Tag Archives: Katonah Homes

Katonah Homes

3 reasons all is not lost in housing | Katonah Real Estate

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When mortgage rates jumped in anticipation of the start of Fed tapering back in June 2013, the inherent cracks in the foundation of the housing industry became apparent.

Seriously, how healthy is a housing market that relies on artificially capped interest rates and literally tens of billions of dollars a month of fiat money pumped into Treasurys and bonds?

Now it’s a full year later and despite the fact that interest rates are nearly back to where they were a year ago, housing has stalled out.

Worse, unless you believe the happy-happy-joy-joy analysts on CNBC or anything on Business Insider, it’s been pretty apparent for, oh, the past 12 months.

That’s not to say that it’s doom and gloom. There are some strengths showing, despite the top-line numbers showing year-over-year drops in everything from sales and construction spending to price increases and mortgage originations.

 

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http://www.housingwire.com/blogs/1-rewired/post/30519-reasons-all-is-not-lost-in-housing

Fixed Mortgage Rates Lower Than Same Time Last Year | Katonah Real Estate

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Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing average fixed mortgage rates moving lower following the release of the first quarter real GDP final estimate. Fixed mortgage rates are lower this week than at the same time last year when Fed remarks spurred market speculation that it could begin tapering its bond purchases causing mortgage rates to spike.

News Facts

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.14 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending June 26, 2014, down from last week when it averaged 4.17 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.46 percent.
  • 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.22 percent with an average 0.5 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.30 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.50 percent.
  • 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.98 percent this week with an average 0.3 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.00 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.08 percent.
  • 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.40 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.41 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.66 percent.

Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following links for the Regional and National Mortgage Rate Details and Definitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

Quotes
Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac.

“Mortgage rates were down following the release of first quarter real GDP final estimate, which fell at a 2.9 percent annualized rate, a steeper than expected decline and the worst reading since the first quarter of 2009. Also, the seasonally-adjusted S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index was up only 0.2 percent in April from the previous month. On a year-over-year basis, prices remained strong in April up 10.8 percent, but slower than the 12.3 percent in March.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teatown Lake Reservation News | Katonah Real Estate

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June 18, 2014
Teatown in the News:
60 Morgan Stanley Volunteers GIVE BACK at Teatown
Click here for the full story in the Daily Voice.
Get your employees outside to volunteer and reap the benefits! Click here for more info.

Teatown’s Old Boardwalk with a New Purpose

Teatown’s old boardwalk has been transformed into a footbridge at the Peabody Preserve in Sleepy Hollow. Teatown is collaborating with the Friends of Peabody and the Tarrytown School District in making the Peabody Preserve accessible to all students as an outdoor classroom.
PROGRAMS THIS WEEK:

Moth Magic
Friday, June 20
8 pm

The warm spring evenings brings moths and many other winged creatures out. Come and see what flies in at Cliffdale Farm as Charlie Roberto blacklights for night flyers. Meets at Cliffdale Farm. All Welcome, free! Programs require pre-registration. To register, call 914-762-2912 x 110.

fishing-pole-handles.jpg

Catch this program before it gets away:
Fishing Saturdays on Teatown Lake – MEMBERS-ONLY

Cliffdale Field Exploration
Sunday, June 22
10 am
Grab a net and a field guide and come along as we investigate the fields of Cliffdale on the cusp of summer. All Welcome. Free for members, $5 for non-members. Programs require pre-registration. To register, call 914-762-2912 x 110.

Citizen Scientist Opportunity
Sunday, June 22
9 am – 4 pm
Teatown Lake Reservation is partnering with Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct and NY-NJ Trail Conference to fully assess and map the prevalence of invasive plants along the 26 mile section of the Old Croton Aqueduct trail.
If you’d like to join the mission, there will be a required training held at Teatown Lake Reservation on Sunday, June 22. Advanced registration is required. Click hereto sign up or for more info.
Teatown Camp:
Gearing Up for Summer Fun!
Teatown’s Natural
Science Camp
Four sessions this summer
Visit Teatown
1600 Spring Valley Road
Ossining, NY 10562
Teatown Lake Reservation’s
mission is to inspire our community to lifelong environmental stewardship.
Nature Center hours:
9 am – 5 pm daily
Trails are open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk.
Please note: Membership Pricing change effective July 1.
Click here for details.

Your donation can make

an immediate impact and help

support our environmental education programs and the stewardship of our 1,000 acre preserve.

Upcoming Events and Workshops:

Explore Teatown Lake
Saturday, June 28
1 – 2 pm

Pick up a net and join Erin Baker, down at the boathouse to find out. All Welcome! Free for members, $5 for non-members. Programs require pre-registration. To register, call 914-762-2912 x 110.

In the Nature Center Gallery:

Nature, Wildlife & Landscapes

By Charley Goldsmith

On exhibit June 1 – 30, 2014

Announcing the publication of:

Teatown’s Wildflower Island

by Lisa Fleck Dondiego

A privately printed, 80-page photo book with an Index identifying the flowers, and a Foreword by Leah Waybright Kennell, Curator of Wildflower Island.

This wonderful book is available for purchase in Teatown’s nature store for $45 plus tax.

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Homebuilder confidence up in June, remains low | Katonah Real Estate

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U.S. homebuilders are feeling more confident about the housing market but don’t think it is healthy yet.

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index rose to 49 in June, highest since January and up from 45 in May. Readings below 50 indicate that builders view sales conditions are poor rather than good. The index has been stuck below 50 since January. The low numbers earlier this year reflected a bitter winter that chilled economic activity across much of the U.S.

New home sales are running about half the rate of a healthy housing market.

Still, builders are the most confident they’ve been since January about new single-family home sales over the next six months. They report seeing more potential buyers shopping for homes, though traffic remains modest.

 

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http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/06/16/homebuilder-confidence/10574885/

Inside a Vintage Store Owner’s Treasure-Strewn NYC Home | Katonah NY Real Estate

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DrielyS-1857.jpgPhoto by Dreily S./Racked NY

Considering the fact that Ariana Boussard-Reifel owns the lovely Mode Marteau—a vintage store known for its high-end luxury brands and eclectic artisan goods—it should come as no surprise that her Victorian-era brownstone in NYC is a veritable treasure trove of artistic collages, turn-of-the-century furnishings, and jewelry used as home decor. Boussard-Reifel renovated the entire pad herself, outfitting the space in antiques, flea market finds, and even barstools found on the street. An ornate spiral staircase leads to the two-bedroom’s second floor, which offers “secret chambers in the walls” and an airy outdoor area further decorated in colorful, exotic pieces. “I like to keep all my internationally collected objects around me to keep my mind wandering,” says the artist, entrepreneur, and avid collector to Racked NY. “Sometimes I feel like my apartment looks more like The Explorer’s Club than a home.”

 

 

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http://curbed.com/archives/2014/06/09/inside-a-vintage-store-owners-treasurestrewn-nyc-brownstone.php

Teatown Lake Reservation News | Katonah Real Estate

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June 4, 2014
PROGRAMS THIS WEEK:
fishing-pole-handles.jpg

Fishing Saturdays on Teatown Lake – MEMBERS-ONLY

May 3rd thru June 27th
7 am – 11 am
Movie on the Lawn, Members-Only

Friday, June 6
7:15 pm -Bring and enjoy a pre-movie picnic dinner
8:15 pm – Movie start time

Click here for more information about Members-Only – Movie on the Lawn

It’s Raining Turtles!
Saturday, June 7th
1 – 3 pm
As the weather warms and the rain falls, turtles begin crossing roads and appearing in backyards as they move to their nesting grounds. Learn about the hazards of being a turtle on the move with Erin Baker as she returns one of Teatown’s wildlife rescues to a local pond. Turtles are also encountered as they bask on sun lit logs. Be inspired to create an artful sit-upon to make sitting a delightful, nature-loving event in your life. Guided by Strawtown Studio Artists/Educators. All Welcome!

National Trails Day
Saturday, June 7th
9 am – 3 pm

Celebrate National Trails Day at Teatown on Saturday, June 7. Stop by the table behind the Nature Center and meet trail volunteers to learn about becoming a trail crew member. Trail tours leave from the Nature Center at 10:00, 11:00 & 12:00. You will visit our Back 40 Trail repair project and learn about trail maintenance.

Teatown Trails Green Stewardship Program is made possible through a generous grant from Con Edison.

Teatown Camp:
Gearing Up for Summer Fun!

Teatown’s Natural
Science Camp

Four sessions this summer
Visit Teatown
1600 Spring Valley Road
Ossining, NY 10562
914-762-2912
Nature Center hours:
9:00am-5:00pm daily
Trails are open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk.
Teatown Lake Reservation’s
mission is to inspire our community to lifelong environmental stewardship.

Your donation can make

an immediate impact and help

support our environmental education programs and the stewardship of our 1,000 acre preserve.

Why We Do What We Do
Support Teatown this Spring:
There are very real threats to the biodiversity of Teatown’s preserve. What are we doing? How is Teatown leading as part of the solution? Read on and become part of the solution!

Upcoming Events and Workshops:
Nature Matters Series
Thursday, June 12th
7 pm
Where Have All the (Wild)Flowers Gone?
Speaker: Carol Gracie
Volunteer Recognition Picnic
Friday, June 13th
6 – 8 pm
Active volunteers are invited for a cook-out and socializing with volunteers and staff. RSVP to ldraper@teatown.org
or 762-2912 x 115.

In the Nature Center Gallery:

Nature, Wildlife & Landscapes

By Charley Goldsmith

On exhibit June 1 – 30, 2014

Please join us for an opening reception on June 14 from
3-5 pm.

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Gracious Old-School Southampton Equestrian Estate for $9.5M | Katonah Real Estate

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437 North Sea Mecox Road Southampton
9 images


Click here to view the full photogallery.

The price for this property, which includes the lovely c. 1913 house and about ten acres of land, has been all over the place, depending on whether an extra 12 acres of land was added. Originally it was listed at $11.45M back in 2011, then it was $19.5M in May 2012, when the additional land was included. By April 2013, the price was $16.75M with the extra land and $9.75M without it, then the price was increased to $9.95M by autumn. Now the ask is $9.5M.

So what do you get for your nine and half large? The main house, which is 5500sf and six bedrooms, needs some work. But there’s stabling and a tack house, a pretty pool and pool house, two ponds where the owners’ children used to skate in the winter, and 65 acres of conservation land to the west. What do you think the property will finally trade for?

 

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http://hamptons.curbed.com/archives/2014/05/28/gracious_oldschool_southampton_equestrian_estate_for_95m.php

Government’s moves to ease mortgage credit are mostly for show | Katonah Real Estate

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  • The regulator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Mel Watt, said he would not reduce home loan limits, as planned by his predecessor as director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Ed De Marco. Plus, in the most widely quoted promise in his speech at the Brookings Institution, Watt said he doesn’t believe his role is to “contract the footprint” of Fannie and Freddie. In other words, gradually shrink their roles or significance in the housing marketplace in preparation for their eventual total phase out by Congress.
  • Watt also announced that his agency will permit Fannie and Freddie to use “compensating factors” to accommodate loans from borrowers whose back-end debt-to income ratios exceed 43 percent. Compensating factors allow lenders to approve loans when applicants may have elevated DTIs but also have counter-balancing strengths, such as substantial financial reserves, high credit scores, among others.
  • FHA Commissioner Carol Galante announced a “blueprint for access” designed to lower the costs of obtaining an FHA mortgage for underserved borrowers. HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan called Galante’s plan, which would extend reductions in mortgage insurance fees to buyers who complete a counseling course, “a win for the market, FHA, lenders and borrowers.”

 

All that sounded upbeat and was heartily welcomed by groups such as NAR, the Mortgage Bankers Association and the home builders. It sounded like good news in a week that saw prospects for long-term reforms of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac dim in a split vote by the Senate Banking Committee.

But how significant were these promises by Washington politicians and what will the changes really mean on the ground for real estate professionals and their clients? Much less than it all appeared to audiences eager to hear that credit standards finally are going to start loosening up for mortgage applicants.

 

 

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http://www.inman.com/2014/05/20/governments-moves-to-ease-mortgage-credit-are-mostly-for-show/?utm_source=20140520&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailyheadlinesam

30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Rise Slightly | Katonah Real Estate

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Mortgage rates for 30-year fixed mortgages rose this week, with the current rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace at 4.10 percent, up from 4.08 percent at this same time last week.

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate hovered around 4.05 percent for the majority of the week before rising to the current rate on Monday.

“Rates continued on a downward path last week, reaching six-month lows before rebounding slightly,” said Erin Lantz, vice president of mortgages at Zillow. “This week, we expect rates to rise gradually and correct for what some market observers believe has been an overreaction to recent economic data and the situation in Ukraine.”

Additionally, the 15-year fixed mortgage rate this morning was 3.10 percent, and for 5/1 ARMs, the rate was 2.77 percent.

 

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http://www.zillow.com/blog/30-year-fixed-mortgage-rates-rise-152060/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ZillowBlog+%28Zillow+Blog%29

Marrying Past and Present in Los Angeles | Katonah Real Estate

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When it comes to designing and building a house to sell on spec, the kitchen is important. Potential buyers need to be able to imagine themselves cooking, gathering and enjoying meals in the heart of the home.

While some developers might go for a blank-slate, all-white look, Sheryl Schey, a principal at White Picket Fence in Santa Monica, California, took chances, blending reclaimed boards, classic Shaker cabinetry, modern metallic tiles and a big dollop of deep blue in a recent Pacific Palisades project. The unique and harmonious mix of traditional and modern elements has an appeal that’s hard to resist, no matter what your favorite style is.

Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: This speculative project was recently purchased by a young family with 2 children.
Location: Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles
Size: About 360 square feet (34 square meters)

transitional kitchen by White Picket Fence, Inc
White Picket Fence, Inc
Save to Ideabook

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When designing a kitchen that will make potential buyers feel right at home, Schey is inspired by the way she cooks at home. “My approach to kitchen design is based upon my own experience as a home cook, and how I am most comfortable working in my surroundings,” she says. In this kitchen she went for a transitional style, boldly combining the best of traditional and modern touches.

Styles aren’t the only things she mixes liberally, either. “I like mixing up materials and using dark and light colors against each other,” she says. While a wedding-day theme was not part of the inspiration, I noticed she happened to balance something old and something new, something borrowed and something blue.

Something old: Schey used reclaimed boards as accents throughout the house. “The entire kitchen inspiration came from finding the right reclaimed wood boards used in the ceiling,” Schey says. Eight-inch-wide white oak floors add a classic touch; wide floorboards are often found in older homes.

Tip: Use the ceiling to define a space in an open floor plan. The reclaimed vintage boards define the kitchen’s main work area overhead, from the island to the countertops.

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http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/26014390?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u502&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery1