Great Zumba event to benefit The Sunshine Kids!!

This is an evening event, in the dark....to give people that 'dancing in the club' atmosphere.  So come, feel comfortable, dance with the popular Marcello who brings a Latin, hip-hop edgy flavor to the class. Check him out!    https://www.zumba.com/en-US/profiles/93967/

The proceeds go directly to The Sunshine Kids, a charity to benefit children with cancer.  Come, enjoy and help those children!

Neighborhood Jewel: Harborview Market

Nestled on the corner of Harborview and Midland streets, in bhe Blackrock area of Bridgeport, sits a true neighborhood jewel:

Harborview Market

Close your eyes and picture this: people sitting, relaxing, eating and reading the paper on the
many tables outside, their dogs happily tethered with them. Inside, a mix of old and new: flat screen tvs with an early model washing machine. 

Inside, people gather to hear the live music, relax, have a nice meal, and meet new friends. Often you see seniors gathered around the portable fireplace, absorbed in a nice game of chess.   There is a small grocery store component with a few dry goods.  Also a salad bar with fresh ingredients. Several varieties of coffee are available, self-serve with all of the accoutrements, including the fancy syrups.  The counter serves up all types of hot and cold meals, served by friendly and attentive staff. But the one of the real draws, besides the wonderful neighborhood atmosphere, is the enticing smell of the fresh baked muffins, cookies, croissants ....coming right from the oven!!  There is a huge bakery in the back, serving up the freshest and most delicious baked goodies.

  Another thing I really like about
the Harborview Market is the community board, which contains flyers, ads and announcements about the many things happening in this vibrant community.  The market also features a gallery section which showcases the talents of local artists.

 

It is a great way for local artists to get exposure and many of the works are for sale.  The exhibits rotate so you never get tired of looking at the same artwork!

 There is a true community spirit here, not seen in other places or towns.  Here is an example of a holiday event hosted by the Harborview Market:

 How many local markets host a pot luck supper and sing-a-long?   

We live a few towns away from Harborview Market, but consider it a destination spot, one not to be missed.  Go and see for yourself. 

• Check out their website: http://harborviewmarket.com/neighborhood-history/
• To find out more about the Black Rock Area, read what the New York Times says about it:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/08/realestate/living-in-black-rock-conn-a-community-with-spirit-and-an-edge.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm

Harborview market, 218 Harborview Avenue, Bridgeport, CT  06605
203-367-7336

Local store, International following: Stew Leonard's!

Locals often take this unique store for granted, but Stew Leonard's is actually an international tourist attraction!  http://www.stewleonards.com/html/directions_norwalk.cfm

The store is actually made up of several different venues - 

 

The main portion is a grocery, with local seasonal items in front near the ice cream/smoothie station. Here you can find local produce from our local farms, fresh and bountiful.

  On the other side of the parking lot is an animal farm where children and adults of all ages enjoy watching goats, sheep, cows and chickens.



 When you walk into the main entrance, you run into their Mantra:
The Customer is Always Right!

 But the main attraction is inside: the multiple animated figures all throughout the store.  Each figure has its own little catchy tune which the locals can recite by heart.

 

 

 

Live "ducks" , "cows" or "chickens" wander through the store to greet customers

 



People are so entertained by the characters that they forget that the food is actually very good: breads, pies, cakes, biscuits, bagels and more, baked on the premises.  Fresh fruits and veggies, great meats and fish, dairy products from their local dairy farm - you can actually watch the cows on a live webcam!

 



Stews also supports many charities, including the Charity of the Month, always located near the door.

.

Don't miss this amazing store!  There is nothing like it.  I have only scratched the surface of what it has.  There is a haunted hay ride for Halloween, live music and outdoor grill in the warm months, garden center, christmas tree center, catering service, hot and cold buffets for takeout, flower shop, liquor shop, and more.  It is too big for one blog - you just have to go there.  Enjoy!

Wacky prices in the Westport Real Estate market

I have always told my clients that in good markets or bad, if a house is over-priced, it will languish.  The SELLER has to come down first, and when the price hits the sweet spot (i.e. offers value), buyers come out, and the house typically sells over 90% of LAST list price - give or take.

In good markets or bad, if houses are correctly priced, they can get multiple offers and sell at, or even over, asking price.

This has been borne out by data for years upon end.  Now, there are more blips and exceptions to this rule, which makes the real estate market even more tricky for those who don't track it daily. 

For example, in Westport in 2012 (as of early October 2012):  even in this market, plenty of houses sold at, or above asking price.  Some premiums were substantial:


130 Old Road, listed at $559,000 and sold for $620,000
5 Chapel Hill, listed at $459,000 and sold for $603,000 - over 31 % premium over asking price
34 Little Fox Lane, listed at $727,500? It sold for $861,000 - over 18 % premium
1 Brook Lane, listed for 784,900 and sold for $838,000
5D Gorham, listed at $1,325,900 and sold for $1,350,000
4 Wheeler Gate, listed at $1,675,000 and sold for $1,685,000
5 Pumpkin Hill, listed for $2,995,000 and sold for $3,068,000


But at the same time,  look at these low-balls - they used to be so rare!

42 Bayberry Lane, listed for $825,000 and sold for $680,000  - almost an 18% discount
6 River Lane, listed for $1,050,000 and sold for $840,000 - a 20% discount
3 Crestwood, listed for $1,400,000 and sold for $1,200,000 - a 15% discount
7 Indian Point Lane, listed for $1,499,000 and sold for $1,200,000 - a 20% discount
153 Easton Road, listed for $1,500,000 and sold for 800,000 - a whopping 47% discount!!
3 Meeker Road, listed for $1,595,000 and sold for $1,350,000 - a 15% discount
24 Narrow Rocks, listed for $1,599,000 and sold for $1,250,000 - a 22% discount
22 Wakeman, listed for $1,600,000 and sold for $1,100,000 - a 32% discount
32 Bermuda Road, listed for $2,350,000 and sold for $2,000,000 - a 15% discount

SO IN THE SAME PRICE POINTS, you have MUCH bigger swings in prices, from a 47% discount off latest list price to a 31% premium over list price.

In the old days, over-priced houses would sit on the market until sellers lowered the price.  Buyers wouldn't bite.  Sellers wouldn't entertain an offer with a 20% discount - they would be insulted.  Many still are!  But look at these 2012 sales which closed well below the last asking price...and we are still only in October!

It means that in this market, each seller has a different tolerance for those "low-balls", and you need an agent who knows the market and recognizes the difference!  Someone who knows when to throw that low ball, and when to pay full price.  Because you have BOTH scenarios going on !  Interesting times.

My data was pulled directly from the Greater Fairfield County Multiple Listing Service. See the link for the listings: http://matrix.ct-mls.com/DE.asp?ID=115331787

FULL PRICE OFFERS DON'T FALL FROM TREES!

FULL PRICE OFFERS DON'T FALL FROM TREES!

New CT law that affects land listings

Something just came to my attention regarding a land listing I have in Westport, CT:

 In 2007, my owner went to considerable time and expense to get approvals to build a single family home on an undeveloped piece of land in Westport.  Because it was on the Saugatuck River and Taylor Salt Marsh (owned by the Aspetuck Land Trust), we had to go through Conservation Commission in addition to the other Town offices.  Also because the land was on a State Road, we also had to get the curb cut and sewer approvals from the Connecticut Department of Transportation. As it turns out, we did not build a house, and asked the Town of Westport Planning & Zoning for extensions on the permits.

It has come to my attention that the in May of 2011, the CT State Senate approved Public Act 11-5 which extends the site plan approvals (which are the costly and time-consuming ones) for 9 years.

This means that while local zoning boards might require a new application if the current permits expire, the costly site plans are still good for 9 years.  That is good news for owners and builders alike,  who need more time because of the current economic situation in the real estate market.  As with everything, some restrictions apply, so if you think you are affected by this, check the actual wording of Public Act 11-5!

The link to Public Act 11-5 from the Connecticut State Senate is: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2011/act/pa/pdf/2011PA-00005-R00SB-00859-PA.pdf

This does not cover every permit we have received, but it does go a long way to provide relief!

By the way, if you want more details about this amazing property for sale, let me know.  It is very rare to have a waterfront property which is also walking distance to downtown.  There is a sidewalk that takes you from the property site right to Main Street in less than 1/2 mile!  Contact me at dsledge@prudentialct.com or cell 917-579-0631 for more information!

Strategic Alliance for Healthy Living

A powerful pair has emerged in Fairfield County: Huge New FitnessEdge facilities within 1/2 mile of Whole Foods markets! 

If getting in a healthy habit appeals to you, this is a winning combination.  FitnessEdge did not allow me to photograph anything inside, but the outside of the Norwalk facility looks like this (see above) and the web addresss is http://www.theedgefitnessclubs.com/. Feel free to check it out, either on line or in person.  "The Edge" has a full sampling of the latest exercise equipment (with tvs so you can multi-task), personal trainers, locker rooms, sauna, showers, etc. PLUS a large menu of classes ranging from cardio, like Cycling, Kettleball bootcamp, kickboxing, Zumba and more; weight training (edge flex) and others, like yoga, power yoga, and Pilates.   I love the classes!

THEN

After a nice workout,

what is better than something healthy to eat?

Whether by accident or design, if you work

out at a Fitness Edge in Fairfield County, you

will probably find a Whole Foods Market

very close by!  While some people think Whole Foods is pricey, don't be fooled!  The salad bar

and breakfast bar are very reasonable and full

of really good quality, tasty food!

Here is an example: 

This sample meal from the breakfast bar has scrambled

eggs, turkey sausage (at least 3 links), home fries, french toast topped with real maple syrup, fresh rasberries, blueberries and strawberries.  Add to it a 16 oz cup of EXCELLENT quality

coffee. (This is considered a medium size - others serve 8oz)

The food portion of this order was $3.69

The 16 oz coffee was $1.85

The total for this entire meal was $5.64 and it is a lot of food -

good food, not just buns, buscuits, and fillers.

Like bacon?  They have apple smoked bacon and turkey bacon.

When is the last time your breakfast included fresh rasberries?

The salad bar is 3 times as large as the breakfast bar, with plenty of meat, fish, grains, salads, fruits, yoghurts, you name it.  I like to eat, and as you can see from that breakfast plate, I don't eat just "bird food". The salad bar has plenty of variety - something for every appetite.

So take advantage of the winning combination of convenient exercise with great food, reasonably priced. If it seems like this blog is skewed toward the food aspect, it is only because I couldn't photograph any specifics about the FitnessEdge, but try it - it is great!  My favorites are Zumba (fun, cardio with lots of dance steps) combined with Edge Flex (weights and strength training).  Other friends like the machines and go through the circuits that cover each muscle group.  Plenty for everyone!  Get strong - get healthy!

A Currier and Ives Moment: cutting the holiday tree

Fairfield County is a wonderful place to experience wholesome holiday fun!  Whatever your religious leanings might be, a holiday tree is both inviting and a lovely addition to the home.  For those who love to make a family event out of cutting down a live tree, there are several in the area.  Jones Tree Farm in Shelton offers 200 acres of all varieties of evergreens. http://www.jonesfamilyfarms.com/.  One of my favorites is Maple Row in Easton, http://www.mrfarm.com/.  Our family spent many years coming here, visiting the snack bar, having hot cider, hot dog, and grabbing our handsaw.  A tractor rides would take us to the fields, and off we go, trudging through the snow, arguing about which tree is just the right one (we all have opinions) and lobbing a few well-aimed snowballs at each other. On bitter days, the choice would come very quickly ("does that one look OK?  Yes, great, let's cut it and go to the warming station") and in the balmier years, the workers would be out in nothing but a T-shirt, and we would spend all afternoon looking at trees. Prices at these farms vary, so check; but in previous years, a tree was about $60, just to give a ball-park.  I think there is a fixed price regardless of size, so if your house is large enough, go for the big tree! Maple Row is a large farm that gets loads of crowds, so if you want something really down to earth (no pun intended), try the Audubon Society on Sasco Creek Road in Westport.  One warming hut, not as much variety, but no crowds either.   There are several other cut-your-own places in the area listed on this area blog: http://ridgefield.patch.com/articles/fairfield-countys-cut-your-own-tree-parks-4
If you are not into cutting down your own tree, no problem.  Most of our local nursery shops have pre-cut trees, or live ones to decorate and later plant on your property.  Stew Leonards (http://www.stewleonards.com/) also has a good selection of holiday trees.  Many areas in the US have to ship their trees from long distances, only to sit in an empty parking lot, so this is real chance to enjoy a wholesome family moment - New England style!

Operation Tree Rescue

Remember my Oct. blog about the tree in Winslow Park with the vines covering it? Here it is now, after Operation Tree Rescue! 
It took a while to get those vines cut, but
hopefully they will not have a chance to come
back. With time, the dead vines will fall off and
the tree will be free of its deadly 'alien' invaders.

Do we enjoy fall foliage in CT? It is one of our crown jewels, isn't it?  People come from all over the world to view it.  This popular site tells where to go for best viewing, and when to time your trip: http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2697&q=322764&depNav_GID=1631

Fall foliage was not in the cards for this tree in Winslow Park this year.  But with a little help from 'Cyndi Lopper' and friends, I think we might see its fall colors next year!  Most of the vines seen here are an invasive species called Asiatic Bittersweet, with trunks that are as big as your arm, or larger!! The trunks wrap around the tree, strangling it .  Homeowners, watch your property.  This stuff is everywhere!  Protect your investment! Don't let your trees look like these below.  You can't even tell what type of trees they are - the vines have covered it like a blanket.  Do you want to help?  Start with your own property, then take a look at our local parks.  If you have any questions about which plants are invasive (but I think we could tell with this one, couldn't we?), go to UConn's website www.hort.uconn.edu/cipwq



 

Global Experience offered in Westport - Rotary Exchange!

My son, Chris just graduated from Staples High School in Westport a few months ago.  Rather than go straight to college, he was fortunate enough to be sponsored by the Westport Rotary to spend a year in Brazil.  There, he will take classes with the local students in their native Portuguese (here's Chris with his Physics teacher), stay with 3-4 host families, take sightseeing trips to see the country, and immerse himself in the culture, language, food, climate and lifestyle of  that country!  What a wonderful experience!  I encourage all parents and students to look into this program.  The students are sponsored by their local Rotary Clubs from Westport, Weston, Wilton, Norwalk, Stamford, Ridgefield and others.  Parents, you don't have to reciprocate by hosting a foreign student, unless you want to.  The application process begins in the fall for international travel the following summer/fall.  Students pick from over 46 countries in Europe, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, South America, Asia and Africa.  Parents pay a small fee ($300?  I can't remember), as well as the one plane ticket, health insurance and optional side trips.   Rotary pays for schooling abroad, room and board, trips with host families, and even a monthly spending allowance - FOR 10+ MONTHS.  What a fantastic experience!  Why aren't more students doing this?  I have no idea!!!  Details about the Essex Exchange Program can be found at http://www.exchangestudent.org/.  Also, visit the blogs of Westport's 2  2010 exchange students at http://www.sledgenobrasil.blogspot.com/ and http://www.alexinvenezuela.wordpress.com/

I'm not ready to drop the price....

I ran into someone at the park yesterday.  We knew each other's dogs, but not really each other. She told me that her house was on the market. The house has been on the market for over 3 weeks with NO showings. The interesting thing was she said "I HAVE TO SELL" and in the same breath, she said "I AM NOT READY TO DROP THE PRICE".  I steered the conversation to another topic, since I was not allowed to talk to another agent's client about a listing, and I make it a point to be a highly ethical agent.  But the statement reverberated in my mind: "I HAVE TO SELL BUT AM NOT READY TO DROP THE PRICE".  In a rising market like the one we enjoyed for 20 years, that strategy would ultimately work: if you wait long enough, the market will ultimately catch up to the price.  But with a flat or declining market, it means that the house is doomed from the start!  If the price is too high (as evidenced with NO showings), then you can wait until the cows come home - the house will only become stale, and the flat or declining market will never close the gap.   I bit my tongue and mentally wished that realtor good luck...

WASA Top Dog Event

Last Saturday was warm and sunny: a great day for Westport Animal Shelter's 2nd annual WASA Top Dog Event!  It was a fun-filled day a live DJ, food, silent auction, celebrity judges, and lots of activities for dogs and their owners.  Proceeds went to WASA (http://www.westportwasa.org/).  In the photo/essay contest, Nimbus and 91 year old "Grandmo" was chosen to be included in their 2011 calender. Calendars will be on sale at WASA in early December.  Nimbus the 10 year old beagle also took 2nd place in the Best Dog Trick contest, a fierce competition indeed! The inspiration for his many tricks was a juicy piece of hotdog.  Nimbus was interviewed by The CT Post, the Norwalk Hour and the Westport News.  Hopefully this won't go to his head!

"Cyndi Lopper" Speaks Out

Are you a property owner in Connecticut?  A significant portion of your property could be in grave danger, right under your very nose!!  What is in danger?  YOUR TREES?  Invasive plants and vines are taking over large swaths of our local landscape and smothering our 100 and 200 year old trees.  This photo is of a tree in Winslow Park in Westport, before the vines were cut  (now you know how I got my nickname "Cyndi Lopper"....)   Driving around the area, I have identified several invasive vines including Asiatic Bittersweet,  with yellow/orange berries - a vine that grows woody trunks that can get as thick as your thigh around the trees; or Asiatic Bittersweet with red berries, an especially nasty one because of its vicious thorns; and of course, the infamous Mile A Minute Vine, another Asian import which is taking over our native trees.  We can help a number of ways.  First and foremost, we need to WALK OUR PROPERTIES, especially the perimeter of our land and take a good look at our trees.  Not only do we stand to lose our 100 and 200 year old trees, but when they fall, we have a potential liability.  So really check your own property, even on the margins.  If you see your trees covered in vines, cut them down and keep them down, especially if your house is on the market. 

People come from all over the world to witness something we might take for granted: the glorious colors of fall foliage, spectacular reds and golds, and warm hues of orange which provide a stark contrast against a blue autumn sky.   Let's keep an eye on this precious resource while we still have time, and don't let these vines kill our valuable trees. 
Here are some helpful resources:
http://www.westportct.gov/agencies/landuse/conservation/invasiveplant.htm - Westport site
http://nbii-nin.ciesin.columbia.edu/ipane/ctcouncil/CT_Invasive_Plant_List.htm - list of invasive plants in CT

Darcy goes Global

It was a warm evening in September, and the setting sun was glinting off the boats in the Southport harbor.  I was being interviewed by a handsome Norwegian journalist and 'snapped' by another handsome Norwegian photographer. Passersby stopped to look.  I felt pretty special!  It is interesting to see that the luxury real estate market here in Fairfield County is considered a newsworthy topic to readers in Norway.  But then again, we are a global economy, and local events are certainly affected by economic forces across the globe.  This able Norwegian journalist is on assignment to cover news in the Tri-State area, and relay it to his readers at home. He will have plenty to write about!  'God kveld!'

A Realtor's Survival Kit

It occurs to me that there are things that I should always have in my car in order to be an effective realtor:
Tape measure - some clients will always want to measure rooms or windows
Flashlight - ever get a face full of cobweb when trying to find a light in the basement?
Note cards - to leave a handwritten note when you can't reach someone in person
Mints - always a good thing to have on hand. My client Hal likes them. His last name is Itosis (haha)
Spare batteries (for the flashlight, keypad, etc.)
Scotch tape - to tape those note cards in a high-visibility place
Note pad - not to take notes literally, but to remind me to always LISTEN!
Duck Tape (or what I commonly call duct tape) - why? Just because every survival kit has to have duct tape, right?

Westport Amendments to Planning and Zoning Regs

There has been a lot of talk about the proposed amendments to Westport's Planning & Zoning regulations. The proposed changes would reduce the amount of allowable coverage, and also affect the way decks, pools, and porches are calculated into the coverage. This is a thorny issue which touches many people. Some complain that Westport is losing its character and the town is evolving into a land of McMansions. Others counter that those McMansions are what buyers want, are paying top dollar for, and are therefore creating a positive effect on home values, not to mention the tax base. Another issue is that the new regulations would render currently conforming houses non-conforming, making it more difficult to sell or renovate. Make no mistake: any regulation that hinders an owner's property rights is going to meet with stiff resistance! Another issue relates to water run-off. Many homeowners who have lived here in a dry home for years, now find themselves with flooded basements. They blame it on the new construction nearby. Wet basements and lawns do render homes less likely to sell and more expensive to mitigate. Is the wet basement directly attributable to the new construction? Some would say no by virtue of drywells and other drainage systems installed in new construction. Others would say yes, due to cutting of trees, and insufficient drainage to get the job done. Will the new regulations make it more difficult to build a ranch style home - one that might be very popular with our aging demographic? It does appear so, doesn't it? So how does the town strike a balance? I don't have the answer, although I am glad that the issue is being studied, especially as it pertains to the runoff, which affects our drinking water as well as people's basements. A simple solution might be to give incentives for builders and homeowners to use materials that allow for drainage - for example, stone driveway as versus paved. Not a requirement, not a change to coverage calculations, but an incentive. We already have incentives for energy efficient appliances, windows, solar panels and other environmentally friendly improvements. For right now, the debate rages on.

Marketing a lifestyle

Hi all you sellers! Despite the press saying the market is soft, there are still people looking to buy real estate! Have you noticed lately the number of buyers coming from urban areas, especially New York? I have. One thing I think they are attracted to, is the Fairfield County lifestyle, which combines sophistication with healthy and wholesome living. What do I mean by that? Organic markets, top quality restaurants, wonderful shopping, lots of 'happening' events in the arts, and a thriving commercial base all contribute to an environment of sophistication. But we also have our simple, wholesome pleasures not found in the city: pick your own apples, hayrides, harvest festivals, pick your own halloween pumpkins, real trick or treating where neighbors meet neighbors on the street to exchange greetings and treats, nature walks, local volunteer efforts, booster club car washes, scout popcorn and cookie sales, and parades where half of the town children are participants. Westport has a Halloween afternoon parade just for the toddlers and young children. Main Street is blocked off and shopkeepers dress up and pass out free candy.Fall is the perfect season to highlight the "lifestyle" of living here: get out those fall decorations for the house, pumpkins, and candles redolent of apples and spice. Change up the minor decor using warm colors of the fall. Anything that evokes of nature, harvest, family, neighbors, thanks-giving (not just Thanksgiving) will strike a note that will resonate!