Westport, Connecticut Moves

Westport, CT - Not All New Constructions are McMansions - Some are Castles!

Saturday, May 15th, turned out to be a picture perfect day for the 9th Annual Castles in the Sand, at Compo Beach, in Westport, CT. 

The sun was shining and temps were in the 70's, as participants competed, to create the best sand sculpture.

Masterpieces could be constructed on "Big" building lots of 10' by 10', selling for $100 or "Really Big" lots, 20' by 20', going for $300. 

The competition is an annual fundraiser for Homes with Hope.  The organization was originally founded in 1984, as the Interfaith Housing Association of Westport and Weston. 

Homes for Hopes provides food, emergency shelter, affordable housing and social services to homeless men, women and families, in the community.

Of course, not all entries were castles!

Copyright © 2010 Marilyn Katz, WestportCTProperties, All Rights Reserved...Westport, CT - Not All New Constructions are McMansions - Some are Castles! 

The other day, as I pulled into my office parking lot, two thoughts struck me.  First, for a change, I was not looking at a lot filled with SUV's. Second, the car color of choice was clearly silver. 

A few minutes on the computer, confirmed at least one of my astute, if extremely belated, observations.  According to PPG Industries, a leader in automotive coatings, silver has indeed been the most popular car color choice, for the past nine years.

Digging a bit further, I found a chart of sales data, by car size segments, sourced from Autodata Corporation's, MotorIntelligence.com website.  Indeed, YTD, overall car sales were increasing at twice the rate of SUV sales (18.4% vs 9.3%.) Among the car sales segments, Mid-sized car sales were up 25.8% vs YTD, April 2009.  Interestingly, Luxury SUV sales soared 37.6%, during the same period, while the only car segment to post a decline was small SUV's, down 21.8%.

I wondered if this downsizing trend would carry over to home sales.  While I have not looked up the statistics, empirical data would suggest that sales by median home size has declined during the current housing downturn.  Some obvious factors contributing to this decline would include:
  * The higher percentage of 1st time homebuyers, as repeat buyers wait for the market to improve.
  * For homeowners choosing to make a move, reduced equity from the sale of their current homes impacting the choice (i.e. size) of their next home.
  * Increased maintenance costs, as energy prices rise, making larger homes considerably more expensive to heat and cool.

In Westport, 20% of the single family homes, currently for sale, are 6,000 s.f., or more.  Only 13% of the YTD sales were for those "McMansions."  Compared with previous YTD sales, 6,000+ s.f. homes accounted for 15%, 16% and 11%, respectively, for 2007, 2008 and 2009. 

As the economy recovers, it will be interesting to see if builders modify the size of new construction or consumers resume their demand for larger homes.

Copyright © 2010 Marilyn Katz, WestportCTProperties, All Rights Reserved...Westport, CT - Silver is the New Black 

Photograph taken with a Point and Shoot Nikon, Coolpix S1.  Photo has not been enhanced in any way.  Photo displayed taken by Marilyn Katz and is covered by Copyright, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced without express written permission,

Copyright © 2010 Marilyn Katz, WestportCTProperties, All Rights Reserved... Silent Sunday: Spring Has Sprung on Jennings Court, Westport, CT

Cyber Sale Promotion - January 21-31

Furniture, home appliances and white sales are some of the traditional items that go on sale, in January.  This year, Prudential Connecticut Realty is adding a new category to the sales item list - real estate!  

Homes that have been reduced at least 5% from their current list price (as of January 19) will be featured in the Prudential Connecticut Realty "Cyber Sale" Promotion.  The promotion will run from January 21 through January 31.  After that, listings may revert back to their pre-sale price.  Properties taking part in the sale will be featured in a Cyber Sale section of the Prudential CT website.  "Cyber Sale" homes will be identified with a special logo, signifying inclusion in the program. 

26 Dorset Road, in Norwalk, CT is one of the properties taking part in the sale.  This home features 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, central air conditioning, on .3 acres, on a quiet cul-de-sac, in the Cranbury section of Norwalk. 

The home can be seen at a Public Open House, on Sunday January 24^th, between 1 PM. and  4 P.M. For more information visit a tour of this home.  

Other "Cyber Sale" listings can be found by searching homes on the PrudentialCT website.

Copyright © 2009 Marilyn Katz, WestportCTProperties, All Rights Reserved...Cyber Sale Promotion - January 21-31

Happy Hanukkah!

It seems that Jewish Holidays are never on time.  They are either early or late.  This year, I hear people saying that Hanukkah is early, although the Holiday can actually begin as early as late November.

The first night of Hanukkah began this evening.  Since it is a Friday, the first candle was lit before sundown, when the Sabbath begins.  A second "helper" candle, the Shamash, was also lit and is used to light the other Hanukkah candles. 

The "Festival of Lights", as it is also known, commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the "miracle of the oil.". When the Maccabees entered the Temple, they only found enough "pure" oil to light the eternal flame for one day.  Miraculously, it burned for eight days, until the oil could be re-supplied. 

Copyright © 2009 Marilyn Katz, WestportCTProperties, All Rights Reserved...Happy Hanukkah!

Staples High School Boys Soccer advances to 2nd round of State Tournament

The final scoreboard said it all.  Staples Boys Soccer successfully advanced through the first round of the State LL (extra large school) Tournament, besting West Hartford's Conard High School, 4-1.

The team started the game still pumped up from the adrenaline rush of capturing their 26^th Fairfield County Interscholastic Conference (FCIAC) title, last week.  Fourteen minutes into play, they scored their first goal and settled into their game, never relinquishing the lead.

Just before the end of the half, Staples converted a penalty kick for a 3-0 lead

.

The large crowd enjoyed the glorious fall weather as they came out to support the team.  Fans will again have the opportunity to "fill the hill", on Thursday, when Staples meets Newtown, in the round of sixteen.

Copyright © 2009 Marilyn Katz, WestportCTProperties, All Rights Reserved... Westport, CT - Staples Advances to 2nd Round of State Tournament

Westport, CT: Code Red Emergency Notification System in Action

It was just a year ago that Westport First Selectman, Gordon Joseloff, announced that the Town of Westport had contracted with Emergency Communications Network, Inc. for its Code Red emergency notification system.  The system sends out emergency notifications based on geographic locations.  Home addresses are used to select which phones receive alerts. 

Although the town maintains a database of residential and business numbers, Westport residents were encouraged to register their home phones.  They could also register their cell phone numbers, if they wanted mobile notification. 

At the time, my husband registered our phones and I never gave the system another thought.  So, I was quite surprised, Friday afternoon, when my cell phone displayed a call from "Westport Code Red."  It was even more startling when the call started out "a missing person alert.."  Who was missing?  Why was I getting the call? 

The message continued...a 74 year old woman, suffering from dementia, wandered away from her home. Some details were provided of her description and where she was last scene.  

Shortly after relatives notified the police, the town wide Code Red alert was issued.  A resident who received the call noticed someone matching the woman's description, walking along the road.  The police found her, a few minutes later, and brought her home. 

A second message was issued, announcing the prompt and positive results. 

The system was also effectively used a week ago, when shoreline residents were warned of possible flooding and urged to move their vehicles.  The warning helped avert potential damage to their cars.

Copyright © 2009 Marilyn Katz, WestportCTProperties, All Rights Reserved... Westport, CT: Code Red Emergency Notification System in Action

Westport, CT - There's a New Market in Town

Wednesday, October 14, 2009 brought the much anticipated opening of "The Fresh Market", in Westport, CT.  Local residents filled the parking lot, as they waited for the doors to open, at 9:00 A.M.  Throughout the morning, shoppers were offered free samples of coffee, sushi, flavored tea and other treats.  The first 1000 customers were invited to enter the Grand Opening TFM Pantry Giveaway, for a prize valued at approximately $500.

Corporate executives were available throughout the store, to speak to customers, listen to first impressions and answer questions about The Fresh Market and its products.  The store is positioned as an upscale specialty market.  The philosophy is to offer the service of an "Old Fashioned Grocery Store."  The store is designed to evoke the feeling of open European style markets.  Perishable items are available unpackaged for individual selection.  Store departments include meat, seafood, produce, cheese, bakery, coffee, grocery, dairy and floral.

The company is based in Greensboro, North Carolina. There are currently 92 Fresh Market stores, in 18 states.  Westport is the first New England store.  The next store will be opened in Boston, in April or May, 2010.

Copyright © 2009 Marilyn Katz, WestportCTProperties, All Rights Reserved... Westport, CT - There's a New Market in Town