Housing Recovery Seems Still on Track | Katonah Real Estate
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Monthly Archives: September 2013
Realtors provide expertise, marketing | Bedford NY Realtor
Mortgage foreclosure activity hits 2008 lows | Pound Ridge Homes
Housing gets a break from rising mortgage rates – Business | Armonk Homes
Play Tricks With Color in Your All-White Room | Bedford Corners Real Estate
ith so many colorful options for materials and paint these days, all-white spaces can feel stark and sterile for some of us. But there’s an easy compromise for color lovers who still appreciate the crisp feeling of white: Add a splash of color. Sticking to one consistent, bold color in white rooms creates a statement that can’t be missed. From master bedrooms to kitchens, all-white rooms make the perfect canvases for a pop of originality.
Accent with your favorite color. You’ve taken a bold leap into all-white decor, painting the walls, floor and furniture white. But don’t stop there. Add a few splashes of your favorite color around the room, and watch your space come alive. Try to spread out your accents: The more spots of color you use, the more the eye will wander around the room. |
Focus on wall art. Stark white walls, sheer white fabrics and sleek white furniture make this space feel like a luxury hotel room, but it’s the picture on the wall that immediately catches your attention. Take a risk and hang a favorite, colorful piece of art on a single wall in your all-white room. Hunt for something big and bold at your local galleries and studio tours, online art vendors, antique shops and even thrift stores. |
Paint your furniture. Painting furniture is an easy and affordable way to instantly update a room. This room glows in all white, but the punchy turquoise dresser adds cheer to the serene space.
Experiment with something affordable, like a funky piece you found at a local garage sale. A gallon of colorful paint and some new hardware is all you need to create an instant conversation piece.
Diary of a dresser makeover
Experiment with something affordable, like a funky piece you found at a local garage sale. A gallon of colorful paint and some new hardware is all you need to create an instant conversation piece.
Diary of a dresser makeover
Embrace natural finishes. The painted furniture look doesn’t suit all of us — especially if you want to preserve your antique or inherited furniture. Simply let your furniture’s natural wood finish stand out on its own; the warm hue works just like a splash of bold color. Here, this beautiful corner cabinet steals the show, anchoring the room with its natural cherry finish.
Play with fabric. I love the look of white kitchens, but sometimes they can feel too plain and devoid of personality. It’s easy to add style without switching out any major materials. This kitchen does a great job of playing with blues in the soft window treatment, upholstered barstools and counter accents for a cohesive look.
Paint your ceiling. Can’t figure out where to put a splash of color in your all-white room? Look up! Paint your ceiling for a fresh, new look.
This vibrant canary yellow ceiling makes the entire room come alive. This paint application would work with just about any hue, but be careful when you choose your sheen. A glossy finish may reflect light around the room too much; a matte or eggshell finish may work better.
This vibrant canary yellow ceiling makes the entire room come alive. This paint application would work with just about any hue, but be careful when you choose your sheen. A glossy finish may reflect light around the room too much; a matte or eggshell finish may work better.
Highlight staple furniture pieces. Matching white chairs would’ve made this all-white room look too washed out. I love how this homeowner took a different approach and selected bold chairs that instantly set this design apart. If you’re ready to embrace this style, using a bright red hue like this will turn your white space into an instant showstopper. |
Southampton Shingle Style Oceanfront for $45.5M | Chappaqua Real Estate
Buyers looking for $40+M oceanfront in Southampton are spoiled for choice this week! This property is 4.5 acres with 500 feet of beachfront, which compares favorably with the neighboring Gin Lane lots offered earlier this week. There’s also private frontage on Wickapogue Pond. The house was designed by Francis Fleetwood and is about 6700sf, with terraces and water views aplenty. It’s decorated too fussily for our tastes, but is still lovely, with seven bedrooms and nine baths and an elevator. There’s also a six-car garage, pool with water views to the ocean and pond, and sunken tennis court. · Southampton Village [Elliman]
County Begins Restoration Of Bronx River Reservation Near White Plains | Armonk Real Estate
Restoration to the wetlands of Westchester’s Bronx River Parkway Reservation has begun in Greenburgh and North White Plains, the county announced.
The reservation is the oldest park in Westchester and restoration to about 2.5 acres of the area is expected to protect the environment. Work in the Greenburgh and North White Plains area will continue through the winter and spring, with anticipated completion by early summer 2014.
Restoration will improve the wetland’s ability to cleanse and absorb stormwater runoff to enhance the attractiveness of the site, the county said. The project will also help reduce the amount of pollution from stormwater runoff to improve water quality and help manage flooding in the reservation, according to a statement from County Executive Rob Astorino.
Over time, due to development that has altered the flow of stormwater runoff into the wetland, the wetland has been physically separated from the river, which diminishes its role as a natural filter and sponge to treat and absorb stormwater, the county said.
During the restoration, the county plans to eradicate invasive reeds, shrubs and vines. Crews will also plant thousands of native plants along the stream banks.
The project is being overseen by the county’s Department of Planning, and its design and construction is paid for with $950,000 in county capital funds, according county officials. The project was recommended in the 2007 Bronx River Watershed Management Plan developed by the county-led Bronx River Watershed Coalition, the county said.
http://whiteplains.dailyvoice.com/news/county-begins-restoration-bronx-river-reservation-greenburgh
Your relationships with inspectors don’t have to be scandalous | North Salem Real Estate
In a recent Broker Notebook column, Inman News columnist Teresa Boardman discussed how, in her view, taking care of the buyer’s inspection is a questionable business practice. As someone who has been on both sides — a former real estate agent and current owner of a home inspection franchising company — I understand where the author is coming from.
I see her point of view and agree to a certain extent. But I don’t believe home inspectors and real estate agents fostering trusted networking relationships is necessarily a questionable practice.
On the contrary, I think it can really help the customer. Undoubtedly, it can become a problem when home inspectors and real estate brokers become too buddy-buddy for the homebuyer’s own good.
But, having been on both sides, I believe that when a real estate broker finds a certified professional home inspector who consistently offers an unbiased third-party look at a property, it is oftentimes in the best interest of the homebuyer to utilize that trusted home inspector.
Let’s consider an example from that highly popular Fox program “Scandal” for clarity — and please disregard the fact that the name of the show is “Scandal” for the purpose of this analogy.
Those who have watched the series know that the lead character, Olivia Pope, is a professional fixer who is hired by clients to fix things, no matter the problem. Along with her associates, Pope uses any means necessary to protect the client. In a dramatic turn of events during one episode, one of her clients is working against Pope’s dearest friends
Read more…
CoreLogic: 2.5 million homes float back into positive territory | South Salem Real Estate
Approximately 2.5 million more residential properties returned to a state of positive equity during the second quarter of 2013, according to the CoreLogic second- quarter home equity report.
The total number of mortgaged residential properties with positive equity stands at 41.5 million, the research firm found.
“Equity rebuilding continued in the second quarter of this year as the share of underwater mortgaged homes fell to 14.5%,” said CoreLogic Chief Economist Mark Fleming.
He added, “In just the first half of 2013 almost three and a half million homeowners have returned to positive equity, but the pace of improvement will likely slow as price appreciation moderates in the second half.”
Despite the substantial decline in negative equity, there’s more ground left to cover with the remaining 7.1 million underwater borrowers.
Meanwhile, 7.1 million, or 14.5%, of all residential properties with a mortgage were still in negative equity at the end of the second quarter of 2013 with a total value of $428 billion, down from $576 billion at the end of the first quarter.
This figure is drastically down as a result of a steady home price improvements.
Of the residential properties with positive equity, 10.3 million have less than 20% equity, meaning these borrowers may have a more difficult time obtaining new financing for their homes due to underwriting constraints, according to the report.
At the end of the second quarter, 1.7 million residential properties had less than 5% equity.
Looking at individual states, Nevada had the highest percentage of mortgaged properties in negative equity at 36.4%, with Florida and Arizona following behind with 31.5% and 24.7%, respectively.
Of the largest 25 metropolitan areas, Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, Fla., held the highest percentage of mortgaged properties in negative equity at 36.5%, with Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla., and Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, Ariz., following behind with 33.8% and 25.6%, respectively.
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.
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.” |
“While just about any wood will do nicely, silver birch logs add an especially graceful arrangement without looking too lumberjack-like,” Urrutia says. |
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. |
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. |
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.” |
