About a year ago, Michael Blair opened a boutique, high-end real estate office - Hunter Moore & Stearns - in the historic coastal village of Stonington in southeastern Connecticut. He did so with some special credentials: Michael had been mayor of the village from 1987 to 1992. Interestingly, one of his agents was mayor for eight years and is currently a Connecticut state senator. Born out of these experiences came the company motto, "A Tradition in Service," which captures the company's approach to clients and the community at large.

"We can speak with authority," Michael says. "We are part of the fabric of the community. We live here; we've raised our families here, and we know what's special and unique about the area."

As it turns out, there's a lot to like. Just a two-and-a-half hour drive from New York City, and due north of Montauk on Long Island's eastern tip, Stonington is part of a ten-mile stretch of classic New England villages that includes Groton Long Point, Noank, Mystic, and Mason's Island. Stonington began as a fishing village populated by Portuguese, and over the years has become increasingly diverse while maintaining tires to its history. "We like the mix of fishermen, weekenders, year-rounders, and people taking refuge from New York City," Michael explains. "There are still affordable homes. It's not exclusively high-end. It all adds to the fabric of the community."

One of Hunter Moore & Stearns' more charming properties is just five minutes out of town on scenic Al Harvey Road. The small country estate - four bedrooms, four baths - sits on 7.6 undulating acres. The property, framed by original field stone walls, features a quaint post-and-beam barn boasting a lower workshop area and a loft space perfect for parties. Completed in 2007, the home "was designed in the style of an older farmhouse colonial," Michael says. "But it has all the modern amenities and conveniences. This as well as a host of other new or historic homes are available to be shown by our knowledgeable group."