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Copyright 2019 Olive Software 3/8/2019 4:38:51 PM
R2 | Greenwich Time | Friday, March 8, 2019
REAL ESTATE
In context to real estate, theterm “downsizing” may evokeimages of empty nesters and re-tirees, but of course there areother reasons why someone — ora family — may want to scaledown their home and diminishthe amount of time and resourcesspent on it. It may be a matter oflifestyle choice or time manage-ment, too.
“I think downsizers right noware not only looking for smallerspaces, but more so a sense ofsimplicity in where they are liv-ing,” according to Sally Maloney,a Realtor with Houlihan Law-rence and the listing agent for 15Watchtower Lane, a remodeledthree-bedroom two-and-a-half-bath colonial ranch.
“For those looking for single-family homes, it could be lessspace, less land, fewer amenitiesto take care of compared to whatthey have. For others looking foreven more convenience, it couldbe moving into a condo buildingor townhouse, where amenitiesand caretaking are covered inyour common charges, and youhave the ability to lock the doorand leave without worry,” Malo-ney suggested.
Her current listing at 15 Watch-tower Lane may be a home thatappeals to downsizing buyers;plus, it has the added bonus ofone-level living.
“[It is] easily accessible andoffers a great layout,” Maloneysaid. “It’s a three-bedroom home,with two bedrooms on one side ofthe house and a master suite onthe other, which offers a greatamount of privacy. It also sits on alevel 0.33-acre [lot], at one of thehighest points in Old Greenwich.The location, simplicity and con-venience of this house are a greatdraw.”
Downsizing buyers may also beinterested in 37 Sheephill Road(Unit 7), a two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath townhouse-style con-dominium, with 1,480-square-feetof living space. Joan Suter ofColdwell Banker Residential Bro-kerage is the listing agent for the$629,000 home in Riverside.
“In my experience, downsizersare trying to simplify their livesand make things easier,” Sutersaid. “Often, they have a homeelsewhere or want to travel, andthey are looking for a new homethat has zero maintenance. Whenthey decide to leave town to travelor winter in Florida for sixmonths, they have a home that isbeing looked after — especially onthe outside — by a managementcompany. Also, for security rea-sons, being in a condominium-type complex is helpful if thehouse is left vacant for certainstretches of time.”
Located in the MeadowparkTownhouses Association, Sutersuggested that 37 Sheephill Road,Unit 7, is “perfect for any down-sizing buyer. It’s an updated andmove-in-ready townhouse in aprivate and quiet community ofonly 17 units, with a heated pool.… There are extensive groundsaround the townhouse building,so you have the feeling of spacearound you, which is desired,
especially if you are downsizingfrom a single-family home.”
A “hybrid” option — a stand-alone condo unit — is 624 WestLyon Farm Drive in Greenwich, afive-bedroom condo that wascompletely renovated in 2008.Janet Milligan of William RaveisReal Estate is the listing brokerfor the $1.95 million property.
This particular standalonecondominium has the added perkof a first-level master bedroom,which can sometimes be hard to
find in the Greenwich market,Milligan noted.
Downsizers also “want nomaintenance and just to turn thekey and leave,” she suggested.“They want extra closets andstorage, because they are comingfrom a house.”
“This condo has a flexible floorplan, so there is a lot of space —approximately 4,200 square feet,”Milligan described the condo. “Ithas beautiful moldings, detailsand quality throughout. The sun-
ny living room has a fireplace andhigh, beamed ceiling. There isalso a formal dining room with ahigh, tray ceiling; a handsomelibrary, and an updated largekitchen with state-of-the-art ap-pliances.”
The garden level has a familyroom with a wet bar, a bedroomand a second laundry. The gardenlevel walks out to the yard; plus,there’s an oversized deck and atwo-car garage.
“This home makes for such aneasy transition from a largerhome to a condo lifestyle,” Milli-gan said. “The added bonus isthat these condos are not attachedto other condos. The atmosphereis like living in Vermont in thiscomplex. It has more than 60acres, with beautiful walkingroads and paths, seven ponds, acovered bridge, historic stonewalls, rolling hills and a well-maintained landscape. It alsooffers country-club living, with aheated pool, tennis courts, club-house, and putting green.”
LUXURY LIVING
By necessity or by want, less is more for downsizersBy Gretchen A. Peck
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage /
Located in Riverside’s Meadowpark Townhouses Association, Unit 7 at 37 Sheephill Road is an updated, move-in-ready townhouse. Thetwo-bedroom home is listed for $629,000 by Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.
AGENT PROFILE Elmarita Pearson
Elmarita Pearson began her profession-al career in banking, after earning aBachelor of Science degree in finance.
“I worked for Union Bank, the third largestbank in California — specifically in trust,investment and treasury in the CorporatePortfolio Department,” Pearson recalled. “Ialso worked for Citibank in mortgage lend-ing. These experiences have greatly helpedme to monitor the economy, read markettrends, navigate the financing process andsecure mortgage lenders’ approval.”
Pearson is referring to her transition toreal estate in 2017. She became a licensedRealtor in Connecticut and joined the Green-wich brokerage office of Coldwell BankerResidential Brokerage.
In addition to offering it agents and clientsthe technology they need to compete in adynamic market and professional devel-opment opportunities, Pearson credits thebrokerage for having a “superb reputation”and experienced managers and agents.
“I have always been passionate about help-ing people,” she said. “Being a Realtor allowsme the opportunity to help clients meet theirreal estate goals. I pride myself in establishingtrusted long-term relationships with myclients and catering to each of their needs. Asa local expert, I can also help my clients find aneighborhood that best suits them, based onmy extensive knowledge of town resources,local restaurants, activities, schools, and localmarket trends and analysis.”
On her clients’ behalf, she vows to “workoutside of the box and be creative.” She le-verages digital media and networking occa-sions.
“I have used social media, listing websites,MLS and open houses in order to give a list-ing as much exposures as possible,” she ex-
plained. “I also attend events where I’ll talkabout real estate and promote listings toagents and prospective clients.
“I am a trained negotiator,” she added. “Mygoal is to get deals done. I listen and find away for both parties. I stay positive, am cre-ative and do not see roadblocks as obstacles.There is always a solution for everything.”
Pearson is the mother of two children whoattend Greenwich Public Schools. She’s in-volved in the Julian Curtiss and Central Mid-dle School PTAs. Her family has lived inGreenwich since 2011. She enjoys hiking,watching sunsets and photographing nature.She’s an advocate for animals and an avidpaddle boarder. In fact, she founded the“Paddle Boarding Greenwich” group.
Strategic, creative negotiator
Business: Coldwell Banker Residential Bro-kerage
Lives: Greenwich
Works: Greenwich
Expertise: Deal-making negotiations andfinance
Contact: (203) 622-1100 office; (203) 524-1448 cell; [email protected]
Krissy Blake grew up in a real estatefamily. Her mother’s family ownedan apartment complex, which her
mother managed and eventually sold. Hermother also became a Realtor in McLean,Virginia. “She was hardworking and suc-cessful,” Blake recalled. She followed in hermother’s footsteps and became a licensedRealtor in 2002.
Real estate may have been but one of twopassions for Blake. She also competed as aworld-class equestrienne, and she creditsthe sport with developing self-disciplineand organizational skills — critical attri-butes for professional Realtors. She re-mains a lifetime member of the UnitedStates Equestrienne Federation.
After riding horses on the internationalequestrian show circuit and completing hercollege studies, Blake began her profes-sional career in New York City, working atMerrill Lynch and Lehman Brothers beforeworking in real estate.
Blake is a long-time resident of Green-wich, and it’s in Greenwich and FairfieldCounty where she’s focused her business.She’s an agent with the Greenwich office ofSotheby’s International Realty, and workswith clients across the residential realestate spectrum, from rentals to luxuryproperties.
“I joined Sotheby’s International Realtyto ensure that my clients receive the opti-mal brand awareness, global reach andmarketing prowess they deserve,” Blakesaid.
She approaches every real estate dealwith hard work, dedication, determinationand a competitive spirit.
“Whether buying or selling a property, I
understand the importance of customerexcellence and pride myself on dealinghonestly and fairly, while creating relation-ships with my customers, which continuefar beyond the transaction,” she said.
Blake and her husband have three chil-dren — now, college graduates. Prior toGreenwich, they resided in London and inWestchester, New York. In Greenwich,she’s active within the community. Sheserved on the parents’ boards at bothGreenwich Academy and BrunswickSchool. She is also a supporter of theGreenwich Land Trust, Greenwich RidingTrails, Greenwich Preservation Trust andthe Northeast Greenwich Association.
Real estate runs in the family
Business: Sotheby’s International Realty,Greenwich brokerage office
Lives: Greenwich
Works: Greenwich
Expertise: Marketing prowess and globalreach
Contact: (203) 618-3126 office; (203) 536-2743 cell; [email protected]
AGENT PROFILE Krissy Blake
Address Price
21 Vista Drive $45 million
130 Field Point Circle $25.9 million
521 Round Hill Road $22.5 million
124 Old Mill Road $19.95 million
6 Windrose Way $18.75 million
15 Meadowcroft Lane $18.75 million
66 Glenwood Drive $15.75 million
75 Byram Shore Road $14.95 million
Source: Multiple Listing Service
THE LIST Highest for sale
