About John Cummings

Professional Specialty

My last edit responded to when the market's exuberance would begin to normalize. There are two major influences, interest rates and inventory. We are in a market of low inventory and high interest rates. State wide sales volume this past year is 25%+ below last year. Increasing interest rates gives the buyer less buying power. If you have a pre qualification you may want to check with your lender to see if your circumstances have changed. If you don't have a lender, we have Raveis Mortgage and can pre qualify you. I've been monitoring the overall market trending in my appraisal practice. The days on market are short and offers sometimes exceed the list price. Multiple offers are not uncommon. In addition to being your real estate agent I am also an independent Certified Real Estate Appraiser. If you're buying or selling call me and we'll develop a stategy. My competitive market approach (CMA) is influenced by my appraisal experience and knowledge of the market. You needs to know what your property is worth to make intelligent decisions. Likewise you need to know that you're not over paying. Many of the sales I've appraised this season have exceeded the list price, and the appraisal value, calling on the buyer to bring more cash to the sale. I can't guarantee that scenario will continue. In fact I expect this market to slow, now that interest rate have risen. You can ask me about your property anytime. Please text or call me at 203 558 5423 No obligation. My profile: The majority of my adult life has been spent in residential real estate, one form or another, often overlapping. After college in the 70s I joined a residential building crew as a laborer and worked up to lead carpenter. Soon had my own carpentry contracting business and built homes. Do to many requests I opened a home inspector firm in the 80's and 90's and eventually taught professional re-licensing classes to realtor, focusing on home inspection. Licensed as a realtor in 1979. The past 3 decades have been spent as a Certified Real Estate Appraiser owning my own appraisal firm, Cummings Appraisal Service. I stopped counting how many homes I've appraised after 5,000. My life experience has been in building the real estate skills necessary for knowing how to professionally represent your real estate needs, consult on your real estate or investment planning to reach successful transactions. I have also represented numerous assessment appeals throughout Connecticut. I perform probate "as of" date appraisals, divorce and portfolio valuations. I am also an expert witness for court testimony on property valuation issues.

Professional Association

Facebook Business Page. John Cummings Home Center

Education

The University of Hartford provided my first college experience and have attended continuing education as new challenges and opportunities have occurred. Completed course studies for Real Estate Sales and for Certification as a Residential Real Estate Appraiser as well as all continuing education to maintain licensing and certification. Certified Home Ownership Professional through William Raveis Real Estate. This gives me the working knowledge to guide you through the most recent selling and purchase processes to make the home buying process as smooth as possible. We are continually updating our technology and tools.

Achievements

All my adult life has been working in and succeeding in many different aspects of real estate. Built several homes and additions throughout our market area. Volunteer achievements include having served as Trustee on the Greater Waterbury Habitat for Humanity Board. Trustee for my Church. Co-founded and served as first President of the Board of Trustees of Boys to Men New England Mentoring Network, BTMNE.org. I enjoy contributing to my community in a voluntary leadership position. Was an elected member of the Middlebury Assessment Appeal Board.

Community Involvement

Served two years 97-98 as an elected member of the Assessment Appeal Board in Middlebury Ct. Since then, as a Certified Real Estate Appraiser and owner of Cummings Appraisal Service, performed numerous assessment appeals throughout Connecticut for private clients. Board member of the Greater Waterbury Habitat for Humanity and provided assessment appeals on the properties owned by the local Habitat Chapter. Also contributing to designing for highest and best use of assets. Specialized on issues related to the negative affect on value due to Running Bamboo/Yellow Grove Bamboo. This is a fast spreading invasive species that's very destructive if left unattended. I consult on out of state cases and perform assessment appeals in state.

Experience

After college in the 70s joined the carpentry trade and self taught designing and construction of new homes and additions. Worked with Neighborhood Housing Service of Waterbury 1980-1985. I was responsible for client intake, designing and writing specification that meet client needs, local building and zoning requirements and financing for low income housing and prepared bidding documents. Estimated financial needs and made project presentations to various loan committees. Home Inspector for real estate transactions. Instructor for continuing education for real estate professionals with a focus on home inspection. Certified Real Estate Appraiser in the State of Connecticut to the present. Experience covering the last 3 decades with over 5,000 homes appraised. My accumulated experience and background lends well to providing the best real estate experience for my client. Along with the support of William Raveis Real Estate and it's network of offices throughout New England, New York, New Jersey and Florida I am prepared to represent your real estate transaction.

Personal

I live in my market area along the I-84 corridor. Enjoy an easy round of golf, classical piano and volunteering. My approach to real estate is to build relationships first and business will follow. Each buyer and seller comes with their own needs. One need is having someone who knows the market and real estate processes.

Areas Covered

As an active independent Certified Real Estate Appraiser (not part of William Raveis Real Estate) I travel far and wide throughout the state, predominately covering Western Connecticut. I know these markets well having owned my own appraisal firm for the past 3 decades. My market knowledge is strong in the I-84 corridor and the adjacent towns in New Haven, Litchfield, Hartford and Fairfield Counties. Throughout Western CT markets, I can efficiently bring my unique knowledge of real estate to your service, whether as your selling and/or buying agent. My acquired market skills are at you service. One important issue when developing a market strategy for selling your home or in purchasing a new home is, will it appraise?

Niche Marketing

My background as a real estate appraiser, builder/remodeler and home inspector provides a working knowledge available to my client. I've worked with multi family properties in urban centers to Antique properties with acreage in the Litchfield Hills. Having appraised more then 5,000 homes in Western Connecticut my experience covers multiple niches. My vision and preference is to work with families because their real estate investment is likely their greatest personal investment. I want to make that a positive experience. My knowledge of zoning and conforming uses, condominiums and declarations, water community properties and PUDs (Planned Urban Developments) and home owner associations, large gentleman farms and multi million dollar properties reflects a body of experience that covers many real estate niches. See my testimonials. ************ I have an edge few Realtors enjoy. I know the appraisal process and how limiting it can be because it's based on historic data. I know how Realtors do a lot of price guessing in order to get the highest and best return on a property and to get the listing. I have feet in both world. Due to the training William Raveis has provided me, coupled with my appraisal experience, I have the edge to work for the highest and best sale price, that will appraise and close. Price thresholds need to be challenged, yet not so much no one will show your property and that the final negotiated sale price will appraise.