The Golf Coast Standard

Home Buying in Darien CT and Closing Costs…What You Should Know

There is SOOO much stuff on the Internet about real estate and the home buying process.I happend to watch this video on AOL about closing costs and found it very informative.It doesnt matter if youre buying here in Darien, its just good,basic stuff.

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2010/06/17/closing-costs-no-surprises/

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Darien Book Aid Does a World of Good.

My husband is a voracious reader. Two books a week is not an uncommon occurrence. While many Darien residents can be found shopping downtown, sipping latte at Espresso Neat. or utilizing the incredible resources at the Darien Library,we can regularly be found at Barnes and Noble loading up on thrillers and spy novels.(hardcovers only, of course)

As a result, if I turn my head for a minute I can be  knee deep in the aforementioend books. I’ve tried passing them along to office mates,selling them on Amazon and sometimes just  throwing them away.(that doesnt feel good at all). But, they just keep coming back.Over the years I have also brought boxes of books to a place called,DARIEN BOOK AID.Darien Book Aid is located at 1926 Post Road in DarienCT.                                Read the rest of this entry »

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Tags: Darien Book Aid

Property Transfers for the Week,July 10-16

Here are property transfers for the week in Darien Real estate. For some reasons people love to read these.A little like peeking in someones window I guess.

http://darien.patch.com/articles/property-sales-july-10-16

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Darien and Coastal CT , Real Estate Market Report, Jan-June 2010

 William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty continues to put out a great quarterly report on the state of the real estate market here in CT.The hyperlink below takes you to the report which graphs activity in the CT market for the past six months. Thoue report is devoid of the mumbo jumbo and macroeconomic slant of other publications and offers a look backward as well as makes modest predictions for the future of the market. Every town is coastal CT and Litchfield C ounty is analyzed, year to date,year over year,by price point and broken down by homes,land and condos.

Bottom line is that prices most likely have bottomed out at between 15-30% below pre-recession levels.Buyers have come back into the marketplace owing to low interest rates and a sense that the bottom has been realized.Take a look at the numbers for your town or one where you are considering moving. For better or worse,buyer or seller these are the facts and they feel much better than last year.William Pitt
Adobe PDF version – http://www.wpsir.com/u/marketReports/wpsir/rp_8.pdf
Magazine version –  http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/1ff19b6c#/1ff19b6c/1

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Real Estate Taxes in Darien,CT Among the Lowest….

One of the most important things to consider when buying a home here in Darien or elsewhere is the  amount of real estate property taxes you will pay.

Real estate propertry taxes are expressed in something called a mill rate.The mil rate is equivalent to dollars of tax per thousand dollars of assessed value of a home and land. (Assessed value is a lesson for another day).As you’ll see below the rate can vary within a town depending on whether your home is on a septic system or using town sewers. Read the rest of this entry »

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Darien State of the Market Year to Date 2010

I’ve been touting the strength of the market all year and by golly the stats bear it our. Read on and rejoice!

 

 

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Darien Real Estate Market Activity Report,July 7,2010

This market continues to chug along nicely. eight new listings,nine accepted offers or deposits. Price points are popular across the board with the tippy top end still soft.Stil no oneis complaining.The difference this year has clearly been that the fear factor has evaporated from this market.Buyers are out there in force, the banks have loosened up some. Prices, it should be noted have not ticked upward. They remain soft but it appears that sellers are making peace with the situation and no longer over pricing AS MUCH.Barring some national or international seriously bad news I hope to see the trend continue into the fall after a predictable,summer hiatus.

 

 

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Another Good Reason to Live in Darien,CT-Darien Summer Nights

Two of Darien,CT’s most precious resources are Tilley Pond Park,located downtown and across from the Darien train station and Weed Beach located at the end of Nearwater Rd.

These venues will be the site of this seasons’ Darien Summer Nights a program of outdoor films and concerts.Sponsored by Baywater Properties and Grove St.Plaza LLC, the events are free.See www.DarienSummerNights.com for a full schedule. See you there.

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NY Times says, Suburbs Costlier than NYC. Darien Homes.

This is an interesting article from the New York Times on the cost of iving for a family of four in the suburbs versus New York City,specifically Park Slope.The conclusion they came to was that the cost of living in NYC was acrually 18% less owing to property taxes , commuting costs and insurance.

While I understand the analysis requires that some location be selected  I believe wholeheartedly that the results would be different if the area selected had been Darien CT. Homes in Darien ,while still pricey, have moderated in the past couple of years, and property taxes are among the lowest in the entire state. And no NYC income tax either! Add to that quality of life, beaches and schools and it’s a deal versus NYC.

It’s a worthwhile read but uses  less than optimal data and assumptions.Living in Darien is considerably less expensive than NJ. Check it out anyway. It  might help you decide whether the suburbs in general or Darien specifically is a good choice for your family.

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Darien Property of the Week,17 Ridgeview,$725,000

OK Im shameless and I admit it. I am indeed promoting my own listing.This one is a really cute 3 bedroom home on a really lovely street here in Darien called Ridgeview.Ridgeview is off of Camp Ave not far from the Stamford border and the neighborhood of Springdale. The street is a dead end and full of farmhouses and cottages. Most of the lots and 17 Ridgeview is no exception, are sited on less than .25 acres.The street is full of well cared for homes with beautiful gardens out front which lines Ridgeview with flowers.

17 Ridgeview is around 1500 sq ft,has three good sized bedrooms and updated kitchen and baths.The condition is pristine.You cant find anything in this price range in Darien that is so private and well located. A great buy at $725K. Click here for more pictures.

This home is minutes to the Talmadge Hill Metro North train station,shopping and schools.

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