William Raveis | Linda Raymond Real Estate Blog, Fairfield, Westport & More

August 10, 2021
by Linda Raymond CT Realtor at William Raveis Southport 2 Comments

Real Estate News: Westport and Fairfield CT August 2021

July numbers are in, and opportunity still knocks!

But you are worried about how to prepare your house for sale, navigate the process, and manage the timing. This is all very understandable. This is also why you need an expert agent who understands the current market and who will implement a strategy for you that fits with your priorities and guides you toward achieving your goals.

How’s the single-family housing market in Westport and Fairfield Connecticut as we move into August?

Take a look at the stats below showing how the stats in July 2021 compare to July 2020.

In WESTPORT

Single-Family Homes Sales are DOWN 28.1.5% from 96 to 69 homes sold.
The Median Sale Price is UP 19% from $1,294,500 to $1,540,000.
Inventory is DOWN 18.4% from 244 to 199 homes for sale.
Months of Supply is DOWN 44.9% from 6 months to 3.51.
Market Time is DOWN 41.1% from 73 to 43 days.

In FAIRFIELD

Single-Family Homes Sales are DOWN 34.7% from 147 to 96 homes sold.
The Median Sale Price is UP 12.5% from $640,000 to $720,000.
Inventory is DOWN 42.2% from 396 to 229 homes for sale.
Months of Supply is DOWN 60.6% from 6 months to 2.37!
Market Time is DOWN 50.6% from 85 to 42 days.

The trends of low inventory, increasing median sale price, and short market time continue through July. Unit sales dipped in July, likely due to the continued reduced inventory in combination with “buyer fatigue”, and summer vacations. We will likely see reduced closings for the same reasons in August as well.

More homes are listed for sale each day, so despite the low inventory, there is an ever-changing selection to choose from, and you only need one to make your move!

As of the day of this writing, there are 68 newly listed single-family homes and condos in Westport and Fairfield.

Yet the buyer demand is still stronger than the supply which is keeping the inventory low, causing some continued multiple offer situations, though not as many as in earlier months, and pushing sale prices up in both towns.

Opportunities are here for both buyers and sellers in this dynamic marketplace, but we can all benefit from more homeowners listing their properties for sale!

Home appreciation is expected to continue according to the National Association of Realtors Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun. Interest rates are anticipated to rise slightly but are still expected to remain historically low.

So if you are seeking your perfect home, you may want to take the plunge and move forward with doing so now!

If you are thinking of selling in the next 12 months and would like to discuss how to buy and s ell your home in the current or future markets, call me today 203.912.4440.

July 8, 2021
by Linda Raymond CT Realtor at William Raveis Southport 2 Comments

How’s the Housing Market in Westport and Fairfield CT at the Start of July 2021?

As far as the market is concerned, opportunity still knocks! So, why stay on the fence, when you can get a new one! 😉

You, like many others have been ready to get out of your current home for quite a while, but you haven’t made the move yet. It’s a monumental decision for sure. You want to get the best ROI and the best terms when you sell and also be able to transition to the right new home for your next chapter. You are worried about how to prepare your house for sale, navigate the process, and manage the timing. This is all very understandable. This is also why you need an expert agent who understands the current market and who will implement a strategy for you that fits with your priorities and guides you toward achieving your goals.

How’s the single-family housing market in Westport and Fairfield Connecticut as we head into July?

Take a look at the stats below comparing June 2021 to last June 2020:

In WESTPORT

Single-Family Homes Sales are UP 25.5% from 51 to 64 homes sold.
The Median Sale Price is UP 7.1% from $1,495,000 to $1,601,000.
Inventory is DOWN 22.6% from 283 to 219 homes for sale.
Months of Supply is DOWN 56.7% from 9 months to 3.72.
Market Time is DOWN 65% from 123 to 43 days.

In FAIRFIELD

Single-Family Homes Sales are UP 12.9% from 93 to 105 homes sold.
The Median Sale Price is UP 16.9% from $650,000 to $760,000.
Inventory is DOWN 42.9% from 434 to 248 homes for sale.
Months of Supply is DOWN 64.8% from 7 months to 2.46!
Market Time is DOWN 45.1% from 91 to 50 days.

The trends of extremely low inventory, increasing median sale price, and short market time continue through June. However, the market is not stagnant. Unit sales are up and we are seeing more homes listed for sale. In fact, as of the day of this writing, there are 71 newly listed single-family homes and condos in Westport and Fairfield. The buyer demand is still stronger than the supply which is keeping the inventory low, causing many multiple offer situations, and pushing sale prices upward in both towns.

Opportunities are here for both buyers and sellers in this dynamic marketplace, but we can all benefit from more homeowners listing their properties for sale!

As the summer temps rise, home appreciation as well as interest rates are anticipated to follow. Yet interest rates are still expected to remain historically low, and buyers continue to look for their perfect homes. If you are a homeowner on the fence, now is a great time to sell!

If you are thinking of selling in the next 12 months and would like to discuss how to buy and s ell your home in the current market, call me today 203.912.4440.

June 9, 2021
by Linda Raymond CT Realtor at William Raveis Southport Leave a comment

How’s the Housing Market, June 2021? Is it Still Strong in Westport and Fairfield CT?

How’s the single-family housing market in Fairfield and Westport Connecticut at the end of May as we head into June? Take a look at the info below to see the comparison to last May, 2020, and take note of the opportunities. If we follow last year’s trend, we will see a spike in sales beginning in the next couple of weeks and extending through September!

If you would like access to our William Raveis Local Housing Data tool and run your own graphs like the ones below, just send me a note in the form below for the link! Here are the specifics.

In WESTPORT

Single-Family Homes Sales are UP 52% from 31 to 47 homes sold.
The Median Sale Price is UP 46% from $1,085,000 to $1,582,000.
Inventory is DOWN 29% from 306 to 217 homes for sale.
Months of Supply is DOWN 61% from 10 months to 4.
Market Time is DOWN 41% from 90 to 53 days.

In FAIRFIELD

Single-Family Homes Sales are UP 3% from 72 to 74 homes sold.
The Median Sale Price is UP 22% from $662,500 to $807,500.
Inventory is DOWN 39% from 421 to 257 homes for sale.
Months of Supply is DOWN 62% from 7 months to 2.6!
Market Time is DOWN 56% from 107 to 56 days.

The trends of extremely low inventory, increasing median sale price, and short market time continues through May, though we are seeing more homes come on the market. The strong buyer demand in the face of this limited choice is still causing frequent multiple offer situations and pushing sale prices upward in both towns.

Opportunities are here for both buyers and sellers, but the market can unquestionably benefit from more home owners listing their properties for sale! The summer is heating up, and me may see another spike in June through September like last year, depending on whether people are still wanting to escape the City. Interest rates remain low, and buyers are still out looking for their perfect homes. If you have been wondering, yes, now is the time to sell!

If you would like to discuss how to buy and s ell your home in the current market, you can create your own home search to check out the market, visit my website, give me a call, 203.912.4440, or send me a note below. I’m here to help!

May 6, 2021
by Linda Raymond CT Realtor at William Raveis Southport 1 Comment

How’s the Housing Market, May 2021? Is Now a Good Time to Sell in Westport and Fairfield CT?

How’s the single-family housing market in Fairfield and Westport Connecticut as of the end of April? Take a look at the bullets and graphs below to see how things have changed dramatically this April compared to last April, 2020, and look at the opportunities.

If you would like access to our William Raveis Local Housing Data tool and run your own graphs like the ones below, just send me a note for the link! Here are the specifics.

In WESTPORT

Single-Family Homes Sales are DOWN 8% from 39 to 36 homes sold.
The Median Sale Price is UP 27% from $1,100,000 to $1,401,500.
Inventory is DOWN 35% from 271 to 177 homes for sale.
Months of Supply is DOWN 62% from 8 months to 3.
Market Time is DOWN 37% from 137 to 86 days.

In FAIRFIELD

Single-Family Homes Sales are UP 70% from 56 to 70 homes sold.
The Median Sale Price is UP 10% from $645,250 to $712,500.
Inventory is DOWN 46% from 426 to 231 homes for sale.
Months of Supply is DOWN 66% from 7 months to 2!
Market Time is DOWN 39% from 107 to 65 days.

The trend of extremely low inventory, increasing median sale price, and short market time continues through April into May, though we are seeing more homes come on the market. The strong buyer demand in the face of this limited choice is still causing frequent multiple offer situations and has even slowed the rate of sales in Westport compared to April 2020.

Opportunities are here for both buyers and sellers, but the market can unquestionably benefit from more sellers entering the market! Vaccines are here, spring is here, interest rates remain low, and buyers are circling. If you have been wondering, yes, now is the time to sell!

April 13, 2021
by Linda Raymond CT Realtor at William Raveis Southport Leave a comment

How’s the Housing Market, April 2021? Is Now a Good Time to Sell in Westport and Fairfield CT?

How’s the single-family housing market in Fairfield and Westport Connecticut as of the end of March?Take a look at the bullets and graphs below to see how things have changed dramatically this March compared to last March, 2020, and look at the opportunities.

If you would like access to our William Raveis Local Housing Data tool and run your own graphs like the ones below, just send me a note for the link! Here are the specifics.

In WESTPORT

Single-Family Homes Sales are UP 29% from 31 to 40 homes sold.
The Median Sale Price is UP 29% from $1,375,000 to $1,774,500.
Inventory is DOWN 47% from 289 to 153 homes for sale.
Months of Supply is DOWN 70% from 9 months to less than 3!
Market Time is DOWN 49% from 132 to 67 days.

In FAIRFIELD

Single-Family Homes Sales are UP 69% from 54 to 91 homes sold.
The Median Sale Price is UP 20% from $587,450 to $703,000.
Inventory is DOWN 55% from 479 to 217 homes for sale.
Months of Supply is DOWN 71% from 8 months to 2!
Market Time is DOWN 19% from 96 to 78 days.

The trend of extremely low inventory, increasing median sale price, and short market time continues through March into April, though we are seeing more homes come on the market. The strong buyer demand in the face of this limited choice is still causing frequent multiple offer situations.

Opportunities exist for both buyers and sellers, but the market can unquestionably benefit from more sellers entering the market! Vaccines are here, spring is here, interest rates remain low, and buyers are waiting. If you have been wondering, yes, now is the time to sell.

March 15, 2021
by Linda Raymond CT Realtor at William Raveis Southport 2 Comments

How’s the Local Housing Market Right Now? Westport and Fairfield CT – February 2021

How’s the single-family housing market in Fairfield and Westport Connecticut as of February? Take a look at the bullets and graphs below to see how things have changed dramatically this February compared to last February, 2020.

If you would like access to our William Raveis Local Housing Data tool and run your own graphs like the ones below, just send me a note for the link! Here are the specifics.

In WESTPORT

Single-Family Homes Sales are UP 68% from 25 to 42 homes sold.
The Median Sale Price is UP 44% from $1,115,000 to $1,600,000.
Inventory is DOWN 48% from 308 to 159 homes for sale.
Months of Supply is DOWN 71% from 10 months to less than 3!
Market Time is DOWN 55% from 155 to 70 days.

In FAIRFIELD

Single-Family Homes Sales are UP 39% from 36 to 50 homes sold.
The Median Sale Price is UP 33% from $525,000 to $697,500.
Inventory is DOWN 60% from 474 to 191 homes for sale.
Months of Supply is DOWN 73% from 8 months to 2!
Market Time is DOWN 32% from 113 to 77 days.

The trend of extremely low inventory, increasing median sale price, and short market time continues through February. The pace of Fairfield’s market appears to be limited even more than Westport’s by the severe decline in inventory. The strong buyer demand in the face of this limited choice is causing multiple offer situations at nearly every turn.

Opportunities exist for both buyers and sellers, but the market can unquestionably benefit from more sellers entering the market! Vaccines are here, spring is coming, buyers are waiting….

February 23, 2021
by Linda Raymond CT Realtor at William Raveis Southport 3 Comments

How’s the Local Housing Market in Fairfield and Westport CT – January 2020 vs 2021?

So how did our single-family housing markets in Fairfield and Westport Connecticut do this January compared to January 2020? As you’d probably expect, it’s been a chilly market for buyers! In a nutshell, sales and prices were UP, market time and inventory were DOWN. If you would like me to send you the link to the William Raveis Local Housing Data tool so you can run graphs like the ones below, just send me a note! Here are the specifics from William Raveis.

In FAIRFIELD

Single-Family Homes Sales Increased 77% from 35 to 62.
The Median Sale Price Increased 1.4% from $639,000 to $648,000.
Market Time Decreased 43% from 114 to 65 days.
Inventory Decreased 53% from 425 to 207 homes for sale.

In WESTPORT

Single-Family Homes Sales Increased 50% from 22 to 33.
The Median Sale Price Increased 31% from $1,187,500 to $1,555,000.
Market Time Decreased 44% from 156 to 87 days.
Inventory Decreased 51% from 296 to 146 homes for sale.

Of particular note is that the number of homes for sale began to decline in June 2020 in both towns at the same time that sales were rising. Unit sales spiked in July through September in Fairfield and July and August in Westport. This trend is self-limiting by the lack of homes on the market. Inventory is now at an all time low, and new listings have been dripping into the market very slowly. There is not nearly enough choice to satisfy the current buyer demand and the added buying incentive of low interest rates. The series of snow storms during the past few weeks has also contributed to discouraging would-be sellers.

However, as of the third week of February, the pace of new listings entering the market appears to be picking up. With vaccine distribution on the rise and a much anticipated spring around the corner, things may be heating up very soon!

If you would like to discuss how to buy and s ell your home in the current market, you can create your own home search to check out the market, visit my website, or send me a note below. I’m here to help!

January 28, 2021
by Linda Raymond CT Realtor at William Raveis Southport 3 Comments

At What Price Would You Consider Selling Your House?

Buyers are waiting. Home sale prices are up. Interest rates are outrageously low. Is there a price at which you would consider selling your house? If there is a price that motivates you, are there other barriers?

It sure appears to be the perfect storm for owners to want to sell their homes, right? Sure, except for two major roadblocks- As a potential home seller, where do you move with the limited choice in the market? And if you could work through these details, do you really feel ready?

If you are one of these homeowners, here are three things you can do to manage the logistical challenge.

You can list your home with a published contingency to find suitable housing. This relieves the pressure of not having your destination pre-determined by letting potential buyers know up-front that you reserve the right to take the time to find a new home. It also gives you an ‘out’ if you cannot find a suitable solution. You can reach out to me and also select a real estate attorney to learn more.
Alternatively you can put your home on the market and negotiate a long closing period, such as a few months, when you receive an offer- or multiple offers. Many buyers are flexible with timing, especially if they are buying a second home. This will give you time to look around.
A temporary housing plan is another key option. Are you aware that you may even be able to sell your home and rent it back from the buyers for a period of time! This can be an excellent solution for bridging the gap until you find your new home. Even if this is not doable, there are other options. If it is feasible to stay with family, go to a second home or vacation home, or get a short term rental, and put things in storage for a while, this is a great way to take the timing pressure off. It may not be convenient, but it may still be worth it in order to capitalize on the opportunities of this market and move to the home that truly satisfies your current needs and desires.
Get creative! At William Raveis, we are here to get creative with solutions to our clients’ challenges. We understand the complexities of the current market and in bridging the gap between buying and selling. So we have an entire array of services that can enable you to become a cash buyer before you sell, fix up any issues with your house without paying until it’s sold, and bridge the financial gap as well. Call me today to discuss your ideal outcome, and let’s discuss how to get you there!

All that being said, what if the above solutions are all well and good, but you still feel hesitant? It is even more important than strategizing the logistics to be sure your heart is really in it. You must be sure you are ready to sell before going on the market. Here’s the journey one home seller went through to get ready to ultimately make her dream come true.

Keep in mind that even though the inventory of homes for sale is low, the market time is also short, so the choices of homes to purchase is constantly refreshing and there are always new homes to choose from if you want to make a move.

Imagine if all you homeowners who would love to sell but have been sitting on the sidelines decide to go for it using some of the safeguards and creative solutions above? The market would be rich with choice for everyone searching (yourselves included!), and many more home buyers and sellers would be on the move toward making their dreams a reality!

You can browse around and set up some searches for yourself here if you would like to get a feel for the markets as you think about your plans. Call me today to discuss your options, 203-912-4440. We will have a brief consultation to understand your goals, the market, and how I might be able to help.

January 24, 2021
by Linda Raymond CT Realtor at William Raveis Southport 3 Comments

How’s the Housing Market Right Now – January 2021?

What’s the pulse of the local single-family housing market in Fairfield and Westport, Connecticut in the first three weeks of January 2021? How many accepted offers? Where are they? What are the price categories? Days on market? Inventory levels and new listings? Here’s an update from the SmartMLS.

FAIRFIELD ACCEPTED OFFERS AND INVENTORY

Fairfield CT locations of accepted offers

69 New Year accepted offers!

Offers are located all over town

PRICE BREAKDOWN?
64% Priced < $1 million
36% Priced > = $1 million

69 Median days on market

At the end of December 2020, Fairfield inventory levels were at historic lows, as illustrated by the graph below from William Raveis Real Estate.

There have been 25 new listings since January 1, ranging in price from $285,000 to $4,295,000.

WESTPORT ACCEPTED OFFERS AND INVENTORY

18 New Year accepted offers!

Westport CT locations of accepted offers

Offers appear to be concentrated near the downtown area and the Post Road

28% Priced < $1 million
72% Priced >= $1 million

18 Median days on market

At the end of December 2020, Westport inventory levels were at historic lows, as illustrated by the graph below from William Raveis Real Estate.

There have been 26 new listings in Westport in all price points, ranging from $699,000 to $12,000,000!

So it’s fair to say that the Fairfield and Westport housing markets have been ramping up following the lull of the December holidays and there is a good amount of activity. Despite the new listings that have been trickling onto the market though, there is not enough choice to satisfy the current buyer demand and the added purchasing incentive of low interest rates.

January 11, 2021
by Linda Raymond CT Realtor at William Raveis Southport 2 Comments

Christmas Eve 2020 Was a Great Beach Day at Penfield in Fairfield, CT!

Who would think that Penfield Beach was the place to be at around noon on Christmas Eve 2020?

The temperature was mild but the winds were high, so the walkers, dogs, and sea gulls were there along with about a dozen kite boarders in wet suites. The scene was festive and vibrant as always, and a great way to kick off the holiday week!

What a fabulous town to call home! If you are thinking of making a move, you can set up your own search here to browse homes in any areas that intrigue you. If you are thinking of moving cross-country or overseas, I can refer you to the perfect agent through my elite brokerage network and oversee your satisfaction with them. Give me a call at 203.912.4440, visit my website, or send a note in the form below, and let me lead the way!

#penfieldbeach #Christmas2020 # christmasathebeach #fairfieldct #lovethebeach