Fairfield and Westport CT Real Estate Guide

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

Tag Archives: Linda Raymond


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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-
Image

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.


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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!

921 Kings Hwy W w gift

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!

921 Kings Hwy W


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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!
5 Ermine Gary & Jackie at Closing
5 Ermine Gary & Jackie


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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.

House Beach Grass Optimized 800x600

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!
Charming front porch complete with swing and private back patio.
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!

921 Kings Hwy W

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.

5 Ermine

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!

1284 Fairfield Woods

…And COMING SOON to the market is Black Rock Gem, 184 Harborview Ave, to be listed at $324,000.   184 Harborview
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!

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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?


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Happy Seller Heads South!

Not a big fan of freezing winters, Joe had a dream that he thought was simple:  sell his condo on Madison Avenue in Bridgeport and move to Florida where life is sunny and warm year-round.

Joe after his closing!

Joe after his closing!

It sounded reasonable enough until he put his condo on the market and didn’t get the quick sale he was hoping for.  After trying to sell with four different agents over the course of three years with one deal falling through at the last minute, Joe was feeling quite discouraged and wondered if his plan would ever come to fruition.

Finally, the following summer, he summoned his spirits again and had his son come up from Florida to help him de-clutter.  Then he called me to come and see his place, and I gave him a list of staging tips that he put into play.  We went on the market and received a good amount of activity but were plagued by low-ball offers by investors and a distressed unit that posted for sale at a rock bottom price by a bank.

As the holidays approached, Joe agreed to withdraw from the market long enough to re-do his kitchen.  I referred a great contractor to him that was skilled and well priced.  Joe shopped around for some good deals on appliances, and viola!
2011-09-30 01.52.54      Joe's Condo AFTER

 

 

 

 

 

With a refreshed look, new kitchen and the New Year, Joe closed on his condo within three months and was off to his dream home in Florida with the weather to match!  Here’s what Joe had to say about it, “I will always be happy to give you the highest recommendation for your excellent customer service and professionalism. I definitely couldn’t have sold my condo without you.  The recommendation to upgrade my kitchen was a big factor.  There were so many condos on the market in Bridgeport, I thought I would never get out of there. But you sold my condo in such a short time frame.  You are a Realtor who cares and gives the best possible customer service one could expect, especially if the seller listens to you and takes your suggestions.  I couldn’t be happier now that I am in Florida.”

Take a look at the video to see Joe’s kitchen transition in action.

Feel free to comment below or request help preparing your home for the market.

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Thank you for your response. ✨


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New Family Joins Fairfield’s Beach Area

The Fairfield Beach Area will soon be welcoming a very excited young family!
Relocating here from North Carolina, the wife is working in Wilton and the husband is the new branch manager for a bank on Black Rock Turnpike.  Only Ken was present for the closing yesterday while Jenn was off to Belgium on business, but they will be together again shortly with their two little ones and nearby relatives.

97 Cummings Ken at Closing

This happy family can’t wait to enjoy their gorgeous new home on Cummings Avenue and to meet their new neighbors this spring!  97 Cummings Ken at House


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Another Dream Comes True!

Tina had an exciting day today, because she closed on her long awaited condo in the Foxwood community in Milford, Connecticut.  Today was smooth sailing, but it was quite a journey to get here.

We had been looking for the perfect unit since last year.  It had to be on the first floor with plenty of space, two entrances, two bedrooms, a den, space to install full-size washer and dryer (vs.  smaller stacking ones)  and in good condition.  We thought we found it the first day when we looked at a nice For Sale By Owner.  But we got all the way to contract signing before finding out that this section of the complex did not allow hard wood floors to be installed- a deal-breaker for Tina.

So, we looked at several others that fell short of the requirements and then waited and waited for the right unit it come to the market.  Units came and went without anything fitting the bill.  I created custom postcards and mailed them to all the owners in qualifying units…  Nothing.

Mailer for Tina

Mailer for Tina

Then finally one day a few months ago, the ‘perfect’ unit hit the market, so we went for it.  We got it- the listing agent wrote in an email to me.   But after she told me our offer was accepted, a client of hers came in with a cash offer.  Ours was higher but still declined.  We didn’t get it!

So we waited, and I sent another mailing.

Finally, the absolute perfect unit came to the market.  It was like the one she lost, but a nice end unit with a park bench right out front.  This one was meant to be.

Tina was so excited she planned to have the entire unit renovated before she even closed on it.  She arranged to open up several walls, install hardwood and tile floors, redo the kitchen and change from her previous beach style to ‘country’!

The road was long, but the closing was short and and the reward was the perfect new home.  I think the rest will be history!

Here’s a note from Tina a few months later, “Hi Lin’,  I really love living here….I couldn’t be in a nicer spot.   Thank you for finding this home for me….I will always send you more clients when I can.”

Tina and her new Foxwood Condo

Tina and her new Foxwood Condo!