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Growing challenges to find and afford starter homes in Connecticut

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Growing challenges to find and afford starter homes in Connecticut


It can be especially daunting for those considering buying their first home and to see the costs surging.

Karess Cannon is ready to stop renting and is searching for her first home somewhere in central Connecticut.

“I realize there’s no perfect time, but as rents keep going up, it just makes sense to actually be putting money into something that I own,” Cannon said.

For many buyers, it’s becoming harder to find and afford a starter home – those in the bottom quarter of sales.

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Starter prices here in Connecticut have skyrocketed about 50% from 2019 to 2024, according to Realtor.com.

The average starter home going from about $263,000 to then hitting $390,000.

Cannon has been saving and while she hasn’t been priced out of the current market yet, it still has its surprises.

 “Like the listings, the reality of what’s out there right now, how does that contrast with your expectations going into the process?” NBC Connecticut’s Matt Austin asked.

“Yeah, I mean, I think it’s just kind of knowing that X amount of dollars isn’t going to get you X amount house. Like that’s been the biggest management and being like, what things do I really need versus wants,” Cannon said.

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When it comes to the costs, experts recommend buyers keep their mortgage payments to less than 30% of their income.

That means to afford the average starter home in the state, someone needs an income of about $93,000.

That’s gone up a lot recently amid a rise in prices and mortgage rates.

“You put those two things together and affordability starts to feel less and less attainable,” said Rachael Cisz, of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services New England Properties.

Cisz says with lower supply these past few years starter homes are in high demand.

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It’s all adding up and last year only 24% of successful homebuyers were first-timers – the lowest on record.

Cisz tries to prepare her clients for searching in this market.

“I think it is all about setting the expectations both for what the process is going to look like and also kind of showing them firsthand. Here’s what your money can buy you, you know, in different towns, different types of properties,” Cisz said. “I’m always stressing to them, ‘you know, you might want this in a house, but you need to remember this isn’t your forever home. It’s just getting you into the market.’”

Cisz also reminds hopeful homeowners there is help for first-time buyers, including state assistance with a down payment.

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Two people shot in New Haven restaurant Saturday evening

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Two people shot in New Haven restaurant Saturday evening


New Haven police say two people were shot at a restaurant on Grand Avenue Saturday evening.

One of the victims was a 22-year-old male from East Haven who was shot in the leg and was transported to Yale New Haven Hospital for treatment.

According to police, the second victim was a 17-year-old male and arrived shortly after.

While on scene, police confirmed one of the possible shooters was still inside the restaurant.

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According to police, the victims were both inside the restaurant when the teen was approached by Naguea Bratton and another suspect.

They say a fight occurred which resulted in both victims being shot.

Police detained Bratton who was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit, two counts of illegal possession of a high-capacity magazine and larceny of a motor vehicle.

Bratton is being held on a $200,000 bond.

Both victims have non-life-threatening injuries police say.

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They say additional arrests are expected to be completed by warrant.



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27 Wrestlers Named State Open Wrestling Champions In Connecticut Over Weekend; Xavier Dominates Tournament

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27 Wrestlers Named State Open Wrestling Champions In Connecticut Over Weekend; Xavier Dominates Tournament


Over the weekend, the two-day CIAC State Open wrestling championships took place at the Floyd Little Athletic Center in New Haven, Connecticut. 

Twenty-seven wrestlers (14 boys, 13 girls) were named champions in their respective weight classes, displaying intense wrestling featuring the best wrestlers across the state. 

Championship bouts started around 4:15 p.m. on Saturday and lasted about two hours. 

Below are the results from both the boys’ and girls’ state open championships. 

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106 lbs.: Xavier’s Josh Perez def. Stafford’s John Bean 17-2 (technical fall)

113 lbs.: Ridgefield’s Cole Desiano def. Suffield/Windsor Locks’ Peter Annis 8-0 (decision)

120 lbs.: Xavier’s Zack Dixon def. Somers’ Will Acorsi 12-0 (majority decision) 

126 lbs.: Windham’s Delmazio Despard def. Xavier’s Alexander Depratti 4-3 (decision) 

132 lbs.: Fairfield Warde’s Jude Grammatico def. Xavier’s Zaphyr Musshorn 2-1 (decision) 

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138 lbs.: Ledyard’s Lukas Boxley def. Terryville’s Ethan Bochman Rodriguez (pin)

144 lbs.: Xavier’s Braylon Gonzalez def. Ridgefield’s John Carrozza 3-1 (decision)

150 lbs.: Bristol Central’s Alex Lamarre def. Middletown’s Isaiah McDaniel 1-0 (decision)

157 lbs.: Newtown’s Antonio Arguello def. Notre Dame-West Haven’s Riley Storozuk 8-4 (decision)

165 lbs.: Gilbert/Torrington/Wolcott def. Trumbull’s Hubert Szymko 2-0 (decision)

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175 lbs.: Xavier’s Vincent Rivera def. Fairfield Prep’s Jack Lilly 14-10 (decision)

190 lbs.: Xavier’s Chase Catalano def. Fairfield Warde’s Dylan O’Brien 2-1 (decision)

215 lbs.: Lyme-Old Lyme’s Taiyo Gemme def. Staples’ Julian Rousseau (pin) 

285 lbs.: Shelton’s Chase Galke def. Ellington’s Jacob Palermo 3-0 (decision)

100 lbs.: South Windsor’s Sophia Gordon def. West Haven’s Isha Khanna (pin)

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107 lbs.: RHAM’s Brooke Heffernan def. New Milford’s Clara Reynolds 9-2 (decision)

114 lbs.: Branford’s Ava Gambardella def. Jonathan Law’s Selena Batres 6-0 (decision)

120 lbs.: Trumbull’s Jillian Blake def. Fairfield Warde’s Monica Flores Romero 17-1 (technical fall)

126 lbs.: Ellis Tech’s Adelina Tate def. Fairfield Ludlowe’s Ashlynn Cummings (pin)

132 lbs: Amity’s Eliana Selaris def. Daniel Hand’s Evely Lavigne (pin)

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138 lbs.: Stratford’s Winner Tshibombi def. Greenwich’s Gaby Aliaga 22-8 (majority decision)

145 lbs.: Stratford’s Gabriella Kiely def. New Milford’s Josephina Piel (pin)

152 lbs: Bunnell’s Matilda Tote def. Shelton’s Ella Piccirillo (pin)

165 lbs: Trumbull ‘s Marangelie Teixeira def. New Britain’s Kaydence Atkinson (pin)

185 lbs.: Platt’s Kayli Morris def. Bristol Central’s Shyann Bryan (pin)

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235 lbs.: Norwalk’s Jeily Euceda def. Maloney’s Arianna Bellamy (pin)

Xavier High School (Middletown, CT) has been the most dominant wrestling program in the state in recent memory. Once again, they stole the show in the state opens, winning its fifth-straight state open title.

The Falcons had seven wrestlers compete out of the 14 state open titles in the boys’ division and had five winners with two runner-ups. As a team, they totaled 218.5 points, which was 72 more points than any other team.



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Pedestrian killed after being struck by Amtrak train

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Pedestrian killed after being struck by Amtrak train


An investigation is ongoing in Stonington after a person was fatally struck by an Amtrak train Saturday morning, according to Stonington police.

Police were notified around 11:25 a.m. by Amtrak police that a pedestrian was struck by a train between the Route 1 overpass and the Prospect Street and Palmer Street railroad crossing.

When crews arrived, they pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

The train involved is stopped while Amtrak police conduct their investigation and ask the public to avoid the area at this time.

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Authorities say there is no threat to the public.

No further details were released.



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