Bennett St.Marie Realtor

06/12/2026

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/14-Woodcrest-Ln-14-Danbury-CT-06810/2088239311_zpid/

06/10/2026

Renting in Fairfield County, CT?

Just a few Connecticut housing rules, hidden tenant rights, and local lifestyle things you should know to stay protected

06/08/2026

Renting in CT? This Pending Law Could Cap Your Next Rent Increase. 📜👇

Right now, a major piece of legislation is moving through Hartford that every Connecticut renter needs to watch closely. Governor Ned Lamont’s proposed House Bill 5092 aims to protect tenants from "flip-and-displace" tactics, which happen when a new owner buys an apartment building and immediately spikes the rent to force current tenants out.

The bill moved quickly through the legislature this spring. It was first introduced back on February 9, 2026, and found early success when it passed the Housing Committee with a 13-6 vote on March 10. If the bill passes the full legislature and gets signed into law, it is set to take effect on October 1, 2026. Under the new rules, if a new landlord buys your building, the local Fair Rent Commission can cap any first-year rent increase at 5% or the rate of inflation. A new owner can only bypass this 5% cap if they invest more than $50,000 per unit in major, structural renovations. If they try to jack up your rent without doing that massive amount of work, you have the right to file a formal complaint.

From a real estate perspective, this is a double-edged sword. While it gives you excellent, predictable protection during a building sale, it might also cause some investors to hit the brakes on buying and fixing up older multi-family properties.

06/03/2026

Do NOT buy a house until you see the property tax breakdown across these 10 towns in Fairfield County CT. Save this for your home search! 📌

06/02/2026

After almost 2 decades of making memories for the St. Marie family clan, my grandparents are looking to sell their current Florida residence down in Boynton Beach Florida! Some nearby family favorites include...

✅Two Georges Waterfront Grille and (12-15 min)
✅On The Line Sportfishing or Chips Ahoy Charters (12-15 min)
✅Okeeheelee Park which features a massive cable wakeboarding system, dog park and more (20 min)
✅Jungle Queen Riverboat in Fort Lauderdale (30-45 min)
✅Disney in Orlando (2.5 -3 Hours)

Please reach out to Diane Torti for more Info!!

Link: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/10460-Green-Trail-Dr-N-Boynton-Beach-FL-33436/46589463_zpid/

05/29/2026

Norwalk's rental shortage finally has a solution through Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) helping renters find more options AND homeowners to generate passive income

Rental units between 700–1,000 SF in Norwalk are averaging around $2,750/month, with the strongest rents concentrated in South Norwalk (SONO) where newer luxury buildings regularly achieve $2,500–$3,300+. One-bedroom units average about $2,600, while two-bedroom units average roughly $2,765, showing tenants are prioritizing location and amenities over added space. Properties with two bathrooms consistently command higher rents, often adding $300–$700 per month compared to similar one-bath units. Higher-end rentals that include utilities and amenities are averaging significantly higher rents than older buildings where tenants cover all utilities themselves.

Enter ADU's, the game changer!

Norwalk's journey with ADUs began in December 2022 when the city adopted stricter regulations, but a shift in 2024-2025 with state legislation removing certain barriers started to streamline the process, especially for attached ADUs now receiving administrative approvals. The game-changing moment came in May 2026 when Norwalk significantly eased its ADU restrictions, implementing a streamlined approval process, expanded permitted zones, and relaxed size/parking requirements - a stark contrast to the previous 5 years when only 12 ADUs were approved, but which has now unlocked pent-up demand with over 45 applications received in just the first few months, signaling the potential for ADUs to meaningfully address the city's rental inventory shortage by providing more affordable options for tenants while allowing homeowners to generate supplemental income.

✅ Streamlined approval process (weeks, not months)
✅ Expanded zones where ADUs are permitted
✅ Relaxed size and parking requirements
✅ Administrative approval for most applications

05/28/2026

05/02/2026

Winning the bid is only half the battle. Can you survive the Appraisal Gap? 🏠📉

You finally found the one. You beat out five other offers. You’re under contract. Then, the appraisal comes back $30,000 lower than your offer price.For a first-time buyer, this is the moment the "dream home" turns into a math problem that can break your bank account.

Your lender only cares about the Appraised Value, not your purchase price. If there’s a gap, the bank won’t just "cover it." That money has to come from somewhere and usually, that somewhere is your pocket, in cash, on top of your down payment.

Two rules for my first-time buyers to live by:

1️⃣ Don't Empty the Tank. If you use every penny of your savings for a down payment, an appraisal gap will kill your deal. Always keep a "Gap Fund" ready. A lower appraisal isn't a deal-breaker if you have the liquidity to bridge it.

2️⃣ Check the "Comps" BEFORE You Offer. Ask your agent for the data an appraiser will actually use. If the highest recent sale in the area is $480k, and you’re offering $500k, you are walking into a $20k gap with your eyes wide open. Plan for it.

04/30/2026

Big congratulations to my clients on closing on their new home today!

We’ve had the opportunity to work together on multiple transactions, and it’s been great helping them navigate both the sale side and now securing a place of their own. This home comes with an ADU, giving them built-in flexibility whether that turns into a cash-flowing rental or a space for family and friends for when they come to visit!

Real estate is all about creating options, and they’ve put themselves in a great position to do just that.

04/28/2026

Why Your "Pre-Qual" Is Costing You Your Dream Home 🏠

In today’s competitive market, walking into an open house with just a "Pre-Qualification" is a major mistake. Excited buyers "house hunting" before they’ve actually had their finances verified. It’s the fastest way to get your heart broken in this 2026 market.

Why this matters for your 2026 search:

1️⃣ Verification = Credibility. When you submit an offer with a Pre-Approval, you’re providing proof of funds. In a multiple-offer situation, that is your greatest leverage.

2️⃣ Avoid the "Budget Cliff." Don't fall in love with a home based on a guess. Pre-approval catches red flags (like DTI issues or credit blips) NOW—not while you’re 14 days into escrow and about to lose your earnest money.