Karen Brewer

Insider Info Category

Cesco’s Trattoria Comes to Darien,Now You Really Have to Move Here…..

We had our William Pitt Sothbey’s International Realty Christmas party in this new restaurant located in downtown Darien and I was blown away. Darien had seen a big uptick in the number of new reswtaurants in the past few years but this may be the best. The restaurant itself is in The Goodwives Shopping Center (yes that’s really the name), right in the middle of town.

The owners,Also and Barbara set up the most yummy buffet. All the dishes were totally authentic and delicious. Little crispy purses of mushrooms and peppers, fabulous Italian cheeses, homemade gnocchi in red sauce, bruschetta and biscotti still warm from the oven were among the offerings. The full menu contains pastas,and yummy entrees including a special lasagna served in its own little pot. Prices seem reasonable (just like Darien real estate) from $10-$25.

I guess I’ve been a little behind the curve on this one, since nearly all my fellow Realtors had already been to the place,multiple times in fact.

The atmosphere casual and intimate, the lights are dim and there are a limited number of tables so be sure to make a reservation.My favorite trick with new restaurants is to wander in on a Monday evening when they are quiet and you can have the attention of the chef.

I’ve just made a reservation for Friday evening so I’ll give a full report. If my meal is anything approaching the quality of the offerings at the William Pitt party, brava to Cesco’s.

Just one more reason to buy a home in Darien!!

 

.<a href=”http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/297/1626878/restaurant/Stamford/Cescos-Trattoria-Darien”><img alt=”Cesco’s Trattoria on Urbanspoon” src=”http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1626878/biglink.gif” style=”border:none;width:200px;height:146px” /></a><a href=”http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/297/1626878/restaurant/Stamford/Cescos-Trattoria-Darien”><img alt=”Cesco’s Trattoria on Urbanspoon” src=”http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1626878/biglink.gif” style=”border:none;width:200px;height:146px” /></a><a href=”http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/297/1626878/restaurant/Stamford/Cescos-Trattoria-Darien”><img alt=”Cesco’s Trattoria on Urbanspoon” src=”http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1626878/biglink.gif” style=”border:none;width:200px;height:146px” /></a>

 

 

 

 

Rentals in Darien Ct, A Mixed Bag

There are lots of reasons people choose to rent in Darien. They can be renovating a home elsewhere,  haven’t found the home of their dreams in town or are test driving the area, so to speak. Then there are those that have bought a new home and found they were unable to sell their previous home and so list it for rent.

Whatever the reason, there are currently around 30 properties for rent in Darien Ct in the price range of around $3000 all the way up sometimes to as much as $25,000/month.for waterfront manses. The sweet spot at the moment, as I see it, is the $5000-$6000/mo range. That is where I believe you can get the most bang for your buck. Typically, the home will be in a nice location,not on a busy road, with around 3000 sq ft and be in good to very good condition. I’ve attached one of my favorites in this price category.It’s located on Lake Drive in a sought after neighborhood, minutes to the Noroton Height train station.Rentals can be a mixed bag;some are in poor condition and just turn over every year.This home is a showplace with new kitchen and baths,beautiful yard and great space. Completely renovated, the picture of this home speak for itself. Price is $5500/month.. For more information on this and other homes to buy or rent in Darien,please contact me at kmbrewer2@aol.com or 203-554-0951.

 

 

 

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year…Just Not For Darien Real Estate

I regularly post both weekly and monthly reports regarding volume, average price,closing etc. But at this time of the year, I feel it is prudent to take a break both from what is boring and irrelevant. Real estate is a seasonal business and there is little of significance that I expect to occur between now and the beginning of 2012.Listings will dribble onto the market and homes will sell at a sluggish pace. Nothing big will occur as concerns pricing either.

That said there are a few things to keep an eye on. We here in Darien and Fairfield County are heavily dependent upon the fortunes of Wall Street. If between now and the end of the year, pink slips are handed out and bonuses reduced as predicted, that will surely impact our market. It won’t effect anything between now and January but certainly will set the tone for the upcoming spring market. As always I will keep you apprised. In the meantime Happy Turkey Day!

This Weeks Property Transfers, Darien Homes

Here is the list of this weeks property transfers here in Darien. Don’t you wish you could make the list too? You can, you know. You know who to call.

 

39 Tower Dr.: Jeffrey Scofield sold to Charles E. McCarthy and Deborah E. McCarthy for $2,235,000.

7 Whaling Rd.: Kenneth J. Kutz and Nora M. Kutz sold to Michael P. Kuehler and Karen N. Kuehler for $1,580,000.

5 Red Cedar Dr.: Andrew L. Wright and Melanie A. Wright sold to CL Darien Partners LLC (c/o Clarion Partners) for $1,360,000.

10 Red Rose Cir.: Anthony Princi and Cynthia G. Princi sold to Maura Decarolis and Suzanne Decarolis for $1,235,000.

6 Wakemore St.: Toni Lynn Darinzo sold to CL Darien Partners LLC (c/o Clarion Partners) for $1,225,000.

277 Hoyt St.: LTB Properties LLC sold to CL Darien Partners LLC (c/o Clarion Partners) for $700,000.

19 Devon Rd.: Nancy R. Knowles Est. sold to Number 19 Devon Road LLC for $610,000.

5 Red Cedar Dr.: CL Darien Partners LLC (c/o Clarion Partners) sold to Toni Lynn Darinzo for $575,000.

145 Old Kings Hwy. S: Richard Borrelli, Jr. sold to Antonio Romano and Sondra D. Romano for $500,000.

12 Wakemore St.: Pasquale J. Darinzo, Jr. and Suzanne E. Darinzo sold to CL Darien Partners LLC (c/o Clarion Partners) for $200,000.

The Darien,CT Blog Post I Never Wanted to Write….

I cannot tell a lie.We have a problem in Darien,CT.As my readers know,I’ve lived here in Darien for over 25 years and it is one of the safest communities I know of. You can send your children to sleepovers without worrying for them,walk the streets at all hours and until recently leave your home for a few minutes or go on a vacation without worrying.

However,recently there has been a rash of burglaries that have left residents unnerved. Now,in the spirit of full disclosure there has always been the odd burglary but mostly crimes of opportunity, i.e unlocked cars and homes. Now though, there have been four or five” break ins” that seem to have been committed by professionals.

Of all things, these people enter  homes by breaking through a wall or even removing parts of a roof and “dropping in”, as it were. Presumably this is to circumvent alarm systems and break directly into master bedrooms or areas that don’t contain motion sensors. Pretty slick. No one has been harmed or to my knowledge even at home when these crimes occur which leads one to believe these are experienced criminals who “case the joint”. (too much Law and Order,sorry)

That said, this is among the worst things that has happened here in recent memory and I suppose we should consider ourselves lucky.After all,it’s just stuff.

 

Darien Real Estate, September 2011 Monthly Report

The fall is off to a slow start. Very few listings of value have come onto the market and the sales are precious few. We’re holding our own versus last year but thats the best you can say,Im afriad. Sellers should begin to lower asking prices as the days grow shorter and the holiday seasons approach. For any questions on a specific property call me on 203-554-0951.

 

Darien September Real Estate Market, A Big Yawn…

Since the Darien real estate market is so slow,I’ve been ruminating over what to write about. Then I realized I should just fess up and describe things the way they are.REALLY slow. Since Labor Day listings are just dribbling on to the market one at a time and half of those are rentals. The other half seem to be homes that were previously listed and are now being re-marketed at a lower price.

If you are in the market to buy a home in Darien or elsewhere and are considering waiting,Id love to know what is holding you back. Is it the economy,upcoming elections, not secure about employment?Let me know.kmbrewer2@aol.com.

Today, a glimmer of light shown since there were five new listings…three of them genuinely new,but alas no accepted offers.Hopefully, it will turn around and we’ll get a “flurry” before the snow really flies.

Hurricane Irene and Darien,CT

There us plenty of information out there regarding the storm and its aftermath here in Darien and surrounding towns. As of Wednesday,August 31, nearly half the town is still without power.Electricity to the schools has been restored and Darien students will be returning to school tomorrow,Thursday September 1.

As far as the storms impact on the real estate market,its safe to say it has basically brought things to a crawl. The Darien MLS has no power but is operating out of a nearby office. New listings are negligible.Closings seem to be going forward but water in basements has hampered some efforts to close deals.

There are lots of people stranded,but thankfully no one hurt.

Disturbing Trend in Darien Crime…..Darien,CT Real Estate

I’ve lived here for 25 years and the crime rate has always been negligible.In fact the  DarienPolice Reports in the local paper has always been a source of amusement with reports of kids knocking over mailboxes and fender benders.

Lately however, the news is more disturbing. While Darien is by no means a high crime town,there has been a rash of recent burglaries and break-ins. Until now,the incidents have been comprised of car break ins whereby burglars stole  electronics and cash left in unlocked vehicles. Even this seemed harmless to me since it appeared to be a crime of opportunity rather than intent.

Today however there was a report of a forcible break-in.Burglars climbed on top of a home and punched a hole in the roof. Thank heavens no one has been hurt in any of these events but it strikes me as a disturbing trend in these parts. I won’t be strapping on my six guns just yet but this is very of of the ordinary for Darien. Just sayin..

I Know Something You Don’t Know.I’m a Realtor Darien Real Estate

I was chatting with a colleague last night and we were discussing the current state of the real estate market in general and how it has been transformed by the Internet.It has by and large, been a great thing for buyers and sellers alike and offers information in ways no one dreamed of just a few years ago. Pictures,videos,town statistics- all at the click of a button. But there are some things the Internet can’t supply.At the end of the day, there is no photograph or chart that can offer you the information and insight of a “boots on the ground” Realtor. For example,

1.Is that adorable house on the Internet located mere steps from the interstate? Will your windows rattle in the night because it’s in the flight path of almost every plane leaving LaGaurdia.

2.Is the home located on a  preferred street for resale?

3. How close is the house to the street or will you need a electrified fence to protect your kids from traffic.

4. How do the schools differ? Really.

5. How’s the commute? Really.

6. Are taxes going up? When?

7.How long is the wait for a Metro North parking pass? Really.

8 .How crowded are the beaches? Really.

9. Why do so many homes have sump pumps?

10. How do you get your kid into nursery school? Really.

11.How many people send their children to private school? Why?

12. Are there entire neighborhoods that flood? Really.

13 .What ARE wetlands anyway?

14. What is the crime rate? Really.

The Internet, for all its advantages cant offer CONTEXT. It won’t show you whether the railroad tracks run through your yard or tell you who your neighbors are.It can’t take you under its wing and make sure you don’t make a mistake,overpay for a house, or reveal insights into the history of a home. It can’t reliably refer you to mortgage professionals, help you get your lawn mowed or answer questions when you run into it in the supermarket.  And that’s what Realtors are for.  Really.