Fairfield and Westport CT Real Estate Guide

Local insights on buying, selling, and living in Fairfield County

Tag Archives: Fairfield CT real estate


by 1 Comment

Fairfield and Westport Real Estate Market: February 2024 ❄️💫

As we plug away toward spring, let’s take a quick look at what happened in the first month of the year our local Fairfield and Westport markets. If you’re curious which homes sold, take a look at the What Sold Reports.

Here’s what happened in January 2024.

Prices were up.

  • Sale prices averaged just under 100% of asking in Fairfield and 101% in Westport. This is about the same as January when both ratios were 100%.
  • The median sale price in Fairfield was $805,000, up 36.4% compared to January 2023. The median sale price per square foot was up 7.9% to $341. In Westport, the median sale price was $1,850,000, up 16.4%, and the median sale price per square foot was $482, which was up 15.4% from last January.

Pace was down.

  • Days on market increased from 48 in November to an average of 63 days in Fairfield and 74 days in Westport. This is approximately 30% more time on the market than last December in both towns.
  • Unit sales were down 13.5% in Fairfield and 5% in Westport compared to January 2023. Inventory was also down with just 100 single-family homes for sale in Fairfield and 83 in Westport. There were seven new listings in Fairfield and six in Westport at the time of this post.
  • The months of supply was up from January 2023 but still in the two-to-three-month range in both towns. This is the result of a slower rate of sales, and due to an influx of homes coming on the market. 

What does it mean?

The market in January showed the continued trend of low inventory with ongoing buyer demand which maintained upward pressure on prices.

Bottom line.

People buy and sell in every season and in every market. So you can embrace your new lifestyle goals if now is the right time for you. The expert guidance of your agent will help you navigate this market to secure your new home. Reach out to me anytime with your questions about the market and to discuss your plans.

When you are selling, your agent will guide you on the strategy to maximize the demand for your listing in the current market. Here’s an overview of what you can expect.

If you plan to buy in this market, there is still solid competition and a relatively short window of time before sellers are accepting offers. So it is important that you are ready to make an informed decision if you see a home that meets your top criteria. This means you have everything you need to submit a competitive offer. This also means that you have your mortgage pre-approval or proof of funds in your agent’s hands, because an offer is not complete without this critical piece! Here’s a guide for what you can expect.

What are your thoughts about the market and interest rates? Do you think this year will be a better time for you to move than last year? Share your thoughts in the comments or send me a note below.

William Raveis Local Housing Data

FAIRFIELD SINGLE-FAMILY – JANUARY 2024


WESTPORT SINGLE-FAMILY – JANUARY 2024

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

William Raveis Local Housing Data


by Leave a comment

Fairfield and Westport Real Estate Market: JANUARY 2024💥


Happy New Year! 🎉

As we dive into 2024, let’s take a quick look at what happened in December in our local Fairfield and Westport markets. If you’re curious which homes sold, take a look at the What Sold Reports, and if you love the charts 📊, scroll down. ⬇️

Here’s what happened in December 2023.

Prices were up.

  • Sale prices averaged 102% of asking in Fairfield and 103% in Westport. This was an increase from November when both ratios were 100%. Most homes, (57% in Fairfield and 70% in Westport), sold above the asking price, and more than 90% of the sales sold for over 95% of the asking price.
  • The median sale price in Fairfield was $1,010,000, up 41.3% compared to December 2023. The median sale price per square foot was up 12.2% to $421. In Westport, the median sale price was $1,750,000, up 2.9%, and the median sale price per square foot was $605, which was up 38.3% from last December.

Pace was down.

  • Days on market increased from 48 in November to an average of 63 days in Fairfield and 74 days in Westport. This is approximately 30% more time on the market than last December in both towns.
  • Unit sales were down 17.3% in Fairfield and 37% in Westport compared to December 2022. Inventory was also down with just 88 single-family homes for sale in Fairfield and 58 in Westport. There were seven new listings in Fairfield and six in Westport at the time of this post.
  • The months of supply was up from December 2022 but still in the two-month range in both towns. This is the result of a slower rate of sales, and due to an influx of homes coming on the market. 

What does it mean?

The market in December demonstrated more of what we saw all year. Low inventory with buyer demand maintained the upward pressure on prices and limited the pace of sales.

The good news was that rates began to tick downward in November, and there were some signs that the market might start moving in a more balanced direction. At the time of this post, you could get a 30-year Fixed Jumbo at 6.625% and 30-year FHA for 6.125% from William Raveis Mortgage. This pointed to us being past the peak of interest rates.

Udate 1/11/24: The National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun forecasts an improved housing market in 2024. He said, “The demand for housing will recover from falling mortgage rates and rising income. In addition, housing inventory is expected to rise by around 30% as more sellers begin to list after delaying selling over the past two years.”

As we head into the New Year with rates ticking downward, more sellers may be ready and willing to enter the market. With the improved affordability from these lower rates and new listings to choose from buyers should be able to appreciate more options. So, if you have been waiting to make your move, now is a good time to get ready to do so.

Bottom line.

People buy and sell in every season and in every market. So you can embrace your new lifestyle goals if now is the right time for you. The expert guidance of your agent will help you navigate this market to secure your new home. Reach out to me anytime with your questions about the market and to discuss your plans.

When you are selling, your agent will guide you on the strategy to maximize the demand for your listing in the current market. Here’s an overview of what you can expect.

If you plan to buy in this market, there is still solid competition and a relatively short window of time before sellers are accepting offers. So it is important that you are ready to make an informed decision if you see a home that meets your top criteria. This means you have everything you need to submit a competitive offer. This also means that you have your mortgage pre-approval or proof of funds in your agent’s hands, because an offer is not complete without this critical piece! Here’s a guide for what you can expect.

What are your thoughts about the market and interest rates? Do you think this year will be a better time to move than last year? Share your thoughts in the comments or send me a note below.

William Raveis Local Housing Data

FAIRFIELD SINGLE-FAMILY – DECEMBER 2023


WESTPORT SINGLE-FAMILY – DECEMBER 2023

If you’re not ready to think about your move yet, please refer your friends to me using the form below.
Referrals are a win-win!

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

William Raveis Local Housing Data


by Leave a comment

Fairfield and Westport Real Estate Market: December 2023

Go to JANAUARY 2024 Report

Is there a new trend emerging?

Happy Holiday Season! The November numbers are in. As 2023 comes to a close, let’s take a look at what happened in our local Fairfield and Westport markets in November. For a list of all the single-family sales, explore the What Sold Reports. If you love the visuals, charts await you below! ⬇️

Here’s what happened in November:

Prices.

Sale prices averaged 100% of asking in both Fairfield and Westport. This is down from 102-103% in October suggesting a slight shift toward a more balanced playing field between buyers and sellers. The seller market was still strong though, with more than half the homes selling above asking price and the majority homes selling for over 95% of the asking price.

The median sale price was 13% lower year over year in Fairfield, likely due to a mix of sales that included more smaller homes. In Westport, the median sale price was up 9.7%. The median sale price per square foot was up in both towns compared to November 2022.

Pace.

The time on-market averaged 48 days in Fairfield and Westport, which was shortest November market time in the past three years.

Unit sales were down 11.1% in Fairfield and up 8.7% in Westport. There were eight new listings in each town at the time of this post. Inventory was up very slightly in Fairfield (3.1%) but down 12.5% in Westport.

There were approximately three months of supply in both towns, (2.78 months in Fairfield and 3.32 months in Westport). This metric shows that we are still in a sellers’ market given that a balanced market has closer to a six-month supply. However, the market is not as extreme in the seller’s favor as it was when the supply was in the two-month range in March (Westport) and April (Fairfield).

What does it mean?

There are some signs that the real estate market may be moving toward a more balanced state given that market activity is resulting in a sale to list ratio of 100% (versus way above) and that the supply is hovering in the three-month range.

Rates, ratio, and supply may suggest a shift toward a more balanced market. But this does not appear to be a clear trend yet, and market time is still quite short, so we will have to wait and see.

If you plan to buy in this market, there is still a good amount of competition and a short window of time before sellers are accepting offers. So it is important that you are ready to make an informed decision and have everything you need to submit a competitive offer. This means that you have your mortgage pre-approval or proof of funds in your agent’s hands, because an offer is not complete without this critical piece!

When you are selling, the market’s response to your listing depends on how compelling your asking price is for the property you are presenting and the demand for your property at the time you list your home for sale. Your agent will guide you on the strategy to maximize the demand for your listing in the current market.

Bottom line

Eighty-nine homes sold in December 2022, meaning that 178 parties made a successful move during this holiday month last year. So we can expect a good amount of serious people making successful moves this December as well. Do you plan to be one of them?

People buy and sell in every season and in every market. So you can embrace your new lifestyle goals if now is the right time for you. The expert guidance of your agent will help you navigate this market to secure your new home. Reach out to me anytime with your questions about the market and to discuss your plans.

William Raveis Local Housing Data

FAIRFIELD SINGLE-FAMILY – NOVEMBER 2023


WESTPORT SINGLE-FAMILY – NOVEMBER 2023

If you’re not ready to think about your move yet, please refer your friends to me using the form below.
Referrals are a win-win!

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

William Raveis Local Housing Data


by Leave a comment

Fairfield and Westport Real Estate Market: November 2023

Holidays are coming!

As the holiday season approaches 🥳, Fairfield and Westport homeowners are eager to understand the trajectory of the real estate market. Questions about whether it will persist or come to a halt are on many minds, especially for those contemplating a move and uncertain about the ideal timing. Let’s delve into the recent market activity to gain insights and set expectations.

The October report is in!

The October 2023 report has arrived, providing a comprehensive overview of this month compared to the same period last year. Explore the What Sold Reports for a detailed look at all single-family home sales in Fairfield and Westport, Connecticut during October 2023. For those who appreciate visuals, charts await you below! 🤩

7 Things to know about what happened in October:

Yes, mortgage rate and price increases have sidelined some buyers, but not enough to offset the low inventory. Here are seven points to understand about what happened in October.

  1. INVENTORY WAS DOWN 19.2% in Fairfield and 5.7% in Westport.
  2. UNIT SALES WERE DOWN 27.9% in Fairfield and UP 19.0% in Westport.
  3. MARKET TIME WAS DOWN averaging 40 days in Fairfield and 43 days in Westport.
  4. MEDIAN SALE PRICE WAS UP 12.9% in Fairfield and UP 26.4% in Westport.
  5. SALE PRICES AVERAGED 103.3% and 102.2% of the list price in Fairfield and Westport respectively.
  6. SOLD OVER LIST PRICE: 68.8% in Fairfield and 52.0% in Westport.
  7. SOLD FOR OVER 95% OF LIST PRICE: 91% in Fairfield and 84% in Westport

Low inventory and strong buyer demand continue to upward pressure on prices.

Buyer tip:

When you are buying in this market, there is still a good amount of competition and a short window of time before sellers are accepting offers. So it is important that you are ready to make an informed decision and have everything you need to submit a competitive offer. This means that you have your mortgage pre-approval or proof of funds in your agent’s hands, because an offer is not complete without this critical piece!

Seller tip:

When you are selling, the market’s response to your listing depends on how compelling your asking price is for the property you are presenting and the demand for your property at the time you list your home for sale. Your agent will guide you on the strategy to maximize the demand for your listing in the current market.

So what’s the take away?

Bottom line: Sixty-seven homes sold in November 2022 which means that 134 parties made a successful move. So we can expect a good amount of people making successful moves this November as well. Will one of them be you?

People buy and sell in every season and in every market. So embrace your dream lifestyle and go for it, if now is right for you! The expert guidance of your agent will help you navigate this market to secure your new home. Reach out to me anytime with your questions about the market and to discuss your plans.

William Raveis Local Housing Data

FAIRFIELD SINGLE-FAMILY – OCTOBER 2023


WESTPORT SINGLE-FAMILY – OCTOBER 2023

If you’re not ready to think about your move yet, please refer your friends to me using the form below. Referrals are a win-win!

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

William Raveis Local Housing Data


by Leave a comment

Fairfield and Westport Real Estate Market: October 2023

October numbers are in!

Greetings, Fairfield and Westport homeowners. I know many of you would like to make a move but are trying to figure out the best timing for your goals.

The charts below summarize what happened in September 2023 compared to August and to September 2022. You can also view the What Sold Reports to see all the single-family homes that sold in September 2023 in Fairfield and Westport Connecticut.

If you don’t like charts, skip to the summary below! 🤩

FAIRFIELD SINGLE-FAMILY – SEPTEMBER 2023


WESTPORT SINGLE-FAMILY – SEPTEMBER 2023

William Raveis Local Housing Data

Low inventory and strong buyer demand continue to maintain some upward pressure on prices.

Yes, mortgage rate increases have sidelined some buyers, but not enough to offset the low inventory. Here are five key points to understand about the market in September this year vs last year.

  1. INVENTORY WAS DOWN 21% in Fairfield and 1% in Westport.
  2. UNIT SALES WERE DOWN 37.9% in Fairfield and 55.3% in Westport.
  3. MARKET TIME averaged 48 days in Fairfield and 58 days in Westport.
  4. MEDIAN SALE PRICE was down slightly (1.1%) in Fairfield and UP 17.4% in Westport.
  5. SALE PRICES AVERAGED 102.3% in Fairfield and 96.6% of asking in Fairfield and Westport respectively, (so pretty close to asking).
  6. SOLD OVER ASKING: 74.3% in Fairfield and 18.8% in Westport.

When you are buying in this market, there is still a good amount of competition and a relatively short window of time before sellers are accepting offers. So it is important that you are ready to make an informed decision and have everything you need to submit a competitive offer. This means that you have your mortgage pre-approval or proof of funds in your agent’s hands, because an offer is not complete without this critical piece!

When you are selling, the market’s response to your listing depends on how compelling your asking price is for the property you are presenting and the demand for your property at the time you list it for sale. In September, homes sold close to the asking price on average and went under contract in 48-58 days. Your agent will guide you on the strategy to maximize the demand for your listing in the current market.

Bottom line: There is a very nice window right now to sell your home. We are after the back-to-school rush and before the holiday craziness, after the summer heat and before the wintery mix. Buyer demand remains higher than the supply, and the inventory is still low.

People buy and sell in every market, so embrace your dream lifestyle and go for it, if now is right for you! The expert guidance of your agent will help you navigate this market to secure your new home. Reach out to me anytime with your questions about the market and to discuss your plans.

If you’re not ready to think about your move yet, please refer your friends to me using the form below. Referrals are a win-win!

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

William Raveis Local Housing Data


by Leave a comment

Fairfield and Westport Real Estate Market: September 2023

Hello Fairfield and Westport!

Here’s your September market report. If you are like many I know, you would like to make a move but are trying to figure out the best timing for your goals.

The charts below summarize what happened in August 2023 compared 2022. You can also view the What Sold Reports to see all the single-family homes that sold in August 2023 in Fairfield and Westport Connecticut. Additional metrics including the sale-to-list price ratio and number of cash sales are included from the MLS below.

FAIRFIELD SINGLE-FAMILY – AUGUST 2023


WESTPORT SINGLE-FAMILY – AUGUST 2023

William Raveis Local Housing Data

Low inventory and strong buyer demand continue to maintain upward pressure on prices.

Yes, mortgage rate increases have sidelined some buyers, but not enough to offset the low inventory. Here are six key points to understand about the market in August this year compared to last year.

  1. INVENTORY WAS DOWN 19.2% in Fairfield and 5.3% in Westport.
  2. UNIT SALES WERE DOWN 11% in Fairfield and 20.4% in Westport.
  3. MARKET TIME WAS DOWN to an average of 42 days in Fairfield and 39 days in Westport.
  4. SALE PRICES AVERAGED 104% – 105% of asking in both towns.
  5. ACCEPTED OFFERS VS ACTIVE LISTINGS WERE SIMILAR TO 2019 LEVELS with 13% of active listings having accepted offers in Fairfield and 8% in Westport at the end of August, (Compared to 11% in Fairfield and 6% in Westport in August 2019).
  6. CASH DEALS DECREASED in August to 28.8% of sales in Fairfield and 26.8% in Westport. This is lower than in the previous month of July when 35.1% and 38.5% of the sales were cash in Fairfield and Westport respectively. These could be purchases that were committed to before the most recent mortgage rate increases.

When you are buying in this market, it is important that you are prepared to make an informed decision and to submit a competitive offer. This means that you have your mortgage pre-approval or proof of funds in hand, because an offer is not complete without this critical piece! The good news is that new listings are coming to the market each day, so you can look forward to having new options.

If you are selling a home for which you put down a solid down payment or paid cash for, you can look forward to enjoying a high sale price and maximum equity!

On average, homes sold 104-105% above the asking price in August, yet some homes also had price reductions. The market response to your listing depends on how compelling your asking price is for the property you are presenting and the demand for your property at the time you list it for sale. Your agent will guide you on the strategy to maximize the demand for your listing in the current market.

Bottom line: Now is a still a great time to sell! Buyer demand remains higher than the supply and inventory is still low. As a buyer in this market, you can anticipate increased equity from price appreciation that is expected to continue. New listings continue to come to the market each day offering new choices. Rates may also come down in the next year or so enabling you to refinance.

Embrace your dream lifestyle with the expert guidance of your agent to secure your new home. Reach out to me anytime with your questions about the market and to discuss your plans.

If you’re not ready to think about your move yet, please refer your friends to me using the form below. Referrals are a win-win!

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

William Raveis Local Housing Data


by Leave a comment

August 2023 Real Estate Update: Summer Market Trends in Fairfield & Westport CT

Hello Fairfield and Westport!

If you are like many I know, you would like to make a move but are trying to figure out the best timing for your goals.

I am seeing some buyer resistance to prices due to the added expense of current interest rates. However, the imbalance of supply and demand still keeps us in a seller’s market despite the rising rates. Here’s the latest market update.

The charts below show a summary of what happened in July 2023 compared to last July. My What Sold Reports include a list and summary of all the single-family homes that sold in July 2023 in Fairfield and Westport Connecticut.

FAIRFIELD SINGLE-FAMILY – JULY 2023


WESTPORT SINGLE-FAMILY – JULY 2023

William raveis Local Housing Data

Low inventory and strong buyer demand continue to push prices of many homes higher and also limit the overall market pace in Fairfield and Westport.

Here are six key points to understand about the market in July this year compared to last July.

  1. INVENTORY WAS DOWN 13 – 14% in the two towns.
  2. UNIT SALES WERE DOWN 39% in Fairfield and UP 6% in Westport.
  3. SALE PRICES AVERAGED 104% – 105% of asking in both towns.
  4. ACCEPTED OFFERS COMPARED TO ACTIVE LISTINGS REMAINED HIGH at 27% of active listings in Fairfield and 15% in Westport. Although these are lower percentages than in July of 2020 through July 2022, the accepted offer levels were still significantly higher than those of July 2019 pre-pandemic; double in Fairfield (13%) and triple in Westport (5%)!
  5. MARKET TIME INCREASED to a range of 36 – 50 days to contract.
  6. CASH DEALS comprised 36% and 38% of the sales in July in Fairfield and Westport respectively.


When you are buying in this market, you want to be prepared to come in with a competitive offer. This includes being prepared with a mortgage pre-approval or proof of funds in hand so you can make an offer quickly when you see a home you want! Remember, there’s a 36-38% chance you may be competing with cash offers, so you will want to do everything you can to present a competitive offer. The good news is that new listings are coming to the market each day.

If you are selling a home that you paid cash for, you can look forward to a high sale price and maximum equity!

There are multiple offers on some properties, while others receive just one, and some will even have a price reduction if the initial price was too ambitious. Homes on average were still selling above the asking price in July. Some are selling for full price, some above, and some are selling below. It depends on the demand for the individual property.

Bottom line: Now is a still a great time to sell! Buyer demand remains high. Inventory is still low. As a buyer in this market, you can anticipate increased equity from price appreciation that is expected to continue. New listings continue to come to the market each day. Rates may also come down enabling you to refinance. Committing to the process will get you to your new home!

Reach out to me anytime with your questions about the market and to discuss your plans.

Not ready to think about your move yet? Please refer your friends to me using the form below. Referrals are a win-win!

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

William Raveis Local Housing Data


by Leave a comment

Beach Area Bliss: Dive into Luxury with this Stunning Fairfield CT Home for Sale, Complete with a Sparkling Pool!

New home for sale with a pool in the Fairfield, Connecticut Beach Area:
21 Rhoda Avenue, Fairfield, CT 06824! Click the image below for a quick video preview!

UPDATE: HOME SOLD OVER ASK FOR $2,225,000. CONGRATULATIONS TO MY SELLERS!! 🎉🎉

Get ready for pure joy! Move into this fabulous beach-and-town home and let the pool party begin!

Set on one of the most coveted streets a few blocks from the beach, within walking distance of the downtown train, and about an hour from NYC, you will relish your new home. Vibrant new landscaping with roses and custom greenery welcomes you. Take in a view of your treasured neighborhood from the spacious covered front porch before heading inside. The elegant foyer draws you into the open flow and stunning spaces.

Create a meal or snack in your white kitchen with a marble island and high-end stainless appliances. Enjoy it in your chic dining room or out on the deck overlooking the pool. After a day at the beach or in your heated pool, you can cozy up to the gas fireplace in the family room. Work hard in the study then unwind in the great room or poolside, on the patio.

Five bedrooms can accommodate everyone comfortably. The sumptuous primary suite includes a spacious spa bath and walk-in closet. Three more bedrooms, two guest baths, and a laundry room complete the second floor. The newly finished third level offers all the options you need. A fifth bedroom, extra family room, gym, office, and studio are a few ideas.

Check all your boxes here with the perfect location, space, and pool for the summer. Did I mention the home is FEMA-compliant with transferrable flood insurance for just ~$350/year?

The home that brings it all is Rhoda Avenue. Welcome to pure joy!

View the full listing and brochure. Click the image for a sneak peek!

Property Features Summary

Location

  • Fantastic Street and Location a Few Blocks from the Beach
  • Treasured, Peaceful, & Vibrant Neighborhood 
  • Walk to Penfield Beach, Town, Train, Library, Schools & Restaurants
  • Walk to Jennings Beach, Marina, & Multiple Parks
  • Five minute Drive to Two Additional Train Stations & I95
  • Fairfield Beach Neighborhood Near Abundant Amenities
  • Water Community with Beach Rights

Property

  • Level, Fenced Yard 
  • Heated In-Ground Pool with New Liner
  • Driveway with Belgian Block & Extra Parking Space
  • Professional Landscaping
  • Roses and Specimen Plantings
  • Irrigation System
  • FEMA Compliant

General

  • 9-Foot Ceilings
  • Oversized Windows on 1st Floor
  • Audio System with Sonos
  • Nest Thermostats, 3 Zones
  • Ample Natural Light
  • Tankless Hot Water
  • Hardwood Floors Throughout
  • Extra Insulation
  • All Closets Have Organizers

Exterior

  • Custom Walkway 
  • Cedar Shakes & Stone Siding
  • Mahogany Front Stairs & Deck
  • Custom Front & Rear Decks
  • Beautiful Sunset Views from Spacious Front Deck

1ST FLOOR

Foyer

  • Gracious Entry
  • Elegant Front Door with Transom and Sidelight Windows
  • Custom Light Fixture
  • Coat Closet

Great Room

  • Gas Fireplace 
  • Sliders to Rear Deck & Pool
  • Open to Kitchen

Rear Deck

  • Pool Views & Access
  • Accommodates Large Dining Table

Kitchen

  • Marble Breakfast Bar
  • Eat-In Area
  • White Cabinetry
  • Pantry
  • Custom Light Fixtures
  • View to Back Deck
  • Wolf Gas Range
  • Sub-Zero Refrigerator
  • Sub-Zero Wine Chiller
  • Miele Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Disposal

Formal Dining Room

  • Custom Light Fixtures
  • View to Front Yard

Powder Room

  • Vanity Sink with Storage
  • Circular Mirror
  • Custom Fixture

2ND FLOOR

Primary Bedroom

  • Walk-In Closet with Organizers & Lighting
  • Spa Bath, Marble Floor, Double Sinks, Whirlpool Tub

Bedroom 2

  • Ensuite Bath with Beachy Blue Tile & Shower
  • Built-Ins
  • Closet with Organizers

Bedroom 3

  • Closet with Organizers

Hall Guest Bath

  • Double Sinks & Vanity
  • Tub & Shower
    • Tile Floor

Bedroom 4

  • Closet with Organizers

THIRD FLOOR

Bedroom 5 – Flex Space!

  • Engineered Wood Floors
  • Walk-In Closet
  • Extra Closet
  • Window Seat

Garage

  • Electric Door Openers
  • Open to Backyard
  • Can Accommodate Three Cars

Utilities

  • Natural Gas
  • City Water
  • City Sewer
  • 200-AMP Service

Improvements in 2022

Exterior

  • New Pool Liner
  • Professional Landscaping
  • Freshly Painted Front Steps

Interior

  • Finished 3rd Floor with Extra Closets
  • New Custom Light Fixtures Throughout
  • New Custom Plumbing Fixtures Throughout
  • Extra Insulation
  • New A/C Evaporator Coils

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨


by Leave a comment

Sold Over Ask in Under a Month

Click image for Instagram Reel!

The final result was better than she had ever imagined, but it took some serious soul searching, intense preparation, and full collaboration with her agent.

For years after she retired from her career as a flight attendant, Linda wanted to be with her friends who purchased homes in Florida and frequently traveled together from there. However, the responsibility of being the sole caretaker of her now 97-year old mom, Dolly required her to stay-put. Her family lived in upstate New York where her mother also owned a home. So the interim plan was to move back with Dolly to her New York house where her family could help with her care.


Preparation started by meeting with her agent to create a plan, and then it was time to start packing up her house.

Once she decided to sell, the job of emptying the home she had lived in since 1995 began. There are services to help a homeowner clear out their house quickly and easily, but Linda (Linda L, not me!) wanted to dig into this process herself.

William Raveis offers Raveis Refresh, a service that removes the homeowner’s burden of preparing the home for sale, and there’s no out of pocket expense to the seller until the closing.

But Linda felt the need to go through everything in the house and give away as much as she could. She accomplished this the old fashioned way, through networking and many trips to Goodwill! I believe that this process was also important for Linda because it was part of the emotional transition. It was not easy to leave the neighborhood she loved for so many years.

Part of our plan was to meet with a stager and determine the strategy for how to present the house to get the most money out of it.

We were all in agreement that the darkish yellow walls did not support the beachy vibe we wanted to go for in the beach area. Even the white ceilings needed refreshing after so many years since being painted. Several light fixtures from another era needed to be replaced and the exterior needed some touching up as part of the freshness strategy. And because Linda planned to get rid of almost everything in the house, the rooms needed furnishing. It was hard, even for us, to visualize the transformation that was soon to take place.

As Linda emptied the house, she gained momentum.

Linda called contractors to have deferred maintenance items attended to and had anything that was broken fixed. Gradually, she got rid of everything and made some key improvements like replacing the wood deck with new maintenance-free composite, installing some new appliances in the kitchen, and swapping out several light fixtures.

Fresh paint in the right shade yields the highest ROI. Staging creates the magic.

Then the painting began, and as the rooms became white, the natural light was reflected and uncovered a beautiful etherial feel that was dormant before. Even the basement got a paint refresh! With the home now a glow, it was time for the stagers to add the final magic. In one afternoon, they had the living room, dining room, study, and two bedrooms beautifully furnished, and the whole house accessorized. Linda’s house went from cluttered, dim, and tired, to light, bright, and magazine worthy! When she returned after leaving the house to the stagers, she could not believe it was the same house! She had the same reaction as the buyers who came to see it! Excitement!

The plan, effort, and collaboration paid off!

The house went on the market on a Thursday morning in time for the broker tour. Many agents came through with positive feedback. A number of agent showings took place from Thursday through the weekend. The showings in combination with a Saturday and Sunday open house brought 56 people through in four days! Multiple offers were received above the asking price, and by Monday, the new homeowner was on board!

If you would like to discuss your dream of the home that matches your needs and lifestyle, reach out to me below. If you’re curious what your home is worth in this market and would like an instant estimate, click here. Not ready yet? Keep an eye on the market with the monthly WHAT SOLD reports and Weekly Updates on the blog!

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨


by Leave a comment

Real Estate News – What Sold in September 2022: Fairfield & Westport CT

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)

Days on Market: UP 12% (37 vs 33)

Wondering if now’s a good time to make a move?

Curious what your home is worth?

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.

← Back

Thank you for your response. ✨

#RealEstateMarketJuly2022 #HousingPrices #HomeValues #HomeAppreciation #HomeBuying #HomeSelling #FairfieldCTRealEstate #WestportCTRealEstate #WilliamRaveisRealEstate #YourCastleMyMission #LindaRaymondRealEstate