Litchfield County, Connecticut, is experiencing a shift in its luxury real estate market, with high-end properties increasingly sold off-market. A recent transaction at 338 Calkinstown Road in Sharon, where a Federal Georgian estate sold for $5.75 million without ever being publicly listed, exemplifies this trend. The property, custom-built in 2019 on 35 acres, was sold through a private deal facilitated by Bill Melnick and Elyse Harney Morris of Elyse Harney Real Estate.
The sale underscores the dynamics at play in the luxury segment, where inventory is scarce and buyers are highly motivated. According to Melnick, the buyer's specific needs could not be met by available listings, prompting a direct approach to the seller. 'We knew what the buyer needed, and it simply was not available. So we approached the seller directly and asked if they were open to a private sale,' Melnick said. The seller agreed, and the deal was completed without the property ever appearing on public platforms like Zillow.
Off-market transactions are becoming more common for properties priced above $3 million in Litchfield County. For sellers, private sales eliminate the disruption of showings, open houses, and public price history. Buyers avoid bidding wars and the emotional risk of losing a property. Both parties benefit from a streamlined, controlled process. Melnick noted that sellers considering a private sale need assurance of a fair price and a serious buyer. 'When all of that lines up, it can actually be a better outcome than going to market,' he said.
The Calkinstown Road property itself is a notable example of high-quality construction. Built by local builder Robert Fish, the home features hand-carved fireplace mantles, antique wood library paneling, a slate roof, and copper gutters. It includes five wood-burning fireplaces, five en-suite bedrooms, and a chef's kitchen opening to a great room. The 35-acre grounds offer a heated gunite pool, bluestone patio, and professional landscaping. The property borders one of Litchfield County's highest-recorded sales, a $10 million transaction on an adjacent parcel, also built by Fish.
This sale signals broader trends in the Litchfield County market. While transaction volume has moderated from pandemic peaks, dollar volume is holding or increasing, driven by high-end activity. Cash buyers from finance and technology sectors in New York City are active in the $3 million-plus tier, making mortgage rates less relevant to this segment. Off-market activity rises when inventory is thin and buyers are serious, conditions currently present in Sharon and surrounding towns.
Agents with deep local relationships, like Melnick and Morris, are key to facilitating these deals. 'Rob Fish’s houses are traditional in styling and very high quality. They tend to sit on exceptional building sites with big views or conservation land. When one comes available, it does not stay that way for long,' Melnick said. For sellers hesitant about a public listing, the current environment may offer an alternative path to a successful sale.
Explore Sharon, CT listings and community information at Elyse Harney Real Estate. Bill Melnick is a luxury real estate specialist with Elyse Harney Real Estate, serving buyers and sellers across Litchfield County, Connecticut, and the surrounding region.
