Glastonbury Homes:  Less is More

In Glastonbury, less is more.  You may be buying for the first time, downsizing or simply looking for a reasonably priced home in a great neighborhood.  What you will get in Glastonbury for the money may surprise you.  Maybe not.  The average price per square foot is around $159.  What you WILL get is loads of amenities for your dollar.   Glastonbury boasts great parks, beautiful orchards, horse farms and golf country clubs.  All of this does come at a price:  Expect to pay higher taxes as the mill rate is 29.65 %.  Meaning, if you love a home that’s priced at $350k, your taxes will be about $6,500. 

Believe it or not, you can live a happy life in a 2,000 square foot house.  I’m living proof.  We utilize every room, have less clutter and can maintain it ourselves.  No landscapers, no maid service equals even more money saved.   I enjoy hearing my children playing in the next room.  I like hearing my son practice piano while I make dinner.  It works for us. 

Small house?  No problem.  The most charming home I’ve ever visited in town was the home of a friend and was about 1200 sq. ft. but filled with warmth & style.  When I take buyers out, especially first time buyers, I try and remind them to focus on the mechanicals and big ticket items that affect a home’s efficiency.  Does the house have an updated furnace, newer central air, has the roof been replaced and most of all, are there quality replacement windows?  All of these factors are important to your bottom line….your wallet.

The McMansion has been shrinking since the peak in 2006 when the median plan for a new home was 2,259 square feet.  By 2009, it decreased again to 2,103 square feet.  People often get caught up in the glitz and glamour of a large show home but don’t utilize the space.  Do you really want to shell out big money every month just to heat your home? 

 In this time of energy efficiency and the green movement, let’s focus on living in a home that matches that mantra.  Energy efficiency is a hot trend that I hope continues, both here in Glastonbury and across the nation. 

People are coming to realize, not soon enough, let’s buy just what we need. 

Check out the book, “The Not So Big House” by Sarah Susanka to learn more about enjoying a smaller, more manageable home. 

For this and other helpful real estate information, please visit my website at eileenmazza.com