An iconic local example of a Federal home - complete with a Greenwich Historical Society placard. Craftsmanship beyond compare. This week's Featured Open House Property is a North Street landmark that was built in 1855 and stirs the imagination as an imposing visual reminder of the grandeur of history and the colorful legacy of times gone by.

Even though it has been thoughtfully renovated, remodeled and carefully modernized by celebrated architect Sam Mitchell (in the not too distant past), you can rest assured, all of the Old New England architectural details that make this house so undeniably charming have been lovingly preserved.

Some homes for sale in Greenwich sit on the market for an extended period of time - and go through several price reductions - before they find a new owner. Other homes hit the market and get snatched up quickly. Sometimes it's just a matter of offering the right price for the time and location.

What else can help move a home? Excellent views. proximity to schools/highways/businesses. Upgraded amenities.

Marketing prowess can definitely play a role. Staging. Pro-level photography. Drone video. These days, we're even seeing virtual reality home tours creating a buzz - 3D, 360°, photo-realistic home renderings - the stuff of the future.

Other times, an element of luck helps the home move quickly. A motivated buyer happens to glance in the direction of a yard sign on the very day it's placed out - and the magic happens.

This week's Featured Recently Sold Property, is the perfect home for a oenophile with some sea legs. Perched up on a Byram Shore Road vantage point (read: not in the flood zone), with a backyard looking down over 173 feet of deep water frontage complete with an elaborate mooring and dock setup, this home is just begging the new owner to set sail.

Imagine hoisting the main, letting the Greenwich breezes push your vessel across Long Island Sound, out past Calf Island, Island Beach and Great Captains Island - all, coincidentally, visible in dramatic views from the home itself.

As you'll note by the length of our Open Houses list this week (over 40+ houses), the late summer / early autumn real estate market is revving back up in a major way. We expect to see some vigorous activity over the next few weeks and months with a wealth of new data and insights about the current state of the Greenwich real estate market revealed along the way. Stay tuned to our weekly real estate update on Living Greenwich to watch it all unfold in (almost) real time!

This week's Featured Recently Sold Property, with its shaded lot and lush landscaping, might have a mid-country feel to it - but it's located in the heart of Riverside on Dawn Harbor Lane.

Labor Day weekend has brought with it the expected lull in real estate sales and open houses within the Greenwich market. Just about everyone who's looking to be in the market soon - on the buying and selling sides - is quietly strategizing while waiting for the end-of-summer festivities to subside. That said, there were a few strong sales that managed to sneak across the finish line at the last minute - just in time for the negotiating parties to enjoy the Labor Day holiday weekend. (Scroll down lower on the page to see the details on most of those transactions.)

Our Featured Recently Sold Property this week represents one of these late-summer sales. Located on North Street in Greenwich, the understated facade of this home almost leaves you unprepared for some of the details and flourishes characterizing the inside and backyard living spaces it offers.

Weather-wise, this has been an incredible year for spending time outdoors. Local landscape designers have been busier than ever as 2016's near-perfect summer had us all rediscovering our outdoor spaces and brainstorming on the ways we could spruce up our little pieces of New England paradise as we soaked up the glorious sun-rays. Then it's phone calls, and drawings, and material/labor quotes, and scheduling...and before you know it, summer has come and gone. 'But at least it will be there for next year.'

That's why, when you're in the market for a new home - it's even better when you can purchase a place that has curb appeal, the perfect floor-plan, a wonderful location AND an absolutely fabulous oasis and parcel of manicured land just waiting for you to invite over the family and friends to help you create life-long summer (and fall, and spring) memories aplenty.

Our Featured Recently Sold Property of the week is a distinctive and meticulously-maintained modern Hawkwood Lane home designed by Roy Johnson. Secluded at the far end of a cul-de-sac in a private mid-country association, and set on over an acre of manicured lawns stretching towards a picturesque lake with dock -- this 6,750 square foot residence with 4 bedrooms and 4-and-2-half baths really makes an unforgettable statement.

A sky-lit rotunda marks the center of the interior, and a recurring theme of hexagonal walled rooms makes ample use of floor to ceiling windows and glass sliders leading to wraparound mahogany decks and gorgeous terraces.

There's something special about the sturdiness of a stately colonial home in New England. Case in point: this week's Living Greenwich Featured Open House Property in Riverside. Sun positively fills this completely renovated 5 bedroom, 5 1/2 bath colonial with hardwood floors throughout. A well-outfitted, open cook's kitchen shares space with a family room (complete with a music alcove), an eating area, and a cozy fireplace. You'll adore the variety of versatile spaces, including multiple formal rooms, a den, a fantastic mudroom, and a master bedroom with a tray ceiling and luxurious bath. There's the bonus of a walk-out lower level with a family room, bedroom and full bath (not included in the square footage). The private fenced backyard is ready for playtime with a swing set and your very own zip line! Everything you'd ever need for quality of life is right within sidewalk distance: school, park, train and village.

Open the windows and let in the ocean air from this week's Featured Open House Property. Discerning home buyers will appreciate this elegant colonial, just a short stroll to the shoreline, with stunning architectural details, seasonal water views and geographic proximity to everything you'd ever need.

Or, perhaps you're curious what approximately $1.7M will buy you in the current Greenwich market? If so, you'll need to have a look at our Featured Recently Sold Property (just a little further down the page) of the week -- a classic three bedroom colonial in the heart of Greenwich. The near 3/4 acre property features plenty of peacefulgreen space to unwind in PLUS a fantastic patio setup that any weekend gastronome would love, complete with a state of the art grilling station and outdoor fireplace. Kids you say? The property has plenty of room for the short-leggers with the benefits of a traditional cedar swing set already in place. Bigger kids? The house is just steps away from Cos Cob Middle School and mere minutes from Greenwich High School.

For this week's Featured Open House Property, we're shining the light on a sun-filled Colonial Revival custom-designed home with antique oak floors and custom mill work throughout. Located at the end of Sherwood Farm Lane, a quiet Greenwich cul-de-sac with Western views and magnificent evening skies in wonderful neighborhood close to everything.

This week’s review of recent property transfers revealed a number of closings of higher priced ($3MM+) homes around town. These sales took place predominantly in the Central Greenwich, Riverside and Old Greenwich neighborhoods.