By Judy Szablak
Special to WestportNow
A common misconception among many is that a historic plaque on a home in Westport indicates that the home must adhere to very strict guidelines, which is not necessarily the case.
Featured Home: This home at 41 Old Road is listed at $1,399,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Photo courtesy of Berkshire Hathaway NE Properties — Westport
There is a difference between a “designated” home on the historic register and a structure that is included in our local Westport Historical Society.
Currently the 432 historic resources that have been identified on the National Historic Registry in Westport also include the newly designated Bridge Street Historic District among the town’s seven named districts.
Criteria for the NHR designation includes, but is not limited to the age of the structure, its integrity, and significance.
Recipients are awarded with inclusion, and the ability to obtain a bronze plaque. These properties may also have to adhere to remodeling guidelines if/when applying for federally funded grants.
The WHS program includes structures, houses, commercial buildings, and/or barns in Westport with “significant historic characteristics and content which warrants a plaque” or one which honors the heritage of the property, and is not subject to use, remodeling or development restrictions.
Westport currently has 367 structures that have been honored by the Westport Historical Society and 432 properties are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Market Stats
There are now 364 homes that are actively on the market that-have been listed for an average of 119 days, with a cumulative market time of 203 days. The average list price is now $2,114,155 and the median price is now at $1,624,000.
A home on Beachside Avenue is the highest priced property for sale at $28 million, and the lowest available priced single family is a four bedroom home on Saugatuck Avenue for $299,000.
Seventeen 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the market in the last seven days, and two properties came back on the market after being under deposit, or temporarily withdrawn. Sixteen properties had a price change.
One property has gone under the initial deposit stage, which we call CTS or Show, and another 13 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 13 pending properties was $1,713,083. There are currently 43 homes in CTS/Show status throughout Westport, and another 61 properties scheduled to close townwide, with an average price of $1,482,308.
Closings: There were five single family homes reported as sold in the last week, and they were listed on average at $1,338,400 with an average market time of 96 days. There were 70 status changes in the last seven days.
Condos: There are 18 condominiums that are available, and they have been listed an average of 79 days, with an average cumulative market time of 110 days. Their average listing price is $594,268 and the median price is $507,000.
The highest priced condo in town is listed at $1,150,000 and is a three bedroom home located at Terra Nova Circle, and the lowest priced unit for sale is a two bedroom home on Bridge Street for $234,933.
There was one new listing in the last seven days, and no properties came back on the market. One property had a price change, and no homes took a deposit. No homes entered into pending status.
There are two properties townwide that are currently in CTS/Show status, and one property is currently scheduled to close which is listed at $674,000.
No sales were reported during the last week. There were two status changes.
Rentals: If you are interested in renting year round, either furnished or unfurnished, there are 83 homes or apartments available. The median price is $6,000 per month and the average price is $7,276 per month. These year round rental opportunities have been on the market an average of 55 days.
There are 62 short-term rental opportunities that are available, and they have been on the market an average of 86 days. Their average price is $13,921 and the median price is $10,500. 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 SmartMLS and represents activity through our statewide MLS system. Private sales are not included in these statistics.
Featured Home
This home at 41 Old Road is listed at $1,399,000.
This 12-room vintage colonial farmhouse is the perfect combination of elegance and charm and is known as “The Backiel House” which was built by onion and radish farmer John S. Backiel in 1910.
Thoughtfully restored and expanded in 2003 with architecturally interesting renovations and attention to its history, the home received a Westport Historic District Commission Preservation Award in 2009, noting in its commendation that “In a neighborhood that has seen a number of demolitions of older homes, the Backiel House now serves as an example of how an older house can regain its charm by returning the architecture to its beginnings.”
The living room with crown molding has a columned entrance with built-ins and great flow to dining room.
The dining room is brimming with natural light, as is the rest of this home.
A gourmet kitchen with granite counters has a Viking gas stove/convection oven as well as a wall oven, Thermador microwave and warming tray.
The center island has a contrasting granite top, and sliders from the sunlit breakfast area open up to the 540-square foot stone patio with bluestone topped sitting wall and a private level and professionally landscaped .51-acre corner property with perennial gardens.
The family room with nicely tucked away half bath has a cathedral ceiling with crisp white beams, a floor to ceiling stone fireplace and clear glass sliders out to the expansive patio.
Upstairs, the master bedroom suite has 9-foot ceilings, and a spacious marble bath with claw tub, double sink vanity and oversized walk-in shower featuring Waterworks faucets.
Three additional bedrooms on this level share two beautifully remodeled bathrooms.
The lower level is partially finished with a recreation/family room, and leaves plenty of room for storage.
Extras and items to note — four bedrooms, three full and one half baths, public water and sewer, 22-foot long covered front porch with swing, possible room for pool.
Annual taxes are $13,198.
Listing/photo courtesy of Berkshire Hathaway NE Properties — Westport.
(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.
