How to Downsize in Greenwich Without Compromising

Having the opportunity to market and show Milbank Court, a wonderful in-town community of 17 town homes located in downtown Greenwich CT, I have learned that many of today’s buyers are looking to simplify their lives and homeownership responsibilities.

Some of the buyers I have met are interested in downsizing out of a larger home, stating they are “empty nesters” as their children have moved on. They still need a guest room or two for out-of-town visitors. Some have grand children who need play space. Many of these buyers are also interested in lowering their property taxes so I encounter a lot of people coming from New York State. Some of them are multiple homeowners and will only spend part of the year in Greenwich. Everyone wishes to lose the property maintenance that a larger home with land requires.

Milbank Court has many solutions for the downsizing buyer, offering easy living in a community close to downtown Greenwich and all that has to offer. As most of you know, downtown Greenwich has a multitude of restaurants, shops, parks with tennis courts, a ferry that takes passengers to the local islands and beaches, Metro North train to NYC, local gym’s including the new YMCA -- all within walking distance.

Each unit is delivered complete with a fresh renovation offering the best in today’s interior finishes. Each home is an end unit featuring light and bright interior spaces. The buyers are pleased to find the brand new bathrooms and fresh clean kitchen exhibiting honed marble counter tops and stainless steel professional grade appliances. Three to four bedroom units include a finished lower level space with a full bathroom and laundry.  Multiple windows bring in natural light. This turn key  offering allows the buyer to move right without the hassle of costly updates.

Unique to the townhouse marketplace, Milbank Court offers private outdoor space. Buyer’s have been delighted to find a covered front porch that makes a nice sitting area and a separate patio ideal for a table and grill. Mature landscaping and gardens throughout the grounds create a lush presentation.

Importantly, the property taxes are about $10,000 a year and common charges only around $500 a month based on the size of the unit which takes care of the landscaping, snow removal, refuse collection, some building maintenance and more. This allows the home owner freedom to travel and enjoy their second home.

Low property taxes and common charges coupled with a turn-key renovation and low maintenance makes for an easy solution for those interested in downsizing and simplifying.

The price point is attractive compared to the Greenwich real estate marketplace with units priced from $1,795,000 to $2,050,000. First Republic Bank has a loan package for qualified buyers. Find more information and view the various floor plan options at www.milbankcourt.com.

The devil is in the details: make the right materials choices on your next Greenwich home

Sometimes its the little things that matter most when you invest in residential real estate in Greenwich.

Let me give you an example with regards to choosing materials for your counter tops.

There are many choices when it comes to counter tops such as granite, marble, soapstone, wood, stainless steel, laminate, quartz and more. However, If you decide to use marble your decision is only half way complete.

In addition to what type of marble you will choose, you will also have to decide what the finish is going to be. Honed or shiny?

What is Honed? Honed is a matte finish that is applied to the stone. The dull finish is created by using a machine or an acid bath. This is a soft look versus the shiny polished version. The Honed finish is more prone to etching. What is an Etch? An Etch is a mark created in the stone. 

Marble is a very soft stone and is prone to etching. Acidic products cause this effect by actually eating away a minute portion of the stone’s surface. A drop of red wine, lemon juice, tomato sauce or even a wet margarita glass can cause this effect. The calcium carbonate in the stone allows this to happen as it reacts with the acid found in most of the foods we eat every day. An etch is not damaging, it’s character building and can only be slightly seen at certain angles. Etching occurs mainly when a honed finish treatment is applied to the counter top.

Etching is part of the reason some homeowners decide to go with honed counter tops as it has a classic look to it with character that tells a story about the enjoyment of the use of the kitchen’s past.

At Milbank Court in downtown Greenwich all the marble kitchen counter tops are designed with a honed finish which has been very well received by the buyers who have toured the complex. With 70% of the units sold, it’s clear the designer made the right design decision based on today's taste.

Carrera marble is one of the most economical choices within the marble family, priced around $60 per square foot. New counter tops are an easy and affordable upgrade to any kitchen or bath and Carrera marble is one of those timeless materials that will be in style when you decide to sell.

So as you look at an investment in Greenwich residential real estate, thinking about the little things can make a big difference in the quality of the time you spend there, and the price you earn when you sell.

Residential Greenwich Home Renovation Projects

The Three Keys to Success for Greenwich Home Renovation Projects

Flashback to 1974 listening to my mother negotiate a residential real estate deal on the orange rotary dial phone with the long curly cord while sitting at the Formica counter top with the linoleum floor and bright multi-colored floral wall paper. All of these finishes were in style at the time. Today, we see honed marble counter tops, wood floors, professional grade stainless steel appliances, and trendy  light grey toned wall colors.

Having extensive experience in renovating homes I can help clients make material choices as to the finishes that will add value to an eventual sale. For example, in my 15+ year career, Subway tile in the bathroom has never gone out of style.

I grew up in Cos Cob and watched my father expand our home over the years. I can still smell the pine from the construction materials. I renovated my first home in Cos Cob and sold it to move to another renovation and expansion project in Old Greenwich. This property attracted three full price offers when listed over the Thanksgiving holiday! Currently, I Iive on a mid country cul-de-sac and have almost completed the renovation of our classic New England colonial.

When I am looking at homes I generally seek out criteria that will provide a strong understanding of the condition of the home.

• Item 1: It is important to understand how the house is constructed. The furniture and decorating goes away as the seller will take it with them so concentrate on what you are purchasing which is the structure. Ceiling heights are obvious but is the sheet rock ¼ inch or ½ inch? Are the doors solid wood, Masonite, or hollow core?
• Item 2: I always go into the basement where many important features are exposed. Is the foundation poured concrete, block or stone? Each is different and one is better than the others. How about the plumbing? Is it copper piping, Appex, or brass? Depending on the era of the home there could be signs of Asbestos which needs to be removed. A sump pump and curtain drain system may be used to keep the basement dry. Is the system equipped with a battery back up in case of a power outage or is it hooked up to a generator?
• Item 3: How about the roof material, is it asphalt 30 year architectural shingle or is it wood. If its wood is it constructed on lath or on ply wood? If on plywood, did they use cedar breather to allow the wood shingles to breath and prolong the life of the roof?

Patio’s too. Are the stones laid in stone dust which may not last as long as cement?

I have a passion for finding my clients the right home for their needs in all parts of town weather it’s a single family home that is new construction, needs a renovation or a tear down. Town homes are popular. I am currently working with buyers and sellers in the down town market place. We represent Milbank Court which is a wonderful in town community of 17 town homes that are freshly renovated offering turn-key living and selling quickly.

Contact me below and I will be glad to discuss with you how to sell or purchase your home successfully.