As the year comes to a close and the holidays approach, it feels more important than ever to give back and support those less fortunate.
This November began with attending Rooms with a View in Southport in which professional and up and coming designers create stunning mini-rooms for visitors to view. Many of the furnishings are available for purchase by area merchants. Ticket proceeds help to fund 18 local and regional charities for a wide array of community needs.
Near and Far Aid raises funds to support strong communities and help prevent poverty and homelessness in Fairfield County. The largest fundraising event is the upcoming Spring Gala at Mitchells in Westport on April 28, 2023. The kick-off meeting for volunteers began in November with a festive start hosted at The Post at 1799 Post Road in Westport.
If you would like to find out how to get involved with one of these organizations or you would like to talk about your moving plans in the coming year, reach out below!
What’s going on in our local Connecticut housing markets as 2022 comes to a close? What’s UP, what’s DOWN? Join me in following this weekly update of what happens in Fairfield and Westport, and you will know first hand!
FAIRFIELD Single-Family
Nov 28 – Dec 4
Dec 5 – 11
Dec 12 – 18
Dec 19 – 25
Dec 26 – Jan 2
NEW
6
REDUCED
2
ACCEPTED OFFERS
3
SOLD
17
AVG % OF ASK
99%
YTD MEDIAN SALE PRICE
$820,000
WESTPORT Single-Family
Nov 28 – Dec 4
Dec 5 – 11
Dec 12 – 18
Dec 19 – 25
Dec 26 – Jan 2
NEW
5
REDUCED
6
ACCEPTED OFFERS
2
SOLD
7
AVG % OF ASK
98%
YTD MEDIAN SALE PRICE
$2,011,000
Source: SmartMLS
DID YOU KNOW that people move all year long and in every market?
Last year in November and December of 2021, 195 people successfully bought or sold a single-family home in Fairfield and Westport, and in 2019 there were 159 single-family sales during these two months. So you shouldn’t feel like you have to wait around for spring if you want to be in your ideal home now.
The best time to sell is when the timing matches your life goals. You can absolutely do it any time of year and in any market!
If you’re feeling concerned about the market conditions but wish you could move on to the home that truly matches your needs and lifestyle, reach out to me now, and let’s have a conversation.
Click image to view the digital magazine market update for what happened in November.
Here are your William Raveis local housing data charts for Westport. Visit the menu icon in the upper left of the page to search another town and check out more insights including the forecasting tool!
You deserve the home 🏡 that matches your lifestyle and needs.
Let’s face it, most of us do not have “vision” when it comes to imaging another home as our own. As a home buyer, you appreciate seeing a potential home that’s gets you excited and makes your heart pound, right?
As a home seller you want to put your best foot forward to help your buyers view your house at the absolute top value you feel it’s worth, right?
It’s emotional!
I can list the statistics from the National Association of Realtors and other organizations that have documented the value of home staging because it has resulted in homes selling for the highest possible price in the least amount of time. I know you’ve seen the data. But what is it about staging that makes the difference? It’s emotional! And people make real decisions based on emotion. (There are studies documenting this point as well.)
When you approach the house and when you walk in, you feel an instant WOW! The feeling is fresh, clean, light and bright. Something about the space draws you in. You notice the fabulous views, elegant fireplace, perfect lighting, spacious rooms, and seamless flow! You are not distracted by personal photos and belongings, evidence of pets, extreme wall colors, oppressive and excessive furnishings or other obstructions. You simply feel an easy flow and a fabulous vibe, maybe even some passion!
Browse the photos above, and see how you feel!
Here’s what one of my clients had to say,
The suggestion of “staging” was something I hadn’t thought of, but after being introduced to the idea, I went with it and was amazed by the change it brought to my home. It was magnificent!!!
Browse through some of the before and after photos by clicking the image above, and see how you feel!
Reach out to me below with comments or questions about your plans. Want a quick estimate of your home’s value in the current market? Click here.
What’s really going on in our local Connecticut housing markets? Does it all boil down to supply and demand? Join me in following this weekly update of what happens in Fairfield and Westport, and you will know first hand! (Click each image below to view a quick Reel on Instagram.)
FAIRFIELD Single-Family
Oct 17 – 23
Oct 24 – 30
Oct 31 – Nov 6
Nov 7 – 13
Nov 14 – 20
Nov 21 – 27
NEW
14
14
8
8
8
1
REDUCED
11
12
7
11
7
2
ACCEPTED OFFERS
11
11
9
9
6
12
SOLD
22
9
13
6
9
9
AVG % OF ASK
98%
97%
98%
97%
98%
97%
YTD MEDIAN SALE PRICE
$810,000
$810,000
$820,000
$817,000
$815,000
$815,000
WESTPORT Single-Family
Oct 17 – 23
Oct 24 – 30
Oct 31 – Nov 6
Nov 7 – 13
Nov 14 – 20
Nov 21 – 27
NEW
8
9
15
6
5
1
REDUCED
4
5
3
5
4
1
ACCEPTED OFFERS
4
6
4
2
7
2
SOLD
3
5
8
1
6
4
AVG % OF ASK
98%
94%
96%
95%
98%
99%
YTD MEDIAN SALE PRICE
$2,050,000
$2,032,500
$2,050,000
$2,050,000
$2,050,000
$2,015,000
Source: SmartMLS
Nov 28: No one made a move in the middle of Thanksgiving and Black Friday, right? Actually they did! 27 happy parties made a big move with 14 accepted offers and 13 sold homes last week! Sale prices averaged 97% in Fairfield and 99% in Westport, so homes are selling close to asking price. Take a look at my quick video update.
Nov 21: Nothing happening the week before Thanksgiving, right..?
Observations: There was actually an UPTICK in accepted offers last week! The median sale price has been pretty steady in both towns in the last five weeks. It’s actually UP a bit in Fairfield from five weeks ago. Sale prices have been averaging 98% of asking, which is what we typically see in strong markets. New listings have been trickling in though.
So my takeaway is that we need more new listings!
DID YOU KNOW that people move all year long?
Last year, in November and December 2021, 195 people successfully bought or sold a single-family home in Fairfield and Westport, and in 2019 there were 159 single-family sales. So you shouldn’t feel like you have to wait around for spring if you want to be in your ideal home now.
The best time to sell is when the timing matches your life goals. You can absolutely do it any time of year and in any market!
If you’re feeling concerned about the market conditions but wish you could move on to the home that truly matches your needs and lifestyle, reach out to me now, and let’s have a conversation.
Oct 13: Observations: The biggest things that jump out at me right now are the price reductions and the ratio of the sale price to the asking price.
We saw ZERO price reductions for quite some time, but in the last four weeks we saw some. I still think these happened when sellers priced too optimistically versus pricing conservatively with comparable sales in the current market.
At the height of the frenzy, the sale/list ratio ran between 103% to 105%. In the last four weeks this ratio moved to the 95%-97% range which is closer to what we see in a more balanced market. Buyers had some opportunity to negotiate again in some cases. However, keep in mind there were still multiple offers and sales at and above the asking price as well.
The median sale price has been fairly consistent in both towns over the last four weeks.
September 2022 housing numbers are in! How does September compare to the prior month, is there a slow down, and WHAT SOLD?? Curious what your home is worth?
Find out what happened in our local markets by downloading your free WHAT SOLD report with everything that sold in Fairfield and Westport in the previous month here. If you would like the report for another town, send me a request in the form below, and I will get it to you.
So, what are the numbers, Linda?
In Fairfield, September unit sales were down by 25 from August. The ratio of sale price compared to the list price was down two percent since August. The median sale price was also down, but the median days on market was the same.
In Westport, unit sales were down by 14 from the prior month. Sale price-to-list-price ratios averaged two percent lower than in August. The market time was up by 4 days compared to August.
Comparing September vs August,
Both towns saw fewer sales and sale prices closer to the asking price in September compared to August. The median sale price was lower in Fairfield and higher in Westport in September vs August.Market time was unchanged in Fairfield and longer in Westport.
Comparing September 2022 vs 2021,
Comparing September year over year, unit sales were down in both towns this year. The median sale price is still up from 2021. Market time was down in Fairfield and a few days longer in Westport.
Quick scoop on market status
FAIRFIELD – September 2022 vs August
Single-Family Homes
Units Sold: DOWN, 55 (vs 80)
Median Sale Price: DOWN, $853,000 (vs $908,000)
Average Sale vs. Asking Price: DOWN, 101% (vs 103%)
Median Days on Market: SAME 32 (vs 32)
Fairfield 2022 vs 2021
Units Sold: DOWN 27% (55 vs 75)
Median Sale Price: UP 4% ($853,275 vs. $820,000)
Days on Market: DOWN 25% (30 vs. 40)
WESTPORT – September 2022 vs. August
Single Family
Units Sold: DOWN, 34 (vs 48)
Median Sale Price: UP, $2,002,500 (vs $1,949,500)
Average Sale vs. Asking Price: DOWN, 101% (vs. 102%)
Median Days on Market: UP, 39 (vs 35)
Westport 2021 vs 2022
Units Sold: DOWN 17% (35 vs 42)
Median Sale Price: UP 41% ($2,080,000 vs $1,475,000)
You may also be wondering if prices will be coming down and if you should make a move now. For monthly charts showing more market parameters in your towns of interest, take a look at the Raveis Local Housing Data, and contact me to discuss the market and your plans.
If you’re thinking of making a move in the next 12 months or have any questions, call directly or send a note to Linda Raymond below.
We all showed up in the neighborhood at different times. We each arrived during the appropriate chapter for our individual story lines. As usual, we each had our own priorities, pursuits, and interests.
Our dear neighbor, Linda, (pictured above center with the orange lei), has lived on our street since 1995. She has seen many neighbors come and go.
If there ever was a perfect neighborhood role model, Linda would be it!
She knew everyone, and we all knew her. Not only did she know everyone, she pretty much knew the back story of each neighbor’s entire family tree including their pets!
Whenever she saw you, she would ask how you were doing, how your children were doing, your mother, brother, your pets. She genuinely cared and wanted to know. In the winter time, she would march right to your door with a shovel and begin a conversation while clearing your front porch of snow. If anyone needed the name of a contractor or a cup of sugar, Linda was our go-to.
And as a bonus to her model behavior, Linda was not shy about going the distance during our summer block parties with spirited festivities that lasted well into the night. 🙂
But when Linda decided to move away to be closer to her family and friends, it became very clear how meaningful she had been to the fabric of our neighborhood.
I went door to door to invite each neighbor to a surprise party for Linda. Everyone had the same reaction. They expressed loss at the thought of her leaving, well wishes for her next chapter, and a sincere desire to send her off with good spirit and a proper celebration. So we had a lovely gathering for Linda, which helped to bring us all a little closer together too.
It truly made me feel the impact of having a great neighborhood.
When you feel connected to those around you, it gives a sense of comfort, support, positive energy, and a feeling of belonging. In fact, this is why National Neighborhood Day was created! The mission is to inspire the fostering of neighborhood relationships that in turn build stronger and more caring and effective communities. The dedicated website says, “Communities work better ( students perform better, crime rates are lower, kids are safer, people live longer) when neighbors know one another better. Knowing your neighbor on a first-name basis, as National Neighborhood Day suggests, is a surprisingly effective first step toward a better America.”
Loving your neighbors sure makes a lot of sense, right?!
I hope this post inspires you to be a good neighbor and love your neighbors, even if they don’t live right on your street. This will make you feel more at home and do your part to help build a culture of kindness and acceptance that will enhance our communities in the future for generations to come! In fact, you can start here and now by taking the Good Neighbor Pledge!
If you are ready to join a new neighborhood, send a note below so that we can discuss your plans!
Charmer on Charles! Grab this beach area gem and jump into the perfect home and lifestyle!
Coveted property and neighborhood
Set on a vibrant street with million+ dollar properties and its own Facebook Group, this gracious home can soon be yours. Featuring enviable curb appeal, an elegant fireplace, hardwood floors, and French doors leading to the new maintenance-free covered deck, what’s not to love?
Space to suit
There is ample space for all your needs with a front-to-back living room and dining area complete with French doors overlooking the rear gardens, an eat-in kitchen, a light-filled study or den, and a large full bath with laundry on the first floor. Three bedrooms and another full bath reside upstairs. There’s plenty of storage space for all your stuff with an attic and full basement. The freshly painted basement is ready to serve, complete with a double sink for projects and gardening.
Creature comforts
Decompress in your private, fenced, and beautifully landscaped property. Relax in the shade on your covered deck. Park and store your things in the garage. Enjoy energy-efficient natural gas, forced air heat, city water, and city sewer.
Best location ever!
Stroll downtown to the train, chic eateries and shops, or to Penfield Beach and neighborhood parks! Secure the relaxed yet bustling lifestyle you crave here at home and hop on the train to Manhattan in just over an hour whenever you wish.
Fairfield and Westport CT Real Estate Guide 