Tag Archive for: Luxury Homes

Ridgefield Equestrian Property Listed For $55 Million

A former dairy farm owned by one of Canada’s most important rail men is heading to market for $55,000,000. The property, which spans over 100 acres, features luxe accommodations for horses and humans alike. Hunter Harrison, the current owner, had planned on settling down at the property indefinitely, but after once again returning to the rail industry and spending much of his time elsewhere, he has decided to sell. Surrounded on all sides by rolling hills, the property takes full advantage of the considerable natural beauty in Ridgefield.

Stretching along both sides of Old Stagecoach Road, the expansive estate features a range of equestrian and human amenities. For the horses, Harrison installed a 3.5 acre jumping field, two barns, indoor and outdoor riding rings, and multiple enclosed outdoor areas. In addition to their gorgeous barns, the horses have access to an equine spa and treadmill.

No expense was spared for two-legged inhabitants of the farm either. The property features two smaller homes in addition to the 14,500 square foot main house. Even with a lavishly appointed living room featuring 38 foot ceilings and multiple fireplaces, the main home is easy to overlook in light of the sheer variety and quality of the property’s amenities. In addition to the extensive equestrian facilities, the home is equipped to meet any sportsman’s desires. It also features a 7-car garage, a golf room with virtual golf, a wine cellar, and a koi pond. Rounding out the home’s recreational features are a Jacuzzi spa and a waterfall behind the house.

This property represents the height of luxury and an exciting development in Ridgefield real estate. The owner’s choice of Ridgefield attests to the rustic charm of the town, while also confirming the relevance of Ridgefield in the current luxury market.

Sally Slater of Douglas Elliman holds the listing. She aims to expand the home’s marketing to the emerging areas of equestrian interest in the Middle East and China.

For what’s happening in the Ridgefield Real Estate market, sign up below or view my comprehensive market reviews.

New On Our Website – Real-Time Real Estate Market Reports

Being informed about the real estate market in your chosen town is crucial when determining pricing, or reviewing purchasing options. I believe that constantly examining and interpreting what’s going on in home sales allows me to gain much needed insight into how real estate is trending, so I’m very excited to announce the availability of a new tool for your complimentary use – “Know My Market“.

This great resource allows you to search towns or zip codes in Fairfield County, and provides you with a comprehensive snapshot of what the local real estate market is doing. Using charts and graphs, it allows you to gain insight into:
1. Median sold price
2. Average days on market
3. Properties that opened escrow
4. New properties for sale
5. Months of supply of inventory
6. Closed sales

To use Know My Market, simply start typing in the town or zip code you want to research, click on the drop down menu when you see it listed, and choose what type of home you’d like to see reports for. Then scroll through the graphs to gain a clearer picture of what’s going on in that local market. You can even save the report and print it out.

Whether you’re a first-time home buyer, seller, investor, or in the market for a luxury home, starting here will help you gain valuable information. To learn more about my interpretation of the Ridgefield and area real estate market, view my comprehensive Mid-Year or Year In Review Market Reports.

To get a copy of the 2013 Year In Review Real Estate Market Report delivered directly to your inbox, sign up below or contact me directly.

Ridgefield Ranked #1 Town in Connecticut

According to Connecticut Magazine, Ridgefield was again ranked number one for towns with a median home value of over $300,000, edging out Darien, New Canaan, Wilton and even Greenwich to claim the top spot. Minuscule crime rates, world-class public schools and a thriving local economy all contributed to the high ranking.

With a median 2013 sale price of $605,000, and a 2012 high school graduation rate of 98.2%, Ridgefield is a great family town!

For more information, see the full article here.

Ridgefield’s Luxury Real Estate Follows The Trend

The luxury real estate market is almost a unique product in the modern economy. It behaves in a way that is atypical of other products. Christie’s International Real Estate reports in its 2012 market report ‘Luxury Defined’ that although luxury real estate remains “driven by global economic and political trends, the luxury property market continues to see activity that remains relatively impervious to these [economic trends] and more closely follows the luxury goods market”. For buyers today, this means that luxury real estate is not only an enjoyable experience for those that can afford it, but also a good investment.

Last year, the selling prices of luxury goods rose more quickly than the general economy. The Bain annual report of the state of the luxury market finds that the market for luxury products and services is experiencing steady growth. Compared to general U.S. housing prices, which are expected to increase only one or two percent a year, the luxury market is a top performer. “Luxury residential purchases, even trophy properties, can be considered a conservative investment,” Christie’s reports, just as real estate continues to be most individual’s way of storing money.

In Ridgefield, we are seeing a slow uptick in the number of luxury home sales in the $2 million plus range, resulting in five closed sales in 2012 compared with two in 2011. With interest rates still at record lows, and money cheap, it’s a great time to think about getting into the luxury real estate market.

You can download the full Christie’s International Real Estate ‘Luxury Defined’ market report here. For more information about my luxury listings, or to view all luxury properties in Ridgefield and greater Fairfield County, search the MLS. And don’t forget to sign up below to receive new properties directly to your inbox.