In a world dominated by technology and information at our fingertips, we have become accustomed to searching the web for what we need, especially when it comes to our role as consumers. We’ve become comfortable skipping the stores and instead browsing websites or pictures online, and the same holds true for buying a home. So what kinds of sites are out there? Which should you use, and what information can you trust?

Realtor.com

This site is operated by the Official National Association of Realtors and has some of the most accurate and up-to-date information on home listings. Their database comes straight from the MLS (multiple listing service) every fifteen minutes. It also provides valuable information on home remodeling trends, how to find out what your home is worth if you are thinking of selling, and other resources in the world of real estate.

Zillow/Trulia

Zillow and Trulia are online real estate databases that allow you to custom search for the type of home you are interested in. They are the top sites for people to use when looking for homes, providing comprehensive search fields for you to sort by price, location, how many bedrooms/bathrooms, days it’s been listed, etc. There are some homes for sale by owner but most listings have a realtor to contact. Perhaps the best part is the amount of photos associated with each listing. Zillow rules the mobile world in terms of an accessible real estate database, while Trulia offers helpful information about local realtors. 

Craigslist:

Set up as an online “classified ad” website, you can look for just about anything you want on Craigslist, including homes. Believe it or not, Craigslist was a top search site for home sales before Trulia and Zillow came along, especially with foreclosed properties. While there are reputable listings by realtors, who are using the site as a second place to host their listing, you will find a lot of For Sale by Owner properties on Craigslist. You should be cautious of any listings without photos or minimal information and descriptions. 

So, if you are ready to start looking, why not try one of these sites. Keep in mind, however, that the information on them varies, and should be used as a “big picture” tool. When you want real numbers with detailed information, you are better off going to your broker’s website. Also remember that any realtor can show you any home, you do not necessarily need to contact the listing agent assigned to the property. 

By Day: Heather works in Norcom’s Closing Department reviewing titles, preparing closing packages, approving HUDS and ordering bank wires to fund mortgages. She works closely with attorneys, loan officers, paralegals, account executives and our broker partners. Heather thrives with the pressure of end-of-the-month closings. She likes the sense of urgency and the pressure motivates her to do her best. Heather is actually paralegal certified and says her favorite loans to close are FHA loans with seller credits and FHA 203K loans.

By Night: Heather puts the calculator away and bakes competitively in county fairs! Some of her award-winning confections were her 2012 cream cheese pound cake, which was the chosen statewide recipe among all CT fairs. It also won first place in the Wolcott Fair, which earned Heather an invitation to the Association of Connecticut State Fair banquet to compete on the state level. In 2013, her chocolate chip cookies took first place in the Wolcott fair. In addition to baking, Heather went to tech school for carpentry and enjoys woodworking. She also plays golf and participates in 5K runs. 

April and May are the months you should be preparing your garden for the upcoming season. The weather can be tricky. There are warm days and nights that make the soil perfect for planting, but unexpected frosts can still occur. By following these tips for your various plantings, you should have a beautiful garden in no time.

Garden and Yard

*Over the winter, leaves and debris gathers in drainage areas. Cleaning these out will ensure spring rains have adequate runoff and new seedlings will do better in soil that drains well. Early spring is the easiest time of year to clear drainage ditches due to low vegetation growth.

*Now is the time to pull out any weeds you see in your garden, since the roots are shallow. Cover any bare spots with mulch, around 3 to 4 inches deep, to minimize the growth of new weeds.

*Giving your lawn a good raking will get rid of dead growth and winter debris. This allows light and air to get to the soil, encouraging grass to grow. Any bare patches can benefit from a quick reseed. Combine the seeds with soil and spread evenly making sure to keep the spots well watered.

Trees and Plants

*Early spring is the time to prune trees and shrubs. Cut any dead perennial foliage from last season and prune unwanted branches. For fruit trees, be sure to prune well before buds begin to bloom to ensure a full crop.

*Right now, soil conditions are perfect for transplanting existing shrubs. Since soil is more consistently moist, new roots have a better shot at expanding.

Veggies and Flowers

*Don’t let planting days pass you by! Soil is ready for early spring vegetables like peas, spinach, lettuce and leeks. If you live in an area that has prolonged freezing temps, be sure to mulch early bulbs.

*Early spring plantings can be exposed to hard frosts. Cover any seedlings overnight with whatever you have; a bucket, box, or even large flower pots.

Regardless of your gardening experience, these tips provide a general overview of what you should be doing now to prepare for a plentiful season of plants, flowers and vegetables. Happy gardening! 

By Day: Damien is a Processor for Norcom’s Wholesale channel and is in charge of reviewing incoming good faith estimates for compliance and also handles all disclosures throughout the loan process. He works with our Account Executives and broker shops in reviewing the documentation and conditions in an effort to prepare the loan for underwriting.

By Night: Damien enjoys playing twilight baseball during the summers and fall for the New Haven Indians / CT Wolves. He also enjoys traveling and vacationing with his wife of 3 years, Jennifer. He’s a kid at heart and their favorite vacation spot is hands down, Disney World

This past weekend, Norcom sponsored the Simsbury Walk MS event at the Westminster school. As many as 25 of our employees participated in the walk in support of Angel Muniz, one of Norcom’s Loan Officers who suffers from MS himself. MS stands for multiple sclerosis, which is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. MS can be extremely debilitating, which is why we look up to Angel.

On Sunday, Angel participated in the West Hartford Walk MS Event, which is no easy feat for somebody with the disease. One of Angel’s co-workers perhaps put it best when she said Sunday was, “A wonderful day of willpower and strength. Angel does not have the word ‘no’ in his vocabulary! Five hours of incredible determination…thank you Angel for leading the pack!” Thank you to the National MS Society for putting together these events and to all our employees who participated at various locations. 

Angel Muniz with co-worker Dale Ruth