The Real Estate Chronicle Archive 
 
Welcome to The Real Estate Chronicle Newletter archive.
 
This is a list of all of the newsletters sent since our launch in April of 2011. Each contains a perspective on the local markets; Westport, Weston, Wilton, Fairfield and Norwalk; market activity, including sales, prices and days on market; as well as access to the multiple listing service to search for all homes currently listed for sale.
 
If you like what you see and would like to begin receiving a copy each month, click on the "Subscribe to the Chronicle" link below.
 
Don't hesitate to call me at 203-247-6765 or email, if you have any questions.
 
Steven
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  • Sept 2016 Chronicle  (9/9/2016)
  • August is traditionally a quieter month for real estate as agents and consumers take family holidays and prepare for the start of school. However, this year we experienced a more active market place with many agents steadily working through the month with their clients.
  • August 2016 Chronicle  (8/11/2016)
  • August is likely the most predictable month of the year when it comes to gauging market activity. Like previous years, we are seeing slower activity and quieter open houses. Buyers and sellers are taking their vacations, enjoying the lazy days of summer as well as beginning to prepare for the start of school.
  • July 2016 Chronicle  (7/8/2016)
  • As the summer unfolds, market breadth continues to blur the seasonality we have come to expect. No longer are the summer doldrums as much a factor. Our current market remains active with new properties being listed, although fewer than in the past, with the best in class being purchased.
  • June 2016 Chronicle  (6/23/2016)
  • June activity remains steady; that being said the data points on my market action reports are much more optimistic than what we are feeling in the streets.
  • May 2016 Chronicle  (5/20/2016)
  • As May is the heart of the spring market we are busy assisting buyers and sellers through tough negotiations as deals come together. We are seeing good unit sell through in all of my local towns. Unit sales continue to outpace 2015 which is in line with what Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors is forecasting for existing home sales for 2016 "the best year since 2006".

  • April 2016 Chronicle  (4/18/2016)
  • As the spring market is well underway we are experiencing pockets of strength in specific price categories and an increase of inventory in others.
  • March 2016 Chronicle  (3/14/2016)
  • Wow, spring is heating up both in our local temperature and activity in real estate! The last couple of weeks we have seen a build up in inventory and the properties are looking quite well overall.
  • February 2016 Chronicle  (2/23/2016)
  • Looking for direction....... As the spring market begins we are still awaiting more confirming trends as to market direction. We have continued to have decent weather allowing for activity and accessibility to properties.
  • January 2016 Chronicle  (1/19/2016)
  • Happy New Year! As 2016 gets underway we have been met with unusually warm and uneventful weather giving way to higher buyer/seller activity than is anticipated at this time. If this is a sign of what to expect for all of 2016 we should be very busy this year. Among my peers the expectation is a year similar to 2015 in unit sales as well as modest to flat price appreciation.
  • December 2015 Chronicle  (12/15/2015)
  • As 2015 comes to an end we take a look back on a year where current market conditions continue to forge forward in a positive trend. The national sales are still 3.9% above a year ago, which demonstrates that the overall health of the market continues to improve. The factors for a healthy continuation of this trend are in place; high rents making the owning vs. renting argument more in favor of owning, low mortgage rates, and a better job environment.
  • November 2015 Chronicle  (11/20/2015)
  • As we are at the midpoint of November and well into the Fall market - results are in and unfortunately they have not met the expectation for a strong Fall Market. The activity has remained slower than the normal seasonality we have seen in the past, leaving sellers frustrated. Agents/brokers have been disappointed with open house turn out and showing activity overall.
  • October 2015 Chronicle  (10/16/2015)
  • As the "Fall Market" is well underway we are experiencing quality verses quantity this October. Not a terrible combination as the sellers are experiencing solid, ready, willing and able buyers taking advantage of still low interest rates and opportunities of a growing inventory. The process though does require patience as the showings are spread out over time.
  • September 2015 Chronicle  (9/18/2015)
  • Seasonally consistent! August is always that time of year when the market takes a breath and this is exactly what we are experiencing. All normal behavior; inconsistent activity, lower attendance at open houses, fewer new homes coming to market, real estate professionals taking their holidays and families getting ready for the coming school season.
  • August 2015 Chronicle  (8/14/2015)
  • Seasonally consistent! August is always that time of year when the market takes a breath and this is exactly what we are experiencing.
  • July 2015 Chronicle  (7/10/2015)
  • As the summer heats up strangely so is our market activity; July especially around the 4th holiday is typically a slower time for both buyers and sellers as the holiday festivities take priority. Not the case this year. Traffic at listed properties has been surprisingly active, supporting the national consensus that both demand and supply are improving, foretelling future gains this summer.
  • June 2015 Chronicle  (6/11/2015)
  • The general assumption is that the real estate market slows down as we enter into the summer season. Though spring has been historically known as the busiest selling season, the fact is, the summer months can be just as active.
  • May 2015 Chronicle  (5/7/2015)
  • With spring brings renewed confidence and demand, although the numbers through April remained mixed. There continues to be only pockets of strength and inventory remains challenging.
  • April 2015 Chronicle  (4/10/2015)
  • As the start to our spring market unfolds, April feels a lot like our previous years where winter took its toll and delayed a more robust opening. This being said, agents for the most part have been positioning their listings as they receive them rather than waiting out the weather for a more opportune grand opening.
  • March 2015 Chronicle  (3/6/2015)
  • The Farmers Almanac is proving to be right on as it had forecast strong winter conditions for 2015; weather has definitely played a role in our local market place, delaying showings and new homes to market.
  • February 2015 Chronicle  (2/6/2015)
  • As the market gets underway this year, we are experiencing slower activity as the weather has not been accommodating. Inventory is down about 10% compared to last year this time meaning fewer houses for buyers to choose from. So my recommendation to sellers is to not hold back for better weather but get ready and list now.
  • January 2015 Chronicle  (1/15/2015)
  • Happy New Year! As 2015 gets under way the general tone among agents and market participants in my market place is positive. The data points are no surprise to those of you who have been following along this year. Unit sale throughout the market have been down in comparison to 2013. Where price has been flat to slightly up with the exception of Fairfield which came in down 2.8%.
  • December 2014 Chronicle  (12/12/2014)
  • Happy Holidays!! As winter sets in, the activity has cooled along with the winter temperatures, which is seasonally expected. This being said, I'm advising clients who are on the fence, it can be a good time to put the house on the market.
  • November 2014 Chronicle  (11/7/2014)
  • This month we continue to see signs of a further market recovery with continued moderate price growth while being faced with a cooling rate of sales from last years robust percentages. Regarding the cooling recovery most economist are in agreement that this years pace is the preferred rate of improvement and much more sustainable.
  • October 2014 Chronicle  (10/17/2014)
  • Well the results are in and it appears our "Fall Market" is off to a tepid start. Attitudes are positive but performance is on the quieter side. The greater Realtor pool in my area is disappointed with current Fall activity.
  • September 2014 Chronicle  (9/6/2014)
  • Hope you all had a great summer. We enter the Fall Market with some optimistic viewpoints about the remainder of 2014. Despite hitting a soft spot in the first quarter, home sales are expected to make a strong showing in the second half of 2014, according to the National Association of Realtors Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.
  • August 2014 Chronicle  (8/9/2014)
  • As August rolls in so do the wagons filled with beach toys and umbrellas as it appears the market has taken summer vacation. Following a survey of my colleagues they are experiencing the same quiet market. "Where are the buyers?"
  • July 2014 Chronicle  (7/11/2014)
  • As the lazy days of summer are here, sellers are trying to enjoy the season while coming to the reality that one year is not like another in real estate.
  • June 2014 Chronicle  (6/6/2014)
  • June is here and so is the beginning of our summer season, typically a slower time of year when families are busy with end of school year functions and seasonal holidays. We are seeing a noticeable difference from this time last year when the market activity, robust from our spring market continued into the summer season.
  • May 2014 Chronicle  (5/16/2014)
  • I think the market has spoken, with the weather improving in April/May, it is no longer a variable in deciding which direction the housing market is headed. With YTD Sales through April 2014 vs. 2013 down in Westport, Weston, Wilton, Norwalk but up in Fairfield, it is clear that a repeat of last year's performance is not in the near term picture.
  • April 2014 Chronicle  (4/11/2014)
  • April is here and I think ....... Winter is finally over? YTD sales through March 2014 vs.2013 were down in Westport, Weston, Wilton, Norwalk, with Fairfield being the only one with a nice positive up tick of 14.8%. Winter definitely took its toll on the market, ....
  • March 2014 Chronicle  (3/8/2014)
  • Nice to see further data as our spring market unfolds; as mentioned in our last edition the weather was looking like a negative factor for the market, apparently more in the bones than in the data.
  • February 2014 Chronicle  (2/15/2014)
  • The start to the spring market is best spelled out in four letters: SNOW. We have definitely started off the season with market distractions; the Super Bowl, Winter Olympics and snow storm after storm. As a result we are experiencing a slow start to the beginning of this year's market.
  • January 2014 Chronicle  (1/24/2014)
  • 2013 goes into the real estate books as the year the tides turned for the sellers, and we thank our lucky stars. Finally, unit sales along with prices are showing convincing signs of a trend reversal.
  • December 2013 Chronicle  (12/20/2013)
  • As the year comes to a close it's nice to see such positive trends as the housing market continues to improve. We are seeing an increase in unit sales along with moderate price appreciation.
  • November 2013 Chronicle  (11/10/2013)
  • The November issue brings with it a continued optimism throughout the market place, with steady buyer activity and plenty of pent up demand.
  • October 2013 Chronicle  (10/18/2013)
  • October has continued to be another busy Fall month. The market activity has tapered off a bit but continues to maintain an above average pace for this time of year.
  • September 2013 Chronicle  (9/6/2013)
  • September; the great pre-qual of the "Fall Market" and sales going into year end. The unit sales data in our towns continues to outpace last year, along with ....
  • August 2013 Chronicle  (8/10/2013)
  • August rolls in without a surprise; activity in our markets has quieted a little showing nothing more than a bit of seasonality. Not as many homes are coming to market this month and the buyers are busy with family gatherings and vacations.
  • July 2013 Chronicle  (7/12/2013)
  • Well as we have projected July has started off with a Bang, HOT temperatures here in the Northeast along with hot market conditions.
  • June 2013 Chronicle  (6/7/2013)
  • As June rushes in so do graduations and end of school year activities, generally a time when the market will take a little breather as people are busy with other commitments; not this year.
  • May 2013 Chronicle  (5/17/2013)
  • May brings flowers and follow through, both well liked in the real estate industry! Positive is still the word ....
  • April 2013 Chronicle  (4/12/2013)
  • April is here and so is the robust spring market. WOW! "Who flipped the switch?", is what agents are asking themselves. As we have continued to give you the play by play of the current market ....
  • March 2013 Chronicle  (3/9/2013)
  • March races in with activity not seen since the boom days of 2004 and 2005. Open houses are full of eager buyers and year-to-date data show that sales are on the rise. "We are really seeing ....
  • Feb 2013 Chronicle  (2/8/2013)
  • The year is off to a busy start! Accommodating winter weather conditions have helped us get a jump on the Spring market. Although all that will change for this weekend with the impending snow storm. Buyers are eager and sellers are ....
  • January 2013 Chronicle  (1/23/2013)
  • Happy New Year! Full steam ahead! The early winter activity has us all excited and looking forward to a very healthy market for 2013. The year end data was very positive with all of towns posting positive year-over-year unit sales. See our ....
  • December 2012 Chronicle  (12/7/2012)
  • The market is up across our 5 towns! Good news in housing, for the first time in years we are seeing positive data on unit sales, up year over year in Westport, Weston, Wilton, Fairfield and Norwalk. Check out our ....
  • October 2012 Chronicle  (10/12/2012)
  • A common theme, and no surprise to many, is that the buyers are still looking for value; to list a property without this in mind will definitely add to market time! Our recommendation to clients is, ....
  • September 2012 Chronicle  (9/14/2012)
  • The September issue is always interesting as we get our first view of our "Fall Market". As was mentioned in August, we were seeing above average activity with buyers and sellers, signaling ...
  • August 2012 Chronicle  (8/10/2012)
  • As August is typically a slower month in real estate in our area, it is nice to see that the activity continues to be...
  • July 2012 Chronicle  (7/13/2012)
  • There are many interesting data points this month, one in particular is a higher list to selling price ratio, a sign of ....
  • June 2012 Chronicle  (6/8/2012)
  • Activity in our market place continues to be steady, a bit more transitional than last month, with summer in sight, the buyers .....
  • May 2012 Chronicle  (5/18/2012)
  • Media's on board! Whether you use the media as a hard reliable source of information or a contrarian's indicator, the news is positive ...
  • April 2012 Chronicle  (4/13/2012)
  • This month's sales activity is up from last month in Westport, Fairfield and Norwalk ....
  • March 2012 Chronicle  (3/16/2012)
  • This month's market activity report is in line with last month, the data continues to be mixed in the towns we service ....
  • February 2012 TNT Chronicle  (2/10/2012)
  • Good news! The market continues to have a nice active buzz. Data is mixed within our towns, see our Market Action Reports for the details ........
  • Jan 2012 Chronicle  (1/20/2012)
  • Well for the first time in approximately 36 months we are feeling a good burst of activity ....
  • December 2011 Chronicle  (12/20/2011)
  • As we look back on 2011 it has been a challenging year for a lot of people but we are always optimistic .....
  • November 2011 Email  (11/11/2011)
  • Now that October's tricks (Nor-east storm) and Halloween treats are behind us we can look forward to a time of gathering ...
  • Oct 2011 Email  (10/14/2011)
  • We hope you are enjoying Fall. Now that the cool weather has arrived you should be picking out your pumpkin ...
  • Sep 2011 Email  (9/16/2011)
  • As the Summer Market comes to a close and the Fall Market begins, we are continuing to see reasonable activity ...
  • Aug 2011 Email  (8/19/2011)
  • The activity on the street is very steady, not the summer doldrums we would be used to at this time of year ....
  • July 2011 Email  (7/18/2011)
  • Summer is here and the typical seasonal slowdown in the market place has started ...
  • June 2011 Email  (6/17/2011)
  • Weston and Westport made a good showing in May with sales up 25% and 27% compared to April ...
  • May 2011 Email  (5/13/2011)
  • The data is confirming the action on the street, the activity we are seeing today is more typical of the month of April ...
  • April 2011 Email  (4/16/2011)
  • We are finally seeing a meaningful convergence between list and sale price ...

Steven Thomson
203-247-6765
  Coldwell Banker Westport Riverside
472 Riverside Ave
Westport, Connecticut 06880