Fairfield and Westport CT Real Estate Guide

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

Tag Archives: Realtor


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From Corporate Wellness to Home Sweet Home: Navigating the Fairfield County Real Estate Journey

Linda Raymond’s Journey to Becoming a CT Realtor: From Westport to Worcester and Back


I came to Fairfield County when moving to Westport, Connecticut from New Jersey just before entering the eighth grade.

After attending Staples High School in Westport, I went to Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts and graduated as a biology major before returning to the area for my first job as a research assistant at Yale.  I continued school part time and earned a Masters degree in exercise science from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.  My career then moved to corporate health and fitness in Stamford, Connecticut where I worked for corporate consulting firms that served companies seeking to improve the health of their employees. I worked closely with the employees of our corporate clients.

From there, I evolved into program design and management for employee health and productivity in large companies like IBM with dispersed national populations. I worked with my team to develop and deliver innovative programming with a range of delivery strategies to engage employees through their benefits and occupational health departments.  After 13 years of facilitating programming and data management on a population-scale basis, I began to feel the need to re-connect with people on an individual basis.

At the same time, my husband, young daughter and I decided to pursue our first home purchase in the Fairfield and Westport Connecticut areas where the schools are excellent.

This changed everything, my home, my career, and my lifestyle!

What Does the Journey to Your New Home Look Like?

Navigating the competitive Fairfield County home buying market in 2004 just before the housing bubble burst, I learned first-hand that the strategy of home buyers and home sellers had to adapt to the existing market conditions.

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Home Buying

As a first-time home buyer looking in Fairfield and Westport Connecticut, I was amazed by how intense, emotional, and complicated buying a home and making a move really was. 

Your Castle, Your Asset: Understanding the Home as an Investment

Your home is one of your largest assets. It requires a huge financial commitment. Your homeownership, is a critical investment in your future. You invest in it to gain equity, and you want it grow. Unlike most other investments, your home also holds tremendous emotional value. Your home is your castle. It’s where you live, love, grow, work, and play. It’s where go to be safe and sound, to feel peace and joy.


Making Informed Decisions: My Approach to Real Estate Assistance

So it’s not surprising that making a move is a monumental endeavor. Add to this the challenges of housing market conditions and the complex process, and the stress can be over the top! When you’re preparing to move to a home that better suits your current needs, you need an expert guide to navigate both the challenges and the opportunities, and to help set your mind at ease. You need to feel you are best positioned and on the right track to your new home!

Your Castle. My Mission: How I Can Help You Move with Confidence

So my current passion is to guide you as my client through the process of moving from one home to another while focusing on achieving the best terms and outcomes to meet your priorities and help you enjoy the process with peace of mind at the same time.


The focus on science in my education drives my reliance on data and facts to inform sound decisions. Decades in the business sector serving results-focused corporate clients drives my focus on strategy, planning, and accountability in the customer service I provide to my clients. And most of all, my genuine passion for understanding you and your priorities and my end-goal of making you a very happy client, are the forces that drive me!

Since May of 2005, I have been back to working one-on-one with home buyers and home sellers here in Fairfield, Southport, Westport, and surrounding areas to guide them through the huge decision to transition to the home sweet home.

Providing Input, Insights, and Resources

Putting my business skills and experience to work for each client, my focus is to provide the insights, information, and resources my clients need to feel confident in making informed decisions and to ensure they are thrilled with their end result. 

My strategic approach to helping my clients reach their goals integrates the key elements of listening, understanding, strong communication skills, facilitating collaborative relationships, a customer service focus, effective negotiations, market intelligence, leveraging technology and creativity, creative and strategic marketing, and business collaborations.

I specialize in helping people pursue their plans for downsizing, resale, first-time home buying, home sale and home buying.

What Is Your Ideal Lifestyle?

Some of my passions include dogs (we have a Havanese from a breeder, and a Terrier mix from Pet Finders!) dance, swimming, skiing, travel, family, and crafts. I love the ease of making these things a part of my life in my home. Are you in the right home to support your current lifestyle passions?

The Perfect Next Step!

If you are thinking of making a move now or in the future, I encourage you to start with a conversation now, and you will be well on your way. Give me a call today or send a note below and tell me what your ideal Castle looks like!


My blog is here to provide informative insights into the home buying and selling process and fun information about the local community.  Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome!

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#FairfieldCountyHomes #HomeBuyingJourney #RealEstateDreams #WestportLiving #StamfordHomes #HomeSweetHome #CastleForSale #FairfieldBeachLiving #HomeownershipJoy #MoveWithConfidence #YourCastleMyMission


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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!

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William Raveis Local Housing Data


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Realtor Referrals Are A Win-Win- Resources You Didn’t Know You Had!

(Click image for quick video clip!)

⛷️As we speak, two of my local clients are shopping for their perfect ski-on/ski-off condo in Vermont through our Raveis regional offices.


🛣️ My cousin and her husband in Massachusetts asked me to help them find an agent in Ohio to sell their mother-in-law’s home. Through our excellent relocation department and sophisticated global referral network, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, I had two agents for them to interview by the end of the day. They are happily working with one of them right now.


🧐 I’m currently helping clients work through all their options for downsizing from their large home to a simpler lifestyle with lots of convenient activities and amenities. If they choose to go farther away, I have my network at my fingertips for them.

Most of my business is from repeat clients and referrals.

I joined William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage and Insurance over 20 years ago because they are a privately held, family-owned company whose mission is to support its agents in ensuring maximum client satisfaction. This translates to an award-winning company that is an industry innovator with top marketshare in most of our service areas. With our global network, and Elite Concierge Services, we provide sellers with unprecedented local and global exposure and all our clients the tools and guidance they deserve through the entire moving process. So it makes sense that my clients are happy with my service, that they return to me when needed, and they refer me to their family and friends.

Less obvious, is the extended service reach we have to offer.

Whatever real estate aspirations you may have, I can help you and your local friends directly, or ensure you are in the best hands, wherever your plans may take you. I promise to oversee the process to ensure satisfaction! Take advantage of the deep resources I have for you, because referrals are a win-win.

➡️ Action: Take advantage of the deep resources I have for you, because referrals are a win-win.

📲 If a friend is looking for an excellent agent anywhere in Connecticut, nationwide, or overseas, you can ask them to call me. I will talk to them about their needs and connect them with a local expert from our regional William Raveis footprint or our world class global network, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. This elite network includes only the top brokerages in each market place. I always oversee the relationship to ensure you or your friend is happy with their agent.

📧 You can share their contact information with me in the form below and offer them an initial quick home value estimate in the meantime.

🤓 You can always find out what my clients have to say, (scroll down after clicking).

Discover and share the confidence of having a referred and trusted agent. Your trust and loyalty drive my business. Let’s work together for a win-win with referrals! 💫 🏡 

If you're thinking of moving in the next 12 months, call now for your free consultation -> 203-912-4440

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#referrals
#referralswelcome
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#MovingtoWestportCT


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Making Your Best Offer in a Seller’s Market

As a home seller, you’re in great shape with limited competition and extremely low inventory. But what about when you’re ready to buy in this seller’s market? People are successfully making their moves, and you can too!

So if you want to go for it, work with your agent to have everything in place to move quickly with a complete and professional offer that represents your most competitive proposition with terms that also work for you.

You Need 5 Components for Your Complete Offer:

1. Cover letter 
2. Binder or contract
3. Proof of funds or pre-approval letter.
4. Signed property disclosures
5. MLS listing

See the energized Instagram reel!

Next Identify the Sweet Spots!

Now that you have all the key components in place, think about the terms that are critical for you and the ones where you have more flexibility. These areas may be able important to the seller and can tip the scale in your favor. Can you offer cash, or a purchase that’s not contingent on a mortgage? Do you have flexibility with timing? Can you offer the seller a rent-back to help timing work if the closing needed to occur sooner? Are you comfortable enough with the property condition and price to allow your satisfactory inspection to be for informational purposes only? Are you open to offering to purchase some of the furnishings? These are the types of variables that can make both your move and the seller’s a bit easier and can often lead to a win-win deal!

Reach out to me below if you’re ready to get ready!! 👍🏻🏡 😃

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Fairfield Coastal Neighbors Profiles Linda Raymond, Realtor

Also view the Fairfield HamletHub interview with Linda: Why Small Businesses Matter.

(For the embarrassing story of me falling into Pine Creek while preparing for a listing meeting.)

For comments or questions about your plans, please reach out below.

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10 Strategies for Pricing Your House Right

Pricing your house is not an exact science, but there are plenty of things you can do to help snag your buyer sooner rather than later.  Here are 10 of my strategies:

SOLD PIC

1.       Get the Market Scoop – Have your agent show you recent sales of similar homes nearby.  Note the sale prices, how long they took to sell and how close to asking they sold for.   Next discuss your competition and get a feel for what choices the buyers have and how your house stacks up.
2.       Note Improvements – Show your agent all the great things you’ve done to your house since you bought it that may increase its value.  Review maintenance and repair work as well.  This may help set you apart from your competition.
3.       ID Pros & Cons – Talk to your agent about what the key selling points and challenges are for your property and how this information can impact your price.
4.       Embrace Staging – Ask your agent how the marketing tool of staging to attract buyers can sell your house faster and for the most money.
5.       Don’t Do This – Avoid the mistake of pricing your home based on your personal finances.  The number you want or need may have nothing to do with the market value.  Only the market and the buyers determine your selling price.  Remember that if your house is worth more to you than it is to all the buyers, you will remain the lucky owner!
6.       Don’t Do This Either! –  Avoid accepting inflated price quotes from friends, poker buddies, colleagues, bridge ladies, the mail man and family members instead of your agent’s- unless of course they’re ready, willing and able to purchase your property on the spot!
7.       Try Buyer’s Eyes – Pretend you are a buyer choosing between your house and several others. Which one would you choose and why?  If your house offers more value than the others, maybe you can ask a higher price than your competition.
8.       Don’t Go it Alone – Unless you’re sure your house will fly off the shelf and you know how to navigate the complexities and potential pitfalls of a real estate transaction, be sure you hire a good Realtor.  Remember that if you try to price and sell on your own,

  • you will be missing much of the information needed to guide realistic pricing,
  • buyers will see that you have not invested in a broker and deduct that money from their offer price,
  • without a Realtor’s marketing plan, your house will not get the exposure needed to draw a strong buyer pool regardless of your price, and
  • if an offer comes in, you will be challenged to evaluate its terms and the quality of the buyer.

9.       Go Live! – Now your agent can launch the marketing plan with a price you feel makes the most logical sense after weighing all the considerations above.
10.   Track Course & Close! – Your agent will track showing activity and feedback as well as market changes.  If you have ample showings the first week, your price is likely right on the money!  If you don’t have offers after a couple of months (depending on the pace of the market) but you are still getting showings, a slight price adjustment will likely do the trick.  I am happy to discuss your plans and how I can help. Happy Selling!

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