Archive for the 'Buyers' Category

Seems Like Old Times, Darien,CT Homes for Sale

I just have to report the palpable sense of activity and excitement there is in this spring real estate market in Darien,CT. January started off with a bang, as I reported and February appears to be even stronger. While touring open houses today, it looked like old times. There were agents on their cell phones with clients in the driveways of new listings.

Homes  for sale in Darien are bindering across all price ranges. In spite of reports that sales in the state of Connecticut are way down in the first two months of the year, prices have stablized and customers are making realistic bids. The numbers look poorly because homes that have closed in January and February were actually sold back in November and December.

Therefore statistics lag. Bank appraisals are still an issue  thoug ,as  lenders remain ultra conservative.

Nevertheless,we all know this is a local game and I’m here to report that this local agent is kicking up her heels.

Looks like if your home is for sale in Darien, this spring might be right to get the deal done.

Lets hope it holds.

Tags: Darien 2010, February Darien home sales, January Darin home sales

Darien Homes for Sale,Stunning Italianate Victorian

Well, I promised to post more photos of a spectacular, new listing on Brookside Road in Darien.Even if you’re not in the market,feast your eyes on a signature Darien, antique ,home that has both the grace of yesterday and todays’ sought after amenities.

New Kitchen,new baths,central air,new windows,new roof, new driveway, and beautiful perennial gardens  are sited on nearly one acre. Walk to town,schools and train as well.

This property also has a 600 square foot guest house with a full bath and loft. There is nothing in town like it! Price, $1.495,000.

For more information,photos or a video of this property,contact me directly,

Karen Brewer,203-554-0951,kmbrewer2@AOL.COM

Darien,CT’s Little League Program,One of the Best..

Here is a great article about Darien,Ct and its Little League baseball program. As one who has a son go through the program,I can attest its veracity.

Darien Homes for Sale,Market Report, March 3,2010

Here is this weeks market report for Homes for sale in Darien Ct. As always there are new lsitings,deposits taken,price reductions and closed sales.

In the entry level there is only one new addition,Ridgeview Road. This is a cute dead end street in the Camp Ave vicinity. Modest homes but a good family neighborhood characterizes this street.Not as convenient as some other locations (it is closer to the Talmadge Hill train station that Noroton Heights)  but it is priced well and has a brand new kitchen . Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Darien, new listing Darien, Pheasant Run, Ridgeview, studio, Victorian Darien, Victorian house

New Listing, Italianate Victorian,Darien Home for Sale

This is a brand new listing coming on the market early this week.Featuring beautiful Italianate architecture it was built in 1865 with four bedrooms and two full baths in the main house. This home contains many original details including 10′ ceilings,stained glass,  three fireplaces, and wide plank pine floors. There is a living room, oversized dining room,library, back parlor and brand new eat in kitchen.The bathrooms have been completely renovated.Additionally, there is a new roof, all new windows and the home has been painted inside and out.

The property also has full sized studio, out- building with a loft and full bath. That building is presently being used as a music studio and is over 600 square feet in size. The studio would be perfect as an office,au pair quarters, guest house or art studio.There is a one car garage attached. The present owner is an avid gardener and there are two perennial gardens.

This special home sits on nearly one acre in a walk to town/train/school location and the end of  Prospect Ave, one of Darien’s original streets.

Brookside Road is in the Royle  Elementary school district and Prospect Ave (which is perpendicular to the house), is home to children of all ages. Although the school is walkable, many kids just hop on the bus  for the quarter mile ride. The street has annual block parties and neighborhood events.

Offered at$1.495,000. Contact me directly for more details or showings. Remember too that, if you wish, I will produce a CUSTOM VIDEO of the neighborhood and send it to you.In the meantime,Ill be posting interior pictures and a video early this week.

203-554-0951, or kmbrewer2@aol.com.

A Latte for your Thoughts? Darien CT Homes for Sale

One of the nifty (yes, that’s a word that still I use) about having a blog is that there is a tool on the “back end “as they say in blogville,that allows the writer to see what the most popular articles are. As good as that is, the tool can’t tell me what my readers would like or are HOPING to find on this site.

So here’s the thing. I’d love to hear from you. Let me know what you would like  to find here on http://www.thegoldcoaststandard.com.

Need a tip?The number one thing people do when they land on the site is  a home search. Thats great! Read the rest of this entry »

Circus Yoga Anyone? Darien Childrens’ Activities

I can’t say enough about the amount and quality of kids activities in town.If you buy a home in Darien your children will never be bored.

In addition to a full program for kids at the fabulous Darien Library,organizations such as the YMCA, YWCA and Darien Parks and Recreation  and Darien Arts Center offer a full plate of activities for kids.

This years Spring catalog from Darien Parks and Rec just came out and there is something for every kid in town.Little League,Soccer,Lacrosse Hockey,Sailing Golf,Softball,Tennis,Swimming,Music lessons,Karate and even Fly Fishing for kids.

Some of the more unusual activities include….. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: darien kids, Darien Little League, Darien Sports, home remodel

CNN Money….Top Earning Towns,Darien Ct

Below is a link to a 2010, CNN Money Report showing New Canaan,Darien and Westport as the Top Earnings towns is their Best Places to Live report.

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/moneymag/0807/gallery.bplive_topearners.moneymag/2.html

Darien Weekly Market Report,February18,2010

What do Condo Fees Cover? Darien Condos for Sale

I plan on writing  individual posts on each of the condo complexes here in Darien. In the meantime, I thought Id offer some information on what is typically covered under monthly condo fees. Although many of these items are not applicable to Darien properties, it is helpful to have a full overview should you be looking to buy elsewhere.

So what are the typical things that condo fees cover in Darien or nearby towns?

The first thing is what is called Master Insurance.This is the insurance policy that the condo association purchases to cover the buildings structures and common areas. Usually,you are responsible for insuring the contents of your unit and some banks insist upon it.

Depending on the town ,your fees may or may not cover water and sewer bills.Some associations use a formula that prorates the cost according to the  number of residents and others simply pay from one meter and use the association fees.

Most of the expenses covered by fees are simply the dividing up the cost of home ownership and are used for things such as snow removal,landscaping,common utilities,management fees and building maintenance.

Some condominium complexes offer amenities like swimming pools, tennis courts,paddle courts,gyms, doormen, and elevators. If these amenities are not important to you,look for another complex. You will be paying for them whether you use them or not.

Large scale projects like replacing roofs,painting etc can be financed in a couple of ways depending on whats laid out in the condominium association documents. If the association takes a long term view, these expenses may be anticipated and will not require an additional assessment.

Other boards prefer to keep common charges low and assess the residents as large project come up.

Be sure you review the “condo docs” carefully before buying to assess what your additional fees are likely to be as well as how well the board is managing your money.