Did you know the now ominous Ides of March once marked the beginning of the new year, inspiring celebrations and rejoicing? Let's keep that positive outlook as we prepare for spring's arrival later this month!
March 2023 Concierge Calendar
Pre, Post or Off Broadway, Fairfield County Theater Shines
One of the great benefits of living in Fairfield County is the chance to see Broadway theater. Many of the best plays and musicals in the world are just a train ride away. But another great benefit is: You don’t have to go to New York to see thought-provoking, entertaining, top-shelf theater.
Accessory Dwelling Units
We have definitely seen sparked interest for properties with outbuildings among those looking for housing. Curious about the possibilities of Accessory Dwelling Units? Give us a call.
February 2023 Concierge Calendar
Though the month is a short one, it is filled with lots of love and special moments. Our concierge calendar is full of events & ideas curated just for you and yours.
Pre-Marketing Your Home
Offering discretion and quality, the Compass Private Exclusives program provides the flexibility to share details about the your property to selective audiences, without divulging details to the general public. As an off-market listing, your home will not appear on public home search websites.
Welcome to Westport & Team KMS, Lisa Holler
We are pleased to welcome Lisa Holler to the KMS Team! Coming from Brooklyn, NY where she worked on a large real estate team, Lisa's philosophy "of putting the client's needs above my own and being as transparent as possible" fits perfectly with ours.
Furnished Homes Entice Buyers
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.
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.