Tag Archives: Armonk NY Real Estate

Armonk NY Real Estate

What Is a Home Warranty, and Do You Need One? | Armonk Homes

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When you buy a computer from Best Buy, you’ll be asked if you want to cover it with an extended warranty. Some people go ahead and pay the extra money, but not everyone thinks these warranties are a good idea. Consumer Reports almost always says they aren’t worth the money.

You might be surprised to learn that, sort of like the computer from Best Buy, you may have the option of buying a warranty for your home. Depending on your situation, a home warranty could definitely be worth the investment.

What is a home warranty?

For a fee of between $300 and $500 a year, depending on where you live, a home warranty covers the costs of repairing or replacing most any malfunctioning system in your home.

Let’s say your dishwasher starts leaking, your clothes dryer burns out, or your water heater won’t heat water anymore. If you had a home warranty, you wouldn’t have to call around to get estimates for repairs. You wouldn’t have to pay out of pocket to get it fixed, either.

Instead, you would just call up your home warranty provider. The warranty company would call the appropriate repair company it has an arrangement with. The repair company then would call you and set up an appointment. The company would send someone to your house to fix the problem, if possible, or replace the malfunctioning appliance with a brand new one. Your home warranty would cover the costs, though you’d probably be responsible for a co-pay of about $50 per incident.

Who should buy a home warranty?

Home warranties are particularly great for first-time Gen X /Y and Millennial home buyers who’ve been renters until now. They’re used to calling the landlord whenever there’s a problem, and a home warranty company takes over that role. These homeowners are working long hours and might not have the time or the energy to call around to find a plumber or an electrician to get quotes or bids, let alone wait around for the noon to 4 p.m. window for the repairman to show up. You can look at this web-site to know how to choose best plumber. Sometimes, it takes just one costly and unexpected system repair — and the drama associated with it — to realize the savings of a one-year home warranty.

But home warranties aren’t limited to Gen X, Gen Y or other first-time home buyers.  A homeowner can buy one at any time. Are you buying or do you own a 15- to 20-year-old home (or older)? Does the home have aging appliances and systems? A home warranty might be well worth your money. Many appliances and systems start to break down after 15 or 20 years, and you don’t want them all falling apart on you around the same time. Your real estate agent can give you referrals, and you can read reviews of home warranty companies on the Home Warranty Reviews site.

Home warranties are also great for investors or “accidental landlords,” folks who end up renting their homes out because they have to move and want to hold out until the market picks back up. If you’re not an experienced real estate investor and don’t have a network of repair folks, it might be easier to pay for the home warranty. The last thing you want is a tenant without hot water calling you day in and day out. If you have a home warranty, you can cut right to the chase, keep happy tenants and minimize stress.

If you shop for a home warranty, be sure to ask each company exactly what’s covered. If something isn’t covered (such as the plumbing system), ask if you can add on coverage, and if so, at what cost.

What Is a Home Warranty, and Do You Need One? | Zillow Blog.

Real estate investment trust yields robust rewards despite risk | Armonk Real Estate

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Sinking money into real estate investment trusts is considered to be one of Wall Street’s most complex investments.

Owning shares of REITs gives investors an opportunity to get investment exposure to real estate, including apartments, shopping centers and office buildings. But they’ve gained a reputation of being risky and confusing — especially after the industry was pummeled during the last real estate crash.

Even Lloyd McAdams, chief executive of Anworth Mortgage Asset Corp., makes no bones about saying his Santa Monica REIT does carry some risk. But it also has given shareholders high dividend yields as the real estate market has recovered.

“The potential magnitude of the risks we have to manage around has been the most daunting aspect of managing the business,” said McAdams, who has been CEO since the company was founded in 1998.

Market shocks have been a challenge for Anworth, whose portfolio holds residential real estate where the mortgages are secured by government guarantees from Freddie Mac,Fannie Mae and Ginny Mae.

Anworth’s stock price has had big gyrations because of the company’s ties to the housing market. The stock at one point traded above $15 before the housing crisis walloped the industry. It now trades for about $5 a share.

But analysts are bullish on the company’s prospects and hail its consistent dividend. The company has averaged about a 10% payout every year for the last decade. That compares to the 2.65% average weighted dividend yield for the Standard & Poor’s 500 index.

 

 

Real estate investment trust yields robust rewards despite risk – latimes.com.

Tennis Great John McEnroe Buys Another Malibu Home | Armonk Real Estate

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It’s a case of real estate love, which is far better than “love” in tennis.

Tennis star John McEnroe, best known for winning seven Grand Slam titles, has bought a Malibu home just six miles from his other Malibu residence, Real Estalker blog first reported.

His new beachy digs is a California ranch-style home on 1.5-acres off the Pacific Coast Highway. The home does not sit right on the beach — which makes sense considering McEnroe and wife Patty Smyth paid just $3.345 million — but reportedly does come with deeded access to one of Malibu’s most desirable beaches.

According to the listing, the 1960s-built home offers 2,800 square feet of living space, 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. An open floor plan leads from an updated, gourmet kitchen to a great room with vaulted ceilings. Outdoor living spaces include a kitchen and firepit.

It’s hard to say what McEnroe will do with his other Malibu home, just a few miles down the road. He could keep it as a rental or try to hop on the sellers’ market.

 

 

Tennis Great John McEnroe Buys Another Malibu Home | Zillow Blog.

Mortgage delinquency, foreclosure rates decline in Corridor | Armonk Real Estate

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Home mortgage foreclosure and delinquency rates in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City fell in May over the same period last year, according to data released by CoreLogic of Irvine, Calif.

 

The rate of Cedar Rapids area foreclosures among outstanding mortgage loans was 1.88 percent for May, a decrease of 0.22 percent from 2.1 percent in May 2012. Foreclosure activity in Cedar Rapids was lower than the national foreclosure rate of 2.61 percent for May, down from 3.46 percent in the same month last year.

 

The foreclosure rate measures the percentage of loans in some stage of the foreclosure process. A foreclosure is defined by the legal process by which an owner’s right to a property is terminated, usually due to default.

 

The foreclosure rate does not represent the number of new foreclosure filings, but rather the current inventory of loans in the foreclosure process.

 

The Cedar Rapids mortgage delinquency rate also declined in May. CoreLogic reported  3.23 percent of mortgage loans were 90 days or more delinquent, compared with 3.55 percent for the same period last year, representing a decrease of 0.32 percentage points.

 

The national rate of mortgages 90 days or more past due was 5.63 percent in May, down from 6.89 percent in the same period of 2012, according to CoreLogic.

 

The rate of Iowa City area foreclosures among outstanding mortgage loans was 0.96 percent for May, a decrease of 0.17 percent from 1.13 percent in May 2012.

 

The mortgage delinquency rate in Iowa City also declined in May over the same period last year. CoreLogic reported 1.72 percent of mortgage loans were 90 days or more delinquent in May, compared with 2.07 percent for the same period last year, representing a decrease of 0.35 percent.

 

Mortgage delinquency and foreclosure rates in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City have generally fallen over the last year, with some occasional single-month increases. The rates have always been lower than the national rates tracked by CoreLogic.

 

Mortgage delinquency, foreclosure rates decline in Corridor | TheGazette.

Astorino OKs Deals For Rye Playland, Children’s Museum | Armonk Real Estate

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Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino signed two deals Tuesday that would turn over operations of Playland Amusement Park to Sustainable Playland Inc.and would allow the Children’s Museum to move into the renovated bathhouse on the boardwalk.

The deal with SPI would see the non-profit take over operations of the park next year. The agreement is for 10 years, with an option to renew for another 10 years. SPI will invest $34 million in the park, and pay the county a $4 million fee.

“Through our new public-private partnership with Sustainable Playland and the Westchester Children’s Museum, we are reinventing Playland with a vision that builds on tradition by keeping what we love, such as Kiddyland and the historic rides, replaces tax dollars with private capital and adds new attractions and experiences for visitors to enjoy on a year round basis,” Astorino said. “This is a winning formula for saving Playland today and for future generations.”

With the signing, SPI has 30 days to submit to Astorino, a Playland Improvement Plan, which will outline the changes the group plans to make to the park. The plan will then go to the county Board of Legislators for approval. If the plan is not approved by Dec. 31, SPI has the right to withdraw from the agreement. Under SPI’s proposed plan, admission to the park would be free, with attractions grouped into separate zones that would each have separate fees. Zones include an aqua zone with a water park, an outdoor ball field, a renovated ice rink, a Great Lawn and an indoor multi-use facility that can be rented out for functions.

The lease that Astorino signed with the Children’s Museum would see the museum open up in the renovated bathhouse in the next two years. Under the terms of the lease, the museum will invest $7 million in infrastructure improvements in exchange for a $1 a year rent for 10 years.

 

Astorino OKs Deals For Rye Playland, Children’s Museum | The Bedford Daily Voice.

Existing-home sales slip in June | Armonk NY Homes

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Growth in real estate image via Shutterstock.Growth in real estate image via Shutterstock.

Existing-home sales slipped in June, but ample pent-up demand and favorable buying conditions should keep the housing market from stumbling in the face of a recent surge in interest rates, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) said today.

“Affordability conditions remain favorable in most of the country, and we’re still dealing with a large pent-up demand,” said Lawrence Yun, chief economist at NAR.  “However, higher mortgage interest rates will bite into high-cost regions of California, Hawaii and the New York City metro area market.”

Amid the drop in home purchases, home prices continued to soar above year-ago levels, as inventory edged upwards, NAR said.

Existing-home sales dropped 1.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.08 million units in June from a downwardly revised 5.14 million in May, according to NAR.

During the same period, housing inventory rose 1.9 percent to 2.19 million homes, representing a 5.2-month supply of homes at the current rate of sales, NAR said.

That’s up from a five-month supply in May. But inventory in June was still 7.6 percent lower than a year ago, when there was a 6.4-month stock, according to NAR.

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/2013/07/22/existing-home-sales-slip-in-june/#sthash.bU0qivc0.dpuf

 

Existing-home sales slip in June | Inman News.

House prices and rent in England to surge by 2020, warns report | Armonk Homes

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House prices in England will soar by 42% by 2020 and rents will rise by even more, according to a report from the National Housing Federationwhich warns of the “colossal strain” facing the generation born in the 1990s.

Many will remain trapped in their parents’ homes as property prices continue to outstrip earnings, warns the NHF. It forecasts that 3.7 millionyoung people will be living with their parents by 2020, as the rate of housebuilding fails to keep up with the rising population.

“By 2020 the price of a first-time buyer’s home will increase by 42% to £245,165. Although wages for 22- to 29-year-olds will increase by 36% by 2020, this poses a huge challenge for those wishing to be homeowners. Low-earning young people would have to spend 16 times their average wage just to buy a home,” said the NHF report.

Rents will be driven even higher as young adults are priced out of the property market. “NHF research shows that private rents are likely to be broadly stable through 2013, but could increase sharply, by about 6% a year, between 2015 and 2020 as interest rates and house prices rise. In 2020, rents are expected to be 46% higher than today. But when the new flood of young adults born in the noughties starts university or a new job, they could push rents even higher in a country already chronically short of decent housing.”

 

 

House prices and rent in England to surge by 2020, warns report | Money | The Guardian.

Tribute To Armonk Volunteer Fire Co. Tops News This Week | Armonk Real Estate

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ARMONK, N.Y. — Here are some of the top stories in Armonk this week:

  • The Modern Barne in Armonk will host a tribute to the Armonk Volunteer Fire Company at the third annual “Beer and Barnacles” event on July 31 at 6:30 p.m.
  • The Library Board of Trustees named Scott Jarzombek as the new director of the North Castle Public Library in an announcement on Monday.
  • Armonk’s fall celebration will return with thesecond annual Cider & Donut Festival Sept. 21, according to the All About Armonk website

 

 

Tribute To Armonk Volunteer Fire Co. Tops News This Week | The Armonk Daily Voice.

Con Ed Warns Armonk Residents To Conserve Electricity Usage | Armonk NY Homes

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Con Edison is asking its Westchester and New York City customers to conserve their electricity usage as sweltering heat and humidity continue to bake the area.

Electricity usage was near an all-time peak, reaching 13,161 megawatts Thursday evening, Con Edison reported of its coverage area.  The all-time electric peak record was set in July 2011 at 13,189 megawatts.

Con Ed said its crews continue to work to restore customers affected by scattered power outages due to this week’s heat wave. When it comes to superior HVAC services in the Jacksonville, FL, area, we’re at the top of our class. From heating and cooling to indoor air quality and maintenance plans, you’ll always receive grade-A service when Buehler Air Conditioning arrives at your front doorstep. If you are looking for the top air conditioning repair companies in jacksonville fl then visit us today.

The power company would like to remind customers to use these energy and money-saving tips:

  • Install a timer or clock thermostat on your air conditioner with the help of United PLumbing Heating Air & Electric, so you can program it to operate and shut-off at a pre-determined time. Air conditioning is among the systems that keeps each and every New York home as comfortable as possible. Especially on hot summer months, air conditioners are among the cores from where the quality of indoor living greatly depends on. So whether you are in Long Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, or Queens; it pays to learn more about these types of appliances to maximize indoor comforts, save more money and even help in the reduction of environmental pollution. By definition, air conditioners may refer to single appliances or a whole system that keeps an area cool through extraction of heat and blowing them back as cooler air. When you need a high quality system installed, look no further than Landmark Air. Providing annual services, repairs, replacements, supply and installation for Canberrans ducted and split systems. For landmark air services, you can check out LandmarkAir.com.au site.
  • This cycle is known as refrigeration. The process that these appliances do makes up the complete HVAC system that results to a more livable home. Preparing your home for the scorching summer months or brutal winter months is crucial. Taking the time to inspect your appliances, schedule maintenance checks, and invest in HVAC repair will prevent a crisis. Checking the air filters on an HVAC will help keep the appliance running well. Along with regularly changing the air filter, it’s important to check fuses and capacitors. A HVAC repair professional can fix any of these small problems, as well as any larger issues if you don’t feel comfortable fixing it yourself. While it’s important to keep your appliance running in great shape, so is making improvements around the house to prevent drafts and lower energy cost.
  • If you have a room air-conditioning unit, close off the rooms not being used; if you have central air, block off the vents for un-used rooms. The room air conditioning appliances is Also known as window air conditioner units, these appliances ideally provide cooling for small spaces only. Though their efficiency may be considered lower than other types, the operating costs are not as expensive. These types are commonly used by hotels, inns and other hospitality businesses and for rooms in the house that are seldom used due to its plug in and out feature-providing cooling only when needed.
  • Plan cooking, baking or other household activities that produce heat and humidity for the cooler times of the day and night.
  • Use a portable or ceiling fan to circulate the pre-cooled air in your air-conditioned home. A fan uses about 90 percent less energy than an air conditioner.
  • In very humid weather, adjust your air conditioner’s fan to a low setting. It’ll take longer for the air conditioner to cool your home, but your unit will bring in steamy air at a slower rate and make you feel more comfortable. Appliance repair is inevitable, especially when your appliances get old or are excessively overused. Of all the appliances AC, HVAC, and Refrigerator are the most heavily used equipment that often breakdown. Although there could be many service providers that offer AC repair, HVAC repair, and Refrigerator repair not all of them can be trusted with these expensive pieces of machinery.
  • Pull your curtains and shades on windows to block out the heat.

Con Ed Warns Armonk Residents To Conserve Electricity Usage | The Armonk Daily Voice.

Monetize Your Platform, How to Grow Sales With Your Online Platform | Armonk Realtor

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Have you built your own platform?

Are you wondering how to monetize it?

To learn how you can use your platform to generate real revenue for your business, I interview David Siteman Garland for this episode of the Social Media Marketing podcast.

More About This Show

Social Media Marketing Podcast w/ Michael Stelzner

 

The Social Media Marketing podcast is a show from Social Media Examiner.

It’s designed to help busy marketers and business owners discover what works with social media marketing.

The show format is on-demand talk radio (also known as podcasting).

In this episode, I interview David Siteman Garland, who is the host ofThe Rise To The Top podcast. His video and audio podcasts are focused on equipping bloggers, podcasters and YouTubers to grow a sustainable business with their platforms. He also wrote the book Smarter, Faster, Cheaper: Non-Boring, Fluff-Free Strategies for Marketing and Promoting Your Business.

David shares how he grew his platform and the various ways he has monetized it.

You’ll learn how to get started generating revenue and the price points you need to look at.

Share your feedback, read the show notes and get the links mentioned in this episode below!

Listen Now

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

You can also subscribe via iTunes, RSS, Stitcher or Blackberry.

Here are some of the things you’ll discover in this show:

Platform Monetization

Why people struggle to make money with their platform

David says it’s a classic problem for most people. The platform space falls into two different categories.

The first one is when it’s a hobby. Here people have great content but don’t know what to do with it.

The second one is where you have the classic “Internet marketers” who have figured out how to make money but their content isn’t great.

David’s advice to those who have great content but struggle to make money is you have to remember that you’re positioned extremely well. If you have great content that’s a side hobby, you can turn it into a legitimate six-figure–plus business.

David started out the exact same way. What he and his friends have achieved shows that it’s very attainable.

the rise to the top home page

David’s platform, The Rise To The Top.

You’ll discover why it’s a good position to be in if you’re a blogger, podcaster orYouTuber.

A lot of the time, people lack strategy on how to generate revenue. In David’s eyes, the hard part is building your audience, community and trust. Once you have all this in place, the monetization angle can be brought in pretty easily.

The hardest challenge is to start with no platform and no product. If you already have the platform, then you are 50% of the way there.

Listen to the show to find out how you can use technology to accomplish what traditionally businesses had to pay a lot of money for.

What is the platform you have built? 

David started his platform The Rise To The Top in 2008, when it was a simple interview show for entrepreneurs. His show now focuses primarily on what he callsmediapreneurs, who are people with a platform.

He currently has over 7 million community members.

the rise to the top interviews

The Rise To The Top started out as an interview show for entrepreneurs.

When David was on the journey of building his platform, he realized he was pretty good at creating content, building his audience and getting out there. The main struggle for him was how to turn it into a sustainable, long-term business.

There are many ways to monetize a platform. It doesn’t come down to which one will be best, it’s more about which one you are really excited about and want to do. You have to feel comfortable with it.

You’ll discover the many ways you can monetize your platform.

From a content perspective, David publishes two brand-new shows every week on his platform. One is an interview and the other is a video for his The Rise To The Top and DSG TV YouTube channel. You’ll discover what both of these involve and the areas he focuses on and why.

 

 

Monetize Your Platform, How to Grow Sales With Your Online Platform | Social Media Examiner.