SOLD – 147 Millport Avenue, New Canaan, CT

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Backyard shot of Millport house

Backyard shot of Millport house

$699,000. –  This unique 1890’s in-town gem exudes ambiance and charm. Originally a two family house, the current owners loving converted it into a welcoming and enchanting home. Taking into consideration a growing family and their own artistic passions, they utilized space and opened walls which allows for easy entertaining with family and friends or for retreating to cozy private spots. Sun streams in the bay windows, skylights and paneled glass doors which access the spacious outdoor deck and backyard from the living room and eat in kitchen. The previous first floor apartment has been turned into a wonderful artist’s studio with full bath and a study with private terrace. Two car detached garage has substantial attic storage above. Easy stroll to town center and schools. Full Listing Details: 147 Millport Avenue

 

Got Wood? Got Kids? Get Creative!

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With all the winter storms and downed branches my yard  is looking pretty chaotic. It originally looked like a war zone until we revved up the chain saws and stacked the wood, gleefully using it for most of the winter to heat our house and ignoring the rest of the mess. Now that spring is here those larger logs and errant branches that seemed impossible to deal with are taunting me. Light bulb! This isn’t debris, it is art material.

There is a treasure trove of material to use in some sort of creative way. Make it fun. Turn those large rounds on end and use them as stools and tables for kids.  Decorate them with paint, tiles, fabric or whatever you and your kids dream up.  Or cut them up and create stepping stones…the possibilities are endless. Take those long straight branches and have your kids create totem poles. They can have any theme and use any materials. Use them as garden ornaments or back drops for a child’s play area. Or construct tepees and forts, hidden spaces for kids games.  Now when you ask your kids to help you clean up the yard, they may just jump at the chance.

 

Signs Of A Recovering Real Estate Market

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With temperatures chilly real estate sales grew hot in the first quarter of 2013. The number of buyers has out paced the inventory of homes available (currently 222 offered down approx. 12% from last year) and many sales went to multiple bids.  We are starting to see some modest price increases and sales where the average sale price was higher than the average list price. Sales are up about 25% with an average sale price of $1,696,000.

Value, updated amenities and close to the center of the town continue to lead buyers’ wish lists. There are 66 houses with contracts signed as well as 9 condominiums pending which is up approximately 26% from last year. What does this mean to you? The housing market is gaining strength locally as well as nationally. Below is a sampling of some of the homes sold in the past couple of months.

New Canaan Condominium Market 2012

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My mother always said, “Good things come in small packages”.  As she was only 5’1″ in stature I understand her fondness for the saying.  In many ways she was right. But, smaller does not necessarily mean sacrificing comfortable amenities and functional space. Condominium buyers sought both last year in their effort to downsize and simplify their lives.

More than 50% of the units sold consisted of 3 bedrooms with 2.5 bathrooms and between 1,200 and 2,000 square feet of finished living space. 17 larger units also sold. More than half  of the condominiums were renovated or updated and had a least a one car garage. Several have transformed their lower levels to provide additional areas for playrooms, offices etc. A quarter of the properties sold have an in-ground pool included in the association amenities and all are walking distance to the center of  New Canaan’s restaurants and vibrant village.

A sampling of some of last year’s sales.

 

What New Canaan Buyers Purchased Last Year

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Buyers headed towards the closing table with a little more gusto this past year in terms of number of homes sold.  This is a value driven real estate market so the number of homes sold is up by 4.2%, but average sales prices were down by approximately 13%.

The strongest segment continues to be a 4-5 bedroom colonial home priced between $850,000. and $2 million. The $3.75 – $4.25 million price range picked up a bit, but the high end market remains slow due in part to a large inventory of competitively priced  homes. Two homes sold over $5 million compared to 6 the previous year. New construction continues to be appealing to buyers with 13 homes sold and 4 more under contract.

* In 2012 the average listing price was $1,759,369.00 (slightly lower than last year) with an average selling price of $1,652,445.00. The sold price to original list price ratio was 92.96% with an average of 185 days on the market.

Pricing is key. Buyers are looking for value. The top three factors driving home buyers are the characteristics of the neighborhood, updated kitchens and/or baths and overall affordability.

 

 

Not your typical garage doors….this should shake up the neighborhood

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Are you fed up with looking daily at your boring garage door?

Just stick a new decal on your door….and wait for the neighborhood’s reaction!

The German company ” Style your Garage ” makes posters for your garage door, prices varying from $199 to $399 for a double door.  Not sure the New Canaan homeowners association would approve, but these made me laugh out loud. Enjoy and feel free to comment!