A recent off-market sale in Sharon, Connecticut, illustrates how the luxury real estate market in Litchfield County is evolving. The property at 338 Calkinstown Road, a custom-built Federal Georgian estate on 35 acres, sold for $5,750,000 without ever being publicly listed. This transaction, facilitated by Bill Melnick and Elyse Harney Morris of Elyse Harney Real Estate, underscores a growing trend in high-end real estate: private, relationship-based deals that bypass traditional market exposure.
Litchfield County is experiencing a shortage of inventory while buyer demand remains strong, particularly for properties above $3 million. This imbalance is pushing more high-end transactions away from public listings and toward off-market sales. Sellers benefit from avoiding the disruption of showings and public price histories, while buyers gain a cleaner process without competing offers. Bill Melnick noted, “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. They were, and from there it came together.”
The Calkinstown Road property was originally purchased in March 2020, before the pandemic-driven surge in home values. The sellers capitalized on the 30 percent appreciation in county values, achieving a fair price in a smooth transaction. “Sellers who agree to a private sale want to know it is worth their while,” Melnick said. “The price has to be fair, the process has to be easy, and they need confidence that the buyer is serious. When all of that lines up, it can actually be a better outcome than going to market.”
The estate itself is a prime example of high-quality construction by Robert Fish, a builder known for traditional designs and exceptional detailing. The 6,280-square-foot home features hand-carved fireplace mantles, antique wood library paneling, a slate roof, copper gutters, five wood-burning fireplaces, five en-suite bedrooms, and a chef’s kitchen. The 35-acre property includes a heated gunite pool, bluestone patio, stone walls, and professional landscaping. It borders one of the highest-recorded sales in the county, a $10 million transaction on an adjacent parcel also built by Fish.
This off-market sale signals broader trends in Litchfield County. While transaction volume has moderated from its pandemic peak, dollar volume is holding or increasing due to activity at the top of the market. Cash buyers from finance and technology sectors in New York City are driving demand in the $3 million-and-above tier, making mortgage rates largely irrelevant. Off-market activity increases when inventory is thin and buyers are serious, both conditions present in Sharon and surrounding towns. Agents with deep community relationships are essential for facilitating these trust-based transactions.
For sellers considering a move but reluctant to undergo a public listing, the current environment may offer a simpler, faster, and more private alternative. The right buyer might already exist in someone's network, making a private sale a viable option.
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