I am, after twenty years, a non-practicing lawyer and glad of it. I am the author of The New Millionaire’s Handbook (Andrews/McMeal 2000, Greenwich Mean Time (2006) and several equally funny (he said) unpublished novels and screenplays. For the past seven years or so I’ve been selling real estate in Greenwich, Ct and while that wasn’t exactly the career I envisioned when I was a starry-eyed law school graduate, it seems to pay the bills far better than lawyering ever did, with no stress. Good deal.
Feel free to write me at Christopher.fountain@Gmail.com or call my cell at (203) 249-4394. If you email me and don’t want your message posted in a comment, please alert me to that. Thanks!
Hey Chris-
Saw you quoted this weekend in the NYT. Keep up the good work!!!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Chris, Some newspapers have metioned that FairfieldGreenwich lost 7 billion out of 14 that they had invested. I believe the 14 included monies from their Swiss afiliate which just successfully annulled the deal. So the most amazing part of the story is that they diversified by giving 100% of their funds to Madoff and it is all gone?
Thought you might be interested to learn how Kathy Fuld is spending her time these days:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-12-15/shopping-in-secret/1/
http://www.savethebeesshirts.com
I stumbled into you reading about the Madoff mess. I am curious. Anyway… just interested.. I also dabble in writing, and of course also have that great book the next one, which will work (perhaps)
Jay
The Archimedes Group spec house at 45 Upland Drive (see http://www.archimedesbuilders.com/_media/images/projects/residential/upland/gallery.html )
which, as far as I know, was a see-through last week, is the site of a big, festive, valet-parked affair tonight. Not sure if this particular place is actually rented now, but the party gave me an idea: Spec builders could market their empty projects as spectacular venues for private events.
A little rented furniture, a few family photos on the mantle–and who’s to know that you don’t live like this every day of the year?
I answered my own question…a quick Google search revealed that 45 Upland’s spec builder has already taken advantage of my idea:
http://www.ifiservices.com/
They’re holding an auction to benefit the Greenwich YWCA there.
Hope the masses don’t scratch the Brazilian cherry floors.
How long before we hear this bit of bragging on the pickup lines at Brunswick and GA?
http://clusterstock.alleyinsider.com/2008/12/getting-ripped-off-by-madoff-the-new-status-symbol
Thought this was spot on and maybe a good addition to your excellent commentary.
Cheers!
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1319520/2009_new_years_resolutions_for_greenwich.html?cat=2
I’m not sure if you saw this. The Town of Fairfield lost $42m of it’s pension investments to Madoff. A friend of mine in Fairfield told me that it looks like Fairfield will need to raise property taxes to cover the pension shortfall.
See link to story.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,468824,00.html
Read Yohoo, Anybody Home.
Just imagine this. People stop paying their mortgages and no one can prove they(whoever the bank is) holds a title to the place. The occupants then exert squatters rights under common law.
Hee!
Criminy, I forgot to ask. If an occupant deserts a property; just up and leaves town and nobody knows who holds the title, who pays property taxes?
It remains unpaid, if no lender steps forward to claim it and will be a lien on the property until it is sold. Could you cut a deal with the town? Probably _ I’m sure Greenwich will soon be glad to see properties get off the delinquent list and back on active.
317 Stanwich on the P&Z agenda for tonight (see item 6):
http://greenwichct.virtualtownhall.net/Public_Documents/GreenwichCT_PZAgendas/T-01-06-09.pdf
Info Diva – thanks for the heads up – as I just posted, turns out this donation of an acre to the Land Trust was always part of the plan so it doesn’t affect the sellers’ pricing decision. I wonder whether such a donation is wise? I’ll have to think about that.
Chris,
Did you see the Bloomberg article on Greenwich home prices (see link below)? Nothing new. Logical arguments for a housing rebound are exhausted and now what is left is silly misplaced hope as seen in quote from a Prudential Broker, “As sales people, you’ve got to be optimistic,” Cooke said. “I think today, with Inauguration Day and a new president, I hope it has some effect on it.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601213&sid=apf6TnGkqjzk&refer=home
Hmm…nice writing. I am learning myself on how to write a good blog myself
used to live in CT. can’t say I miss the cold weather!
Just found you via Instapundit. You’re now bookmarked…good stuff.
Chris, have some weekend fun with this…:
http://www.uslaw.com/madoff/madoff_clients.php?city=GREENWICH
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FM71j6-VkNE/SYvFQ0zR_mI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/CejaPTYAUrg/s1600-h/greenwich.jpg
Check out Matthew Brown’s older brother. If I am thinking of the right person (which I may, or may not be), I believe he was involved in an art forgery scam some time in the 90′s back in southern California.
Saw Walter at Round Hill tonight. No alzheimers evident. Mrs. is in Palm Beach. Not being very well received I am told. Selling the house in South Hampton. Not homesteading the PB house which is under renovation. Wouldn’t look good.
jail bird still has it
http://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/abo/2485117532.html
Love your blog. How would you price the same house if it was located close to town rather than in back country? Thanks!
Higher
http://gawker.com/5879184/actual-dumbest-mayor-ever-will-help-latinos-by-maybe-eating-tacos-tonight
please talk about this. i’m speechless
Chris – what’s going on with the apparent tear down at 425 North Maple?
Thanks….
Arnie