Furnishings can make a house look & feel like home. If the furnishings are tasteful, in good condition and appropriate for a home’s architecture, the spaces feel more welcoming — enticing buyers to stay, forever.
Furnished Homes Entice Buyers
Rent Forever or Buy a Home
There are many reasons why we believe buying a home is better than renting, but let's just focus on one — inflation. Yes, right now we are experiencing unusually high inflation, but inflation exists almost always.
Community Involvement
Starting from the ground up, Fairfield County takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. Wakeman Town Farm in Westport has a wealth of programs and relies heavily on volunteers. Similarly driven is Lachat Town Farm in Weston. Sustainable Westport, Fairfield & Weston work hard to achieve the state's Net Zero goals.
School Involvement
New to the area, looking for a way to meet people and put your talents to work? Lived here a long time, but looking for a new volunteer activity? Do you have school-aged children or none at all? Whatever your passion, you can get involved in our schools! Think volunteer efforts are limited to baking brownies for PTA fundraisers? Think again.
Westport and Fairfield Beaches are Treasures
Fairfield County offers so much potential homeowners: Astonishing beauty. Superb schools. Wonderful amenities, like libraries, culture and recreation. But for many, what sets Westport and Fairfield apart from other communities is our beaches.
Fairfield County houses still in demand
Despite the fact that Connecticut home price growth has more than quadrupled income growth over the past two years and many believe a recession is on the horizon, we anticipate demand in fabulous Fairfield County to remain strong.
Keeping Family & Pets Safe in the Great Outdoors
Lyme disease takes its name from Lyme, Connecticut, where the illness was first reported in 1975. It is spread by the black-legged deer tick that has been firmly established in Connecticut for several decades. A bacterial infection, Lyme is treated with antibiotics successfully when caught early but late Lyme disease can have persistent and often serious complications.
Honor & Celebrate
Memorial Day is more than just the unofficial start to summer. While many families may be beach-bound, bringing kids to a parade or memorial service is a great way to honor our fallen heroes and pay tribute to those who have served in the military. Join in the local parades, ceremonies and festivities around Fairfield County as we honor and give thanks to veterans who have served.
Minimize Your Capital Gains When Selling Your Home
Hopefully the rise in market prices has put you in a position to recognize a gain on the sale of your home. The first step in calculating the gain is to identify your home’s cost basis - meaning everything that you spent to pay for, improve or prolong the life of the product (aka your home).
Not One & Done, Test for Radon Every Two Years
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that naturally occurs as the earth’s radioactive metals break down in rocks, soils and ground water. Occurring everywhere, it is estimated that 1 in 3 CT homes have elevated radon levels, whereas across the U.S. that number is only about 1 in 15 homes.
Thinking of downsizing but looking to stay local?
Historically low inventory means slim pickings for a new home, right? Not necessarily. Because you don’t necessarily have to replace your current residence with another house. Several exciting new projects offer Fairfield County residents innovative new ways to live. You just have to think outside the “housing” box.
The Joys and Perils of Self-Employment
Do you count yourself among the nearly 60 million Americans who are self-employed? Being your own boss has wonderful benefits — flexible hours, freedom in choosing projects/co-workers, control over work environment, ability to pursue your interests/ obtain skills and more. But it also has its downsides, such as proving a steady stream of income.
Special Places in Spectacular Fairfield County
When it comes to life in Fairfield County, there are plenty of gems. Some of them out of the way, others in plain sight – they’re the spots that make a hometown a “home.” We’ve got a few favorites, exceptional for visiting during the beautiful autumn days we have here in Connecticut. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
A Flood of Change, by Tom Ayres of Daigle & Travers Insurance
On October 1st, 2021 the National Flood Insurance Program enacted Flood Risk Rating 2.0. It comes with the promise of greater rate transparency for customers. The old rating methods, in effect since the 1970’s, ultimately resulted in smaller homes being rated at an increased rate over much larger homes.
Desired and Undesirable...H2O
After escaping the touted "Henri" and feeling the effects/brunt of "Ida" in the last few weeks, it is important to remember we are still in the midst of hurricane season! While sellers are obligated to disclose known flooding issues, recent storms have brought unusual, significant rainfalls surprising some buyers with water seeping into the basement and worse.
Beat the Heat AND Enjoy Fresh Produce
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.
Condo & Town Homes....Also in Demand
…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.
The Fine Print of Renting
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!
Fairfield County is HOT!
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?)
Finding the best place to live.
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.