When, Where and How to Vote

From: cbia.com

Connecticut voters go to the polls on Tuesday November 8, 2022 to vote for the state’s next governor, all statewide officers, one U.S. Senate seat, all five members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and all 187 members of the General Assembly. If you’re a first time voter, you must present current valid photo identification that shows your name and address; or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address; or cast a provisional vote. All other voters must present their Social Security card or any pre-printed identification showing name and address; or name and signature; or name and photograph. If you cannot present identification, you can sign a statement acknowledging your identity.

Where Do You Vote?

Use the Secretary of State’s online locator to find your local polling place. Connecticut polling places are open from 6 am to 8 pm on Election Day (November 8, 2022). Any voter standing in line at the polls at 8 pm will be allowed to cast a ballot.

How Do You Vote?

Voters in Connecticut have certain rights—know your rights before you vote.

Voter ID Requirements

You will be asked to provide identification when checking in at your polling place before you vote. An optical scan machine is used by most inperson voters. A vote-by-phone option is available at every polling place for voters with disabilities or for any voter who prefers this option.

If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, you are eligible to case an absentee ballot:

• Are you an active member of the armed forces of the United States?

• Will you be out of town during all the hours of voting on Election Day?

• Does illness prevent you from voting in person on Election Day?

• Do your religious beliefs prevent you from performing secular activities like voting on Election Day?

• Will you be performing duties as an election official at a polling place other than your own during all the hours of voting on Election Day?

• Do you have a physical disability that prevents you from voting in person on Election Day? The Connecticut Secretary of the State’s office will mail absentee ballot applications for the November election to the state’s more than 2.1 For an emergency ballot within six days of an election, please use the Emergency Application for Absentee Ballot:

million registered voters 31 days before the election date.

You may also download and use the following absentee ballot application: • Emergency

Application for

Absentee

Ballot (English)

• Solicitud de

Emergencia para

Obtener Papleta

para Voter en Ausencia (Español) You should return your completed absentee ballot application to the municipal clerk in the town in which you are a registered voter in Connecticut.

Absentee ballots will be mailed to approved applicants beginning 31 days prior to the date of the general election. If your application is received within 31 days of the election, your ballot will be mailed to you once your application is processed. Complete the ballot, carefully following the enclosed instructions and return it by mail or in person. Only complete absentee ballots received before the close of polls on the day of the election will be counted.

Application for Absentee Ballot (English) Solicitud de Boleta Ausente (Español)

Please join members of the Eastern Connecticut Association of Realtors® and the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Eastern Connecticut on October 12, 2022 at the Norwich Inn & Spa, for a joint Legislative Membership Meeting!

8:00 am Registration and Coffee

8:00 am-8:50 Meet and Greet with the Candidates

8:30 Plated Breakfast Service (Tables marked by Senate District)

8:50 am Welcome and Association Remarks

9:00 am, Congressman Joe Courtney, U.S. Rep. of the 2nd Congressional District Update, followed by Realtor/Builder CEO Legislative Issues

9:45 am. Q & A

For More Information Visit Our Website: landlordcollections.net Give Us A Call: (800)-369-6153

How Much Does It Cost To Sell A House?

By: Matt Hughes, with newhavenlistings.com

Selling a house can be stressful, timeconsuming, and expensive. In fact, it can be more expensive than most sellers might expect. While the real estate commission is usually the biggest fee a home seller has to pay, there are many other costs that you must take into account. If you are planning to sell your home in near future, it is important to be aware of and be prepared for all the hidden costs of selling a home.

Home preparation costs

Cleaning: Before your showing, you would want to hire professional cleaning services for your home as well as your windows and carpets. Landscaping: The first impressions can make a lot of difference when you are trying to sell your house. You may want to enhance the curb appeal by adding some seasonal flowers, mowing the lawns, pruning the trees, and lighting the walkway. Staging: The staging costs vary widely depending on the size of your home and how much you want to do, and whether you want to hire a professional or do it or you want to take the DIY route. Over 18% of the sellers’ agents believe that home staging can increase a home’s value by 6%-10%. 31% of the sellers’ agents believe that staging can greatly decrease the time a listing spent on the market.

Home improvements: Some home sellers invest in home updates or upgrades with the goal to get a higher sale price for their property. It has been shown that 79% of the sellers go for home improvements before listing their home for sale. They either repair or replace old systems or add features that buyers love.

Other costs: Apart from these costs, sellers may also spend on professional photographs and on other marketing activities.

Closing costs

In a real estate transaction, there are closing costs for both buyers and sellers. As a seller, you may have to pay anywhere between 1%3% at closing. The main costs you will pay include the closing fee (which goes to the closing agent), attorney fee, property taxes, transfer tax, recording fees, and title insurance. You may also have to pay a brokerage fee, escrow fee, courier fee, and any other costs associated with paying off your mortgage. you should be prepared to bear additional

expenses.

Temporary housing

If you are selling your home and buying another, there is likely going to be a time gap and you will have to arrange for temporary housing in the meanwhile. These are some of the typical costs associated with selling a home. There could definitely be more costs to selling a home. A good estimate would be about 10% of the home’s sale price. It is best to discuss this with your real estate agent and they can give you a correct estimate.

Mortgage payoff

Many sellers use the proceeds of their home sale to pay off their mortgages. However, the payoff amount on the mortgage statement is usually a little less than the actual amount owed. You might have to pay prorated accrued interest in the total balance. In some cases, a prepayment penalty may also be charged.

Moving costs

If you are selling your primary home, you will have to pay moving costs as well. Moving expenses can vary greatly based on the size of your home, how far you are moving, and how many belongings you have. In case you choose to use professional moving services,

Matthew Hughes is the broker/owner of Farm River Property Management LLC. Matthew works with landlords and property owners to create value in today’s competitive real estate market. His business provides full service property management, brokerage and leasing services He has personally marketed over 160 properties in Greater New Haven area. His website is https:// newhavenlistings.com/

Join the Government Affairs Committee of GHAR as we taste some bourbon and chat with 2022 legislative candidates from around Greater Hartford. Let's listen and share our thoughts on the future of homeownership and property rights. Only $10 fee includes catered food and varied beverages. All are welcome!

Thanks to sponsor: Bob DeCosmo of TenantTracks

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Insuring Property to Value with Rising Inflation

By: Jonathan Theders, Chief Executive Officer, RiskSOURCE Clark-Theders from ec.edu

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 7% in 2021, marking the largest yearly increase in inflation since 1982, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Unfortunately, we’re all becoming familiar with the rising cost of groceries and dining at a restaurant. What you may be less familiar with is how inflation affects commercial property insurance.

Adequate Replacement Coverage

Replacement cost, or value, is how much it would cost to replace or repair a building with the same or similar materials. It is based on the amount needed to hire contractors and purchase materials. The market value of a property is not the same as the replacement cost. Market value is the estimated amount that a property would sell for on the date of valuation and includes land. While a property’s market value will typically be greater than its replacement value, we are now seeing a shift in the other direction. The main concern with high inflation rates is having an adequate replacement cost estimate on your policy.

Uncharacteristic Changes in Replacement Cost

Most property policies have a provision that accounts for a small percentage of inflation. However, the cost to replace a building today may already be more than the inflation guard on your policy. Labor and supply shortages in the construction industry have caused replacement cost to increase more, and more quickly, than usual. The Producer Price Index (PPI) for many construction materials, according to the BLS, increased between 10% and 30%, with steel at 127% in December 2021. This rapid increase in labor and supply costs means that the estimated replacement cost on your policy may not be enough to cover a rebuild if you had to file a claim today.

1. Review the details of your property coverage terms and conditions.

Many businesses only look at the fine print after a claim occurs, when it is already too late. Make sure you understand how various potential claim scenarios could play out and that you are not left on the hook for something you thought was covered. Make note of anything you don’t understand so you can go over it with your agent. Also, it may seem obvious, but double check that the company name(s) and address(es) listed are correct.

2. Confirm that replacement cost coverage is part of your policy.

There are some instances where it makes sense to have actual cash value or functional

replacement cost coverage for a property, but most commercial properties will be best protected with replacement cost coverage.

3. Make sure the replacement cost estimate is accurate.

Even with normal levels of inflation, your agent should visit the property or ask for detailed information on the property’s construction. Structure and construction material specifics, such as floor and wall coverings, can alter the estimate by quite a bit. Most agents have an estimation tool that has default settings for specific structure types, such as an office building or retail store, but if your building differs from this, and most do, the estimate will need to be adjusted. Now, with unusually high reconstruction costs, you want to make sure that the estimate is done using current labor and supply costs. It may be a good idea to reassess this on a quarterly basis while current inflation trends continue.

4. Talk to your agent – they are your risk advisor.

Your agent is there to help you address many of the risks your business faces – use them as a resource. If you don’t feel confident that you truly know what is and isn’t covered in your policy, ask your agent to go over it with you. Even if you’ve recently renewed, make sure that your replacement cost estimate is adequate. Insurance markets will continue to change in the foreseeable future. Start discussing upcoming renewals earlier than you typically would, so you can be prepared. For more information, contact Jonathan Theders, CRA, ACRA, CHSP, RiskSOURCE Clark-Theders, at jtheders@risksource.com or 888-779-2800.