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Home sales in southwestern Fairfield County rose in some towns in July and held steady in others, bucking a nation-wide slump.
"We are starting to see more consistent activity in the market," says Lois Lehman of Al Filippone Associates in Fairfield. "Sellers are beginning to adjust to the new market conditions and are pricing their homes more realistically."
Across the country, sales of existing homes were sharply lower in July down 25.5 percent from July 2009 -- according to figures just released by the National Association of Realtors. The federal home buyer tax credit expired in June, removing a major incentive for younger buyers.
Filippone reported a healthy increase in sales in Darien and Westport. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage said the number of sales in Greenwich was off by just a few houses, showing the strength of the market there compared with national trends. Median prices in Greenwich rose compared with a year ago.
Susan and Laura Calabrese of Coldwell Banker in Greenwich offered this advice to homeowners eager to sell: "With the interest rates holding on the low side and money available to buyers with good credit, selling a home comes down to smart pricing." Activity picks up in September and sales are expected to, also.
Bozena Jablonski of Halstead Properties adds, "Homes that are in mint condition and properly staged generate much more interest, so anyone looking for a quick sale should consider hiring a professional to make their home visually appealing to buyers."
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