Tag Archives: Westchester Real Estate for Sale

A Subliminal Approach to Fall Decorating | Waccabuc Real Estate

all is that sweet spot between the blazing heat of summer and the icy chill of winter. It’s a time for preparing the nest for hibernation. Urrutia Design takes “a subliminal approach to embracing fall through comforting, colorful aspects that can be incorporated throughout the home,” says company founder Jason Urrutia. Below, he and co-principal Martha Carvalho share eight simple, high-impact ways to help you get your autumn cozy on.

traditional family room by Urrutia Design

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1. Stockpile firewood by the mantel. “This creates a nice visual of what’s in store,” says Carvalho. “Even if you don’t have a wood-burning fireplace, a display of wood, either next to the firebox or inside, offers a soothing aesthetic.”
modern living room by Reynaldo Gonzalez Design

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“While just about any wood will do nicely, silver birch logs add an especially graceful arrangement without looking too lumberjack-like,” Urrutia says.
contemporary  by Urrutia Design

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2. Candles, candles, candles. This is candle season, so use them generously anywhere you want extra ambience. “Votives are great, but don’t be afraid to use those big-boy-sized candles in large hurricanes,” offers Urrutia.
contemporary living room by Urrutia Design

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3. Change out throw blankets. “Replace light fabrics for heavier ones, like faux fur or wool,” Carvalho says. Lay a throw blanket or two across furnishings for extra color and texture. Add a big basket filled with enough throws for everyone in the household to curl up under.
rustic living room by Urrutia Design

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4. Branch out. “Fill oversized glass vases with a compilation of branches in any shape and length you wish,” Carvalho says. Urrutia adds, “This type of arrangement is elegant and understated, and will last you the entire season.”

Westchester legislative race: Five Republicans win write-in upsets for Independence line | Bedford Hills Real Estate

Five Republican candidates for Westchester Board of Legislators have won write-in primaries that will put their names on the Independence line on the general election ballot.

The Independence Party froze Republicans out of the line in contested races this year and nine were able to challenge the endorsed candidates, all Democrats, through the write-in process called opportunity to ballot. The line could help Republicans in close races.

“This is a very gratifying victory for my campaign but more important, it is a victory for the principles of fair and honest elections,” said Legislator Sheila Marcotte, who won her write-in challenge in District 10. “The true spirit of the Independence Party has been affirmed by the rank and file members.  The huge margin of victory in this race is a clear rebuke to the back room-dealing and patronage-begging that the Independence Party bosses have engaged in.”

Here are unofficial results from the Westchester Board of Elections:

District 1 (Peekskill, Buchanan, Yorktown)

Duane Jackson, D, 113

John Testa*, R, 127

District 2 (northeast Westchester)

Peter Harckham*, D, 164

Andrea Rendo, R, 115

District 5 (White Plains, Scarsdale, Harrison)

Benjamin Boykin, D, 33

Miriam Levitt Flisser, R, 16

District 6 (Harrison, Rye Brook, Port Chester)

Mark Jaffe, D, 64

David Gelfarb*, R, 19

John Verni, R (in District 7), 1

District 7 (Mamaroneck, Rye, Larchmont, Harrison, New Rochelle)

Catherine Parker, D, 34

Thomas Murphy, D, 4

John Verni, R, 61

(Verni also won a Green Party write-in primary with 5 votes to Parker’s 1 vote)

District 9 (Cortlandt, Croton, Ossining, Briarcliff, Peekskill)

Catherine Borgia*, D, 107

Peter Tripodi IV, R, 78

District 10 (Eastchester, Tuckahoe, New Rochelle)

Mary Jo Jacobs, D, 47

Sheila Marcotte*, R, 118

District 11 (Pelham town, New Rochelle)

Stavros Pantelis, D, 23

James Maisano*, R, 103

District 14 (Yonkers, Mount Vernon)

Rachelle ‘Rocky’ Richard, D, 33

Bernice  Spreckman*, R, 58

 

 

http://northernwestchester.lohudblogs.com/2013/09/27

 

Gorgeous Sagaponack Six-Bedroom is Yours for $10.95M | North Salem Real Estate

This house really is beautiful. We love all the white, which contrasts beautifully with the piano-finish floors (hopefully the new owners will have staff with Swiffers on standby). The kitchen and bathrooms are faultless, the pool and landscaping are perfection. There’s 1.6 acres in a great location, and six bedrooms and 7.5 baths inside. As for the artwork, we’re on record in favor of Damien Hirst dot paintings, but the Beatles? Unless you were actually in the Beatles (and that guy lives in Amagansett, not Sagaponack), come on. Also, photographers gotta be more careful with the wide-angle lenses. Yes, they can make the rooms look bigger, but they can also give a funhouse-mirror effect that’s offputting. Again, minor complaints in a stunning house. · Sagaponack Sanctuary With Style [Saunders]

 

 

 

Learn how forests, wetlands reduce flood risks at seminar | Bedford Hills Homes

A seminar about the science of how forests and wetlands work to help limit damage from flooding will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Desmond Fish Library, 472 Route 403, Garrison,

Admission is free, but registration is recommended.

Marilyn Wyman, team leader of the Natural Resources Program with Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties, will talk about the relationship between forests and flood mitigation: how forests slow the flood of water, increase filtration and absorption, and help to stabilize stream banks. She will also discuss some of the problems facing important forested land, including invasive species, fragmentation and the lack of regeneration.

Laura Heady, biodiversity outreach coordinator with the Hudson River Estuary Program and Cornell University’s Department of Natural Resources, will share her knowledge and research about wetlands: their role in maintaining clean water, controlling floodwaters and protecting shorelines and stream banks from erosion and property damage.

This seminar is part of a series sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell University, in partnership with the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Program and New York State Water Resources Institute.  The Hudson Estuary Watershed Resiliency Project is an educational initiative designed to help municipal officials and stream-side landowners prepare for floods and climate change in the Hudson Valley.  Educators from the Cornell Cooperative Extension associations in Columbia, Greene, Dutchess, Orange and Putnam counties are teaching municipal personnel and landowners in target areas about flood preparedness.

 

http://northernwestchester.lohudblogs.com/2013/09/13/learn-how-forests-wetlands-reduce-flood-risks-at-sept-24-seminar/

 

Survey: Affluent homebuyers will give up space for amenities | Bedford NY Real Estate

The vast majority of luxury homebuyers used an agent, are willing to give up square footage for an amenity they want and wouldn’t live in a home that isn’t tech-friendly, according to a survey commissioned by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.

The online survey of 500 affluent homebuyers, conducted by Wakefield Research between May 20 and June 4, also showed that most luxury homebuyers believe homeownership is a more sound investment than the stock market, would rather live in a “smart” home than a “green” home, and would rather have an upgraded home than more square footage.

“The luxury consumer is considered a trendsetter in most industries, and to see the strong connection this consumer has with ‘home’ is very significant as we look at the real estate market as a whole,” said Sherry Chris, president and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, in a statement.

Luxury homebuyer survey statementPercentage of respondents agree
Used an agent for real estate services96%
Willing to give up 1,000 square feet of living space in their next home for a lifestyle amenity they want94%
Believe their house is the best on the block93%
Wouldn’t live in a home that isn’t tech-friendly87%
Homeownership is a more sound investment than the stock market75%
Consider a “smart” home more important than a “green” home66%
Rather have upgraded home than more square footage60%
Own multiple homes58%
Homeownership is a bigger indicator of success than their job or title*57%
Prefer owning multiple “lifestyle” homes to support recreational activities like skiing and theater-going53%

Source: Online survey of 500 luxury homebuyers between May 20 and June 4, 2013, conducted by Wakefield Research *Of those luxury homeowner survey respondents who have jobs

A majority of the affluent homebuyers surveyed said they used an agent for neighborhood lifestyle insight (65 percent) as a source of advance info for new listings (64 percent), as a go-to source for housing trends (55 percent) and for support through the homebuying process (53 percent).

More survey results:

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/2013/09/10/survey-affluent-homebuyers-will-give-up-space-for-amenities/#sthash.tSIc4fid.dpuf

Turning Point for Housing Market? | Bedford Hills Real Estate

As the year’s peak home buying season comes to a close, key market indicators point to a shift in the dynamics of the housing market, suggesting that future home value appreciations may likely be driven by market demand, rather than inventory shortages.

An analysis of the summer home buying season ending in August shows year-over-year changes now within the single-digits for three key indicators – inventory count, median age and median list price, signaling a leveling of the market not seen for some time.  The national market was virtually flat month-over-month compared to July for both inventory and median list price, and registered a slight increase in median age of inventory.

“Where we have seen significant volatility in many markets, including double-digit declines in inventory as well as increases in median price for both yearly and monthly views, we are now looking at a housing market that is less heated and moving closer to normalcy,” said Steve Berkowitz, CEO of Move.

Realtor.com® Key National Market Indicators for August 2013

August 2013

Year-over-Year %

Change

Month-over-Month %

Change

Number of Listings

1,977,202

-2.50%

0.93%

Median Age of   Inventory

92 days

-8.00%

8.24%

Median List Price

$199,900

6.39%

0.00%

National Highlights:

Widespread Inventory Recovery – The inventory recovery is broad and growing.  The net number of listings increased even though the summer season is ending. Close to one-third of the 146 markets are within 5 percent of last year’s inventory levels, and more than two-thirds (99) of markets registered a net increase in inventory over last month.

Prices Stabilize – Despite the increase in inventories, the national median list price did not change compared to July. Absent a significant weakening in economic conditions or significantly higher rates, prices should continue to slowly rise alongside typical cost of living increases.

Price Appreciation Becoming More Widespread – In August, 123 of the 146 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) covered by realtor.com® registered a year-over-year increase in their median list price, with 78 markets registering an increase of 5 percent or more.  Of the 18 markets reporting a list price decline, only 11 markets had a year-over-year list price decline of one percent or more, and only three markets had a list price decline of 5 percent or more.  By contrast, the number of markets reporting year over year median prices lower than they were last year was 31 in July.

 

 

 

http://www.realestateeconomywatch.com/2013/09/6604/

Rising Rates Flatten Consumer Price Expectations | Katonah Real Estate

After rising since the beginning of the year, consumers’ outlook for home price increases plateaued in August – which has been trending upward- has hit a plateau, likely due to concerns regarding the potential tapering of the Federal Reserve’s asset purchases, according to Fannie Mae’s August 2013 National Housing Survey.

“The spike in mortgage rates associated with the possibility that the Fed will begin to wind down its asset purchase program later this month has dampened the improving trend in consumer sentiment regarding housing witnessed in our survey since the start of this year,” said Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae. “The pause in positive momentum is consistent with slowing trends in home purchase contract signings and mortgage applications. Interest rate volatility will likely remain elevated, even after we have more clarity on the pace of the Fed’s tapering, due to concerns over the upcoming budget and debt ceiling debates as well as the crisis in Syria.”

Survey data show that consumers expect home prices to continue to grow on average during the next 12 months, but at a slightly reduced pace of 3.4 percent. Additionally, the share who say it is a good time to buy a home has stayed relatively flat during the past year while those who say it is a good time to sell a home has lost momentum recently.

SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS

Homeownership and Renting

  • At 3.4 percent, the average 12-month home price change expectation decreased 0.5 percent from last month’s high.
  • The share of people who say home prices will go up in the next 12 months rose 2 percentage points to 55 percent, while those who say home prices will go down increased slightly from July’s survey low to 7 percent.
  • The share of respondents who say mortgage rates will go up in the next 12 months decreased 2 percentage points from last month’s survey high to 60 percent.
  • The share who say it is a good time to buy a house decreased 3 percentage points to 71 percent, and those who say it is a good time to sell a house fell 4 percentage points to 36 percent.
  • The average 12-month rental price change expectation fell to 4.1 percent, a slight decrease from last month.
  • Fifty-three percent of those surveyed say home rental prices will go up in the next 12 months, a slight decrease from July.
  • Forty-six percent of respondents think it would be easy for them to get a home mortgage today, a slight increase from last month.
  • The share of respondents who said they would buy if they were going to move increased slightly to 65 percent.

The Economy and Household Finances

  • At 37 percent, the share of respondents who say the economy is on the right track decreased 3 percentage points from July.

 

 

http://www.realestateeconomywatch.com/2013/09/

52nd Armonk Art Show To Include 50 New Artists | Armonk Real Estate

The  Armonk Art Show, consistently ranked among the top “fine art and design shows” in the New York area by Sunshine Artist Magazine, returns for its 52nd season on Sept. 28-29.

The show, which benefits the North Castle Public Library, runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Community Park, 205 Business Park Drive.

More than 185 juried artists will be featured in the show, including 50 new artists. They will display a broad spectrum of media, including oils/acrylics, water colors, mixed media, printmaking/drawing/pastels, sculpture, photography/digital art, wearable art and fine crafts.

There is free parking, and a food court. The library will show a free-art-themed film on Sept. 27, and the Fishtank Ensemble will perform on Sept. 28, at Whippoorwill Hall.

A road race, Jamie’s 5k Race for the Library, will also be run in conjunction with the show. It begins at 9:45 a.m. on Sept. 22.

For complete information, or to register for the 5k race/walk, visit the event’s website.

 

 

http://armonk.dailyvoice.com/events/52nd-armonk-art-show-include-50-new-artists

Ex-Morgan Stanley CEO’s Penthouse Gets a Big Price Cut | Bedford Hills Real Estate

Former Morgan Stanley CEO John Mack has been hiding out in this 3,650-square-foot duplex penthouse in the Lenori while he waits for the renovations to be finished on his East 70th Street mansion (featuring a 12-car garage), which he purchased for $13.5 million in 2009. But now that it’s time to move out, Mack seems to be having more trouble unloading the Leonori penthouse than he thought he would. After listing it for $22.5 million in February, he’s had to chop the price twice, once down to $19.5 million and now to $16.25 million. Perhaps the decor, which one commenter described as being in the “Early Grandma” style, is turning buyers off, or maybe it’s just the fact that the apartment, which features a large terrace and solarium, was originally asking over $6,000 per square foot (it’s now down to a more reasonable $4,452/square foot). Mack also switched brokerages, from Sotheby’s to Elliman, meaning that we get some new pictures to gawk at, and, if we had to guess, we’d say that the man is running out of patience. Could further pricechops be in the penthouse’s future?

Armonk Early Election Results | Armonk Real Estate

Democratic Vote for Town Supervisor
► Michael J. Schiliro
Anthony Futia

Republican Vote for Town Board

► John J. Cronin
► Barbara W. DiGiacinto
Diane DiDonato-Roth

Independence Vote for Town Supervisor
► Michael J. Schiliro
Independence Vote for Town Board
► Barbara W. DiGiacinto
Jose L. Berra — Too Close to Call
Write-In –Too Close to Call
Independence Vote for Town Justice
► Linda Trummer-Napolitano
Douglas J. Martino
Conservative Vote for Town Supervisor
► Michael J. Schiliro
Conservative Vote for Town Board
► Barbara W. DiGiacinto
► Barry S. Reiter