Archive for March, 2008
Ridgefield, CT Home Sales Report: March 2008
March 13th, 2008 categories: Buying Your House, Market Data & Statistics, Ridgefield, Selling Your House, Talking Real Estate
February single-family closings show a drop from Feb. 2007 (continuing the trend from last month). I did, however, notice a flurry of buyers out to look at properties with several coming forth with reasonable offers. Even with lousy weather the past 3 weekends (snow, snow, then rain), buyers are consistently viewing our listings.
My buyers have seen mortgage rates increase over the past few weeks so make certain that you discuss “rate locks” with your mortgage professional. Even with this rate increase, home buyers are still enjoying some of the cheapest money in history. We’ve probably seen the bottom of the mortgage rate curve for this cycle; it’s unknown how home prices will react. Buyers must keep in mind that even if prices continue to soften, rising rates will more than wipe out whatever might have been gained by waiting.
Related Posts:
- Home Sales Roundup: Ridgefield, Redding and Wilton CT - February 2008
- Grab your Pick Ax Now! Why You Need to Mine Nuggets From Ridgefield’s Mountain of MLS Data
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Where To Go For Arts & Culture Around Ridgefield, Wilton & Redding CT
March 9th, 2008 categories: Buying Your House, Cultural Resources, Eat, Drink and Be Amused, Redding, Ridgefield, Wilton
When I moved to Ridgefield from Manhattan in 2001, I was not sure whether I was going to have culture shock when I settled in, or whether there was going to be any culture here at all! I have been pleasantly surprised to find not only a vibrant arts community here, but, a bevy of high-caliber arts institutions, theaters and organizations in and around the area. You will be amazed at how much there is to do and see for the arts conscious… Here is just a sampling.
The Venues for Art and the Performing Arts Near Ridgefield, Wilton and Redding
The Ridgefield Playhouse is Ridgefield’s answer to a Las Vegas show theater on a, well, smaller, less flashy scale. The Cass
Gilbert designed theater is the perfect venue for top dance, music, theater, comedy and magic performances from around the world. It is also our only movie house in Ridgefield, and shows first-run films, changing from week to week.
The Ridgefield Theater Barn has been providing quality live theater productions to Ridgefield and the surrounding communities for 42 years. The theater offers a comfortable, intimate setting with cabaret seating for most events. I have performed in two productions at “the barn”, “Is There Life After High School?”, a musical, and most recently a play reading of “5 Minute Date”, and original script by local Ridgefield playwright, Jean Goldsmyth. It was both an honor and a privilege to work with Jean and some very talented local actors.
The Ridgefield Guild of Artists is a regional and community-based art organization that promotes the visual arts and arts education by providing high quality gallery space for exhibitions, art classes for children and adults, opportunities for artist-in residency programs, and art lectures on-site and in collaboration with other cultural organizations. It is amazing to see the talent and energy created by a local arts project. On May 3, 2008, the Guild will be holding an event called “Paint The Town” to celebrate Ridgefield’s 300th Anniversary. More information to come on Real Estate Chocolate.
The Wilton Playshop has been a part of Wilton’s cultural cornucopia for nearly 70 years, making it one of the longest continuously running community theatres in the northeast. The Playshop caters to a wide variety of theatrical tastes with up to five major productions during its season which runs from October to August.
The Ridgfield Symphony Orchestra (RSO) is another one of Ridgefield’s cultural gifts. The Orchestra debuted on April 4, 1965, and since then has grown to a full-scale orchestra of 70 to 100 professional musicians. The RSO has engaged a number of Music Directors during its history including Beatrice Brown for 25 years and Sidney Rothstein who became its Music Director in 1996. The RSO is currently searching for a new Music Director and four of the finalists will be engaged for the 2007-08 Season. One permanent Music Director will be selected at the close of the season, and the audiences will participate.
The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum is one of the few non-collecting, world renown, contemporary art museums in the United States. The Aldrich was founded on Ridgefield’s historic Main Street in 1964. Exhibitions feature work by emerging and mid-career artists, and education programs is targeted at helping adults and children to “connect to today’s world through contemporary art”. The Museum is located at 258 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877.
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The Phoenix Rises on Main Street, Ridgefield
March 7th, 2008 categories: Local Events, Ridgefield, Talking Real Estate
Ridgefield’s picturesque Main Street is the envy of most every Connecticut town. Folks come from all over to enjoy our shops, sidewalks and hospitality.
That’s why Ridgefielders were so shocked in May of 2005 to learn that one of our most beloved Main Street buildings burned to the ground. (This blog provides some insight into the loss) Luckily the horrible fire only claimed property and spared all those sleeping in the a four apartments above Bissells Pharmacy and Gail’s Station House restaurant.
Although those beloved businesses successfully relocated, the void on Main Street has been an ongoing reminder of that painful night. After waiting nearly 3 years, we are all grateful that the “phoenix is rising”. The rebuilding has begun and sometime this fall, Ridgefield’s famous Main Street will be back intact. The developer will maintains that the new structure, using modern building techniques, will maintain a similar look and feel as the original.
The Main Street Fire in Ridgefield, CT
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Everything You Need to Know About Ridgefield Schools
March 5th, 2008 categories: Ridgefield, Schools, Talking Real Estate
Every Ridgefield kid is offered one of the best public educations in Conecticut.
Our schools help make Ridgefield Connecticut’s #1 Town year after year. As a town, we’ve got the optimal number of students (~1800 in the high school, ~5600 total) to provide a balanced education rich in curriculum, sports and additional learning opportunities. Our students consistently score high in standardized tests and our graduating seniors enroll at the top colleges and universities. Read this report: Strategic School Profile
Our Board of Ed makes every effort to assure a top quality education for each student in the system. Here’s a rundown of the school system, the Ridgefield Board of Education, and some additional resources to acquaint you with the school system:
Ridgefield, CT Public Schools
6 Elementary Schools:
- Veterans Park Elementary School
- Farmingville Elementary School
- Ridgebury Elementary School
- Scotland Elementary School
- Barlow Mountain Elementary School
- Branchville Elementary School
2 Middle Schools:
1 High School
Ridgefield School System and Ridgefield Board of Ed
The Ridgefield Board of Education is composed of Keith Miller - Chairman, Austin Drukker - Vice Chairman, Sandi Rose - Secretary, Joe Buczek, Russell Katz, Katherine McGerald, Lyn Merrill, Richard Steinhart and Paul Sutherland. These 9 members are dedicated to providing a top-notch education. And they do this very cost effectively: the best education with below average per-pupil costs. If you’re moving to Ridgefield and would like to meet with any school principal, just call the district office at 431-2800 x2014 to make an appointment. Additionally, to register you son or daughter for school, you’ll need to call the school directly:
Ridgefield High School 203-438-3785
East Ridge Middle School 203-438-3744
Scotts Ridge Middle School 203-894-3400
Barlow Mountain Elementary School 203-894-7700
Branchville Elementary School 203-544-7980
Farmingville Elementary School 203-431-2830
Ridgebury Elementary School 203-438-6555
Scotland Elementary School 203-438-6563
Veterans Park Elementary School 203-438-6571
To learn more about the Ridgefield Public Schools, see About Our Schools and the Strategic School Profile
Contact me if you’ve got any questions regarding schools in Ridgefield. Lynda and I have 1 daughter in middle school and 1 in high school. Our kids have been in Farmingville and Barlow Mountain elementary schools and we have been “very involved” over the last 10 years: I’ve been a PTA board member and my wife has been PTA president, class mom several times, etc… We would be delighted to answer any questions you might have from a parents perspective. Just let us know how we can help!
Must Read:
How Ridgefield and Redding are Like This Year’s Super Bowl Winner
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6 Reasons Why South Ridgefield Is Such A Popular Place To Live
March 2nd, 2008 categories: Buying Your House, Recreation & Sports, Ridgefield, Schools, Talking Real Estate, Wilton
Many people who are looking for a home in Ridgefield, CT choose to start their search in popular South Ridgefield. Aside from the close proximity to Town Center, South Ridgefield is sought-after for the following reasons:
1) South Ridgefield is close to other popular towns like Wilton, Westport and New Canaan in Connecticut and Bedford, Pound Ridge and South Salem, in New York.
2) South Ridgefield is very convenient for NYC commuters. It is the closest point in Ridgefield to I-684 and the Merritt Parkway for driving to New York City. The Katonah and Branchville commuter train stations are also close by.
3) For golf lovers, Silver Spring Country Club is located in South Ridgefield.
4) The terrain of South Ridgefield is beautiful. There are rolling hills and lovely homes set on picturesque properties. It is all residential, very quiet and private.
5) South Ridgefield is an easy commute to Greenwich, Stamford, and White Plains, NY from South Ridgefield.
6) Ridgefield schools are among the best in Connecticut.
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