One of the greatest pleasures of living in Westport’s Old Hill neighborhood is the ability to stroll into the vibrant, ever-evolving downtown. Restaurants, boutiques, the Westport Library, Levitt Pavilion, several schools, and places of worship are all within easy reach. Just as important is the Saugatuck River, the waterway that connects Old Hill’s current community to Westport’s rich, onion farming and sea-faring past.
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.
Fairfield County, Connecticut is bustling with activity this December, closing out the year in style. We've curated a list of events and ideas to enlighten, entertain, and inspire, ensuring you and your loved ones make the most of this holiday season.
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.
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.
Most municipalities mail tax bills this month. They’re a reminder of the costs & obligations of home ownership, and of the many amenities we get for our dollars. One mill equals a dollar of tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value. “Mill rate” is another way to say “property tax rate.” By state law, property is reevaluated every five years.
We have to remember - the asking price of a home is mostly theoretical. What the real estate market - buyers - are or are not willing to pay is the ultimate test. When a property lingers on the market, one must look at the pricing appropriateness for the sellers’ strategy.
Fairfield is one of the most interesting, geographically and culturally diverse towns in all of southern CT. It is also one of the oldest towns in very old Fairfield County. Covering 30 square miles, Fairfield's ~ 62,000 residents fill a variety of neighborhoods. Two of the best known are on the water—Southport and Fairfield Beach; the third, Greenfield Hill, is well inland. All are beautiful.
Unhappy with your property assessment? Applications for appeal are due February 20th! Have questions, or need advice? Give us a call.
From the hilltop of the Old Hill neighborhood, the views of Westport Connecticut are stunning. It is from this vantage point that we take note of the character and charm of historic homes whose preservation helps keep the fabric of our area unique.
Are you floored by the costs of home improvement or scared of buyers' remorse in this sellers' market? If you are on the sidelines waiting for costs to decline, know it could be decades! As your real estate partners, the KMS Team is ready to identify options and help you formulate intelligent real estate strategies.
Heather brings a discerning eye to the KMS Team at Compass. Our newest member is experienced, energetic, and – like her nine colleagues – always eager to show off this area’s beauty and charms. We look forward to introducing her to you!
As the holiday season kicks off this week with Thanksgiving, we thought we’d share some holiday indulgences. Traditionally turkey is the star of the Thanksgiving table, but we here at KMS are all about the extras. Try some new sides or desserts as we all get ready to roll into December.
If you’ve just moved in, chances are good that the previous owners did some tidying up before selling their home. If not, take a look at your home from the curb — does your driveway need sealing, windows need washing or the front door need painting? Fall is the perfect time for these tasks and more. Here are some ideas to get you started.
The colors, beauty and flavors of autumn extend well beyond pumpkin-spiced lattes! Here in Fairfield County we celebrate the arrival of fall with outdoor recreation, apple-picking excursions, festivals and dining on seasonal fare. Did someone mention German Apple Pancakes or Eggplant Torre? Luckily for us, there are several new places to try this fall. Featuring nearly every cuisine on the planet, in every kind of spot and for all sorts of budgets, Westport & Fairfield have your palates covered.
Even at significant expense, upgrading things beyond cosmetics can have enormous value in a market where buyers seek “new” with no work required. Energy saving, environmentally friendly solutions - many with tax rebates and credits thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, are available and should be considered when making any home improvements.
As realtors, we often write, suggest or speak of a renovated bathroom. Conceptually, or in pictures, it seems pretty simple. Today, let’s take a look behind the scenes of a powder room update. We'll breakdown the costs, see what decisions the homeowner made and talk time, start to finish.
Some of the best places to get out and enjoy this beautiful weather are found at an Aspetuck Land Trust preserve (ALT). Through gifts of land, money, time and talents, ALT has amassed and maintains 45 trailed preserves and 140 open spaces for public enjoyment and education. Each is different; all are worth visiting. Read on to happy trails!
Ah, spring. The time to deep clean and air out our homes — who doesn’t love to throw open the windows on those first warm days? Deep down, we all know the quality of inside air can have a big impact on our health. So let’s take some steps to keep this spring feeling year-round by improving the overall air quality in our homes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
