The Gold Coast Standard and Darien Real Estate

Why You Still Need a Realtor,CT Real Estate

I was chatting with a colleague last night and we were discussing the current state of the real estate market in Darien,CT 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...Continue Reading!

Property Transfers, Darien Ct, February 1-10.

Only five property transfers were recorded so far this month.Most notable is 58 Mansfield Ave, which when originally listed  three years ago was listed for over $3.5 million. You can see where it has ended. RIP. Midbrook Lane was a wonderful colonial with great bones and great potential.Morehouse Lane was one of the last great building lots in town. Congratulations to the lucky buyer. Continue Reading!

Why is The Darien Real Estate Market Like The Weather?

Why is the Darien real estate market like the weather? Well think about it. This has been one of the worst winters in recent history for most of the country and particularly in the Northeast. The snow has piled up, literally holding us hostage in our homes as we wait for the next storm. The real estate maket has behaved similarly. We've been hit by one punch after another for the past couple of years. While some volume has returned to...Continue Reading!

Darien Ct, School Budget 2011….It’s that time of year again

I have written in the past about the excellence of the Darien, Ct school system. The town of Darien boasts one of the highest average SAT scores and percentages of grads going to 4 year colleges. in the state.Those numbers are the result of  an annual rite known as "school budget season". For as long as I've lived here the issues have been the same. Half day kindergarten or whole day. (right now its whole day).  Then there is enrollment projections and facilities.(we've...Continue Reading!

Darien Downsizers, Where to Go?

If you're a downsizer in Darien,don't get all excited.I don't have a reasonable answer to the question.Lots of my contemporaries, with kids out of the nest,wish to  move to smaller digs yet,stay in the town of Darien. However,Darien has a  real lack of  alternatives for those wishing to rid themselves of  lawn maintenance and snow plowing. There are of course condominiums in Darien such as Middlsex Common,Villager Pond,Sedgewick Village and Darien Close.Few if any of these offer one floor living or...Continue Reading!

Year End 2010 Real Estate Market Report, Darien and Fairfield County.

Every quarter and and year end,William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty publishes a recap of the real estate markets in Fairfield and Litchfield,Ct counties.Unlike other reports that just provide statistics, this report is well worth reading.It provides context for the various marketplaces in Connecticut and offers excellent insights into,what's selling,why and who is, in fact buying.Its a must read primer for anyone entering the Darien real estate market in 2011. http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/ddb5fafd#/ddb5fafd/1Continue Reading!

Darien Real Estate,Short Sale in Town…

Blessedly, the town of Darien,Ct has been largely spared from the real estate meltdown of the past few years. It is true that real estate values in Darien have declined nearly 30% but compared to other parts of the country, that's actually not so bad. The number of foreclosures and short sales have also been on the low side. Many have come on the market and quietly been turned over to the banks.One such property is  12 Five Mile River Road. If any...Continue Reading!

Darien Ct Homes and Condos,The Trifecta of Real Estate

 I am naturally asked by prospective buyers of Darien real estate about market conditions and home values in Darien Ct.As we all know,real estate markets and conditions change from year to year and even season to season. So why choose Darien,Ct as a place to buy a home?The answer is simple. Darien, Ct has the trifecta* of real estate. In case youre new to town and/or to this blog,Darien CT has three things that no recession,no bad lending practices and no overzealous agent...Continue Reading!

Why Your Darien Home Won’t Sell,and What You Can Do About It.

2011 is a brand new year but there is one thing that I guarantee has not changed form 2010. An overpriced listing in Darien or anywhere, will not sell. Contrary to popular belief, it is the MARKET that determines value. whether it is for a stock, a used car, or your home.The only thing that counts is what someone is willing to pay. One of the first things a  Darien homeowner does when they wish to sell their home is call their real estate agent.Typically, that...Continue Reading!

Home Staging for Sellers….If You Do One Thing….

When you live in a home, it is obvious when you need a new roof or the furnace is on the fritz.But when it comes to selling your home, we all have a blind eye about certain things. I don't have my house on the market right now but I did have an  personal home staging epiphany. One of my daughters thought it was time to remove some dated wallpaper from her room and she was correct.We did that and  then...Continue Reading!