Karen Brewer

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.

 

 

 

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.

Darien Real Estate Meets The Dog Days of Summer

I havent written much in the past couple of reasons.One reason is that Ive been away and out of touch with the market. That was only for one week and I learned one thing for sure. I didn’t miss a thing. Summer is here and there is nary a leaf blowing or house selling. Listings have dwindled to a trickle and all we are seeing are closing left over from the spring.If you’re in the market for a house or condo in Darien,CT, you could probably strike a real deal about now.But if you wish for greater inventory, Id wait for the week after Labor Day. Just sayi

Whats So Great About Living in Darien, CT Anyway?

Darien, Ct is a smallish town (around 18,ooo people on the Gold Coast of Connecticut. It is situated between the larger cities of Norwalk and Stamford just an hour from New York. Although I’ve lived here for over 25 years,I’m always amazed how shopkeepers greet me by name and are so friendly.Lately we’ve stepped up the towns’ retail game and brought in some upscale chains like Brooks Brothers, Joseph A Bank, Elizabeth Arden and Whole Foods. But to me at least its the small town stuff that really makes this place so livable.

Just last month I found myself in Central Europe and discovered that I had left my medication behind. There was a seven hour time difference and I was upset.I have always had my prescriptions filled by the local pharmacy called Griebs. We have a CVS but they are impersonal and even have on occasion filled a prescription incorrectly.

I immediately called Griebs and over the course of several international,phone calls they were able to fax copies of my prescription labels and even contact my doctor to get me what I needed. Trust me, you cant get THAT kind of service from CVS.

I Had an Idea About Seeing Homes…Darien CT Real Estate

So you need a place to live? You get on the Internet and Zillow,Trulia and Realtor.com your brains out and some things actually look appealing. Even with all the technological advances there remain things that computer  real estate searches cannot accomplish. CONTEXT. How close to the street is a home? What does the house next door look like?  Is the backyeard the size of a postage stamp?Can you look into the neighbors window? Are the pictures totally misleading ?

Anyway I thought it would be interesting if you told me about your biggest diappointments or pleasant surprises when viewing for a home or condo. The winner will receive a $50 gift card to Starbucks or the coffee shop of your choice.

Darien Real Estate,Mid Year Report 2011

I’ve been out of town which is why this report is running late. The market continues as I have described in previous posts.After a miserably long winter we had a couple of encouraging months in March and April with volumes, and average prices looking up. Then like someone pulled a plug we lost momentum quickly, I believe due to bad news in the national housing market,possible layoffs on Wall Street and a general lack of confidence in the economy.

Even with all of that , the market as a whole is not completely horrible.   The average price is up, owing to a number of high end sales and the dollar volume is close to last year.The number of homes sold is not far off of last years.last.Darien real estate is not faring anywhere as poorly as other towns or cities nationally.We continue to be an enclave for Wall Street profits and bonuses and as such are operating just under last years numbers. We’ll take it.

 

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 Times Real Estate Article Misleads…

in some ways.Last weeks article in the Darien Times was a bit of a hodge podge of ideas.I believe the article tried to cover too much ground and in the end offered misleading facts and figures.

The article begins with saying that the real estate market here in Darien is volatile with prices fluctuating over the past couple of years. That is true.However, the article then goes on to cite the median price of a home sold here. The median price is a reflection of homes that have sold not of the overall market. Get one or two high priced houses selling and your numbers become skewed.That is particularly true when dealing with the small volume that we are dealing with.

The article also goes on at some length about short sales and foreclosures.While short sales and foreclosures are happening here as in other parts of the state it is far from the norm in Darien.So if you’re an investor looking to swoop in on a short sale, this really isn’t the place for it.

The rest of the article was accurate in describing the increased market timerequired to sell a home. That is one  number however that could be trimmed if homeowners were realistic about the new value of their homes.Most prefer to start out in the market at a number that is too high and then proceed over time to chip away at it when there are no offers.

Most agents in town are good at pricing homes and should be heeded more often when the comparables indicate lower pricing.

The singular case of the high end auction in the Tokenenke section is not indicative of a trend. It is a curious phenomenon however and one that bears watching.Bear in mind however that these auction companies deal only in very high end properties and this method of sale will not be playing out in the general market any time soon.

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.