With nearly 20 years of experience in real estate, Sherri Kagan Schwartz is a licensed Realtor who works with Coldwell Banker Realty in West Hartford.
She serves residential and commercial clients in the Greater Hartford area and beyond and is also licensed in Massachusetts.
“I frequently assist buyers who are looking in towns close to the state borders and who also are considering Massachusetts, so it made sense to become dual-licensed to serve my client’s needs in both states.
“For instance, I work with a lot of lake house buyers and because there are so many beautiful lake communities in both states , I have had the pleasure of learning about and visiting many of them as a result!”
Sherri’s sales volume is over $15 million annually and she has earned membership in the Coldwell Banker® International President’s Elite, an honor reserved for the top three percent of agents globally. She’s also been consistently named one of America’s Best Agents by RealTrends, a news site for the real estate industry.
She holds numerous real estate industry credentials. She’s a certified Relocation Agent, a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS™) and a member of the Institute of Luxury Home Marketing (ILHM) where she has achieved GUILD™ status, having closed on properties worth $1 million and above. She’s also a Zillow and Trulia 5-Star Agent whose clients often cite how knowledgeable, professional and attentive she is.
She serves a wide array of buyers, sellers and investors, including commercial, military, corporate relocations, single-family, condos, new construction, first-time buyers, downsizers, rental property clients, as well as horse property and multi-family buyers.
She is on Coldwell Banker’s Corporate Relocation Services Team, which assists relocating transferees and their families. She particularly enjoys her work helping our service members relocate and find new homes.
She gives back to her local community through her association with the Greater Hartford Association of Realtors Community Involvement Committee. “I have also worked with Journey Home CT (Journeyhomect.com) over many years, facilitating teams from our office and assisting with coordinating donations of furniture and household goods and then taking part in home makeovers, one of the most rewarding experiences we as a team have had the pleasure of participating in.”
A member of the West Hartford Historic District Commission, Sherri has a particular interest in the region’s older and historic homes.
“I’ve always had a fondness and fascination for antique homes. Their character and craftsmanship evoke a by-gone era of attention to detail that’s not seen today and I find it intriguing to imagine the lives of those homes’ previous occupants, the events that transpired within the walls, and the evolution of the home over time."
Sherri lives in West Hartford with her family and two rescue dogs. She has worked with two dog rescue groups in recent years, Labs4Rescue and DogStar Rescue, and is a strong advocate for them.
She has worked for Coldwell Banker, which led the market in sales in Hartford County in 2022 and 2023 ( with over $1 billion in sales in 2022 alone) since 2005.
"I love my job because it's never the same. I’m always meeting amazing people and traveling widely throughout the area. And it's always exciting because I get to explore our entire state. You'll often find me going off the beaten path wherever I am!”
We spoke with Sherri about the housing market and trends she’s seeing for 2024.
Q. What's the local market like right now? Are homes still selling for above asking?
A. The average sale price this past December was up almost 20 percent from last December, its highest level compared to 2022 and 2021. Homes are selling at an average of $224 a square foot , which is about 8 percent higher than in 2022, and about 106 percent of asking price. Inventory is also still historically low, low, low.
Q. What should I be considering if I’m thinking of buying or selling a home now?
A. It's so important to have a professional by your side every step of the way to guide you, whether buying or selling. Having a reputable lender if necessary, is the first step, and I am proud to partner with some of the finest in the area. You will need to be ready to make a decision quickly, so having a lender already onboard is key. While it's easy to hop online and home search, you'll want a Realtor on your side to get the most up to date market information, one who will move quickly to get you into properties. With the quick pace we are seeing, it's important to get in sooner than later. I will frequently do virtual, live showings with my out of town clients. They're very thorough and so inclusive of every aspect of the house, the neighborhood, topography, etc., that clients have made decisions to purchase based on these.
Q. What’s the benefit for buyers and sellers to work with a local agent?
A. One of the most important things I bring to the table as a local agent is the many connections and relationships I have developed and nurtured with colleagues and providers who are key to a successful transaction, including area Realtors, lenders, inspectors, attorneys and other industry professionals and contractors. It takes a team; a small village, from start to finish. And even after the key is handed over, the new friendships that have grown are the icing on the cake. A local Realtor can provide insights and be aware of the current dynamics of the area, the neighborhoods, the growth ... which in 2024 will be incredible!
Q. What changes do you see coming for local real estate?
A.There’s lots of development in town. Last year was challenging for home buyers on many fronts, including surging prices, low inventory, and interest rate hikes. But it’s likely we’ll see mortgage rate cuts in 2024 and the housing market will begin to stabilize, promising a more productive market for buyers and sellers."
Q. What is the most common concern/question buyers and sellers have during the home buying and selling process.
A. Buyers have many questions; first-time buyers want to know about mortgage payment amounts and other costs, such as utilities& repair costs they might face. Transferees have a range of questions about their new area, from schools to taxes. Sellers’ biggest questions are what is their home worth and how to prepare it for sale and when to list. People relocating obviously have a lot more questions and as a longtime local resident I bring a breadth of unique knowledge since I’ve lived and worked as a Realtor here for so long. One of my favorite things is giving them a tour of the region and showing them the highlights and favorite spots. I tailor it to their needs, their preferences, including places that will be of interest to them depending on the family makeup. I’m like a West Hartford Docent, and pride myself on being an ambassador for our amazing town!"
Sherri Kagan Schwartz
Coldwell Banker Realty
992 Farmington Ave.
Online: Sherrischwartz-realestate.com
On Facebook: @sherrischwartzrealestate
On Instagram: @sherrikschwartzctrealtor
Email:Sherri.Schwartz@coldwellbankermoves.com
Phone:
860-883-0178 mobile
860-231-2600 office
Sherri Kagan Schwartz is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty in West Hartford. She serves residential and commercial clients in the Greater Hartford area.
“I feel a strong sense of gratitude toward military personnel and their families for their service. Helping them find a new home is a way to express that gratefulness."
“I’ve always had a fondness and fascination for antique homes. Their character and craftsmanship evoke a by-gone era of attention to detail that’s not seen today."