Real Estate Blog about whats going on in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties in New York
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By Frederick Romley on March 13th, 2013Houlihan Lawrence has just published the Spring 2013 Gallery of Homes magazine. There might still be snow on the ground, but the busy spring real estate market has already begun.
The Spring 2013 edition of the Gallery of Homes features nearly 1,400 listings of Homes, Coops, Condos and Land in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties and beyond. You can pick up a copy of the magazine at any of our 25 Brokerages or you can read the digital edition by clicking on the cover below.
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By Kerry Barger on November 15th, 2012Have you ever purchased something online? (silly question) Have you ever purchased something online and were influenced one way or another by hundreds of user reviews about that product? Be it a trip to a local restaurant, a home appliance or piece of clothing, we’re now turning to the Internet and confiding in our peers about the financial decisions we’re making. Not only do we value others’ experiences, but we also trust their opinions.
Wouldn’t it be great to have that same option when it came to relocating to a new area? Or if you have a sense of local pride that you’d think would benefit your community at large?
Introducing Community Conversations powered by StreetAdvisor, a review platform geared to rating communities across Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties.
The philosophy is similar to that of Yelp, Amazon or Google – giving people a platform to speak to the character and personality of a town or village. Users can also post questions, as well as answer questions they feel strongly about. Best of all, it’s extremely easy to get signed up and started.
Check out the video below for more information:
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By Anthony Cutugno on October 26th, 2012Welcome to the latest edition of Houlihan Lawrence‘s Luxury Market Report detailing Q3-2012 activity for properties priced at $2 million or more in Westchester County and $1 million or more in Putnam and Dutchess Counties.
Recent signs indicate that the relatively robust market environment we saw in Q2 has slowed somewhat and overall we are now in a period of modest growth. Year-to-date, Westchester County sales increased modestly with a 4.9% increase in total luxury homes sold and a 3% increase in total dollar volume. Combined luxury sales in Putnam and Dutchess Counties declined vs. a year ago. Despite the more restrained market environment region-wide, there is plenty of room for optimism as several individual southern Westchester markets are continuing to enjoy record sales. [Read More]
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By Kerry Barger on August 21st, 2012Continuing with our growing online presence, Houlihan Lawrence is proud to introduce the first issue of our digital Luxury Catalog. Featuring homes from Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties, the quarterly magazine includes a complete inventory of our Luxury Country Properties.
Diverse in both landscape and location, all homes hold one theme in common: they represent an extraordinary collection of residential properties.
To enjoy the catalog, click on the cover below.
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By Kerry Barger on June 29th, 2012Some of my fondest memories originate from the Fourth of July—looking up at a dark sky bursting with vibrant colors and feeling that inner thud from the explosion. My favorite part of watching fireworks, however, was sharing a summer night with friends and family.
There are many celebrations happening in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties these next few days, and Patch‘s Jessie Jafet has the complete scoop of where to go to watch a show. Her Fourth of July Preview highlights “fireworks and fun close to home” with eight spots from Boscobel‘s riverfront celebration on Monday to Playland‘s choreographed show.
The Times-Herald Record has the lowdown on fireworks celebrations taking place in Dutchess County. Their list features a three-day celebration at Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck with professional rodeos and demolition derbies. Dutchess Stadium is also hosting post-game fireworks display after the Hudson Valley Renegades take on Aberdeen FireBirds on Friday and Saturday.
According to Eventful Magazine, Lake Carmel will set off fireworks of June 30 at 9 p.m., while Peekskill will be hosting a free concert from 7 to 9 p.m. at Riverfront Green Park with fireworks set to follow.
Wherever you decide to park your lawn chair or beloved towel, make sure to stay safe, kick back and relax.
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By Kerry Barger on May 23rd, 2012If the upcoming months take any notes from last winter’s mild temperatures, Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties should be in store for even hotter temperatures and brighter sunshine this summer. Rather than basking in air-conditioned glory all summer long, Houlihan Lawrence decided to take a look at the area’s local watering holes, be it a pool, lake, pond, etc. to help you cool off and take a break from the heat.
Westchester County Pools & Beaches: Unlike town pools and beaches that are only open to residents of that particular municipality, anyone from Westchester can swim in county pools and beaches. There are four pools located throughout Westchester, including Saxon Woods Park (White Plains), The Brook at Tibbetts Brook Park (Yonkers), Willson’s Waves at Willson’s Woods Park (Mount Vernon) and Playland Pool at Playland Park (Rye). Beaches include Glen Island Park (New Rochelle), Croton Point Park (Croton-on-Hudson), and Playland Beach at Playland Park. For more information about admission, click here.
Clarence Fahnestock State Park: Fahnestock is famous for its hiking trails and campground, but did you know that it has a large swimming beach, too? Two large, lifeguard-stationed swimming areas line the eastern shores of Lake Canopus off of Route 301 in Carmel. If you’re looking to stretch out on a sandy beach during a gorgeous day, Fahnestock is definitely should be a go-to place. It’s just $7.00 per carload, and you can lay out on the beach every day after Memorial Day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wilcox Memorial Park: 615 acres of beautiful parkland, Wilcox Memorial Park in Milan, New York is home to not one but two lakes for Dutchess County residents to use. The park isn’t just limited to swimming either—residents can rent paddle boats or rowboats on its upper lakes. Pavilions and picnic areas are also available.
Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park: A simple trip north or south on the Taconic State Parkway, the Yorktown Heights-based pool holds up to 3,500 swimmers at one time. Lifeguards are stationed throughout the length of the pool, and lockers are provided for anyone who’d like to use them. Mohansic Lake and Crom Pond each offer the opportunity for freshwater fishing, and the park rents out rowboats to patrons.
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By Kerry Barger on May 16th, 2012Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties each provide residents with ample opportunity to get out and play, the beautiful countryside doubling as an urban escape and personal jungle gym for those who live and breathe the great outdoors. If you’re not one to send your children to summer sleep-aways or missed out on registration this year, don’t fret—Houlihan Lawrence scanned the area for day camps and programs, ways to get outside and short daytrips to help you and your family enjoy some fresh air and a bit of beautiful sunshine.
If you live in the southern Westchester area, you’ll want to check out Mohawk Country Day School in White Plains, an interactive camp with a slew of different activities and programs for a variety of age levels. From sports teams to creative and performance art programs, Mohawk values diverse interests and tailors its programs to all sorts of needs. Hillcroft Day Camp in Dutchess Country offers a similar experience with over 30 activities to choose from on a daily basis.
Looking for something a little more day-to-day? Take a trip to Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in Yorktown Heights. Its massive pool holds up to 3,500 people, and its 841-acre park contains miles of bike trails, numerous picnic areas, scenic rowboat rentals and more. FDR is a short trip north or south on the Taconic State Parkway in northern Westchester, which makes it an ideal daytrip for gas-conscious families looking to stick close by.
Moving north on the Taconic, Clarence Fahnestock State Park also offers a unique one-day getaway from families looking to milk what they can out of a beautiful day. Fahnestock is home to North America’s most popular trail Breackneck Ridge—on clear days, hikers can view the New York City skyline from the top of its crest. A lifeguard-stationed lake, row boat rentals, and an 80-site campground are a perfect way to top off a great hike. The Putnam County Trailway is another great spot for cyclists, joggers and dog-walkers—the 12-mile stretch of paved path brings you through hilly groves of trees and offers unparalleled views of Putnam’s reservoir systems.
You could be looking for something a bit different, something more low-key. The Putnam arts Council in Mahopac offers classes and workshops throughout the summer for kids, teens and adults. PAC’s Summer Kids Art programs welcomes children ages 5 – 12 to use their imagination as they explore their inner Picasso as they draw, sculpt, paint and mold clay. The Jacob Burns Film Center and Media Arts Lab offers visual arts and filmmaking workshops for its Summer ’12 @ The Lab program, which runs from June 25 to August 10.
Maybe you’re a thrill-seeker. Go no further than SplashDown Beach in Fishkill along Route 9. Splash Down offers all the fun a large amusement park has at a cheaper price and shorter trip from home. The water park offers unique water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, and more. For those who are looking to get in touch with our animal instincts, visit Trevor Zoo—the Millbrook zoo houses more than 180 exotic and indigenous animals as well as seven endangered species. Children ages 12 and up can also volunteer at the zoo during the summer months.
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By Kerry Barger on May 10th, 2012It’s that time of year when green finally returns the treetops, flowers bloom into vibrant pinks and beautiful oranges, and thoughts like “is it May already?” begin to make rounds in your mind. There’s that one thought that always seems to surface, however. At first you can’t remember if its something important or not but it finally hits—Mother’s Day is right around the corner!
That’s always been my experience, anyways.
There’s no better place to be on Mother’s Day than somewhere in Westchester, Putnam or Dutchess, so don’t worry—there are many ways to work through what may be a last minute conundrum. Here a few things to consider as you navigate through the basics of a day that celebrates the wonderfulness of one of the most important women in your life—Mom.
Flowers: One of my favorite places to shop flowers is the Carmel Flower Shop in the Putnam Plaza on Route 6. The shop’s florists create beautiful flower arrangements and baskets and you can buy greeting cards, scarves and other unique gifts on location. If you’re in Westchester, check out NatureScapes in Armonk—its small outdoor nursery coupled with the shop’s handcrafted vases, planters and garden accessories will have you covered from top to bottom.
Restaurants: The first restaurant that comes to mind for an ideal date night is Muscoot North Restaurant in Hopewell Junction. An easy ride up the Taconic State Parkway, Muscoot’s menu offers a little something for everyone, whether you prefer Buffalo Chicken pizza, Cheese Ravioli Parmagiana, or New York Sirloin Steak. If you want to stick around Westchester, head to Crabtree Kittle House in Chappaqua—the award-winning restaurant is offering a special Mother’s Day brunch buffet and/or four-course dinner on Sunday.
Desserts/Chocolates: If you know a thing or two about chocolate, you’ll want to head over to Chocolations in Mamaroneck. They specialize chocolates for any holiday occasion, rice “Krispie” cakes, flavored bark, and more. For exquisite pastries, cakes, and pies, try Brewster Pastry on Route 22. The first time I ate one of their fluffy, mouthwatering creations, I knew I wasn’t visiting another pastry shop any time soon. Visit Terrapin Restaurant in Rhinebeck as there dining room will open at 1 p.m. on Sunday for a 2-course Mother’s Day Prix Fixe Dinner Menu, featuring “an extensive selection of our most loved dishes.”
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By Kerry Barger on March 9th, 2012Could New York City’s suburbs experience an increase in population much like they did by the 1980s? The New York Times makes a pretty good argument in favor of the “flight to suburbia,” or an exodus from an urban center to a more rural setting.
With a population close to 1.6 million, which doubles during the week due to commuters, Amy O’Leary reports that many Manhattanites are wondering how much more their 34-square mile island can take. “By 2030, [New York’s Department of City Planning] expect(s) Manhattan will have 220,000 to 290,000 new residents—roughly one new neighbor for every six current residents.” This would ultimately result in more residential infrastructure.
Although this may help to increase affordability and wouldn’t affect anyone’s standard of living, O’Leary does predict problems with the city’s management of power flow, garbage disposal, sewage control and access to transportation. Despite the fact that any growing city has to grapple with its growing population density, there are three solutions for those who want to live in a more open environment while maintaining their proximity to New York City.
Meet Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties. Each area offers its own distinct uniqueness, but all three exude suburban and rural appeal.
Westchester, which sits just on the brink of city life, is a vibrant community that cherishes all things local—a stone’s throw away from New York City, its residents still enjoy the outdoor environment with the Hudson River and Long Island Shore at their fingertips.
“Where the country begins,” Putnam County sits just 50 miles above New York City. The quiet communities of the six towns and three villages that comprise Putnam enjoy the luxury of calling the Hudson Valley its home. It epitomizes the dynamic of suburban and rural life.
Nestled in between the Hudson River and the state of Connecticut, Dutchess contains unparalleled views of rolling hills and beautiful farmland. Don’t let its rural appearance fool you, however—its townships and villages are bustling business centers and an easy trip down the Taconic State Parkway brings you right into New York City.
Check out our town guides and community videos for more information.
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By Kerry Barger on February 3rd, 2012Residents across Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties (and all of New York and New Jersey, for that matter) have a lot to smile about this weekend, and it’s not just because of the mild temperatures and beautiful sunshine. Staten Island Chuck, our own version of Punxsutawney Phil, predicted an early spring—but do you know that he also foresaw a Giants’ Super Bowl win, too?
According to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Chuck is right about 80 percent of the time. Sure it’s just a prediction, but you shouldn’t take an animal’s inner intuition for granted. Remember Paul the Octopus, who was 8-for-8 in predicting the 2010 World Cup’s final rounds, including the championship match? And don’t forget about Princess, the camel from Popcorn Park Zoo in New Jersey, who’s correctly predicted five of the last six Super Bowls (and has selected the Giants for a big championship win this weekend, too.)
Animal ESP aside, it’s been a painstaking two weeks for most of the Hudson Valley as media fanfare and talk of a 2008 Super Bowl replay have weighed heavily on the minds of Giants fans far and wide. Even some Jets fans have been forced to take sides when faced with the challenge of choosing between their stadium-sharing rivals or Tom Brady and his flowing locks of quarterback supremacy. In a LoHud story written by Richard Liebson, White Plains lawyer and loyal Jets fan Dave Mayeri says it’s an awful dilemma, but at the end of the day, decides he’s better off sticking with a fellow New York team.
While some Westchester residents are cringing at the thought of this year’s Super Bowl, others are ready to celebrate this Giant occasion. Yorktown Patch recently posted a story with the best spots and Super Bowl deals across Northern Westchester. What better way to wrap up the 2011—2012 NFL season with a $70 all-you-can-eat-and-drink at Brodie’s Pub in Mohegan Lake, or by dropping just 30 cents for boneless wings at South Side Grille in Yorktown. Be sure to read Liz Giegerich and Plamena Pesheva’s article to get the inside scoop.
And then there’s the power of a little friendly competition. The Poughkeepsie Journal reports that public officials across New York and Massachusetts have engaged in a football war, putting their respective states’ most famous goods on the line. According to Joseph Spector and the Journal Albany Bureau, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will send Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick 46 cases of the state’s Greek yogurt, 46 dozen bagels from Ess-a-Bagel in Manhattan, and 46 cheesecakes from Junior’s in Brooklyn if the Pats win. And if the Giants prevail, Patrick will send Cuomo 46 Centerville Pies from The Pie Ladies, Legal Sea Foods clam chowder, and six cases of Food Should Taste Good chips.
Whether you’re a diehard fan putting everything on the line this Sunday, a sidelined aficionado whose team just didn’t cut it this year or a fair-weather football-watcher, we’ve got just one question for you: Who do YOU think will reign supreme in Indy this Sunday?
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