Katie Brown’s Country Home Featured on 2017 Holiday House Tour

Ridgefield’s biennial Holiday House Tour is set to kick off on December 1st with a tour of seven area homes, including three that were represented in various real estate transactions by Karla Murtaugh Homes. Tour participants are in for a treat as they meander through these very special and equally unique residences decked out for the Holidays. We are also proud sponsors of the tour.

And if celebrity homes intrigue you, don’t miss out on lifestyle-guru Katie Brown’s country estate. Located at 71 Old Branchville Road, it is a unique blend of vintage charm and NYC chic, creating an eclectic bohemian experience. Currently on the market for $1,575,000 don’t forget to pick up a postcard about the property when you visit or click herefor more information.

Also on the tour, Christine and Michael Carnicelli are excited to open their home at 23 High Ridge Ave, which they purchased back in 2014 and have restored to its former glory. This vintage Georgian will not disappoint with its gracious architecture and updated transitional interior design.

And finally, the beautiful properties at The Elms offer Ridgefielders an opportunity to live in a distinguished Main Street community and one of our clients has graciously agreed to let onlookers view the never-before-seen interior of these fabulous residences! Representing a trend towards well-built, high-end design, the home tour at 500 Main Street offers a glimpse into a different type of in-town living.

The committee for the Holiday House Tour has worked tirelessly to create an amazing event and as always, it is one of the most anticipated home tours in the area. Tickets are still available from Bella Home or Squash’s, and can be purchased the day of the event from the Lounsbury House. Proceeds from the Holiday House Tour benefit Tiger Hollow stadium at Ridgefield High School.

Ridgefield Featured in Hallmark Channel’s “Coming Home For Christmas”

Not only is Ridgefield ranked one of the safest town’s in the USA, but it also boasts one of the most picturesque Main Streets. And now it seems Hollywood is recognizing that too!

Just in time of the Holiday Season, the movie – Coming Home for Christmas – premiered on Saturday, November 18 and aired again on Wednesday, November 22. Main Street Ridgefield is featured at the very beginning the movie, setting the scene for the town where the main character, Lizzie, manages a wealthy estate before it sells. She has the challenging task of bringing the estranged Marley family together for their last Christmas in the home in which they were raised, and the usual feel-good, tear-jerking Hallmark shenanigans transpire from there.

It’s a pity the location scouts didn’t set the movie in one of our fantastic Main Street properties themselves, such as Ashland Cottage at 321 Main Street.

Here is the link if you’d like to watch the movie: http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/coming-home-for-christmas. And if you want to see some of the wonderful Ridgefield Estate Homes that are for sale, contact me.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone and welcome to the Holidays!

Mortgage Rates Are Highest Since July

While mortgage rates remain historically low, there has been a slight increase over the past few months, resulting in borrowers paying more over the life of the loan.

Freddie Mac released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS^®), showing the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate moving to its highest mark since July. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage reached its highest average since July this week.

“The 10-year Treasury yield ticked up 6 basis points, while the 30-year mortgage rate jumped 5 basis points to 3.95 percent,” says Sean Becketti, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “Today’s survey rate is the highest rate in nearly four months.”

Freddie Mac reports the following national averages with mortgage rates for the week ending Nov. 16:

30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.95 percent, with an average 0.5 point, rising from last week’s 3.90 percent average. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 3.94 percent.
15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.31 percent, with an average 0.5 point, rising from last week’s 3.24 percent average. A year ago, 15-year rates averaged 3.14 percent.
5-year hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 3.21 percent this week, with an average 0.4 point, falling slightly from last week’s 3.22 percent average. A year ago, 5-year ARMs averaged 3.07 percent.

The takeaway, is that while borrowing is still the least expensive it’s ever been, you may want to think about jumping into the market sooner rather than later. There is also less competition, realistic pricing, and motivated sellers especially during the traditionally quieter Holiday period, so it’s a great time to look.

Source: Freddie Mac

Do You Want To Live Like A Hollywood Producer?

Picture the glitz and glamor of old Hollywood, pair it with every modern convenience and move it all to bucolic Ridgefield. Welcome to 23 Pin Pack Road. Home to a noted Hollywood producer, the spectacular residence was recently featured in the Danbury News-Times as its cover story and it doesn’t disappoint.

The sophisticated & enchanting 3/4 bedroom, 1920s mini-estate is situated close to town and reflects exceptional Stone & Tudor architecture. Completely rebuilt in 2011 by an award-winning builder, it features a stunning saltwater pool & spa with beautiful high-end resort like appointments and an exercise area open to expansive outdoor patios. The exceptional mix of wood & stone, soaring ceilings, multiple fireplaces and amazing millwork are hallmarks, while an incredible gourmet chef’s kitchen and breakfast area connect to a fabulous great room featuring a coffered ceiling & stone fireplace. The master retreat includes a sitting room/office, and His & Her separate baths & dressing rooms. Three additional bedroom options with beautifully appointed baths plus sensational outdoor living areas including stone patios with pergolas and open air stone decking, make this a great entertaining home. An additional charming studio on the property is great as an office or additional workspace. Like no other!

To make an appointment to view the home, please contact me.

‘Fairhaven’ Is A True Fair Haven According To HOME Monthly Magazine

We were thrilled when HOME Monthly asked to feature our beautiful listing on 209 West Lane in Ridgefield for their November issue. From the minute we walked into the home, we knew it was something special and it seems, so did HOME.

Fairhaven – as it is known – is a wonderful mix of vintage and transitional design that encompasses the best in workmanship, flow and elegant features. Tucked away behind mature trees & setback from the road, it is a spectacularly renovated gem that radiates warmth & sophistication at every turn. Once the home of film star Geraldine Farrar, the floor plan gently meanders from one room to another, seamlessly blending the indoor & outdoor living areas to create a perfect entertaining space. The stunning breezeway, with amazing views of the private yard, connects the lower level pool house to the main rooms including a fabulous updated kitchen, formal living & dining rooms, a study, music room, covered porches & more. The gunite pool & multiple terraces, plus lovely open porches are surrounded by mature trees and fabulous perennial gardens. The home borders Silver Spring Country Club and you can be in NYC in just over 1 hour to. It’s truly exceptional!

Read more about what makes this home so special in this month’s HOME Monthly. If you are interested in purchasing the home or setting up a time to view it, please contact me.

Winter Is Coming! Is Your Home Ready?

It seems like just yesterday we were basking in the glow of a warm Fall, but make no mistake, these last few days have brought a definite chill to the air. If you haven’t already, here’s a small checklist of things you can do around the home as a quick check-up before the snow starts falling.

1. Seal It Up
Caulk and seal around exterior door and window frames. Look for gaps where pipes or wiring enter the home and caulk those as well. Not only does heat escape from these openings, but water, insects, or maybe mice can enter and may eventually cause other problems.

2. Give It A Check Up
View the roof for missing or damaged shingles. Winter weather can cause serious damage to a vulnerable roof, leading to a greater chance of further damage inside the home. Although you should always have a qualified professional inspect and repair the roof, you can do a preliminary survey from the ground using binoculars.

3. Clear It Out
Clear gutters and valleys of leaves, sticks, and other debris through the autumn months to keep the water moving. Consider installing leaf guards if your gutters can accommodate them – they are real time savers and can prevent damage from clogged gutters. Check the joints between sections of gutter and at the corners, as well as between the gutter and downspouts. Make any necessary adjustments or repairs.

4. Hoses & Spigots
Make a note in Outlook for the end of next month to drain the garden hoses and store them indoors to protect them from the elements. Shut off outdoor faucets and make sure exterior pipes are drained of water. Faucets and pipes can easily freeze and burst, causing leaks and potentially serious water damage.

5. Warm-Ups
Beat the rush and have the heating system serviced to ensure it’s in safe and good working order. Replace disposable furnace air filters or clean the permanent type according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Using a clean filter will help the furnace run more efficiently, saving you money and energy.

6. Light That Fire
If you enjoy the crackle of a wood-burning fireplace on a chilly fall evening, have the firebox and chimney professionally cleaned before using it this season. Wood stoves too! Creosote, a byproduct of wood burning, can build up to dangerous levels and cause a serious chimney fire if not removed.

Original article courtesy of Pillar To Post Home Inspection 2017

Ridgefield Market Report October 2017

October saw a decline in market activity, which is not uncommon given the usual frenzy that sets in as people start thinking about the Holidays. Encouragingly, the Median Value for single-family homes sold Ridgefield is up over the same time period last year, as were the number of properties that went under contract.

To see how October shook out in Ridgefield real estate , you can click for a snapshot of the market, or a breakdown by price.

MEDIAN SALES PRICE and CLOSED SALES
The number of closed sales was down over the same time last year with 28 properties selling as compared to 35 in 2016. This translated to a 20% decrease year-over-year. Overall however, 324 properties have sold compared to 304 by the same time last year, which represented a 6.6% increase. The Median Sales Price increased this month from $604,000 in October 2016 to $628,750 in October 2017. The year-to-date median value is on par with 2016 sitting at $640,000. Overall, all indicators point to the fact that it has been a steady year for real estate when compared with 2016.

PROPERTIES UNDER CONTRACT
The number of properties that went under contract increased over last year with 40 properties under contract compared to 27 in 2016. This represents a 48.1% increase. Overall, in 2017 we have seen an 8.4% increase in buyers jumping into the market, with 334 properties going under contract since the beginning of the year, compared to 308 last year.

DAYS ON MARKET and INVENTORY
We are still dealing with a shortage of properties available for sale this month. The months of inventory has decreased to only 7.9 months compared with 14.4 months last year. Forty new properties entered the market this month, compared with 51 last year, while the average days on market has decreased by 15% over October 2016 with homes spending an average of 149 days instead of 175 on the market before selling.

November and December are a traditionally slower time of year in the Ridgefield real estate market, but there are deals to be had if you’re looking to buy. If you’ve been thinking of selling, take this time to prepare your home by updating, cleaning and decluttering. Also, feel free to contact me for my complimentary Comparative Market Analysis to find out what your home’s worth in today’s market.

We continue to lead the market with the most comprehensive, proven marketing initiatives allowing your home to be in front of the widest audience possible on a local, regional, national and global level. We recognize your home is your biggest asset and both Buyers and Sellers experience an unparalleled level of customer service when working with us. Contact us today!

October KMM report