Fab Real Estate Blog

Ridgefield, Connecticut Real Estate Update
September, 2008

Closed home sales in Ridgefield, Connecticut:

There were 15 home sales closed in Ridgefield, CT.
List Prices ranged from $432,200 - $1,575,000.
Closed Sales Prices ranged from $392,000 - $1,520,000.

The average closed sales price in Ridgefield was $738,066.
The median closed sales price in Ridgefield was $710,000.

On average, these homes sold for 95.9% of their final list price.

Marketing time ranged from 17 - 605 days on market. The average was 198 days on market.

This compares with 23 closed sales in September, 2007, with an average sales price of $973,152 and a median sales price of $822,000.

Currently available homes for sale in Ridgefield, Connecticut:

Currently, there are 250 homes for sale in Ridgefield, CT.
List Prices range from $229,900 for a small one-bedroom ranch to $10,000,000 for a 16,000 square foot contemporary showpiece.

Ridgefield, Connecticut is a wonderful New England town bordering New York's Westchester County. It is popular with those commuting to lower Fairfield County, Westchester County and New York City.

This Market Report prepared by:
Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTOR
Real Estate & Appraisals
203.746.1199
Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale

Data compiled from the Greater Fairfield County MLS and believed to be accurate.

Bethel, Connecticut Real Estate Update
September, 2008

Closed home sales in Bethel, Connecticut:

There were 9 home sales closed in Bethel, CT.
List Prices ranged from $262,900 - $850,000.
Closed Sales Prices ranged from $245,000 - $815,000.

The average closed sales price in Bethel was $450,000.
The median closed sales price in Bethel was $435,000.

On average, these homes sold for 95.4% of their final list price.

Marketing time ranged from 42 - 929 days on market. The average was 234 days on market.

This compares with 8 closed sales in September, 2007, with an average sales price of $430,987 and a median sales price of $442,450.

Currently available homes for sale in Bethel, Connecticut:

Currently, there are 118 homes for sale in Bethel, CT.
List Prices range from $129,900 for a bank-owned fixer property to $1,100,000 for a Georgian-style colonial.

Bethel, Connecticut is a quaint New England town with a wonderful pedestrian-friendly downtown area with plenty of shops. Bethel borders Danbury to the west, Brookfield to the north and Redding to the south.

This Market Report prepared by:
Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTOR
Real Estate & Appraisals
203.746.1199
Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale

Data compiled from the Greater Fairfield County MLS and believed to be accurate.

New Milford, Connecticut Real Estate Update
September, 2008

Closed home sales in New Milford, Connecticut:

Single Family Homes:
There were 17 single family home sales closed in New Milford, CT.
List Prices ranged from $189,000 - $1,295,000.
Closed Sales Prices ranged from $142,500 - $1,125,000.

The average closed real estate sales price for single family homes in New Milford was $371,284.
The median closed sales price was $325,000.
On average, these homes sold for 93.1% of their final list price.

Days on Market ranged from 12 - 489 days, with the average being 191 days of market time.

This compares to 24 single family homes closed in September, 2007, with an average closed sales price of $382,016 and a median closed sales price of $348,500.

Condos:
There were 9 condominium sales closed in New Milford, CT.

The average closed real estate sales price for condos in New Milford was $222,172.
The median closed sales price was $180,000.
On average, these homes sold for 98.4% of their list price.

This compares to 12 condos closed in September, 2007, with an average closed sales price of $190,458 and a median closed sales price of $176,000.

Currently available homes for sale in New Milford, Connecticut:

Single Family Homes:
Currently, there are 270 single family homes for sale in New Milford, CT.
List Prices range from $144,875 for a bank-owned fixer to $2,295,000 for an antique home on nearly 100 acres.

Condos:
Currently, there are 72 condos available for sale in New Milford, CT.
List prices range from $87,000 for a one-bedroom unit to $539,900 for a detached unit in an active-adult community.

New Milford, Connecticut, is the southernmost town in Litchfield County and is known as The Gateway to Litchfield County. The town borders the northeastern shores of Candlewood Lake. Several lake communities surround its Candlewood Lake shores, and typically offer a private beach for residents, boat docks and other amenities. New Milford enjoys a population of about 28,000 residents.

This Market Report prepared by:
Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTOR
Keller Williams CT Realty
203.746.1199
Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale

Data compiled from the Greater Fairfield County MLS and believed to be accurate.

Brookfield, Connecticut Real Estate Update
September, 2008

Closed home sales in Brookfield, Connecticut:

Single Family Homes:
There were 15 single family home sales closed in Brookfield, CT.
List Prices ranged from $260,000 - $1,199,900.
Closed Sales Prices ranged from $240,000 - $1,100,000.

The average closed real estate sales price for single family homes in Brookfield was $454,426.
The median closed sales price was $405,000.
On average, these homes sold for 94.9% of their final list price.
Days on Market ranged from 30 - 938 days, with the average being 186 days of market time.

This compares to 17 closed sales in September, 2007, with an average sales price of $521,520 and a median closed sales price of $450,000.

Condos:
There were 2 condominium sales closed in Brookfield, CT.
The average sales price was $233,500
The median sales price was $233,500
These units sold for 90.9% of the most recent list price.


This compares to 3 closed sales in September, 2007 with an average sales price of $192,166 and a median sales price of $190,000.

Currently available homes for sale in Brookfield, Connecticut:

Single Family Homes:
Currently, there are 167 single family homes for sale in Brookfield, CT.
List Prices range from $242,800 for a two-bedroom antique home to $2,395,000 for a Lake Lillinonah waterfront home.

Condos:
Currently, there are 40 condos for sale in Brookfield, CT. List prices range from $155,000 for a two-bedroom, affordable-housing-designated unit to $629,900 for a newer detached 3-bedroom unit.




Brookfield, Connecticut, is located between Candlewood Lake and Lake Lillinonah, creating a multitude of water recreation opportunities in the town. Several lake communities border Candlewood Lake, and typically offer a private beach for residents, boat docks and other amenities. Brookfield enjoys a population of about 16,000 residents.

This Market Report prepared by:
Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTOR
Connecticut Real Estate & Appraisals
203.746.1199
Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale

Data compiled from the Greater Fairfield County MLS and believed to be accurate.

Danbury, Connecticut Real Estate Update
September, 2008

Closed home sales in Danbury, Connecticut:

Single Family Homes:
There were 33 single family home sales closed in Danbury, CT.
List Prices ranged from $154,900 - $799,000.
Closed Sales Prices ranged from $125,000 - $750,000.

The average closed real estate sales price for single family homes in Danbury was $374,015. 
The median closed real estate sales price was $315,000.
On average, these homes sold for 95.8% of their most recent list price.
Days on Market ranged from 5 - 577 days, with the average being 165 days of market time. 

This compares with 27 closed sales in September, 2007, with an average closed sales price of $357,333 and a median closed sales price of $335,000.

Condos:
There were 35 condominium sales closed in Danbury, CT.
The average closed real estate sales price for condos in Danbury was $248,700.
The median closed sales price was $244,000.
On average, these homes sold for 96% of their most recent list price.

This compares with 27 closed sales in September, 2007, with an average closed sales price of $245,837 and a median closed sales price of $225,000.



Currently available homes for sale in Danbury, Connecticut:

Single Family Homes:
Currently, there are 319 single family homes for sale in Danbury, CT.
List Prices range from $79,900 for a small cottage to $3,499,000 for a renovated 1920's colonial on nearly 9 acres.

Condos:
Currently, there are 259 condos available for sale in Danbury, CT.
List prices range from $77,900 - $749,900.

Danbury, Connecticut, a former military depot during the American Revolution, is a diverse community of about 78,000 residents that borders New York State to the west and the southern shores of Candlewood Lake.  Several lake communities border Candlewood Lake, and typically offer a private beach for residents, boat docks and other amenities.  Danbury enjoys a convenient commute location to lower Fairfield County and Westchester County, New York.  Danbury is situated just about an hour by car to Hartford, Connecticut and New York City.

This Market Report prepared by:
Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTOR
Connecticut Real Estate & Appraisals
Keller Williams CT Realty
203.746.1199
Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale

Data compiled from the Greater Fairfield County MLS and believed to be accurate

Sherman, Connecticut Real Estate Update
September, 2008

Closed home sales in Sherman, Connecticut:

There was 1 home sale closed in Sherman, CT.
List Price was $590,000.
Closed Sales Price was $565,000.

These homes sold, on average, for 95.7% of their most recent list price.

The average days on market was 155.

Currently available homes for sale in Sherman, Connecticut:

Currently, there are 78 homes for sale in Sherman, CT.
List Prices range from $275,000 for a small ranch with beach rights to $3,300,000 for an expansive estate on more than 24 acres.

Sherman, Connecticut is a small semi-rural community of about 4,000 residents that borders New York State to the west, New Fairfield to the south and hugs the northwestern shores of Candlewood Lake.  Several lake communities border Candlewood Lake, and typically offer a private beach for residents, boat docks and other amenities.  The northernmost town in Fairfield County, Sherman is often cited as being the fastest growing town in Connecticut per capita, yet still retains its rural roots and charm.

This Market Report prepared by:
Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTOR
Real Estate & Appraisals
203.746.1199
Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale

Data compiled from the Greater Fairfield County MLS and believed to be accurate.

New Fairfield, Connecticut Real Estate Update
September, 2008

Closed home sales in New Fairfield, Connecticut:

There were 13 home sales closed in New Fairfield, CT.
List Prices ranged from $132,500 - $539,500.
Closed Sales Prices ranged from $130,000 - $500,000.

The average closed real estate sales price for New Fairfield was $315,384.
The median closed real estate sales price for New Fairfield was $324,000.
On average, these homes sold for 92.6% of their final list price.

Days on Market ranged from 34 - 326 days, with the average being 141 days of market time.

This compares with 9 closed sales in September, 2007, with an average sales price of $525,055 and a median sales price of $542,500.


Currently available homes for sale in New Fairfield, Connecticut:

Currently, there are 131 homes for sale in New Fairfield, CT.
List Prices range from $142,500 for a small bungalo being sold as a short sale to $21,000,000 for a Victorian-style waterfront estate.

New Fairfield, Connecticut is a small community of about 14,000 residents that borders New York State to the west and Candlewood Lake to the east. Several lake communities border Candlewood Lake, and typically offer a private beach for residents, boat docks and other amenities. New Fairfield enjoys a convenient commute location to lower Fairfield County and Westchester County, New York. New Fairfield is situated just over an hour by car to Hartford, Connecticut and New York City.

This Market Report prepared by:
Don Fabrizio-Garcia, REALTOR
Real Estate & Appraisals
203.746.1199
Connecticut Real Estate and Homes for Sale


Data compiled from the Greater Fairfield County MLS and believed to be accurate

Buying a home requires teamwork.  You need a professional team to work with you:  your real estate agent, your mortgage broker, your attorney and your inspectors.

Buying a home without the professional team will not work:  you need a loan...you need an agent...you need the attorney...and you really need the inspectors, even if you don't think you do.

Of course, working with a team requires communication and trust.  And, that communication and trust must go both ways...

I received a phone call this evening from a woman who wanted to see homes tomorrow.  Here are a few snippets from that conversation:

• "My agent is not available.  Will you show me homes tomorrow?"
• "I have not signed anything with this agent and since she is busy tomorrow, I want a new agent."
• "You don't need to know who my mortgage broker is.  I just need to bring a piece of paper with me tomorrow that shows you I have a mortgage."
• "I can buy any home I want.  I have a mortgage.  You do not need to speak with my mortgage broker."
  

This "buyer":

• Was already dealing with another agent.  At least one agent.
• Would not provide any information about her mortgage broker
• Was willing to find a new agent simply because her agent was busy.
• Was looking in a low price range, which possibly meant FHA financing.  Not all homes in her price range will qualify for such a loan program.
• Was obviously not willing to work as part of a team and allow the team to work together.

I love helping people buy and sell homes.  It's what I do.
But, if they're not willing to communicate, then I cannot help them.  I invest too much time, energy, knowledge and experience in my clients to work with those who will not invest the same to me and the other professionals.

We have to work together when you buy a home.  Yes, I do need to speak with the mortgage broker.  Yes, I will need to speak with your attorney.  Yes, I will need to speak with your inspectors.

Don't want me to speak with them?  Then you need to find another agent.  You need to find an agent who doesn't care...

I did not make an appointment to show her any homes.

It's that time of the year again.  At the bus stop each morning, we all discuss oil prices and what each company is charging...

These are not fun conversations these days.

I received an oil delivery this morning.  I looked at the ticket and saw a price of $3.55 per gallon.  Ouch!  I called around to different companies and found pricing around $3.20 per gallon.  A little better.

So I then called my current company.  As I started my question, he said, "No!  No!  No!  Do not look at the price on the ticket from the delivery truck!"  Apparently, being a customer on their monthly budget plan, the price on the ticket is always your max price.  However, today's delivery will be charged to my account at only $3.29 per gallon.  Did I just say "only $3,29 per gallon?"

Still a bit higher than the others.  But, you know what?  They show up when expected.  I have never had any billing issues with them (with my last oil company, I had to dispute every bill I ever received and probably spent hours on the phone fixing their errors).  They answer their phones (many do not and you're either on hold forever or transferred to voice mail).

They cost a bit more.  Are they worth the extra money?  Yeah.  I'm staying with them.

Sometimes you have to pay a bit more to receive the service you deserve.  Is it worth it?  Yes.