By Judy Szablak

While sales are lower than they were this time last year, the Westport real estate market is experiencing activity throughout the pandemic and during the month of April.

Featured Home: This home at 19 Saint John’s Place is listed at $1,769,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Photo courtesy of Compass Connecticut/ M & D Properties.

Dr. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, predicted in a recent meeting that he anticipates that the normally traditional spring market which we experience at this time should continue into the summer months due to pent up demand, and anticipated eased restrictions.

Locally, we have only had a net gain of seven homes that entered our inventory in April, as 28 homes came on the market, and 21 homes entered into the initial stage of deposit.

Twenty-three homes have either been temporarily withdrawn or canceled since the beginning of April and that also is a contributing factor to the lack of inventory which actually benefits those who continue to stay on the market during this time.

Westport real estate price changes over the past week:

220 Lansdowne                 $649,000->$639,000
16 Fillow Street                 $699,000->$679,000
20 Lone Pine Lane             $979,000->$899,000
143 Riverside Avenue     $1,200,000->$1,100,000
24 Jennings Court         $2,395,000->$2,295,000
125 Harbor Road           $2,999,000->$2,399,000
73 Turkey Hill Rd South     $3,300,000->$3,200,000

—Judy Szablak

The property at 54 Wilton Road, home to Save the Children until 2013, has changed hands for $16.7 million. Built in 1960, the 26,000 square foot class A office building is 100% leased, according to David Waldman, whose David Adam Realty was one of the sellers. The firm will continue to manage the property. The buyer is a joint venture between Empire Square Group and an offshore entity. It was purchased in 2013 for $11,925 million and underwent a facelift in 2017. Waldman said the vacant land next to it, which was approved for 12 condos, is not moving forward and the land remains available to purchase. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By Judy Szablak

Westport’s real estate market is going through a time of unique and unprecedented changes due to COVID-19.

Featured Home This home at 69 Whitney St. is listed at $874,950. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Photo courtesy of Halstead Properties Westport

Some of these changes include how real estate agents market our homes, how we view homes, and how we get to the closing table during this time.

It is no longer beyond the realm of possibility that some will purchase a home without physically viewing it. However, it is becoming more commonplace in our local market. Overseas and nonlocal buyers have already done it. To some, it’s not “new.”

Specifically speaking, the selling season began a bit earlier this year due to the weather being unseasonably warm coupled with little precipitation. In fact, as we look at year over year statistics from this past week, we are actually up by six units in varying stages of deposits. Seems hard to believe, but it’s true.

Westport real estate price changes over the past week:

136 Lansdowne         $650,000->$625,000
6 Willowbrook Drive     $793,000->$739,000
9 Highwood Lane       $799,000->$775,000
11 Mortar Rock Rd     $949,000->$929,000
68 Bayberry Lane   $1,399,000->$1,299,000

—Judy Szablak