Mid Year 2011 Home Sales Are UP For New Canaan, Ct. New Canaan has an area of about 22.5 square miles with a population of about 19,811 (2009) with an estimated median household income of $141,592. South of downtown is Waveny Park (WP) open to all town residents with 250 acres offering such amenities as paddle courts, sport fields, walking trails, home to Powerhouse Performing Arts Center and Carriage Barn Theatre. Waveny Park is also home to the WP Swimming Pool and Spencer’s Run Dog Park. General hours for the park are dawn to dusk all year with free parking.   Mid Year YTD 2011 market housing data for single family homes in New Canaan, Connecticut. Unit Sales for single family homes in New Canaan year to date (YTD) are up 28%. Median Sale Price is up 13.8% from $1,400,000 in 2010 to ... 07/12/2011

Connecticut Real Estate Conveyance Tax Increase ~ July 1st, 2011.    When state of Connecticut passed the state budget they made an increase in the Real Estate Conveyance Tax for all sellers as of July 1st, 2011. The Connecticut real estate conveyance tax is a tax imposed on the transfer of real property and paid by the seller to the state and local municipality. On residential homes the state conveyance tax has been 0.5% of the purchase price up to $800,000, and 1.0% on the amount in excess of $800,000. As of July 1st the tax will increase to .75% for the first $800,000 and 1.25 for anything in excess of $800,000. Additionally, the local municipal tax, which has been 0.25%, will become the permanent tax rate on July 1st. It had been “temporary” increased from 0.11% in 2003. In lower Fa... 07/12/2011

The Day Ahead: Final Greek Austerity Vote DominatesHeadline news is likely to take center-stage tomorrow as the Greek Parliament will take a final vote on implementing newly agreed upon austerity measures. Today's vote represented a broad acceptance of a medium-term austerity plan, tomorrow Parliament will vote on individual clauses and the implementation strategy. While the market clearly baked in a "yes" vote today, tomorrow is a little less certain, but it does appear we'll see another yes vote once all is said and done. This should give the EU, ECB, and IMF enough confidence to free up the 5th installment of Greece's bailout funds. Default avoided for now....but Greece is still "kicking the can down the road". These votes simply cover short-term funding shortages. Until bailout fund... 06/29/2011

Are you looking for tile flooring and installation for your home in New Canaan CT? Whether it’s a kitchen floor, bathroom floors and walls, an entry way or mudroom, or even a Kitchen tile backsplash,we can help you at Floor Coverings International. We understand that it can be challenging to find the right type of tile for your floors, walls and backsplashes. What’s the right type of tile – ceramic, porcelain, tumbled natural stone, marble or granite? What’s the best style and color? What types are easiest to clean. Many customers seemed to get overwhelmed when they visit a tile store. Well here’s where we can help. Floor Coverings International makes it simple by “bringing the store to your door.” That way, you can see the samples in your own lighting and color coordinate with your ca... 06/08/2011

Dave’s Veal Ragu & Pappardelle.   What do you serve to a hungry motley crew that was the question for Rhonda’s Surprised Birthday Dinner and Wine Tasting Event that we were hosting.  The answer is Dave’s homemade Veal Ragu served with fresh Pappardelle pasta. Something to feed the group, easy to prepare before hand and delicious left over’s.  So without further ado here is the recipe.   INGREDIENTS.                    3-4 lbs veal shoulder steaks Salt & pepper Flour Extra virgin olive oil 4 garlic cloves minced 3-4 medium carrots finely chopped 2 celery ribs finely chopped 1 onion finely chopped 1 cup red wine 2-3 cups beef or chicken stock 1 fresh rosemary sprig ¼ cup chopped fresh basil 1 teaspoon fennel seed ½ teaspoon coriander 1 can chopped tomatoes (14 oz) 1 can stewed tomatoes (1... 05/15/2011

New Canaan, Ct. Home Data Report 1st Quarter 2011. New Canaan has a population of about 19,811 (2009) with an estimated median household income of $141,592 in an area of 22.5 square miles. South of downtown is Waveny Park (WP) open to all town residents with 250 acres offering such amenities as paddle courts, sport fields, walking trails, home to Powerhouse Performing Arts Center and Carriage Barn Theatre. Waveny Park is also home to the WP Swimming Pool and Spencer’s Run Dog Park. General hours for the park are dawn to dusk all year with free parking.   1st quarter of 2011 market housing data for single family homes in New Canaan, Connecticut. Unit Sales total are 32 up from 2010 of 24. Median Sale Price is up 30.9% from $1,506,250 in 2010 to $1,971,750. (2011) Inventory is at 217 comp... 04/14/2011

Are you looking for laminate flooring for your home in New Canaan CT? We know it can be challenging to figure out which flooring is right for your space and whether a laminate floor is right for you. Which wood species and color will look best? Which ones work with your budget? Who should you have install the laminate floors? What is a floating floor? Well here's where we can help. We make finding laminate flooring simple. We "bring the store to your door." That way, you can see the samples in your own lighting - the way it will look in real life. We'll help you color coordinate with your paint and furniture colors. We'll explain what a floating floor is and, we'll help you figure out whether laminate flooring makes sense for you and your budget. If you want, we can even show you hardwo... 03/29/2011

New Canaan Furniture Designer exhibits at NYC Architectural Digest Home Show. Press Release March 18th, 2011.   If you are from New Canaan, Connecticut then you probably have seen Thomas Throop’s handmade furniture in local window shops of downtown. Thomas Throop of Black Creek Designs, LLC is a custom furniture designer and maker in New Canaan, Connecticut with over 17 years of experience in woodworking making one of a kind piece.  To see a gallery of his many works go to http://www.blackcreekdesigns.com/. You can meet Tom and talk with him on your idea’s this weekend at the 10th annual Architectural Digest Home Design Show  that is now open to the public at Pier 94 in NYC.  You can find Tom at the Black Creek Designs booth M131 where he has a multiple of pieces on display for sale. Th... 03/18/2011

Are you looking for carpeting for your home in New Canaan CT? Whether you're looking for carpeting for your bedroom, living room, family room or basement or even the whole house, we know it can be challenging to find the right carpet. How do you know which type of carpet is best for each setting? Which is right for your home and your budget? Which types are better for steps and high traffic areas? Which colors work best? Which ones last longer and which hide or repel dirt the best? Who should you have install your carpet? There's really a lot to consider and sometimes it gets overwhelming and more confusing when you go to a store. Well here's where we can help. We make finding carpeting simple. We "bring the store to your door." That way, you can see the samples in your own lighting - t... 02/01/2011

Modular Homes and Green Build Are Hand in Hand. Fine Custom Modular Homes is not an oxymoron. Modular homes are homes that are built in a controlled environment with organization, efficiency, and yes custom to your individual needs. This is not a new concept, Sears-Roebuck & Company were selling pre-cut and fitted material homes back in the early 1900’s.  These homes required less construction time, included the latest technology of the times, lowered manufacturing and material costs; and the same holds true for today’s Custom Modular Homes. Epoch Homes located in New Hampshire is one such company that produces Custom Modular Homes throughout New England. With a network of qualified local contractors (one local affiliated builder is SoundHomesCt, New Canaan, Ct.) to coordinate the found... 01/28/2011

Home Cooked Food For The Holidays, New Canaan, Ct.       The Christmas Menu is out, home cooked style delicious meals for the whole family. This isn’t your fast food stop but high quality gourmet items. Main Entrees include such wonderful treats as  Beef Wellington, Lobster Thermidor and Poach Salmon  with yummy sides of potatoes au gratin, roasted beets with blue cheese, saffron and pea risotto just to mention a few of the specialties. But it does not stop there, homemade soups, specialty hors d’oureves, breads and desserts are available as well. All this is available right in the middle of New Canaan, Connecticut at Fishtales Seafood Company. Not just seafood, but prepared dinners, raw bars, catering and take out are also available. The Christmas Menu is only available through specia... 12/10/2010

Are you looking for hardwood flooring for your home in New Canaan, CT?  We know it's sometimes overwhelming to figure out which is the best hardwood for your home.  Many of my customers who go to the store leave there feeling more confused.  How do you know the right construction (solid hardwood vs. engineered hardwood) or right species (oak vs. maple vs. bamboo vs. brazilian cherry) and what's the right color?  There's a lot to think about. Well here's where we can help.  We make hardwood flooring simple.  We bring the store to your door.  This is the best way to do it.  You can see all the colors in your own home and lighting...yes, it does look different in your home vs. the store.  We will provide design guidance and make sure you get the best construction of wood for your home, you... 12/09/2010

Meet The Builder, Open House, December 5th, 2010. New Canaan, Ct. 58 Parker's Glen, New Canaan, Ct. ~ New Construction, 11,570 sq.ft., OPEN HOUSE MEET THE BUILDER WILL BE HELD ON LOCATION SUNDAY DECEMBER 5TH, 2010 BETWEEN 1 - 3 PM. 58 Parker's Glen in New Canaan, Connecticut is new construction with attention to details and high-end materials. Fully equipped with top of the line appliances and prewired for Crestron AV Smart Home system. Four stories consist of 11,570 sq. ft of living space on cul-de-sac with a secluded 2 acre professionally landscaped property.  On four levels, with a total of 21 rooms, 6 Bedrooms, 8 full baths, 2 half baths, pool house, 5 car garage, finished basement with wine cellar and entertainment room pre wired.  This high end home was built by renowned local con... 12/03/2010

3 Types of Christmas Tree’s ~ New Canaan, Ct.   The annual Christmas Tree sale at Kiwanis Park, New Canaan starts every year the day after Thanksgiving and runs till Christmas Eve. The Christmas Tree sale is manned by the volunteers at the Exchange Club of New Canaan with all proceeds going to local non-profit organizations.     There are over a thousand trees on location with three different varieties to choose from:- 1.     Fraser Fir ~ the premier of Christmas trees comes in a dark blue-green color with a pleasant scent and a natural uniform pyramid shape. 2.     Balsam Fir ~ a dark green tree with long lasting needles and very aromatic 3.     Douglas Fir ~ one of the most popular trees nationwide, long and soft needles.   The members of the New Canaan Exchange Club will help you se... 12/02/2010

Home Safety Under the Kitchen Sink OR Poison ???    With Halloween coming up it is a little scary to wonder what is under that kitchen sink of yours !!!! Could it be something safe, maybe a fire extinguisher or is it something poisonous, toxic and dangerous??? It just seems that the cabinet under the kitchen sink is the catch all for all and anything, right at the children's level. How many different types of poison could be under yours????  House cleaning products can contain hazardous solvents (ammonia and chlorine) and petroleum based compounds (VOC's).  Any aerosol can contains petroleum distillates, try using pump bottles and liquids. For cleaning solutions try using natural biodegradable cleaners, look for nontoxic and vegetable-based products. A few examples are baking soda, hydr... 10/05/2010

New Canaan Nature Center, New Canaan, Connecticut. ~ Celebrating 50 Years! 1960-2010. New Canaan Nature Center is a not-for-profit environmental education center and sanctuary on a 40 acre site just north of downtown New Canaan on Oenoke Ridge.  The Nature Center was established in 1960 on the former estate of Miss Susan Dwight Bliss; the site was donated to the Town of New Canaan and is maintained by the town.  The property consists of a number of original buildings and new; such as the tropical greenhouse, maple syrup shed, the Bliss Education Building and Educational Annex house. The New Canaan Nature Center consists of 40 acres. There is a large variety of terrain from wet and dry meadows to woodlands with two ponds, thickets, an old orchard and cattail marsh. There are two miles of... 08/24/2010

Silvermine Neighborhood, Norwalk, Ct. The Silvermine neighborhood is in three Connecticut municipalities - Norwalk, New Canaan & Wilton. Silvermine is approximately 3 miles long south to north and 1 mile wide east to west. Silvermine was long ago an "art community" and remains the home of the Silvermine Guild Arts Center.  The area has been settled since the late 1700's and you can see many of the original barns and homes remodeled. During the 1800's the Silvermine River was used for mills.  A miller usually built a tiny dam and canal on a small stream and erected a wooden undershot waterwheel. Manufacturing took place wherever there was waterpower. The move from waterpower to steam began the demise of the mills, by the turn of the twentieth century, Silvermine was declining. Most of th... 08/21/2010

Philip Johnson Glass House Tours, New Canaan, Ct. Philip Johnson's Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut was donated to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1986, while he retained a life estate lease. In 2005 Philip Johnson dies at age 98 and in 2007 the National Trust for Historic Preservation opens the estate and Glass House to the public.  Built in 1949 the Philip Johnson Glass House sits on a 47 acre site in New Canaan, Connecticut.  The Glass House is built out of quarter-inch thick glass walls with no interior walls, the structure is supported by black steel pillars. The brick floors and brick bathroom cylinder are finished to a polished purple hue. There are an additional 14 Philip Johnson designed structures on the property as well. Some of the well known buildings ... 08/12/2010

  FRESH LOCAL SEAFOOD ~ AUGUST IN CONNECTICUT.            Nothing like fresh local seafood for dinner, one of our favorite fish monger's is Fish Tales in New Canaan, Ct. They have been in the seafood business for decades and know all the local suppliers in Connecticut and the New England coast line. Seafood is very easy to cook, 1. don't overcook it, 2. don't over season it....you want to taste the seafood. The crew at Fish Tales can give you expert advice on what ever item you are interested in on how to cook it. They also have plenty of prepared dishes cooked on premises by their own professionally trained Chief, Chief Al.  Along with that they provide a great catering service that will cater a party to your specifications, anything from a throw down clam bake to a black and tie weddi... 08/09/2010

58 Parker's Glen, New Canaan, Ct. ~ New Construction, 11,570 sq.ft. 58 Parker's Glen in New Canaan, Connecticut is new construction with attention to details and high-end materials. Fully equipped with top of the line appliances and prewired for Crestron AV Smart Home system. Four stories consist of 11,570 sq. ft of living space on cul-de-sac with a secluded 2.94 acre professionally landscaped property.  On four levels, with a total of 21 rooms, 6 Bedrooms, 8 full baths, 2 half baths, pool house, 5 car garage, finished basement with wine cellar and entertainment room pre wired.  This high end home was built by renowned local contractor/developer RR Builders LLC. Sales price $6,995,000. For further information and a preview of this property or any other please contact David Popoff at Wil... 07/19/2010