The main house itself is warm and livable.The spaces are lovely but one never gets the feeling that you have entered a museum or mansion.Everything is beautifully appointed with his and hers baths for example (mahogany walls in his) and a wine cellar tiled to resemble the Oyster Bar in New Yorks Grand Central Station.

What was really amazing to me though were the grounds and amenities. There are several outbuildings, including a 1500 sq. ft. guest cottage with full kitchen, a recreational barn, which contains a pool table and other manly distractions which resembles something from a Ralph Lauren ad.

For total concentration, there is a separate building which serves as an office,perfect for group meetings etc. Tucked away, as you stroll the gardens is a lovely but understated pool which appears to have be naturally, nestled in the ground. There’s a gazebo,beautiful gardens and and a six bay garage to house all your four wheeled toys.

No property is Connecticut is complete without full water access and a  deep water dock and this property has both Views are breathtaking. The video and listing are attached.http://darien.patch.com/articles/home-sales-videos-wakemore-old-stone-driftway#youtube_video-9781366.

So clean out the change from the sofa cushions. This home is worth it and its the talk of the town!

The luxury market,$3million and up. has yet to make itself clear.Stay tuned. I’m predicting a better year than last but we are going to be in a one step forward, two steps back mode for awhile until things settle.I’ve not heard much in the way of bidding wars yet this spring but as always those homes that are priced well tend to sell quickly.

Foreclosures and short sales have never been a remarkable factor here and won’t be going forward. Thank heavens we don’t have to deal with bankers’ shadow inventories.

http://agents.williampitt.com/MCE/prj/pit/links/mt/mtpreview.asp?makey=262&ccode=pit

Just last month, I found myself in out of town and discovered that I had left my medication behind. There was a seven hour time difference and I was upset.I have always had my prescriptions filled by the local pharmacy called, Griebs. We have a large chain pharmacy but they are impersonal and even have on occasion filled prescriptions incorrectly.

I immediately called Griebs and over the course of several international,phone calls they were able to fax copies of my prescription labels and even contact my doctor to get me what I needed. Trust me, you cant get THAT kind of service from big box stores. Just an example of what makes small town living in general and life in Darien,CT so cool.

Maybe I should start a show called “Say Yes to the House” because the process seemed similar to the house hunting .Just like brides, home buyers to be, may be carrying thoughts of their dream homes with them for many years.

How reality stacks up with those dreams is where the rubber meets the road.So how do you know when you’ve found the house for you?Over the years, I’ve observed certain behaviors that indicate to me that buyers may have a potential ”emotional” connection with a property.

It could be YOUR house, if among other things you don’t want to leave. Some buyers linger well after they would have normally left another house. They linger  in the kitchen no doubt picturing themselves in their PJ’s having a cup of coffee. Good sign.

Conversation can center around placing this piece of furniture or that or kids pick out what rooms they want and parents join in on the talk.

Even after leaving a home and seeing others,conversation still revolves around the initial property and comparisons are made to it.

Now I know none of this is earth shattering but it might just help you recognize the signs that you mat be falling in love with a home. So, listen to the little voice in your head and you could just have your dream dress….uh home.

If you are interested in seeing the apartments just contact me at 203-554-0951. If youre reading about this for the first time, the general rule of thumb for rent here is $2000/mo for a one bedroom, $3000/mo for a two bedroom and $4000/mo for a three bedroom in a luxury setting.

Whether this is your first time buying a house or you’ve done it before, here are a few tips for how to prepare for a successful search in today’s market.  With 25 years of experience in this community, I’ve got lots more where these came from – so feel free to contact me, even if you just have questions. No obligation. No kidding.

1. A TRAIN RUNS THROUGH IT. Be aware that popular real estate web sites that offer “estimated” home values, market trends etc., are completely database-driven. They cannot take into account intangible factors such as property condition, neighborhoods, and potentially negative factors such as wetlands or easements or compromised locations.  You’ll need to consult a licensed Realtor for the “full” story.

2. YOUR CREDIT MUST BE “SQUEEEKY” CLEAN. Real estate mortgage markets have changed drastically over the past few years, and underwriting has really tightened up. I highly recommend you get a copy of your credit report and clear up any problems BEFORE applying for a mortgage. You can obtain a single report from all three credit reporting agencies through the FTC approved website www.Annual Credit Report.com.

3. HAVE CASH ON HAND. One of the first expenses incurred in the home buying process is an inspection of the property. Hire a licensed inspector, and be sure to budget $400-$800 for this expense. Also remember to talk to your Realtor about closing costs, which can be considerable.

4. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Be sure you learn all you can about things like the most popular streets and neighborhoods, parking availability, local zoning
regulations, commuting times, nursery school, and private school options as well as special education programs.

5. ALL TOWNS ARE NOT THE SAME. Have to have nightlife? Prefer to walk around town? There is no shortage of local blogs and websites that will give
you the flavor for Fairfield County and its many towns.  They cover everything from local eateries to family activities. Exploring these websites is a great way to get a sense of the ‘personality” of a community and what it’s like to live there. I have compiled a list of 20 great Fairfield County blogs and websites, and would be happy to email it to you – just drop me a request here. 0r call me at 203-554-0951.  In the meantime, here’s one to get you started.   TheGoldCoastStandard.com

Andy Rooney Home for Sale

I went to the estate sale there a few weeks ago and there were all manner of memorabilia,including Emmy statuettes and the typewriter Andy used on a daily basis. Its a lovely Tudor home that sits high on a hill in the seaside town of Rowayton.Here is a link to the listing which shows  the house. Call or contact me if you wish to see it or any other property in Darien or Rowayton,New Canaan and environs. Also in my categories to the right there is a great little video that talks about the town of Rowayton and all it has to offer.

Above is the only picture I could find of Andy actually smiling!

http://cmls.rexplorer.net/rex$gfc/rexSrchPage.htm