Tag Archive for: Weston

Fairfield County Schools Are Making The Grade

The most recent ranking by the U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools places many Fairfield County public high schools among the Top 10 schools in Connecticut, with Wilton, Redding, Westport, Weston and Ridgefield – the real estate markets I service – making the cut. This year’s rankings within Connecticut place Weston, 3rd; Ridgefield, 4th; Wilton, 6th; Westport’s Staples High School, 7th; and Redding, 9th.

Although Fairfield County has a reputation for academic excellence, these schools constitute an extraordinary example of high standards. The rankings were assigned based on the level of proficiency in reading and mathematics, as well as the students’ performance on standardized tests and the performance of minority students.

This year’s rankings continue a well-established trend in our county. Ridgefield, for example, has maintained its ranking to within one position for a number of years. Among its 2013 graduating class are over a dozen students headed to Ivy League institutions, as well as a number of students who will matriculate to similarly impressive schools, among them the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon, Johns Hopkins, West Point, and the University of Chicago. Ridgefield has also had major athletic success, with students moving on to Division I sports at universities such as Princeton, Brown, and Columbia.

Ridgefield, though impressive, is not atypical. Our other towns have also performed historically well. Between the bucolic charm of historical Fairfield County and the draw of the excellent schools, our towns are all perfect choices for raising children and living well.

US News & World Report

Get It Sold: Quick Tips For Home Staging

So, you want to sell your home quickly? Then you’d better get staging. One of the most important parts of getting your home ready for the market is making it look like it just stepped out of the pages of a Pottery Barn catalogue. Stop looking at your home through your sentimental eyes and start thinking like a buyer. Would you want to see a picture wall full of kids you don’t know, or a fresh coat of neutral paint that allows you to imagine what a great picture wall you could hang in that space? Here are some quick ways you can spruce up each of the most important rooms in your home and make buyers say “how much?”

Overall – one of the most common problems we encounter is that there is simply too much ‘stuff’ in the home. In general, we recommend moving excess seating, toys, clothing, tables, and personal items to the garage or basement.

Bathroom – it needs to be spotless. Ensure that towels are crisp white and that you clear all of your everyday bathroom necessities off the countertops. Beautify the room with coordinating candles, soaps and flowers.

Bedrooms – whether it’s the master bedroom or the kid’s rooms, the bedding needs to always look freshly laundered. Invest in puffy, decorative pillows and place them on the bed over an inviting comforter. Remove nightstand paraphernalia, and organize and declutter closets.

Kitchen, breakfast areas, and the dining room table – remove everything from the countertops except for a couple of stylish items. Set the table and breakfast areas in an inviting way by laying centerpieces, candles, napkins, place settings and stemware.

Living room – when it really comes down to it, minimalism is the way to go. A couch, coffee table and beautiful floors are enough in most homes. If you have a very large room, an additional couch or loveseat, end tables, and a rug may be in order. If you have a wall unit, mantle or built-ins, make sure to treat each shelf as its own showpiece.

To find out more about how staging affects the perceived value and emotional impact of your home, contact me.