Category Archives: Bedford

Home Depot reported strong first quarter earnings, citing the recovering housing market | Bedford Real Estate

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Home improvement retailing giant Home Depot reported strong first quarter earnings this morning, citing the recovering housing market as a key driver.

Earnings per share were $0.83 versus analysts’ consensus prediction of $0.77. Revenues came in at $19.1 billion, topping estimates for $18.69 billion.

U.S. same-store sales rose 4.8% during the quarter.

“In the first quarter, we saw less favorable weather compared to last year, but we continue to see benefit from a recovering housing market that drove a stronger-than-expected start to the year for our business,” said Home Depot Chairman and CEO Frank Blake in the press release.

Shares are up 3.6% in pre-market trading.

Below is the full text from the release:

ATLANTA, May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today reported sales of $19.1 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2013, a 7.4 percent increase from the first quarter of fiscal 2012. Due to the 14th week in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, first quarter sales benefited from a seasonal timing change that added approximately $574 million to sales. On a like for like basis, comparable store sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 were positive 4.3 percent, and comp sales for U.S. stores were positive 4.8 percent.

(Logo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030502/HOMEDEPOTLOGO )

Net earnings for the first quarter were $1.2 billion, or $0.83 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $1.0 billion, or $0.68 per diluted share, in the same period of fiscal 2012. For the first quarter of fiscal 2013, diluted earnings per share increased 22.1 percent from the same period in the prior year.

“In the first quarter, we saw less favorable weather compared to last year, but we continue to see benefit from a recovering housing market that drove a stronger-than-expected start to the year for our business,” said Frank Blake, chairman & CEO. “I would like to thank our associates for their hard work and commitment to our customers.”

Updated Fiscal 2013 Guidance

Based on its year-to-date performance and outlook for the balance of the year, the Company raised its fiscal 2013 sales guidance and now expects sales to be up approximately 2.8 percent with comparable store sales up approximately 4.0 percent for the year. The Company raised its fiscal 2013 diluted earnings-per-share guidance and now expects diluted earnings per share to be up approximately 17 percent to $3.52 for the year. The Company’s fiscal 2013 sales and earnings-per-share guidance is based on a 52-week year compared to fiscal 2012, a 53-week year.

The Company’s earnings-per-share guidance includes the benefit of its year-to-date share repurchases and intent to repurchase $4.4 billion in additional shares over the remainder of the year, which will bring the total dollar amount of shares repurchased to $6.5 billion for the year.

The Home Depot will conduct a conference call today at 9 a.m. ET to discuss information included in this news release and related matters. The conference call will be available in its entirety through a webcast and replay at earnings.homedepot.com.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/home-depot-q1-2013-earnings-2013-5#ixzz2TvsZlvWk

 

 

Home Depot Q1 2013 Earnings – Business Insider.

NYC unemployment rate hits 4-year low | Bedford NY Real Estate

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New York City’s unemployment rate last month dropped to the lowest level in four years, led by gains in employment and health services, the state Department of Labor said in a monthly report Thursday. If you need to file for unemployment you can visit the unemployment office.

The jobless rate fell to 8.4% in April, compared with 8.9% the previous month, reaching the lowest level since March 2009, the labor department’s seasonally-adjusted figures showed. The city added 16,400 jobs last month, according to seasonally-adjusted numbers provided by Barbara Byrne Denham, chief economist for real estate investment firm Eastern Consolidated.

“It certainly looks like strong private-sector job growth,” said James Parrott, chief economist of the Fiscal Policy Institute. “That’s very positive, and clear.”

About 4,500 new jobs were created in the employment services sector, a sign that job gains will continue in the near future, Ms. Denham said. Employment services includes temporary hiring, which usually lead to permanent positions at the companies where workers are assigned, she said. Employment in the industry has grown 8.6% this year, the most of any sector.

An additional 3,100 jobs were added in health and social services, and the securities industry gained 1,000 positions. All growth took place in the private sector, as the federal and local governments shed 1,700 employees combined.

 

NYC unemployment rate hits 4-year low | Crain’s New York Business.

Bedford Set As Filming Location For Robert Durst Documentary | Bedford NY Real Estate

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A scene for an upcoming documentary based on the story of Scarsdale’s Robert Durst and his wife—who was last seen getting on a train in Bedford 30 years ago—will be shot in Bedford Hills on April 13, the Journal News reported.

The documentary comes from filmmaker Marc Smerling, who co-wrote the screenplay for the 2010 movie based on Durst’s life called “All Good Things.” Smerling talked to Durst after the release of that movie, the report said.

Smerling told the Bedford Town Board last week in an application for the filming permit it was a conversation that rekindled his passion for the story.

The film will revisit a mystery tale that began on Jan. 31, 1982, after Durst said he put his wife, Katie Durst, on a train to Manhattan and never saw her again, the Journal News said.

The police investigation was reopened in 2000 after Durst moved to Texas. Soon after, Durst’s friend Susan Berman—who police wanted to speak to in regards to the case—was fatally shot in Los Angeles.

Durst would eventually be arrested in 2001 for the murder of his neighbor Morris Black, telling police he shot his neighbor accidentally and proceeded to dismember him in a panic. After being acquitted for murder but arrested for the dismemberment and gun possession.

 

Bedford Set As Filming Location For Robert Durst Documentary | The Bedford Daily Voice.

Bedford NY Police send Out Seat Belt Notice | Bedford Homes

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/15/13
CONTACT: Lt Jeff Dickan, Bedford Police Department, (914)241-3111

Click It or Ticket to Boost Seat Belt Use – Day and Night

[Bedford, NY] – Motorists who refuse to wear their seat belts – beware. The 2013 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization kicks off May 20 to help save lives by cracking down on those who don’t buckle up.

The Bedford Police Department is joining with other state and local law enforcement officers and highway safety advocates across the country to help save more lives by strongly enforcing seat belt laws around the clock.

[Bedford, NY) As motorists take to the roads this Memorial Day holiday, the Bedford Police are urging everyone to buckle up. Beginning May 20, 2013 law enforcement officials will be out in full force, taking part in the 2013 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization and cracking down on motorists who are not belted.

“As we kick-off the busy summer driving season it’s important that everyone buckles up every time they go out, both day and night – no excuses,” said Bedford Police Lieutenant Melvin Padilla. “Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seat belt – Click It or Ticket.”

On the morning of May 20th, the Bedford Police Department will be joining law enforcement agencies throughout the northeast in mobilizing the Click It or Ticket (CIOT) “Border to Border” Operation.

Law enforcement agencies that share State borders will team up to provide increased seat belt enforcement at border sites, sending a ‘zero tolerance’ message to the public: Driving or riding unbuckled will result in a ticket, no matter what State.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 52 percent of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. As noted, deaths involving seat belt nonuse are more prevalent at night than during the daytime. According to NHTSA, 62 percent of the 10,135 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 during the overnight hours of 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.

“Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still not buckling up, especially at night when the risk of getting in a crash is even greater,” said Lieutenant Padilla. “We want everyone to have a safe summer, but it requires an important step on the part of motorists – clicking that seat belt.”

In 2011, seat belts saved an estimated 11,949 lives nationwide according to NHTSA. While this year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization runs from May 20 through June 2, officers are out enforcing seat belt laws year-round.

For full details, view this message on the web.

Annual St. Patrick’s Carnival, Raffle Begins In Bedford | Bedford Real Estate

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Festivities will include arcade-style games, new rides, home-cooked carnival favorites and outdoor grills.Photo Credit: Provided

BEDFORD, N.Y. – The Carnival at St. Patrick’s Parochial School in Bedford Village continues its 40-year tradition this week, culminating in a grand prize raffle for a 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 4Matic or $25,000 in cash.

The event begins Tuesday night and runs through Sunday. Admission is free.

Carnival grounds are located on the big green lawn of St. Patrick’s school at Route 22 and Greenwich Road. Parking is free at the church and surrounding areas of Bedford Town Park and Bedford Elementary School.

Raffle tickets are $100; 1,000 tickets will be sold.

Always starting the Tuesday after Mother’s Day, the carnival draws thousands of families from Northern Westchester, Putnam County and nearby Fairfield County.

The event is run by church volunteers. All money raised from the raffle will be used for educational and charitable ministries of the parish.

Festivities will include arcade-style games, new rides, home-cooked carnival favorites and outdoor grills. On Saturday and Sunday, one bracelet lets you ride all afternoon for a single price

 

Annual St. Patrick’s Carnival, Raffle Begins In Bedford | The Bedford Daily Voice.

More millennials see homeownership as a good investment | Bedford NY Real Estate

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PulteGroup survey: Intention to buy rose among most 18- to 34-year-olds in the last year

Most millennials that make more than $50,000 a year are more interested in buying homes than they were a year ago, a recent survey by homebuilder PulteGroup, Inc. found.

Nearly two-thirds, or 65 percent, of renters between 18 and 34 who responded to the survey and had an income above $50,000 said that their intention to buy has “significantly or somewhat increased in the past year,” PulteGroup said.

“Millennials have witnessed the housing boom and bust, but still believe homeownership is a good investment,” said Fred Ehle, vice president for PulteGroup, in a statement. “Consistent with other third-party research that shows more than 90 percent of millennials plan to buy a home someday, we see a lot of young adults who are making financial sacrifices to afford a place of their own.”

As part of the survey, PulteGroup also polled people on what home aspects matter most to them. The company found that millennials highly value efficient use of space in a home, with 69 percent of respondents indicating that they “overwhelmingly want an open layout space in the kitchen and family rooms for entertaining family and friends.”

Millennial survey respondents also said these features were either very important or extremely important to them:

  • 84 percent said ample storage for daily items;
  • 76 percent said space for TV, movie, or sports watching;
  • 73 percent said the entry to the home;
  • 63 percent said an outdoor living space or deck; and,
  • 36 percent said the ability to conduct business from home.

 

More millennials see homeownership as a good investment | Inman News.

8 Steps To Reduce Property Taxes- Richard Kilfoil | Bedford Homes

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As the sluggish economy drags on, county boards everywhere are looking for ways to replace lost income–re-assessments of residential real estate taxes is just one of those ways. Sometimes it’s fair, other times it avoids belt-tightening. If your property taxes have been raised and you feel it’s unfair, here is how to prepare to meet your assessor for a review to lower them:

1. Look for reporting mistakes. Examine the assessor’s entire property description. Note discrepancies and document them with blueprints, surveys, photos or other inspection reports.

2. Compare neighborhood assessments. Are other homes in your neighborhood assessed similar to yours? Check the web first; some counties post assessments online.

3. Compare current sales. Talk to a local real estate agent (if you need a referral, I’m glad to help) and get a report of comparables sold within the last 6 months. Sold homes count, listings don’t.

4. Take pictures. Document where your home needs repair compared to other homes in better shape in your neighborhood.

5. Get a new appraisal. If your home is unusual or hard to “comp” this is the one time it can work in your favor. If you recently refinanced and the value is lower, use that report instead.

6. Get your contract. If your taxes increased soon after you purchased, values probably haven’t changed that much. Document with your purchase agreement.

7. Are you exempt? There are many special exemptions: homestead, mortgage, senior citizens, veterans, disabled persons, and even energy-efficiency. Check with your county and check them all.

8. Prepare your case. In writing, briefly and professionally describe why you are entitled to the reduction, followed by documentation of your reasons. Make sure you have any required forms completed and know all deadlines for your appeal.

 

 

8 Steps To Reduce Property Taxes- Richard Kilfoil | Bedford Homes | Bedford NY Real Estate | Robert Paul Talks Life in Bedford NY.

Newsmakers May 12: Houston’s hot real estate market | | Bedford NY Real Estate

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The hot Houston real estate market is not likely cooling any time soon!
The Houston real estate market has been smoking hot for months. Experts said they expect the torrid pace will continue and several of those experts are guests on this week’s Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall.
Joining Khambrel this week was Danny Frank, the president of the Houston Association of Realtors, who said he expects the latest data will show that homes sales will show an increase of “upwards of 20 percent higher than it was [at] this time last year.”Quick Clicks
Will Holder, the president of Trendmaker Homes and the Immediate Past President of the Greater Houston Builders Association, said from what he’s seeing, there’s no slow down in sight.John Guess is the president of the Guess Group Incorporated, a real estate services company that specializes in commercial real estate. He said he “started seeing a change in the commercial market in the last quarter of 2011,” which led to 2012 being one his biggest years ever and 2013 is starting out the same way.
”We’ve got a bunch of pent up demand that has not been satisfied in the last two or three years so frankly I don’t think it can stop,” he said.
Even with the hot market expected to continue, there are ways you can navigate to a position where you can buy the home of your dreams, according to Steve Kyles, the Senior Loan Officer for Legacy Mutual Mortgage. He said one key is to make sure your realtor and lender are working together and then has three nuggets of advice.

 

 

Newsmakers May 12: Houston’s hot real estate market | | Bedford NY Real Estate | Robert Paul Talks Life in Bedford NY.

Supervisor Lee Roberts Won\’t Seek Re-election Tops Bedford News | Bedford Real Estate

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After 20 years in Bedford politics, Lee Roberts will be stepping down as town supervisor when November elections come around.

Roberts was elected as a councilwoman in 1993 and held that position for a decade before being named Bedford town supervisor. Currently in her fifth term, she will not be trying to make it six.

“After 10 years as supervisor, I think it’s time for new faces and new people,” she said.

When asked about what she’ll miss most, Roberts did not hesitate.

“Working with the residents,” she said. “In my mind, this is the best town in America. We have fabulous town officials and volunteers that make anything possible. It’s simply an outstanding community.”

 

 

Supervisor Lee Roberts Won\’t Seek Re-election Tops Bedford News | The Bedford Daily Voice.