Category Archives: North Salem

The 15 Most Common WordPress Mistakes to Avoid | North Salem Realtor

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A very old and famous saying, “to err is human and to forgive is divine“, is absolutely true. We all  make mistakes, because none of us is perfect. Whether it’s real life or  WordPress, mistakes happen everywhere. To commit a mistake is not a crime,  however, not learning from it and not trying to repeat it again definitely is.  Everyone learn from their mistakes, but it’s much better to learn from the  others’ mistakes.

In the case of WordPress, the primary focus of a novice is to set everything  up and get things running as soon as possible. In this hurry, there are quite a  few things that are ignored which may lead to numerous security vulnerabilities  and affect your blog/site in the long run. In this article, we’ve outlined 15 of  the most common WordPress mistakes that almost every one of us makes in the  beginning.

Hopefully, everyone will use this guide to avoid the same blunders and make  their WordPress site better, faster and more secure and of course a success.

#1. Choosing the wrong platform

Free WordPress.com or self hosted WordPress.org? Most of the WordPress  beginners often get confused between these two, and it’s one of the most common  mistakes, which is seen among beginners. While you’re going to start out as a  beginner, it’s extremely crucial to know what’s the difference between them and  which one can be the right choice for your new WordPress blog.

As both of them have their own pros and cons, it’s a big challenge for you to  decide which option is perfect for you. WordPress.com (run by the folks at Automattic) is most suitable  for bloggers, photographers, and artists – almost everyone. On the other hand,  WordPress.org is made for those who like to have total control over their  websites. Whatever option you choose, be careful.

#2. Forgetting to change the default admin username

When you install WordPress, it automatically creates the username “admin” with administrator privileges. It’s the username that is  obviously predictable to hackers. Using the “admin” username, they can  easily perform a brute force attack to crack your login and take control over  your site.

As WordPress gives you the option to change the username during installation,  it doesn’t make sense to stick with the default one. Therefore, while installing  WordPress, make sure to change your default WordPress admin username to a  different username. Also, use a combination of numbers, letters and special  characters in your username and password.

#3. Using an inappropriate or defective theme

Choosing the perfect theme is a crucial thing that decides the future  your WordPress blog. You wouldn’t believe that the structure of your design  plays a vital role in search engine rankling. There are three things you should  keep in mind while picking a theme – the ease of use for you, a reasonable  price, and a reputed company.

If you’re looking for a free WordPress theme, then there is no better option  than WordPress Themes  Directory. But if you’re interested in purchasing a commercial theme, we  recommend you to give a try to any one of these trusted theme providers: Elegant Themes, StudioPress, Headway Themes, Themify,  or ithemes.

 

 

 

Read more at http://www.jeffbullas.com/2014/04/14/the-15-most-common-wordpress-mistakes-to-avoid/#H1OBorvdkX7JVA8o.99

New Mortgages Fall to 14 Year Low | North Salem NY Real Estate

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In yet another sign the recovery is hitting a wall due to strict lending standards: in February monthly mortgage originations dropped to the lowest level in at least 14 years as credit standards have not shown signs of loosening, according to latest Mortgage Monitor Report from Black Knight Financial Services.

“February’s data showed the continued trend of declining origination activity we’ve been observing since mid-2013, with monthly originations falling to their lowest recorded point since at least 2000,” said Herb Blecher, senior vice president of Black Knight’s Data and Analytics division.

“In spite of this decline, residential real estate sales have remained strong due at least in part to investor activity and the fact that cash sales account for almost half of all transactions. In addition, while total transaction levels were flat on a year-over-year basis, traditional (or “non-distressed”) sales were up almost 15 percent from last year as the share of distressed transactions continues to decrease.  Credit standards have shown little sign of easing — only about 30 percent of 2013 loans went to borrowers with credit scores below 720 — which indicates that significant opportunity to expand mortgage origination activity is available, if risk appetites allow.

 

http://www.realestateeconomywatch.com/2014/04/new-mortgages-fall-to-14-year-low/

Smoky Odor From New Jersey Forest Fire Settles Over New York City | North Salem Real Estate

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The smell of smoke wafted over New York City early Monday after a brush fire broke out in a state forest in central New Jersey, authorities say.

The city’s Office of Emergency Management tweeted that people in Staten Island and Brooklyn might smell smoke from a forest fire burning along 30 acres of land in Wharton State Forest, a large preserve northwest of Atlantic City. The forest is about 90 miles south of midtown Manhattan.

People who live on the Lower East Side and elsewhere in Manhattan also reported smelling the smoke. Chopper 4 captured video of the haze shrouding the city as the sun came up, and the state Department of Environmental Conservation issued an air quality advisory for the five boroughs until 11 p.m.

Storm Team 4 meteorologists say that winds most likely carried the smoke to the area Sunday evening. Winds died down overnight, settling the odor over the city. It became trapped under what meteorologists call an “inversion” in the atmosphere. The air above is warmer than the air at ground level, which means the air doesn’t rise and the smoke doesn’t escape into the atmosphere. That’s why it’s hovering near the ground.

 

 

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Smoke-Smell-Staten-Island-Brooklyn-New-York-Queens-Forest-Fire-Wharton-254141121.html

Find quality leads on Twitter, Pinterest, Zillow | North Salem Real Estate

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Are you paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars for your lead generation? If you would like to reduce your ad spend while increasing the number of high-quality leads that you generate, it’s much easier than you realize if you know where to look and what to do. Here are five simple steps you can take to achieve that goal:

1. Identify a target market To really do this right, begin by looking at where you did the bulk of your transactions in the last six to 12 months. This is the geographical area where you are achieving the greatest success.

Next, look for patterns among the clients with whom you have closed deals. What professions are they in? Approximately how old are they? Are you attracting clients born outside the U.S.? What price range do you sell to most often?

Are your clients predominantly younger or older singles, married couples, families, or some other type of household? Once you have this information, you have a picture of the type of client who consistently closes business with you. This is where you should target your marketing efforts. The next step is how to reach them.

CoreLogic has a new program called REiSource that allows you to obtain lists of names that meet the criteria you specify at 8-10 cents per name. This is much more effective than paying for Internet leads where you know nothing about the person.

Article continues below Advertise with Inman For example, if you find that you are attracting a lot of teachers and police officers, this service will allow you to identify those people who fall into this category and who make enough money to afford to purchase. The secret is to design your marketing piece specifically for this group. …

Search for high school students who will be attending the local university next fall … Let them know that if they plan on living off campus, there are condos their parents could purchase that could be an excellent alternative to renting.”

To illustrate this point, a program called “Homes for Heroes” provides a 5 percent grant to assist buyers with their initial down payment. Your marketing piece would briefly explain the program and the opportunity. When a lead contacts you, help them become preapproved with a lender. If they qualify, you have a strong buyer who will probably be telling his or her colleagues about this program and your services as well.

2. Prospect for-sale-by-owners (FSBOs) for free There are two great places where you can locate potential FSBOs at absolutely no cost to you. The most obvious place is on the for-sale-by-owner sites. While this is not for the faint of heart, if you have good FSBO conversion skills, this one tactic can be a gold mine for your business.

The other place to search is on Zillow’s “Make Me Move” section. This is a place where people who may be considering moving or preparing to move often post the price at which they would be willing to sell. An important caveat: Make sure the property is not currently listed with an agent.

3. Search Twitter You can find potential buyer leads on Twitter by using the Twitter search function. Simply search your city’s name and the term “moving.” When I searched “Moving to Austin,” there were six matches posted in just 12 hours. Another smart strategy is to actually search for high school students who will be attending the local university next fall.

When they post “Just accepted to UT” (University of Texas or Tennessee), follow them. If they follow you back, congratulate the person on being accepted. Let them know that if they plan on living off campus, there are condos their parents could purchase that could be an excellent alternative to renting.

4. Capitalize on Pinterest As with Twitter, you can search “moving to your city.” When I searched “Moving to Austin” on Pinterest, I pulled up a number of matches. A different approach is to create a board under your city’s name and the term “real estate.”

When I searched “Austin Real Estate,” a number of savvy agents were marketing their listings there. In addition, there were boards posted on “New Home Construction Questions,” “Austin Real Estate Rebates” and “Austin Horse Properties.” Remember, you can also post videos to Pinterest. Before you pass on this suggestion, here are some important points to note: As of December 2013, Pinterest generates 2.5 billion page views per month and 5 million “pins” per day.

5. Search preforeclosures and auctions for free There are two great sources here that will cost you nothing. If you search “homes” in your area on Zillow and sort by “cheapest,” you will bring up the auction feed from Auction.com. If you have investor clients who like to purchase this type of property, this can be an excellent source.

A second source is ePropertyWatch.com. If you live in the area where you sell real estate, you can sign up for this service. They will alert you to the changes in your property value; however, they also provide a list of properties that have had a foreclosure notice filed on them.

This gives you an opportunity to contact the owner and see if there is any chance of selling the property before it goes to sale. In many cases, the owners may not be aware that a short sale or some other alternative may be an option. If you’re still blindly marketing using the same old tactics and not generating the results you want, experiment with one of these resources. The ideal place to start, no matter what or how you market, is by having clarity about who your target market is. –

 

 

See more at: http://www.inman.com/2014/04/03/no-budget-for-real-estate-prospecting-find-free-leads-on-twitter-pinterest-zillow/?utm_source=20140403&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailyheadlinesam#sthash.6lYGLRAR.dpuf

Farmers Markets of Westchester | North Salem Real Estate

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Craft Beer Comes to Mamaroneck Farmers Market;                           ‘Tis the Time for Hot Cross Buns in Ossining + More April 3rd-9th, 2014 Down to Earth Markets
Earlyspring-lettuce
What’s New and On Special This Week
Bakewell Tarts Robinson & Co. Catering
Carrot Ginger Soup 100% Vegan; Flavored w/fennel, star anise, thyme & more Robinson & Co. Catering 		Cornish Pasties Robinson & Co. Catering
Hot Cross Buns Bread Alone
Pork Pies Robinson & Co. Catering		 Sausage Rolls Robinson & Co. Catering Swede & Stilton Gratin Topped w/Orwasher’s bread crumbs Robinson & Co. Catering
Click on a Market to see all vendor and event details…

    Westchester County
Mamaroneck Winter                                     Saturdays, 9:00 am-1:00 pm St. Thomas Episcopal Church                                     168 West Boston Post Road (at Mount Pleasant Ave) Ossining Winter
Saturdays, 9:00 am-1:00 pm At the corner of Spring & Main                                     in downtown Ossining		Headed to the city soon? Visit a Down to Earth                                     Farmers Market in NYC!
Announcements
Mamaroneck – We’re Movin’ On OUT!
This Saturday Mamaroneck’s Down to Earth Farmers Market is moving outdoors!                         You’ll continue to find your favorite vendors at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, only now they will set up outside in the driveway area in front of the church. It’s wonderful sign of spring.                         Next: Wild ramps at the markets in the warmer days…stay tuned…
                         Stay tuned to all market happenings via our Down to Earth Markets Facebook page                           and follow us on Twitter @DowntoEarthMarkets
How Down to Earth Markets Began
1991 market photo
1991 newspaper clipping about the Ossining Farmers Market

In tribute to the season of seedlings, we wanted to share the story of our early days. It goes like this…
Years ago, as the 1980s were giving way to the 1990s, a young mother named Miriam Haas started looking for local, organic apples. She and her family had recently moved to Ossining, NY, and having been an avid gardener all her life, she was curious to know where her food came from. Her apple quest came out of concern about Alar, a chemical sprayed on apple trees at the time to keep the fruit on the trees longer and make its color brighter. The chemical was also leading to a steady stream of reports that it was harmful to people, especially children. Miriam wanted a choice beyond these apples at the regular grocery store — the ones from thousands of miles away, stacked in high piles, all year around.
So she started making phone calls. The calls led to the formation of a new group, Families for Safe Food, with the mission of “increasing the local availability of organically produced food and related environmental issues.” The group created a food co-op, taking orders from each family, one by one, through lengthy phone calls. The process was arduous.
When the food came in, the group arranged for pick-ups in the only space they could find: a cold, drafty bard. “The kids loved it and they would run around, but we were freezing to death,” Miriam recalls, “I remember thinking, ‘There has got to be a better way’.”
The better way became the Ossining Farmers Market. In August of 1991, she opened the market with two farmers and a hand-painted sign. Ossining had held a market years before, but it had lost momentum and closed. Miriam’s efforts were met with a lot of enthusiasm in the market’s first days, but it was slow to build after that. Looking to 1992, she had only one confirmed farmer for the market. So she sent a letter far and wide to recruit more vendors. “I feel it gives a better impression if there is more than one vendor on the first day of the market,” she wrote.
Indeed, her straight-forward message worked, and the market began to grow. In 1993, she opened with three farmers, making the market eligible for the WIC Farmers Market Coupon Program. By 1995, her year-end letter to the market vendors asked them, “Are there any crops that haven’t been grown that would appeal to our growing Hispanic community?”
Now, over twenty-two years of Saturday mornings later, people continue to come to the Ossining Farmers Market at the corner of Spring and Main Streets in the center of town. Today Down to Earth Markets runs approximately 18 markets between Westchester and Rockland Counties, as well as in NYC.
It is said that the tree is as tall as its roots are deep. We love having deep roots in our market communities and look forward to the years ahead of growing together. Thank you for coming out to support local farmers and food makers at our markets this weekend!

Day Vendors This Week
Mamaroneck
Flourish Baking Company                         #Freedom Craft Brewery                         Hudson River Apiaries                         Mortgage Apple Cakes                         Robinson & Co. Catering (British-inspired foods made on the spot & more)                         The Peanut Principle (Gourmet seed & nut butters)
Down to Earth Markets 173 Main Street Ossining, NY 10562 Phone: 914-923-4837

 

BofA: Fed seems OK with declining home sales | North Salem Real Estate

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Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAC) analysts released a note to clients highlighting the response of home sales to continued tapering from the Federal Reserve.

As Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen indicated last week, the government is keen to continue its support of the economy via purchases of Treasurys and mortgage-backed securities. However, the amount of which it invests in is being gradually decreased.

The BofA analysts said, that by “affirming the QE taper and seemingly doubling down on tightening by adding the “six months” comment, the Fed seems to be saying that it is OK with the 15% decline in pending home sales and may well even be comfortable with further declines.”

“This comes as a surprise to us and forces us to reconsider our investment views for securitized products,” write analysts Justin Borst and Chris Flanagan in their Securitization Weekly report.

New home sales of single-family houses in February dropped 3.3% to 440,000, reaching a 5-month low, according to the latest report from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

 

 

http://www.housingwire.com/articles/29493-bofa-fed-seems-ok-with-declining-home-sales

Grand Park Avenue co-op sells for $16M | North Salem Real Estate

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Images of the 655 Park Avenue duplex

Images of the 655 Park Avenue duplex

From Luxury Listings NYC: A duplex co-op at 655 Park Avenue — commissioned by a Rockefeller in 1924 — has sold for $16 million, according to city records. This marks the first time that the spread has traded hands in more than two decades.

 

 

http://therealdeal.com/blog/2014/03/24/grand-park-avenue-co-op-sells-for-16m/

26 Creative Ways Brands Use Facebook Status Updates | North Salem Realtor

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Does your business have a Facebook marketing plan?

Do you need inspiration for Facebook updates that excite your fans?

Do you treat each and every update as an opportunity for engagement?

In this article we’ll take a look at 26 brands, an A-Z guide, that use Facebook status updates that combine visual content and brand messages to create buzz, excitement and interaction.

#1: Audi USA

When Drive (a TV network that celebrates the culture of cars and is geared toward car enthusiasts) highlighted Audi USA on their YouTube channel, Audi ran with it.

In the status update below, Audi USA shared that media recognition for their brand’s history and culture, but made sure to show appreciation by including a social link to the brand that drew attention to them.

audi update

Sharing company-branded media highlights and linking to related brands is win-win.

 

The result was win-win-win: Audi shared their industry recognition, fans were introduced to a relevant company and Drive got some exposure and traffic for their YouTube channel.

#2: Blackberry

Sometimes keeping the message simple allows your product to speak for itself (but it doesn’t hurt if a celebrity is holding that product).

Blackberry got a lot of mileage out of this Facebook update showing Leonardo DiCaprio using the Blackberry Q10 during a photo op for 2014 Oscar nominees.

 

 

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/brands-using-facebook-status-updates/

Prep your home properly before you put it on the market | North Salem Real Estate

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Selling a house is a major undertaking. Where do you begin? First you’ll need to establish a big-picture view of how to prepare it. This ideabook will help you do that, so you can get your home in shape to sell quickly at the best possible price (without breaking your budget).

The project: Get a home ready to sell.
Why: Taking the time to prepare your home before putting it on the market can help it fetch a higher price and increase buyer interest, making for a quicker sale. Taking a big-picture look at what to do to get your home ready to sell will help ensure that you make the best decisions and stay under budget.
Things to consider: It makes sense to start with the outside of your home, since that is what potential buyers will notice first. Shoot for nice landscaping, a freshly cleaned exterior, a driveway and walking path in good repair, a well-lit porch and an eye-catching front door.
Make a list early on of all of the repairs your home needs, from the tiny (change a lightbulb) to the major (new roof) before deciding what to get done. The fact is that the cost of most repairs and upgrades will not be recouped in the sale price, so focus on taking care of the minor repairs and tackle bigger projects only if you feel you must.