By James Lomuscio

Neighbors opposed to a developer’s renewed attempt to build multi-family housing in Westport’s Saugatuck area met tonight at the Westport Library to figure out how to stop it.

Carolanne Curry addresses tonight’s meeting of Save Old Saugatuck. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The meeting by a group calling itself Save Old Saugatuck had a distinct irony—the planned development is to take place on Hiawatha Lane Extension, a community that has long exemplified the town’s diverse housing stock.

About 18 persons showed up for the session in the McManus Room. Their goal was to develop a strategy to oppose plans by developer Felix T. Charney to construct a 186-unit, rental housing complex there. Thirty percent of the units are to be classified as affordable. 

The residents say the plan, which uses the controversial state statute 8-30g to override local zoning regulations, puts their neighborhood in jeopardy, all in the name of diverse housing.

By Judy Szablak

Almost one in five homes in Westport closed at or above asking price during the last 12 months, according to our local Multiple Listing Service. However, that impressive statistic doesn’t mean that there were not any negotiations involved.

Featured Home: This home at 11 West Branch Road is listed at $3,250,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Photo courtesy of Coldwell Banker Westport-Riverside

Almost 80 percent, or 341 out of the 422 single family homes and condos that sold last year involved some kind of give-and-take on price, and in all likelihood some concessions were made from either the buyer or seller on other terms as well. The one constant in all home sales is some form of negotiation, whether it’s terms, or price, or both.

The subtle or not-so-subtle manner of negotiations holds a lot of weight in determining whether a purchase or sale is agreed to with a particular buyer or seller.

You, or your agent must do your best to gauge the other party’s motivation, thoroughly understand their expectations, and deliver a response that fits within their emotional needs to the best of your ability.