Archive for March, 2010


The Happy Home

0 Comments
Tags: , ,      Categories: Uncategorized

David Brook’s column in today’s New York Times examines the growing field of positive psychology and the pursuit of happiness. The desire for money to achieve happiness, he says, is disproved time and again, and studies reveal that happiness is not a commodity that can be purchased with an American Express card.

Our government he goes on to say, should pay more attention to what does in fact make us happy – interpersonal relationships and social trust – and not to what can be easily measured and quantified.

This leads me to posit the question: has the government, with all its well-intentioned (albeit ineffective) programs to help struggling homeowners stay in their homes, unwittingly acknowledged that our homes – where meaningful relationships with spouses, children, siblings, parents, neighbors and friends reside — are a principal source of personal happiness? As a homeowner, do you consider your home a vessel of  happiness, or a financial asset, like stocks and bonds?

Westchester Real Estate Market’s Leading Indicator

0 Comments
Tags: , ,      Categories: Market Area, Market Conditions, Westchester

Westchester Real Estate Market Leading Indicator

In the Westchester County real estate market one of the leading indicators we use to gauge where our market is heading is the ratio of active listings to listings under contract. Our full recap is below. Here are a few highlights from the report.

All Price Ranges

  • Last year at this time, for every single-family home in Westchester under contract there were 8 active listings
  • This year, for every single-family home in Westchester under contract there are 5 active listings.
  • The number of Westchester single-family homes in contract has increased 61% over this same time last year

Price Ranges Up to $1 million

  • Last year, the only price range with an active/in contract ratio equal to or better than the total market was up to $699,999.
  • This year, prices up to $999,999 had an active/in contract ratio better than the average.

Market Overview Report for Westchester Single Family Homes

market overview small1 Westchester Real Estate Markets Leading Indicator

Houlihan Lawrence Gets Social

0 Comments
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,      Categories: Buying, Dutchess, Houlihan Lawrence News, Putnam, Relocation, Selling, Westchester

Everywhere you go these days, you hear about Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and all sorts of other social media. Of the many social networking websites, these seem to be the most popular, at least for now. They have become important business tools for real estate firms and professionals and Houlihan Lawrence was an early adopter.

Houlihan Lawrence started using social media in early 2009. We created a company blog, a Facebook Fan Page, a Twitter account and an agent blog site . Additionally, our home tours are on YouTube. It seems like every day we’re finding ways to use social media as well as new places to post real estate news and real estate market statistics.

Real estate has always been a relationship business and social networking is a perfect way to extend and enhance those relationships. Social networking is now a part of our comprehensive marketing strategy, “Reaching every buyer, everywhere”.

One could almost get entirely lost in the social media bubble but let’s not forget the most important part of social media – being social. It’s great to make connections online, but it’s even better to meet someone IRL – In Real Life.

Until we meet, feel free to follow us on twitter and friend us on facebook. You’ll get up to date market statistics, great area information and tips about buying and selling your home. If there is specific information we can help you with just send us a tweet or pose a question on our facebook page.

Luxury Redefined

0 Comments
Tags: , , , , ,      Categories: Luxury Country Properties, Westchester

High net-worth homebuyers are still out there shopping but we are seeing a definite shift  in the type of home they are seeking.

While exclusivity never goes out of style, the trend seems to be moving to more discreet luxury.  Bigger is not necessarily better for today’s buyers. Attributes such as quality, authenticity, and old-fashioned value have become increasingly important elements in the decision process as well.

One of our newest offerings,  The Sanctuary in Bronxville,  meets the needs of the new buyer  on every level.

The Sanctuary Exterior Photo 150x150 Luxury Redefined This exciting Mid-Century Modernist home, designed by acclaimed architect Frederick Frost, has been brought into the 21st century by the current homeowners, an award-winning architect/designer couple who undertook the masterful restoration and expansion. Sophisticated and elegant with an innate beauty that has graced the village since 1954, the home’s view-filled living spaces, original details, superb craftsmanship and serene surroundings are the essence of luxury living.

Out and About in Chappaqua

0 Comments
Tags: , ,      Categories: Out and About

Chappaqua comes from the Algonquin word Shah-pah-qa and means the “rattling land”.  To residents who know and love it, Chappaqua means natural beauty. Picturesque ponds dot this hamlet, which is located in the town of New Castle.

167-acre Whippoorwill Park is among the seven municipal parks in Chappaqua. Nature trails, baseball fields, tennis courts and a running track keep residents in shape while they enjoy the outdoors.

MSG2 150x150 Out and About in ChappaquaArtists are truly are inspired by their environment at the Martin Stankiewicz Gallery located at 112 King Street. This innovative gallery exhibits nature as its major theme and a percentage of all sales will be donated to an organization devoted to conservation.

The charming village center, within walking distance to the Chappaqua High School, has a variety of restaurants and cafés. Le Jardin du Roi embodies the charm of Chappaqua both inside the dining room and on the ever-popular porch.  Susan Lawrence creates atmosphere and delectable food that can be eaten in the café, or catered in your home. Their cooking classes have an interesting spin and aspiring Martha’s can learn about “The Art of the Summer Dinner Party” on April 22nd.   

Chappaqua is situated 35 miles north of Manhattan with easy accessibility to Metro North, the Saw Mill Parkway and is convenient to Westchester Airport and approximately an hour’s drive to international airports.

On this spring-like weekend, take a walk through one of Chappaqua’s nature trails, have a picnic by one of the ponds, or feel the sun on your face as you window shop on Greeley Avenue.

Sharing the Secrets to Success

1 Comment
Tags: , , , , , ,      Categories: Dutchess, Events, Houlihan Lawrence News, Putnam, Relocation, Westchester

Leading the Revolution

Fresh from attending the annual Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Conference in Las Vegas, I feel a renewed sense of excitement and purpose. This was by far the most content rich conference I’ve attended in several years. I went out early to attend the pre-conference MarTech symposium. The sessions were chock full of great information on social media, the latest technologies and real life examples of innovative real estate brokerages like Long Realty of Tucson, AZ. Next up was the main conference ‘Leading the Revolution’. Three impressive speakers kicked off the event: David Stevens, FHA Commissioner, Ron Peltier, Chairman and CEO of Home Services of America, and Guy Kawasaki, a venture capitalist formerly of Apple computer fame. One word sums it up – WOW! The conference continued with outside speakers and members sharing their secrets to success. I participated in a panel  on agent blogging along with Peter Rabitz of Wetag Consulting in Locarno, Switzerland and Sherrie Porter of EWM Realtors in Southern Florida.

Awards Ceremony Winners

The conference ended with two upbeat awards ceremonies. Houlihan Lawrence received the Million Dollar Club Award, having the most closed outgoing referrals with a sales price of $1 million and higher in the entire global network.  We also were rewarded for the Top Propopoly agent blog site. Several of our agent bloggers had success stories from their blogging efforts on Westchester real estate topics in 2009. That’s what clinched the award for us.

Conference2010  639 300x198 Sharing the Secrets to Success

Liz Nunan, Pam O'Connor, Chris Meyers

Finally, we had a special treat of seeing the Beatles LOVE Show by Cirque du Soliel. Since 2009 was such a challenging year for the real estate industry, it was motivating to see that innovation and entrepreneurship did not wane. All in all it was a fabulous week of top-notch educational sessions, networking with great real estate industry friends, and lots of fun. I can’t wait to implement the many new things I learned!

Perfect Porches

0 Comments
Tags: , , , , , ,      Categories: Luxury Country Properties, Luxury market, Westchester

Now that the sun has finally come out, it’s time to step outside and appreciate the surrounding natural beauty that makes our area so desirable.

Many of our luxury properties offer expansive outdoor porches and terraces with wonderful views - the perfect spots to enjoy the first days of Spring.  Here are a few of our favorite outdoor venues from our inventory of luxury homes for sale.

Sutton Corners Farm 150x150 Perfect Porches One of the most illustrious homes in Bedford, Sutton Corners Farm was built in 1879 by prominent New York businessman James Sutton – of Sutton Place fame – for his bride, Florence Macy – daughter of retailing magnate, R. H. Macy. Creator of  New York’s Central Park, Frederick Law Olmsted designed the landscape that they enjoyed from their ivy-covered porch, which still remains today.

West Wind Farm Rear Exterior 150x150 Perfect Porches The spirit of the Old South inspired the grand veranda at West Wind Farm, which looks over scenic Turkey Hill in North Salem, NY.  Anyone for Mint Juleps ?

 

 

Long Point Terrace 150x150 Perfect Porches

 Long Point in Rumson, NJ occupies a blissful spot on the Navesink River. When the weather warms up, the heated private pool, dock and sandy beach offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy this unique locale.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

0 Comments
Tags: , , ,      Categories: Uncategorized

One of our favorite blogs, Curbed, has expanded into different business verticals, including food, shopping, and travel. Learn how Curbed founder Lockhart Steele turned his passion into a successful business venture.

http://www.businessinsider.com/business-news/mar-12-curbed-2010-3

Venus and Mars and Real Estate

0 Comments
Tags: , , ,      Categories: Buying, Selling, Uncategorized

gender symbol 300x299 150x150 Venus and Mars and Real EstateA survey recently found that women are three times quicker in making a real estate decision than men …  women decide intuitively while men are more measured and methodical.

What do you think?

East Fishkill’s Young New Artists

0 Comments
Tags: , ,      Categories: Dutchess, Events, Market Area

Lee K Drawing Coral ReflectionsHL 3 East Fishkills Young New Artists

Houlihan Lawrence’s East Fishkill office is proud to exhibit the work of John Jay High School art students.

If you would like to see the creativity of young artists in the making, stop by the East Fishkill office at 1989  Route 52 in East Fishkill.

Their talent is on display through April 8th.