Meet Katharine Gray Bunoski, a Darien native who moved back to town after getting married. She is a mom of two young children and a real estate agent at Douglas Elliman. A member of The Jennifer Leahy Team, Katharine loves sharing snippets of daily life in Darien, home décor, local favorites, and of course real estate tips and listings on her social channels. Find out more about Katharine, her family, and all their favorite things to do in the area.
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
I have two children, Isabelle (age 3.5) and Bennett (age 1.5).
As a Darien native, what brought you and your family to town?
My husband, Sean, and I decided to move back to Darien the year after we got married, prior to having kids (a rarity!). We were looking in Darien, as well as Greenwich, New Canaan, and a little bit in Westport. We were both commuting 5x/week then, and the convenience of the train was a huge factor. We fell in love with our house, which is walkable to the Noroton Heights Train Station and the new Darien Commons development. That, plus the beaches and the ease of life in Darien that I was already accustomed to from growing up here (amazing schools, great restaurants, shops, multiple grocery stores, proximity to our surrounding towns), really sealed the deal! We found the transition from city life to be very easy because we still have so many amenities that are comparable. For a while we joked that Darien was the same as the Upper East Side, just a little farther north.
What’s your favorite family activity to do in the area?
Pretty much every Friday evening of the spring/summer/early fall you can find us at the either Weed or Pear Tree Point Beach ordering pizza with the kids and a group of friends! It is our favorite way to end the week.
Tell us about your path to real estate. Why did you decide to get into it?
Ever since graduating college and getting into sales. Previously, I had a 13-year career in advertising sales, and I have always planned on becoming a real estate agent when I moved back to town. I got my license as soon as the pandemic started. It’s really my dream job and a combination of everything I love. Working with people, the Fairfield County suburbs, interior design, architecture, and homes. That’s what drove me to pursue it as my full-time career. I feel so lucky to be the person to find people their home in our beautiful little corner of the world. I always knew real estate was in my future; it was just a matter of when!
What is the best or most rewarding part of your job?
Without question, the most rewarding part is matching people with their dream home. I love being the one to help them find the place where they will make their memories for years to come.
What is one thing you hear most often from families you work with?
In terms of me as a real estate agent, I often hear that they appreciate my expertise on the area and the market in/around Darien. I also provide a somewhat unique perspective as a mom of young kids. I love providing recommendations for daily life here and helping my clients discover the best places to enjoy in the area. Additionally, right now I’m hearing from so many people that they would love to move, but there are just so few homes for sale! So if you are interested in selling, let me know – I may have a buyer for you!
Between open houses and showings with clients, how do you juggle work and motherhood?
I am always striving for a balance that I’m not sure will ever fully exist! I’m sure so many parents can relate. It can be really hard to juggle, but having a solid support system is key. My mom is in town, which is a life saver. Showings and meetings can be last minute so having childcare coverage makes all the difference. I am pretty much always available for my clients and always reachable on my phone (if you work with me, you know that I am a very quick responder!!). But when I have solo time with my kids, I try to be present and make sure our time together is quality.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another mom?
One piece of advice that has always stayed: you are exactly what your child needs!! You don’t have to be picture perfect or always have a clean house. Just being there for your kids, having fun with them, and creating positive memories is what will stay with them. I try to remind myself that messy and disorganized daily life is okay, it’s just about being together and being happy.
How do you unwind when you need some “me time?”
I recently started working out again (my first time in the gym since before Covid!) and it’s been an amazing stress relief and way to get some “me time” in. I also love to play tennis, grab drinks with friends, and am always down for a moms’ night out!
Any words of wisdom?
I could probably use some wisdom myself! I guess I have this—when it comes to buying or selling real estate, it’s important to be strategic based on the current market conditions. But often you can’t time your life according to that, so really what it comes down to is when is the best time for you—your family, your life, and your own unique set of circumstances. My advice would be not to get so caught up in the headlines because often the reality is a little different and we can make something work for you, no matter what the timing is.
We love supporting local businesses. Favorite places in town or nearby to…
Have dinner with/without kids: With – 1020 or Burger Shakes & Fries. Without – L’Ostal
Grab a drink with friends: Also L’Ostal or 1020
Have a date night: Le Fat Poodle in Old Greenwich (we also had our rehearsal dinner there, it has such a fun vibe) and Rowayton Seafood
Spend time together as a family indoors/outdoors: We love going to the beach, Cherry Lawn, Meade Park in New Canaan, and exploring other towns (Greenwich Ave is a favorite!)
Shop for yourself/shop for your kids: I have been making a serious effort to shop local, especially this past holiday season! I love so many of our stores in town and basically did all my Christmas shopping at The Darien Sport Shop, Wee Mondine, Barrett Bookstore, Egg, The Darien Toybox, Everything is Rosey, and Sail To Sable The Cabana.
Grab coffee: I am a decaf coffee drinker – Roost has my favorite decaf latte but Espresso Neat has my favorite ambiance! My kids love visiting the fountain. And I’ve recently been going to Arden’s in Rowayton which is also a gem.
Good deals: You can find the best deals, especially on holiday décor, at stores like Browne & Co. during the July sidewalk sales! Also, I will pop into the DCA Thrift Store once in a while and I always find treasures. Everyone always asks for my go-to order at our local restaurants so feel free to DM me if you want recommendations!!
Follow Katharine on her social channels @katharinegraybunoski:
Instagram and TikTok. You can also visit her website for more info.