Litchfield County actual property agency has first $1M sale

Making a change 

Duchene regarded into turning into a dealer in 2021, after being inspired by a buddy, Marshall Cohen. “He inspired me to take an actual property course, and I handed,” she mentioned. “I created the corporate after that, with all my ardour and power.”

Duchene studied at Northwestern CT Neighborhood School and has labored in tv and movie. After her father, Russell Duchene Jr., died in 2010, her mom, Agatha, needed to promote her residence.

“Dropping my dad was very arduous for me,” Duchene mentioned. “He was my rock.”

She had additionally simply skilled a troublesome breakup, and needed to make a change in her life.

“I additionally love Torrington,” she mentioned. “I noticed youthful folks leaving their hometown, going elsewhere, and I need them to know that there are alternatives proper right here. It’s important to search for them, and do one thing your self.”

With $500, Duchene utilized for her dealer’s license and commenced in search of an workplace. “It was actually thrilling,” she mentioned. “I needed to do one thing actually nice, and it was taking place. 

“There’s a lot potential right here within the metropolis,” Duchene mentioned. “The mayor (Elinor Carbone) is working actually arduous, and so are loads of different folks, and I needed to be a part of that someway. They’re actually attempting to make it higher, so folks will not depart.”

A few of the challenges younger folks face, she mentioned, are housing and jobs. “Housing is an issue for lots of people,” she mentioned. “Lots of people cannot afford to purchase a home. The taxes are increased. Individuals from out of state purchased properties for investments, and that affected the housing market … Rents are up. It is arduous.”

But when bigger corporations moved into the town, and offered higher, native employment alternatives, it might give folks a motive to return to Torrington, or keep, she mentioned. 

“I need folks to remain right here,” Duchene mentioned. 

‘The market was booming’

When she started growing her agency, Litchfield County Actual Property, in 2021, she had no concept what would occur. “It was scary,” she mentioned. “I utilized for an LLC, and designed indicators. I targeted on creating the model. In 2022, I began hiring folks. I bought a Major Avenue workplace above Sasso (pizza). However the market was booming.”

In 2021, Hearst Connecticut Media reported that “fierce” bidding wars and competitors with all-cash provides, coupled with lightning-fast gross sales are the challenges that younger, first-time homebuyers in search of “starter” properties in Connecticut are going through. 

“Motion within the Connecticut actual property market has been profound this previous 12 months due to intense demand generated by the pandemic. Specifically, metropolis dwellers have sought new digs all through the adjoining suburbs — subsequently ramping up costs, rushing out stock and making conventional mortgage offers a lot tougher to return by, particularly for first-time homebuyers who seemingly will not be in a position to make money provides,” based on Hearst. 

“Homes are promoting so quick and it’s very arduous for the younger millennials, until they’re making some huge cash,” defined Richard Higgins, CEO of the Higgins Group, which has places of work all through Fairfield County, within the Hearst report. “We did over a billion {dollars} final 12 months,” he mentioned. “It was our greatest 12 months ever. Each time I rotated, we had been promoting a $5-million home, an $8-million home.”

That “fierce” exercise has abated considerably, mentioned Duchene, however her agency has remained busy and the telephones maintain ringing. A home on Weed Street not too long ago offered for $1 million, the agency’s greatest sale, and is the very best priced residence in Torrington, she mentioned. 

The proper determination 

RaeLyn Lawrence joined Litchfield County Actual Property in February 2022. A primary-time agent, she was employed instantly after passing her actual property examination. Lawrence is an occupational therapist, and has labored in Torrington’s public faculties for 20 years. 

Becoming a member of forces with Duchene and the opposite members of the crew, she mentioned, was an excellent determination. She joined an actual property crew that additionally contains Andrea Garfield, Jared Tedesco, Lauren Gardner, Kelsey Menard, John Beavers, Cyra Summit and Casey French. 

“My ardour is to assist folks, to assist them discover locations to reside and furnish them,” she mentioned. “We’re an awesome firm, and we’re serving to one another develop. Kristen and I work collectively; no person’s territorial. We’re very supportive; all of us belief one another.”

The housing growth has modified, however Lawrence agreed with Duchene. “I had two closings (final) week, and one this week,” she mentioned. “I am very busy. It is going easily. I’ve 15 to twenty purchasers which are trying, ready to see what pops up. So homes are nonetheless promoting, nonetheless transferring.”

When she began promoting in 2022, Lawrence was instructed that winter is a gradual time, and that folks desire to purchase and promote in hotter climate. “However it’s a unique winter this 12 months,” she mentioned. “There’s not loads of snow; folks can exit. With listings, a apartment can promote in two days. It is busy.”

Duchene is trying ahead to a different profitable 12 months.

“I made $250,000 final 12 months, with a $500 funding, “she mentioned. “There are alternatives right here.”

To succeed in Duchene or study extra, go to litchfieldcountyre.com.