Breaking News: Triniyah Real Estate Signs Powerhouse Agent Oren Stephens

At Triniyah Real Estate, we pride ourselves on doing things differently, prioritizing people over profits, education over pressure, and results that truly serve our clients. Today, we’re proud to announce a major addition to our team that reflects those values and more.

Welcome to the Team: Oren Stephens

Oren Stephens is not your average real estate agent. With over five years of experience helping Connecticut buyers and sellers navigate the market, Oren has built his reputation on one powerful principle: everyone deserves the opportunity to own real estate, regardless of their starting point.

Before stepping into real estate sales, Oren was already in the game as a successful buy-and-hold investor and house flipper. That experience gave him firsthand insight into what it takes to build wealth through property ownership, and it’s exactly that experience he brings to each client relationship.

But what really sets Oren apart is his heart for those who’ve been overlooked by the traditional real estate process. He specializes in helping buyers with less-than-perfect credit, people who may have been told “no” one too many times. Through creative financing, trusted lender partnerships, and sheer persistence, Oren has helped multiple families turn their dream of homeownership into reality.

Why Oren Chose Triniyah

Oren truly valued his time at his previous brokerage and remains grateful for the support and guidance he received there. His move to Triniyah Real Estate wasn’t about leaving something behind, it was about embracing new opportunities for growth. With a strong foundation already built, Oren saw Triniyah as the right environment to expand his business, strengthen his brand, and take his mission of helping underserved buyers to the next level.

Here at Triniyah, we don’t just offer leads and training; we invest in our agents as partners, helping them grow their businesses in a way that aligns with their goals. For Oren, that means expanding his reach, sharpening his brand, and continuing to serve the people who need him most.

A Win for Connecticut Buyers

Oren’s presence is a major win for buyers across Connecticut, especially those who’ve struggled to find an agent who understands the challenges that come with credit issues or limited savings. His combination of compassion, grit, and real-world investment experience makes him a trusted advisor who can meet clients where they are, and guide them to where they want to be.

Get in Touch with Oren Stephens

If you’ve been thinking about buying a home and don’t know where to start, or if you’re an investor looking to level up, Oren is ready to help. You can reach him directly at (203) 200-0094 or Oren@Triniyah.com.

Ready to Work with an Agent Who Gets It?

Triniyah Real Estate is growing, and we're bringing on agents who are passionate about serving, solving, and succeeding. If you're ready to make a move (as a client or a real estate professional), we’re ready to talk.

The Connecticut Bills That Didn’t Make It in 2025

The Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford, where key housing reform bills stalled during the 2025 legislative session.

As Connecticut’s housing crisis deepens, several high-profile efforts to expand tenant protections and reform local zoning laws failed to gain traction during the 2025 legislative session. Despite widespread recognition of the state’s growing housing shortfall—estimated at over 110,000 units—key bills that aimed to address affordability, stability, and accountability ultimately stalled.

Here’s a closer look at the most significant housing-related proposals that didn’t pass, how far they advanced, and the political dynamics that blocked them.

Just-Cause Eviction Protections

At the top of many tenant advocacy agendas was a bill to establish just-cause eviction protections, which would have prohibited landlords from removing tenants without a valid legal reason—such as nonpayment of rent or lease violations.

Progress: The measure was introduced and discussed in both chambers but never advanced to a full vote. Despite strong support from housing advocates, it encountered unified opposition from landlord groups who argued it infringed on property rights and could deter investment in rental housing.

Why it failed: Legislative leaders cited concerns about the bill’s potential to create legal ambiguity and unintended financial consequences. Without a compromise between landlord and tenant stakeholders, the proposal remained stuck in political limbo.

Fair Rent Commissions & Rental Assistance Expansion

Another proposal aimed to boost housing equity by mandating fair rent commissions in every municipality—building on a law that previously required them only in towns with populations over 25,000. The bill also included provisions to expand rental assistance and even pilot mortgage relief for student loan borrowers.

Progress: The bill cleared the Housing Committee but failed to gain further momentum.

Why it failed: Budgetary constraints and concerns about imposing state mandates on small towns without sufficient funding contributed to its downfall. Legislators also faced pushback from municipalities worried about administrative burdens and perceived loss of autonomy.

Affordable Housing Appeals Penalty (HB 6126)

This bill would have added enforcement teeth to the state's long-standing Affordable Housing Appeals Procedure (8-30g) by penalizing municipalities that repeatedly failed to meet housing development benchmarks.

Progress: Though discussed during early session debates, HB 6126 never advanced past the initial committee stage.

Why it failed: The proposal met fierce resistance from local governments and home-rule defenders who argued that state-imposed penalties would be punitive and counterproductive. There were also concerns about how such penalties would be implemented and adjudicated.

Multi-Family Zoning Protection

This bill sought to prevent municipalities from enacting blanket bans on multi-family housing developments, a key strategy to increase housing density and affordability.

Progress: The bill passed the House with a 94–54 vote but was never taken up in the Senate.

Why it failed: Intense pressure from local officials and homeowner groups, combined with legislative caution around zoning mandates, led to its quiet demise.

Mobile Home Resident Protections (HB 5428)

Targeted specifically at mobile home communities, HB 5428 aimed to enhance protections for residents by increasing relocation payments and requiring clearer disclosure of fees.

Progress: The House approved the bill after removing caps on miscellaneous fees, but the Senate did not act on it.

Why it failed: The bill’s scaled-down scope and lack of high-profile sponsorship likely contributed to its low priority in the Senate’s final agenda.

“Towns Take the Lead” Zoning Reform

This comprehensive zoning reform bill would have offered financial incentives to towns that pursued local housing reforms, including allowing mixed-use developments, removing minimum parking mandates, and promoting transit-oriented housing.

Progress: Despite support from housing advocates, the bill was delayed due to a threatened Republican filibuster and ultimately expired before a vote could be held.

Why it failed: The bill’s sweeping nature, combined with political friction and a crowded legislative calendar, made it too heavy a lift for 2025.

What These Failures Reveal

While each of these bills addressed different facets of Connecticut’s housing problem, they shared common obstacles:

• Strong resistance from local governments.

• Legislative reluctance to enforce mandates.

• Political fragmentation between House and Senate leaders.

Notably, many of the bills that failed had substantial public backing and the support of housing experts. Yet, in nearly every case, local control advocates prevailed.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Several of these measures are expected to return next year—possibly with revisions to ease political concerns. Rising public frustration, coupled with stagnant housing growth and affordability challenges, may drive a shift in legislative willingness to tackle structural reforms.

Conclusion

Connecticut’s 2025 legislative session offered no shortage of bold ideas to fix the housing crisis—but most of them never made it to law. As renters struggle, housing advocates regroup, and towns resist change, the battle for affordable, accessible housing is far from over.

Need help navigating Connecticut’s complex housing market? Whether you're renting, buying, selling, or investing, contact us below for expert assistance in finding your next home—or your next opportunity.

Selling and Buying a Home at the Same Time? Here’s How to Nail the Move-Up in Connecticut

From "For Sale" to "Just Sold"—Triniyah Real Estate helps Connecticut homeowners move up with confidence.

So, your starter home has served its purpose. Maybe the walls feel like they’re closing in, you need an office with a door that closes (and locks), or you've finally decided it’s time to get that backyard you’ve been dreaming about. Whatever the reason—welcome to your first "move-up" experience.

Selling one home to buy another is no small task, especially in Connecticut's dynamic real estate market. It’s not just about listing one place and shopping for another. You’re essentially managing two major financial transactions, often at the same time. That’s why having a plan—and a team—is so critical.

Here’s what first-time sellers moving up need to know to make it all go smoothly.

1. What Does “Moving Up” Really Mean to You?

Before you get too deep into home tours or paint touch-ups, define what "moving up" means for your lifestyle. Is it a bigger kitchen? A better school district? Closer to the train station for your New York City commute?

Many buyers skip this step and regret it later. Being crystal clear on your goals helps your agent narrow your options and make informed decisions faster—especially when juggling a sale and a purchase.

2. Should You Sell First or Buy First?

Ah, the classic chicken-and-egg dilemma.

• Selling First gives you cash in hand but may leave you scrambling for temporary housing.

• Buying First avoids moving twice but could leave you juggling two mortgages.

In Connecticut, this decision often depends on market conditions. In hot areas like Hartford County, selling quickly might be a given—but finding your next home? That’s another story. Consider financing options like bridge loans or HELOCs (home equity lines of credit) to fill the gap if you want to buy before you sell.

And don’t forget about contingency clauses—they can protect you from getting stuck with two homes or none at all.

3. Prep Your Current Home for Today’s Buyers

This is where many move-up sellers cut corners. You’re so focused on the new house, you forget your current one needs to shine.

• Cosmetic upgrades like neutral paint, modern fixtures, and deep cleaning can make a huge difference.

• Consider a pre-listing home inspection to catch issues early—it shows buyers you're proactive and could speed up your closing.

• In Connecticut, buyers tend to be especially sensitive to heating, insulation, and roof condition, given our winters.

And don’t skip staging. A well-staged home photographs better and feels more inviting—critical when buyers are scrolling listings online.

4. Price It Right—Not Sentimentally

It's easy to overprice a home you love. But sentimental value doesn’t equal market value.

Work with your agent on a comparative market analysis (CMA) to set a competitive price. Overpricing just to “test the market” often backfires—leading to longer days on market and price reductions that make buyers suspicious.

5. Understand How Financing Gets Complicated

If you’re relying on equity from your current home to buy the next one, you’ll need to time things carefully. Talk to a mortgage broker about:

• Recasting a mortgage – a little-known option that lets you apply a lump sum from your sale to your new loan after closing.

• Pre-approval vs. pre-qualification – Pre-approval gives you the power to make strong offers fast.

• Debt-to-income ratio changes once you sell your home – this can impact your borrowing power and timeline.

6. Coordinating Closings Like a Pro

Ideally, you want both closings to happen on the same day, or close enough to avoid paying two mortgages. But that’s easier said than done.

Explore options like:

• Rent-back agreements, where you stay in your sold home for a few extra weeks.

• Flexible sellers on your new home, willing to delay their move to accommodate your timing.

• Back-to-back closings (same-day sale and purchase), which require precision and teamwork among agents, lenders, and attorneys.

7. What’s Unique About Connecticut Real Estate?

Every state has quirks—and Connecticut has a few big ones:

• Attorney involvement is mandatory in closings. Your lawyer plays a central role, especially in coordinating dates and resolving title issues.

• Seasonal timing is real. Winter sales are tougher unless the buyer is serious. Spring and early summer are peak markets.

• Town-by-town dynamics vary wildly. What flies in New Haven may not cut it in Fairfield or West Hartford.

This is where local expertise pays off big time.

8. The Emotional Side of the Equation

You're buying a dream and letting go of memories. That’s a lot.

Many first-time move-up buyers feel overwhelmed, especially when negotiations hit bumps or plans shift. Surround yourself with a team that’s been there before and knows how to steer the ship when things get choppy.

9. The Importance of a Great Team

You don’t need a giant entourage—but you do need the right people.

Look for:

• A real estate agent who can manage both transactions simultaneously and understands local market rhythms.

• A lender who communicates clearly and moves quickly.

• A real estate attorney who knows Connecticut law inside and out.

They’ll help avoid costly missteps like timing mismatches, uncoordinated closings, or losing your dream home due to slow paperwork.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This—With Help

Selling one home to buy another—especially for the first time—can feel like trying to solve a puzzle where the pieces keep moving. But with smart planning, a solid team, and the right mindset, it’s entirely doable.

Thinking about moving up in Connecticut? We love helping families like yours transition smoothly from one home to the next. Whether you’re just starting to think about it or you’re ready to list, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

👉 Contact us below for personalized help with your next move.