This 1891 Colonial is Smack Dab in the Middle of Town

And it's even prettier on the inside than outside.  This house is opposite the beautiful old red brick St. Aloysius Church and the lovely tudor they call "the Math House". Sited back from the road, this house enjoys tranquility and peace not usually found in the downtown.

Many of us imagine ourselves one day downsizing from that big house in the country to the ease of condo living downtown in New Canaan where we can walk to the restaurants, shopping and the train.  But, most of the condos in New Canaan were built between 1968 and 1980 and so many of the condos in town lack the style and sophistication of some of the house we are leaving.

I think that is what makes this condo so special. This has all of the charm of a beautiful antique house, and the spacious gardens, but without the maintenance headaches of an older home.

Inside, note the arched doorways. Note the woodwork around the original French doors. 

Note the U.S. Grant-style fireplace, the built-in bookcases and the wide-board floors.

All of these architectural details combine to give the feeling of refined elegance and hand-crafted detail not found in today's condominiums.

Offered by John Engel and Susan Engel for $1.125 million. For more information and more photographs, please visit http://www.29MapleSt.com  

To arrange a showing call 203-247-5999 for Susan or 203-247-4700 for John.

Beautiful Light Filled Colonial with 2 Private Acres on a Private West Side Cul de Sac

This is the American Dream, right? At least, it was for a lot of us growing up. Remember, for awhile I lived in Manhattan and we moved out to New Canaan when I was 12 to a pretty little antique on a quarter acre.

This five bedroom colonial with about 2 acres of flat land on a sunny cul-de-sac full of kids. Ride your bike down to the circle. Barbecue on the flagstone patio in the back. Wait on the covered front porch for the bus to pick you up in the morning. It's all here.

Inside, there is a drop-down living room that means extra height for the ceiling and windows. Very nice. White marble surround on the fireplace. Bright hardwood floors. Views of the spacious backyard and woods beyond.

Maybe I am biased, but I've been really excited to work on selling this listing. I know this is what everybody wants. People who move to New Canaan often want to be close to the village, but not so close that they hear the garbage trucks and the train whistle. They want a little bit of land, and preferably flat. They want to be on the West side because they think it's going to shave a few minutes off of their commute to New York City. This house is the whole package.

For more information go visit http://www.106DunningRd.com and look at all the pictures and read up about this house. Then, make an appointment with either John Engel (203) 247-4700 or Susan Engel (203) 247-5999 to come see it. You don't want to let this one get away.

Offered by John Engel and Susan Engel for $2.250 million. 

Mad Men Style Modern

This is the height of cool. It's 1954 all over again in this vintage Mad Men style modern up on 92 Briscoe Road. The architecture is uplifting, the 6 acres therapeutic. Big windows. Lots of light. Don't you think if you lived here life would be simpler?

Offered by John Engel and Susan Engel for $1.2 million. To arrange a showing call 203-247-4700.

Hot Little House Coming On the Market Tomorrow

On the corner of Old Studio Road and Old Stamford Road, this hot little house has been renovated and is looking sharp. Close to the two train stations and about a block from the schools, the location alone is going to sell this house. Everybody wants to be on Old Studio Road these days in "a neighborhood" with a fenced in backyard. I can't wait for the snow to melt. We will be taking a full set of photos on Wednesday in support of Thurday advertising but because Thursday is supposed to snow we decided to put it on the market Tuesday. Want to sell this one right away. Bring me an offer!

Offered by John and Susan Engel for $1.399 million. To arrange a showing call 203-247-4700

Looking at New Canaan Land Under Fresh Snow

Looking at land in Winter with builder John Kaeser. With a fresh coat of snow and leaves down you can really appreciate fully the contours in the land. In this case we see a panorama taken from the ridge top and we know that the the two houses we have planned for this site will not see each other.  

New Canaan High School Band Winter Instrumental Concert

My daughter Lillian is in there somewhere playing the trumpet. Go Lillie! Tonight's concert features the music of Frank Sinatra and includes the band playing with the orchestra. 

New Canaan Property Values on the Decline?

Nelson Oliveira of The New Canaan News did a story this week on the current revaluation taking place. While he got most of it right and property values are down an average of 2.8%, it is impossible to paint the whole market with one brush. 

http://m.newcanaannewsonline.com/default/article/New-Canaan-property-values-on-the-decline-5214576.php

Of note, they quoted me saying: 

The value of properties costing between $1 million and $4 million in New Canaan was mostly flat in 2013. As Realtor John Engel, who also serves on the Town Council, put it, "both ends of the seesaw are changing a lot, but the middle is flat."

This does not begin to capture the angst being expressed by those in the community whose property taxes have gone up more than 15% overnight. By my count 2575 homes have gone up an average of 12.4% and those people, typically on the left side of our seesaw, want to know why.