Mortgage fraud is alive and well | Bedford Real Estate
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Monthly Archives: September 2014
High Builder Confidence Correlates With Housing Market Tops | Seeking Armonk Real Estate
August New Construction Numbers | North Salem #RealEstate
NEW RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION IN AUGUST 2014
The U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development jointly announced the following new residential
construction statistics for August 2014:
BUILDING PERMITS
Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 998,000. This is 5.6 percent (±1.4%) below the revised July rate of 1,057,000, but is 5.3 percent (±1.7%) above the August 2013 estimate of 948,000.
Single-family authorizations in August were at a rate of 626,000; this is 0.8 percent (±1.5%)* below the revised July figure of 631,000.
Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 343,000 in August.
HOUSING STARTS
Privately-owned housing starts in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 956,000. This is 14.4 percent (±7.9%) below the revised July estimate of 1,117,000, but is 8.0 percent (±11.2%)* above the August 2013 rate of 885,000.
Single-family housing starts in August were at a rate of 643,
000; this is 2.4 percent (±9.7%)* below the revised July figure of 659,000.
The August rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 304,000.
HOUSING COMPLETIONS
Privately-owned housing completions in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 892,000. This is 3.2 percent (±13.0%)* above the revised July estimate of 864,000 and is 16.9 percent (±14.7%) above the August 2013 rate of 763,000.
Single-family housing completions in August were at a rate of 591,000; this is 8.2 percent (±9.7%)* below the revised July rate of 644,000. The August rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 292,000.
New Residential Construction data for September 2014 will be released on Friday, October 17, 2014, at 8:30 A.M. EDT.
Our Internet site is: http://www.census.gov/starts
The U.S. Census Bureau updated its application programming interface (API) with monthly and quarterly economic indicators. The API allows developers to combine Census Bureau statistics with other data sets to create tools for research on a variety of other topics.
For more information, go to http://www.census.gov/developers/ .
Here’s an Inside Look at North Korea’s Dystopian Architecture | Mt Kisco Real Estate
All photos by Julia Leeb courtesy of teNeues
Ballsy German photojournalist Julia Leeb has just dropped a stunning collection of photographic work exploring one of the most restricted places on earth. The book, North Korea: Anonymous Country, documents Leeb’s travels, peeling back the shroud that covers the country and stealing moments to take testimony for the rest of the world. Because architecture is so often used and commissioned as a symbol of wealth and power, the buildings of North Korea, a state founded in the aftermath of World War II, tell the story of dystopia—one filled with icons of dictators, dizzying towers of communal housing, and a hotel that, despite once being in the running for world’s tallest building, remains nothing but an empty shell.
In many ways, North Korea is a time capsule of former era, both as one of the last remaining Communist strongholds and as an utterly isolated territory.
After Japanese occupation during World War II, the Soviet Union installed a new dictatorial government in 1946, and red nations across the globe helped rebuild the bombed-out capital city of Pyongyang. Monumental architecture presents a united front for the government’s public image; museums dot the city featuring falsified exhibits that proclaim the dominance of the country’s innovation and industry. That elaborate artifice is exactly what makes Leeb’s book so fascinating. Intrigued?
read more….
http://curbed.com/archives/2014/09/18/north-korea-architecture.php
Wells Fargo eases lending requirements for apartment purchases | Armonk Homes
When Should You Refinance | South Salem Real Estate
When you take out a mortgage with a fixed interest rate, you expect to be locked into the same monthly payment for the life of the loan. But that’s not necessarily the case — many homeowners can benefit by refinancing their mortgage at a lower interest rate.
Before you can decide whether it’s worth it to refinance, get a handle on the numbers involved. How many more years do you have on your current loan, and what’s your current interest rate? How much do you still owe? Will you be borrowing the same amount, or are you hoping to cash out some equity?
Now, turn your attention to the new loan you’re hoping to get. What kind of interest rate can you expect? Some say it’s not worth it to refinance unless you’re knocking off an entire percentage point (e.g. going from a 5% interest rate to 4%, for example), but that rule can be misleading. If you’re planning on staying in the home for several more years, even a small reduction in your interest rate can make a big difference. If you’re a little hazy on the math, Trulia’s refinance calculator can help demystify things.
Once you know what kind of interest rates are available now, find out how much closing costs are likely to be. That’s right. Closing costs aren’t just an issue when you buy a house. You pay closing costs again when you refinance, although they’ll be lower this time.
read more……
http://www.trulia.com/tips/2014/09/
Down to Earth Farmers Markets | Katonah Real Estate
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| Ossining Community Works to Eliminate Plastic Shopping Bags at Market; Last Chance to Register for Piermont Apple Pie Contest on 9/28; Honeycrisp Apples Arrive in Croton-on-Hudson + MORE September 18-26th, 2014 DowntoEarthMarkets.com | ||||||||||||
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Click on a Market to see all vendor and event details…
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| Croton The farmers in Croton-on-Hudson are bringing in more unique melons varieties as the weeks progress, so we’re going to host another melon tasting. Stop by this Sunday to try these delicious fruits, freshly-picked from the late summer harvest. Ossining : Together Let’s Eliminate Plastic Shopping BagsDown to Earth Markets estimates that at least 64,000 plastic shopping bags leave the Ossining market/year. Plastic bags often end up as litter in our streets, green spaces, and waterways. On September 20th and 27th, everyone is invited to donate your extra reusable bags to the Ossining market manager. The manager will offer these bags to shoppers for use instead of plastic. For every bag donated, the giver can enter a raffle for a $25 gift certificate to the Ossining Farmers Market. Also, Green Ossining plans to host a “T-Shirt to Tote” workshop at the market, teaching all how to transform old t-shirts to reusable bags. Please visit our event calendar for full details. Piermont – Registration ends soon for Apple Pie Contest on Sunday, Sept. 28 This is the last Sunday to register at the farmers market for the 2nd Annual Piermont Apple Pie Contest. The judges will be renowned Chef Peter X. Kelly, Mark Tasker, Head Pastry Chef of Balthazar, and esteemed Piermont community member, Sylvia Welch. Rye The Westchester Triathlon takes place on Sunday and it will be in Rye around the time of the farmers market opening (8:30 am). The market will be open per usual, but please note that area traffic may be rerouted for a short while. Join us in cheering on these inspiring athletes and then stock up on fresh, local foods at the market. See you there. Vendor News: Wave Hill Bread Named Best Bread (Again!) For additional events, visit our Down to Earth Markets Event Calendar. Stay tuned to all market happenings via our Down to Earth Markets Facebook page | ||||||||||||
| Rotating* Vendors This Week *Vendors who rotate through various markets during the season. They enjoy getting to know many communities, and here’s where to find them this week: Larchmont Calcutta Kitchens Christiane’s Backstube (Locally sourced, German-inspired baked specialties) Flourish Baking Company Hudson River Apiaries Kontoulis Family Olive Oil North Winds Lavender Farm Trotta Foods Piermont **NEW TO 2014 MARKET!!** – Alpacatrax Rye | ||||||||||||
| Down to Earth Markets 173 Main Street Ossining, NY 10562 Phone: 914-923-4837 | ||||||||||||
Real Estate will be Hurt by Higher Rates | #CrossRiverRealEstate
The prolonged flat, stable period of mortgage rates came to an end this week as rates on the more popular types of mortgages surged, according to the latest data released Thursday by Freddie Mac.
Fixed mortgage rates’ biggest one-week gain this year pushed them to their highest level since early May.
Rates were climbing even before the Federal Reserve’s announcement Wednesday about its plans to wind down its trillion-dollar stimulus program.
The 30-year fixed-rate average spiked to 4.23 percent with an average 0.5 point. It was 4.12 percent a week ago and 4.5 percent a year ago. For the past 12 weeks, the 30-year fixed rate had drifted between 4.1 percent and 4.14 percent. This is the highest it has been since it was 4.29 percent on May 1.
The 15-year fixed-rate average jumped to 3.37 percent with an average 0.5 point. It was 3.26 percent a week ago and 3.54 percent a year ago. The 15-year fixed rate had floated between 3.27 percent and 3.22 percent for the past 12 weeks. This is the highest it has been since it was 3.38 percent on May 1.
Hybrid adjustable rate mortgages were mixed. The five-year ARM average rose to 3.06 percent with an average 0.5 point. It was 2.99 percent a week ago and 3.11 percent a year ago. This is the first time in six weeks the five-year ARM has risen above 3 percent.
The one-year ARM average fell to 2.43 percent with an average 0.4 point. It was 2.45 percent a week ago.
“Fixed-rate mortgage rates rose this week following the increase in 10-year Treasury yields being partially fueled by market speculation the Federal Reserve might change its interest rate guidance,” Frank E. Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist, said in a statement.
read more….
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/where-we-live/wp/2014/09/18/mortgage-rates-soar-to-highest-level-since-early-may/
Mount Kisco Medical Group Partners With Mount Sinai Health System | #MtKisco Real Estate
The Mount Kisco Medical Group (MKMG), a multi-specialty practice serving Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties, announced Wednesday an expansion of its existing clinical affiliation agreement with the Mount Sinai Health System, increasing the commitment of both parties to providing integrated and coordinated care for the communities they serve.
The physicians and leadership from both Mount Sinai and MKMG will work together to define and deliver best practices in coordinated and continuous care. The relationship will include clinical service enhancement and coordination, research and education.
Mount Sinai and MKMG will also cooperate on developing Centers of Excellence in select specialties. The Mount Kisco Medical Group will continue to operate as an independent entity.
“As an integrated health system, the Mount Sinai Health System strives to provide high quality, accessible care, and we’re pleased that the nationally renowned Mount Kisco Medical Group will partner with us in those efforts,” said Kenneth L. Davis, MD, chief executive officer and president of the Mount Sinai Health System. “We look forward to working with our new partners at MKMG in furthering our goals of enhancing clinical care, as well as medical education and research.”
Scott D. Hayworth, MD president and CEO of the Mount Kisco Medical Group, echoes Davis’ sentiments.
“As a leading provider of ambulatory care in the Northeast, MKMG is pleased to partner with a nationally ranked institution to continue providing outstanding, cost-effective care to our patients,” said Hayworth.
read more….
http://mtkisco.dailyvoice.com/news/mount-kisco-medical-group-partners-mount-sinai-health-system
Future Of Lewisboro Elementary A Major Topic For Officials | #WaccabucRealEstate
The fate of the shuttered Lewisboro Elementary School has emerged as a topic of interest for local officials.
At Monday’s meeting, the Katonah-Lewisboro school board was told a committee is forming to review possible uses for the building. It was indicated that reusing the school, which closed this summer as part of a consolidation of the district’s elementary schools, may be among the board’s goals for the 2014-15 school year.
Interim Superintendent John Goetz said possible committee members could include himself, Assistant Superintendent for Business Michael Jumper and the district’s attorney. School Board President Marjorie Schiff said Board Trustees Peter Treyz and Stephanie Tobin also were interested.
Goetz said establishing the committee should include creating a meeting calendar and ground rules. He said community input would be sought, noting “the people have a vested interest in this.”
The board also was told a committee meeting could be held before the next school board meeting. Schiff said the committee’s report to the board should include a potential timeline and a proposal for community involvement. Goetz concurred with Schiff, explaining that approach is what is expected.
The school’s future use also is a topic at the town government level. At a League of Women Voters event held last week in Katonah, Lewisboro Supervisor Peter Parsons called LES the town’s “biggest single opportunity.” He suggested possible uses such as additional office space for the town government and a venue for teenagers.
read more….
http://bedford.dailyvoice.com/schools/future-lewisboro-elementary-major-topic-officials