As realtors we understand the importance of location, are intrigued by history, appreciate fine craftsmanship and admire architectural design. As we look forward to our 2026 move across the river into the historic Westport Bank & Trust building, we are in awe of those that had the foresight to create, maintain and improve the building and the town of Westport.
Due to rising wages and change in birthdate requirements for kindergarteners, preschool in CT has gotten more complex, costly and competitive. Prior to 2024-5 school year, children attaining the age of 5 by January 1st could begin kindergarten in the fall, as a 4 year old.
Now, many children with September-January birthdates attend a "5s" program at a preschool. This change created additional staffing, space and resource needs for preschools, adding to already rising costs.
October is brimming with pumpkin spice and Halloween-themed activities, but Fairfield County offers much more this month! We've curated a list of events and ideas to enlighten, entertain, and inspire you, helping you and your loved ones to appreciate your home even more.
September acts as a charming transition from summer's warmth to autumn's refreshing chill— a perfect month to venture out and discover new things in Fairfield County, CT. Our curated selection of events and ideas is designed to enlighten, entertain, and inspire you and yours.
While, thanks to COVID, almost all private clubs have waiting lists for members, we are very fortunate to have some excellent public courses in our area. From fun 9-hole, par 3 courses to those offering greater challenges, the list is impressive! New to the sport or an accomplished player, why not try something new this spring?
‘Tis the season to…celebrate with family and friends, shop for gifts…and yes, list your home! Sure, the holiday season is a busy time of year. But we believe it’s also one of the best times to be on the market for a number of reasons…
We help young couples buy their first home. We’re there as their families grow, and when they need more space. If they relocate -- across town, or across the country -- we work with them to replicate the house they’re selling, or perhaps try something entirely new. Years later, when they become empty nesters, we work together to find a smaller, more manageable space.
Who should you call when your driveway need to be replaced? My recommendation is Luciano Paving.
When it became clear that the driveway needed to be torn up and repaved with some attention to drainage, I called four vendors for opinions and estimates. What a process!!
Taking steps to improve your FICO® Score can be very helpful before applying for a mortgage or bridge loan because a higher score can help you secure the best terms and interest rates available. Here are some actions that can help improve your score over time…
Exclusive to Compass, our Concierge program is designed to make it easier than ever to get your home market-ready. Compass Concierge helps you sell your home faster and for a higher price. From painting to flooring, Concierge transforms your home with zero upfront costs and no interest.
Spend Sunday morning as you wish and then head out for a late breakfast/early lunch that will tide you over until dinner. Absolutely perfect for #realtor life, where hosting Sunday afternoon open houses is the norm.
Over the years, we’ve all tried many places – some have come and gone while others have stood the test of time. Give our current favorites a try and let us know what you think.
It never hurts to plan ahead. If you’re thinking of selling your home, now is the time to start preparing. That’s true whether you’re putting it on the market soon, two years from now (when you’re due for a work reassignment), or even five (fingers crossed the last kid finally graduates!).
Summer’s un-official end doesn’t mean the days of sipping a cocktail outdoors are over. We’ve scouted out a few locations that have outdoor patios designed just for that …. AND have a happy hour line-up to entice you.
In the fall of 1648, five men from Fairfield — Thomas Newton, Henry Gray, John Green, Daniel Frost and Francis Andrews — acquired land from the Native American Machamux tribe, on what is now Beachside Avenue and Sherwood Island. They earned the “Bankside” nickname, because of their location on the banks of Long Island Sound.
On average, we spend 65% of our time at home. Hopefully, we at KMS Partners have helped you to find a home in which you can be happy, feel comfortable and at peace. Now let’s make sure that it is a healthy environment too! Here’s some tips to get you started.
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….
