Grant joins Keller Williams firm

WINSTED — Michelle Grant, a real estate sales professional in Winsted, has joined the Keller Williams Greater Hartford Market Center.

Grant has an extensive background in real estate and has been in the real estate industry for 14 years. She was licensed in Kansas in 2005 and then moved to Connecticut in 2010. She has sold more than $5.3 million in volume in the past 12 months.

“We are ecstatic to have Michelle Grant join us here at Keller Williams Realty,” said Amina Blake, Team Leader of Keller Williams Realty Greater Hartford, in a statement. “Keller Williams offers its associates unparalleled career growth and lifelong learning opportunities in the real estate industry. We are excited to have Michelle since she is such a hard worker and our Company structure provides the environment for people like Michelle to obtain massive success.”

Keller Williams offers comprehensive educational resources and technological tools. In 2017 Training Magazine named the company as the No. 1 training organization across all industries in the world.

“I chose Keller Williams because of its reputation for integrity and its agent-centric business model,” said Grant. “I want to continue to grow my real estate business, and Keller Williams provides the training and technology that will help me reach my goals.”

The Greater Hartford market center, located at 29 S. Main Street, West Hartford, was established in 2008 and has over 400 associates.

To learn more about Keller Williams, call Amina Blake at 860-313-0700 or visit www.kw.com.

Breunich named to ‘Most Powerful People

STAMFORD — William PittJulia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty recently announced that President and CEO Paul Breunich was named on the 2019 Swanepoel Power 200. Breunich ranked No. 104 on the annual national list of the most powerful people in the residential real estate brokerage industry.

“It’s truly an honor to be named to this year’s Swanepoel Power 200,” said Breunich. “To appear next to some of the most powerful and inspiring individuals in residential real estate is humbling, and it could not be possible without the efforts of our entire firm. I am grateful for the success we achieved in 2018.” xxx

Keune named president of CTR

EAST HARTFORD — Dan Keune, a REALTOR® and Broker with Campbell- Keune Realty in Ellington, has been elected as the 2019 President for the Connecticut REALTORS, effective Jan. 1. He has been an active member of both CTR and the Greater Hartford Association of REALTORS (GHAR) for more than 30 years.

Keune, a Trustee of the REALTORS Political Action Committee also serves on CTR’s Board of Directors, Executive, Finance and Legislative/Political Affairs Committees. He also sits on the National Association of REALTORS Board of Directors and Land Use Property Rights and Environment Committee.

Locally, Keune served as 2000 President of GHAR and was named their 2017 REALTOR® of the Year. Keune resides in Ellington where he is a member of the Board of Education and active with the Rockville Rotary having served as its president in 2003 and 2004.

Dwyer honored for client satisfaction

The American Institute Of Legal Counsel has recognized the exceptional performance of Connecticut attorney Robert F. Dwyer, Jr. as Two Years 10 Best Real Estate Law Attorney for Client Satisfaction. The American Institute Of Legal Counsel is a third-party attorney rating organization that publishes an annual list of the Top 10 Real Estate Law Attorney in each state. Attorneys who are selected to the "10 Best" list must pass AIOLC's rigorous selection process, which is based on client and/or peer nominations, thorough research, and AIOLC’s independent evaluation.

AIOLC's annual list was created to be used as a resource for clients during the attorney selection process.

One of the most significant aspects of the selection process involves attorneys' relationships and reputation among his or her clients. As clients should be an attorney's top priority, AIOLC places the utmost emphasis on selecting lawyers who have achieved significant success in the field of Real Estate Law without sacrificing the service and support they provide. Selection criteria therefore focus on attorneys who demonstrate the highest standards of Client Satisfaction.

Reach Robert F. Dwyer, Jr. directly at: 860-379-7549.

Unemployment statements available online

WETHERSFIELD – Statement of Unemployment Compensation Payments forms are now available online for tax year 2018. Known as the 1099G, the tax information is required for claimants who have received unemployment benefits and must report them as income on their annual tax filing, according to the Connecticut Department of Labor. Statements can be downloaded by visiting www.FileCTUI.com and clicking on the blue UC-1099G tax form button.

State Labor Commissioner Kurt Westby reminds customers that the annual tax statements, placed online several years ago, are no longer mailed out. “This paperless method allows us to provide statements more quickly, and also helps cut costs and increase efficiency,” Westby said. “In addition to printing and mailing costs, the agency was experiencing a large number of returned 1099G statements due to claimant address changes. The online system now offers 24/7 access and five years of the tax records – currently from 2014 to 2018.”

Those visiting www.FileCTUI.com and clicking on the UC-1099G button will also find links to Frequently Asked Questions, and a log-in page to access the tax statements(s). Claimants that used the agency’s online system to file a weekly unemployment insurance claim, make an account inquiry, or request their method of benefit payment (direct deposit or debit card) must use that same User ID and password. New users or those that have forgotten their ID or password will need to click on the Create an Account/Forgot User ID or Password link.

While electronic versions of the 1099G tax forms can immediately be downloaded online, the Labor Department can mail a copy to claimants requesting one through the online 1099G Request service. Once processed, a paper copy will arrive in the mail within

two weeks.

Sotheby’s releases year in review report

STAMFORD — A report detailing annual 2018 market results in Fairfield, Litchfield and Hartford Counties and the Shoreline in Connecticut, the Berkshires in Massachusetts, and Westchester County, New York, has just been released by William PittJulia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty.

The report stated that 2018 began with virtually every market the company serves experiencing sales decreases in single family home sales versus the first quarter the prior year. Yet by year’s end, many markets climbed ahead of 2017, while others still trailed slightly behind. Westchester and Fairfield County markets saw modest decreases in unit sales and dollar volume, while the Connecticut Shoreline saw minimal decreases in unit sales even as dollar volume improved. Litchfield and Berkshire Counties experienced sales growth and the Farmington Valley was flat with steady sales.

In examining economic indicators, the report contended that there were reasons for optimism in the housing market. The recent drop in mortgage rates, strong job growth, the ongoing historic lows among Federal Reserve interest rates, and consistently elevated consumer confidence all come together to support a healthy outlook for real estate, according to the report.

The 2018 Year in Review Market Watch is available for download at williampitt.com.

Keune

Breunich