Here are some Questions I often receive from clients…
along with my Answers:Q: Do you work more with Sellers or Buyers?A: It’s about 50-50, by choice. As a listing agent, when I host Broker Open Houses and Public Open Houses, I am working with Buyers, in the Seller’s interest. I I find that the more direct experience I have with Buyers, the sharper Listing Agent I become because I am in touch with what Buyers WANT NOW in each of the towns that I serve and can use those inputs to guide listing timing, pricing, staging, photos, marketing keywords and even open house timing. I also often assist Sellers trading up or downsizing locally with their next purchase, and–ideally–timing the two deals (sale/purchase) to advantage. First-time home Buyers also are a particular favorite. They have done the homework to become online real estate experts, are not yet locked into one town and look to me to show them–across towns–how to secure the most value for their money without losing touch with their lifestyle dreams and goals.Q: Why do you call your market area “My CT Gold Coast”?A: VALUE! Immediate and long-term…Frankly, I find that–once you move east of New Canaan and Darien–Buyers get more for their money while still enjoying the economic strength and diversity of the New York Metro and Fairfield County areas, including commuter rail transportation, highways, airports and all of the educational, cultural and culinary amenities of mid-Coast Fairfield County Connecticut. Over time, as my husband and I know from personal experience, owners enjoy relative stability in their home values, growth over time and a favorable return on their initial investment.Q: You seem to know a lot about the history of the area…?A: True! I’m a past president of the Westport Historical Society and am full of fun facts. Here are some examples:
- Prior to Puritan Settlement, Connecticut’s indigenous tribes lived along the Sound in the summer (farming and fishing), then moved inland for the winter to be closer to game
- ALL of the towns that I serve were acquired for Puritan settlement in 1639-40 by Roger Ludlow, the Oxford-educated lawyer credited with writing the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, America’s first Constitution.
- Remarkably, the Town of Fairfield (est. 1639) once comprised what today is Fairfield, Westport (east of the Saugatuck River), Weston, Easton, Redding (below Cross Hwy) and Black Rock.
- Norwalk (est. 1640) once comprised what today is Norwalk, Rowayton, Wilton and Westport (west of the Saugatuck River).
- Early in the American Revolution (April, 1777), 2,000 British Troops landed at Compo Beach (now Westport), headed for Danbury; the difficulties they encountered dissuaded further inland invasions for the balance of the war, although Norwalk and Fairfield both suffered burning.
- The last link in the Maine to Georgia Railroad was New Haven to New York. Why? Coastal Connecticut’s many waterways emptying into Long Island Sound required an abundance of bridges.
- The MyCTGoldCoast towns were centers of maritime commerce, farming, fishing, lumber and light industry until the growth of the railroad, New York City and the industrial revolution pushed those activities west.
- In the 20th century, Westport-Weston had America’s largest population per capita of leading artists.
- The only National Park in Connecticut is Weir Farm, in Wilton.
To ask YOUR Questions, why not call me now at 203-246-0543?
Dorothy E. Curran
Top Producer
Weichert, Realtors
191 Main Street
Westport, CT 06880
cell: 203.246.0543