CT Waterfront Home Values: When is the Best Time to Sell?

Increase your CT waterfront home value in different seasons

Different seasons influence many of our activities throughout the year. Summer evokes visions of the beach and water activities, while winter brings memories of an open fireplace and a cozy atmosphere. Although certain activities are considered “seasonal,” could this be also true about your CT waterfront home value when selling?

When it comes to waterfront homes, each season definitely has its advantages. Increasing your property's value is a matter of strategic staging to make it appealing regardless of the season you decide to put your home on the market. Here are a few things for you to consider:

Spring

Blooming flowers and picturesque views during this season can increase the number of interested buyers. The milder weather also encourages more activities outside and makes it a great time to have open houses. Make sure the gardens are at their best to welcome guests.

Summer

Waterfront homes are sought after during the warmer months because they offer respite from the heat. This is the best time to highlight activities and amenities that waterfront homes have to offer like picnics, boating, fishing, etc. Stage your property as the perfect getaway for summer which will increase its home value during this season.

Autumn

With Connecticut's brilliant fall foliage, this season brings plenty of visitors who want to experience this autumn beauty. Take advantage of the changing colors and beautiful scents and invite potential buyers to experience the relaxing atmosphere of a waterfront home away from the busy metro.

Winter

Though the colder months are not as inviting, it is the season with the least amount of listings in the market which means less competition. Make sure to highlight features that present well during the winter like a fireplace, a spa bathroom, or an indoor-outdoor living which makes your property a place of relaxation even on the coldest winter days.

Knowing your CT waterfront home value

When it comes to selling, the value of your waterfront home is basically how much a buyer is willing to pay for it. Having an idea of how each season can influence your home value is important.


There is definitely no hard and fast rule as to what season is the best time for selling. The help of a Realtor® who specializes in waterfront homes, like me, will ensure that you get the right price for your property.


Are you ready to sell? Call me, Deborah Laemmerhirt at (203) 994-4297.

​In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view ​CT Waterfront Home Values: When is the Best Time to Sell? on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F53jIqbSsF8.

HGTV’s Top Upgrades to Boost Your Waterfront Property Value

Considering a home sale

If you’re thinking of putting your Candlewood Lake home up for sale, renovating it can make a significant difference in its price.

But not all renovations boost sale price. Before you start buying supplies and contacting local contractors, step back and plan carefully. Some projects are more effective at increasing home value, while others are better left unadded.


Start by consulting your local real estate agent. He or she knows the best upgrades that can increase the price of your home for sale in Candlewood Lake CT.


Doing your due diligence and planning smartly can help you decide the best upgrades that will give a higher return on your investment.

Top upgrades to increase home equity

HGTV shares several renovations that will both pay off and boost your home's value.


1. Update the bathroom. You don't have to spend a lot of money to improve the look of your bathroom. There are many simple upgrades you can do that will increase the comfort and style of your bathroom, as well as add equity to the home.

Here are some cost-effective updates for a minor bathroom remodel.

• Replace the toilet seat and lid instead of replacing the whole toilet unit.
• Updating the lighting fixtures to make the bathroom appear brighter.
• Replace a bathroom faucet.
• Apply a fresh coat of paint. 
• Recaulk around the bathtub. 
• Improve bathroom ventilation system. 
• Replace broken or cracked floor tiles. 
• Replace or install a new shower door.

2. Enhance the landscape. When you're selling a home, the first impression is crucial. Buyers make up their mind in the first few seconds they’ve seen your home, so make the most of your home’s curb appeal.

Make sure that you have an attention-worthy landscape. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it must have charm to create the impression that you take care of the house and your yard.

What are some things you can do to update your home’s landscape?

• Add color with perennials or seasonal flowering shrubs.
• Use one color and use plants with different heights to create dimension. 
• Make sure your pathway is clean of any overgrown grass.
• A lush, beautiful lawn is inviting. Maintain your lawn by aerating, fertilizing, and weeding it.
• Adding a focal point like a winding flagstone walkway or a fountain. 

Spending a little amount of money on your curb appeal will make the home look more appealing, which buyers will pay more for.


3. Give your kitchen a minor renovation. The kitchen is one of most well-used part of the home, especially if you are using your Connecticut lakefront home as the main home.

These upgrades will not only add equity, it will also make the kitchen a favorite spot in the house.

• Adding recessed lighting and under cabinet lighting. 
• If you have a more expensive house, replace your countertop with a stone or glass countertop.
• Cover your old vinyl floor with a floor leveler and install a second layer of vinyl floor. You’ll have great floors at a budget-friendly price.
• Paint the cabinets.
• Change drapes and window molding.
• Replace the lights to make the kitchen brighter.
• Replace any old appliances and switch to energy ones that will give your home buyer huge savings in the long run. 

4. Exterior improvements. Did you know that vinyl siding replacement has a recoup rate of 95%, and a steel door replacement has an ROI of 91%?


Lakefront homes are beautiful, but they are also more exposed to harsh elements. The constant exposures easily damage the sidings, so check your sidings to see if it needs replacement.


Check out these other exterior improvements you can make.

• Create an inviting outdoor space like a deck, patio, or porch. 
• If you have a pergola or planning to install one, use load-bearing columns like fiberglass composite columns. 
• Make the home look more modern by removing old awnings from doors and windows. 

5. Renovate the basement. Increase your home footage by improving the basement. A finished basement is an additional living space and can be converted into a family room, an extra bedroom, a game room, or a home office.


6. Replace old windows. Showcasing your surroundings scenic beauty is important when you live in a waterfront home. Replacing your windows will help the views stand out even better. New windows also let natural light in much better, reducing the need to turn on electric lights which saves you from the additional cost.


Choose energy-efficient windows. These windows help seal the heat better, so you can enjoy the maximum use of your energy.


7. Upgrade your floors and walls. Painting your walls is the most cost-efficient way to upgrade and brighten up your living space.


If your carpet floors are already worn out, rip it up and check what’s underneath. You can also choose to replace your floor with hardwood, laminate or tile.


You can learn more updates here: https://www.hgtv.com/design/real-estate/top-home-updates-that-pay-off-pictures.


Renovations are not cheap, so plan your updates well. If your Candlewood Lake home is well-maintained and structurally sound, the updates will only mean a few cosmetic changes.


Learn the best renovations for your waterfront home. Call me, Deborah Laemmerhirt, at 203-994-4297. Let’s discuss the best updates that will boost your home value.

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view HGTV’s Top Upgrades to Boost Your Waterfront Property Value on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aMRftqj3HE

CT Waterfront Home Value

Knowing your CT waterfront home’s worth

As a homeowner, you're probably wondering how much your lakefront property is worth. After all, you're still paying your monthly mortgage, and on top of that, the yearly property tax amount is quite hefty.

While you don't have a precise amount of what your Connecticut waterfront home could be worth, you know that a water frontage home is more expensive than a non-waterfront property. The view alone can add a substantial amount to the property's worth. As a premium property, you expect your home to have increased its value over the years you've owned it.

What is your home's value?

The easiest and most direct answer to this question is "Whatever a seller is willing to pay for it".

That may be well and good if you are selling your Connecticut lakefront property, but what if you want to know because you're considering a home upgrade? Or if it's a vacation home, you want to know because you want to use the home equity for a business loan?

Valuating a lakefront property is quite different from valuating a non-waterfront home. Many waterfront real estates are already considered luxury properties, so it can be daunting to price. There are also many things to consider when valuating a home so you can get the pricing right.

Setting the right price can be tricky. Price it too high and it can sit on the market for a long time. Price it too low and you leave money on the table.

To know the value of your waterfront home in Connecticut, you need the help of a local fulltime real estate professional who specializes in waterfront properties, like me, Deborah Laemmerhirt. As a long time resident of Connecticut, I am familiar with the local estate market of each county and have made it my mission to get to know everything there is about selling and buying waterfront properties.

Please visit http://CTLuxuryWaterfrontRealEstate.com/about/ to get to know me better.

Factors to consider in a home valuation

The CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) is one of the most commonly used tools in preparing a home’s valuation. It takes into account the comparables or recently sold properties in the area that are close in size and style to your home.

The sold listings have a large influence on your property’s price. It says how much buyers are willing to pay for the property.

Another consideration in preparing the CMA is the active listings. This is the list of currently available homes for sale in your area. It’s a great way to check how much your competition prices itself so you can adjust your pricing accordingly.

Aside from these two, the following are few of the other considerations included in a valuation.

1. Location. Yes, it may be a waterfront property, but how far is it from the water? Is the water easily accessible? These are some of the questions that you must look at when thinking of location.

2. What type of waterfront is it? Connecticut has over 3,000 ponds, lakes, and reservoirs, not to mention 96 miles of coastline. What type of waterfront do you have? There is no particular price set to add to a specific waterfront, but its kind and size will have an impact on your property’s price.

3. Waterfront visibility. While your home may indeed be a waterfront, how visible is the waterline from the property? Do you have a clear, large frontage or is the view blocked by trees and undergrowth? Generally, the clearer and larger the frontage, the higher the price.

There are many things to factor in a valuation to get the right listing price of your CT real estate waterfront property.

Are you ready to have your property assessed?

Call me, Deborah Laemmerhirt, at 203-994-4297. As one of Connecticut’s preeminent waterfront real estate professionals, let me help find out your home’s value.

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view CT Waterfront Home Value  on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/cChvTYiBpy4

CT Waterfront Real Estate

Choose Connecticut

Known as the constitution state, home to Yale University, and famous for its huge mansions and old money, Connecticut is a beautiful place with many picturesque views wherever you go, especially those found along the water.

With its 96 miles of coastline and over 30,000 lakes, ponds and reservoirs across the state, it offers various water activities for you to enjoy. You can go sailing, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, and more.

It's no wonder people are flocking to this locality, seeking to own a piece of this state’s waterfront property.

Whether you are looking for a main home or a secluded lakefront vacation home, Connecticut’s waterfront real estate has something for you.

What kind of community feel are you looking for?

Connecticut has many shorelines and  lakeside communities, and each of them offers unique attributes and amenities. The following neighborhoods are just some of the many you can choose from.

Are you looking for a lakeside community where you can enjoy your favorite water sports and activities, but still be in proximity to the city? Candlewood Lake is a great option for you. Many people like this lake because it's just the right lake size to have fun, and it borders five different towns so you can visit different places at any time.

Located in western Connecticut, Candlewood Lake is the largest manmade lake in the county. Along its shores are some of the most expensive real estate properties you can find in the region.

Do you prefer a luxury community? Most waterfront communities in Connecticut have several listings, but Darien has the longest list of million dollar homes. This is not a surprise considering that Darien is the nation’s wealthiest community according to Consumer Advocate. Coveted high-end properties dot the coastline of Darien, so you’ll definitely find the luxurious lifestyle you want in this community.

Perhaps you prefer a place with fewer homes so you can enjoy privacy and retreat? Lake Lillinonah community is a perfect choice. A light residential area and surrounded mostly by wooded areas, peace and serenity abound in this neighborhood.

How about owning a right to the center of the lake? If this sounds great for you, the community of Lake Zoar is where you should be.  Unlike other lakes, lakefront properties on this community own their shoreline right to the center of the lake! You can build a house on the shoreline and create a great dock and pier system so you can fish and enjoy your water sports anytime.

Another community you cannot not miss is the affluent neighborhood of Westport. Located in lower Fairfield County commonly referred to as the Gold Coast, Westport offers direct waterfront properties. Enjoy living just a few steps to the beach in one of the safest communities you can ever live.  

Prices and home features

With its reputation as one of the country’s wealthiest states with plenty of old money residents, expect a Connecticut waterfront property to be quite pricey. 

The price range differs in each neighborhood but you’ll find that there are many waterfront locations that offer a good price range, from the affordable to the million-dollar homes.

Built in various architectural styles, the homes reflect their owners’ elegant tastes. Sweeping water views, lush foliage, spacious homes with the best amenities and comforts, high end appliances, all these are yours in any of Connecticut’s waterfront residences.

Looking for a lake home in Connecticut? Call me, Deborah Laemmerhirt, at 203-994-4297. As a long time resident and one of Connecticut’s premier Realtors®, let me make your real estate transaction smooth, easy and hassle-free.

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view CT Waterfront Real Estate on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/-ViyiSdW8BA