While not until the end of the month this year, Thanksgiving is already in the air. With unending thanks for your support & friendship to KMS, we prepare this concierge list of events and ideas to enlighten, entertain, inspire and help you and yours appreciate life in Connecticut.
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.
It’s summer and that means the beach, sailing, golf, tennis, grilling, outdoor concerts and surprise … the library. You read that right. With countless outdoor attractions, one of Westport’s most popular is inside. It’s an attractive riverfront destination. Yet it’s what goes on beneath the soaring roof, on three magnificent floors, that makes it our go-to spot even on the most gorgeous day.
…other people took advantage of the pandemic to “right-size.” They traded single family homes for condominiums or townhomes. They’re delighted to not even think about lawn mowing, tree trimming and snow shoveling. Condos are moving quickly with year-to-date sales in Westport, Fairfield, Norwalk and Wilton all more than 56% over prior year levels.
There is so much emphasis on the frenzy surrounding home buying/selling these days that an important, essential service realtors provide is often overlooked — residential rental assistance. Short-term, temporary while in-between houses, long-term or just for the summer, we can guide you through it all!
And no market sizzles more than Weston. The little (in population) town is big (in square miles, lot size and amenities). It boasts a prime location: between the beaches of Westport and Fairfield, and the hills of Redding, Easton and Wilton. And – surprise! – there’s a lot more going on in Weston than people may think. (Why else would Keith Richards have lived there for years?)
It's perfect nowhere. And it isn't even close to perfect anywhere for everyone. What may be bliss to you could quite easily be awful to others. Our best advice is that when you choose where you want to live be extremely selfish. Where you live should work for your needs, likes, wants, and specific individual circumstances.
Did you know The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) was formed by a Stamford, Connecticut builder?In 1973, Ronald Passaro could only identify six other inspectors in the tri-state area.
There’s a lot to love about Fairfield. It’s diverse, dynamic, and drawing plenty of attention. It's home to two universities, which add to the local economy and the vibrancy of the town. Among the biggest attractions: Fairfield’s dining scene. From sit-down to takeout, Italian to Asian, indoors and out, you’ll eat well all over town.
Like you, most homeowners in Fairfield County are keenly aware of that we are in a sellers’ market for real estate. Stories of multiple offers and selling prices over list have many people thinking this may be the time to sell. If you are at all tempted, or would simply like to know what your house might be worth presently, we’d love to offer you a complimentary market analysis.
When introducing our towns, we love recommending restaurants to potential buyers and new homeowners. There are many great ones, featuring every cuisine and style. This February, we especially love the faith that so many people have in our restaurant scene. Despite the pandemic, folks from all over Fairfield County support their favorite places.
It's so easy - and seemingly cheaper - to decorate your home upon moving in and then do absolutely nothing forever afterward. As real estate professionals, we see this delusion daily and all know this type of complacency is indeed very.....expensive!
Throughout this busy year, we received numerous questions and feedback from our clients about their moving experience. Our goal is to help minimize stress from the entire process of buying or selling a home. Hopefully you will find these tips helpful in planning your next move.
We’d like to thank Tom Ayres, Partner at Daigle & Travers Insurance, for so thoroughly explaining why homes are often insured for more that what the homeowners paid for them. Required reading for first-time homebuyers & an excellent refresher for all in these times of ever-rising replacement costs and frequent natural disasters.
Whether ghosts or spirits occupying a house is something you’ve experienced first-hand or only in the movies, everyone has felt the tingle on their neck when confronted by a strange noise or creak in the night. Most of us feel that tingle just talking about these stories — yes, this client’s experience is just one of several we’ve heard through the years.
We always caution against relying on a "zestimate". Zillow itself claims these to be a "starting point" and encourages buyers, sellers and the just curious to do their own research.
The KMS Partners team has met several times this summer for a socially-distant cocktail at Compo beach. While business is inevitably discussed, food (of the restaurant, and sometimes the homemade variety) is too! Here, in no particular order are the local mentions from a recent summer’s eve…
We’ve said it before, COVID has changed the way we all look at our houses. We want private offices, in-law suites, craft rooms, home gyms — and truthfully, some separation and privacy. A home with outbuildings sounds pretty attractive to those housing adult children seeking space outside of city living.
Years ago, friends moved to Connecticut from the Midwest. They were given a perfect going-away present of a book Fun with the Family — Connecticut, by Doe Boyle. Hiking, biking, rafting — even a twist on bowling was discovered in their new home state. We asked for some of their favorites…the list was long, so we picked just a few to get you started.
As the saying goes, “nothing is certain but death and taxes”. Yes, no matter where you live in the United States, taxes are a certainty. When considering a move across state lines, it’s important to understate the tax implications. Biased for sure, but we think the “bang for your buck” is a lot better in Connecticut than the surrounding states!
The trend to move within the tri-state region is not new but it is accelerating in our direction! Whether the pandemic has shortened the timelines of those planning to move at some point or making people rethink their definition of home, we the team of KMS Partners, stand ready to help.
At KMS Partners at Compass, we love every aspect of homes: buying them, selling them, doing whatever we can to make the folks we work with feel part of a broader community. At a time when so many of us are sheltering in place, it’s more important than ever to think about – and actively work for – those who lack the luxury of shelter.
