The Gold Coast Standard and Darien Real Estate

Yours Truly Gets A Nod from the Wall Street Journal, Darien Real Estate…

Karen Brewer — Sat, 04 May 2013 19:34:09 +0000

This weekends article in The Wall Street Journal article about life and real estate in Darien, CT features a brief, but riveting comment from “moi”. Take a look.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323528404578453591680866904.html

Norwalks’ Best Kept Secret…Highmeadow.

Karen Brewer — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 02:27:46 +0000

Tucked away just off the Post Road on the Darien/Norwalk border is a small enclave eight homes known as Highmeadow.These homes,built in 2001 have never traded on the open real estate market but instead have been lovingly transferred from owner to owner privately. Such is the demand for these homes. They are a cross between a single family home and condominium. Residents own the property the house sits on but not the common areas which are maintained by the homeowners association.

Minutes from the Post Road,just beyond Darien, you can literally walk to public transport,and all shopping including Costco,Home Goods,and lots more. The available home has five bedrooms , 4 full baths, an office and home theatre. Perfect for downsizers in the area with visiting grandchildren or returning college kids. The kitchen and baths have all been renovated and professionally decorated for todays discriminating buyer. Price $1,100,000. Worth every penny.Check it out. www.2Highmeadow.com

Darien Spring Market Sees Multiple Bids Again….but….

Karen Brewer — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 16:13:30 +0000

You can see from other local bloggers that Darien spring real estate is in full swing.As I’ve mentioned before buyers are out in force.Inventory is sparse and that’s creating a bit of a frenzy.

As a result several properties in the past few weeks have gone to multiple offers,a situation we haven’t seen in a consistent way for awhile.One new listing had back to back appointments from Thursday through Sunday.

This is potentially a very good thing but….In a perfect world, the law of supply and demand would cause home prices to rise. However, it remains to be seen as to whether the banks will agree with the increased pricing associated with multiple offers when appraisal time comes around.After all, appraisers will be using comparables from 2012,not a bad year but not a great one- price wise.

The best news is if these properties don’t get bid up too high, the appraisals come through and the deals close. Stay tuned. I can be reached at 203-554-0951.

Go Ahead. Ask me Anything….Darien Real Estate

Karen Brewer — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 21:48:41 +0000

Sometimes you’re just starting to THINK about buying or selling a home in Connecticut and you just have one measly little question. Who do you ask? Well how about me? Ive been selling and listing real estate for almost twelve years and have lived in Fairfield County twice as long as that. I’ve put three children through Connecticut schools,belong to a local country club and know tons of people from plumbers to tax accountants.

If there is anything you want to know about the area and what its like to live here,fire away. Need to understand the buying or selling process? Don’t know what a conveyance tax is? Try me. No obligation.No kidding. Karen B. kbrewer@wpsir.com,or 203-554-0951.

Darien Real Estate Turnaround Finally Comes Around….

Karen Brewer — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 21:32:13 +0000

For years, specifically the past six or more,we’ve all been reading reports that the real estate market in this country is showing signs of life. A tick up in new home starts, word of rising prices in some markets and persistently low interest rates are a constant.Yet, as a realtor here in Darien Ct, I never really felt it-until this year.

Sure homes have been selling over the years since the real estate downturn but at a fraction of the pace and number than prior to 2007.Prices in Darien and elsewhere in Fairfield County are down 25% and have remained there.

However, not only is spring in the air,but customers are out in force. What has caused this sudden change attitude toward home buying?

Hard to say. However, it is my opinion that the psychological factors regarding job security,White House presidential campaigns, and the wisdom of buying real estate in general has been lifted. Furthermore, homeowners, after years of denial have finally become accustomed to the idea that their homes are no longer worth what they once were. As a result,pricing is finally realistic. I always knew those factors were considerable but not until recently did I realize how much. Inspectors, insurance agents, appraisers are all once again busy and hard to schedule.

Unfortunately inventory around Darien and surrounding towns is quite thin. When attractive homes do come on the market, they sell immediately and we are seeing multiple offers once again as the trifecta of tolerable commute, excellent schools and waterfront in Darien, regrip buyers.

My best advice if you realistically think Darien is on your real estate radar is to drive up,drive around, and if you like what you see, get a Realtor. I believe inventory will be increasing and it will be a strong spring market in Darien real estate. Happy Days are here again. No kidding. Need more info and insight? Im at 203-554-0951.

Darien Real Estate … The Most Important 2012 Year End Statistic

Karen Brewer — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 00:56:50 +0000

It’s that time of year again when everything from politics to fashion gets recapped. We’ll soon see 2012′s most important events,photographs,people, films, stocks and kitty videos trotted out before us.

Similarly, Realtors and brokerages will soon regale us with statistics that invariably point the Darien real estate market in the “up” position. (I happen to agree, this year.)

No one has seen the full year 2012 stats yet, but I have seen them as of November. I don’t expect any significant variances in December, so I feel confident in reporting what we know so far—and its mostly good.

The number of listings is about the same as last year but the unit sales are up to 256 versus 211 from the eleven months ending November 2011. The number of days it takes to sell a home is down and that’s good too, of course.

But the most interesting statistic to me is what is known as the List/Sell ratio. Simply put, its the percentage of the listing price that a home actually sells for. For example, If I list my home for $2 million,and it sells for $1.8 million then the list-to-sale ratio is 90 percent.

As of November of this year, the Darien Sales/List Price ratio is nearly 95 percent!

This represents an important psychological change on the part the Darien home seller.

The mantra of all Realtors for the past several years has been PRICE, PRICE, PRICE!

Many homeowners however, have been unwilling or financially unable to face the reality of the recent real estate downturn. That resulted in lots of overpriced inventory and houses that came on and went off the market, unsold.

I believe a 95 percent ratio indicates that Darien sellers have indeed grasped the “new normal” as concerns the value of their property. They are now pricing their homes within reasonable negotiating limits and affording themselves the best opportunity to sell.

If you’re planning to sell your home in 2013, you can be confident that the ”comparable” sales from 2012 are darn close, or 95 percent “on the money.”

Realtor Karen Brewer, whose services include a comparative market analysis of residential property, can be reached at 203-554-0951.

Keep It Simple To Sell Your Ho..Ho..Home for the Holidays…Darien Real Estate

Karen Brewer — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:19:19 +0000

I was at a Darien Christmas lunch today and someone asked me an interesting question about selling a home during the holidays. She has four children, the house is festooned with holiday decor, and she wondered if that was a bad idea.

At the risk of sounding like a “Scrooge”, I think almost anything that detracts from the focus on the house,its size, or amenities is a no-no.A few common sense tips:

Keep your tree, if you have one, to a reasonable size and choose one that doesn’t overpower the room and make it look smaller than it is. Don’t overdo mantles especially if the tree is in the same room.

Keep all the kiddies’ Christmas artwork etc., off the fridge and counters clear of gifts,wrapping,cards and the like. Clutter is clutter whether it’s the Christmas season or the Fourth of July.

Steer clear of the massive Christmas villages and train sets that will distract buyers who can have limited attention spans.

Don’t do anything that will detract from the light in your home like hanging wreaths on all the windows.They are pretty from the outside but may alter the sense of space in your home.

Above all, remember that anyone who is looking at homes in the month of December is likely to be a serious buyer. Allow them to picture their possessions in your home by keeping holiday decor understated- at least for this year.

Come See What Everyone is Talking About, Kensett, Darien

Karen Brewer — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 21:52:21 +0000

Ive been writing here and elsewhere about the new development in Darien called Kensett. It is a development of 60 or so luxury condominium homes here in town.

One of the great Kensett kitchens....

Until now, the models have been under construction but they are now ready to be shown. Of course, Id be happy to show anyone who wishes to make an appointment but there’s another way to see them as well. Next Thursday October 18 from 6-8PM I will be hosting a model home viewing of two of the Kensett homes. They are spectacularly appointed with top of the line finishes bot inside and out. The decorating is by Lynn Morgan and will knock your socks off.There is an awesome meeting house complete with pool, spa, party room with a bar, yoga studio and gym. Oh and did I mention a couple of suites on the top floor for out of town guests?

So join us next week for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at Kensett,Darien. 277 Hoyt Street,Darien,Thursday, October 18, 6-8PM. Bring a friend. All are welcome.

For a private, one on one showing call me at 203-554-0951.

Darien Real Estate Sellers…Do Open Houses Really Work?

Karen Brewer — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 20:51:31 +0000

One of the staples of real estate marketing in Darien and everywhere else for that matter is the ubiquitous,Sunday Open House. Every listing gets one or more during its time on the market and the papers and Internet are full of them. But do they really work? Well, it depends on what you mean by work? Over the past eleven years ‘Ive personally only seen open houses sell a property a handful of times.

They usually draw a cross section of people from nosy neighbors to those just sticking their toe in the real estate market. And if you’re dealing with a high end marketplace such as Greenwich or Darien, Ct., I believe they are an outright waste of everyones time. Buyers looking for a $3 , 4 or $5 million dollar properties rarely drop out of the sky or find themselves trolling the Internet for open houses.

For those types of properties,I’d conduct an exclusive, public showing, by invitation or perhaps one inviting other brokerages from neighboring towns. In this market, it is the agents who have high end clients and the time is better spent exposing those people to the property than perfect strangers who may just be looking for kitchen remodeling ideas.

The Kensett is Coming!! Darien,CT Real Estate

Karen Brewer — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 20:20:20 +0000

For years residents of Darien,CThave bemoaned the lack of single family housing that
allowed them to take advantage of Darien
and all it has to offer without the bother of home upkeep and expenses. Also
lacking has been a place for long-time residents and empty-nesters to scale
back on their homes while staying in Darien.
Weep no more, Darienites. Kensett is coming.

Kensett represents an entirely new way to live in Darien. Set on 15 acres, the development will be home
to over 60 homes in a maintenance-free community. Kensett showcases a meeting
house featuring a club room with catering kitchen, fitness center and yoga
studio, and outdoor pool, hot tub and fire pit. There will be walking paths
through conservation grounds and community gardens as well. Developers Bob Dale
and Bill McGuiness are utilizing the best of the best local talent including
Lynn Morgan, one of the areas top interior designers and the landscape
architectural firm Hart Howerton, known nationally for major projects such as
the Greenbrier and Palmetto Bluffs.

Kensett will have something for everyone. The development will
feature five distinct floor plans for families in every stage of life. At least
two of the plans include first floor master bedroom suites, with beautiful, open
floor plans and even a design for those who desire a great, “entertaining”
flow. All this with a Darien address, schools,
beaches and great downtown. Kensett will be great for families as well. With residences
from 3,200-4,400 square feet of space, and the ability to add more square feet
in the optional lower entertainment level, the only thing a family will miss is
the sound of Dad mowing the lawn. Best of all though, Kensett boasts beautiful
interior and exterior finishes. Drop-dead walk-in closets, state-of-the-art
kitchens, mega laundry rooms, optional entertainment levels with home theatres,
great millwork and lots of light are hallmarks of what I’ve seen so far. I
expect to have professional photos of interiors and exteriors in the next few
weeks, so stay tuned.prices start at $1.3million. I can arrange
showings of the model homes within the next two weeks, so contact me at …203-554-0951 or kbrewer@wpsir.com

Here are more details on actual homes (if needed)

Piper House-3200 sq ft 4 Br 3.5 Baths master down (Modeled)

Norwood House – 3306 sq ft 3 Br+Den 2.5 baths (Modeled)

Ivy House-4480 sq ft 4 Br+den 4.5 Baths

Dale House-3450 sq ft- 3br+Den 3.5 Baths Master Down