make it onto the top 500 list.

According to the Newsweek list, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia is the top public high school in the country.

Rounding out the top five are: the Academy for Math, Science and Engineering in New Jersey, Stuyvesant High School in New York, Union County Magnet High School in New Jersey, and The Early College at Guilford in North Carolina.

See the total list of the Best High Schools In America or read about how the ranking was determined in the full Newsweek Report.

Source: The Ridgefield Press

Ridgefield Market Report : Mid Year Review 2016

Holding Steady

Coming off a mild winter, we were anticipating a better than average Spring Market and unit sales were actually up 9% over the same period last year. While the median sales price remained somewhat flat, the average price for a single family home experienced a 4.3% increase.

News of GE moving its headquarters out of nearby Fairfield, CT was disappointing, but has not had a negative effect on the property values here in Ridgefield. Fairfield County continues to be one of the most desirable regions in the tri-state area to live, and Ridgefield in particular continues to offer great value with the award-winning schools, vibrant downtown, numerous cultural destinations, strong community presence, beautiful landscapes, amazing quality of life and a reputation as of being one of the safest towns in the US.

Supply and demand will continue to drive the market. Most of our growth occurred in the under $1 million segment, but we did experience a small increase in units sold in the upper segments as well. We saw more demand in the $600,000- $800,000 segment outpacing the inventory available during the spring market. At the same time, inventory grew in the luxury segment, where demand was not as high. It remains a buyers market, which keeps raising the bar in terms of expectations. Buyers respond favorably to properties that reflect the latest design trends, are in “turn-key” condition and are priced properly, therefore portraying good value.

Looking Ahead

Another strong indicator of a healthy market is the number and value of pending sales. As of July 1st – based on the number of properties already in contract and under deposit – we have the potential to sell an additional 100 properties before Labor Day. This should keep us on track until the end of the year – and at a minimum – it will keep us on par with 2015. The fourth quarter is a bit tricky to predict considering the upcoming Presidential Election and the mitigating economic factors such as Brexit and other international influences. With interest rates still historically low, we should see serious buyers strongly seeking out the best value.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT HERE

What to Expect From a Home Inspection

A home inspection is a lot like a test-driving a new car, only better. Instead of just punching the accelerator and a few dash buttons to see what they do, during a home inspection you’ll have a knowledgeable professional along with you, pointing out details and potential problems you might not notice otherwise.A thorough home inspection when you’re buying a house can save you thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs — or from unwittingly buying a money pit.

What a home inspector does

A home inspector will take two to three hours or more completing a detailed walk-through of the home you’re looking to buy. It’s a top-to-bottom review of the physical structure, as well as its mechanical and electrical systems — including roof, ceilings, walls, floors, windows and doors. The inspector will check that major appliances are functional, scrutinize the heating and air-conditioning system, examine the plumbing and electrical systems and crawl up into the attic and down into the basement.

All the while, the inspector will be taking notes and pictures and, if you’re tagging along, commenting on what he sees. Most importantly, the inspector will provide an objective opinion on the home’s condition, detached from the emotional roller coaster you’ve been on during the entire homebuying process.

What a home inspector doesn’t do

A home inspection is a general checkup, not an X-ray exam. Although inspectors should have a keen eye for detail, they won’t be able to detect the unseen. That means hidden pests, asbestos, and mold or other potentially hazardous substances might go unnoticed. Those sort of issues can require specialized evaluations, perhaps even a geologist or structural engineer.

An inspector might have a thought or two on child safety issues found in the home, but again, that depends on the inspector’s experience and competencies. And a home inspector doesn’t necessarily determine whether your home is compliant with local building codes.

The goal of the inspection is to uncover issues with the home itself. Inspectors won’t tell you if you’re getting a good deal on the home or offer an opinion on the sale price.

An inspection is not a pass/fail exam. But you’ll learn much about your potential new home and gain confidence in the decision to move into your new address — or find out enough to pass on the purchase.

The home inspection report

A good home inspection report is extensive, containing checklists, summaries, photographs and notes. It will estimate the remaining useful life of major systems and equipment, as well as that of the roof, structure, paint and finishes. The critical information you will gain will include recommended repairs and replacements, too.

Ask any potential inspector for samples of prior reports and note whether they’re simply completed checklists or extensive reviews. That way you’ll know whether you’re paying for a stapled 10-page report or for a three-ring binder of detailed information. Home inspections aren’t cheap; they can cost $300 to $500 or more, so you want to be sure you’re getting what you pay for.

How to find a home inspector

Home inspectors aren’t federally regulated, and they’re not even licensed in all states. You’ll need to seek out recommendations. Friends and work colleagues may have some good names to share.

You can also search the databases of professional associations, such as the National Association of Home Inspectors, the American Society of Home Inspectors and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. Such organizations usually require members to pass an exam, honor a code of ethics and complete continuing education.

It’s a best practice to interview candidates before making a decision. That’s when you can find out about experience, training and areas of expertise. For example, if you’re considering a fixer-upper or looking at an older home, you’ll want an inspector who has expertise and knowledge regarding renovations of historic structures. In some areas, home inspectors are affiliated with the state real estate commission and must be licensed and comply with state regulations and procedures.
And get references from prior clients, especially homeowners who have been in their home for at least six months. That way you can determine whether any issues popped up that were unreported in their inspection.

Be a part of the process

It’s a good idea to join the inspector on his home tour. You don’t have to climb into the attic with him or crawl under the porch, but follow along where you can and take notes. He may make some great home improvement suggestions along the way — as well as point out peculiarities and unique features.

Although inspections can turn up serious defects, every house will have its imperfections. You might choose to think of many of these as simply endearing beauty marks.

**This article originally appeared on NerdWallet.

Ridgefield’s Very Wet Run Like A Mother 2016

I was so proud to once again host “Murtaugh’s Motivation Station’ at the Ridgefield 2016 Run Like A Mother event. Even though we braved the rain – it was fun to see all the mothers and their kids come out to run and celebrate!

According to the Ridgefield Daily Voice, 1,130 runners braved the chilly rain to finish the 5K race.Maria Lauretani of New York won the race in 19:36, followed by Ridgefield’s Kristen Lecompte and Jenna Mesgian.

Run Like A Mother was founded by Ridgefield resident Megan Searfoss. The event includes events in Texas, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Arizona and Minnesota. The mission of Run Like a Mother is to fuel a woman’s journey toward health and wellness, empower with education and training programs and inspire with communities, events and races. Races are held on Mother’s Day weekend each year as part of the series.

As a sponsor, I look forward to this event all year – let’s just hope that 2017 brings sunnier skies!

Ridgefield Market Report for April 2016

Overall, April 2016 was a good month for Ridgefield real estate. The large number of properties opening escrow, along with the increase in the number of closed sales and the low inventory levels mean properties are definitely selling. Unfortunately, the median sales price still lags behind that of last year’s market. Hopefully, increasing demand for properties priced well and in good condition will drive market prices up.

MEDIAN SALES PRICE and CLOSED SALES
For April, the number of closed sales was up 33.3% at 24 compared to 18 last year, and we are up 19.7% overall in the year-to-date with 79 properties sold compared to 66 at the same time in 2015. Unfortunately, the median sales price for April continues to lag behind the same time last year at $658,500 in 2016, compared to $750,000 in 2015. Overall, in the year-to-date, the median sales price is down 10.2% over the same time last year.

PROPERTIES UNDER CONTRACT
We continue to see a strong spring selling season with 66 properties going under contract in April, compared to only 32 during the same time last year. Overall the spring market is up 55.2% compared to the same time in 2015 with 135 properties in escrow compared to 87 last year.

DAYS ON MARKET and INVENTORY
The number of days on market decreased from 260 to 153 in April, 2016. Overall, the days on market has stayed relatively the same as during the same time period last year. Months supply of inventory is only 6.6 months compared to 13.1 months at this time last year, indicating a strong market.

See a full graphical analysis of Ridgefield’s April 2016 real estate market report, and take advantage of my complimentary Comparative Market Analysis to find out what your home’s worth.

For a breakdown of the Ridgefield Real Estate Market by price, view the April 2016 price snapshot.

http://108.179.243.173/~d5o7l0g4/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/April-2016-stats.pdf

* All data taken from Greater Fairfield County CMLS as of 05/01/2016

Neumann Posts Largest Brokered Sale in Redding History

NEUMANN REAL ESTATE AND CHRISTIES INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE SELL
‘DEER RUN’ FOR $13.6 MILLION

Deer Run, located at 26 Giles Hill Road in Redding, CT, was sold for $13.6 million to a family from Manhattan, NY on March 17, 2016 by real estate agents Jane Tullo and Karla Murtaugh of boutique brokerage Neumann Real Estate in Ridgefield, CT. The property was listed for sale by Tullo and Murtaugh, in conjunction with David Ogilvy of David Ogilvy & Associates of Greenwich, CT, and offered a sprawling 16,000 square foot manor home and just over 300 acres of pristine contiguous land including a 7 acre lake, fishing pond, a boathouse, miles of riding and hiking trails, and lush fields. It is the largest contiguous parcel of privately-owned land in Fairfield County. Neumann Real Estate represents nine area towns as the exclusive Affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate, the world’s leading luxury real estate network

“Our company was honored to represent such an extraordinary property and I was pleased to assist our team and be an integral part of its sale. After months of negotiation, Deer Run now has a new owner, “ says Russ Neumann, broker and partner at Neumann Real Estate. “This deal represents the best in a real estate transaction and the commitment and cooperation amongst brokerages, agents and attorneys to bring it to completion was commendable. Jane Tullo and Karla Murtaugh did such a wonderful job of marketing the property both locally and nationally, and with Christie’s as our partner internationally, we knew we would attract the right buyer.”

“This was the perfect opportunity for someone who values privacy over all else,” says Tullo, “The scenic, unspoiled land is a nature lover’s paradise.”

“It is extremely rare to find such a spectacular, expansive setting in such close proximity to New York City. Deer Run offers a wonderfully sophisticated lifestyle for the family who has an appreciation of natural beauty, but prefers to live under the radar,” continued Murtaugh.

Located in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains just over an hour from Manhattan, the grand estate features a striking stone and shingle Manor house. With seven bedrooms and spanning 16,000 square feet, the home blends a relaxed ambience with grand architecture. A veritable outdoor paradise, seven trails lace the grounds, imparting abundant opportunities for hunting, fishing, bird-watching, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and hiking. On the northeastern side of the property, Mirror Lake is large enough to canoe or boat on, and its crystal-clear waters are perfect for swimming. A boathouse with a 15-foot deck, a ramp, and a dock rests beside the lake. Miles of riding trails begin at the barn, while an apple orchard and bountiful fields framed by fieldstone walls also adorn the grounds. Indoor and outdoor heated pools, a tennis court, a gymnasium with an indoor basketball, and a billiards room, afford additional recreational diversions. Sequestered above the four-car garage, a private one-bedroom guest apartment is ideal as a caretaker’s wing or a studio.

About Neumann Real Estate

Founded in 1969 by Harry & Lorraine Neumann, the company has two locations, in Ridgefield and New Fairfield, CT. Today, the business is owned and operated by the second generation – Chip, Russ, Jeff, Bob & Shaylene Neumann. Neumann Real Estate’s service area includes all of mid/northern Fairfield County, southern Litchfield County and Westchester County, NY. The company represents both buyers and sellers, and tenants and landlords in all aspects of the real estate transaction and also handles much of the corporate relocation business for many area companies. With more than 30 active agents, Neumann Real Estate has excelled to become the dominant real estate firm in the area.

About Christie’s International Real Estate

Christie’s International Real Estate is an invitation-only affiliate network composed of the world’s most proven and qualified real estate specialists in the luxury residential sector. The company has offices in London, New York, Hong Kong, Beverly Hills, Chicago, and Palm Beach, and approximately 135 global affiliates with 25,000 real estate professionals in 45 countries. For additional information about Christie’s International Real Estate, please visit www.christiesrealestate.com.

4 Home-Related Tax Deductions You Shouldn’t Overlook

Tax season is upon us, and if you’re a homeowner, you can claim some sizable deductions that may help reduce the amount you’ll owe.

Mortgage interest, property taxes and mortgage insurance premiums are just some of the deductions you can take if you have a mortgage on your home. Together, they can add up to thousands of dollars in savings on your tax bill.

Mortgage interest

Home mortgages are structured so that a huge chunk of each payment you make in the initial years of ownership goes toward paying down the interest on your loan and only a little goes toward the principal. The good news is that you can deduct the interest payments on your primary (and sometimes a secondary) residence — up to $1 million (or $500,000 if you’re married and filing separately).

Most homeowners count this as one of the largest deductions on their tax bill each year. It applies to home purchases and mortgage refinances, home equity lines of credit and home equity loans, sometimes called second mortgages. The deductible interest on home equity debt — regardless of how you used the money you pulled out — applies to loans of $100,000 or less throughout the year (or $50,000 if you are married and filing separately).
This deduction, filed with IRS Form 1098, can add up to thousands of dollars for most homeowners. The benefit: It reduces your taxable income so you don’t owe as much come tax time.

The key to taking advantage of the mortgage interest deduction is itemizing your deductions in meticulous detail, Poulos says. Your lender will send you a statement each year to let you know how much interest you paid; that will help you figure out if it’s worth your while to itemize.

Points

If you bought a home in 2015, there’s another deduction (score!) you get to include on your tax bill: mortgage points. Most borrowers pay for points, which come in two forms: discount points, which allow you to prepay some of your loan interest in exchange for a better mortgage rate; and the loan origination fee. One point is equal to 1% of your loan amount. Many homeowners completely overlook this deduction, Poulos says.
Let’s say you bought a home in New York using a $500,000 loan with a 1% origination fee. That’s $5,000 you can itemize as a deduction on your tax bill, and you want to get credit for each and every dollar you spent.

Your lender should provide you with a copy of your settlement statement, with the loan origination fee and discount points listed on it, in January. If you don’t receive a copy, ask for one and verify that this information is listed on it so you can take advantage of the deduction on Form 1098.

Property taxes

Another perk of homeownership is writing off your annual property taxes. You get to deduct these taxes in the year they’re paid, not the year they were due.

Your county’s property assessor’s office typically sends out a statement at the beginning of the year showing the amount of your property taxes. One more thing to keep in mind: If you bought a home and reimbursed the sellers for taxes they had already paid for the year, you’ll see that reflected on your settlement statement, not on your 1098.

Mortgage insurance

If your down payment was less than 20% of your home’s purchase price, you’re likely paying a mortgage insurance premium. Through the end of 2016, the mortgage insurance premium deduction includes policies provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Federal Housing Administration and the Rural Housing Service, as well as private mortgage insurance from conventional lenders, issued after 2006.

The IRS treats your mortgage insurance premium payment as mortgage interest that you can deduct on Schedule A of Form 1040. Although the overall amount of your premium can be counted as an interest deduction, it phases out for high-income earners, Poulos says. For instance, you can’t deduct your mortgage insurance premium if you earn an adjusted gross income of more than $109,000 (or more than $54,500 for married couples filing separately).

Items you can’t deduct

Sure, you get some pretty sweet deductions as a member of the homeowners club, but there are some exceptions. Here are a few real-estate-related costs you can’t deduct:

Home and title insurance coverage (other than mortgage insurance premiums)
Depreciation
Utilities, such as gas, electricity and water
Most settlement costs (other than points)
Forfeited deposits, down payments or earnest money
Home improvements paid via a private loan, cash or credit card
Homeowners association fees
Transfer taxes (stamp taxes) in a personal home sale

Check out the IRS list of special situations and other nondeductible items related to homeownership.

Bottom line

One of the major benefits of owning your home has always been the tax write-offs that come with the package. Keep in mind, though, that if your itemized deductions don’t add up to as much as the standard deduction you’re eligible for, the standard deduction would be the better way to go.

If you have a complicated tax situation or you’re unsure about certain real-estate-related deductions, it’s a good idea to consult with a licensed tax professional for guidance. You don’t want to miss out on deductions that will lower your tax burden and keep more money in your pocket.

Homeownership can have some pain points along the way, but the tax benefits you reap help make the largest investment of your life pay off in the long run.

*This article has been edited. Original article appears on NerdWallet

Ridgefield Market Report For January 2016

January 2016 was a solid month for Ridgefield real estate, with the median sales price staying relatively constant and the number of properties going under contract increasing 83% over January last year. Inventory is down, and homes are spending less days on average on the market than the same time last year.

MEDIAN SALES PRICE and CLOSED SALES
The median sales price for January 2016 was $585,000, which represents a decrease of 5.6% when compared to January 2015. The number of closed sales was also down from 18 in 2015 to 14 during January this year.

PROPERTIES UNDER CONTRACT
Despite the fact that the number of closed sales was down, the number of properties that entered escrow this month rose by 83% with 33 properties going under contract compared to 18 in January last year.

DAYS ON MARKET and INVENTORY
The average days on market was down to only 100 days this month – a decrease of 18.7%. Last year, a house spent an average of 123 days on the market before selling. The months of supply of inventory has also decreased from 15.9 months in 2015 to only 8.5 months in January this year.

NEW PROPERTIES FOR SALE
There was a small decrease in the number of homes listed for sale in Ridgefield this month compared to January 2015. 42 homes were listed new, compared to 49 last year, representing a decrease of 14.3%

For a full graphical analysis of Ridgefield’s January 2016 real estate market,click here. You can also take advantage of my complimentary Comparative Market Analysis to find out what your home’s worth.

January 2016 price snapshot

http://108.179.243.173/~d5o7l0g4/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Jan-2016-stats.pdf

* All data taken from Greater Fairfield County CMLS as of 01/31/16

Ridgefield Market Report : Year In Review 2015

Staying The Course

When reviewing the 2015 sales results, one can interpret that the real estate market is flat when compared to 2014. I think that is an accurate statement, but it is also safe to say that we are staying the course when it comes to market stabilization, avoiding the large swings in value or unit sales seen in previous years. Essentially, Ridgefield real estate sales showed 100 more homes sold than in 2009, and only 9 less than in 2014. In both 2014 and 2015 we did not experience a traditional spring market surge, partly due to the severe and extended winter weather, and consumer confidence still seems to be the driver in bringing buyers to the market. Observationally, when analyzing sales by price point, the typically consistent $1.5- $1.75 million struggled in 2015. Conversely, we had a nice uptick in the $2 million and higher category.

The Power Of Proper Pricing

Pricing your home properly from the start is one of the key factors in achieving the best possible outcome for sale. Buyers are savvy and intuitive and can easily determine if they need to act quickly or wait to see if a price adjustment is imminent. We are not seeing many low ball offers, therefore do not feel like you need to build in a cushion. An equally important factor is making sure that your home is “turn-key”. Focus on a few important rooms. For example, if you are a few years away from listing your home for sale and feel that your kitchen is in need of some updating – don’t wait! If at all possible – do the updates now, and enjoy living with them until you are ready to sell.

No Longer A Wild Ride

Since 2013, the Ridgefield real estate market has been steady in both price and unit sales. Fairfield County as a whole has experienced that same stability. Moving into 2016, I see a trend of increasing consumer confidence that real estate is once again a stable investment.