Sending the year out in style, Fairfield County, CT buzzes with activity in December. Curated for you, we hope the following events & ideas will enlighten, entertain, inspire and help you & yours enjoy this holiday season to its fullest.
Those of us in Connecticut breathe a sigh of relief as hurricane season comes to a close. While our premiums may be impacted by weather events nation-wide, we certainly empathize with others dealing with catastrophic devastation, and the resulting clean-up, rebuilding process. Is your home properly insured?
Today, we are noticing that an increasing desire to be together, for companionship and shared experiences, is driving relocation. While the great recession in 2007-2008 may have created a financial need, the Covid pandemic spurred an emotional one. Living in the same household is not necessarily the goal, but being in close proximity to family is important.
In our years of real estate, the KMS Team at Compass has seen it all. We listen to, offer advice and respect our clients immensely - even when they opt to sell their home by owner. Affirming what we already know — we work hard for our clients — they learn several things along the way. While things may work out in the end, professional guidance can help maximize the value and minimize the stress surrounding your real estate sale.
Maintenance-free, single-family style living has an appeal to those accustomed to single-family homes but no longer interested in the upkeep – snow removal, lawn care and the like. The bottom line? People love Westport and all its fabulous amenities, including its beaches and waterfront recreation facility, Longshore Club Park. Moving from a single family home to a condominium is no longer just down-sizing, it is right sizing in style.
One unexpected delight of home-buying here is discovering gorgeous backyard gardens. The Westport Historical Society even sponsors a special “Hidden Gardens” tour. But another type of garden is hidden in plain sight. Community gardens -- town-owned, group-run and wildly popular -- have sprouted all over Fairfield County.
It’s hardly the first time the town rallied around a great cause. In fact, Westporters pride themselves on making their voices heard. Over 50 years ago, a utility company wanted to buy Cockenoe Island -- to turn the beloved camping and fishing spot a mile off Compo Beach into a nuclear power plant!
Here at KMS, we’ve noticed an intriguing trend. Antique homes are back in favor with buyers. Younger folks, European transplants, down-sizers – all have asked to see homes that were built long before they (or sometimes, their grandparents) were born. As we’ve shown some outstanding antiques in Westport and throughout Fairfield County, we’ve noticed a few things.
Netflix premiered the eight-episode series on the virtues of the “KonMari Method” of tidying! First outlined in Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, a resurgence has begun. The series sparks joy in those she helps through the tranformation.
When we talk to potential homebuyers about Westport’s history, we mention our agricultural past. As we show you possible homes, we point out repurposed barns highlighting that farming heritage is an important part of this town’s charm. But whenever one of our KMS Partners talks about Wakeman Town Farm, Westport’s past truly comes alive.
The little grey house in the middle of Sherwood Mill Pond is command central for the Hummock Island Oyster Farm, right here in Westport. The Northrup Family owns the 82 acres of Mill Pond, and has since 1857! Take a tour and learn about farming from the Northrups & how they’re taking this ancient craft of harvesting oysters into the 21st century.
With the KMS Team at Compass you'll get the benefit of years of collective experience in the real estate industry: More ideas, more perspectives, collective marketing ideas, more resources and more negotiation experience.
We all know the expression “caveat emptor”: It’s Latin for “let the buyer beware.” But the seller needs to be aware too. And that’s never more important than when you’re selling your house. Listing it is only the first step…that moment when strangers first walk through your door – is when the reality of selling first hits.
We’ve got doctors to keep us healthy, financial advisors to grow our money, and lawyers because, well, you know. At KMS Partners, we are advisors in every sense of the word. We are coaches, counselors and therapists. We are there for you when you’re selling and buying -- but even when you’re not ready for a transaction. We’re here to help -- before, during and after a sale. And if you need a referral to a good doctor or electrician: Just ask.
Buying a house is often the most important financial transaction you’ll make in your life. There are many reasons you should trust it to a person, not a pixel. For example, we can help with pricing. Sure, you can find it online. But what does that price mean? Is it fair? What about comparables? Is there room for negotiation? We’re there when you walk through the front door of a house….
The key to a smooth process is to identify a mortgage professional early in the home buyer process who will guide you. A loan officer will help you obtaining a competitive priced loan, he or she will also need to prepare your financial documents in an organized fashion and help you understand the types of products available.
Your friend mentions her house is “broker protected.” Your real estate agent casually mentions “CMA” and “MLS.” You drive by a sign for an “Open House” -- are you invited? Every industry and profession has its own language.
