And here's good news: a high-end sale in the north country

20 Lower Cross Road

It took a while: 444 days, but 2 Lower Cross Road reports a contract. A very nice house, built in 1995 on 12 acres and part of Conyers Farm, sort of - you can get into the polo games without paying a car charge and, possibly, chat up Peter Brant in his art gallery. Last asking $4.750 million, which is just a modest reduction from its opening price of $5.250. Of course, we won't know what the actual selling price is until it closes, but unless the heirs grew tired of waiting to collect on their inheritance, I'd guess that that final price will be close to this one: those heirs have demonstrated a remarkable tenacity in holding on to their price.

Listing agent is Bill Andruss, very much one of the good guys in this business, so good for you, Bill.