Author Archives: Luxury Coastal CT Real Estate Specialist Linda Raymond at William Raveis Southport
Family from Scotland Comes Overseas to Live in Connecticut
Greg, a client of mine that worked in the landscaping business referred a new client to me that was being recruited all the way from Scotland to join the landscaping company he worked for called Michael Bellantoni located in White Plains, New York.
So Andew began the process of relocating with his wife Kirsty and three daughters from overseas to join the firm. They wanted to buy a home in a town with good schools and great prices, and focused in on Bethel, Connecticut. Despite their stellar credit in Scotland, they could not apply for a mortgage here in the States without any credit history in the US. So we found them a rental to enable them to establish their credit here while looking for a new home. After a long search, Andrew and Kirsty found the perfect home, and as Andrew is now well established with his new company, the happy family is enjoying a new life here in Bethel Connecticut!
…Fast forward five years to the family’s move date anniversary, and Kirsty posts her feelings on Facebook, and we have an online exchange,
“Well….today is our 5th Anniversary of moving to the States. It’s been a rollercoaster so far with a couple of highs, but also some lows. I have made life long new friends here, but also miss my besties back home and often long to be able to just jump in the car and go visit them, especially when they’re sick or not doing too well. Our oldest daughter has gotten married and bought her own place with our lovely son-in-law, our middle daughter is in her last year of high school and the youngest will be moving up to become a junior after the summer. I don’t know what the next five years holds, or even the next year. Anyway, here’s to five years in the good old US of A.”
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Hi Kirsty, I know there’ve been some tough times getting settled here. I wish it was a smoother transition for you and your family. I hope there are many more happy memories to be made here going forward!
Home Buyers & Sellers Unite!
When Mike called me to take a look at his house after seeing my name on a For Sale sign nearby, I was happy to oblige. After touring the house, I returned a few evenings later to meet with him and his wife Kagin to discuss their plans for moving to Florida and how we could work together to make this happen. Within two weeks, Mike and Kagin were ready to put their house up for sale!
Hitting the market in pristine condition with fabulous photos and a price based on comparable sales- we had instant interest, and a lot of it! Within the first week we had multiple offers including one at full price. Mike and Kagin went with the offer with the best terms for them.
It’s a win-win for everyone when they can work together in a positive and productive way. I truly enjoyed working with my clients to unite them in this successful sale!
If you would like a complimentary market valuation for your home or have a question or comment about this post, please use the form below.
Live in Downtown Fairfield- Commuter’s Dream Home!
Charm Central: 34 Glover Street, Fairfield, CT 06824
NEW PRICE: $499,000
MLS# 99039689
Cash is King- But So Is Excellent Credit!
Sharing her wisdom as a guest speaker at our sales meeting this month was Tracy A. Becker, President of NorthShoreAdvisory, a Credit Education & Restoration Company. This company is one of the very reputable firms out there to help us understand the credit mysteries and improve our scores. Tracy is a Certified FICO Professional, author of two books on credit and is the “Credit Expert” on the Eye on Real Estate radio show on WOR AM.
She began the meeting by announcing that, “If your credit score is not 740 or higher, it is not excellent and you should call me.” I was thinking, what’s wrong with Very Good, Impressive, or Decent? Anything short of excellent is no good these days? Apparently it best be excellent or you can potentially lose thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars on a mortgage with higher interest rates. Some sources even say that insurance premiums are linked to credit scores.
We all know that we should pay our bills on time, but there is a lot more that most of us are unaware of that impacts our credit score.
Here are the top 5 tips from Tracy that I was surprised to learn,
1. “Seasoned” credit (over 2 years old) is excellent for your scores, and the older the better. So don’t go closing your old credit card accounts!
2. A variety of credit is good for your score such as credit cards, auto loans, student loans and a mortgage.
3. Your credit can be pulled by third parties up to 5 times in a 12-month period with little impact to your score, but beyond this, your score can drop 30-40 points. You can pull your own credit score as often as you wish with no negative consequences.
4. A new late payment can drop your score over 100 points.
5. The higher your FICO score, the bigger the hit your score will take if new negative information is added.

If you are getting ready to apply for a mortgage or other financing in the near future, Tracy says to go to Credit.com and pay to get your FICO score. If it’s below 740, her company may be able to help save you big bucks! She gives free consultations by phone to determine whether her company can effectively help you, and there is no charge unless you hire her.
To receive pdf via email of Tracy’s expanded list of “Tips on Credit” send a request below.
Look for Me on HGTV
HGTV’s, House Hunters Renovation will be moving east for the first time this coming spring. Until now, the show has focused on the west coast, but the new season will be showcasing homes, buyers and their agents in our neighboring areas as well as right here in Fairfield!
The show is a spinoff of the popular series, House Hunters, and this is how the premise of the show is described on HGTV.com,
“Ever wonder what happens AFTER House Hunters choose? In House Hunters Renovation, our buyers look for a new home that is anything but turnkey. Watch as they tour three potential homes and ultimately choose the one that’s waiting for their special touch. Then stay as they renovate and decorate, ultimately revealing their new space!”
Keep your eyes open for a new episode featuring me and my clients Michael and Ella. After a quick sale of the home they bought with me four years ago in Black Rock, they have fast-tracked their Fairfield search and found three properties that will meet their main goal of getting their kids into good schools.
The final search narrows to a home on Samp Mortar Drive, Sterling Street and Hunyadi Avenue. I tour Michael and Ella through each and help them weigh the pros and cons relative to their priorities. Once the big choice is made, the HGTV design team meets with the couple to brainstorm and envision how this house can become their dream home. Watch HGTV’s designers and contractors transform the home, and see this family get ready to live happily ever after! Check HGTV.com regularly for opportunities to win cash for remodeling your home, and stay tuned for the date of the show-

The above photo was taken at Sweet Basil in Fairfield. I am seated across from Michael and Ella and next to HGTV director Andrea and project manager, Andrew. The camera man and sound guy are sitting at the back right of the table.
From Southport CT to Southport CT – Success Story
Some happy clients left their Southport home behind for a gorgeous new home in none other a wonderful place than… Southport!
Mom gave 100% approval and even supported the endeavor as a partner. They got a great deal on a bank owned new construction, and the bank even hired a new builder to complete the house and provide custom finishes.
Here’s to a new chapter and a new home. – Cheers!
And They’ll Live Happily Ever After!
The couple in the long distance relationship had to come together sooner or later, and they did just that in Fairfield’s university area this month!
Gary was living in his New York apartment and working in Manhattan. Jackie was working and living in her house in New Hampshire with her son. Every Friday, Gary took the train to Boston and then drove another half hour to Jackie’s house to be with her for the weekend. He didn’t mind the weekend trips, but travel and distance was still a barrier between them.
Since Jackie had a house to sell and didn’t know how long it would take, they figured they would rent in Fairfield where Gary’s parents live until they could get more settled with their plans. It turns out, I had the perfect house to show them, and they loved it. Jackie put her house on the market the next week and sold it in one day!
So they came together in Fairfield, and the rest is history!


Movin’ Like Hot Cakes! Summer Real Estate 2013
Folks have been asking me if the market’s been picking up, and I have to say YES! Here’s a mini-update on what’s happened with me within the past month or so.
My listing on 113 Charles Street in Fairifield SOLD at the end of May for $500,000. It went for 95% of the asking price to a nice young couple that has joined the beach area. The previous owners moved on to a new job promotion in Boston and new home in South Norwalk.
My listing at 479 South Benson Road, Fairfield also SOLD at the end of May for $750,000 at 94% of list. This was a short sale through Bank of America in which my clients were accepted into BoA’s “Cooperative Short Sale Program”. Believe it or not, I have to say that I was extremely impressed with the bank’s process and efficiency. The entire transaction was managed via the online program called Equator and through educational resources available on the bank’s website. They provided a chart with an overview of the steps in the process and how much time was allotted for each step- and they stuck to it! We closed on time, and my clients moved on with their plans!

Currently under CONTRACT with my buyers, is 921 Kings Highway West in Southport. This is a lovely new construction home that is bank owned with a listing price of $819,900. They can’t wait to move in and enjoy!
Also under CONTRACT with my buyers is 5 Ermine Street in Fairfield’s lovely University area. The asking price is $659,900. The happy couple will be uniting here as they prepare to get married. He is coming here from New York’s Big Apple, and she is coming from New Hampshire. They will be moving to Fairfield in time to enjoy the beaches this summer.
So what’s up and coming, you may ask?
We have an OPEN HOUSE coming up on Sunday June 23rd from 1:00 to 3:00 at 1284 Fairfield Woods Road, Fairfield CT. This is an impeccable and charming home with four bedrooms, two full baths and nearly a third of an acre with completely fenced level yard. Asking price is $459,900. Click the image below for more pic’s and info!
…And COMING SOON to the market is Black Rock Gem, 184 Harborview Ave, to be listed at $324,000. 
Stay tuned for more….
So, you can say that things are definitely moving out there! Let me know if you are ready to move on with your plans. As always, I’m here to help! -Linda
Spring Tulips!

I just sent this beautiful post card to three of my clients who are having home buying or selling anniversaries this spring. One was a two-month anniversary, one a two-year, and the third was a seven-year anniversary!! Isn’t Spring great?











