From Corporate Wellness to Home Sweet Home: Navigating the Fairfield County Real Estate Journey

Linda Raymond’s Journey to Becoming a CT Realtor: From Westport to Worcester and Back

I came to Fairfield County when moving to Westport, Connecticut from New Jersey just before entering the eighth grade.

After attending Staples High School in Westport, I went to Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts and graduated as a biology major before returning to the area for my first job as a research assistant at Yale.  I continued school part time and earned a Masters degree in exercise science from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.  My career then moved to corporate health and fitness in Stamford, Connecticut where I worked for corporate consulting firms that served companies seeking to improve the health of their employees. I worked closely with the employees of our corporate clients.

From there, I evolved into program design and management for employee health and productivity in large companies like IBM with dispersed national populations. I worked with my team to develop and deliver innovative programming with a range of delivery strategies to engage employees through their benefits and occupational health departments.  After 13 years of facilitating programming and data management on a population-scale basis, I began to feel the need to re-connect with people on an individual basis.

At the same time, my husband, young daughter and I decided to pursue our first home purchase in the Fairfield and Westport Connecticut areas where the schools are excellent.

This changed everything, my home, my career, and my lifestyle!

What Does the Journey to Your New Home Look Like?

Navigating the competitive Fairfield County home buying market in 2004 just before the housing bubble burst, I learned first-hand that the strategy of home buyers and home sellers had to adapt to the existing market conditions.

The Emotional Rollercoaster of Home Buying

As a first-time home buyer looking in Fairfield and Westport Connecticut, I was amazed by how intense, emotional, and complicated buying a home and making a move really was. 

Your Castle, Your Asset: Understanding the Home as an Investment

Your home is one of your largest assets. It requires a huge financial commitment. Your homeownership, is a critical investment in your future. You invest in it to gain equity, and you want it grow. Unlike most other investments, your home also holds tremendous emotional value. Your home is your castle. It’s where you live, love, grow, work, and play. It’s where go to be safe and sound, to feel peace and joy.

Making Informed Decisions: My Approach to Real Estate Assistance

So it’s not surprising that making a move is a monumental endeavor. Add to this the challenges of housing market conditions and the complex process, and the stress can be over the top! When you’re preparing to move to a home that better suits your current needs, you need an expert guide to navigate both the challenges and the opportunities, and to help set your mind at ease. You need to feel you are best positioned and on the right track to your new home!

Your Castle. My Mission: How I Can Help You Move with Confidence

So my current passion is to guide you as my client through the process of moving from one home to another while focusing on achieving the best terms and outcomes to meet your priorities and help you enjoy the process with peace of mind at the same time.

The focus on science in my education drives my reliance on data and facts to inform sound decisions. Decades in the business sector serving results-focused corporate clients drives my focus on strategy, planning, and accountability in the customer service I provide to my clients. And most of all, my genuine passion for understanding you and your priorities and my end-goal of making you a very happy client, are the forces that drive me!

Since May of 2005, I have been back to working one-on-one with home buyers and home sellers here in Fairfield, Southport, Westport, and surrounding areas to guide them through the huge decision to transition to the home sweet home.

Providing Input, Insights, and Resources

Putting my business skills and experience to work for each client, my focus is to provide the insights, information, and resources my clients need to feel confident in making informed decisions and to ensure they are thrilled with their end result. 

My strategic approach to helping my clients reach their goals integrates the key elements of listening, understanding, strong communication skills, facilitating collaborative relationships, a customer service focus, effective negotiations, market intelligence, leveraging technology and creativity, creative and strategic marketing, and business collaborations.

I specialize in helping people pursue their plans for downsizing, resale, first-time home buying, home sale and home buying.

What Is Your Ideal Lifestyle?

Some of my passions include dogs (we have a Havanese from a breeder, and a Terrier mix from Pet Finders!) dance, swimming, skiing, travel, family, and crafts. I love the ease of making these things a part of my life in my home. Are you in the right home to support your current lifestyle passions?

The Perfect Next Step!

If you are thinking of making a move now or in the future, I encourage you to start with a conversation now, and you will be well on your way. Give me a call today or send a note below and tell me what your ideal Castle looks like!

My blog is here to provide informative insights into the home buying and selling process and fun information about the local community.  Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome!

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#FairfieldCountyHomes #HomeBuyingJourney #RealEstateDreams #WestportLiving #StamfordHomes #HomeSweetHome #CastleForSale #FairfieldBeachLiving #HomeownershipJoy #MoveWithConfidence #YourCastleMyMission

Navigating Life’s Transitions: My Gratitude 🙏 for Your Trust and Patronage

Dear Clients and Community,

As a Realtor, I’ve been entrusted with the pivotal task of handling the sale and purchase of homes, recognizing that these spaces are not just assets but repositories of pride, emotions, and life’s stories. Your trust in me for this crucial responsibility is something I deeply cherish and am profoundly grateful for.

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is facilitating not just a change of residence but guiding people from one chapter of their lives to the next. This journey, often intertwined with significant life transitions, is laden with emotions. 

My commitment goes beyond being a real estate professional; it’s about being a compassionate guide, ensuring a seamless transition through each stage of the process. This journey involves a meticulous focus on several key elements:

• Transparent Expectations: I ensure my clients are well-informed, eliminating surprises throughout the process.
• Open Communication: A regular flow of communication is maintained to keep you informed and to encourage your thoughts and concerns to be expressed freely.
• Collaboration: I give you the information you need to make informed decisions that best meet your priorities. I then work with you to implement the steps toward your desired results.
• Emotional Support: I act as a shield against stressors, offering reassurance during the most challenging times.
• Efficient Coordination: Managing all the players involved in the transaction—attorneys, agents, inspectors, appraisers, lenders, and contractors—is crucial to maintaining a smooth journey.

The validation of my approach is mirrored in the abundance of positive online reviews, surpassing 85, and the honor of receiving the Five Star Professional Award for nine consecutive years.

Your trust and appreciation fuel my dedication to continuous service and building enduring relationships. I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to be part of your life’s transitions and look forward to working with you in the future.

Warm regards,
Linda

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Would They Ever Leave The Place Where They Grew Up?

They Grew Up There and Raised Their Kids There

For 17 years, our next door neighbors along with their two young daughters and their big dog were a steady presence on the street. We had seen Kelly’s parents come and visit fairly often and become familiar faces. We didn’t know until some time later, that this had been her parent’s house, and Kelly had grown up there.

They had made many improvements to the house over time- new kitchen, windows and doors, new siding, new covered front porch, new stone patio, etc.  It never occurred to us that they might move some day. They never talked about the house not suiting their needs anymore.

We joined the neighborhood in 2004 just before I had become a Realtor after experiencing first-hand how emotionally charged making a move and buying a home could be- especially in a hot seller’s market! Steve and Kelly knew I was a Realtor.

But it seemed to come out of the blue the day Kelly called me and told me she had “never planned to stay in that little house so long” and that they wanted to make a move right away! Even more surprisingly though was that their oldest daughter was in college and the younger one was a senior in high school, and yet she said they wanted a bigger and newer home with a pool.

They “hit a wall” with the home they’d been in, and they couldn’t stand it another minute! 

It was time to move on and get into that dream home that Kelly had planned to be in years ago but never got around to! They said that even though the girls wouldn’t be there all the time, they loved to have family visit, and they have a very big family. 

Once she and Steve made that decision, it seemed like nothing about their current house worked for them any more. The four of them all shared one full bath, the only office they had was tiny, there was just the living room for company to hang out in, there was no AC, no garage, and the interior needed updating because most of the improvements they had done were on the outside.

With their timeline tight, I quickly crafted a plan to get them into their dream home within the shortest timeframe possible.

It was the end of March 2020, and the pandemic was just beginning to ramp up. Steve and Kelly wanted to purchase a home (with a mortgage) before selling their current home. The plan was to find their dream home and move in, so they wouldn’t have to worry about timing or dealing with showing their old house.

If they had needed to get the equity out of their home first, they could have used the new CashBid program offered by William Raveis.

We got the pre-approval in place, and I set up a search to match the very specific criteria they were looking for: more space, more property, updated or new condition, a pool or room for a pool, in the same town, and possibly in the same neighborhood. We reviewed the options.

We looked at two top contenders, and they loved the second one, so we submitted a competitive offer right away. However, it had not been disclosed to us that the house had been tied up with seller issues, so the search continued. Very soon afterward, we looked at a gorgeous home that checked all the boxes and was even closer to the beach! That was the one, and the purchase went very smoothly.

Now happily settled into their exciting new home it was time to get the old one sold!

We did some minor staging, had the photos taken, and hit the market. Immediately there was interest from 10 prospects. Some were not local and couldn’t get there right away, some still had to sell their home before they could buy.  

But one family had been looking for a long time, loved the neighborhood, and had a May deadline to move. They came to see the house but were unsure about it because they would need to add a master bath and finish the basement. They took a day to think it over and then made an offer. The negotiations went well, and we arrived at a deal. It turned out that this was the first buyer to see the house the first day it came on market!

Of course it couldn’t have gone that smoothly, right? Sure enough, all went well until the inspection. The inspector found an old pipe repair in the basement and decided to investigate further. He fed a camera through the pipe and discovered an underground sewer line repair that was not up to code. 

This issue was unexpected, but in real estate, that’s what happens sometimes. It’s important to go in knowing that roadblocks occur. Nonetheless, I worked closely with the buyer’s agent to solve the unexpected issue so that we could reach the end goal for our clients. Steve and Kelly had the pipe repaired and the process was back on track. We sailed through a smooth final walk-through and closing.

One and Done! We sold their house in one day for 97% of asking.

They grew up there and then raised their own kids there. Generations of fond memories were there. And yet, one day, there was a driving force to move on. Stronger than the ties that kept them there was the urge for the excitement of a new chapter, a new space, new memories, a new castle , a new home.

Do you have a story you can share in the comments? Are you ready for your next chapter ? Let’s have a conversation, 203-912-4440.

How did I get Steve and Kelly out of their childhood home and into their dream home in record time?

With great care and understanding, a clear plan and strategy, creativity, technology, and abundant cutting-edge resources and solutions on hand, I guided them through the plan. I have managed many home sales for my clients in the last 16 years and was happy to include Steve and Kelly among them.

Selling a house is a big deal. It can feel daunting when you’re ready to let go of the family property and move to a home that’s more suitable for your current lifestyle. There are so many moving parts and potential roadblocks you can face on this journey, and you want to be prepared.

That’s why you deserve the guidance of a professional that can help you maximize your equity and sell in the least amount of time. A professional who can help you make informed decisions and avoid the common pitfalls of buying and selling. It’s my job to make this happen.

Thinking of selling in the next 12 months?

Call today to get started ==> 203-912-4440

We’ll discuss your goals and timeline, briefly cover how I work with clients, and if we seem like a match, we’ll discuss next steps from there.

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Yummy Take-Out from Fairfield’s Gruel Britannia!

I wanted to share a quick update with you about a yummy dinner we had last Sunday. We enjoyed excellent food and customer service with our take-out dinner from Gruel Britannia! The Shepard’s Pie and Meatloaf were both fabulous. The dishes came with generous portions and either grilled vegetables or a large salad, and delicious flavor! The people working there are very friendly and super organized. We can’t wait to try more of the intriguing options on their menu. Maybe I’ll see you there!

New Kid on the Block, Aurora’s (Cafe)!

Maybe you noticed the subtle change in downtown Fairfield restaurants? If not, you should know that the former Cafe Madeline is now Aurora’s. How did this happen? The story is as delightful as the food!

Lauren was working as a waitress at the neighboring restaurant, Quattro Pazzi when she spotted a cute guy named Byron in the kitchen.  One night they decided to go out for a drink, and this launched the start of their long-term romance.

They were still together when Lauren changed jobs and went next door to work with Madeline at Cafe Madeline. Byron stayed put and soon became the manager of Quattro Pazzi. Before you knew it, Lauren and Byron were married and had a daughter.

Fast forward three years and Madeline decided to sell her business to focus more on world travel which she has always loved to do. Lauren and Byron jumped on the opportunity to buy the restaurant and named the new cafe Aurora’s, after their little girl!

What can you expect when you go? You will enjoy the same cozy and festive atmosphere but with more than a new name.  The menu is new, and while it has held on to some of the favorites from before, like the to-die-for butternut squash soup, there are many new and exciting choices.

One of them is the Scallops Small Plate. It offers an outrageously delicious blend of flavors that take your taste buds on vacation to paradise!  They are also very personable and accommodating. My husband, Mark likes to stick to his favorite chicken piccata with broccoli-instead-of-spinach, which he had historically ordered every time went to the cafe. Even though it’s no longer on the menu, Aurora’s still makes it for him!  The wines are delicious too. Mark likes the Robert Mondavi Merlot and I enjoy HobNob Pinot Noir.

 

The other cool thing? They actually take reservations! And we recommend making one before you go because we have tried a number of times without, and the place has been booked solid. So definitely call, go, and enjoy!

Aurora’s
1603 Post Rd Fairfield, CT 06824
203.259.5800
Be sure to Like Aurora’s on Facebook!

If you have any real estate questions or comments about this blog, please send me a note below.

 

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Family Finds New Home in Old Hill

The journey was long for Eric, Roberta and their young son and a new puppy.  Of course, it would be a big lifestyle change from an apartment in Manhattan to a house in the suburbs. First of all, when you could routinely have any nationality of cuisine delivered to your doorstep within 20 minutes, anything less seemed quite inconvenient.  Add to this the perspective of coming from a classic doorman building on the Upper West Side near parks and subways with magnificent pre-war details and 11-foot ceilings, and you were starting with high expectations… as you should!  There was no pressure to move, but it was time for a new experience, a home to spread out in with a yard, an active town, and excellent public schools.

Roberta was drawn to the open space and pastoral scenery in upper Westchester County, New York.  Eric wanted a town with direct train service to Grand Central to make the commute to his Park Avenue office as painless as possible.  The family began their search in Westchester, but after evaluating the homes, amenities and property taxes there decided that Fairfield County Connecticut would be a better fit.

So they set their focus on Westport and rented a summer house there to get to know the town.   Their wish list included a neighborhood with a country feeling and a location on a quiet street, but not too far from the train.  The home needed to be something special- an older house with charm and good bones, or maybe a new construction with timeless style.  There needed to be at least an acre of property with bucolic surroundings.  The ceilings had to be high, and the flow had to be practical as well as aesthetically pleasing.  The architecture had to be true to its form and consistent throughout. High-quality details such as wide plank wood floors and large windows for ample natural light and pretty views were key. A front porch was a plus, and so was a pool.  Last but not least,  the chemistry had to be there.

So we looked.   And we looked.   Over time, we found that the Greens Farms and Old Hill neighborhoods had the location and feeling that Eric and Roberta were looking for.  We saw many, many homes that had many great features. But finding the perfect blend was not easy- as a typical suburban home would not do.   See what Eric, as well as other clients, thought about the process.

Finally, after two an a half years, the winning home was found!  It was gorgeous.  It was custom built and designed by talented architect, John Fifield.  It had the special combination of flow, uniqueness, proportions,  elegance and setting.   It had a romantic wrap around porch and a pool.   It had the chemistry!

And that’s how the story begins.   A family’s quest leads to their new castle in Old Hill.

…a few months later, all is well!

Happy Seller Heads South!

Not a big fan of freezing winters, Joe had a dream that he thought was simple:  sell his condo on Madison Avenue in Bridgeport and move to Florida where life is sunny and warm year-round.

Joe after his closing!

It sounded reasonable enough until he put his condo on the market and didn’t get the quick sale he was hoping for.  After trying to sell with four different agents over the course of three years with one deal falling through at the last minute, Joe was feeling quite discouraged and wondered if his plan would ever come to fruition.

Finally, the following summer, he summoned his spirits again and had his son come up from Florida to help him de-clutter.  Then he called me to come and see his place, and I gave him a list of staging tips that he put into play.  We went on the market and received a good amount of activity but were plagued by low-ball offers by investors and a distressed unit that posted for sale at a rock bottom price by a bank.

As the holidays approached, Joe agreed to withdraw from the market long enough to re-do his kitchen.  I referred a great contractor to him that was skilled and well priced.  Joe shopped around for some good deals on appliances, and viola!
      

 

 

 

 

 

With a refreshed look, new kitchen and the New Year, Joe closed on his condo within three months and was off to his dream home in Florida with the weather to match!  Here’s what Joe had to say about it, “I will always be happy to give you the highest recommendation for your excellent customer service and professionalism. I definitely couldn’t have sold my condo without you.  The recommendation to upgrade my kitchen was a big factor.  There were so many condos on the market in Bridgeport, I thought I would never get out of there. But you sold my condo in such a short time frame.  You are a Realtor who cares and gives the best possible customer service one could expect, especially if the seller listens to you and takes your suggestions.  I couldn’t be happier now that I am in Florida.”

Take a look at the video to see Joe’s kitchen transition in action.

Feel free to comment below or request help preparing your home for the market.

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