Marie Fodor Is Honored As Realtor Of The Year

By Jan Howard

The Newtown Board of Realtors has named Marie Fodor of Bob Tendler Real Estate as Realtor of the Year for 2001.

Mrs Fodor, a member of the 117-member board and currently its president, has been a resident of Newtown for 25 years.

She was recognized for her contributions to the real estate profession at the Board of Realtors general membership meeting on September 20 at The Homesteads. She will be honored formally at the December 19 installation and awards luncheon.

“I was taken by surprise,” Mrs Fodor said. “Because I was president, I was concentrating on who would be up after the chairman of this committee.

“I am very thankful my fellow realtors gave me this honor,” she said. “They told me I turned bright red. I was a little taken back. I knew it was going to be announced, but there are a lot of people who would qualify. I’m honored they chose me.

“I’m very fortunate to work in the town where I live, especially at this time of year, to see the beauty of this town,” she said. “I’m very lucky, very thankful.”

Mrs Fodor was recently recognized with other Realtor of the Year nominees during the Connecticut Association of Realtors statewide convention at the Goodwin Hotel in Hartford during which each nominee was presented with a gift and the state Realtor of the Year was named.

Mrs Fodor has been a full-time realtor for 17 years. Previously, she was a teacher’s aide at Head O’ Meadow Elementary School. She has been employed with Bob Tendler Real Estate for nine years. Prior to that, she was with William Raveis Real Estate.

Mrs Fodor has earned the real estate designations of Graduate of Realtor Institute (GRI), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), and Professional Standards Certified Specialist (PSCS).

She has served as vice president and secretary and on various committees of the Newtown Board of Realtors. She served as legislative chairman for two years, board director for five years, house tour for two years, Beautification Committee for two years, Grievance Committee for four years, and Professional Standards for four years. She also served two terms on the William Raveis Advisory Council.

Mrs Fodor said there have been no significant changes in the real estate market this year. “It’s probably typical for the month we’re in,” she noted. “We’re seeing a lowering down of prices typical for this time of year. People want to sell.”

The average price of a three-bedroom home in town is $275,000, she said, and $470,000 for four bedrooms.

 Personally, as a realtor, she said, “It has been a very successful year.

“New construction is keeping realtors busy,” she said, adding there are new subdivisions that will be starting construction in the near future. The average price for new construction in Newtown is from $619,000 to $639,000, she added.

 “We could use more inventory in the resale market,” Mrs Fodor said, especially in the lower price ranges.

“There are houses that are affordable, but there is not enough inventory. They take deposit quickly. It’s all about condition and price.” She said the average price of lower priced homes is from $170,000 to $190,000.

“The lake communities have smaller homes, but if they’re on the waterfront they can be about $299,000,” Mrs Fodor said. “That’s desirable to some people.”

While there appears to be enough housing available for more affluent elderly residents, “there is no lower-end housing for elderly available,” she said. “There is also very little rental housing.”

The biggest change she has seen in Newtown during her years as a realtor and a resident is the number of people in town, she said. She noted, however, that the people coming in “bring a spirit of volunteerism” with them.

“They are branching out with a spirit of community,” she said. “They want to contribute and give back to the town. We need this spirit. It’s always been here, but we will continue to need it.

“Newtown has grown because we have the space, the land,” she said. “Where we’re situated makes people want to be here. It’s location, location, location.

“The atmosphere of the town makes people want to be here, to have a little country,” she added. “Newtown definitely has a charm that you don’t have in other towns.”

Mortgage rates are excellent right now, she said. “This is the lowest they’ve been in 30 years. It’s one of the best times for people to invest.”

Mrs Fodor was born and raised in Bridgeport and lived in Fairfield after she was married. She and her husband, David, who were high school sweethearts, have been married for 34 years and have three sons, Daniel, Gregory, and Darrin.

She graduated from Notre Dame Catholic High School and attended the University of Bridgeport prior to her marriage. She has taken several continuing education courses required for real estate licensing and other related courses.

Mrs Fodor has volunteered in a variety of community endeavors, including the St Rose Women’s Club, church activities such as religious education and Eucharistic minister, Laurel Homemakers Club, and fundraising efforts for school sports programs. She was also a member of Parent Connection, a drug and alcohol abuse support group. She chaired the Newtown After Prom for four years. She enjoys reading, crafts, and gardening.