When people start thinking about buying a home, there’s always a lot weighing on their minds - interest rates, economic uncertainty, and what’s happening in the world at large. And sure, those things matter. But here’s what many recent buyers in Watch Hill, Weekapaug, Misquamicut, Avondale, and Stonington would say:

Life doesn’t wait for “perfect market timing.”  Moving when the moment is right for your family - that’s what truly pays off.

And this year, more and more people did just that.

Why Buyers Are Making the Move Now

Recent data from the National Association of Realtors shows that behind every home purchase is a personal motivator - and those motivators are strong. Some buyers are purchasing their very first home. Others want more space to gather, or less space to maintain. Many are moving closer to the people they love.

But here in our coastal communities, there’s another major reason that isn’t always captured in national surveys:

The desire for a summer home - a place to make memories

Families want a home where:
✔ Kids learn to sail on Little Narragansett Bay or one of the salt-ponds
✔ They bike to Napatree or East Beach and spend the day with friends
✔ They walk into the Watch Hill Village for ice cream or a ride on the Carousel
✔ They grab their boat and head to Block Island, Fishers Island, or Long Island for the day
✔ Their children meet summer friends they keep for a lifetime

These aren’t just houses - they become legacy properties.

Children who grow up vacationing in Watch Hill, Weekapaug, or Quonnie often return as adults, searching for their own slice of the shoreline to continue traditions with their own families.

We’re seeing that story play out every year. The next generation is returning - and buying.

“Just Outside Watch Hill” Is Now Very Much “In”

Because of this strong lifestyle pull, demand isn’t limited to Watch Hill or Weekapaug itself. The surrounding Westerly communities have become highly sought-after by:
• Former summer kids returning as buyers
• Families discovering the area for the first time
• Savvy investors who now see what this region offers

And who can blame them? With beaches, harbors, rivers, golf, tennis, and easy coastal cruising to nearby destinations - this area is unmatched in Southern New England.

What You Miss by Trying to Time the Market

Many prospective buyers sit on the sidelines thinking, “I’ll wait until prices drop.”

But history shows that here they rarely do - and when they do, they don’t stay down for long.  And when the right home comes along? If you don’t move, someone else will.

Buyers who took action this year are already settling into lives that feel richer, more connected, more aligned with what they truly want. They’re not waiting for conditions to be ideal - they’re creating ideal conditions for their families.

And they’re thankful they did.

Bottom Line

Owning a home here isn’t just about assets - it’s about access: to the water, to community, to lifelong memories.

So if you’ve been feeling the pull toward something better - something sunnier, saltier, and more meaningful - now is a smart time to talk.

Your next home could bring more joy, more connection, and more generational value than you ever expected.

If you’d like to explore what’s possible - I’m here. Let’s start the conversation.

Contact Geb Masterson