As we continue our tour of Stamford, let’s turn the Spotlight to Springdale.  One of the earliest settlements in Stamford, Springdale’s first residents date all the way back to 1641!  When Stamford sought to consolidate in the 20^th century, Springdale resisted and for a time it was truly a village-within-a-city.  But in 1949 it capitulated.  Remaining true to its’ roots, homeowners still refer to the “village feel” of Springdale.

The village center is anchored by the Weed Memorial Library, Springdale School, and many shops and restaurants that offer a variety of choices and conveniences to the community.  Prospective buyers see the advantage of being close to daily activities while at the same time being within arm’s reach of all Stamford’s major attractions and services.  Springdale also offers a variety of housing options to suit almost anyone’s needs.  Whether a townhouse, garden style condominium, rental apartment or a single family home with a tidy lawn better suits your needs, this bedroom community will be able to satisfy your desire! Homes within walking distance to parks, schools or the Springdale train station provide particular appeal.  Each weekday morning, commuters can catch one of 5 trains departing for Grand Central between 6 and 9am.

Once the workday is done, why not catch dinner and movie?  No need to head downtown, because Springdale’s centerpiece is the iconic State Theatre.  One of the oldest movie houses in Connecticut, the State Theatre opened on April 25, 1927 as a combination silent movie theatre and vaudeville house.  After falling on hard times in the 1980’s, it was brought back to life after a complete rejuvenation.  Its rich history offers moviegoers a glimpse of an earlier time, while watching first run movies right in their own neighborhood.  After the movie, many a good nosh can be found at several highly acclaimed restaurants within close proximity to the theatre.

So if you’re looking for a neighborhood with a “village feel”, high walkability factor and prominent history, Springdale might be the right fit for you!

My current listing at 54 Saint Charles Avenue is priced at $659,900 – Brand new in 2004, lovely 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath Colonial with custom moldings and finished lower level

Just waiting to pass title is my listing at 75 Birchwood Road – A lovely 3 bedroom 2 bath Colonial

For more information about Springdale and the homes available in the area, don’t hesitate to contact me!

In my continuing series spotlighting Stamford neighborhoods, let’s take a peek at the pocket neighborhood of Pepper Ridge.  This neighborhood is located from Oaklawn Avenue to Vine Road, and Newfield Avenue to High Ridge Road. Right in the middle of the area you’ll find Newfield Elementary School.

Real estate is made up of a variety of size and style of homes – from more modest homes on .14 acre lots closer to Oaklawn Avenue growing in size and acreage as you approach Vine Rd. Homes also range in age anywhere from the 1940’s through new construction.  The current rate of vacancies in Pepper Ridge is lower than 91.9% of all neighborhoods in the U.S.! This mean the housing supply in Pepper Ridge is very tight compared to the demand for property here. It’s evident that the residents in Pepper Ridge love where they live and with good reason.

Take a drive along any of the intertwined streets, and you will often find residents going out for a stroll, tending their gardens, or chatting with other neighbors.  This is the kind of neighborhood where everybody knows your name and the school crossing guard at the corner of Turner and Pepper Ridge waves to every car that passes by!

One of the neighborhood’s bonuses is the Newfield Swim & Tennis Club, a private club located on 80 Red Bird Road. The Club is a wonderful option for residents who want to enjoy summer activities close to home.  Facilities include a large outdoor swimming pool, 5 Har-Tru tennis courts, playground, basketball courts, screened picnic area and more. Children have many activities to participate in, including a competitive swim, dive and water polo teams, synchronized swimming, and tennis, among others.  Adults can sign up for tennis clinics and teams, relax in the pool, or attend social events throughout the summer.

If you prefer living in a neighborhood with wide, walkable streets or enjoy exchanging pleasantries with your neighbors, Pepper Ridge might be just what you’re looking for.

My newest listing on 275 Silver Hill is currently available and ready for the next lucky homeowner!

Here are a few of my other recent Pepper Ridge listings which are either under contract or sold – maybe we should call it

“Hot Pepper” Ridge!

Stamford’s population continues to grow and we are now the third largest city in Connecticut.  Stamford’s true success lies in the fact that our growth has occurred during one of the most fiscally challenged environments this country has seen in decades.  Stamford’s proximity to New York City, and neighborhoods that enhance a variety of lifestyles, appeal to the influx of new residents.

In the next several weeks, I will spotlight Stamford neighborhoods, all of which have their own unique appeal, and make our city such a vibrant and welcoming place to call home while still making us feel like a small town!

We begin in North Stamford.  For those who value easy access to city conveniences and beach rights but prefer park like settings, North Stamford may be just the right fit for you!  This area is zoned almost entirely for one, two and three acre lots.  Stamford’s most recent master plan affirms a desire to “preserve and protect” the neighborhood’s low density surroundings.

One of North Stamford’s “jewels” is The Stamford Museum and Nature Center, which echoes the sentiment of preserving the beauty and history of this part of town.  Some of the Nature Center’s attractions are Heckscher Farm-a 10 acre oasis dotted with barns, maple sugar houses, open pastures, and dozens of farm animals; the recent addition of  “Nature’s Playground”, a place where the young at heart can experience an exciting playground in the woods, scale a spider’s web to a tree house with a lookout, then wind your way down a tubular slide or zoom down the otter slide; the observatory, planetarium and interactive art exhibits as well as the Henri Bendel Mansion – a perfect event space!

If your preferred home is a respite from the hustle and bustle here are a few of my North Stamford listings currently available.

 Call me to see any of these wonderful homes!

Are there any of us that have not been touched by cancer, that horrible “C” word, in same way?  More and more often you hear stories of people you know that are fighting the courageous fight against this awful disease.

On Sunday, June 7, 2015, National Cancer Survivor’s Day, the streets of downtown Stamford will be filled with Walkers, Runners, and Volunteers.  For more people than it should be, it is an intensely personal day – whether they are survivors or  have been touched by their families’ and friends’ struggles with cancer. Walkers participate in a 3.1 mile course while runners can choose from a timed 5K or 10K loop course. It’s a tremendous day full of fun and support with participants of all ages and fitness levels.

Hope in Motion is a year-round fundraising initiative for the Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital, Hope in Motion is support, community, and action.

Through this signature event, the Walk & Run and other events throughout the year, we come together to raise funds for cancer patients in our community; our family members, co-workers, friends, and neighbors. For over 20 years, the Bennett Cancer Center has provided the highest standard of care in the area to our community’s cancer patients and their families in a warm and supportive environment. It is with pride that Bennett Cancer Center can say that 100% of the funds raised through Hope in Motion go directly to sustain programs and services at the Bennett Cancer Center, all provided free of charge to their patients.

Come out and help celebrate 20 years of this wonderful event!

If you’re interested in making a donation, here is the info:

Contact Us or Mail Donation to:

Stamford Hospital Foundation
1351 Washington Blvd., Suite 202
Stamford, CT 06902
Tel: (203) 276-5920
Email: hopeinmotion@stamhealth.org

Summer is just around the corner, and with that comes a beautiful array of freshly bloomed flowers basking in the warmth of the sun.

Showcasing your planting beds with mulch and edging can highlight the glorious colors of the season’s bounty. Another idea is creating vignettes that inspire us to slow down and “smell the roses”. Some ideas are placing planter boxes at entryways, window boxes to accent your home’s facade and strategic planting of annuals and perennials to complement the hardscape of your property – all evoke the feeling of

Home Sweet Home

 Stamford is fast becoming the “foodie” capital of Fairfield County, and what better way to celebrate & shed the winter blues. The vibrant downtown area, invigorated South End and unique neighborhood establishments all contribute to the plethora of dining options in Stamford.  Whether it’s outside dining, waterfront tables or picnics spread on blanket with gourmet delicacies from local markets,  I think it’s safe to say everyone’s ready to kick back and celebrate the promise of what’s ahead in the much anticipated warm evenings & weekends.

So whether you’re out on the town or stoking up the backyard BBQ- pull up a chair, sit back, relax and enjoy the holiday weekend!

Have you been thinking of redoing your kitchen and just not sure which direction to go in? There are so many choices out there today and it really can be confusing!

Granite                                                             Concrete

Butcher Block                                                     Quartz

I found the attached “quiz” that can get you started on what countertop may be the best option for your lifestyle. See what you think…

(Unfortunately you do have to copy & paste, but I think you’ll find it worthwhile!)

As always, If I can offer any assistance, don’t hesitate to call!

Every seller wants to get the best price for their house. We learned in basic Economics  that it’s all about supply and demand – the best price for any item will be determined by the demand for that item relative to the supply.

Inventory of houses for sale is well below normal numbers, in most price ranges…

There is historical evidence that the demand for housing is about to increase dramatically. Each year, more homes sell in May, June, July and August than any other four months of the year. Here is a graph of home sales last year by month:

Bottom Line

This could be the perfect time if you’ve been thinking of selling.  You want to make sure your house is available for sale during peak selling season. If you are thinking of selling this year, contact me-I’m always available to talk!

Let the blooming continue as temperatures start to warm up and we spend more time outside!

Peonies

The fattest and most scrumptious of all flowers, a rare fusion of fluff and majesty, the peony is now coming into bloom.
–Henry Mitchell, American writer (1923-93)

Peonies are outrageously beautiful in bloom. These perennials may live longer than you do and require little maintenance as long as they are planted properly and establish themselves; they do not respond well to transplanting. In most of the country, the rules for success are simply full sun and well-drained soil. Peonies even relish cold winters, because they need chilling for bud formation. The variety of colors is limitless – red, pink, yellow, white and on and on.

Yellow Trillium

Yellow trillium is a true spring plant: Once its flowers die back at the season’s end in June, the foliage recedes, too. Even so, its marbled leaves and delicate yellow-white blooms are a welcome sight in April & May. This beauty thrives in shade and moist, well-drained soil and grows up to 16 inches tall and 12 inches wide.

“Miniature Snowflake” Mock Orange

The delicate blooms of sweet mock orange belie its easy-growing nature. After planting it, you hardly have to do a thing to this compact shrub! In addition to pretty white flowers, the plant supplies an intoxicating fragrance. Best planted in full sun and moist, well-drained soil, this shrub grows up  to 3 feet tall and wide.

Lilac

Whether you prefer the light purple blooms or the white, there’s no sweeter spring fragrance than the blooms of this spring favorite! They come in all shapes and sizes, from dwarf shrubs to taller trees.  The lilac blooms on old wood, so hold off on pruning until right after the same year’s flowering is finished. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and can get as big as 20 feet tall and wide.

Iris

Pick your favorite color, and there’s likely an iris to fill your spring garden desire. Most put on their bloom show toward the end of spring, but the plants’ tall growth and delectable petal variations make them pretty additions to a variety of garden styles. Best in full sun and well-drained soil-long and slender at 34 inches tall and 12 inches wideAzalea

Azalea

Its bright color burst is short-lived, but azalea’s solid mass of flamboyant flowers provides a just-right transition from spring to summer bloomers. Pair the shrubs with hellebores, for an early-season showstopper. Part shade and moist but well-drained acidic soil, they grow up to 10 feet tall and wide.

Nothing says welcome or puts a smile on a potential buyers’ face more than a splash of color !

After the monochromatic tones of winter – shades of white and gray (& slush!), nothing’s better than the cheerfulness of spring flowers.  If you didn’t remember to plant your tulip and daffodil bulbs last fall, don’t worry. There are plenty of hardy plants just waiting to cheer you up!

Crocuses

Nothing announces the beginning of spring like crocuses! One of the first flowers to “spring up” announcing the departure of winter with their lovely pink, purple, yellow, or white petals. They do well in full sun and well-drained soil and grow up to 6 inches tall and wide.

Pansies

Cool weather is just what pansies prefer. An easy to grow annual – it’s one of the best flowers to plant in spring for early-season containers and window boxes, relishing the variety in bloom color as much as their cheery uplifted petals. They do best in sun or part shade with moist, well-drained soil.  They usually grow 10 inches tall and 12 inches wide.

Hellebores

Also known as a Lenten rose or Christmas rose, hellebores produce spring flowers of delicate beauty and surprising resilience. In warmer climates, it may even tolerate light frosts, making it one of the best flowers to plant in spring. For unusual flowers, see if you can find the double-bloom varieties. They grow best in shade and moist, well-drained soil. They can grow as tall as 12 inches and spread to 18 inches in width.

Bloodroot

A spring perennial flower which and make its appearance as early as March, shooting up white flowers that last until late spring. It’s one of the best flowers to plant in spring and a good fit for either a shaded or woodland garden. These delicate beauties prefer shade and moist, well-drained soil and are petitie at 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide.

Snowdrop Anemone

Both fragrant and festive, the bright clusters of snowdrop anemone are happiest in slight shade. The beauties have an added bonus – the plant may put on a second bloom show in the garden once cooler fall temperatures arrive. Another gentle bloom measuring up to 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide.

The market is in full bloom as well, so feel free to give a call!