Karen Brewer

Fairfield County Christmas Trees,When Home Depot Just Doesnt Cut It.

This year for the first time in ages my husband and I decided to cut down our own Christmas tree. The kids are working or off in college so we would have to contend with only our own opinions about how big, what type,who gets to saw etc. There are no tree farms in Darien of course so we had to do a little driving.The day was moderately cold with just a bit of wind, so off we went. Jones Tree Farm was full of kids,lots of dogs and Great Christmas anticipation (which id you ask me is the best part of this holiday).Choosing a tree was child’s play.The selection was great. I wanted a Charlie Brown tree but was overruled.Instead we have a beautiful 7′ blue spruce that smells great! Pine is notoriously soft wood so the actual sawing was easy.

Back in the car afterwards we and another couple snacked on cheese and crackers,coffee and oh and egg nog with rum. HO HO!

Below is a list of local farms where you and yours can make a day of it too!

Jones Family Farms

• 266 Israel Hill Road (near intersection of Route 110 & Walnut Tree Hill Road) Shelton, CT 06484
• 203-929-8425; http://www.jonesfamilyfarms.com open daily 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• $60
• Trees available include Blue Spruce, Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir, Balsam Fir, White Pine and White Fir

Audubon Society H. Smith Richardson Tree Farm

• Sasco Creek Road, Westport, CT 06880
• 203-623-0646
• Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends, 12 to 4 p.m. on weekdays, closed on Mondays.
• $60-85
• Trees available include Douglas Fir, White Spruce, Blue Spruce

Bob’s Tree Farm

• 66-68 Turkey Plain Road, Rt. 53, Bethel, CT 06801
• 203-241-3450
• Open Sat. & Sun., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• $50
• Trees available include Douglass Fir, Concolor Fir, White Spruce, Blue Spruce varieties

Caesar’s Nursery & Christmas Tree Farm

• 883 Federal Road – Rt. 7, Brookfield, CT 06804. 203-775-2944
• Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily
• $36.80 and up
• Tree available include White Pine, Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir, White Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce

Everett’s Corner Tree Farm

• 136 Sherwood Road, Easton, CT 06612
• 203-268-2508; http://everettscorner.com
• Open 9 a.m. till dusk Dec. 4 & 5 and Dec. 11 & 12
• $50
• Trees available include White Spruce, Blue Spruce, and White Pine

Fairview Tree Farm

• 486 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Shelton, CT 06484.
• 203-944-9090; http://fairviewtreefarm.com/
• Open Friday-Wednesday 9 a.m .to 5 p.m.; Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• $49
• Trees available include Blue Spruce, White Spruce, Serbian Spruce, Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir, Con Color Fir

Maple Row Tree Farm

• 538 North Park Avenue, Easton, CT 06612
• 203-261-9577;  http://www.mrfarm.com/
• Open daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Call for current prices
• Trees available include Balsam Fir, Canaan Fir, Colorado Bruce Fir, Con Color Fir, Douglas Fir, Eastern White Pine, Fraser Fir, Norway Spruce and White Spruce

Darien Resident Brian Cashman Repels Down Stamford Landmark

Dariens’own Brian Cashman, General Manager of The New York Yankees decided to repel down one of Stamford,Ct’s tallest buildings. He was participating in the Stamford Holiday extravaganza where an elf repels from the locally famous Landmark Building. The video below shows a run through  of the eventand features a few words from the Yankee GM.

Darien Homes for Sale,Market Snapshot Nov. 2010

Darien Real Estate,New Listings,Week of December 1,2010.

 I can’t believe we are closing in on another year end! Here are the Darien real estate statistics for the first week of December, 2010.Usually by this time of year things are in the drip mode with precious little going on. If I may continue with the coffee metaphors we  are seeing things  continue to perk along. Nothing over the top but moving forward.Last year at this time, the market actually took off  in the last weeks of the year and defied the seasonal swing.Lets see how we progress in 2010.

Nothing to do with Darien Real Estate…..

In the Police blotter this week, there was a report of a stolen Patek Phillippe watch from a local Darien gym….Really……you left your Pat in your locker?

Are You a Passion Pusher?

This post is completely disconnected from the topic of  Darien real estate. Being the author of this blog has given me a certain confidence in my writing.As a result, and on a lark,I submitted a freelance article to The New York Times regarding how todays parents tend to overprogram our children. and overuse the word “passion” to describe their activities.

I am proud to say that this past Sunday,November 14,the article was published in the Metropolitan section of the paper.I’m aware that many people have attempted to get a byline in the paper and somehow, I managed it on the first try. I think its a little like winning the lottery after buying only one ticket. Nevertheless, I accept it  humbly as a little pixie dust that someone sprinkled on me. Hope you enjoy the article.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/12/complaint-box-passion-pushers/#comment-796897

Beautiful Condo in “The Falls” Silvermine/Norwalk CT,$699,000

Having just sent my last child off to college this fall,my husband and I have been strongly considering downsizing.We don’t want the hassle of grass to mow and plow but still need space for the three kids when they come home for the holidays.We aren’t quite ready to move but I did find a great free standing condo in the Silvermine area of Norwalk in a small  development called, The Falls. Built in the 1980′s,  The Falls at Silver Creek has an amazing setting. Many of the units, and this one in particular have a direct view and walk out features onto the waterfalls and river.

This unit at The Falls in Norwalk was the original model for the development  and has 2600 sq. ft.  (not including the finished basement)2 bedrooms including a Master suite with master bath and walkin closet.There’s a two story living room with floor to ceiling windows that overlook the waterfall and river, a big kitchen, formal dining room, a library/office and wet bar too. Oh and did I mention- NO MOWING!

This home is very competitively priced at $699,000, drop me a line to schedule an appointment or for more information

Harbor Point,101 Park Place,Stamford CT Brand New Rentals

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit 101 Park Place , a brand new luxury rental building that has just opened in the new Harbor Point development in Stamford, CT.In case you don’t know,Harbor Point is an amazing project.It bills itself as “lifestyle oriented community” that marries urban convenience with waterfront living.

The development is massive in scale and will,when all is said and done, house residential,office, hotel and retail development contained within five distinct neighborhoods.Harbor Point is located in what was Stamford Ct’s industrial area and is a giant work in progress.

Anyway, last week I saw the apartments at 101 Park Place and was very impressed.The building is 15 stories tall and has one,two and three bedroom units that are state of the art and incredibly affordable for Fairfield County.

Theres a lovely lobby and lots of amenities in the building; a gym,concierge,garaged parking,private terraces,stainless steel appliances and more.There is even a shuttle that runs every 15 minutes to the Stamford Metro North station.

One bedrooms start at $1,790/month

Two bedrooms start at $2520/month

Three bedrooms start at $3580/month

There are many more details so to find out more call me at 203-554-0951 or email me,kbrewer@wpsir.com and Id be happy to show you around.

Darien Real Estate Market Report,October and YTD 2010

Disappointing numbers have been posted this month in Darien real estate due to a market seems to be settling into a familiar seasonal cycle. Last year at this time the Darien CT market remained fairly strong through the end of December.

Given these numbers, and from the way Darien Novemeber reale estate sales look to be heading, the year end will probably finish  with a whimper. That said the  home sales market during the previous nine months made a remarkable comeback over 2009.

Prices continue to moderate and sellers are much more realistic in their expectations. Lets see what the change in governmental dynamics brings us in the new year and beyond.

Buyers however, should note that interest rates are LOW, and prices are probably as low as they will be, making this the perfect storm for any first time buyer.

In a town like Darien Ct which possesses the triple threat of waterfront,schools and a reasonable commute to NYC, why wait?

Darien Homes for Sale,Condominiums…Middlesex Common

Not everyone who moves to the town of Darien is ready for a white picket fence,two dogs and a acre of land.Many people,particularly first time Darien buyers and downsizers are more interested in condominium life. If that’s you’re situation Darien has several complexes to choose from.

Most of the Darien condos were built in the 1980′s and have features typical of that building period.Open floor plans,lofts, and high ceilings are commonplace among condos built around that time. Almost all of the Darien condos are within walking distance to the Darien train station making them popular among local commuters.

MIDDLESEX COMMONS is located in the center of downtown Darien and is within easy walking distance to the brand new Whole Foods market.Its also across the street from the Darien Sport Shop,Darien Theatre and various restaurants making it perhaps the most convenient of all the condo developments. There are 60 units in the complex and there are three units for sale ranging from $475,000 for a 900 sq ft one bedroom unit, to $749,000 for over 1400 ft of living space.        

There is a clubhouse and pool on the premises as well as a guest cottage for overnight guests . Middlesex Common is built in townhouse style and most units are multilevel.They vary in condition depending on the tastes of the homeowner but in my experience all are spacious and lovely.Most kitchens have been updated even since the 1980′s and many have a lovely view of the on premise pond. Pets are of course welcomed.

Currently there are three units for sale in Middlesex Common yourself.Don’t hesitate to email me,kmbrewer2@aol.com  to make an appointment to see them for yourself.                                                                                                                          .