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Brokers Barbara Sivba and her husband, Arnie and their team, "The Sivba Group" of Coldwell Banker are the top-selling team around Candlewood Lake and Lake Lillinonah and provide a wealth of info for those curious about lake life in this region.
Always a draw for full time residents, in more recent years,the lake regions have attracted buyers looking for second homes or weekend/summer retreats from New York City, eastern New Jersey, Westchester and Lower Fairfield counties. Activities including shopping , dining and water sports such as waterskiing, boating , fishing and more have made this area an ideal choice.
With a property size and location to suit almost every pocketbook or need, the lake regions have become a sought after retreat for the wealthy, as well as the everyday consumer looking to escape busy city life.
Candlewood Lake, which is 17 miles long and two miles wide, borders the towns of Danbury, New Fairfield, Sherman, Brookfield and New Milford.
“People like a lot of things about Candlewood Lake,’’ Barbara said. “They like the proximity to the city, New Jersey and lower Westchester County. It’s a large enough lake to enjoy a variety of water sports and activities but it’s not overwhelming. And you can find the environment you’re looking for, be it a quieter more secluded lake hideaway at the northern end of the lakes and more active lifestyle at the southern tip.”
Candlewood Lake is the largest in Connecticut. It was constructed in the late 1920s to serve as power plant for Connecticut Light and Power. It includes over 60 miles of shoreline, and shortly after it was completed in 1928, many small houses were built around it.
“Many of the homes built around the lake in the 1930s were getaway homes for people from New York,’’ Sivba said. “It was similar in feel to the Adirondacks but closer. Since then, many of those homes have been renovated and added on to in communities such as Candlewood Isle, Birch Groves, The Knolls, Ferris Estates and others.”
Candlewood Lake is now surrounded by 90 communities, and many with amenities such as tennis, clubhouses, private beaches and more.
Candlewood Lake Club in Brookfield and New Milford, for instance, includes a 9-hole golf course, beach, tennis and club. Candlewood Isle in New Fairfield offers some of the most sought after renovated lake homes, clubhouse with summer camp for children, tennis and fabulous beach area. Candlewood Shores and Arrowhead Point in Brookfield offer some of the most level lakefronts and proximity to shopping on Federal Road.
Sail Harbour, which encompasses New Fairfield and Sherman, includes a lakefront clubhouse with outdoor patio area, sand beach , dock and swimming area. It also has a private marina with boat slips for each off water property.
Sivba said that while nearly nearly 60 percent of the homes surrounding Candlewood Lake are inhabited year-round, many now draw for the second home owner.
Among Sivba’s current listings are homes at 37 Lake Drive North and 51 Lake Drive North on Candlewood Isle. The homes offer updated kitchens and baths but plenty of lake charm and unique ownership of land below the lake. Another listing is a two-bedroom, one-bath cottage with 1,700 square feet with lofty views and private dock for $429,900.
One of her estate listings at 52 Sail Harbour in New Fairfield, asking $4.25 million, offers 2.46 acres, 5 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 6 fireplaces and nearly 10,000 square feet of luxury living.
“If you are looking to be in a lake community, prices off water offer entry level opportunities at $250K to $350K with amenities ,’’ Sivba said. “Waterfront properties tend to hold higher value. You can find some wonderful properties from the 500K range to the multi-millions and many options in between.That’s what makes it so desirable. There’s something for everybody.”
For more information or a tour by land or lake, contact Barbara Sivba at 203-667-4336. Visit the Sivba team's website at http://www.candlewoodlakere.com/
