Tag Archives: Chappaqua Luxury Homes

Demi Moore Wants to Sell Her San Remo Triplex for $75M | Chappaqua Real Estate

 

demi-moore-san-remo.jpg[Photo of Demi Moore via Getty]

Actress Demi Moore is looking to sell her home in the celeb-favored San Remo for a whopping $75 million. According to the Post, the price tag—which makes the home a contender for the most expensive co-op sale ever—include’s Moore’s “stunning” triplex, along with a ground-floor two-bedroom. Sadly, there is no official listing, and the Post has zero details about what the apartment looks like. The A-lister has listed in the Upper West Side building for awhile, and last year, the co-op was in the news because Moore wanted ex-husband Ashton Kutcher to pay her for renovations to the unit, which was reportedly valued at $25 million.

Another celeb recently sold a triplex in the building >>

Over the years, the building has housed dozens of celebrities, including Donna Karan, Steven Spielberg, Glenn Close, Tiger Woods, Diane Keaton, the late Steve Jobs, and Dustin Hoffman, who sold his triplex for $21 million earlier this year. Moore is asking more than three times that (yes, yes, her asking price does include a second unit), so we’re very curious to see what, if anything, makes it worth that much dough

 

 

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http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2014/05/08/demi_moore_wants_to_sell_her_san_remo_triplex_for_75m.php

Mortgage applications climb 5.3% for week | Chappaqua Real Estate

 

Breaking two weeks of declines, mortgage applications increased 5.3% from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending May 2, 2014.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 5.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.

The Refinance Index increased 2% from the previous week. The seasonally adjusted Purchase Index increased 9% from one week earlier to the highest level since January 2014.

“It is official: we are in a majority purchase market for the first time since 2009,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s chief economist. “A sizeable increase in purchase applications last week likely reflected the impact of somewhat lower mortgage rates as well as continued growth in the job market, as confirmed by Friday’s employment report from the BLS.”

Despite the strong increase in the purchase market last week, volume continues to run 16% behind last year’s pace.

 

 

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http://www.housingwire.com/articles/29928-mortgage-applications-climb-53-for-week

Housing recovery divided | Chappaqua Real Estate

 

Monday Morning Cup of Coffee takes a look at stories across the HousingWire news desk, with more coverage to come on bigger issues.

As the first-quarter earnings season starts to come to a close, a new trend started to unfold in CEO letters to shareholders, according to an article in CNBC.

CEOs usually send the letters along with the company’s proxy statement in the spring because proxy statements are due within four months of every company’s fiscal year ending.

The article explained that most CEOs have a tendency to take this time to boast about their accomplishments.

But this year was a little different, with some CEOs taking the opportunity to rmark on recent, not-so-grand events. A full list of CEOs telling it like it is is available in the original USA Today article.

JPMorgan Chase (JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon dealt with a year filled billions of dollars of settlements, mostly related to mortgage securities.

“The bad news was bad,” he wrote. “The most painful, difficult and nerve-wracking experience that I have ever dealt with professionally was trying to resolve the legal issues we had this past year.”

However, Dimon stressed that despite all of the negative, JP Morgan came out strengthened. And, despite the loss, Dimon’s 2013 compensation package was raised to $20 million.

Thousands of homeowners will open their mailboxes to a pleasant surprise as Everbank Financial is prepared to write $1,050 checks to 25,389 of its customers, even though no errors were found in reviews of their foreclosure files, an article in The Washington Post explained.

 

 

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http://www.housingwire.com/blogs/1-rewired/post/29896-monday-morning-cup-of-coffee-jpmorgan-ceo-tells-all-housing-recovery-divided-across-nation

32% of people looking to buy a home in the next two years | Chappaqua Real Estate

 

Americans are becoming more optimistic about buying a home, with 67% of people saying they plan on purchasing a home, and of that amount, 32% are looking to buy within the next two years.

The PulteGroup (PHM) Home Index surveyed 1,004 adults on their sentiment about the U.S. economy and how current housing conditions are impacting future homebuyers.

According to the survey results, 74% of adults feel the economy has remained steady or improved in the last year.

As a result, 57% of adults think now is a good or excellent time to purchase items they want or need, especially when it comes to entering the housing market.

Millennials and move-up buyers are the most engaged consumer segments, with 85% and 71%, respectively, intending to purchase a home in the future.

“For the first time in years, Americans have a growing sense of optimism that the housing market is improving, and that these positive changes may be sustainable,” said Margaret Gramann, senior vice president of sales for PulteGroup.

“This favorable outlook is giving them the confidence to pursue more meaningful, big-picture life opportunities they may have otherwise put on hold,” Gramann added.

There are two main drivers to purchasing a home: the need for more space and the view that owning a home is a smart financial investment.

Currently 70% of home shoppers plan to spend as much or more money on their next home, along with 64% of people saying they prefer to spend on a home that’s move-in ready rather than spend less and renovate.

“Whether it’s a first-time or move-up buyer, or an active adult, purchasing a home is a major life decision and Americans are recognizing the importance of maximizing what they view as a long-term investment,” said Gramann. “They’re aiming to create value in a home that meets their specific wants and needs from day one, and if that means spending more money, they’re willing to do so because of confidence in the market.”

And as consumer demand for housing increases, so does the demand for more credit.

For borrowers who already have a home, the demand for home equity lines of credit is increasing.

 

 

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Americans ready to spend money…especially on housing

Behold, the $50M PH & Sky Pool of Foster’s Chelsea Condos | Chappaqua Homes

 

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A few renderings and pricing have been revealed for the uppermost penthouse at the Norman Foster-designed 551 West 21st Street. True to the hype, one of the building’s three extravagant penthouses will feature a 61-foot-long lap pool as part of its 4,000-square-feet of private outdoor space. The rather rare outdoor amenity is on a terrace overlooking the Hudson River, the Observer has learned. Prospective buyers may find the $50 million penthouse a relative bargain compared to the city’s other penthouse-with-private-pool (PDF!) which will ask $100 million at 50 UN Plaza—also designed by Norman Foster.

 

 

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http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2014/04/29/behold_the_50m_ph_sky_pool_of_fosters_chelsea_condos.php

 

The 10 Best Two-Bedroom Apartments $675K Can Buy in NYC | Chappaqua Real Estate

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The median price for a two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan is $1.8 million, according to StreetEasy’s active listings. In popular Brooklyn neighborhoods, the median price of luxury apartments for rent is about a million less, at $899,000, but there’s plenty available for much less. For our latest Price Points round-up we found the 10 best two-bedroom apartments for around $675,000. Most are in Brooklyn, but Manhattan has its fair share (the other three boroughs, as expected, have even cheaper offerings). First up, there’s a “penthouse” apartment in a 12-unit building on Parkville Avenue in Kensington, Brooklyn. It has an open kitchen next to the living room with French doors opening onto a private balcony. The master bedroom has an en suite bath, and the second bedroom comes with a Queen-sized Murphy bed. There’s also a full second bathroom, and a private rooftop terrace. Asking price is $675,000, and common charges are $198.

On the Upper West Side, there’s a two-bedroom in a prewar building on West 93rd Street asking $679,000. The 22-foot-long living room has four windows, and the kitchen looks roomy, with a lot of counter space and cabinets, but the second bedroom is quite small. It has a window, but only measures 7’3″ by 8’7″, so it’s best suited as a nursery or home office, though from the listing photos, it looks like the kids have the big room while the parents have the tiny one. Guess that’s why they’re selling?

Also listed $679,000, there’s a “loft-style” unit in the Kent, a full-service condo building with a terrible name, near the Clinton Hill/Bed-Stuy border. The place measures 1,062 square feet and features a washer/dryer and two full bathrooms. The building shares an outdoor space with grills, a grass lawn, and patio, plus there is a fitness center.

Not far from Hudson Yards in Midtown Westa new-to-market two-bedroom co-op is asking $674,500. It only has one full bathroom, but both bedrooms, as well as the living room, are generously sized. The kitchen has been recently renovated with new stainless steel appliances, and the elevator building has a live-in super, laundry room, storage, and parking.

garden-level co-op in a Park Slope brownstone on 9th Street is listed for $687,000. The secondary bedroom is located at the front of the house and is currently being used as a sitting room, as it connects to the living room through French doors. The kitchen and bathroom (there’s only one) have been recently renovated, and original features like fireplaces, wood-working, and wide-plank floors have been restored. In addition to the private yard, there’s a small greenhouse for the botanically-inclined.

The highlight of this 2BR condo on Conselyea Street in Williamsburg is the private 500-square-foot roof deck. But the apartment itself, renovated as it is, isn’t too shabby either (although it is pretty small). It’s asking $659,000.

In Yorkville, a renovated 2BR/2BA in a prewar co-op building is asking $650,000. It features such charming details as exposed brick walls, crown molding, and oak strip floors, and it includes two exposures. The building, on East 92nd Street, allows pets and has a laundry room.

At $700,000this for-sale-by-owner 650-square-foot unit in the East Village is the most expensive listing of the bunch. It’s just been gut renovated and features new hardwood floors, millwork, and crown moldings, as well as all new wiring for electric, cable, and internet. The open kitchen has stainless steel appliances, a tile backsplash, and an oven that vents to the outside. It’s a walk-up, but it looks pretty darn nice.

Right at the very top of the Upper West Side, this prewar 2BR/1BA co-op has exposed brick, large windows, and a spacious living room. One of the bedrooms is rather small, but at least it has a window. The place is asking $669,000.

Back in Brooklyn, there’s a large-ish “architect-renovated” Windsor Terrace co-op listed for $650,000. Some of the new architect-introduced details include “refinished ebony parquet floors, custom imported full height sliding wood doors,” and a bathroom lined with “lovely Italian bisazza tiles.” The bedrooms have built-in closets, and the building has an elevator, live-in super, and laundry room.
· Price Points archives [Curbed]

http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2014/04/16/the_10_best_twobedroom_apartments_675k_can_buy_in_nyc.php

4 ways enhanced listing videos can boost properties’ selling power | Chappaqua Real Estate

 

Let’s be honest: Video listings are a great real estate marketing tool, but sometimes you need more than a basic walk-through. Value-added features can be the key to making a standout video and boosting the selling power of a property. Voice-over.

Especially if you read the voice-over yourself, this is usually the least expensive way to add value. A voice-over allows you to point out the property’s best features or communicate any special information. For instance, if you’re selling a newly renovated home, you might describe the updates completed by the seller.

One tip: Work from a script. It makes the process more efficient and, by extension, more affordable. Pre-roll or “agent on camera.” Pre-roll is footage inserted before the main listing video. “Agent on camera” is a guided tour of the property.

Both options help personalize the video and allow you to point out what’s special about the property. For example, you might highlight a state-of-the-art media room or newly remodeled kitchen.

 

 

 

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/next/4-ways-enhanced-listing-videos-can-boost-properties-selling-power/?utm_source=20140416&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailyheadlinesam#sthash.kTJn4pa5.dpuf

Five Westchester Events You’ll Want To Attend | Chappaqua Real Estate

 

Here are five of the biggest events coming up in Westchester.

1. Aoife O’Donovan at Katonah’s Caramoor, Saturday, April 12 at 8 p.m.

Aoife O’Donovan is widely known as the lead singer of alt-bluegrass/string band Crooked Still, as a member of the folk noir trio Sometymes Why, and as the vocalist on the GRAMMY winning album The Goat Rodeo Sessions with Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer and Stuart Duncan. She will be visiting the Caramoor for a special solo acoustic performance. $15, $35, $45, $55. 149 Girdle Ridge Road.

2. Greenburgh Nature Center’s Spring Celebration and Egg Hunt, Sunday, April 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the Greenburgh Nature Center barnyard to meet their furry and feathered friends. Families will be able to take a tour with a naturalist to discover signs of spring from the forest to the pond to the Great Lawn, make seasonal crafts, and search for eggs in an egg hunt. Egg hunts and other fun activities will run continuously throughout the day. 99 Dromore Road.

3. Les Ballets Trockadero at Harrison’s SUNY Purchase, Saturday, April 12 at 8 p.m.

This all-male corps de ballet defies convention and cliché of classical ballet and proves that men can dance en pointe without hurting themselves too badly. These men are among the finest, classically trained dancers. Enjoy the beauty of ballet, and the proof that classical ballet can be totally hilarious. $49.50 – 70. 735 Anderson Hill Road.

4. Grow Your Own Bitters at Mount Pleasant’s Stone Barns Center, Saturday, April 12 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Master the art of bitters-making with expert Brad Thomas Parsons, author of Bitters: A Spirited History of a Classic Cure-All. Parsons will be taking seasonal crops, fresh from local farms, and turning them into bitters. He’ll also be sharing cocktail ideas and sending you home with your own batch of farm-fresh bitters. Ages 21 and up. $22.50 – $25. 630 Bedford Road.

5. One Night Only: The National Comedy Theatre at the White Plains Performing Art Center, Saturday, April 12, 8 p.m.

The National Comedy Theatre, New York’s acclaimed improvisational comedy show, is coming to the WPPAC for one night. Similar in style to “Whose Line is it Anyway,” the comedians will be performing a series of games and scenes all based on audience suggestions. $25. 11 City Place.

 

 

 

http://armonk.dailyvoice.com/events/five-westchester-events-youll-want-attend-2

Pitfalls of pocket listings for buyers and sellers outweigh potential upsides | Chappaqua Real Estate

 

The idea of selling a home without ever listing it can be appealing to many. Similarly, ringing the doorbell on the “perfect home” and finding an owner willing to sell can put a broad smile on a buyer’s face.

The risks however, routinely make buying and selling “pocket listings” dangerous to a person’s financial well-being — particularly for sellers.

The term pocket listing typically refers to an agreement between a seller and real estate broker that allows the broker to market the property outside of the multiple listing service.

The property is advertised through the broker’s “network” and a buyer is targeted by what amounts to “word of mouth.”

There are a number of caution points for any seller contemplating a pocket listing:

  • The home might sell for less than market value. How is the sale price being established? Is the seller depending on the agent to stipulate price? Don’t rely solely on a prelisting appraisal; there are many buyer and seller variables that cannot be accounted for by an appraiser. If the home isn’t exposed to the maximum number of potential buyers (usually accomplished via the MLS) how can the seller be confident that the best price was received? When a shortage of quality listings exist, multiple offers and bidding wars might be seen – which doesn’t happen without adequate exposure.
  • What are the motivations for a seller to consider a pocket listing? If the idea is to save on agent commissions, the expectation is often different than the reality. A 4 percent commission might be 1 or 2 percent less than market and appear like a bargain, but a seller should look at the big picture. Agents soliciting pocket listings typically already have a buyer lined up so the conventional agent split doesn’t apply. So while the total fee might be less than market, it’s more for the agent since they keep it all. It’s also not uncommon for pocket listings to have clauses that address fees due in the event a buyer’s agent is involved. It’s not uncommon for the end result to be a commission that approaches the norm and a selling price below market.
  • There is simply no suitable substitute for the exposure obtained by the MLS. A pocket listing – like homes offered for sale by owner – simply cannot compete with a traditionally listed home. The major public real estate sites pull information from the MLS. Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest might get someone interested in a home, but home buyers look where the homes are. It’s worth noting that an estimated 45 percent  of home buyers in 2013 found the home they bought on the Internet, not through their agent.
  • Sellers make have to make unnecessary repairs or concessions. Potential issues that plague a “normal” sale will be present with pocket listings as well. However, a competitive environment provides options to a seller. Repair issues, appraisal problems or other challenges can better be negotiated or ignored when there are multiple interested buyers.

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/2014/04/09/pitfalls-of-pocket-listings-for-buyers-and-sellers-outweigh-potential-upsides/?utm_source=20140409&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailyheadlinesam#sthash.MCWOFdHE.dpuf