By Judy Szablak
Special to WestportNow
When it comes to selling a home in Westport, remember that a sale begins with emotion.
Featured Home: This home at 1 Hitchcock Road is listed at $1,285,000. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Photo courtesy of William Pitt Sotheby’s International — Westport
Whether that sentiment gets initially triggered by an asking price, photos or a description, or a combination of all three, it all starts with emotion.
Different personalities have different emotional “triggers,” and subtly highlighting them will bring more potential buyers through your door.
Analytical types will insist on data, and tend to be price driven, whereas a buyer with an expressive personality would be more apt to act based upon photos and descriptive text.
Marketing should include triggers from four personality types, with slightly heavier weight placed upon the two social styles most likely to purchase your specific home.
Market Stats
There are now 345 homes that are actively on the market, which have been listed for an average of 106 days, with a cumulative market time of 184 days. The average list price is now $2,076,487 and the median price is now at $1,679,000.
A home at 114 Beachside Ave. 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 $339,000.
Thirty-one new listings came on the market in the last seven days, and one property came back on the market after being under deposit, or temporarily withdrawn. Thirty-one properties had a price change.
Thirteen properties have gone under the initial deposit stage, which we call CTS or Show, and another 12 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 12 pending properties was $1,974,250. There are currently 40 homes in CTS/Show status throughout Westport, and another 56 properties scheduled to close townwide, with an average price of $1,660,515.
Closings: There were nine single family homes reported as sold in the last week, and they were listed on average at $1,460,556 with an average market time of 157 days. There were 116 status changes in the last seven days.
Condos: There are 13 condominiums that are available, and they have been listed an average of 103 days, with a cumulative market time of 146 days. Their average listing price is $615,171 and the median price is $498,999.
The highest priced condo in town is listed at $1,195,000 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 $254,330.
There was one new listing in the last seven days, and no properties came back on the market. Three properties 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 $325,000
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 52 homes or apartments available. The median price is $5,800 per month and the average price is $6,091 per month. These year round rental opportunities have been on the market an average of 110 days.
There are 72 short-term rental opportunities that are available, and they have been on the market an average of 99 days. Their average price is $15,485 and the median price is $11,000. 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 1 Hitchcock Road is listed at $1,285,000.
Located on a quiet cul-de-sac, this charming 10-room Dutch colonial has a classic New England flavor with dormered wood shingle roof, and is just minutes to the beach, train and the Merritt Parkway.
Originally built in 1965, upgrades and well planned renovations complement the inherent character and country style, and give this 3,307-square foot home an extraordinarily welcoming, charming and comfortable feel.
An expansive front-to-back living room with crown molding includes a brick fireplace with plenty of built-ins on either side, and plenty of natural light.
The spacious formal dining room has crown molding and chair rails.
The totally renovated gourmet kitchen with granite countertops has stainless appliances, and breakfast bar as well as a dining area with a Dutch door to private brick patio, which is also accessed by the living room as well as the sun-filled screened porch.
The family room with exposed beams has wide board flooring, and another brick fireplace, as well as access to the screened porch that overlooks the private, professionally landscaped and level acre.
A richly paneled “pub room” on the main level has a wet-bar and refrigerator.
Upstairs, there are four bedrooms, including the master bedroom suite with skylight, cathedral ceilings, two walk-in closets, one being all cedar and a bath with twin sinks and separate steam shower.
A separate staircase to in-law suite has a private entrance and full bath.
Extras and items to note — five bedrooms, four full and one half baths, two fireplaces, security system, walk up attic, $250 annual association fee, in-law apartment.
Annual taxes are $15,563.
Listing/photo courtesy of William Pitt Sotheby’s International — 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.
