By Judy Szablak
The market for antique properties in Westport is healthier than most, and there are very few available homes for sale that fit into this category.
Featured Home: This home at 66 Compo Road North is listed at $1,999,999. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Photo courtesy of Coldwell Banker Westport-Riverside
The unofficial definition of an antique, or vintage home is one that is at least 100 years old. Currently, there are only 14 such properties that are available throughout Westport, and four are currently under some stage of deposit.
The lowest priced available home is priced at $425,000 and is on Crescent Road, and the highest priced antique is on Ferry Lane East for $3,998,000. The average size is almost 3,600-square feet, and the average sale price for the 21 homes that sold within the last year is $1,913,857.
Many of these homes carry with them a very special part of Westport history, and inventory is tighter than it has been for quite some time.
These rare gems have been somewhat overshadowed by the 89 newly built homes that are available, which represent 25 percent of all the homes available for sale.
Market Stats
There are now 354 homes that are are actively on the market, and that remains unchanged from last week. These currently available properties have been listed for an average of 99 days, with a cumulative market time of 179 days.
The average list price is now $2,364,165 and the median price remains at $1,899,000.
A contemporary home on Bluff Point is the highest priced home for sale at $11.5 million, and the lowest available priced home is a three-bedroom home on Crescent Park Road for $368,000.
Twenty-five new listings came on the market in the last seven days, and two properties came back on the market after being under deposit, or temporarily withdrawn. Twenty-six properties had a price change.
Twelve properties have gone under the initial deposit stage, which we call CTS, and 10 properties went into pending status, which means that the conditions have been satisfied, and the property is scheduled to close.
The average price of those 10 properties was $1,484,200. There are currently 36 homes in CTS status throughout Westport, and another 54 properties scheduled to close town-wide, with an average price of $2,224,369.
Closings: There were eight single family homes reported as sold in the last week, and they were listed on average at $1,457,113, with a market time of 137 days. There were 94 status changes in the last seven days.
Condos: There are 14 condominiums that are available, and they have been listed an average of 59 days, with a cumulative market time of 69 days. Their average listing price is $761,036 and the median price is $724,500.
The highest priced condo in town is listed at $1,279,000 and is a three-bedroom homes located at Terra Nova Circle, and the lowest priced unit for sale is a one-bedroom home on Whitney Glen for $380,000.
There were two new listings, and no homes came back on the market after being under deposit. There was one price change, and one property entered into the initial stage of deposit. No homes entered into pending status.
There are three properties town-wide that are currently in CTS status, and there are three homes scheduled to close, with an average price of $741,300.
No sales were reported during the last week. There were four status changes.
Rentals: If you are interested in renting year round, either furnished or unfurnished, there are 39 homes or apartments available. The median price is $4,250 per month and the average price is $5,020 per month.
These year-round rental opportunities have been on the market an average of 46 days.
There are 32 short-term rental opportunities that are available, and they have been on the market an average of 46 days. Their average price is $16,184 and the median price is $13,250.
Please note that seasonal rental prices are sometimes listed as an aggregate price for the season, or they can be listed as per the monthly rental cost.
Source: Market Data is compiled from the GFC-CMLS and represents activity through our local MLS system. Private sales are not included in these statistics
Featured Home
This home at 66 Compo Road North is listed at $1,999,999.
This six-bedroom antique home known as The Gorham House, was originally built in 1820, and has been masterfully renovated to accent its historical detail, while seamlessly integrating its broad range of modern amenities.
An exceptional example of a central chimney Federal colonial, this 5,500-square foot landmark home is sited on a beautifully landscaped acre of property, appearing as pretty as a postcard with a New England style picket fence.
The 13-room home also has a special place in television history. Kitchen scenes from the “I Love Lucy” episodes were filmed in a replicated version that was created at Universal Studios.
Additionally, the Westport home depicted was a combination of a number of local homes including this one.
The home’s main parlor has vintage moldings and a fireplace, and the formal dining room has wide planked flooring and another fireplace as well as 12-over-12 period windows.
The gourmet kitchen is fully equipped with top-of-the-line appliances, laundry, pantry and a breakfast bar.The romantic dining area features a wide rustic fireplace with a vintage charm and overlooks the beautiful, lush gardens through a set of French doors.
Original and exposed steel reinforced beamed ceilings and a stone fireplace in the family room add to an already friendly atmosphere, with French doors leading to the three season heated porch with retractable screening.
An en suite guest bedroom and main floor office are also on this level, and the flexibility of the rooms is unmatched in a home from this time period.
Upstairs, the master bedroom suite has a beamed ceiling, matching those of the lower level family room, exposed brick walls and French doors to a private balcony overlooking the pool and perennial gardens.
The dressing room has a fireplace, exceptional closet space, and an exquisite marble bath with a claw foot tub, steam shower, and radiant heated floors.
Two additional bedrooms and baths are on this level, one with access to the balcony that extends the length of the house. The third floor includes another two bedrooms, Juliet balcony, plus a loft/bonus room area with beamed cathedral ceilings, wet bar and full bath.
This floor could also serve as an amazing teen suite, or au pair quarters.
The garden level has two bedrooms, a full bath, and a separate entrance, all perfect for handicapped accessibility if needed. The bedrooms are currently used as an office and exercise room.
This wonderfully charming home is warm, inspiring, has an exceptionally versatile floor plan,and is in a highly desirable neighborhood in an in-town location.
Extras and items to note—the “secret staircase,” 9-foot ceilings, pine and chestnut flooring, five fireplaces, masterfully crafted built-ins and trim work, five and one half baths, sound system, Gunite pool and spa, sprinkler system, potting shed, updated mechanicals, new generator.
Schools—Saugatuck, Bedford, Staples.
Annual taxes are $28,521.
Listing/photo courtesy of Coldwell Banker Westport-Riverside.
(Editor’s Note: Judy Szablak of Coldwell Banker Westport – Riverside, Fairfield County CT Realtor since 1984 is author of “The Art of Buying or Selling a Home,” and featured on HGTV’s real estate show, “Desperate to Buy.” Email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or visit her online at http://www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com.
What are the odds those 14 homes will still be 14 antique homes one year from now?? One can hope …