WANTED: MORE HOUSES

After several volatile seasons, a few of the anomalies rocking the real estate market have stabilized. Mortgage rates are slightly lower than they were last fall, with an average of around 6.7 percent, and urban dwellers have stopped fleeing cities in droves. Still, housing inventory remains stubbornly low. Compared to 2019, there are fewer than half the number of for-sale homes on the national market—and that’s especially the case in Ridgefield, a lovely town that manages to be both bucolic and commutable. Some good news: At press time, a beautifully renovated Colonial popped onto the market, and it is the perfect family home. The owner, who is an avid gardener, put in the pool, specimen trees, outdoor fireplace, bonsai court and even a lacrosse field. The four-bedroom house was also expanded over the years, now measuring 3,450 square feet and including a large home office with a private balcony. The property lists for $1.3 million with Karla Murtaugh, founding agent with Compass in Ridgefield. 203-856-5534.

Compound Interest

In Southport, a brand-new listing offers a rare 15 acres of waterfront property, priced at $44.5 million. Sasco Point, as it’s called, features a circa-1923 Elizabethan Renaissance manse, along with a matching boathouse with a crenellated turret. Designed by Henry C. Pelton, best known as the architect of the Riverside Church and The Cloisters in New York City, the imposing, red-brick main house measures 18,000 square feet and has 30 rooms. Its grand interiors have retained the hallmarks of the era—ornate woodworking, fancy fireplaces and a “snuggery” on the third floor. But there are modern amenities, too, including a gym with a mirrored ballet barre, a media room and a primary suite with a fireplace and terrace. And throughout, there are wide-open views of Southport Harbor, the Country Club of Fairfield golf course and Sasco Beach. It lists with Andrew S. Whiteley of Team AFA at William Raveis.

Modern Masterpiece

What’s unique about a for-sale modern in New Canaan, is, well, everything. It was designed by renowned architect Joeb Moore—winner of the 2022 CTC&G Innovator Award—and built by Prutting + Co. On a small, in-town lot (.2 acres), the rooftop is the place to start the tour, for its chic terrace equipped with a fireplace, outdoor kitchen and sweeping views of downtown New Canaan. The L.E.E.D.-certified, three-story structure has glass walls to let in light and soaring ceilings to make every space feel large and lofty. The primary suite, one of four bedrooms, is especially lovely with its steam shower, wood-paneled sauna and huge walk-in closet. It lists for $3,250,000 with Chau Ngo of Douglas Elliman. —Diane di Costanzo