Tag Archives: Mount Kisco Real Estate
Mount Kisco NY Homes | Facebook: The $80 Billion Company with Earnings of Less Than $1 per User
Mt Kisco Homes | YouTube Movies Expands, Now Streaming Films In Canada
Mt Kisco Realtor | Buyer protections in ‘as is’ real estate purchase | Inman News
Buyer protections in ‘as is’ real estate purchase
REThink Real Estate
Q: What can a buyer do if the seller includes an as-is clause in the contract and “issues” are discovered from the inspection? Will the buyer lose his deposit if he walks away from the deal after the inspection uncovers, let’s say, termites or electrical problems? It would seem to me that a buyer would insist that the as-is clause be removed. –V. Wohner
A: In most states, the phrase “as is” has been defined, over time (and lots of lawsuits) as also indicating that the buyer is taking the property in “as-disclosed” condition. These same states tend to have disclosure standards that require sellers to tell buyers, even as-is buyers, about any “material” issues with the property: things that the seller knows about that would have some influence on the decision-making process of a reasonable buyer.
In other states, though, like Arkansas, “as is” does not connote any disclosure requirement on the part of the seller. I recall reading an Arkansas case where the seller had known the property’s lot flooded every year for many years, didn’t disclose it to the as-is buyer, and the court sided with the seller. In these areas, “as is” might well be interpreted as “caveat emptor” (Latin for “buyer beware”).
However, in the vast majority of cases, buyers can — and should — insert an inspection contingency into an as-is contract. In fact, the inspection is the vehicle for knowing what exactly is going on with the condition of the property. The inspection, follow-up, or specialty inspections and repair bids or estimates are really the only way for a smart buyer to know whether they should move forward with an as-is deal.
Under an as-is contract with an inspection contingency or an inspection period, the buyer will have a certain period of time to obtain his inspections and decide whether he wants to move forward with the transaction, back out of the transaction and recoup his deposit, or back out of the transaction.
If after inspections, the buyer decides to exercise the inspection contingency and back out of the transaction within the time frame provided in the contract, their deposit money is safe and must be returned by the seller.
If, on the other hand, the buyer receives troubling information during the inspection but would still like to move forward with the transaction as is, he can do that.
Some buyers do this, especially when they feel like they are getting a great deal, even with the repair costs, when they can afford the repairs or anticipated them in advance, and/or when the seller is already making nothing on the property, so a price reduction would turn the transaction into a short sale (which might or might not be allowed by the seller’s bank).
Other buyers who learn of termite or other work that needs to be done choose several tactics. Some request that the seller complete some or all of the repairs, and insist that if the seller refuses, they (the buyers) will cancel the transaction and request their deposit back. Other buyers request a price reduction, on the same condition of canceling the transaction if the seller cannot or will not do so.
I see it as highly unethical to make a “fake” as-is offer, knowing full well that you plan to come back and ask for repairs or a price cut later in the transaction.
But if you get inspections and are surprised at how much work is needed, or at what it will cost, there is no legal or ethical bar from either backing out of the transaction entirely or making an effort to renegotiate the terms of the contract, so long as you do so within the contingency or objection period time frame provided in the contract.
In most states that allow for contingencies and objections, the buyer is legally able to back out of the contract after the contingency or objection period expires, but will forfeit his deposit or other liquidated damages provided in the contract if he does so.
Consult with your local broker or agent, or a local real estate attorney, to determine what avenues are available in your state and under your contract.
Tara-Nicholle Nelson is author of “The Savvy Woman’s Homebuying Handbook” and “Trillion Dollar Women: Use Your Power to Make Buying and Remodeling Decisions.” Tara is also the Consumer Ambassador and Educator for real estate listings search site Trulia.com. Ask her a real estate question online or visit her website, www.rethinkrealestate.com
Mt Kisco NY Homes | Top 10 paid photography apps for Android | Inman News
Top 10 paid photography apps for Android
A list of most popular mobile downloads
Editor’s note: The following app list, ratings, and descriptions were sampled from the Android Market website on Aug. 29, 2011. View an Inman News report on popular photography apps across several mobile platforms:”Top 100 most popular photo apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry .”
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PicSay Pro – Phot…
Shinycore
Rating: 4.7 stars (Above average)
(12,568 ratings)
$4.31
Award-winning photo editor with all the tools you need to spice up your pictures. Sharpen, remove red eye, crop & straighten, distort, insert cutouts of other pictures, paint, make color splash out of black-and-white pictures, add text, word balloons, apply effects like Cross Process, Lomo, Vignette, faux HDR, Tilt-shift, Pencil Sketch, and much more …
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Camera ZOOM FX
androidslide
Rating: 4.3 stars (Above average)
(6,599 ratings)
$4.88
Camera ZOOM FX combines powerful camera functions with stunning post processing – creating magic moments is fun and fast!! Over 90 unique FX – combine these in a non-destructive way to create infinite processing options. Blazingly fast performance: all effects render instantly on your device …
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Camera Fun Pro
SpiceLoop
Rating: 3.9 stars (Above average)
(5,026 ratings)
$0.99
Awesome point & shoot Photo effects lens for Android camera! Point & shoot Photo effects lens for Android camera. The most entertaining photography app – guaranteed! Just point your Android camera and see LIVE Photo effects on the screen BEFORE you click a picture – no fuss, no muss and no guessing how your pictures will turn out!
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Vignette
neilandtheresa
Rating: 4.1 stars (Above average)
(5,295 ratings)
$4.06
Add film and camera effects to your photos: 84 effects & 59 frames; Retro/vintage styles; LOMO/Diana/Holga toy camera styles; Polaroid/instant camera styles; Cross-process, tilt-shift, photobooth, double exposure and more; Supports the full resolution of your camera (3.1MP, 5MP or 8MP); Flash (if your phone has one) (not working on Dell Streak); Front-facing camera support (on some phones); Self-timer and time-lapse; Digital zoom; Geotagging …
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Camera360 Ultimate
mAPPn, Inc.
Rating: 4.0 stars (Above average)
(4,823 ratings)
$3.99
Turn your phone into professional camera. Provides LOMO, HDR, axis shift, draft, ghost, etc. and multiple styles …
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Pho.to Lab Pro
VicMan LLC
Rating: 4.6 stars (Above average)
(305 ratings)
$2.99
With Pho.to Lab PRO you can easily create fun photomontages, cool contact icons, animated photo caricatures, e-cards and phone wallpapers! You will love the user friendly interface and the ease of use the app provides. Pho.to Lab PRO does not contain any ads and does not watermark your resulting images. Besides, it comes with extra groups of photo effects for which you would have to pay in the standard version …
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Paper Camera
JFDP Labs LTD
Rating: 4.3 stars (Above average)
(214 ratings)
$1.94
Real time cartoon and painting effects painted on your camera video feed!! See the world through a new, original, stylish and captivating lens, have a wonder in your own home and discover how cool is now your world in cartoon! This is the ultimate collection of cartoon/sketch/comic book/half tone/noir/neon and many other effects painted directly in your camera, no more boring post-effects, it’s all real time, you simply won’t stop wandering, wherever you are, having a look at things and cartoon-ize them …
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Pano
Debacle Software
Rating: 4.2 stars (Above average)
(223 ratings)
$2.02
Pano is an award-winning app that lets you take beautiful, seamless panoramic photos straight from your phone, no other software necessary …
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Pro HDR Camera
EyeApps LLC
Rating: 3.5 stars (Above average)
(580 ratings)
$1.99
Introducing Pro HDR Camera, the world’s first real HDR app for Android! From the team that created Pro HDR for iOS, now you can automatically create stunning full-resolution HDR images with just a single tap on your Android phone. Please note that this app has been tested to work properly on Motorola, HTC and most Samsung phones. However, if you have a LG, Sony, or other device, the HDR capability may not function properly …
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Retro Camera Plus
Urbian
Rating: 4.0 stars (Above average)
(1,462 ratings)
$2.99
The paid, ad-free version of the free Retro Camera app. Take delicious old-school pics your friends will drool over. 5 cameras, 5 sets of vintage vignetting, film scratch, black and white & cross processing effects for that off-the-hip analog look. Inspired by the Lomo, Holga, Polaroid, Diana, the toy cameras & Hipstamatic …More mobile apps reports:
- Top 100 most popular photo apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry
- 100 Must-Have Mobile Apps for Real Estate
- 100 Productivity Apps for Real Estate Professionals
Mt Kisco NY Real Estate | 5 reasons real estate hasn’t recovered | Inman News
5 reasons real estate hasn’t recovered
What’s happening with jobs, shadow inventory?
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The housing bubble of 2006 burst in large part due to lax lending practices that led up to the housing recession. The collateral damage from these practices hammered personal fortunes through foreclosures and investment losses.
The devaluation of mortgage-backed securities tied to nonperforming mortgages kick-started the falling dominoes in this global financial crisis.
Now the mortgage lending industry is making up for their slipshod business practices by tightening credit standards to an extreme level. This has partly to do with regulations recently put in place that make one wonder if anyone consulted real estate professionals and economists before they were enacted.
It’s commonly agreed that the easy-money lending practices that were in vogue before the downturn in 2006-07 should be left behind. Then, buyers didn’t need to qualify to get a stated-income mortgage. Unrealistic teaser-rate mortgages were popular, and 100 percent and 110 percent financing was available.
Buyers had little at risk except their good credit, which for many went up in smoke when home prices stopped rising and they were left upside down in their house because the price they could sell for had dropped lower than the balance owed on their mortgage.
Not only were they precluded from borrowing more, but many who lost jobs fell behind on their mortgage payments and lost their homes in foreclosure.
It’s a good practice for lenders to actually qualify buyers before giving them a mortgage. Buyers should make a cash down payment. However, many lenders want down payments equal to 20 percent or 25 percent of the purchase price.
Proposed risk-retention rules that would require lenders have more “skin in the game” when offering loans with less than a 20 percent down payment has met opposition from real estate industry and consumer groups. Regulations should be implemented that protect lenders, buyers and investors while fueling a sustainable recovery in the housing market.
Lenders also need to streamline their underwriting procedures. Underwriting criteria have tightened in the last six months. Buyers are told their loan has been formally approved; based on that, they remove their financing contingency.
Then, it’s not uncommon for the lender to ask the buyers for more documentation. This leads to delays in closings. Some deals fall apart and put the buyers’ deposit at risk.
HOUSE HUNTING TIP: Slow job growth is holding the housing market back in many areas. On the national level, only 25 percent of the jobs lost in the great recession have been replaced. The recovery has been plagued with joblessness and underemployment. The national unemployment rate currently hovers around 9 percent.
Because the home-sale market is a localized business, the housing recovery will be uneven. Some areas, such as Texas; Washington, D.C.; and the Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area, have strong local economies and are generating sufficient jobs to actually produce a pickup in local housing markets.
To illustrate how important the local factor is, Silicon Valley has strong job growth even though the unemployment rate in California is about 11 percent.
The additional major factor that’s keeping housing down is the backlog of foreclosures. Lenders are in some cases holding houses they’ve foreclosed on off of the market. This is sometimes referred to as the “shadow inventory.”
Lenders have tried to keep from flooding an already challenged real estate market with more inventory, which could cause prices to decline further.
THE CLOSING: However, for a sustainable recovery, these properties need to be sold.
Dian Hymer, a real estate broker with more than 30 years’ experience, is a nationally syndicated real estate columnist and author of “House Hunting: The Take-Along Workbook for Home Buyers” and “Starting Out, The Complete Home Buyer’s Guide.”
Mount Kisco Homes | Real estate agents: Get a tax break for your work clothes | Inman News
Real estate agents: Get a tax break for your work clothes
Real Estate Tax Talk
Q: I became a real estate agent this last year and I have heard from other agents that I can write off things like clothing and getting my hair done because I have to keep up a professional appearance at all times. Is this true?
A: The rule is that you can deduct the cost of clothing as a business expense only if:
- It is essential for your business;
- It is not suitable for ordinary street wear; and
- You don’t wear the clothing outside of business.
For example, the Internal Revenue Service has permitted business deductions for the cost of uniforms or special work clothes not suitable for personal wear, such as nurse’s uniforms, theatrical costumes, and clothing with a company logo.
Thus, you cannot deduct the cost of a regular business suit or other clothing that you can wear outside of business. However, if you purchase clothing with a real estate company logo on it, you may deduct the cost because it is not suitable outside of business. If your clothing is deductible, you may also deduct the cost of dry cleaning and other care.
Mt Kisco NY Real Estate | Little League Player Returns to Mound After Being Saved by Lewisboro Doctor – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch
Tuesday’s little league 10-and-under game between host Mt. Kisco and visiting Lewisboro was a notable one, as its marked Mikey Corsi’s return with a ceremonial first pitch.
Corsi, 10, has been recovering since his heart stopped during a June 30 game, which was hosted by Lewisboro, caused by a generic heart rhythm issue called QT Syndrome. At the game, his life was saved with CPR from Dr. Carmine Sorbera, a Lewisboro resident and a cardiologist at Columbia University Medical Center who performed CPR on Corsi.
Click here for more on the story of Sorbera’s life-saving medical attention on the field.
Sorbera is also a cousin of Mt. Kisco Little League Coach Ralph Nuzzi.
Corsi was subsequently taken to the emergency room at Northern Westchester Hospital, then to Columbia-Presbyterian in New York City, where he then received an internal defibrillator implant, according to his mother, Lisa Corsi.
While Corsi is out for the season as he recovers, he is making progress, and his mother even expects him to be able ot start swimming again soon.
Mt. Kisco won the game, 16-5, according to the box score. It was stopped in the 6th inning due to there being more than a 10-run spread between the teams so late in the game, according to George Rubin, who helps out the team and keeps score. Highlights, according to Rubin, included Tommy Passarelli going 4 for 4, with two home runs. He, along with Joe Nuzzi and Chris DiFiore, were the pitchers.
Video of the game’s start, with Corsi at the mound, is provided by David Green, his uncle. Photos of the game are attached.
Mount Kisco NY Homes | Connecticut Mountain Lion Traveled from South Dakota – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch
In what’s being called the longest journey a mountain lion has ever taken in the United States, a cougar killed in Milford, CT, six weeks ago—believed by some to be the same cougar sighted June 5 in Greenwich, CT—traveled 1,100 miles from South Dakota to get to New England, Connecticut officials said Tuesday.
According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, collected analyst data shows that the feline known in South Dakota known as the “St. Croix Cougar” journeyed from that state’s Black Hills, through Minnesota and Wisconsin (see attached map) and across the Midwest—likely southern Ontario, Canada—eventually to Greenwich, where it met its end after colliding with a SUV on the Wilbur Cross parkway in Milford.
“This is an incredible journey, nearly double that of any mountain lion [ever recorded],” Connecticut DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty said during a press briefing.
Though the first confirmed sighting occurred in Minnesota, officials believe the mountain lion likely was born in South Dakota, meaning a total distance traveled of closer to 1,800 miles is possible.
Scat samples, including those found in Greenwich, as well as sightings across the nation dating back as far as Dec. 2009, snow tracks, photos from trail cameras, tissues collected for genetic testing and the young male’s unmanicured condition, led analysts—including in a lab in Rocky Hill, CT—to the conclusion mountain lion had not been held in captivity, according to Paul Rego, a supervising wildlife biologist with the DEEP.
Esty touted the cougar’s ability to traverse so far in the wild as a testament to efforts from conservationists and environmental protection groups.
“Although this is the story of the first recorded example of a mountain lion sighting in Connecticut in more than 100 years, there is no evidence of a mountain lion [in Connecticut] beyond this single individual,” Esty said.
The findings mark the latest chapter in a story that’s captured the attention and imagination of residents throughout Fairfield County and Connecticut—the gregarious “Greenwich Mountain Lion” on Facebook last week notched her 3,000th friend—as a species said to be extinct in the Nutmeg State appeared to have reemerged.
Within days of the mountain lion’s death on a highway in Milford (see photo), state DEEP officials launched an investigation into whether that cougar had been held in captivity illegally.
In Greenwich and throughout the state, the dual sightings sparked debate over whether mountain lions were present in greater numbers than state officials had acknowledged. In Fairfield, police were given the green light to kill mountain lions that couldn’t be contained.
As investigators searched for answers, including in neighboring states, residents in Greenwich and other Connecticut towns, including Fairfield, began reporting sightings of their own, at least one of which was found to be inaccurate.
[Editor’s Note: This story was updated to reflect distances traveled from confirmed sightings versus scientifically believed points of origin.]
Mount Kisco NY Real Estate | How to save the housing market: Realtors have a few ideas
Scott Stantis contest: Caption this cartoon
Here’s your chance to be a cartoonist without having to deal with all of that annoying drawing. Chicago Tribune Editorial Cartoonist Scott Stantis draws the cartoon and you provide the caption. Just send your submission to: ctc-captions@tribune.com. The winner will be announced in Friday’s Chicago Tribune. To see the runners-up check them out at chicagotribune.com/Stantis.
The winning entry will receive a signed print with your caption on it signed by Scott Stantis.
So what are you waiting for? Get writing!






