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Daily Archives: September 8, 2011
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Armonk Realtor finds How to Do the U.S. Open on the Cheap.
Check out this website I found at smartmoney.com
Mt Kisco Realtor Robert Paul | Bedford Officials Assess the Lessons of Irene – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch
As the remnants of yet another tropical storm lashed town hall Tuesday night, Bedford officials were taking the measure of their earlier unwelcome visitor, Irene.
“Overall,” Supervisor Lee V.A. Roberts said of Irene’s Aug. 28 Sunday punch, “I think we came through it . . . better than some others.”
Indeed, while that tropical storm knocked down trees, cutting power to thousands of residents, flooded dozens of town roads and denying access for a time to Northern Westchester Hospital, Irene’s lethal fury was felt far more acutely in communities both far north and south of here.
Still, some residents—in interviews in the immediate aftermath of the storm as well as in e-mails reacting to its coverage—complained of extended power outages in Bedford and what they called a lack of communication from the town during the blackout. None of them brought those complaints to Tuesday’s post-mortem, part of the regular meeting of the town board.
Roberts said they tried to use all of the communications at their disposal but would consider looking into additional means should a crisis such as Irene occur again. As they reflect upon their response, they may explore using radio, and social media networks like Facebook and Twitter.
“We have also talked about distributing flyers to remote areas, or posting notices on our community bulletin boards and in the libraries,” she added.
Roberts said she understood their frustration with the town’s two electric providers, Con Edison and New York State Electric & Gas. NYSEG, which at one point reported that almost three-quarters of its 6,629 Bedford customers were without power, was singled out for the public’s wrath. But Roberts, while noting residents’ inclination to “castigate” the utility, said, “I feel they did their best under the circumstances.”
Public Works Commissioner Kevin Winn and others pointed out why any power loss attributable to a fallen tree carries with it an unavoidable jurisdictional delay: A crew from the affected utility must first ensure that power is turned off to the downed wires. Then, a tree-clearing crew must remove the tree and limbs, at least enough to free those wires. Finally, utility workers have to repair the wires, transformers and other parts of the distribution system enroute to restoring power.
Councilman Chris Burdick said, “The resident in the house without power may not see what’s going on, what’s keeping power from being restored.”
Winn and Police Chief William Hayes said Irene’s long trek across the Atlantic and up the East Coast helped both the town and residents prepare for her arrival. “We appreciate all the efforts of the Police Department,” Roberts told Hayes after his report to the town board. “They [the police officers] were terrific. . . . We’re very grateful to all our town employees.”
Local volunteers turned out in force as well. The ambulance corps and fire departments responded collectively to over 200 calls during the storm and the days afterward, assisting police, pumping out basements, and providing emergency medical services.
Councilman David Gabrielson, who inspected storm damage with Hayes, added his praise for those who assisted, saying, “Everyone really put in long hours to make this as painless as possible.”
Winn, in his report to the board, said town highway employees as well as Bedford’s tree service, All American Tree Care of White Plains, were brought in early Sunday to prepare for Irene’s arrival. Roberts said the town will seek reimbursement for that additional cost and others, all still being calculated, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
A FEMA center, where individual people, households and businesses can apply for disaster aid, opened its doors this morning at the Little Theater in the Westchester County Center on Tarrytown Road (Route 119). The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. It joins dozens of others dotting the East Coast, where Irene is blamed for more than 40 deaths and billions of dollars in damage.
Bedford Corners Realtor Robert Paul | Citing Professional Conflict, Chernis Resigns from Bedford School Board – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch
Mark Chernis resigned Wednesday from the Bedford board of education, effective immediately, after being named chief operating officer at a unit of Pearson Education, an education services company.
Chernis, who served as board vice president, made the announcement at the outset of Wednesday night’s school board meeting and said his new oversight role of K-12 technology initiatives could present a conflict of interest with his role on the board.
Chernis said he could not have known last May—when he was re-elected to the board—that his employer, SchoolNet, would be acquired by Pearson, which happened in June.
“It’s just about doing the right thing at this moment in time,” Chernis said in an interview.
School board President Susan Elion Wollin said that Chernis informed the board of his decision on Monday.
After Chernis announced his depature, his fellow board members heaped praise upon him, mixed with anecdotes and joking. Before heading out of a meeting for the last time in his elected role, Chernis was presented with gifts from Wollin, including proverbial keys to the district.
The school board is opting to fill his seat by appointment through candidate interviews, a process similar to the one used in 2009, when Erika Long was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Marc Vandenhoeck.
Legally, the board could either let the seat stay vacant, call a special election – this hasn’t been done before, according to Wollin – or just go into an executive session then do an appointment. Instead, Wollin said, there will be “a more expansive process,” which will include interviews, advertisements to attract prospective interviewees and public feedback before an appointment is made.
Wollin stated that the board will aim for December in selecting a replacement, who would serve until the day after the May 2012 board elections. The appointee could opt to run for the remaining two years on Chernis’ unexpired term.
Here is the full text of Chernis’ resignation remarks:
It is with great sadness that I elect to resign from the Board of the Bedford Central School District after 7 years of service. For professional reasons which did not exist as of the Board elections last May, I am no longer able to serve as a School Board member without the potential for conflicts of interest. I have enjoyed serving the community, working with the District administration, and collaborating with my fellow Board members. I’m very proud of the both initiatives I’ve worked on and the contributions we have made together as a School Board.
What has changed?
I have taken a senior executive role at Pearson Education, the world’s largest education company. Pearson, works with almost EVERY school district in the United States, contributes to the K-12 testing programs in 25 states (including New York State), scores college entrance exams, and is a vendor to New York State, BOCES, and the Bedford Central School District. In my new role, I’ll be responsible for K-12 technology initiatives with direct involvement in assessment programs, student information and teacher evaluation systems, and the transition from traditional textbooks to digitally delivered personalized learning. I am proud to work for Pearson and am excited by the opportunity to marshal their resources and global reach to help transform the world’s public education systems to better serve children.
However, in the same way I was unable to predict that I’d be working at Pearson when I ran for re-election last May, I can no longer rule out the potential for conflicts between my Board and professional duties. As someone who has always been critical of those who have betrayed or confused the public’s trust by mingling public service and financial opportunity, I feel resigning is the responsible choice for me.
In the future, I sincerely hope this Board, this Superintendent, and this leadership team, continue to ask the tough questions, refuse to accept the status-quo, reject mediocrity, and challenge the adults in Washington, Albany, and in school classrooms across the nation to set aside their individual needs and embrace the reforms needed for public education to thrive. Bedford has made great progress over the past few years but there is much work to do as we emerge from the darkness of our previous leadership and financial woes to focus squarely on driving academic excellence and student achievement—this should be an exciting time for our staff and a great time for our students.
I am resigning from Board service today—but will start watching on Channel 18 and will join the Budget Advisory Committee if you will have me. I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to work with all of you and would welcome an opportunity to stay engaged somehow.
Finally, as I’ve have said many times at this microphone, “Our children only have one chance to experience a great education—let’s make sure they get one—no excuses”.
Please keep fighting the good fight.
Bedford Hills Realtor Robert Paul | Buying a Fixer-Upper? Learn More About the FHA 203k Loan
In most areas of the country, the number of homes for sale that are in need of at least a few repairs prior to moving in is substantial because many times in a short sale or foreclosure situation, the seller will allow the home to go into some state of neglect.
So, to help finance needed repairs to the home, buyers shopping for a mortgage should look into the FHA 203k loan program.
The FHA 203k and FHA Streamline 203k Loans
The FHA 203k loan program can be grouped into two different types of loans: the FHA Streamline 203k loan program and the FHA 203k loan. The FHA 203k streamline is designed to be a limited repair program and has simpler processes and no HUD consultant required like on the full FHA 203k loan. In my experience, the FHA 203k streamline is a more popular option since many of the needed repairs for bank-owned homes can be considered “cosmetic.”
Highlights of the FHA 203k streamline loan:
- It works very similar to a construction loan – it allows you to purchase a home that wouldn’t qualify for FHA financing due to repair work being needed
- The loan amount is equal to the purchase price of the home plus the amount needed for repairs
- FHA 203k streamline program allows for repairs ranging from $5,000 and $35,000
Highlights of the FHA 203k loan:
- Qualifying for FHA 203k loans are the same as regular FHA loans
- Repair work cannot begin until loan closes and the money to pay contractors comes from an escrow account set up when the loan closed
- FHA 203k loans require UFMIP and MIP just like regular FHA loans
- Appraisal required
- Currently available for owner-occupied properties only although rumors are surfacing of an “Investor 203k loan” coming soon.
The FHA 203k programs can be used to finance both needed improvements as well as wanted improvements.
The FHA 203k loan can go up to 10% over appraised value of the home. Here is a simple example that illustrates how the financing package works:
- As-is cost of a home: $150,000
- Improvement costs: $20,000
- Total cost of home after improvements: $170,000
- Required appraised value = $154,545
Simply put: With the 203k loan, it is possible to buy a house in need of repairs for $150,000, finance $20,000 worth of repairs and have the home appraise after the improvements for $154,545.
No wonder this loan is so popular option for financing a foreclosure, bank-owned property or a short sale.
Justin McHood works for Academy Mortgage and is based in Chandler, AZ. He is a contributor to Zillow Blog and has conversations about mortgages whenever he can. Learn more about Justin at http://www.mortgagecommentator.com.
via zillow.com
Bedford Realtor Robert Paul | Homes for the Price of 4-Year College Tuition
via zillow.com
Mount Kisco Realtor Robert Paul | Home Values Climb in July, but Increase Expected to be Temporary
via zillow.com
Armonk Realtor Robert Paul | Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s NY ‘House Arrest’ Townhouse for Rent | Zillow Blog – Real Estate Market Stats, Celebrity Real Estate, and Zillow News
Source: NYDaily News
If you’re going to be under house arrest, this Tribeca rental is the place to do it.
This $50,000 a month rental home in New York City was where Dominic Strauss-Kahn spent four months after he was accused of sexually abusing a hotel maid.
The former chairman of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the French politician was pulled off a plane and charged with assault last May. Charges were dropped last month when it was discovered that the maid lied about her background. However, Strauss-Kahn’s troubles appear to be far from over; a French writer has accused him of trying to rape her in 2003.
Now that he’s has returned to France, Strauss-Kahn’s townhome is available for rent September 15. One of the premier Tribeca rentals, it reportedly caught the eye of NY Yankee star Alex Rodriguez and girlfriend Cameron Diaz.
The three-story, 5,000 square-foot townhouse was built in 1915 but recently underwent a top to bottom renovation by architect Leopoldo Rosati. The bottom floor features a state-of-the-art movie theater, gym and spa with steam bath, limestone radiant-heated floors throughout and a high-end kitchen. Antique French floors are throughout the remaining floors of the home as well as new windows, custom staircases and extensive security.
The master bedroom occupies the third floor and has a wet bar, his-and-her walk-in closets and dressing rooms, and a limestone bath and dual rainfall steam shower.
The home was previously listed for $13,995,000 and according to the New York Daily News, is still available for sale.
via zillow.com