Tag Archives: Armonk NY Realtor

Armonk NY Realtor

Don’t Be Shy. Questions To Ask Your Contractor | Armonk Real Estate

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Questions to ask your Contractor

When it comes to hiring a contractor, most folks think they do the right amount of due diligence. They search for reviews, they check with the Better Business Bureau, and they likely ask the prospective pro whether or not they’re licensed and insured. Doing your research is a good thing. It helps you avoid the mistake of hiring the wrong pro. However, many homeowners still feel intimidated when dealing with their contractor. So much so, that nearly 84 percent of homeowners we surveyed spent time researching their project before talking to their contractor in hopes of sounding like they knew what they were talking about!
Getting taken advantage of is a legitimate fear when hiring a pro to tackle a major home improvement project. One of the ways to prevent that from happening is by knowing how much others in your area are paying for similar projects. Our Cost Guide helps you get the pricing info you’re looking for so you can go into the budgeting process with the right information.
However, you’ll need more than pricing info to get the peace of mind you’re looking for. Thankfully, all it takes is the confidence to ask any and all questions you might have. Here are five must ask questions every homeowner should ask, as well as five questions you might not have thought to ask.

 

What you want to hear is that they’ve been in business long enough to establish a credible track record of successful work experience.

2. Are you licensed, insured, and/or bonded?

At the very least you want to know that they’re licensed (and it’s current) and carry worker’s comp and liability insurance to cover any accidents. Being bonded is not a universal requirement, so not all contractors are. Think of bonding as an insurance policy for the homeowner that protects you if the job heads south.

3. Do you guarantee your work in writing?

While a verbal guarantee is nice, it offers no guarantees that the contractor will actually stand behind their work. You want a written guarantee that states exactly what is and isn’t covered.

 

 

read more…

 

http://welcome.homeadvisor.com/questions_to_ask_your_contractor?m=homesense&entry_point_id=26786319

 

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.

“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.

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.

Realtor.com(R) National Housing Trend Report Shows Dramatic National Year-Over-Year Inventory Declines are Easing | Armonk Homes

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Realtor.com(R), the leader in online real estate operated by Move, Inc. (NASDAQ: MOVE), today released the realtor.com(R) National Housing Trend Report for the month of July 2013. July’s real estate market data shows the nation experienced a 5.24 percent decline in housing inventory, which is the second month in a row with year-over-year inventory declines in the single digits. National median list prices increased 5.27 percent year-over-year while median age of inventory is down 16.67 percent.

While California markets have dominated the list of markets with the largest housing inventory declines in the first part of 2013, they have been replaced by a new set of market leaders including: Detroit, Mich.; Boston; Denver; Honolulu and Naples, Fla. The large decreases in the for-sale inventory in these markets suggests the beginning of a housing market recovery process similar to what was observed in Florida in 2011, and in California in 2012 and 2013.

“The recovery is entering a new phase where inventory shortfalls are no longer the driving force behind changes in housing prices in many markets. 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,” said Steve Berkowitz, CEO of Move, Inc. “This month’s report also underscores the uneven nature of the housing recovery and its dependence on the strength of the local economy.”

 
      Realtor.com(R)'s Key National Market Indicators for July 2013 

                                     Year-over-Year %  Month-over-Month % 
                          July 2013       Change             Change 
                          ---------  ----------------  ------------------ 
Number of Listings        1,959,030       -5.24%             1.41% 
------------------------  ---------  ----------------  ------------------ 
Median Age of Inventory    85 days       -16.67%             6.25% 
------------------------  ---------  ----------------  ------------------ 
Median List Price         $199,900        5.27%              0.00% 
------------------------  ---------  ----------------  ------------------

National Highlights:

   -- 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 decrease 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. 

   -- Price declines decrease in local markets.  Median listing prices are now 
      negative year-over-year in only 31 markets, which is down from 36 in 
      June

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http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20130813-907459.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Soaring real estate portal valuations are all about growth | Armonk Real Estate

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Zillow and Trulia are on a growth tear, their “market caps” — the value of outstanding common stock — soaring into the stratosphere in 2013. But like their older sibling, Move Inc., the companies have lost money, overall, since launching.

The three big listing portals all employ a similar business model — selling leads, advertising and tech services to real estate agents. And if Move has racked up a $2 billion net accumulated loss in its 20-year life, why do analysts think the younger startups will not only survive, but thrive?

Move (founded 1993)Zillow (founded 2005)Trulia (founded 2005)
Net accumulated loss through 2012$2.0 billion$71.7 million$47.1 million

Sources: Move, Zillow and Trulia 2012 annual reports.

The answer is projected growth, a focus on consumers, and faith in a new breed of management, analysts who follow the three companies say.

Looking back at the most recent four quarters, Move is still the leader in revenue. But Trulia’s market cap is nearly three times Move’s, and investors think Zillow is worth about six times as much as Move. In 2012, Zillow booked about $6 million in profits on $117 million in revenue, while Trulia lost $11 million on $68 million in revenue. According to its most recent annual report to investors, Move made $4.7 million on $199 million in revenue.

Revenue, market caps and projected revenue growth

CompanyRevenue, four quarters through second-quarter 2013Market cap, Aug. 9, 2013Projected 2013 revenue growth, percent
Zillow$152.1 million$3.24 billion60.0%
Trulia$92.8 million$1.41 billion73.3%*
Move$213.9 million$553.2 million14.2%

Source: Google Finance and firms’ earnings call transcripts. *Estimate generated by projecting 60 percent Q4 year-over-year revenue growth, in line with recent quarters, and using the midpoint of Trulia’s projected Q3 revenue: $31 million.

Their revenue might be less, but Zillow and Trulia’s blazing growth, both in terms of revenue and Web market share, trumps that of Move and realtor.com, which is operated by Move under a special agreement with the National Association of Realtors, through the second quarter.

“Investors are always going to pay more for growth,” said Bradley Safalow, founder and CEO of stock analysis firm PAA Research LLC, who covers all three companies.

Aaron Kessler, a stock analyst who covers Zillow for Raymond James Financial Inc., agreed: Zillow’s faster growth accounts for its much higher relative valuation.

The price of a share of Zillow stock has shot up 233 percent this year, and Trulia’s share price is up 158 percent. Move, too, is up 77 percent, as the housing rebound has stoked investors’ interest in many companies whose fortunes are tied to the real estate sector

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/2013/08/13/soaring-real-estate-portal-valuations-are-all-about-growth/#sthash.wIFi0T96.dpuf

HUD deputy secretary to discuss fair housing settlement | Armonk Real Estate

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Deputy Secretary Maurice Jones of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development discusses the fair housing settlement with Westchester County in an Editorial Spotlight interview at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

To view the session and join the live chat, go towww.lohud.com/editorialspotlight.

To make a comment in advance, reach us via Twitter

@lohudopinion or email Digital/Social Media Editor Brian Howard at bjhoward@lohud.com.

Also, read Westchester housing settlement monitor James Johnson’s report on fair housing in Westchester, and other key documents, on lohud.com or directly at http://lohud.us/19A2uvH.

 

Watch live: HUD deputy secretary to discuss fair housing settlement Wednesday at 2 – Northern Westchester.

Live Near A Clinton At The Whitman’s Bonkers $25M Penthouse | Armonk Real Estate

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Event: A “top broker lawn party” to launch the sale of The Whitman‘s new-to-market penthouse
In the house: Every broker under the sun (seriously, more than 150 of them), including Elliman bigwigs Howard Lorber and Dottie Herman, as well as Fredrik Eklund, who made an appearance before his Million Dollar Listing New Yorkfinale party, plus architect Jeffrey Cole, contractor Allan Bloom of Facet Construction and his team, and a smattering of potential buyers
Dress code: Sleek summer dresses paired with sky-high heels for the ladies; summer suits for the gents, sometimes sans jackets, and the occasional dude in shorts with a backpack. What was he doing there?
Menu: An assortment of delicious chichi canapes (asiago and artichoke pizzette, barbequed duck crepes, Maryland crab cakes, summer rolls) and libations from not one but two bars
Overheard: “Look at this view!” “Oh, the hoi polloi is here.” “Where’s all the wine?” “It’s gor-gee-oso!”

Conversion The Whitman only has four residences, and the three on lower floors, priced in the $10 million ballpark, are already spoken for—one by former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton, who made a splash with an early buy of $10.5M back in March. That leaves the penthouse, a 10,000-square-foot giantess of a full-floor duplex that overlooks Madison Square Park. It’s asking$25,000,000. The 3,000-plus square feet of outdoor space includes a terrace on the lower level and a big, landscaped roof deck above the living room that both overlook Madison Square Park, plus a croquet pitch between the upstairs den and the master bed and bath, and a putting green behind the master bath, facing 27th Street. As party attendees oohed, aahed, and passed judgement over the luxurious trappings—courtesy of interior designer Jeremiah Brent (it’s actually the first New York project for the partner of designer Nate Berkus)—some of the 4BR/6.5BA apartment’s luxe amenities made themselves apparent.

The keyed elevator (note: still under construction) opens up onto a private foyer that will soon be enclosed in some kind of fancy notched semi-opaque glass—Cole was particularly enthusiastic about this, as well as the to-be-installed banister of the stairwell to the roof deck. It’s the little things.

Then you step into a spacious living room with three arched windows facing the park that opens up onto terrace, a.k.a. outdoor space #1. Backtracking to the area by the door, a staircase takes you up to the den… but wait, let’s keep walking north through the apartment’s massive restaurant-style kitchen, which includes a giant warming rack above an island, dual wine fridges that can hold 108 bottles at a time, a grand total of four Miele ovens, and grow lights for your herbs (“This is the most impressive thing in the apartment,” someone breathed).

 

Live Near A Clinton At The Whitman’s Bonkers $25M Penthouse – Hangover Observations – Curbed NY.

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.

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.

Support for ‘patent troll’ legislation builds | Armonk Real Estate

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A push for legislation cracking down on so-called “patent trolls” is gathering steam on Capitol Hill, potentially spelling relief for many businesses, including those in the real estate industry.

Last week, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., introduced the “Patent Litigation and Innovation Act of 2013″ (H.R. 2639) in the House, which is related to the “Patent Abuse Reduction Act of 2013″ (S. 1013) introduced by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in May.

The White House has also issued a series of legislative recommendations and executive actions to tackle the issue. The executive actions will require patent applicants and owners to disclose the true owner of a patent, train patent examiners to flag overly broad patent applications, and offer a website educating consumers and small-business owners about what to do if they are targeted, among other things.

Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez last month urged the commission to use its authority to collect more comprehensive information about the business models and scope of “patent assertion entities” — the formal name given to companies that are focused primarily on purchasing and asserting patent claims against companies with products currently on the market.

“These entities are driving the increase in patent litigation and targeting firms in a growing slice of the economy,” Ramirez said. Patent trolls have moved beyond their original primary targets — information technology firms — and are going after financial services providers and retailers, she said.

“Even hotels and coffee shops are not immune,” Ramirez said, and the costs to consumers “appear increasingly tangible and direct.”

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/2013/07/17/support-for-patent-troll-legislation-builds/#sthash.4tG5Bt34.dpuf

10 Plants Sure to Stop Deer in Their Tracks | Armonk Homes

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10 Plants Sure to Stop Deer in Their Tracks

 

 

10 Plants Sure to Stop Deer in Their Tracks | 10 Plants Sure to Stop Deer in Their Tracks – Yahoo! Homes.