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Police Seize Cache Of Fireworks From Valhalla Home, Evacuate Area | Bedford Real Estate

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A Valhalla man was arrested early Tuesday after Westchester County Police said they discovered a large cache of commercial-grade fireworks stacked floor-to-ceiling in his basement on Saldi Lane.

Police evacuated the area around the home Tuesday and closed the streets to traffic until the explosive material was removed.

Stephen Surace, 53, has been charged with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony, first-degree reckless endangerment, a felony, and unlawfully dealing in fireworks, a misdemeanor. Surace will be arraigned in Mount Pleasant Town Court on Tuesday.

Police arrested Surace after an undercover officer bought $1,000 worth of fireworks and noticed the large cache in the basement.

“Based on the volume of material and the potential explosive hazard, the decision was made to move immediately to arrest Mr. Surace and secure the home,” Public Safety Commissioner George N. Longworth said.

Many of the fireworks were the type used in commercial fireworks displays. Officers from the Westchester County Police Hazardous Devices Unit and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were removing the fireworks from the house.

 

Police Seize Cache Of Fireworks From Valhalla Home, Evacuate Area | The White Plains Daily Voice.

Homeowner equity reaches highest level since 2008 | Bedford NY Real Estate

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Data from the Obama Administration’s May scorecard revealed continued improvement in housing, yet officials warn that a full recovery will still take more time. 

“As the May housing scorecard indicates, the Obama Administration’s policies and actions over the last four years to speed housing recovery are continuing to show important signs of progress,” said the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Affairs Kurt Usowski. 

He added, “In the first quarter of 2013, homeowners’ equity grew by more than $815 billion, reaching its highest level since the first quarter of 2008.” 

Annual home prices increased to the highest level since the housing bubble burst in mid-2006, with the S&P Case-Shillerhome price index up from 146.6 in March to 148.7 in April. Year-over-year the index is up from 134.1 in April 2012.

 

 

Bedford New York Real Estate | Bedford NY Homes by Robert Paul Realtor » Blog Archive » Homeowner equity reaches highest level since 2008 | Bedford NY Real Estate.

Rise in interest rates hard to square with data | Bedford NY Real Estate

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Early this week a spate of poor data started a bond and mortgage rally, but stopped cold today on a very ordinary employment report for May. Ten-year Treasury notes have traded back up to the 2.15 percent high of 2013, mortgages solidly above 4 percent. If the credit markets are going to read news this way, rates are still vulnerable on the upside.

On Monday, the Institute for Supply Management reported that the May manufacturing index tanked to 49 versus the tepid 51 expected, and a drop below 50 has been good for bonds every time since these surveys began in the early 1970s. The ISM has weakened steadily since January 2011. Today’s employment data: 175,000 net-new jobs in May, but hourly earnings and hours at work were flat.

The rise in rates is hard to square with the data. The Fed will pull back from bond buying at some point, but not now, and not soon in a meaningful way. It may reduce its purchases, but they are rising relative to bonds in the market: Treasury borrowing has fallen in half in 18 months, and mortgages outstanding have fallen for six years.

During any Fed exit, a QE-castaway market may be unwilling to buy at today’s yields. Or it may be unable — overregulated and capital-crimped, still trying to shrink.

We have other data on the state of the recovery: the Fed’s Z-1 (renamed now “Financial Accounts”) and FHFA home prices for the first quarter.

Z-1 shows a remarkable rebound in U.S. household net worth, up $3 trillion in 90 days and at $70 trillion surpassing the 2007 peak. A stock market run will do that, puffing pension and life reserves, nonprofits, and retirement funds included in “households,” but not felt in wallets, not necessarily permanent, and just back where net worth had been.

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/2013/06/07/rise-in-interest-rates-hard-to-square-with-data/#sthash.p6ADRjLu.dpuf

 

 

Rise in interest rates hard to square with data | Inman News.

What To Do This Weekend In And Around Bedford | Bedford Real Estate

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CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. – Wondering what’s going on this weekend in and around Chappaqua, Mt. Kisco, Bedford or Armonk? The Daily Voice has your back! Here are some events set to take place this weekend around your town. For a more extensive listing, please visit our Events page.

Friday, June 7

Art Exhibit: Photographs from Robert Pincus will be shown all day in the Mount Kisco Public Library. 100 East Main Street, Mount Kisco.

Game Club: 3 p.m. Middle and high school students are welcome to play board games. North Castle Public Library, 19 Whippoorwill Road East, Armonk.

Movies in Millwood Park: 8:30 p.m. The first annual Movies in Millwood Park will begin with “Happy Feet” under the stars next to Rocky’s deli. 235 Saw Mill River Road.

Katonah Fire Department Carnival: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets: $1.25 each; 22 tickets for $25; 36 tickets for $40 Kiddie rides 2 tickets, all other rides 3 tickets. Sat. June 8th ride all afternoon for $22 from 1-5 pm.

Chappaqua Library Fabulous Used Book Sale: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friends of the Chappaqua Library will hold its annual used book sale in the Chappaqua Library Theater. 195 South Greeley Avenue.

Saturday, June 8

Art Exhibit: Photographs from Robert Pincus will be shown all day in the Mount Kisco Public Library. 100 East Main Street, Mount Kisco.

Learn Tai Chi in 2013: 10:30 a.m. Make tai chi your new hobby in 2013 at the North Castle Public Library with certified Feldenkrais movement and tai chi instructor Lawrence Attile. 19 Whippoorwill Road East, Armonk.

Chappaqua Farmers Market Outdoor Season: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  The Chappaqua Farmers Market welcomes shoppers for their third season with new offerings.  The market’s spring/summer season takes place outdoors at the Chappaqua train station.

Chappaqua Library Fabulous Used Book Sale: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friends of the Chappaqua Library will hold its annual used book sale in the Chappaqua Library Theater. 195 South Greeley Avenue.

Katonah Fire Department Carnival: 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets: $1.25 each; 22 tickets for $25; 36 tickets for $40 Kiddie rides 2 tickets, all other rides 3 tickets. Sat. June 8th ride all afternoon for $22 from 1-5 pm.

Sunday, June 9

Learn and Play Mah Jongg: 1 to 2:30 p.m. For those who don’t know how to play Mah Jongg – or don’t even know what it is – this is your chance to find out. Downstairs Children’s Room in the North Castle Public Library, 19 Whippoorwill Road E., Armonk.

Chappaqua Library Fabulous Used Book Sale: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friends of the Chappaqua Library will hold its annual used book sale in the Chappaqua Library Theater. All remaining books on Sunday are FREE. 195 South Greeley Avenue.

 

What To Do This Weekend In And Around Bedford | The Bedford Daily Voice.

Social Media is Key to B2B Content Marketing | Bedford Realtor

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91% of B2B marketers now use social media as a content marketing tool.

social media is key to b2b content marketing Social Media is Key to B2B Content Marketing [Report]B2B marketers are distributing their content on social networks more than ever before. A recent study conducted by the Content Marketing Institute and Marketing Profs confirms that content marketing remains a top priority for  B2B marketers, with the vast majority leveraging the practice as part of their marketing strategy. But many are uncertain about how to successfully employ the many tactics available to them.

Content marketing is the art of communicating with your customers and prospects without selling. It is non-interruptive — instead of directly advertising your products or services, you are communicating with your target audience by sharing valuable, free information. The core of this content strategy is the belief that buyers will be driven to do business with you if you provide valuable information to them on an ongoing basis.

If you have a website, a blog, or maintain a presence on Facebook, Twitter, or other social networks, you are a publisher. You need to think like one, and build a digital content marketing strategy that leverages what you create — blog posts, website articles, images, and multimedia like videos, slideshows, and infographics — to enhance consumer engagement and conversion rates.

This is the first in a series of posts about how to use content to market online and via social media. As an introduction to this topic, here are some interesting statistics from the 2013 B2B Content Marketing Benchmarks, Budgets and Trends – North America:

 

 

Social Media is Key to B2B Content Marketing [Report] | Pamorama | Social Media Marketing Blog.

Real Estate Market Trends: Prices Gain Nearly 11 Percent | Bedford Real Estate

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Home prices across the nation’s largest 20 largest metropolitan areas posted their largest annual gain in seven years, rising 10.9 in the first quarter of 2013, compared to the same period last year, according to the latest real estate market trends reported today by Case-Shiller Home Price Indices.

The largest yearly increases were seen in Phoenix (22.5 percent), San Francisco (22.2 percent) and Las Vegas (20.6 percent), said David M. Blitzer Chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices, said in a statement analyzing the latest real estate market trends. The slowest – yet still substantial – gains were seen in New York (2.6 percent), Cleveland (4.8 percent) and Boston (6.7 percent).

Additional indicators, including housing starts, new permits, and new and existing home sales, add to the growing evidence that the housing market is healing, but other real estate market trends indicate the recovery has a ways to go, Blitzer said. “The larger than usual share of multi-family housing, a large number of homes still in some stage of foreclosure and buying-to-rent by investors suggest that the housing recovery is not complete,” he said.

Townhomes account for an increasing share of the existing market, as well as new housing activity, according to a blog on the latest real estate market trends published today by the National Association of Home Builders, a trade association based in Washington, D.C.

Construction began on 15,000 new townhomes in the first quarter of 2013, up from 10,000 in the first quarter of 2012, according to the association. Over the same period, the market share of town homes rose from 10.4 percent to 12.7 percent.

 

Real Estate Market Trends: Prices Gain Nearly 11 Percent | Millionaire Corner.

Top 6 Social Media No-Nos to Avoid | Bedford NY Realtor

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Everyone makes mistakes, but committing a major social media no-no has the potential of hindering your business’s hard-earned reputation. A good rule of thumb is, “when in doubt, don’t.” But, if you’re wondering about specifics, here are the top 6 social media mistakes to avoid, especially in the wake of some serious social media faux pas:

1. Don’t lash out: Sometimes it’s hard to deal with constructive and/or blatantly harsh criticism from others, especially on such an open public space or forum like Facebook. However, as we learned from the recent and epic social media meltdown that Amy’s Baking Company Bakery Boutique & Bistro had on Facebook, it’s an excellent example of what no to do. Owners, Amy & Samy Bouzaglo lashed out on Facebook in response to some not-so-nice criticism after airing on Gordon Ramsay’s,Kitchen Nigtmares. Instead of say, swearing, ranting for hours, “yelling” in all caps, calling customers “stupid,” and then trying to cover it all up, responding quickly and calmly to a customer’s complaint, and trying to resolve it as soon as possible is simply the best thing you can do.

Amy's Baking Company Facebook

2. Don’t buy followers or fans: It may be tempting to make social media a numbers game. The more followers or “Likes” you have, the cooler, more trusted, desirable brand you must be, right? However, the point of social media isn’t to acquire a mass following, but to build relationships with legitimate potential and current customers. It’s all about quality over quantity – You may have 1 million followers, but if half of them don’t exist or don’t actually give a hoot about your brand, you may as well have none. Focus on increasing the quality of your content rather than increasing your numbers, and you’ll build a solid strategy and fan base.

3. Don’t create fakes comments: Who doesn’t want engagement and comments on posts, as well as a few good reviews on various sites? The problem is, they just can’t come from you – It boils down to dishonesty, and customers can easily see through it. Instead, include calls-to-actions in your social posts like, “Like this post if you agree,” and ask questions that’ll entice customers to respond. Need more reviews on your Yelp page? Encourage customers, and/or even give rewards or discounts to those who do write reviews, but honest ones!

4. Don’t be “Sir Spam-a-Lot”:  Commenting on other social media or blog posts purely for the purpose of getting your own brand out there screams “spammer.” If you think your content is relevant, contact the owner of the post and propose a real linking or collaboration strategy. If you offer value with your content, you may develop a meaningful relationship – Win-win. Check out our post, How to Connect with Online Influencers – Dos & Don’ts for more advice on how to approach these relationships.

 

Top 6 Social Media No-Nos to Avoid.

Sacramento housing market nears normal | Bedford Real Estate

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With 42 new permits issued in January through March of this year, Sacramento increased by 121% over the same period a year earlier, according to RealtyTrac. Foreclosure starts slid by 74% when compared to the pace from a year earlier, writes the Sacramento Business Journal.

 

Sacramento housing market nears normal | HousingWire.

Home values rise 5% for sixth consecutive month | Bedford Real Estate

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For the sixth straight month, home value appreciation was at or exceeded 5%, according to data from Zillow. More specifically, home values rose in April to $158,300. 

Home values jumped 5.2% over year ago levels, Zillow ($59.41 0%)reported, reaching their highest level since June 2004.

A majority of the 365 metros — 55% to be exact — experienced home value appreciation in April from March. Sacramento saw the largest monthly increase, with home values jumping 3.4%. Las Vegas and San Francisco also reported monthly increases of 3% and 2.8%, respectively. 

Looking forward, home values from April 2013 through April 2014 are predicted to rise 4% to approximately $164,648, according to Zillow. This is a drop from the 5.2% annual rate of appreciation reported between April 2012 and April 2013 and indicates a shift in supply and demand in some of the hardest-hit markets. 

“April marks the sixth straight month of annual home value appreciation of 5% or above, the longest such streak since the height of the bubble in 2006. In the short-term, this has been welcome news for homeowners. But in the long-term, this cannot be sustained, and consumers entering the market today should not expect this kind of appreciation to last,” said Zillow Chief Economist Stan Humphries. 

Humphries added, “Overall, we expect home value appreciation to moderate as more supply comes on line over the next year, but in some areas, runaway home value appreciation, combined with expected interest rate hikes in coming years, runs a real risk of pricing out many potential buyers. Home values in these areas will have to flatten or even fall to come back in line.”

Chicago was the only metro that did not experience year-over-year home value increases. More than half of the 30 largest metros covered saw double-digit percentage increases.­

 

 

Home values rise 5% for sixth consecutive month | HousingWire.

NYC unemployment rate hits 4-year low | Bedford NY Real Estate

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New York City’s unemployment rate last month dropped to the lowest level in four years, led by gains in employment and health services, the state Department of Labor said in a monthly report Thursday. If you need to file for unemployment you can visit the unemployment office.

The jobless rate fell to 8.4% in April, compared with 8.9% the previous month, reaching the lowest level since March 2009, the labor department’s seasonally-adjusted figures showed. The city added 16,400 jobs last month, according to seasonally-adjusted numbers provided by Barbara Byrne Denham, chief economist for real estate investment firm Eastern Consolidated.

“It certainly looks like strong private-sector job growth,” said James Parrott, chief economist of the Fiscal Policy Institute. “That’s very positive, and clear.”

About 4,500 new jobs were created in the employment services sector, a sign that job gains will continue in the near future, Ms. Denham said. Employment services includes temporary hiring, which usually lead to permanent positions at the companies where workers are assigned, she said. Employment in the industry has grown 8.6% this year, the most of any sector.

An additional 3,100 jobs were added in health and social services, and the securities industry gained 1,000 positions. All growth took place in the private sector, as the federal and local governments shed 1,700 employees combined.

 

NYC unemployment rate hits 4-year low | Crain’s New York Business.