Sale Set For April 30—

Houses Up For Auction Opened For Public Inspection

By Susan Coney

Was it the beautiful warm spring day or the thought of snapping up a good deal? Whatever the reason, the preview showing of five homes last Saturday to be auctioned by the town brought out the crowds. Many were simply curious to peek inside, while others were serious potential buyers.

The Town of Newtown will hold a public auction of the five houses located on Mile Hill Road South on Saturday, April 30, at noon.

House 1 has the largest plot of land, 2.54 acres. The house itself has a different layout than the others. It includes a one-car garage and barn. The land cannot be subdivided. The opening bid is $270,000.

Houses 2 through 5 have identical square footage and layout. The land plots range in size from 1.24 acres to 0.66 of an acre. Opening bids start at $245,000 for these houses.

All of the houses have six rooms and public water/septic systems.

Terms of sale are as follows: ten percent of minimum bid price in cash, certified or bank check necessary to be eligible to bid. Successful bidder must sign a contract at the auction. Deposits are nonrefundable. The town reserves the right to execute backup contracts. Property sold subject to deed restrictions to use as single-family residence. Closings are to be 30 days from the date of the auction. For a copy of the proposed contract, contact the Office of the First Selectman, Edmond Town Hall.

Although House 1 has the largest property, it is also in the poorest condition. Despite the sagging ceilings and lots of grime, however, many touring the properties still felt it had the potential to be a nice home. Lynn Tucci and her husband, John, were busying investigating every inch of the house, even the attic, which was surprisingly the cleanest part of the house.

Lynn said, “You’d have to be very talented to fix them up.” Her husband added, “If you are handy or have the funds to fix it up it’s a good deal. Newtown is a good town.”

Referring to the first house up for bid, potential buyer Sue Dunn said, “Don’t touch anything, there’s black mold everywhere!” She went on to say, “It is a great piece of property with great potential, especially with the additional land and barn. All of the houses could be nice if they were fixed up. Colonial style homes are popular.”

John Zeneski and his son Jeff were driving through Fairfield Hills and saw a crowd. They did not know what was going on but stopped to find out what was happening. Both father and son are handy and decided to take a look at the properties. John had previously lived in Newtown and commented that it was such a nice town. “I’m in the market to come back to Newtown. The houses were something to look over and think about.” Jeff remarked, “It’s interesting. I’m handy but I don’t know, I’m not used to an old house.” Both men thought the properties had great potential and that Newtown was a wonderful place to live.

Kiren Sandhu, a serious house hunter, said “The first house is a nightmare;, they’re selling it for the property. I’m looking. I’m a potential buyer. The houses need a ton of work. I would really like to get one of the other homes, I really need a house.”

Ed Knapp, an engineer, came out to view the homes with his grandchildren Tegan and Eamon. “I brought my flashlight. I came prepared. I’m looking for a possible house to fix up and turn around to sell,” he said.

Whatever their motives for coming, the general consensus was the same, with a generous budget for repairs and lots of elbow grease, these houses could transformed into wonderful homes.