Showing posts with label new construction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new construction. Show all posts

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Chairman's View: Somebody Moved our Cheese, column for July 26, 2018

If you are one of 26 million people who read the book “Who Moved My Cheese?” you know we are at an inflection point here in New Canaan, a moment where we either wring our hands over the good old days or we take stock of the situation and address the change head-on. We find new cheese. New Canaan will continue to be known for great schools, a good commute, green spaces and parks, top cultural attractions and low taxes. But, some things will change:
-      Politics. In November we will have a new Governor. No matter which of the seven, it will be better. Connecticut needs and will get a new paradigm, and new ideas. New jobs will follow. New leadership inevitably brings with it a new optimism and energy. Connecticut and New Canaan will get a November lift as Hartford starts a new chapter.
-      For Sale Signs. Many of us have had a For Sale sign out for too long. Now at 2004 prices, some are waiting for the market to return. I believe the market will move sideways for the next few years. Town Hall must budget for that. If you can afford to stay, stay. New Canaan is a great option while we wait for the rebound. New Canaan prices are excellent when compared to Westchester and the City. The pendulum is swinging our way. 
-      Revaluation. In November the assessor resets the value of every house in New Canaan at a (more) correct value and new taxes are set. The value of many houses changed considerably since 2013 and this recalibration is about being fair to all. The reset will inevitably help move some unsold inventory. 
-      Debt. We have the highest debt of any town in this area (although our pension funds are 100% funded).  This debt was responsibly acquired to fund necessary long term asset improvements such as schools, treatment plants, town buildings, but it is still debt. Fortunately, our Boards of Finance and Selectmen are now hyper-conscious of that fact. Expect a new debt roadmap and capital plan this November outlining how we deliver top quality services and schools within our means. Expect a move toward 0% growth like Westport, Darien and Greenwich are doing.
-      Senior & Affordable Housing. Our lower-cost housing options were redeveloped during the building boom of the last 30 years. Ranches became mansions. Few condos were built to replace them, and those that were are very expensive. Now, the market responds with large, dense alternatives that scare us that the character of the town might be at stake. (The Preservation Alliance is a key piece fighting for our character but we need a strong P&Z. They put 100 restrictions on the Merritt Village. Good. They rejected the Roger Sherman redevelopment plan outright. Good. Let’s put our faith in P&Z. Give the Housing Authority a fair hearing and remember, “Don’t let the Perfect be the enemy of the Good.” (Voltaire

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

VIDEO: 16 Ravenglass Drive, Stamford, CT. "Windermere on the Lake Gated Community"


C l i c k   b e l o w   t o   v i e w 

Windermere on the Lake Gated Community 

4 BR, 5 BA    |   4,734 SF    |    $1.649 M

Halstead Property Connecticut, 183 Elm Street   |   6 South Avenue,203.966.7800   |   203.966.7772, New Canaan, CT 06840
Sent by halsteadnewcanaan@halstead.com in collaboration with
Constant Contact

VIDEO: 15 Richmond Hill Road, New Canaan, CT "Classic Colonial Outside - Modern Flair, with an Open Plan Inside"

15 Richmond Hill Road
New Canaan, CT 
- Property Tour Video -
Click Above Image
  • In-town 5-Bedroom 7-Bath luxury home
  • Classic colonial exterior with bright open interior floor plan
  • High-end features on 4 finished levels of living space
Classic colonial exterior with shaded porch 
Living room's inviting fireplace & hearth
Family room with clean & modern aesthetics 
Kitchen with spacious marble-topped island, leathered granite
counter tops & professional appliances
Elegant master bath with heated tile floor and stunning fixtures
A wonderful sunny, classic colonial outside - modern flair, with an open plan inside. The great room offers multiple seating areas, antique globe lighting and sixty bookshelves. Pocket doors disappear. The kitchen features a white marble island and Absolute black leathered granite counters. The family room with fireplace opens onto flagstone and brick patio with outdoor fireplace. Upstairs are 5 bedrooms, each with en suite bath. In the Master Bath there's a heated bathroom floor, soaking tub & frame-less glass double shower which are the epitome of elegance. Downstairs there's pool table or watch the 10' screen in 7.1 surround sound. Best of all this downtown location will change your life: close to everything. Restaurants, Shopping, Train, Starbucks and Mead park are only steps away. Broker/Owner

c: 203.247.4700 -  John 

c: 203.247.5999 -  Susan 

Thursday, January 21, 2016

New Canaan Market January 2016

Fellow Real Estate fans,

China and oil grabbed all of the financial headlines this month. What about the Fairfield County real estate market? Glad you asked. Public Open Houses are getting traffic. Pendings are up (17 versus 11 in the last 30 days) This is what is happening in the market in our area:   
  • Area Sales: We told you Stamford, Darien, Wilton, Norwalk, Westport, Weston and Ridgefield collectively show the number of sales is up 4.54% and $ volume up 3.3%.  When you take out Westport and Ridgefield and add Greenwich the county sales are up 9.3% and dollar volume down 3.1% 
  • New Canaan market: 243 house sales was the same as last year. This is 21 houses above our 10 year average of 222 single family home sales.
  • New Canaan Inventory:  We begin the year with 188 houses, up 47 houses and 33.3% year over year. Pretty soon we will stop talking about last year and accept that a range of 188-340 is the new normal 
  • Condos:  Much attention has been placed on the decrease in sales: down 37.7% for the year. But as we said last month 2014 was exceptional and a statistical aberration. We came in at the new normal level for sales (38 sales vs. the 9 year median of 45) and inventory (40 active vs the 9 year median of 47). 
  • Pendings: Pendings are up in New Canaan houses (16 vs. 12 at year end) & down for condos (2 vs 5).  
Interest rates will rise this Spring and the psychological impact cannot be overestimated. A rising tide could impart a newfound sense of urgency to both buyers and sellers. Sellers may accept the diminished buying power and borrowing power of buyers. Lookers,  fearing a market slipping away from them, may become buyers. We have the inventory; tThis Spring should see more deals at all levels.  

Below is a link to our January Market Report, which includes detailed information on the market this past year.  If you would like to discuss the report, or if you have any other questions, feel free to contact us at 203-247-4700 (JE) or 203-247-5999 (SE)  

Best regards,          

John and Susan
 
If you want a condo that's in the downtown this is the one. High ceilings. Beautiful wood floors. Gardens. Owner is highly motivated to make a deal this winter. Bring it.


A beautiful brick end unit at Pride's Crossing means twice as many windows, double the light. The garage is a few steps from the patio. The basement is finished.





One of the few examples under $1.5 on the West side, this immaculate house offers privacy, a play yard and a view of the river.






A 2014 built condo, top of the line kitchen, 2 garages, Geothermal heating & cooling, with views of a forest and pond with flat sidewalks into town.
 
NEW construction along Mead Park.  The front house has a first floor master. The rear house borders the park. 

Very private townhouse in the newer portion of Canaan Close features 3 large bedrooms (with ensuite baths) and 6 private balconies or decks overlooking the 5 Mile River




44 Benedict Hill - $1,799,000  The Evans House
From 1960, one of the most striking and pure examples of midcentury modern architecture in the world, period. Put this one on your bucket list.  Now rented for 2016/2017. See the video of architect James Evans discussing it here.




Yes, its an important midcentury modern. But, it's an absolutely livable and fun modern house with the finest materials, a gourmet kitchen, pool and attached garage. And, at this price you simply cannot find a better modern.



You say you want charm and character from the 1930's, but updated. You want a "football field" flat lawn. And, you'd like to live on Ponus. This is the house for you. See the video of 1094 Ponus's sunset views here.
 



Maybe the best poolside entertaining in New Canaan. Consider it has the grandest soaring front foyer. This is an important house, showing like new, not to be missed.



1083 Smith Ridge - $4.200,000  Everybody who enters this house says "Wow " Four levels of beautifully finished space & high ceilings, includes a gourmet eat-in kitchen, adjoining family room & lower level spa opening to the outdoor pool. A paneled library, with fireplace, terrace & alcove is a godsend. See the video of 1083 Smith Ridge.


 
 
The quintessential family compound on the banks of the Five Mile River includes a gracious main house with river views, a separate studio/office, a guest house and the expertly designed, award-winning party barn. The peaceful, 2.6 acre property is bordered by 2.4 acres of Land Trust and the river. See the video of 227 Lambert Road here.
 

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

474 Main Street: Federal Townhouses on Main


Nearly finished, these two townhouses on Main Street in New Canaan are ready for viewing.

The kitchen in this new townhouse features a Carrera marble island, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Wolf range and a smaller stainless steel beverage fridge near the sink. The room off the kitchen can be used as a laundry room, mudroom or office.

 
The great room with double French doors and Juliet balconies with a view of the woods and pond.



The third floor sitting room and fourth bedroom with ensuite bath.

For more information call John at 203-247-4700 or Susan at 203-247-5999

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

The November Market Report for New Canaan

            
               
       listing prices                    number of listings                 absorption rate              sold to list ratio

         still strong                          relatively high                      should be lower               back to normal?    
            
                                                                                            

$2.088 million
outstanding house
$1.295 million
just sold
was $720,000
just sold

  2 acres Oenoke Ridge        now $1.89 million
 20 Toilsome Avenue
New Canaan Sales at this point in 2003
New Canaan Sales at this point in 2014
Dear Friends,

Well, it's about time! The market is coming back.

The big news is 24 houses sold in October, up from a normal of 11 or 12 each of the last 3 years. You have to go back to the late 90's to see an October like this one. Will it be enough? We are 22 house sales behind where we were at this time last year (235 vs 213) but the condo sales are up by 16 (59 vs 43).  Looking at the crystal ball a moment, we see the gap will be made up by new pending sales which jumped by 7 in October (24 vs. 17)  We predict we will end the year even with last year.

 

How about the rest of the towns around us?  Wilton, Greenwich and Stamford are experiencing a similar 10% decrease in sales volume (but Wilton has not seen the corresponding uptick in prices). Darien's volume is merely flat amid modest pricing gains. Rowayton stands out in the county with double digit gains in both volume and prices.


 

Below is a link to our New Canaan Market Report recapping October and the first 10 months of 2014. If you would like to call and discuss the report, or if you would like a price opinion on your house, feel free to let us know. 

Best regards,


Susan Engel and John Engel
203-247-5999     203-247-4700

                 
      why New Canaan?       high ceilings, high style    1 acre @ Richmond Hill    twitter @jengel199

         Tucker knows!           condo $1.050 million           pool! $2.29 million         or johnengel.com
            
             
      hilltop modern              watch the leaves turn   Federal style Townhouse   1960 Mad Men chic 

         now rented                  condo $1.795 million         new $1.495 million     live in a piece of art