Daily Archives: August 20, 2013

Designing Your Outdoor Landscape Lighting | Katonah Real Estate

Outdoor lighting isn’t just about safety and security. There’s no reason the curb appeal of your home should be limited to the daytime. The tree you’ve also loved, the garden you’ve worked hard to cultivate, the pond you bought with your hard-earned money, and all the other landscape features you’ve painstakingly chosen for your home can achieve some of their best effects at night with good outdoor landscape lighting.

Low Voltage Outdoor Lighting The electricity running into your home holds a potentially dangerous 120 volts. To create low voltage outdoor lighting you’ll need to install one or more transformers. This will reduce the voltage of your outdoor landscape lighting to a tame 12 volts. If your wiring gets exposed by inclement weather and the abuse of the elements, this voltage poses no danger to you, your family members, or your pets.

The downside to the low voltage outdoor lighting is that light fixtures become dimmer the further away they are from the transformer. If this becomes a problem, there are a number of easy solutions. You can upgrade to a higher-rated transformer or a heavier-gauge cable. You can use multiple transformers. You can also simply reduce the number or the wattage of your light fixtures. Moving the transformer and/or rearranging the layout of the lighting system can reduce the cable length to each fixture, minimizing the dimming path. You might also consider using the dimming as an intentional effect. This is popular in path lighting, where each light fixture gets stronger as you move closer to your home.

Outdoor Landscape Lighting: Design and Installation Deciding what you want your lighting to do is the first step when choosing and designing your lighting system, for this can important that you check the advises of the professionals from Dig This Design, Website. Additional convenience and safety entering your home at night, adding nighttime curb appeal to your home, and simply creating a romantic mood are all common goals for outdoor landscape lighting. There are three main categories of lighting but many outdoor lighting designs use some combination of the three.

Path Lighting—Uses fixtures that focus light onto your paths and walkways. Primarily for safety, this lighting still creates aesthetically pleasing lighting effects for your outdoor landscape.

Accent Lighting—Still focuses light onto a specific object or landscape feature, but allows for more peripheral lighting and dim illumination of surrounding areas. Creates curb appeal but emphasizes individual areas like a tree or a garden.

Spread Lighting—Just as the name suggests, spreads light amongst your outdoor landscape and

Secure more real estate leads on Facebook | Bedford NY Realtor

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Facebook news feeds are like the crawl on CNN. You’ve seen the scrolling words on your TV screen. Item after item after item that are “nice to knows” until there is breaking news. Then, we get a big “BREAKING NEWS” in red that hooks us in.

The job of real estate salesperson on Facebook is to participate in the mundane while figuring out a way to break through. What’s the big red “BREAKING NEWS” items in your network’s world that will impact you?

This “big news” often includes major lifestyle announcements like getting a new job, announcing a pregnancy, getting engaged/married/divorced and even retiring. These lifestyle announcements occasionally have a direct correlation to housing needs but are sometimes overlooked by real estate professionals.

When someone in your social stream mentions any of these lifestyle triggers they are opening a door of opportunity and you should be prepared to walk right in. To effectively execute this strategy you need to follow these three easy steps:

Be an active engager

After connecting with a current or prospective client on a social network like Facebook, it is imperative to stay in touch. By engaging them continuously, you will nurture your relationship on a personal level and have an easier time opening the door of opportunity when the time is appropriate.

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/next/secure-more-real-estate-leads-on-facebook/#sthash.JHTgM9Cb.dpuf

Bedford Commuters: Prepare For New Train Schedule On Harlem Line | Bedford Hills Real Estate

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A new Metro-North train schedule goes into effect for all Harlem and Hudson Line customers on Monday, Aug. 19 so that track repairs can expand and continue on the Bronx Right-of-Way Improvement Project, the railroad announced.

The new schedule includes changes on all three New Haven, Harlem and Hudson Line trains. On the Harlem Line, the 8:03 a.m. local train from Mount Vernon West to Grand Central will be restored. The New Haven Line’s 7:35 a.m. train from Port Chester to Grand Central will also be restored, as well as the 8:30 a.m. train from New Rochelle to Grand Central. This schedule will remain in effect through the fall until the Bronx-Right-of-Way Improvement Project is completed. The schedules for trains on the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Lines will be adjusted between two and ten minutes to more accurately reflect travel times, the release said. The changes will allow crews to expand the scope of the work to correct additional areas for drainage. “Further inspections, aided by the use of new technology such as ground penetrating radar, have indicated additional areas not visible at the surface where drainage needs to be improved,” a press release said. Metro-North said it is working to improve the reliability of its service and to address delays. The railroad said the new schedule changes are necessary to restore the three trains that were cancelled on July 1. Track work for the Bronx Right-of-Way Improvements Program, which began July 1, is being conducted to about 6 miles of track in the Bronx, used by the New Haven Line and the Harlem Line in the Bronx. Additionally, schedule changes include special shuttle bus service to and from Tremont and Melrose stations. Customers may take buses to Fordham for train service. Buses will operate on a half-hourly basis during peak periods on weekdays, and hourly during off-peak periods and weekends.

New Castle Working With Con Edison On Storm Response | Chappaqua Real Estate

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The Town of New Castle Administrator Penny Paderewski released a report on Tuesday on the town’s efforts of improving communication with Con Edison during storms.

Paderewski noted that she and other town officials witnessed a demonstration of new software tentatively called “Dashboard” that will allow officials and, eventually, residents to see exactly where the outages are during storms.

The program will also let officials and residents know when power is expected to come back online and what resources have been sent out to resolve the issue.

Paderewski also reminded New Castle citizens to sign up for the town’s CodeRED Emergency Alert robo-call system by visiting the town’s website.

The administrator also noted that Con Ed intends to train local municipal crews in identifying non-live wires so that local DPW crews can help with clearing so that restoration can start more quickly after storms.

“We look forward to that training and are waiting for notification as to when this will begin,” Paderewski said in the report.

Paderewski also informed the public of news that New Castle and Greenburgh will install generators, courtesy of the Department of Transportation, that will allow many, if not all, of the town’s traffic signals to function during outages.

Realtor.com Reports Price Increases are Moderating | Bedford Corners Real Estate

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The inventory drought that has driven price increases this spring is ending as new listings restore supplies. Larger inventories, especially in the hotter markets that experienced rapid price increases in the spring, are providing buyers more choices and moderating price increases.

Realtor.com’s year over year inventory declined 5.24 percent for the second month in a row. However inventories were up 1.41 percent over June. National median list prices increased 5.27 percent year-over-year while median age of inventory fell 16.67 percent.

The very hot California markets that were a concern two months ago have cooled. In fact, inventories have recovered so much in Sacramento and Stockton-Lodi that their supplies of listings for sale on Realtor.com are larger than they were a year ago. The recovery’s new phase is characterized by smaller price swings, larger inventories that reflect higher home values, a moderate decline in the median age of inventory and a general return to stability. The balance of the year will see markets consolidate the price gains they achieved during the buying season.

Dramatic national year-over-year inventory declines have evaporated. Nationally inventories in July are only 5.24 percent below the level of a year ago compared to being down 16.47 percent year-over-year in January.

Inventory declines decreased in local markets. In July 2013, the number of markets with decreases in year-over-year inventory declined from 125 markets in June to 118 markets in July. This suggests that this fall inventories in some markets may return to levels of a year ago and may continue to slow price increases in some markets.

Markets are still moving fast. All but five markets are continuing to experience year-over-year declines in age of inventory and on a month-over-month basis. On a national level, housing inventory is approximately 17 percent below last year, but the national age of inventory increased 6.25 percent month-over-month.

How Much Does it Cost to Install a Roof? | Chappaqua Real Estate

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Roofs perform such an essential function that “keeping a roof over your head” is synonymous with the very concept of shelter. Roofs not only keep the rain off your head, they also keep moisture from destroying your home. So when it comes to maintaining your investment, the smartest money you spend could be on a new roof. Visit to https://roofers-manchester.com/ where you will be have cost effective and quality roofing service. How much you’ll spend will vary, depending on several factors.

Size of Your house

The single largest factor in the cost of your roof is, not surprisingly, the size of your home. The bigger the house, the bigger the roof, the larger the cost of both materials and labor. Most roofers charge by the square foot, with a number that encompasses both materials and labor. Your roofing contractor can give you a ballpark estimate of the project cost based on your home’s square footage. That makes comparison shopping for roofers fairly easy. Continue Reading

Height and Pitch of Your Roof

According to roofing contractors the higher your roof and the steeper the pitch, the more expensive your roof installation will be. With a steeper and taller roof, the installation is both more difficult and more dangerous, and it may take longer and cost more, check out the best roofing contractor red deer – Good Roofers. Some roofers will quote you a general price based on the size of your home but will not guarantee that price until they see the height and pitch of your roof and whether you have any hard-to-reach spots. If you are in need of a roofing company Middletown NJ Roofing Contractors would definitely be the perfect choice for you. The roof of your home is one of its most important components. Your roof protects the inside or your home from rain, snow, wind, ice, hail, and other types of weather. This means that your roof is exposed to all of these elements and can receive weather damage. To keep your home in good condition your roof will need to be repaired or replaced occasionally. This article will talk about weather damage and roof replacement. Click here to learn more about #1 rated roofing contractors Indianapolis roof replacement services. You’ve decided you need a new roof. Several contractors have given you estimates. How do you know which is right for you? It is important to understand exactly what the contractor is proposing when making a decision on your roof replacement. There are usually several products/services included on most re-roofing quotes.

SHINGLES

The primary item on a roof replacement estimate is the actual roofing material. The estimate will list the manufacturer and type of shingles the contractor intends to use. It will also show the style of shingle. Architectural or dimensional shingles are the most popular. They create more interest and often mimic the look of other roofing materials such as slate or tile. It may include color choice or options if design was part of the initial discussion. The estimate will also indicate the length of the manufacturer’s warranty for that type.

FLASHING

If your roof has chimneys, dormers, and walls, then you will see flashing on your estimate. Flashing prevents water from seeping behind and under shingles, causing water damage to the structure.

Flashing is usually thin sheets of aluminum or galvanized steel. Many professional roofers will fashion their own from sheet metal. Flashing is installed over joints in the roof & wall construction. Possible areas are valleys, chimneys, dormers, windows, pipes, skylights, porches, decks and edges.

New flashing is often installed with a new roof. If flashing deteriorates or comes loose it can cause severe damage to your home. It is important to make sure it is installed properly to avoid unnecessary damage.

UNDERLAYMENT

One item that should be included on every roof replacement estimate is underlayment. Underlayment is a layer of protective material between the roof deck or plywood and the shingles. Often called felt paper, it is the first layer of waterproofing for your roof.

Removal of Old Shingles

If you’re replacing the roof on your home with a new roof, your estimate might need to factor in the price of removing your old shingles. In some cases, you can save money by installing the new shingle over the old ones without removing them, but that’s not always an option. A new roof installed over the old one can become too heavy for the structure of the house and is not always a good idea for every home. And if there are already multiple layers of shingles on the roof, not only is it a bad idea to install more shingles on top, but you may pay double the standard cost of removal. Looking to get your old roof removed? Roof restoration Canberra can do the job for you.

Type and Quality of the shingles

Asphalt and composite shingles are some of the most affordable, easy-to-install, durable and long-lasting roofing materials you can use. Clay tiles, which create an Italian or Spanish style, are more expensive, but they look great and provide effective protection against fire and insects.

They can be made with organic or fiberglass materials. Fiberglass shingles tend to provide better fire protection, but both types can be waterproofed and should effectively protect against mold and mildew. Wood Shake create an attractive look, but they can present a fire hazard. Cement or concrete roofing can create the look of wood or ceramic tile without most of the drawbacks. And metal roofs, though more expensive than most other options, provide unparalleled strength and durability.

Within each of these types, you’ll find different levels of quality and corresponding prices. It will almost always pay in the long run to splurge on the highest quality you can. It will last longer, protect your house better, and you might actually lower your insurance premiums. (Ask your roofers Manchester for a recommendation..)

Gutter and flashing replacement

It may be a financially smart decision to pay extra for having your gutters and flashing installed or replaced along with your new roof. If your roofer is already doing the labor for the roof installation, the cost for gutter and flashing installation would be less than if you had them done at a later date all by themselves. So although your total costs will be higher, you will save money over doing the two jobs separately.

Facebook Changes News Feed Algorithm | Armonk Realtor

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Welcome to our weekly edition of what’s hot in social media news. To help you stay up to date with social media, here are some of the news items that caught our attention.

What’s New This Week?

Facebook Updates the News Feed Ranking Algorithm: There are two new features to note regarding Facebook’s new news feed: Story Bumping and Last Actor. Both of these now ensure that Facebook users see more of the updates from the people they interact with.

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“This update does a better job of showing people the stories they want to see, even if they missed them the first time.”

YouTube Rolls Out Live Streaming and More Channel Tools: Live streaming is rolling out for channels with 100+ subscribers. You can also choose and upload your favorite image to create your custom thumbnail. You can add annotations to your video to “link externally to various online stores and your associated websites.” And you can now mark your playlist as a “series”—YouTube will then show viewers of your videos the next episode from the series and a link to the whole playlist. If you’re on YouTube, be sure to check them out.

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You can activate YouTube Live Streaming under your video manager channel settings

LinkedIn Introduces the Ability to Apply for Jobs on Mobile: LinkedIn makes “it possible for LinkedIn members to directly apply for jobs that interest them, right from their iOS or Android device.”

Facebook Launches Graph Search to Everyone in U.S. English: “Graph Search makes it easier to make new connections; you can continue to search for friends and pages by name, or use simple phrases to find something specific across people, photos, places, interests and more.” It is now available to everyone in the U.S. in English.

Housing inventory rises in July | Mt Kisco Real Estate

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Inventory of U.S. homes for sale rose 1.41 percent in July from June and was down 5.27 percent from July 2012, marking the second consecutive month that year-over-year inventory percentage declines were in the single digits, according to a realtor.com report released today.

The median list price of homes for sale remained unchanged from June at $199,900, and homes took 6.25 percent longer to sell in July than in the previous month, the report showed.

“The recovery is entering a new phase where inventory shortfalls are no longer the driving force behind changes in housing prices in many markets,” said Steve Berkowitz, CEO of realtor.com operator Move Inc., in a statement. ”Larger inventories, especially in the hotter markets that experienced rapid price increases in the spring, are expanding buyers’ choices and helping to moderate price increases.”

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/wire/housing-inventory-rises-in-july/#sthash.EUyqWE6m.dpuf

British inflation slows but property prices gallop higher | North Salem Homes

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Price rises in most parts of Britain’s economy are cooling but a red-hot property market is raising questions about whether the Bank of England will be able to keep rates low for as long as it would like.

Official data on Tuesday showed consumer price inflation slowed to 2.8 percent last month, moving closer to the central bank’s 2 percent target. However, house price inflation – which does not feed directly into the consumer price index – sped up.

A July survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors found the fastest growth in house prices since 2006. Official data showed house prices in London, which typically lead the rest of the country, jumped 8.1 percent in June compared with the same month a year ago.

Britain’s central bank pledged last week to keep rates at a record low until unemployment falls to 7 percent – something it does not expect to happen before 2016 – as long as this does not threaten inflation expectations or financial stability.

While the BoE’s new boss, Mark Carney, has played down concerns about rising house prices, signs the market is overheating could force the central bank to raise interest rates from their current 0.5 percent earlier than planned.

“The recovery in the UK housing market and rising house price inflation will simply add to the Bank’s concerns that it might need to nip any impending housing bubble smartly in the bud,” said David Brown at New View Economics.

“It is no surprise that the UK pound is starting to get a better spring in its step versus the dollar. The market is starting to get a strong whiff of an early rate rise.”

LOW FOR HOW LONG?

Sterling rose after Tuesday’s data as investors increasingly bet that the Bank of England would start raising rates in 2015 – a year before the BoE’s guidance suggests.

How much the other eight members of the Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee worry about house prices will become clearer on Wednesday, when minutes of this month’s policy meeting are published.

Analysts expect the vote to implement so-called forward guidance was unanimous, but reckon the knockout clauses allowing the Bank to raise rates earlier were included in order to keep the more hawkish members of the committee on board.

“We will look to the minutes to see how concerned some policymakers were about credibility, as well as further signs of controversy over the setting of the threshold level,” said Philip Shaw at Investec.

Britain is one of the few major Western economies facing the problem of above-target inflation but the BoE is confident that price pressures will ease over the next two years – although it has been wrong before. Core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy costs, has already returned to 2 percent.

Property inflation, however, could be harder to tame.

The second phase of the government’s Help to Buy scheme – which offers state-backed mortgage guarantees – will come into force from January. Despite criticism from the International Monetary Fund, Britain’s Office for Budget Responsibility and a senior minister, the government has insisted the scheme will last for three years, as planned.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/13/us-britain-economy-idUSBRE97C0I620130813

Mapping 13 Of New York City’s Hidden Historic Cemeteries | Katonah Real Estate

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It’s all too easy to walk right by New York’s lesser-known burial grounds, which tend to be somewhat run-down—the tombstones eroding; the weeds encroaching—and sandwiched between myriad newer developments that have risen since. Many, too, are in Lower Manhattan, simply because it was the first part of the city to become densely populated. In this attempt to map out some of the city’s hard-to-find historic cemeteries, though, we’ve tried to select sites in different parts of the five boroughs, as well as ones with somewhat quirky or heartfelt backstories (like Riverside Park’s Amiable Child’s Monument) or valiant preservation battle in their names (like the Brinckerhoff Cemetery in Fresh Meadows). We know we’ve missed a few, so tell us your favorites in the comments section or hit up the tipline with your favorite hidden resting spots. (You know, the kind for all eternity.) Let the thanatological explorations begin!

New York City’s Hidden Cemeteries

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Joseph Rodman Drake Park

Located in Hunt’s Point, what’s special about this slightly rougher park is that there’s an out-of-the-way cemetery right in the middle of it. Inside the wrought-iron gates, you can spot names from prominent Bronx families, which are now street names. It also served as a slave burial ground. [Source: New Yorkers For Parks and NYC Park Advocates; photo via NYC Parks.]

Hunts Point Ave., Bronx, NY 10474