What’s it like living at 66 High Street?

Kathy Moniello, a resident at The Residences at 66 High Street, shares her experience of living in one of the luxury condominiums in Guilford.

After selling an oceanfront home in Westbrook, Kathy moved to High Street in December 2017. “Because I was leaving something so beautiful, I knew I couldn’t settle,” she said. The Residences at 66 High Street have not disappointed.

“Everytime I pull in and see the beautiful grounds and walk to my unit, I feel joy and pride in ownership.”

From the high-end units, to the friendly and supportive residents, to the helpful team at The Horton Group, Kathy has settled in to a new life in Guilford.

The high-end look and feel of 66 High Street, including the property, amenities, and individual units, is something Kathy appreciates. Within her unit, she loves the top of the line appliances, ample storage, and ability to customize to her needs and style. With the fitness room being completed, residents are bringing in a personal trainer for group classes a few times a week. Kathy is also looking forward to the proposed pool.

It’s easy to be captivated by a luxurious unit, but when paired with incredible neighbors, that unit becomes home. “I don’t know how we have attracted so many wonderful people,” says Kathy. The residents help each other out, spend time with each other, and have created a strong bond. “Last week,” she says, “we were all out with our dogs, then before you know it everyone went to get a bottle of wine. Someone got the pizza they were making, and we were all over at my unit having a little party.”

The Horton Group has spared no expense building the Residences at 66 High Street.

“They have been amazing throughout the entire process,” Kathy explained. “Whether it is Earl, Kenny, or Jason, they want the very best outcome.”

Kathy’s unit was completely finished when she bought it, but she wanted to make some changes, including switching to a stackable washer dryer and installing a central vac system. “This can be difficult to do post construction, but instead of saying, ‘It can’t be done,’ Jason came in, looked at what I wanted and said, ‘This is how we can make it happen.’”

By paying attention to every detail during the development, building, and marketing of 66 High Street, The Horton Group built more than luxury condominiums. They built an unparalleled community. And it was just what Kathy was searching for.

Interested in the Residences at 66 High Street? Schedule a showing today.

September 26, 2018 3

Condo Associations: What do they do?

Living in a condominium can be filled with perks, including the use of a fitness room or pool, lawn maintenance, and snow removal. In order to keep common areas maintained and unit owners happy, Condo Associations set rules, regulations, and fees for condominium and townhouse owners. The Condo Association’s board of directors, voted in by unit owners, oversees this work and handles disputes that may arise.

Condo Association Fees

In addition to paying a mortgage, unit owners pay condo association fees or dues. The board of directors determines how much members pay for the upkeep of the association. Fees can vary greatly depending on what amenities are available to unit owners. Condo association fees are used for the general upkeep of the property, such as landscaping, as well as repairs for common areas, such as new roofing.

Common Areas

Common Areas in condominium associations can include parking areas, sidewalks, lobbies, hallways, lawns, fitness rooms, pools, and recreational areas. These areas are for the use of all unit owners. Maintenance and repairs in common areas are paid from Condo Association dues. Condo Associations also have their own insurance policy for common areas. To learn more about what may be covered by your association vs. what your personal unit policy should cover, head to Allstate’s article on the topic.

Rules and Disputes

Condo Associations do not just pay for the upkeep of common areas, they also work to build an enjoyable living community for all members. This requires rules and regulations for unit owners. These rules can cover broader topics such as pet and noise regulations, down to color options for your front door. When disputes arise between members or rules are not followed, the board of directors is in charge of settling these cases, whether it is through warning letters, fines, or other means.

Condo associations can be very beneficial for members, but only if it’s regulations, fees, and perks are fitting with your lifestyle. Learn as much as you can about the association before buying a new unit. Laws for condo living vary state to state, so also look into State Condo Laws.

August 22, 2018 1

Commercial vs. Residential Real Estate

Benefits and Risks of Investing in Commercial and Residential Real Estate

As real estate developers, we take into account differences with commercial and residential real estate when building or renovating. With 350 Goose Lane Office Park development, we work to develop commercial office space that can be built-to-suit, while incorporating top of the line features and plenty of green space. At The Residences at 66 High Street, we focus on luxurious amenities and convenience for residents. Differences between commercial and residential do not stop with the development – there is also a lot to consider as an investor. We outline some of the key benefits and risks below.

Commercial Properties – Potential Benefits & Risks

If you have the funding and experience, there are a handful of potential benefits to investing in a commercial property.

Longer leases, generally ranging between 3-10 years, provide more stable income.
Less maintenance for the owner, developer, or property manager, assuming net lease agreements are in place.
Strong returns in the form of income and capital growth.

Commercial real estate ventures also come with potential downsides. Because commercial properties are pricier than most residential properties, they often require higher start-up costs. Also, finding tenants for open space can be difficult, particularly in a poor economy.

Residential Properties – Potential Benefits & Risk

Whether flipping houses or investing in large multi-family properties, residential real estate can be a great investment medium for individuals from all income brackets. The potential benefits include:

Lower start-up costs, whether you are buying a one family or multi-family property.
Easier to finance, with mortgage options for every type of buyer.
Tenants found faster, compared to commercial tenants.

While one can flip a house and put it right back on the market, being an investor or landlord in a residential property requires a great deal of involvement. In regards to property management, residential buildings require far more active participation than commercial properties, as lease agreements tend to take responsibilities out of tenants’ hands.

Investing in real estate can be a great way to diversify your investments and can also be relatively risk-averse if you know what to expect. Before committing to a commercial or residential property, it is important to understand what is required and what suits you best.

July 30, 2018 0

Flood Zones and FEMA Compliant Building

Overlooking the marsh and Long Island Sound, it should not come as a surprise that the property at The Residences at 66 High Street sits within a flood zone. But what does this mean and why is there no reason to worry?

As described by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), flood zones vary based on location. At low elevation and in close proximity to the ocean, the site at 66 High Street lies in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). An SFHA is an area that can become flooded in the event of a 1-percent annual chance flood, also known as a base or 100-year flood. For more details about SFHAs, as well as moderate and minimal flood hazard areas, check out FEMA’s explanation.

See here how the property falls within the base flood zone. All structures comply with FEMA standards. Living spaces have been raised seventeen feet, seven feet above the 100-year floodplain. Raising the first floor of the Whitfield, Leete, and Chittenden buildings allowed us to conveniently place resident parking in the new buildings underground.

As a result of adapting to meet flood management regulations, flood insurance costs are a mere fraction of what they otherwise would have been. In addition to the security systems in place on site, the storm-resilient buildings at 66 High Street can provide residents with a furthered sense of security and peace of mind.

July 25, 2018 1

What is a Build-to-Suit Property?

Are you looking for an office space or residence, but none seem just right? There is no need to compromise. Build-to-suit (BTS) developments offer extreme flexibility, as a given room or building can be shaped to meet the various wants and needs for you or your business.

Build-to-suit properties are most often commercial leases, but can also be found in residential developments. With BTS, the landlord or developer builds to a tenant’s specifications. During construction the tenant is allowed the freedom to dictate his or her future space, as long as changes do not interfere with the structural and mechanical systems. Buyers or tenants can make significant changes through the restructuring of walls, rooms, and closets. Decisions on aesthetics, including finishes, appliances, and color scheme, are also made during the BTS process.

At Horton Group, we aim to please by offering build-to-suit developments. If you’re looking for a commercial property that can be built to meet your company’s needs, check out 350 Goose Lane Office Park. Our luxury condominium units at The Residences at 66 High Street can also be altered to fit your family’s needs.

July 17, 2018 2