Richard Binns, Coldwell Banker Realty

No one has provided a clear explanation for the common honeybee behavior known as washboarding, where bees rhythmically scrape the hive's surface. I noticed one of my hives engaging in this curious activity today.

2 new items by Richard Binns

3 Important Aspects of the Purchase Agreement So, it's finally happened: you've found the home you want to purchase. The next step in the process is to decide how much you want to pay for it and get a signed offer to purchase to the seller. While every single line in the purchase agreement is important, some are more critical to understand befo...

2 Tips for the Luxury Home Buyer If terms such as Art Deco, Italianate, Federal colonial and mid-century modern are floating around in your head, the chances are good that you're considering purchasing a luxury home. Knowing the fine points of architectural styles is one thing, understanding the differences between the luxury home....

Your Offer is Accepted! Now What? (Part 3) In part 2 we looked at the contingencies in your offer to purchase and broke down those that are most common. When the last contingency is removed, you are fully obligated to go through with the purchase. From here on, you have only two final tasks: order a homeowner's insurance policy and take a fi...

Your Offer is Accepted! Now What? (Part 2) In part 1, we looked at what happens immediately after the seller accepts your contract to purchase. In part 2, we'll cover contingencies ― those tasks you must complete according to the contract's stated timelines. Contingencies Remember all those deadlines we set for you when I assisted you with...

Your Offer is Accepted! Now What? (Part 1) The most anxious part of the process is over when we get word that the seller has accepted your offer. Oh, there's still work to be done and time constraints, but at least at this point we know you're ever closer to owning that house. Since there is so much to do from the time the seller accepts to....

The Home-Buying Wish List What happens when you go to the grocery store on an empty stomach and without a list? You impulse shop, right? Your stomach takes control of the outing and whatever looks good at the moment ends up in the shopping cart – whether it's something you need or not. Lists are the road map for a shopping...

Finding your Ideal Neighborhood Every other year, the Census Bureau conducts the American Housing Survey. The most recent study finds that the two most popular reasons for choosing a certain neighborhood are how it's laid out and its proximity to work. What about you? What are your hot buttons? It helps both of us if you're clear....

Who Pays for Pest Inspections for FHA Loans? Evidence of termites and other wood-destroying pests can bring a home sale transaction to an abrupt halt. These pests typically go undetected for long periods of time and can undermine the structure of a house so homebuyers are justifiably anxious to have the home inspected before closing on the pur...

HOA? Beware the Rules and Regulations! If you've never purchased a home in a managed community ('managed' as in overseen by a homeowner association or HOA), you probably have no idea what will be included in the package of HOA documents you'll be receiving. That's ok, at this point you're not expected to. You are, however, expected...

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3 Most Important Insurance Policies when you buy a Home Never was it more evident that the average American is woefully misinformed about insurance than when the Affordable Care Act kicked in and millions had to purchase health insurance. Deductibles, co-pays and out-of-pocket maximums were terms completely unfamiliar to them. It's no different with othe...

3 Common Home Buying Myths Nobody really knows who starts myths, whether of the classic Greek variety or the modern real estate type. While the former are harmless enough, common real estate misconceptions may be dangerous – especially to your pocketbook. Like a game of telephone, facts become lost in the translation and mi...

Your Moving Checklist The following checklist is pertinent to domestic moves only. Moving abroad requires an entirely different set of tasks. Feel free to adjust the timelines according to how busy your life is. You may need to complete some of the tasks earlier. 8 to 10 Weeks before the Move: ...

What is the Earnest Money Deposit Of course you know that you'll need to pay a down payment on any home you hope to purchase with a mortgage (unless you'll be using a VA or USDA home loan). But, did you know that you will also need cash for an 'earnest money deposit?' Indeed you will, and it's a fact that surprises many first-time.....

Buy First or Sell First? 3 Things to Consider The most common chicken-or-egg-type question in the real estate business has to be 'Should I sell my current home before buying another?' And, like many real estate questions, the answer is: It depends. Let's take a look at some of the factors that go into making the decision about whether to buy or...

4 Tips to Close Quickly on a Home Purchase There is any number of reasons that real estate consumers seek a quick close – from the need for speed to start a new job in a new city to the need to beat a lease's expiration. Today, the nationwide average closing time on a home purchase is 48 days, according to Ellie Mae's Origination Insight R...

2 Things to Consider Before Buying a Townhome If you're like many home shoppers, you understand that there are differences between condos and townhomes but you don't quite understand what those differences are. This is because there are also similarities, most notably that townhomes are frequently governed by a homeowner association and condos....

Everything you need to Know about Relocating (Part 4) Once you've chosen a moving company it's time to go over the contract. Read it thoroughly before signing it. Scrutinize it to ensure that it lists the correct price, that the pickup and delivery dates and times are as promised and that everything you asked to be put in writing is included. Don't sig...

Everything you need to Know about Relocating (Part 3) Whether you are moving down the street or across the globe, the thought of packing up all of your belongings and transporting them safely to your new home can be paralyzing. If you think of it as being akin to 'eating an elephant' (one bite at a time), it will all fall into place. Your first 'bite'....

Everything you need to Know about Relocating (Part 2) In part 1 of our relocation guide we talked about preparing for the big move and how important it is to get clear on exactly what you want in not only a new home, but in a neighborhood as well. Now it's time to consider the financial implications involved in relocating to a new area. Let's go surfin...

Everything you need to Know about Relocating (Part 1) Quick! Name something that's chaotic, scary, exhausting and sometimes sad. If 'moving' didn't come to mind first, you've been spared from one of life's major upheavals. Moving, by the way, isn't the same as relocating. In fact, relocating is like moving on steroids, without the benefit of performanc...

168 Quarry Brook, South Windsor CT 06074 Discover your dream home in this fantastic 4-bed colonial, perfectly situated in a coveted neighborhood with unbeatable convenience. The welcoming tiled foyer leads to a formal living room, highlighted by wood floors and a picturesque window, seamlessly connecting to the dining room. Enjoy cooking i...

Home Appraisal Basics A big part of the home sale process is the appraisal. No matter how much a seller wants for his home, or how much a buyer is willing to pay for a home, in the end, it all comes down to the appraisal. What is an Appraisal? A real estate appraisal establishes the market value of a property: the amount...

7 Linda, Enfield CT 06082 Step inside to discover a welcoming, expansive mudroom, radiantly heated by a pellet stove, new ceramic floor, seamlessly leading to a completely renovated kitchen. Adorned with Corian countertops, quarter cut maple cabinets, Pergo floor, brand new refrigerator, and range, this kitchen is a culinary...

Writing a Strong Offer As a homebuyer, you'll face one of three types of real estate markets as you embark on home ownership: buyers', sellers' and balanced. The type of offer you'll want to submit is highly dependent on the current market. In a market where there are lots of homes for sale and few buyers competing for th...

What to Look for in the HOA Documents If you purchase a home in a managed community, congratulations, you're about to become a member of, and be governed by, a homeowner's association, also known as a HOA. You'll be given a mountain of paperwork by this association and, believe me, these are some of the most important documents you'll r...

Buyers Remorse Parting with a big chunk of money isn't easy. What is easy is giving in to the tendency to want to beat yourself up after spending it. It's classic buyer's remorse, and, while it's not common, we have seen a few cases of it during our time in real estate. Buyer's remorse is more common in...

3 Ways to get an Amazing Deal in a Buyer Friendly Market Things you'll typically hear and read about during a buyer's real estate market include low home prices, large inventories of available homes and little competition from other buyers. While homeowners naturally want to get top dollar for their homes regardless of market conditions, buyers' markets p...

3 Tips to Combat a Low Appraisal After all the time you spent finding the ideal home, negotiating back and forth with the seller on the price and terms, both you and the seller may be stunned when the appraisal comes in below the purchase agreement's price. While low appraisals aren't as common as they were as we rose from the ashe...