A recent off-market sale in Sharon, Connecticut, underscores the growing trend of luxury real estate transactions moving away from public listings. 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. Bill Melnick and Elyse Harney Morris of Elyse Harney Real Estate represented the transaction, approaching the seller on behalf of a buyer whose needs could not be met by current market inventory.
“We knew what the buyer needed, and it simply was not available,” Melnick said. “So we approached the seller directly and asked if they were open to a private sale. They were, and from there it came together.”
For buyers and sellers operating above $3 million in markets like Litchfield County, a private sale is often the preferred outcome. Sellers avoid the disruption of showings, open houses, and public price history. Buyers avoid competitive bidding wars. Both sides benefit from a cleaner, more controlled process.
The Calkinstown Road property had originally sold in March 2020, before pandemic-era price surges. The sellers capitalized on the property’s appreciation when approached for a private sale. “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.”
The house, built in 2019 by renowned local builder Robert Fish, features hand-carved fireplace mantles, antique wood library paneling, a slate roof, and copper gutters. With 6,280 square feet, five en-suite bedrooms, and a chef’s kitchen, it combines historic charm with modern convenience. The 35-acre setting includes a heated gunite pool, bluestone patio, and professional landscaping.
This sale signals a broader market trend in Litchfield County, where cash buyers from finance and technology sectors are active in the $3 million-plus tier. Off-market activity increases when inventory is thin and buyers are serious, conditions currently present in Sharon and surrounding towns. Agents with deep community relationships and existing buyer clients are facilitating these transactions, built on trust and local knowledge.
For sellers considering a move but reluctant to undergo a public listing, the current environment may offer a simpler, faster, and more private alternative. Explore Sharon, CT listings and community information at Elyse Harney Real Estate.
