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If You’re Happy and You Know it Clap Your Hands!

0 Comments By Elizabeth Nunan on December 22nd, 2009
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,      Categories: Buying, Dutchess, Market Area, Putnam, Relocation, Westchester

New research by the UK’s University of Warwick and Hamilton College in the US has used the happiness levels of a million individual US citizens to discover which are the best and worst states in which to live. New York came in dead last and I demand a recount!

Surely, they didn’t interview anyone who resides in Westchester, Putnam or Dutchess counties of New York? What do we have to be unhappy about? OK – so our property taxes are a bit high in some areas, but look at everything we’ve got:

  • Close proximity to NYC – you can jump on a train and be at a Broadway show in 30 minutes to an hour, depending where you live.
  • Activities galore: golfing, biking, hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, skiing, horseback riding – are you getting the point?
  • Shopping – we have some of the greatest shopping in our area – no need to go to the city to shop!
  • Beautiful landscape – we are surrounded by beauty from Long Island Sound to the majestic Hudson river to the mountains up North and all the lakes and reservoirs in between. We have 4 beautiful seasons each year.
  • Restaurants – any type of cuisine you could possibly crave is right here – again, no need to go to the city!
  • Public Schools that have made the Top 100 list of America’s Best High Schools.
  • The New York Yankees – OK – so you either love them or you hate them but since they’re champs this year, what’s not to love?

So, let me hear some hand clapping because clearly there are a lot of reasons to be happy about where we live. What do you love most about where you live?

Sharing a Holiday Tradition

0 Comments By Elizabeth Nunan on December 18th, 2009
Tags: , , ,      Categories: Events, Relocation

This weekend I will be braving the malls to put the finishing touches on my Holiday gift list. One of the added pressures I have is being the one in the family responsible for our table presents. Table presents have been a family tradition since I was a child. Every year we would have Christmas dinner at my Grandparents home and we all looked forward to the last present of the day – the table present.

There was one for everyone – no matter how young or old. Usually all the females got one gift and the males another, depending on age. They were never too expensive or elaborate – sometimes just a simple charm for a bracelet or a few rolls of film but they were fun to get just the same. I remember my Grandmothers delight the year she gave all the girls a watch. It was not an ordinary watch – the face was the size of a thumb nail and it was made to go on your finger. Clearly it was a gimmicky fad but it was one of the gifts that stands out in my mind. I still have that watch, though it hasn’t worked in at least 35 years!

My Mother took over the tradition after my Grandmother passed away and since my Mom’s passing in 2000, I inherited the task. So the pressure is on to continue the tradition and give fun and memorable table presents. After all, life is about making memories. What’s your family tradition for the Holidays?

My Take on RE BarCamp

0 Comments By Elizabeth Nunan on December 2nd, 2009
Tags: , , ,      Categories: Houlihan Lawrence News, Relocation

There has been much said about RE BarCamp in the last year – both good and bad. So I was excited to have the opportunity to attend the one held in San Diego preceding the  National Association of REALTORS® Convention a few weeks ago to see for myself. The verdict? I really enjoyed it and will definitely go to another. Not because the bar opened at noon but because I met so many fun and interesting people and learned a great deal. One of the things that I love most about this industry is that everyone is so willing to share. In fact, plucked right from the RE BarCamp website is this statement, “RE BarCamp is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos, and interaction from attendees”. How awesome is that?

What was even better was the fact that I met so many online followers/friends from Twitter and Facebook. We networked, shared information and talked about social media. The consensus on that term, by the way? That one day it won’t be called “social media” or the “new media” but rather it will just come to be known as “media”. So to all of you holding fast to the fact that you don’t need to learn it because it won’t be around long, well, you might want to rethink that.

As you’ll see in my photos below, all in all it was a fun “unconference” – a bit different from the more reserved sessions at the NAR convention that began the next day ….but then again, they didn’t serve drinks! RE BarCamp NYC – here I come!

RBC1 300x225 My Take on RE BarCamp

Allyson Ebert, @LizNunan, @FUNomenalRealtr

RBC2 150x150 My Take on RE BarCamp

@RealEstateZebra

RBC3 150x150 My Take on RE BarCamp

@PhxREguy @KrisBerg talk blogging

RBC4 150x150 My Take on RE BarCamp

Session on Posterous

Our New Neighbors

0 Comments By Elizabeth Nunan on September 23rd, 2009
Tags: , , ,      Categories: Buying, Relocation, Westchester
Front Porch Our New Neighbors

New Neighbor Amy Parets (left) with Realtor Angela Kessel

After living in Scarsdale for 20 years Amy Parets decided to make a change, and just recently settled into her new home in Bedford, New York.  She chose a lovely five bedroom colonial situated on four and a half acres located in the gated community of Penwood Estates.

Amy described the move as being a “lifestyle choice”.  She was drawn to the Bedford area because of the open spaces and relaxed environment. Once she met Bedford real estate agent, Angela Kessel, she says she “caught” her excitement and love for the area right away. Amy also recalled that Angela was exactly what she would want as a friend: unassuming, warm, inviting and full of life. Amy and Angela worked patiently together for 2 years until the perfect home became available.

Amy’s three son’s (two in college and one just finishing high school) are adjusting to a slightly longer train ride into the city but find the new home to be a nice fit. According to them there are still many options for food, shopping and good pizza! Since they only recently moved in they are still exploring and having fun discovering new favorite places.

dogs1 150x150 Our New Neighbors

The household also includes two standard poodles named Lucy and Daisy as well as two rescue dogs that are a mix of poodle, bichon and terrier named Buster and Seymour. They’re surely enjoying roaming their new lush yard! My Mother always said that life was all about making memories. I think Amy and her boys will be making wonderful new memories together in their new home for years to come. Welcome to Bedford!

Are you a new neighbor? Introduce yourself and tell us your story!

Consider Family Needs When Relocating

0 Comments By Elizabeth Nunan on September 15th, 2009
Tags: , , ,      Categories: Buying, Relocation

If you’ve been asked to relocate to a new city, ask yourself this question: Is my employer considering my ENTIRE family when offering to provide me with relocation services?

In an effort to win the war for talent and protect their return on investment, employers are finally recognizing the need to provide viable services and support not only to their employee, but to each member of the transferring family as well.

family needs Consider Family Needs When RelocatingFamily issues have always been a concern in relocation but it’s recently become more of a hot topic as employers find the need to be more flexible with their policies to meet the specific needs of each family. I co-authored an article for Mobility Magazine on this subject that published this month.

To read the complete article click here.

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