Most Fairfield locals have heard of the Lake Hills Association, but many don’t know much about it, as it remains one of those best-kept neighborhood secrets! -Until now. 🙂
Beach 2 on Samp Mortar Drive
If you are moving into the area and are looking for some special neighborhood amenities, ask your agent to alert you to homes for sale with deeded membership to this association.
The Association encompasses five private beaches for members along the Samp Mortar Reservoir, each labeled with a sign.
Beach 1 – Tahmore Dr.
Beach 2 – Samp Mortar Dr.
Beach 3 – Mountain Laurel Rd.
Beach 4 – Winnepoge Dr.
Beach 6 – Sasapequan Rd. (not sure why this isn’t labeled “5” on the association’s website!)
In addition to fun member activities like live music and movies, five levels of swimming lessons are offered, starting with the beginner level. Swimming lessons are available for a separate fee for both members and non-members. Class sizes are limited to 10 participants and swim lesson sign-up day is June 9 at Beach 4 from 10 am to noon, so hurry up! Visit the association website at LakeHillsFairfield.com for more info.
Lake Hills Association Beaches
Eligibility to join the Association is part of the homeownership deed of nearby homes within the designated area in the association bylaws. Joining is optional for some owners and required for other parcel owners, and the membership fee runs about $400 per year. Another Fairfield gem nearby that is open to all town residents also deserves a mention here, the park at Lake Mohegan.
If you or a friend are considering a move to the neighborhood, the totally renovated home at 2654 Black Rock Tpk is currently on the market and sits just across the street from Beach 6! Click the image below for a video tour. Visit my website to see more area homes on the market or to set up a search. As always, feel free to contact me with comments or questions using the at the bottom of this post, and I will get back to you as quickly as I can.
Another nearby home for sale is 345 Steiner Street. It’s not part of the Lake Hills association but is just a few blocks from the fabulous park at Lake Mohegan and just a short drive to all of Fairfield’s five beaches on Long Island Sound.
The 2018 spring real estate market has been hot so far! I have been busy helping people sell properties, search properties, and make their moves. I’m ready to help you and your friends too. Let’s connect on social!
I also invite you to click the graphic below to visit my website and learn more.
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Now is the time to stay abreast of the housing market in your Connecticut towns of interest. You can do this by subscribing to the concise monthly housing newsletter pictured below as well as by setting up a property search or mortgage rate watch for yourself. Click the image to view the selections, and opt-in!
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As always, feel free to reach out with any real estate questions or comments you may have. Call/text me any time at 203.912.4440 or submit your note below. Happy Spring!
We all love open houses. Open house events have many virtues, but what you may not know is that they also come with some risk.
Open houses offer the perfect chance for buyers to start looking for a new home and getting a feel for what’s available. Open houses help sellers gain exposure for their property in the marketplace. And they are an opportunity for buyers and sellers to meet Realtors they may want to work with for their next move.
But there is a risk. While promoting the property and the open house event, Realtors are also promoting the fact that they will be alone in a house at a specific address, date and time. This leaves an opportunity for people who may have ulterior motives. Some people visit open houses with the intent of theft of valuables or prescription medications. Others may have assault in mind.
There are educational programs for Realtors to help them prevent potential dangers and know what to do if the unthinkable were to happen. The photo shows the Fairfield police captain and an officer delivering a training session to agents at the William Raveis Real Estate office in Southport. Some of the information pertains only to the person hosting the event, but there are important open house safety tips that guests and neighborhood residents should be aware of.
Most of us would agree that it’s important for everyone to contribute to a safe neighborhood. Open houses are an integral part of neighborhood activities. So we all need to take watch, especially during these community events. Please keep the following safety tips from the police in mind.
First and foremost is to be aware of your surroundings. As a neighbor, you may see open house signs quite often. Try to be aware of the activity during the open house near you. Does it seem typical?
Does anything seem “not normal”? If something stands out to you as out of the ordinary, take notice. Are there too many people in that car? Did the car park much further away from the open house than needed? Does something seem odd? Not normal?
Trust your gut. Whether you are participating in an open house event or are a neighbor observing from across the street, if something just doesn’t feel right, it most likely is not. If you assume wrong and err on the side of cautiousness, no harm is done, right?
Take action. It’s best to park on the street when you attend an open house if possible so that you won’t be blocked in. If you are in an open house and don’t feel safe, try to exit right away. Go outside, call 911 and immediately provide the address. If you are a neighbor and notice that something is not right, call 911, or if you feel it is not urgent, call the police and ask them to drive by. And last, but not least, if you see a frightened Realtor heading toward your house, please let them in!
We can all work together to keep our neighborhoods and our open houses safe and enjoyable. For more information on this topic or to discuss your moving plans, please send a note using the form below.
If you’re in the market for a new home in Westport Connecticut but aren’t sure which one’s right for you, here are the top 10 reasons this may just be the best new construction in town!
6 Hillandale Lane, Westport CT
Location, location, location! (Okay, that’s three, but we’ll only count it as one!). Situated just around the corner from the Post Road and right off prestigious Turkey Hill South near Martha Stewart’s previous residence, 6 Hillandale Lane is a prime location. A protected wooded space buffers the property from any sites or sounds from the Post Road, yet the convenience to all the local amenities is there. The home is also just four minutes from Greens Farms Station and 10 minutes from Saugatuck Station. It is minutes from renowned Greens Farms Academy, Burying Hill Beach and the vibrant downtowns of both Westport and Fairfield.
Greens Farms Station
Neighborhood – The homes on Hillandale Lane each have a unique character and style. Each is sited differently on its lot with attractive complimentary landscaping. The neighborhood is lovely with residents of all ages and includes numerous multi-million dollar homes.
Schools – People relocate to Westport from many places for the sought-after top-notch schools.
Setting – Hillandale House is truly the centerpiece of the cul-de-sac on Hillandale Lane. It has a commanding yet gracious presence from both Hillandale Road and Hillandale Lane. At the same time, the home is tucked into the scenic private property and graced by a blend of skillfully designed and nature’s best landscaping that delivers the feel of country living.
Views – This special romantic setting extends its bonus to the indoors, offering stunning views of natural beauty from every room!
Design – The home exhibits transitional style maintaining a timeless traditional silhouette while adding an upscale modern edge. Windows are positioned to invite maximum natural light and scenic views. Materials are top of the line and state of the art, such as Caesarstone countertops that are virtually indestructible, and epoxy flooring in the garage that resists dust, protects the slab, and looks super cool!
Construction Team – Coastal Construction has been building homes in Westport since 2003 and has built more than 80 luxury homes in Fairfield County. They have fine-tuned the art of quality home construction by providing careful attention to site design, layout, architecture, craftsmanship and the right location.
Use of space – The design team knows how people like to live. So they incorporated the perfect blend of open-flow, separate private areas, and spaces for convenience. That’s why the Kitchen with large island with seating is open to the Great Room and the Breakfast Area. The Breakfast area is spacious enough to fit a dining room sized table and looks out to the backyard and patio. This open-flow area offers many options for casual dining and entertaining. The Formal Living and Dining Rooms offer a more intimate ambiance. The Mudroom features a walk-in pantry, walk-in closet and Powder Room for additional utility. Four bedrooms reside on the second floor, and an additional bedroom with full bath is situated on both the third floor and walk-out lower level. This provides privacy for various sleeping quarter arrangements. The walk-out lower level also includes a private zen-like Garden Terrace offering another separate sanctuary. If a pool is added, this terrace also serves as access to the full bathroom downstairs. The well-thought-out design offers something for everyone and every occasion.
Garage – Perfect for organizing your extra toys, furniture, bonus fridge, etc. this garage offers an extra half-bay for all your stuff. With a door into the Mudroom off the Kitchen and a door straight to the backyard, this is the ideal hub to keep the fun times coming. Did I mention the super cool epoxy floor?
Great backyard – If you crave a property that has both utility and undisturbed beauty, this is your place. The backyard is wide, level, dry and fabulously scenic with a lovely wooded barrier, unlike the contrived, rigidly rectangular yards that snugly abutt their neighbors. The pool can go just outside the walkout lower level with full bath. The patio is the platform for enjoying a meal or watching the backyard happenings. Whether you invite your friends or keep it to yourself, this is the perfect backyard for playtime and relaxation time alike.
If you would like more information about this property, please submit an inquiry below.
From the time you awake, until the time you call it a day, you carry out a pattern of activities that make up your lifestyle.
Your house is your place of coming and going, of greetings and goodbyes, of good mornings and good nights.
Your routine may be rushed and hectic at times. At other times you may have periods of intense focus or moments of calm, harmony, and serenity.
You settle into your surroundings and set your house up to be comfortable for yourself, your family, and your friends. You decorate your house to reflect your style, tastes, interests, and passions.
You work hard and play hard. Your house is your base for productivity, security, privacy, and recharging.
Your house is the place you cherish, where you feel safe and sound, sometimes happy, other times sad; where you celebrate, gather together, share, work, create, cook, decorate; where you can love and be loved; where you live, grow, rest, dream, and at times sort through the chaos that life often throws at you!
Your house becomes an extension of all that you are. And you become an extension of your house, making it complete. Without you, your house is merely a shell awaiting your energy, chemistry, creativity, excitement, and passion.
Hands down, one of the most fabulous features of Fairfield is all the chic eateries downtown. So, I thought I would share seven of my favorite picks for dining and ambiance.
A Friday night ritual for me and my husband, Mark is to pop over to Cafe Madeline on the Post Road, a tiny, personal place, where Madeline is not just the proprietor but also the regular hostess. (You can see her in a white blouse in the photo talking with guests.) The atmosphere is nothing short of charming and, shall we say, adorable. Madeline’s taste is somewhat eclectic as evidenced by the pink floral sconces, mini white party lights surrounding the glass case with handmade beaded jewelry for sale, and the flat screen that displays musical performances or nature scenes to fit the mood. There are probably no more than 10 tables inside, when it’s warm and pleasant outside, maybe another six or so out on the front patio. The food is always absolutely delicious. We cannot resist ordering the butternut squash soup, which is rich and flavorful and always comes as a very generous serving. I typically follow that with the “small plate”, Portobello Mushroom with arugula and goat cheese, served hot is unbelievably delish! Mark always gets the Chicken Piccata, also a small plate. He’s not a fan of the spinach that normally comes on top, so he substitutes it for chopped broccoli, which the staff always remembers and does automatically. Intimate, romantic and wonderful!
Another favorite where regulars are made to feel like family is Toto. The Mediterranean-style eatery offers gregarious people and food with a flare. The owner, manager, and team always greet you with a warm welcome and seem genuinely thrilled that you have arrived. The decor’ has a stylish and sophisticated, yet casual European elegance, and the covered patio is in service for most of the year. An absolute MUST starter (if you like cheese), is the Spicy Feta, served in a mini deep dish as part of a larger appetizer dish. You simply spoon it out and enjoy with some rustic bread. It’s truly a burst of flavor! The Crispy Calamari Salad is the best I’ve had anywhere. Mark cannot resist the Four Cheese Fettucini, the ultimate decadence!
The Chelsea is a funky and somewhat rustic place to have a drink and enjoy a meal. Rough wood accent walls and ornate wrought iron design elements are contrasted with neon green metal chairs. The cozy bar hosting stylish guests (all the women seem to wear great shoes- just saying) pulls it all together! Mark says that no one else in town can beat the Chelsea Burger. I personally cannot live without their octopus appetizer, a dish they tend to vary from time to time. It doesn’t look huge when it arrives, but there is so much protein in it, you are sure to be full when you finish. The flavors in my favorite version are spectacular! Large tentacles come with potatoes, greens, onions, and a pickled vegetable that adds a perfect punch! It’s a must-have in my book, with all the goodness and none of the guilt. Their Cobb Salad is fantastic too.
For your classic tavern feel, visit the Old Post Tavern right on the corner of the Post Road and Unquowa. They have been known to have a fun band during happy hour, and the patio is lovely. If you are a fan of French Onion Soup, go no further. Something about their blend of cheeses as well as some magic ingredients in the broth makes theirs completely unbeatable!
If it’s gourmet Mexican food in a festive atmosphere you’re after, Bodega is the place to go. Since it’s another tiny place, you may have to sample their top notch margaritas or other specialty drinks while you wait for your table or seat at the bar. One of Bodega’s delectables is the Ceviche, a deceivingly filling dish posing as an appetizer. The fish, in a specialty cocktail sauce, has a fantastic flavor and comes with some toasted plantains, that in my opinion, make a complete meal. If you prefer something hot, their Chicken Soup is hearty and delicious. You can have it mild or spicy depending on whether you opt to dump in the hot peppers served on the giant turquoise spoon. Burrito Tinga is Mark’s tasty favorite, and my daughter loves the Gombos Tacos.
Martel is on the Post Road in Southport and is a cozy place with a bit of a steakhouse feel. The ceilings are high, yet ornate, and there is always an art gallery adorning the walls. Always bustling, the place serves a warm, upbeat atmosphere. Although there are many excellent dishes here, my husband and I have gravitated toward sharing the Fondue for Two followed by Martel’s House Salad. The salad features marinated tomatoes and an aged Danish Blue Cheese that are fabulous together. If the fondue is off-menu for the summer, an equally rich and yummy alternative is the side order of creamed spinach! I have it as a meal, with wine, of course.
Last, but not least, we love the Grey Goose, also in Southport, where we once stood elbow to elbow with John Mayer before being seated. The atmosphere can be described as rustic and cozy with an eclectic crowd. Some folks go to hang out, others go for dinner. There’s always a flat screen at the bar featuring a sporting event as well as a crackling fireplace on the opposite wall. Penne ala Vodka, Grey Goose Style is Mark’s staple, while I go back and forth between the Lobster Macaroni and the Steak Tips small plate. The Lobster Macaroni is the absolute best here, with the secret ingredient of truffle oil to enhance the generous chunks of lobster and the crispy cheese topping. The Steak Tips are equally fantastic. Cooked to perfection, they come with a corn salsa and chipotle mayo dip that together, absolutely melt in your mouth!
All this talk is making me hungry! Be sure to come and try out Fairfield’s fabulous eateries, and should you want to ensure you live right nearby, take a look at the featured home for sale below and send a note through the form with any questions!
P.S. New kid on the block, The Sinclair Kitchen + Bar has recently opened downtown in the Brick Walk. I have been there twice with a positive experience both times. The patio is great, surrounded by thick trees and protected by a multi-settings awning. The Mussels in a Pot Thai Style (5 additional styles to try!) were delicious, and Mark gave two thumbs up to the Steak Sandwich. Anyone else, care to weigh in?
Want to live downtown? Look no further!
254 Penfield Road, Fairfield
Walk to Train, Town, & Beach!
OPEN HOUSE Sunday 8/19, 1-3 PM!
For questions and comments about anything real estate, please send a note below.
There are plenty of tough decisions to make when buying and selling a home, and choosing good movers is one of them. To provide some insight on the options, I’m sharing ratings from some recent Connecticut area moves as well as a national moving company comparison. The Connecticut input comes from a few people who completed an informal survey about four movers that handled local moves in the Fairfield County area. The national review comes from a comprehensive report by Reviews.com and provides the results of their in-depth comparison.
I asked a handful of people who recently moved for feedback about the moving companies they chose. A 10-question survey asked respondents to rate their moving company on a scale of 1 to 5, with one being terrible and five being excellent. They were asked to score based on their opinions of the quote process, price, range of services, scheduling process, efficiency and timeliness of the move, and care in handling their belongings. I received four responses, each rating a different mover. Keep in mind that every move is different with unique circumstances, but here is some feedback about one move with each company.
Braun The customer moved from a condo in Stamford to another condo in Southport for the price of $3,500. The company received a low overall rating of 2.2. Aside from satisfaction with the process of obtaining the quote (score of 4), the available services (score of 3), the customer was not pleased with the movers, giving the company a 2 for the scheduling process and timeliness and 1s for price and handling of belongings. Their comment was, “The movers just wanted to get it done quickly and they did damage to some of my furniture. They also did not pack the items as they had indicated they would in their estimate.”
Lippincott Van Lines
This move was from a house in Seymour to another house in Fairfield. The cost was $2,000. The overall score was 3.7 with ratings of 4 on price, quote process, their range of services, and timeliness/efficiency, and 3 for the scheduling process and handling of belongings. They said they would recommend this mover, and their comment was, “Actual movers were good, sales staff could be more responsive”.
All My Sons
This company was used for a move within Connecticut from a condo to a house for $750. The customer gave them an overall rating of 3.7 with ratings of 4 on all aspects except for price and care in handling belongings for which they gave a 3. They did not share a comment.
Junkluggers
The highest rating of the four went to Junkluggers with an overall score of 4.5. They handled a move from one house to another within Fairfield for $800. Although they received a 3 for their range of services and a 4 on their quote process, they received 5’s in all other categories. The customer said, “Junkluggers only does close moves, but they also will haul your junk away and give you a receipt for things that they bring to Goodwill. We used them for our move – you pay by the amount of things you have (how much space it takes in the truck). They were super quick and handled everything great!”
To provide some insight on the options, I’m sharing ratings from some recent Connecticut area moves as well as a national moving company comparison. The Connecticut input comes from a few people who completed an informal survey about four movers that handled local moves in the Fairfield County area. The national review comes from a comprehensive report by 
