Posts Tagged Westchester


A Very ‘Giant’ Weekend Here in the Hudson Valley

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Tags: , , , , , , ,      Categories: Dutchess, Events, Houlihan Lawrence News, Out and About, Putnam, Westchester

Residents 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?

Quick Tips to Help Find the Right Real Estate Agent

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Tags: , , , , ,      Categories: Selling

The first day of spring was a washout in our area, but the beginning of the new season reminded me that many Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess County homeowners are getting ready to move and are preparing their home for a potential sale.

If you’re a homeowner who has decided that now is the time to list your house for sale, finding the right Realtor® is the most effective way to get the best price for your property in the shortest amount of time. Here is a quick list of tips to consider when choosing a real estate agent to sell your home:

  • Referrals – Speak with friends and neighbors who have sold a home similar to your own. Ask your friends and family if they’ve had a positive experience hiring their Realtor ®. Ask them what made that individual the right person to sell their home. Get references.
  • Online Resources – Utilize the Internet to your advantage by researching various Realtor® candidates on their website. Check out their homepage and social media sites, i.e., Facebook and Linkedin to get additional detail about their skill levels and interests.
  • Local Expertise – Ask prospective agents how well they know your neighborhood and the town that you live in. They should be familiar with the current real estate market in your neighborhood and recent comparable sales.
  • Narrow Your Choices – Once you have two or three names based on positive feedback and your own research, you will need to find a mutual time to interview each candidate and find the one Realtor® that is best suited to work with you to sell your home. Whether an agent is new or a seasoned professional, make sure you’re comfortable with them and are confident that they will deliver the results you need to sell your home.
  • Professional Designations – Did you ever wonder what all those acronyms meant after a real estate agents name? They indicate that a Realtor® has undergone additional training to increase their skills or expertise in a particular aspect of real estate. For information on many of these professional designations, go to The National Association of Realtors® website.
  • Agent Network – One factor to consider when listing your home with a Realtor® is the company they work for. A larger firm will have the advantage of a wide network of sales professionals in force to help sell your home.
  • Brokerage – Ask what tools and assistance the brokerage firm they work for provides them to keep pace with today’s real estate market. Is there ongoing education and training available? Where will they showcase your listing on the Internet? Do they offer professional photographers and video? What reports would be available to help sell your home?
  • Educate Yourself – There are many more tips and suggestions available on the Internet. You won’t regret the time spent researching what you need to be aware of before you hire a Realtor®.

Westchester’s Top 5 Markets: January/February Highest Increases

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The top 5 Westchester County school districts that enjoyed the greatest increase in single family homes sold year-to-date as of February 28, 2011 vs. same period 2010 are: 

Single Family Homes Sold, Jan. 1 – Feb 28
School District 2010 2011 Unit
Increase
Hastings 7 12 5
Pleasantville 2 6 4
Briarcliff Manor 7 10 3
Lakeland 22 25 3
North Salem 4 7 3

Looking at this metric as a percentage gain, the best performing school districts for single family homes sold year-to-date as of February 28, 2011 vs. same period 2010 are:  

Single Family Homes Sold, Jan. 1 – Feb 28
School District 2010 2011 Percent Increase
Pleasantville 2 6 200%
North Salem 4 7 75%
Hastings 7 12 71%
Briarcliff Manor 7 10 43%
Blind Brook 6 8 33%
Dobbs Ferry 3 4 33%

For more data and trend information on Westchester, Dutchess and Putnam county school districts and towns, please go to >www.houlihanlawrence.com to access our Local Market reports.

12 Staging Tips to Help Sell Your Home

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open door1 12 Staging Tips to Help Sell Your Home

There are many factors to consider when marketing your home for sale whether in Westchester, Putnam or Dutchess County. One important thing to remember is that your home is now a product that you need to “sell” to another. Staging your home for sale brings out the best features of your home and gives you a competitive advantage. Staging can facilitate a quick sale and get the best possible price for your home in today’s challenging real estate market.

Your real estate agent can provide an honest appraisal of what you need to do to help sell your home or put you in contact with a professional stager, if desired. For additional reference, research “home staging” on the Internet.

If you don’t have access or the budget for professional home staging services, you can incorporate many techniques to help promote the sale of your home. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Maximize your interior space by placing excess/un-used furniture in
a storage unit to make rooms appear larger and showcase the room’s purpose.

2. De-personalize by packing up your personal photos and family heirlooms so potential buyers can imagine the home filled with their possessions and not be distracted by yours.

3. Remove excess clutter. Selling your home is the perfect time to get rid of anything you haven’t used in a long time and don’t plan to take with you when you move anyway. Remove refrigerator magnets, organize closet and cabinets, clear off countertops and dressers, file paperwork and pack up those knickknacks and books! Donate it, pack it up or throw it away.

4. Clean. Is your bathroom lived-in or a showcase? What would you want to see? Show you care and maintain all the areas of your home by using a critical eye to eliminate dust and cobwebs – make your house sparkle!

5. Brighten your interior space by washing the windows, opening all the shades, removing window screens and checking to be sure all the light bulbs are in working order using the highest wattage allowed.

6. Apply a coat of fresh paint to walls in a warm neutral color. Your home will be more appealing and will have one less thing for the new homeowner to do.

7. De-odorize your home by freshening the air and removing any traces of pet bedding or litter boxes, cigarette smoke and mildew. The number one homeselling issue is odors! Ask a friend or neighbor to walk through your house and let you know if they detect anything you may be unaware of.

8. Remove and replace favorite items such as heirloom light fixtures or fireplace screens that you want to take with you to your new home.  Pack up what you aren’t willing to leave behind before you begin showing your home to potential buyers.

9. Walk through your house with an objective eye. Pretend you have never seen the house before. Take note and fix any repairs that need to be made… especially the ones you’ve been putting off.

10. Take a hard look at your wallpaper. Is it out of date? Are you the only one who likes it? Consider removing the wallcovering if you’ve answered yes to these questions.

11. Create curb appeal. Just like a great exterior photo, the front entry of your home is your first and best chance for getting a potential homebuyer inside your door. Look around – is your yard inviting? Are toys and equipment put away? Are the shrubs trim and neat? Is your front doorway neat and clean? It’s a great time to clean your gutters. Make a great first impression by paying attention to the front of your home.

12. Disappear. Take your self, your family and your pets and don’t attend the showing. If you stick around, you’ll intimidate the potential homebuyers who really want to take a good look at your house.

Do you have any home staging experiences or tips you’d care to share with us? Please comment and let us know!

Launch Event in White Plains

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914inc Launch Event in White PlainsSpotlight publications introduced “914INC.”, a new business lifestyle magazine at a launch party recently held in White Plains at the Arts Exchange Gallery on Mamaroneck Avenue.

The event was well attended and guests were served a variety of delicious appetizers, beverages and passed hors d’oeuvres. While sampling the fare I had the opportunity to meet Robert Schork, Executive Editor of “914INC.”.  I noted his excitement for the project and his enthusiasm for the Westchester County business community.

Arts Exchange 150x150 Launch Event in White PlainsAs a former White Plains resident, I was impressed by the restoration of White Plain’s first skyscraper, originally the home of the People’s National Bank and Trust Company, built in 1929. I was also pleased to see how viable and lively the nightlife has become in downtown White Plains – no longer just a commuter town, but a destination for fun and entertainment.


Port Chester for Foodies

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lj110210tarrymarket26 Port Chester for Foodies

Image courtesy of lohudblogs.com

The Tarry Lodge in Port Chester took the area by storm when it opened a few years ago.  Owners Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich have extended the Tarry Lodge brand name to Tarry Market. A few doors from the restaurant, Tarry Market offers the best in just-picked produce, fresh breads, homemade pasta, and artisanal cheeses plus desserts and all things sweet. Tarry Wine is adjacent to Tarry Market for easy one-stop shopping.

Across the street at 181 N. Main Street is The Kneaded Bread, a carb-lovers heaven with a plethora of homemade breads, scones and muffins, and scrumptious cakes and brownies. Pre-made sandwiches and salads are available for a delicious lunch.

This triangle of sophisticated and accessible food can be found on the corner of North Main and Mill Street in Port Chester.

Twig Holiday Boutique

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You can get a jump on holiday shopping by attending the many Holiday Fairs in Westchester County sponsored by area charities and schools.

apawamis Twig Holiday BoutiqueOne of the larger and highly anticipated is The Twig of Westchester County Holiday Fair taking place this Friday and Saturday, November 19th and 20th at The Apawamis Club, 2 Club Road, in Rye.  Over 50 fabulous boutique vendors will be offering a wide variety of gifts, including jewelry, leather goods, children’s and women’s clothing, hostess gifts, men’s accessories and more.

All proceeds from this Twig event support local health care concerns.  Past grant recipients include Rye/Port Chester/Rye Brook EMS, Harrison EMS, Open Door and the Carver Center.

The Twig was founded almost 100 years ago as a sewing circle to provide assistance to United Hospital. United Hospital, which closed in 2005, was a primary beneficiary of this volunteer and fundraising organization. Currently there are 22 active Twigs and 18 Honorary Twigs, with a membership of 850 women from the communities of Rye, Rye Brook, Port Chester, Harrison, Purchase, Mamaroneck, and Larchmont, NY.

Westchester Real Estate Market Recap for October

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Houlihan Lawrence’s  Westchester County Market Report for October has just been released. It indicates the Median Sale Price for Single Family Homes is up by 12.6% when compared to October, 2009.  The Ten Year Market History chart illustrates that the current median sale price of $640,000 is about level with 2008 pricing and within 7% of the 2007 peak median sold price.

The number of units sold has made a stunning comeback, increasing by 33% from the same period last year. However, near-term statistics show that volume is down almost 18% and Months Supply of Inventory has increased from September, indicating less sales (demand) with a higher number of homes for sale (supply).

Real Estate in Westchester Gives Back

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Houlihan Lawrence is pleased to be one of several Westchester County area brokerage firms whose agents have been selected to participate in Giving House.

Giving House was established by real estate professionals to provide the real estate community with a turn-key solution for incorporating philanthropy into their day-to-day business. Specifically, Giving House agents pledge to donate 20% of their commission to Giving House. Buyers and sellers can request to work with a Giving House agent, allowing them to “give back” because they are working with a Giving House agent. Developers can make their home or community a Giving House project, which means that a contribution is made to Giving House with every sale. The net effect is that real estate transactions can help support worthy causes and buyers, sellers, agents and developers can play a role in this effort.

The kick-off party for Giving House is being held this week at Purchase Manor, an estate home built in Purchase, NY by Simone Development and one of the first Giving House homes. Joe Simone, President of Simone Development, is hosting the event, which surely will be the start of something special in the real estate community.

C 101 2904295 1 Real Estate in Westchester Gives Back

Purchase Manor

From WSJ.com: Home Deals in Suburbs Start to Dry Up

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In today’s Wall Street Journal  is an article on how Manhattan’s bedroom communities have undergone a boomlet in sales and rising prices as city dwellers have been looking for housing bargains in nearby suburbs that were hard hit during the downturn.

Houlihan Lawrence’s Chris Meyers describes in the article how this trend has affected Westchester County. Read the entire article at wsj.com.

Houlihan Lawrence provides Monthly Market Reports at HoulihanLawrence.com. The Westchester County Market Report for September can be found here.