The market here in Ridgefield has enjoyed a very healthy first quarter and the second quarter stats should be in shortly. We expect them to be very good.

The average list price for the first quarter here was $1,128,566 with a house price increase of 7.8% over this time last year. This tells us we have more high-end homes coming on the market (new construction is a big part of this figure) but average sale prices were still pushing the high $700’s.

New Canaan as usual, had the biggest jump in house prices and just recently I bought banner advertising on the well-known Realtor.com site for New Canaan to showcase my listings to clients that are looking down county, this is in addition to the many places I already am advertised. The Internet is driving the buyers to my web site.

Interest rates rose for the first time just recently in four years. By the way, our mil rate did go up July 1 to 22.02%. Last week we got more good press in The Post newspaper which featured “Living In Ridgefield.”

There are presently 140 homes for sale with the least expensive at $375.000. In the first quarter we saw that Litchfield County had the highest increase over last year with 46.7%. Fairfield County’s average sales price increased 12.1%.

The median price of homes in California increased the most – 26.5% and it is an all time record. Sales increased by 10%. Must be the weather there.

The ten most expensive areas in the country to live are as follows: LaJolla, Ca. – Palo Alto, Ca. – Greenwich, CT. – Beverly Hills, Ca – New Canaan, CT. – Wellesley ,MA – Newport Beach, Ca – Kallua Kone, HI – and Manhattan Beach, Ca.

If you go to my website www.Ridgefieldrealestate.com you can search under “buying” to see what the local inventory is. I am updated 24/7 through our Realtor Multiple List. All agents’ listed homes are shown there, not just my firm’s. If you want to know the price of a home that is on the market quickly, just give me a call.

Happy summer to everyone. Our market slows down during July and August but the town continues to be in big demand. If you know of anyone who is thinking of buying or selling, please keep me in mind. Hard to believe but this month I am celebrating my 25th anniversary in the business here.

Also, in case you didn’t know, there is a nice summer vegetable stand on Lounsbury Rd. (Farmingville Rd. to Lounsbury – turn right – just ahead on the left.) Wonderful!!!