Jay Mattlin, Real Estate Broker with Key Realty

Today, June 1st, is National Doughnut Day! I thought I'd give you a heads up, so you can get out early and grab your favorite doughnut before they're all gone.

Have you been to Donut World in Lancaster? Best donuts around! And voted best in Fairfield County – two years in a row!

You ever notice how there's always the same lame doughnuts sitting on the rack after the morning rush? They're usually either super boring, or way to "out there" for most people.

No big deal. They're doughnuts. They'll get donated or tossed in the trash at the end of the day.

But I see a similar thing happen in real estate, and it is a big deal…

The houses everyone wants tend to sell quickly. They don't stay on the "shelf' very long. But there's always some that just seem to be left to linger on the rack. And they tend to be the ones that are super boring, or way too "out there" for most home buyers' tastes. (Or just way over-priced.)

So, keep the followi...

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Spring has sprung, which means it's the perfect time to get the outside of your home in top shape before the summer months. A little sprucing can go a long way with enhancing your home's curb appeal. In fact a property's outdoor appeal can dictate people's home buying decision. And while it's not always necessary to keep a perfectly manicured lawn and flawlessly trimmed trees and bushes, little updates and refreshers, such as washing the windows and re-painting the front door, can make a positive impact. Plus, yearly maintenance can prevent big, costly overhauls down the road.

Use this infographic from The Grass People to hit all the bases—from the lawn and gardens to outdoor lighting and walkways.

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Do you believe whether a groundhog sees its shadow or not is a true indication of when Spring will come?

A lot of people aren't even sure, which means we're going to have more winter.

But even if you do, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. If it's sunny, and he sees his shadow, that means a longer winter. If it's cloudy and he doesn't see his shadow, it means Spring will come sooner. That seems totally backwards.

And then there are lots of different groundhogs… which are you supposed to believe?

Groundhogs don't predict Spring

Truth is, Spring never actually comes sooner, even if every single groundhog doesn't see his shadow. It begins on a specific calendar day.

Now the weather on the other hand, that's a different story. The weather will be what it will be. Weather is something people make small talk about.

But a groundhog predicting it!? Meteorologists can barely do it.

So, most people don't put a whole lot o...

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Eugene Bostick and his brother Corky have shared a farm on a dead-end road in Fort Worth, Texas since the 1940's. Over the recent years, a lot of people have dropped off stray dogs in the area. Somehow, many of them find their way to the Bostick farm, looking for a home with a warm heart. Fortunately, they found it!

Not only have the lucky pups been provided food and room to run, they also get a treat that very few will ever have the chance to experience.

They get to go out on the town in a train!

This gold-hearted man decided he could create a doggie transport by mimicking something he saw being used to transport rocks.

They get so excited about it, they jump in as soon as they hear Eugene hooking up the tractor, and stay in for the duration of the ride!

These little guys must feel like they're in a parade. Now check out the video below to see this "chew chew" train in action!

According to a recent study by Zillow, owning a home is more affordable than renting in most metro markets across the United States.

According to the study, renters pay an average of 29.1% of their household income towards rent, while homeowners only pay an average of 15.4% towards their mortgages. This means renting eats up nearly twice as much of your income as owning a home.

Data Source: Zillow

Thanks to rising rents, homeownership is becoming a more sensible option across the nation, and renters are taking notice. According to the 

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