Shaws « Diana's Neighborhood

My Life as a Realtor – Day 32

My Life as a Realtor ~

Day 32:

Rain, rain, rain… It came down as a heavy downpour and for quite awhile – flooding was everywhere, road blocks were up and even torn up roadways – it was crazy! And where was I in this mess – ?? Putting up a new sign in front of my Brookfield listing.

SSPX0498

Before going to Brookfield – I went to our bank – HSBC in Brewster. Then off to show a condo in Danbury – here’s the pretty water view in the complex – where it had just started to rain.

SSPX0497

After the sign was up, I went home – which took about 45 minutes instead of 15 due to the storm. I picked up my youngest, Jonathan, and took him to the local barber – Roberts Barber Shop near the New Fairfield Post Office. They always take their time and do a great job – better yet, with my crazy schedule, walk-ins are welcome. Then off to Shaw’s and… I couldn’t resist – since Joe is in Portugal – we had Chinese for dinner – Yum!

HPIM2418

August 23, 2009 Posted by dianasantos | Brewster, Brookfield, Connecticut, My Life as a Realtor, My Listing, New Fairfield, NY, Uncategorized | Barber, Brewster, Brookfield, Chinese Food, Connecticut, Danbury, Home, House, HSBC, Life, Listing, New Fairfield, New York, Portugal, Rain, Real Estate, Realtor, Shaws, Storm | 1 Comment

My Life as a Realtor – Day 25

My Life as a Realtor ~

Day 25:

Today, Sunday, I had an inspection in Danbury on a Foreclosure. Nice home and if my clients are able to renovate as planned, it will be even nicer!

But, just in case, we went and viewed 2 other homes in Danbury. One of the homes was a 1940′s ranch with beautiful, original moldings and doors with crystal knobs.

Afterwards, I was off to Home Depot – also in Danbury

Home Depot – Danbury, CT

I purchased a Hampton Bay ceiling fan for our kitchen – our current one isn’t working properly.

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Then home, where I made lunch – made appointments to view homes tomorrow and once again… went grocery shopping at Shaw’s. Amanda came with me and before shopping, we took care of a ton of recycling.

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August 17, 2009 Posted by dianasantos | Connecticut, Danbury, My Life as a Realtor, Uncategorized | Connecticut, Danbury, Home Depot, Life, Listing, Real Estate, Realtor, Shaws | Leave a Comment

My Life as a Realtor – Day 23

My Life as a Realtor ~

Day 23:

First thing in the am – office meeting. Met with mortgage brokers from Bank of America. The have a great website: CLICK

After many phone calls – setting up appointments – discussing an offer on a foreclosure – finding out what the hay is going on with a delayed closing – and killing my cell phone battery, it was time for an outing with my oldest daughter. Melissa and I had some mother, daughter time at the doctor’s office… the gynecologists! Dr. Cumella in Brewster - fun, fun!

I also made ANOTHER trip to Shaw’s Supermarket – they are making a mini-fortune off of me…

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Then passed by New Fairfield Auto – who I would highly recommend to everyone! I to pick up Joe’s items in his car – since it’s totalled and will be towed away… Goodbye zoom-zoom.

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August 14, 2009 Posted by dianasantos | Brewster, Connecticut, My Life as a Realtor, NY, Uncategorized | Auto, Brewster, Car, Doctor, Life, Mazda, New Fairfield, Real Estate, Realtor, Shaws | Leave a Comment

My Life as a Realtor – Day 11

My Life as a Realtor ~

Day 10:

It’s Saturday, the first day in August and we’re busy cleaning and organizing – something I do everyday, although today we’re taking advantage of some time we have before heading over to my sister’s house for a barbecue. Joe is installing a closet organizer in Jonathan’s room – he was the only one without an organizer and what a huge difference it will make!

HPIM2141 Closet Organizer – Purchased at Home Depot

I’m multi-tasking, which I enjoy since I seem to do well when I’m under pressure! I’m cleaning, e-mailing, talking with clients – one new client that needs a mortgage broker to assist her. I’m making a simple pasta salad for the BBQ – flew to Shaw’s – once again. Boy do I spend alot of time… and money grocery shopping.

Cell Phone Pic – Shaw’s in New Fairfield, CT

While I was at Shaw’s, I spoke with a client, verifying that she received a call from our appointment scheduling company, AccuShow, regarding an afternoon showing – her first – for her home tomorrow. She did not, so I spent my shopping time on my cell – but all was taken care of and that is why I always push to get things done asap - don’t leave for later, what you can do now!

Pool - Blackangel Blackangel – Flickr.com

We had an awesome time at my sister’s – with the exception of my 4 new mosquitoe bites. The kids went into the pool and we ate and drank and had lots of laughs. We are trying to plan a camp out at our house next weekend with my sister, brother and their families. All the older kids will sleep in the tent in the woods in our back yard and the adults and little ones will sleep in doors. I can’t wait! Note to self… lot’s of bug spray needed.

Mosquito - edans edans – Flickr.com

August 2, 2009 Posted by dianasantos | My Life as a Realtor, Uncategorized | Barbecue, Home Depot, Life, New Fairfield, Real Estate, Realtor, Shaws | Leave a Comment

Redbox at Shaws New Fairfield CT

shaws 016 Cell Phone Pic – Shaw’s – New Fairfield, CT

My daughter, Amanda, and I just got back from Shaw’s Supermarket in New Fairfield – Connecticut. We rented a few movies from Redbox – $1 each – as long as you return them the next day, or it’s a dollar charge for each extra day.

shaws 018 Cell Phone Pic – Redbox Movies from Shaw’s

One of our recently favorite movie that we rented from Redbox was “The Haunting in Connecticut” – to watch the Trailor – CLICK HERE

The Haunting in Connecticut

As a Realtor in New York and Connecticut, I’ve visited many homes, some built as early as the 1700′s. Many times I’ve experienced odd feelings - which always make me wonder…

July 18, 2009 Posted by dianasantos | Cell Phone Pics, Connecticut, Fun Post, Movies, New Fairfield, Uncategorized | Movies, New Fairfield CT, Redbox, Rentals, Shaws, Supermarket, The Haunting in Connecticut | Leave a Comment

Pasta – Inexpensive, Filling and Yummy!

fresh-pasta-angeloangelo angeloangelo – Flickr.com

Looking to stretch your dollar and make easy, nutritious and delicious meals - PASTA! I stock up when I shop at Shaw’s Supermarket in my hometown of New Fairfield, CT – when they have their 10 for $10 weekly sale items. Many times, it is pasta – my favorite!

pizza-pasta-iamchanelle iamchanelle – Flickr.com

There are so many different ways to prepare Pasta. Here are just a few…

Martha Stewart’s – Cooking Pasta – Simple steps to help you cook perfect pasta.
Rachael Ray – Salad-a-Ghetti - Spaghetti and Salad come together in one dish!
Emeril’s – Shrimp and Pasta- Add some chilis, garlic, lemon and green onion – BAM!
The Neely’s – Easy Lemon Pasta with Chicken - Somethin’ Outta Nothin’
Rocco DiSpirito – Spaghetti and Meatballs - Now that’s a MEATball!

meatballs-and-spaghetti-flem007-uk flem007_uk – Flickr.com

Please keep in mind that you can change these recipes around – omitting certain ingredients to suite your taste buds and your budget.

ziti-lilivanili lilivanili – Flickr.com

For an even healthier dish, use Whole Wheat Pasta. If your not crazy about the taste, mix half in with regular pasta!

bows-iamchanelle1 iamchanelle – Flickr.com

Do you have leftover chili – chicken – veggies – steak – hotdogs? Cook some pasta, mix with your left overs and Voila!

spagetti-giovanniscanavino giovanniscanavino – Flickr.com

March 25, 2009 Posted by dianasantos | Fun Post, Rachael Ray, Recipes, The Food Network, Uncategorized | Budget, Connecticut, Cooking, Emeril, Food Network, Martha Stewart, Meatballs, New Fairfield, Pasta, Rachael Ray, Recipes, Rocco DiSpirito, Shaws, Spaghetti, The Neeley's | Leave a Comment

Back to School!

Summer is over – and the kids are all back to school! I’ve gotten my 2 oldest off to Western Connecticut State University, 2 into New Fairfield High School and my youngest into New Fairfield Middle School – Whew!

I was very fortunate in getting them ready for school. With having access to many different stores for school supplies and clothes – all within 20 minutes from where I live – New Fairfield, Connecticut – which neighbors Danbury, CT to one side and Brewster, New York to the other side.

Convenience, which is anything that saves time, energy or frustration, is very important – especially with all that is happening around us. Here in New Fairfield, I have convenience.

If I run out of milk – Shaw’s Supermarket is just 4 minutes away – or I go into Brewster to the A & P Supermarket in under 15 minutes – which helps me to take advantage of both stores weekly sales. Need gas? 2 gas stations are also just 4 minutes away from my home. Visiting my daughter in her dorm in Danbury – mostly to pick up her dirty laundry or drop off groceries – is just 15 minutes away, while she pretends to be miles and miles away! My commute to my office – Century 21 V.J.F. Realty in Brewster – is also under 15 minutes away! Convenience, convenience, convenience!

Thanks to GOOGLE for the School Bus image

September 26, 2008 Posted by dianasantos | Brewster, Century 21 V.J.F. Realty, Connecticut, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Fairfield Schools, Uncategorized, WestConn | A & P, Brewster, Century 21 V.J.F. Realty, Convenience, Danbury, New Fairfield, New Fairfield High School, New Fairfield Middle School, Shaws, WestConn | Leave a Comment

Rain, Rain Go Away …

I know it’s SPRING and “Spring Showers Bring May Flowers” – AND we need the rain to help our landscape turn “GREEN” – AND the rain helps to wash away the last traces of winter – like all the sand on the side of the road – AND of course I know how important the rain is for our reservoirs, rivers and streams.

Although, the rain – I must admit, is the only part of Spring that I’m not very fond of. Why?

Getting soaked to the bone while watching your child’s soccer game isn’t fun. Especially since most all sports are played on Turf Fields here in New Fairfield, CT. Therefore, a game DOES NOT get canceled unless there is lightening! So, even all geared up with an umbrella, raincoat and boots doesn’t make a difference since the wind blows the rain every which way.

My almost daily trips to the supermarket, yes – daily! I have 5 kids - many times to SHAW’S, can become a battle of trying to make it to your car and get you and your groceries in before getting drenched! Ha! Never happens for me! I always seem to misplace my keys – forgetting that I purposely put them in my pocket instead of my purse so I could pull them out quicker. Once I find them, I seem to forget how to open the trunk?? Turn to the left – no it’s the right! NO it was the left and now I’ve locked it again!

And my other rain complain – showing homes when it’s pouring out. It’s difficult taking in the outside of a home when your rushing to get in – hoping that your clients will be considerate and wipe their feet – and hoping that if they do decide to venture out onto the deck or yard, it’s AFTER they’ve viewing the rooms with the cream colored carpeting. I’ve found myself many times cleaning up behind them, trying to leave the home as it was.

Although, as my mother always says, “look for the good in a bad situation“. The GOOD in House Hunting in the rain is we can see if the home has any water issues – leaking roof, puddle in the basement or any other water damage or moisture.

So if it’s raining out – no problem! I just hope to remember to wear my waterproof mascara next time!

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

Thanks to GOOGLE IMAGERY for most of these photos!

April 13, 2008 Posted by dianasantos | Life as a Realtor, Spring | Homes, Rain, Realtor, Shaws, Sports, Spring | 2 Comments

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GETTING TO KNOW ME

As a full time REALTOR in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties in NEW YORK – and Fairfield and parts of Litchfield counties in CONNECTICUT , I am very pleased to have the opportunity to share my passions on REAL ESTATE, FAMILY, PETS, anything and everything in and around a HOME – including COOKING, MOVIES, MUSIC and more!

I have been married for 25+ years to my wonderful husband Joe. We have 5 children – Melissa, David, Amanda, Sara and Jonathan. After waiting anxiously – for almost 17 years, being home with my kids for 10 and a Nursery school teacher for 7 years – I FINALLY became a Licensed Realtor – first in Connecticut - where my family and I live – and then in New York – where my office, Century 21 V.J.F. Realty is located.

I was born and raised in Mt. Vernon, New York. My parents, who came to the US from Portugal, were extremely hard working – with even stronger ethics on being good to everyone – everywhere – period! “Faz bem, nao olhes a quem.” This has been instilled in me all my life, which has made me the mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend and the REALTOR I am today. Thank You Ma and Papa.