5/22/13
| Bedford NY Area Luxury Real Estate Market Report | Over $2,000,000 | |
| Homes for Sale | 165 | |
| Homes Sold (6 Mos.) | 27 | |
| Homes in CC, pending, sold | 44 | |
| Inventory- sold | 36.66 months | |
| Inventory- sold, cc, pending | 22.51 months |
Listing agent David Ogilvy says the 12-bedroom Neo-French Renaissance Victorian and the 50.6-acre property is “a fantastic piece of property.”
“It’s just an incredibly beautiful spot,’’ said Ogilvy, whosereal estate office is part of Christie’s International Real Estate. “There were a few other major houses down on the water. The only one of this size that has sold was in Riverside in 1952 or ’53. There hasn’t been anything else on either side of the water like this.”
The property includes a mile of shoreline and two islands. Other features include a 75-foot pool and spa, grass tennis court, poolhouse, carriage house and gatehouse cottage.
The home was built in 1896 – Ogilvy had no record of its original cost – and was purchased by the Lauder Greenway family. Harriet Lauder Greenway’s father helped Andrew Carnegie start what would become U.S. Steel, according to the Wall Street Journal story. The article also said the home is owned by John Rudey, the chairman of U.S. Timberlands Services. He purchased the property in 1982. The property is being listed for the first time since 1904, according to the Ogilvy listing.
Ogilvy said the price tag was based on appraisals and previous waterfront sales. “A home with 4.2 acres went for $39.5 million, or about $9 million an acre,’’ he said. “You multiply that by 50, and you get a hefty number. Sometimes people are shocked at how much it is. It’s the only one with 50 acres left in Greenwich.”
The Realtor said he and Rudey have had conversations over the past few years about the property. “I knew the property, but I was even more amazed when I saw it,’’ Ogilvy said.
The owner has no timetable for a sale, Ogilvy also said. “There was a property that I listed and sold back in 2004 for $45 million,’’ Ogilvy said. “People told me I had rocks in my head, and we listed it, sold it and closed on it in 100 days. A timetable is not a problem.”
Listing agent David Ogilvy says the 12-bedroom Neo-French Renaissance Victorian and the 50.6-acre property is “a fantastic piece of property.”
“It’s just an incredibly beautiful spot,’’ said Ogilvy, whosereal estate office is part of Christie’s International Real Estate. “There were a few other major houses down on the water. The only one of this size that has sold was in Riverside in 1952 or ’53. There hasn’t been anything else on either side of the water like this.”
The property includes a mile of shoreline and two islands. Other features include a 75-foot pool and spa, grass tennis court, poolhouse, carriage house and gatehouse cottage.
The home was built in 1896 – Ogilvy had no record of its original cost – and was purchased by the Lauder Greenway family. Harriet Lauder Greenway’s father helped Andrew Carnegie start what would become U.S. Steel, according to the Wall Street Journal story. The article also said the home is owned by John Rudey, the chairman of U.S. Timberlands Services. He purchased the property in 1982. The property is being listed for the first time since 1904, according to the Ogilvy listing.
Ogilvy said the price tag was based on appraisals and previous waterfront sales. “A home with 4.2 acres went for $39.5 million, or about $9 million an acre,’’ he said. “You multiply that by 50, and you get a hefty number. Sometimes people are shocked at how much it is. It’s the only one with 50 acres left in Greenwich.”
The Realtor said he and Rudey have had conversations over the past few years about the property. “I knew the property, but I was even more amazed when I saw it,’’ Ogilvy said.
The owner has no timetable for a sale, Ogilvy also said. “There was a property that I listed and sold back in 2004 for $45 million,’’ Ogilvy said. “People told me I had rocks in my head, and we listed it, sold it and closed on it in 100 days. A timetable is not a problem.”
$190 Million Greenwich Compound Is Priciest Home In The U.S. | The Bedford Daily Voice.
Home improvement retailing giant Home Depot reported strong first quarter earnings this morning, citing the recovering housing market as a key driver.
Earnings per share were $0.83 versus analysts’ consensus prediction of $0.77. Revenues came in at $19.1 billion, topping estimates for $18.69 billion.
U.S. same-store sales rose 4.8% during the quarter.
“In the first quarter, we saw less favorable weather compared to last year, but we continue to see benefit from a recovering housing market that drove a stronger-than-expected start to the year for our business,” said Home Depot Chairman and CEO Frank Blake in the press release.
Shares are up 3.6% in pre-market trading.
Below is the full text from the release:
ATLANTA, May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, today reported sales of $19.1 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2013, a 7.4 percent increase from the first quarter of fiscal 2012. Due to the 14th week in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, first quarter sales benefited from a seasonal timing change that added approximately $574 million to sales. On a like for like basis, comparable store sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 were positive 4.3 percent, and comp sales for U.S. stores were positive 4.8 percent.
(Logo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20030502/HOMEDEPOTLOGO )
Net earnings for the first quarter were $1.2 billion, or $0.83 per diluted share, compared with net earnings of $1.0 billion, or $0.68 per diluted share, in the same period of fiscal 2012. For the first quarter of fiscal 2013, diluted earnings per share increased 22.1 percent from the same period in the prior year.
“In the first quarter, we saw less favorable weather compared to last year, but we continue to see benefit from a recovering housing market that drove a stronger-than-expected start to the year for our business,” said Frank Blake, chairman & CEO. “I would like to thank our associates for their hard work and commitment to our customers.”
Updated Fiscal 2013 Guidance
Based on its year-to-date performance and outlook for the balance of the year, the Company raised its fiscal 2013 sales guidance and now expects sales to be up approximately 2.8 percent with comparable store sales up approximately 4.0 percent for the year. The Company raised its fiscal 2013 diluted earnings-per-share guidance and now expects diluted earnings per share to be up approximately 17 percent to $3.52 for the year. The Company’s fiscal 2013 sales and earnings-per-share guidance is based on a 52-week year compared to fiscal 2012, a 53-week year.
The Company’s earnings-per-share guidance includes the benefit of its year-to-date share repurchases and intent to repurchase $4.4 billion in additional shares over the remainder of the year, which will bring the total dollar amount of shares repurchased to $6.5 billion for the year.
The Home Depot will conduct a conference call today at 9 a.m. ET to discuss information included in this news release and related matters. The conference call will be available in its entirety through a webcast and replay at earnings.homedepot.com.
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/home-depot-q1-2013-earnings-2013-5#ixzz2TvsZlvWk
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/15/13
CONTACT: Lt Jeff Dickan, Bedford Police Department, (914)241-3111
Click It or Ticket to Boost Seat Belt Use – Day and Night
[Bedford, NY] – Motorists who refuse to wear their seat belts – beware. The 2013 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization kicks off May 20 to help save lives by cracking down on those who don’t buckle up.
The Bedford Police Department is joining with other state and local law enforcement officers and highway safety advocates across the country to help save more lives by strongly enforcing seat belt laws around the clock.
[Bedford, NY) As motorists take to the roads this Memorial Day holiday, the Bedford Police are urging everyone to buckle up. Beginning May 20, 2013 law enforcement officials will be out in full force, taking part in the 2013 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization and cracking down on motorists who are not belted.
“As we kick-off the busy summer driving season it’s important that everyone buckles up every time they go out, both day and night – no excuses,” said Bedford Police Lieutenant Melvin Padilla. “Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seat belt – Click It or Ticket.”
On the morning of May 20th, the Bedford Police Department will be joining law enforcement agencies throughout the northeast in mobilizing the Click It or Ticket (CIOT) “Border to Border” Operation.
Law enforcement agencies that share State borders will team up to provide increased seat belt enforcement at border sites, sending a ‘zero tolerance’ message to the public: Driving or riding unbuckled will result in a ticket, no matter what State.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 52 percent of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. As noted, deaths involving seat belt nonuse are more prevalent at night than during the daytime. According to NHTSA, 62 percent of the 10,135 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 during the overnight hours of 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.
“Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still not buckling up, especially at night when the risk of getting in a crash is even greater,” said Lieutenant Padilla. “We want everyone to have a safe summer, but it requires an important step on the part of motorists – clicking that seat belt.”
In 2011, seat belts saved an estimated 11,949 lives nationwide according to NHTSA. While this year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization runs from May 20 through June 2, officers are out enforcing seat belt laws year-round.
For full details, view this message on the web.
As the sluggish economy drags on, county boards everywhere are looking for ways to replace lost income–re-assessments of residential real estate taxes is just one of those ways. Sometimes it’s fair, other times it avoids belt-tightening. If your property taxes have been raised and you feel it’s unfair, here is how to prepare to meet your assessor for a review to lower them:
1. Look for reporting mistakes. Examine the assessor’s entire property description. Note discrepancies and document them with blueprints, surveys, photos or other inspection reports.
2. Compare neighborhood assessments. Are other homes in your neighborhood assessed similar to yours? Check the web first; some counties post assessments online.
3. Compare current sales. Talk to a local real estate agent (if you need a referral, I’m glad to help) and get a report of comparables sold within the last 6 months. Sold homes count, listings don’t.
4. Take pictures. Document where your home needs repair compared to other homes in better shape in your neighborhood.
5. Get a new appraisal. If your home is unusual or hard to “comp” this is the one time it can work in your favor. If you recently refinanced and the value is lower, use that report instead.
6. Get your contract. If your taxes increased soon after you purchased, values probably haven’t changed that much. Document with your purchase agreement.
7. Are you exempt? There are many special exemptions: homestead, mortgage, senior citizens, veterans, disabled persons, and even energy-efficiency. Check with your county and check them all.
8. Prepare your case. In writing, briefly and professionally describe why you are entitled to the reduction, followed by documentation of your reasons. Make sure you have any required forms completed and know all deadlines for your appeal.
After 20 years in Bedford politics, Lee Roberts will be stepping down as town supervisor when November elections come around.
Roberts was elected as a councilwoman in 1993 and held that position for a decade before being named Bedford town supervisor. Currently in her fifth term, she will not be trying to make it six.
“After 10 years as supervisor, I think it’s time for new faces and new people,” she said.
When asked about what she’ll miss most, Roberts did not hesitate.
“Working with the residents,” she said. “In my mind, this is the best town in America. We have fabulous town officials and volunteers that make anything possible. It’s simply an outstanding community.”
Supervisor Lee Roberts Won\’t Seek Re-election Tops Bedford News | The Bedford Daily Voice.
Douglas Elliman Real Estate just released the “Elliman Report: Manhattan & Brooklyn Rentals April 2013,” the leading resource on the state of the Manhattan and Brooklyn rental markets. As always, our market reports are produced in conjunction with Miller Samuel to provide you and your clients with the most comprehensive and neutral market insight available.
Year to date, Manhattan rents continued to rise at the same brisk pace as last year. The gains in rental prices have been consistent across all apartment sizes compared to a year ago. Landlord concessions were used sparingly and the vacancy rate remained below long-term averages. The continuing strength of the rental market has been somewhat surprising since the Manhattan sales market has also seen rising prices and sales volume. Tight credit conditions and an improving regional economy continue to keep pressure on the demand for rental housing.
After several months of rapid gains, Brooklyn rental price increases slowed in the month of April. However, the rapid pace of the market continued with brisk listing periods and the lowest listing discount seen in the new year. Competition from a robust sales market along with low mortgage rates are keeping increases in check. We anticipate similar conditions over the coming months.
We constantly look for ways to provide our clients with better information to enable them to make more informed decisions. Our efforts to make this market report series possible reflect my strong belief that in a market that is constantly changing, access to timely information is one of the greatest resources we can offer our clients. We are committed to providing the best information and services in the industry. Explore our full market report series covering Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, The Hamptons, North Fork, Westchester/Putnam, Miami, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach at http://www.elliman.com/marketreports.
Douglas Elliman releases Manhattan-Brooklyn Rental Report | Bedford Realtor.
Bedford NY Area Strong Markets | Weak Markets | RobReportBlog
Strong Markets
South Salem up 26%
Armonk up 85%
Chappaqua up 15%
Bedford Corners up 25%
Bedford Hills up 11%
North Salem up 55%
Weak Markets
Pound Ridge down 11%
Bedford Village down 4%
Katonah down 4.5%
Looking at sales over the last six months compared to the same period last year.
Is it?
Do you feel you offer a better marketing strategy than the next Realtor?
You do? Good!
Now, can people easily see that on your site? Uh-oh, this is where most agents are getting tripped up.
While perusing a fantastic Google+ community page called Photography for Real Estate, I stumbled upon an excellent video pitting “other” Realtor’s images compared to what the Connie Barnes’ team is producing. Rather than just telling you how genius I think this video is, please watch it.
After watching this and being floored, not only by the presentation of the video, but the content contained therein, I knew I had to interview Connie and her team. It’s not just about the plethora of comparison videos she has, but also her marketing centric posts like this one on the iPhone and this one explaining their team’s marketing plan. They are front and center, fully transparent, and showing the world why they are the best in their local area. Check out her numbers below.
Also, after visiting her site www.conniebarnes.com, look at her website traffic and you will quickly see how having such compelling marketing can lead to $48 million in sales.
Remember, your website isn’t here there to draw people in from the web, it’s also there to provide reassurance to clients you have already met and continue to tell your story long after you left their house.
I wanted to dive deeper into Connie’s marketing plan, motivation behind her site structure, and how she started off on her path of marketing transparency.
After watching the interview, if you have any questions for Connie or her team, please post them to theirGoogle+ page!
I know this interview is quite long, but worth all 15 minutes. Enjoy!
When Dolly Lenz, called the queen of U.S. real estate, speaks, people listen. And that’s what a select group of John L. Scott Real Estate high-end luxury real estate agents did when Lenz and real estate appraiser and consultant Alan Pope ofAlan L. Pope and Associates spoke at a recent breakfast put on by John L. Scott for their top sellers.
As vice chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman in New York City, Lenz has sold more than $7 billion in real estate, more than double the next top agent in the country. This was her first time in Seattle. She loved it and spoke of increasing opportunities in the real estate market.
Pope says the market in our metro area is up 15 percent and that he is seeing the same kind of buying frenzy that he saw six years ago.
“Yes, it has been a fabulous recovery in the housing market,” says Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L .Scott Real Estate. “I saw it formulating 18 months ago. The confidence of local homebuyers has come back strong,” he says.
Scott says sales for his company are up 25 percent in the last 18 months and called the sales activity “a strong to surge market. The last four months has definitely been a surge,” he says, “fueled by the fact that there is such a strong economy with historically low interest rates.”
The Seattle area is one of the top markets in the nation, with strong job growth. Scott points to a shortage of housing inventory on both the West and East coasts. “And in our area there’s a one- to two-month supply of homes available. A healthy market is 5-6 months of inventory.”
