Karen Brewer

Sellers Category

Darien Real Estate Report, Week of Sept.14

For those of you who are familiar with town and know the ins and outs,here is this weeks activity report.As you can see its precious little. Only 7 new listings and several are homes that have been relisted from a previous time.

Darien Real Estate,Blooper Friday…

A few weeks ago,I had an English language, challenged buyer ask me if her deposit would be placed in “escarole .”

 I said, “Sure, I’m sure the change will be fine, but the bills will probably get a little soggy!”

Darien Real Estate Merket Update July 2011

No good news here folks. The only number in the plus category is the average days on the market.Not looking good for August either. With all this nonsense on TV regarding Washington and the like, I cant imagine consumer confidence whispering in the ears of many people saying BUY BUY.

Nothing to do with Darien Real Estate

The blogging cognescenti says that a good blog,no matter what its aim always should contain an occasional post about the authors personal life. Its supposed to make us more human and not some Realtor just spitting out data about the Darien real estate market. So okay, Ill bite.

I spent the last nine days or so,give or take one or two in various airports, on a great trip to Central Europe.Vienna,Budapest, and Prague to be exact.My husband and I went along with my sister and brother in law and a singing group known as the New Haven Chorale.

We toured the three cities,compared and contrasted, had cold damp weather as well as 95 degree heat. We stayed in OK hotels as well as a beauty in Vienna.The touring was sometimes a bit much but mostly delightful as was our sort of absent minded Viennese tour guide.

I know this has been said a million times but its never more true than when you experience it.Although Im back and totally disgusted and appalled by the political mess our country is in, America still sparkles in comparison to other countries. The people,places,history and traditons (to say nothing of food- goulash anyone?) are second to no one in the world.

They were really nice places to visit but I wouldnt want to live there.

 

 

Darien Real Estate Market Report Week of June 15

Just posting the weekly numbers again for those of you following these things.Several new listings across all price points.Lots of price reductions as well.Number of accepted offers continues to be low with buyers seemingly going toward renting.

 

CT Real Estate Sales Tax Increased,Darien Homes

Just when we thought it was safe to dip our toes back in the real estate market in Darien and Fairfield County the government goes and steps in. It’s no secret that Connecticut like so many other states are facing huge budget deficits.So in its infinite wisdom the legislature  has raised the cost of selling a home.

Connecticut has long had what is termed a “conveyance tax”. Basically that means when a homeowner sells property, there is a sales tax levied.The new law that goes into effect on July1 of this year raises that tax.The new rate for properties under $800,000 goes from .5% of the sales price to .75%.

Homes over $800,000 pay what is affectionately called a “mansion tax”. That rate goes from 1% to 1.25% as of July1.

So, if selling your home hasn’t been stressful enough what with a continually declining market here in Darien ,you can sleep well knowing you just lost a few more bucks to Hartford.

What effect this will have on the Darien real estate market is unknown but anyone trying to sell their house has an added incentive to get the deal done by July 1.

Darien, CT Homes,How to Buy or Sell A Home in 2011

The beat goes on in Darien,CT and Fairfield County real estate.The market is robust and the market numbers for the month of April when they are tallied will bear me out.At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the spring market has arrived and as regards sheer volume of homes being sold,is doing quite nicely.The only issue whether you are a buyer or a seller, is one of pricing.

The homes that are selling are the ones where there is perceived value and are in line with the market. Real estate is a market like any other whether it’s coffee beans or stocks and bonds. There are external factors of the economy,supply and demand over which we as agents and  buyers or sellers have no control. It doesn’t matter if for example you think Apple stock  is overpriced. If you wish to buy now, you will pay the market price.The same is true of selling.Just because you believe your company stock is undervalued,doesn’t mean the market will perform to your expectations.

If you are a seller in this market,have had adequate numbers of showings and are seeing homes selling above and below your price range,you are almost surely priced incorrectly.Likewise, if you are a buyer and losing homes to other buyers, stop digging in your heels. The buyers have come back in force,lending is loosening up and there will be a someone right behind you. 

The spring market is short and will be gone in 60 days or so.If you want to buy or sell a home in Darien or anywhere really,loosen your hold on what YOU think a home is worth,put your ear to the ground and listen.

Property of the Week..95 Leroy Ave. Another Great Darien Antique…

 You’ve driven by it a hundred times.You know that house near the corner of West Ave. and Leroy Ave. that used to look so old and sad…the one with the mansard roof.Yea, that one.I know.You’ve always wanted to go in and see it.Well, now you can and you can even own it if you like what you see and I guarantee that you will. This familiar Darien,CT landmark is on the market for $2.395 million and worth every cent.

95 Leroy Ave. has been rescued from its former life as a three family rental residence to that of a superior state of the art home that beautifully retains its historical and architecturall integrity. The exterior boasts exciting roof lines of the mansard variety, dormers,French doors and wraparound porches.

Inside is a beautiful great room and it is GRRREAT. The dimensions are 21′x42′ and it houses the living room,dining room and state of the art kitchen.As wonderful as that is, there are original, cozy rooms too such as a  library and additional family room with doors to a flagstone patio.

Upstairs, 95 Leroy has a beautiful sitting room with built ins and no fewer than 5 bedrooms,most with en suite baths. The real stunner though is the third floor which is currently in use as a guest suite but would work very well as a playroom or au paire suite.This area has a full bath and small kitchen area with sink and fridge. It also opens out onto a lovely balcony overlooking the back yard.

This historical gem is literally a few blocks to the Darien ,Metro North station ,downtown, and Tilley Pond Park. Children would attend Royle School which is also easily walkable from the house.Call me at 203-554-0951 for a private showing or email me at kmbrewer2@aol.com.

State of the Market, Darien Homes for Sale

I usually post the new listings and closed prices each week for Darien real estate but lists and charts can only go so far.What those weekly reports lack (and I’m just as guilty of putting them out there as anyone) is context.

The spring Darien real estate market has gotten off to a belated start but has finally begun. In my mind, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that there 22 accepted offers in the past month, with some homes selling in under a week and some in multiple bid situations.

I’ve opined ad nauseum about how pricing is KEY and those who do it correctly will be rewarded-quickly. Those who don’t are doomed to chip away at their asking prices and drag out the situation. To prove the point there were no less than 43 price reductions last month across ALL price ranges. That’s the bad news. It looks as though in spite of brisk sales activity,the market is continuing to decline. Many of the reductions are coming from older listings where homeowners are coming to grips with the market realities.The trend is disturbing and I’ll keep updating as the spring continues.

For those in the market to buy, it is still a great time with new listings coming on the market daily, interest rates at a low point and prices moderateing . I was hoping we were “at the bottom” but it looks like we have to go just a bit more. You can never time a market bottom perfectly but “really close” is just fine too.

Contact me at kmbrewer2@aol.com directly for more information or return to the home page and sign up for a Listingbook account and track the market just as I do.It’s free.Really.

Postcards From the Edge….Darien Homes

This has nothing to do with Darien CT real estate but today I had an interesting experience. While showing a home, I was bitten by a pit bull. Luckily, it decided to let go after a second or so. As my husband wryly remarked,”Well, you didn’t get a sale, but you got a bite. I feel like Rodney Dangerfield….no respect.