Tag Archives: Mt Kisco Homes

Residential home sales continue to climb: RealtyTrac | Mt Kisco Homes

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Properties and residential homes for sale, including single-family homes, condominiums and townhomes, continue to rise, increasing to an estimated annualized pace of 5.649 million in October, a 2% hike from a month ago and an increase of 13% from October 2012, the latest RealtyTrac Residential and Foreclosure Sales Report revealed.

But despite the national trend, three top indicator states still posted decreases for the third consecutive month: California, Arizona and Nevada, which are down 15%, 13% and 5%, respectively, from a year ago.

Meanwhile, the national median sales price of all residential properties—including both distressed and non-distressed—sat at $170,000, unchanged from September, but 6% higher than October 2012. This is also the 18th consecutive month median home sales have increased on an annualized basis.

The median price of a distressed residential property, in foreclosure or bank owned, hit $110,000 in October, 41% lower than the median price of $185,000 for a non-distressed property.

“After a surge in short sales in late 2011 and early 2012, the favored disposition method for distressed properties is shifting back toward the more traditional foreclosure auction sales and bank-owned sales,” said Daren Blomquist, vice president of RealtyTrac.

“The combination of rapidly rising home prices — along with strong demand from institutional investors and other cash buyers able to buy at the public foreclosure auction or an as-is REO home — means short sales are becoming less favorable for lenders,” Blomquist added.

As a result, short sales made up 5.3% of all sales, a 6.3% drop from the previous month and down from 11.2% in October 2012.

Nevada, Florida, Maryland, Michigan and Illinois ranked as the states with the highest percentage of short sales last month.

http://www.housingwire.com/articles/28121

Investors’ Market Share Rises as Foreclosures Fade | Mount Kisco Real Estate

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Despite a seasonal slowdown in activity, the housing market continued to post some interesting metrics in October, according to the latest Campbell/Inside Mortgage Finance HousingPulse Tracking Survey.

One of most interesting was a rise in home purchases by investors despite declining numbers of foreclosures. Since hitting a 23.1 percent home purchase market share back in February, investor participation has tumbled through most of this year – hitting a three-year low of just 16.6 percent in August. The monthly rate is based on a three-month moving average.

But over the past two months, the investor share has actually risen, climbing to 16.9 percent in September and then 17.4 percent in October. The two-month rise in investor activity is significant given that it occurred at the same time that the proportion of distressed properties in the housing market has continued to fall.

The HousingPulse Distressed Properties Index, which reflects the share of home purchases involving real estate owned or short sales, fell to a four-year low of 24.1 percent in October based on a three-month moving average. This was down from 24.6 percent in September and 35.1 percent in October of 2012.

Among the other positive housing market metrics seen in the October HousingPulse results were continuing low average time-on-market for non-distressed properties and high average number of offers for non-distressed properties. The national average-time-on-market for non-distressed properties was 8.9 weeks in October, while the national average number of offers on non-distressed properties last month was 2.1.

 

 

 

http://www.realestateeconomywatch.com/2013/11/

Good news for California homeowners facing short sales | Mount Kisco Real Estate

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Under regular tax rules, when a lender forgives a debt — that is, relieves the borrower from having to pay it back — the amount of the debt is taxable income to the borrower.

A homeowner who has $100,000 in mortgage debt forgiven through a short sale, for example, would have to pay income tax on the $100,000.

This “cancellation of indebtedness” rule could have caused enormous financial hardship to the millions of homeowners whose homes were “underwater” during the home foreclosure crisis that began in 2007. To prevent this, Congress enacted the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007.

This law allowed homeowners to exclude from their taxable income up to $2 million of debt forgiven on their principal residence by a lender in a short sale, mortgage restructuring, or forgiven in a foreclosure. This law was never intended to be permanent. It was originally scheduled to expire at the end of 2009.

However, it was extended for an additional four years. It will now expire at the end of 2013. The law could be extended again, but there appears to be little urgency in Congress to do so. That means starting on Jan. 1, 2014, there is a good chance that the old rules on forgiveness of home loan debt will come back into force.

 

 

See more at: http://www.inman.com/2013/11/25/good-news-for-california-homeowners-facing-short-sales/#sthash.WbCTNyDm.dpuf

City Unveils Designs For Midtown’s East River Greenway | Mt Kisco Realtor

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ODR-Esplanade-rendering.jpg

Midtown East residents, long envious of the lush riverfront parkland their West Side counterparts enjoy, got a sneak peek of the design plans for the East Side waterfront esplanade at last night’s Community Board 6 land use committee meeting. The project is part of a plan to complete the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway (which surrounds the borough) by filling in the undeveloped gap between East 38th Street and East 60th Street along the East River. The esplanade, which is created to appear as if it’s floating on top of the water with 30 feet separating it from the bulkhead, will have two distinct paths: one for bike riding, the other for pedestrian traffic. Cali Kay Gorewitz, Vice President of Development at NYC Economic Development Corporation explained that at certain points, the material used for the ground will allow pedestrians to see through to the water below “raising the uniqueness of the site.”

48th-Street-Node-rendering.jpg[48th Street Node]

NYCEDC has been working with community work groups to decide on other design aspects. Together they’ve come up with a plan that divides the esplanade into three sections: one running from East 38th to East 41st Street, the next from East 41st to East 53rd Street, and the third from East 53rd to East 60th Street. Planters and trees will run along the entire length, and there will be three major gathering places called nodes, each having “its own personality” said Ama DuSolier, lead designer for AECOM, the company contracted to design the esplanade.

53rd-Street-node-rendering.jpg[53rd Street Node]

The first node scheduled to open in 2015 is a waterside pier, which will be constructed from an old pier Con Edison formerly used for fuel deliveries. It will center on active recreation and include places to eat and socialize. Another section, called the ribbon, will focus on walking, biking, planting and seating. The 48th Street node will facilitate gatherings like outdoor shows and will have amphitheater seating, while the 53rd Street area will focus on environmental education and incorporate places to fish. All of the nodes are designed to be multi-functional.

Node-blueprint.jpg[Blueprint of the nodes]

In a post-Sandy world, thought also went into ensuring the esplanade will be able to withstand stronger storms. It will be built three feet higher than the 100-year flood line, which is about six and a half feet (Sandy’s storm surge was 13 feet) and six to eight feet above the FDR Drive.

Esplanade-looking-North.jpg[Looking north on the esplanade]

Community reaction to the design renderings was largely positive, with some residents calling them “wonderful” and “lovely.” Joan Boyle, a 19-year resident of East Midtown, called the plans “gorgeous” and is looking forward to having a place where people could walk a dog, ride a bike, or just walk along the riverfront. But Boyle was concerned that the promises of a beautiful esplanade for the neighborhood would never come to pass. While “it’s wonderful to look at this,” she said, “I expect it won’t ever happen.”

Esplanade-dimensions.jpg[Cross-section showing the esplanade dimensions]

True enough, considerable hurdles remain. The project is relying on anticipated funding by a United Nations deal. A Memorandum of Understanding between the city and the state allowed for the use of a portion of the Robert Moses Playground for a new UN building.  In exchange, the United Nations Development Corporation agreed to pay the city $73 million toward the esplanade. However, Gorewitz estimates the full cost of the project to be about $200 million, so the sale of other property currently leased by the UN will be necessary to complete it.

Project-phasing-timeline.jpg[Project timeline]

Next steps for this project include filing permits with Department of Environmental Conservation, Army Corps of Engineers, and the Coast Guard which are expected to take 12-18 months to get approved. In the meantime, as part of the Memorandum of Understanding, Asser Levy Place (the two blocks between East 23rd and East 25th Streets) has closed to traffic and will be turned into a park. It’s expected to open to the public next year.

Aerial-view-rendering.jpg

—Kizzy Cox · Manhattan Waterfront Greenway [nyc.gov] · East River Waterfront coverage [Curbed] · Robert Moses Playground coverage [Curbed]

 

 

http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2013/11/07/city_unveils_designs_for_midtowns_east_river_greenway.php

 

Down to Earth Farmers Market | Mt Kisco Real Estate

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ShopperMasthead_Update

Fresh Food from Local Sources – November 7th-13th, 2013 Down to Earth Markets
LittleSeed_carrots-cropped
What’s New and In Season This Week
10, 25, & 50-lbs Bags of                                     Onions & Potatoes Dagele Brothers Produce Apples Alex’s Tomato Farm                                     Migliorelli Farm                                     Rexcroft Farm Taliaferro Farm Cranberry Walnut Muffins                                     & Quickbreads Meredith’s Bread
“JUST CUBES” for stuffing Two Varieties: Original from French Breads or Whole Grain Multi-Grain Wave Hill Breads
Kale Sprouts (Cross between Kale & Brussels Sprouts) Rexcroft Farms Potatoes John D. Madura Farms Rutabaga Migliorelli Farm                                     Rexcroft Farm
Simmer Sauces Holiday                                     Combo Pack A beautiful, ready-to-gift box of sauces & recipe cards Calcutta Kitchens Special Cranberry Chutney Bombay Emerald Chutney Co.
Striped Bass – On Sale! *Now $20.95/lb, reg. $24* Pura Vida Fisheries
Sweet Potato Pie Tarts Meredith’s Bread
Click on a Market to see all vendor and event details…

Westchester                                     County     Ossining
Saturdays, 8:30 am-1:00 pm OPEN ALL YEAR LONG
Rockland                                     County
Croton
Sundays, 9:00 am-2:00 pm LAST DAY: NOV. 24 		Rye
Sundays, 8:30 am-2:00 pm LAST DAY: DEC. 15 		Piermont
Sundays, 9:30 am-3:00 pm LAST DAY: NOV. 24
L Larchmont
Saturdays, 8:30 am-1:00 pm LAST DAY: DEC. 21
MAMARONECK WINTER MARKET BEGINS JAN 4, 2014 		Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow
Patriot’s Park Farmers Market                                     Saturdays, 8:30 am-1:00 pm
LAST DAY: NOV. 23 		Spring Valley
Wednesdays,                                     8:30 am-3:00 pm
LAST DAY: NOV. 20
New Rochelle
Now at Huguenot Park                                     Fridays, 8:30 am-2:30 pm
LAST DAY: NOV. 22 		Yonkers/Ridge Hill
Ridge Hill’s Farmers Market                                     Fridays, 12 noon-6:00 pm
LAST DAY: NOV. 22 		Headed to the city soon? Visit a Down to Earth Farmers Market in NYC!
Announcements
Larchmont Wow, daaah’ling, that’s Skraptacular! Wouldn’t you love to hear these words? Then come to Skraptacular, an event to inspire environmental awareness by working with kids of all ages to transform plastic vegetable containers and other bits of                        trash into proper English facsinators fit for the King or Queen. It’s fun, creative…AND it teaches                        concepts of waste reduction, smart consumerism, and sustainabilty. 8:30 am to 1:00 pm – see you there!
Ridge Hill For the last time this season, Phil Dollard will play this Friday (4-6 pm) at our Ridge                        Hill Farmers Market. Make sure to come out and hear him, or else                        you’ll have to wait til next year!
Stay tuned to all market happenings via our Down to Earth Markets Facebook page                           and follow us on Twitter @DowntoEarthMarkets
Vendor Profile: Karl Family Farms of Modena, NY

KK and Pig
Hey Buddy – On the Farm with Kris Karl

Kris Karl loves that everyday is different in farming, yet he begins them all in the same mindful way: “The first thing I do is come out and check every animal. Even with the sheep, there’s a lot of them, but I know who’s who, and if somebody’s limping or a little lethargic when they’re not normally, I can nip it in the bud before it’s an issue.”

Before he walked his farm at sunrise to greet the herds of sheep, cows, goats, pigs, and flocks of chickens and turkeys, he attuned his observation skills as a Public Service major at Providence College in Rhode Island. He worked on conflict and gang mediation, and he loved it, but he was quickly getting burnt out on city living. His mentor suggested that he hang out with Patrick McNiff, the young farmer behind Pat’s Pastured, a livestock farm in Jamestown, RI.

“I thought, ‘Farming? What are you talking about?,” Kris explains. “But the next thing I knew I was working for him for a year. And while every piece of land is different, a lot of what we do here is influenced from that experience.”

Kris established Karl Family Farms in 2011, after convincing his cousin, Alex, to move from California to be the Farm Manager. Alex was a carpenter for 10 years and his building talent is evident all around the farm. The Karls manage their livestock in an open pasture system, and one of the keys is to keep the animals moving to fresh pasture regularly. For the chickens, Alex custom built a large, two-story coop on wheels, and the Karls move it everyday. For the pigs, he built a shelter that’s slightly elevated, with a bar that separates the shelter from the ground underneath. Why? After a female pig has given birth, the design allows the piglets to roll out of the shelter whenever Mama starts to lie down. The bar protects them from her tired girth.
“Seeing death, seeing life, seeing birth – I feel much more connected with it all than I ever did before,” Kris says.

In addition to their livestock, Karl Family Farms offers fresh produce from their acre vegetable patch run by Kathleen, a college friend of Kris and his wife. Come meet the farmers of Karl Family Farms on Fridays at Ridge Hill’s Down to Earth Farmers Market. There are only three weeks left to stock up on their farm-fresh goods at the market, so c’mon by!

 

 

Day Vendors This Week                         Larchmont                         Flourish Baking Company                         Trotta Foods
Ossining                         Bombay Emerald Chutney Co.                         Hudson River Apiaries
Piermont                         Rockland Roots (Farm-to-table prepared foods to go) Ridge Hill                         Rockland Roots
Down to Earth Markets 173 Main Street Ossining, NY 10562 Phone: 914-923-4837

Newly Re-Elected Legislator Harckham Looks To Control Taxes, Spending | Mt Kisco Real Estate

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Peter Harckham, who will continue for another term representing District 2 in the Westchester County Board of Legislatures, spent part of Wednesday looking ahead to his new term.

With 86 percent of precincts reporting, Harckham is leading challenger Andrea Rendo, 53 percent to 47 percent, though Rendo has conceded defeat.

Harckham, the minority leader, said his re-election was gratifying.

“We have a good team and we executed our plan,” Harckham said. “I look forward to working with the people of Northeast Westchester for two years.”

Harckham said he will try to keep taxes and spending down, and work on a pilot program with the Department of Environmental Protection to have alternative septics in the watershed. He also plans to work on legislation to require cell towers to have generators, and work on eviction and foreclosure prevention.

Harckham said County Executive Robert Astorino’s re-election means the people of Westchester want divided government.

“It’s tough to be an incumbent,” Harckham said. “He ran an aggressive race. People want checks and balances. It’s up to us to work together in a bipartisan fashion.”

 

 

 

http://mtkisco.dailyvoice.com/news/newly-re-elected-legislator-harckham-looks-control-taxes-spending

Billionaire Activist Wants $48M for Award-Winning Penthouse | Mt Kisco Real Estate

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[Photos via BHS.]
22 images

Back in 2002, billionaire activist Jon Stryker snapped up two adjacent apartments atop the Beaux-Arts Prasada on Central Park West for $12.8 million, setting what was then an Upper West Side record for the the most expensive single-occupancy apartment purchase. Well, times, they have a-changed, and prices, they have a-soared. And Stryker just listed the combined, renovated triplex penthouse—clocking in at 5,600 square feet with five bedrooms and six baths, plus two levels of outdoor space, exposures in every direction, and Central Park views—for a whopping $48 million (h/t The Real Estalker.)

Though he’s trained as an architect himself in his native Michigan, where he is the heir to the fortune of a medical-equipment firm that bears his surname, Stryker currently devotes his time to philanthropy as one of the largest donors to gay and lesbian charities and conservation groups. Since he’s busy getting a species of monkey named after him and fighting for social justice and all, Stryker tapped notable design firm Shelton, Mindel & Associates to carry out the makeover. The units apparently came with, erm, “nymph sconces and endless stained-glass windows.” Eleven years later, the sprawling apartment still retains some classic touches, like detailed millwork and coffered ceilings, but the vibe is decidedly updated. Earning an award for its interiors from the American Institute of Architects, a 2010 jury deemed it “beguilingly timeless” and “masterfully done.” Agree or disagree?

If the photos don’t speak for themselves, there’s this from listing agent Brown Harris Stevens:

Featured in Architectural Digest, this unique mansion in the sky is in mint condition and features soaring ceilings, pristine hardwood flooring and expertly crafted millwork throughout. There are 4-5 bedrooms, 6 baths, 45 windows and 2 fireplaces. A stately foyer leads to a 19-foot gallery opening onto a dramatic corner entertaining expanse, with a fireplace a double-height coffered ceiling, a mezzanine balcony and a series of eight 7 windows capturing breathtaking direct Park views. …  Upstairs, there is a magnificent altelier, with 3 walls of floor-to-ceiling windows, limestone flooring. and French doors leading onto an extraordinary private decked terrace of approximately 3,000 sf with attractive plantings. A staircase from the terrace leads to a second, tower rooftop terrace of approximately 480 square feet, offering 360 degree views.

Stryker has plenty of other real estate holdings in Michigan, Palm Beach, and upstate New York, so perhaps he was ready to sell while the market is going gangbusters in order to harness some more millions for his charity work. · Listing: 50 Central Park West [Brown Harris Stevens] · Floor Plan Porn: Jon Stryker [The Real Estalker] · Historic Central Park Triplex [Shelton, Mindel & Associates] · 2010 INSTITUTE HONOR AWARDS FOR INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE RECIPIENT: Historic Central Park West Residence [AIA] · West Side Record [NYO]

New York could authorize seven Las Vegas-style casinos | Mt Kisco Real Estate

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Voters are holding the cards as to whether New York will authorize seven Las Vegas-style casinos following months of debate over the benefits of expanded gambling and the rewording of Tuesday’s ballot question. Although there are many online casinos operating in the states as of now which allow people to play games like Slots LV free spins, a physical establishment of a casino would most certainly increase the economy on a financial level drastically.

One casino would be in the Southern Tier near Binghamton, two in the Catskills and Mid-Hudson Valley region, and another in the Saratoga Springs-Albany area. A New York City casino would be built in seven years, although some casino operators say the law could allow for a New York City casino sooner. People can also play online casino games at legal platform like https://clubvip777.com/web/dafabet/.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo didn’t allow specific sites to be chosen, saying that will be up to the casino developers. His budget office says the state will take in $430 million in new casino revenue, with $238 million for education in a repeat of the strategy that approved lottery games. If you like those kind of games you should check out these betting deals and find out more about this cool betting world. The rest would go to communities near casinos to compensate for public safety and social costs and for tax reduction.  These developments have the potential to allow people to invest in the crypto currency space without owning CC’s outright, or using the services of a CC exchange. Bitcoin futures could make the digital asset more useful by allowing users and intermediaries to hedge their foreign-exchange risks. That could increase the cryptocurrency’s adoption by merchants who want to accept bitcoin payments but are wary of its volatile value. Institutional investors are also used to trading regulated futures, which aren’t plagued by money-laundering worries. You can find more info here about the leading digital currencies news which is used in casino.

Boosters held news conferences statewide touting bipartisan support by local government officials.

“When you’re at 18% unemployment, you’ve lost your industry, the housing market has really taken a hit around here, the potential of 1,500 jobs — it can be a game changer,” Town of Wawarsing Supervisor Scott Carlsen told The Associated Press in an interview.

The latest Siena College-New York Times poll appears to show the efforts have paid off. After New Yorkers have spent years split over the notion of expanding casino gambling, the poll released a week ago found 60% of New York City voters — who are expected to dominate Tuesday’s turnout — support the question. However, in that poll they were still split over whether voters wanted a casino in New York City, which would be authorized in Tuesday’s referendum.

Critics including good-government groups, the state Conservative Party and the state’s Catholic bishops argue that Cuomo’s estimates of benefits are inflated and that the social cost to families and communities will be profound. They also criticized what they called the referendum’s unusually rosy, one-side view of casinos, since Casinos are really popular now a days, there are even some options online for this, and there are also other resources online where you can learn how to play craps and gamble in different sites on the web.

Opponents have little money to combat the multimillion-dollar advertising campaigns of a powerful mix of business, gambling and union interests. And Cuomo had sidelined much of the expected opposition.

He assured Native American tribes that they wouldn’t face competition to their five casinos now operating under federal law. Cuomo also assured no competition to horse racing centers with video slot machines and gave them a chance to pursue casinos. The Board of Elections also moved the casino referendum to the advantageous top ballot position.

If voters reject casino gambling, the law will automatically approve more video slot machine centers. As recent studies have shown, internet gambling is growing across the globe, specially when it comes down to sports betting, people love to bet on websites similar to FanDuel. Players from New York, just like those from the Philippines, Qatar or Kuwait join online casinos and play their favorite games. The state is losing $1 billion a year spent at these offshore because of these unfriendly laws.

Supporters say casinos will recapture more than $1 billion a year now spent at casinos out of state.

“Proposal No. 1 would start to bring that money back to New York and create over 10,000 good-paying new jobs in New York state,” states one of the statewide TV ads paid for by the NY Jobs Now Committee and featuring a hard-hatted everyman.

The key may be in the referendum’s wording.

The Cuomo administration rewrote the referendum from the straightforward form submitted by the attorney general’s office. The Board of Elections added disputed promises that casinos would bring more school aid, jobs and tax breaks, without mentioning the opponents’ concerns about crime, addiction or the declining casino market that has forced some states to subsidize casinos.

An October Siena College poll tested the impact of the rewording. Voters statewide were split on casino gambling in general. But when shown the promises in the rewording, approval reached 55% for the first time.

State Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long called the casino effort “the biggest hoax ever perpetrated on the taxpayers of the state of New York,” while The New York Times called the rewording “advocacy, pure and simple.”

The critical wording was unsuccessfully challenged in court by Brooklyn lawyer Eric Snyder. The state Board of Elections won on a technicality that Snyder didn’t file his lawsuit by the Aug. 19 deadline, although the state didn’t post the rosy wording until Aug. 21. Powerful Republican Sen. John DeFrancisco is pushing a bill to prohibit rewording.

“I hope the voters send the Board of Elections the message that it’s wrong to stack the deck,” Snyder said

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20131104/POLITICS/131109963

Record $1.6 Billion Loan Approved To Build New Tappan Zee Bridge | Mt Kisco NY Homes

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The Department of Transportation has approved a record loan of up to $1.6 billion for construction of a new Tappan Zee Bridge, Congresswoman Nita Lowey announced in a press release today.

The largest-ever loan is part of the DOT’s Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program.

“This is a huge milestone for the construction of a New Tappan Zee Bridge, a critical link in our region’s infrastructure system and lifeline for commuters and businesses,” Lowey said in the release. “I am excited that the DOT has approved the largest ever TIFIA loan for a transportation project and that the work on a new bridge can continue to move forward.

“The construction will continue to create jobs and help New York’s economy grow. I was very pleased to work closely with Gov. Cuomo and our federal delegation throughout this long process to bring a new Tappan Zee Bridge to the Lower Hudson Valley.”

 

 

 

http://mtkisco.dailyvoice.com/news/record-16-billion-loan-approved-build-new-tappan-zee-bridge

The 10 Most Annoying Types of People on Facebook | Mt Kisco Realtor

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Social media amplifies humanity.

Have you ever been to a barbecue and had to listen to someone prattle on  about themselves for hours? Attended a cocktail party and had the most  intriguing conversation with a tall dark stranger? Been invited to a friends  place and viewed so many baby photos that you felt compelled to have a  vasectomy!

Facebook, Twitter and social media take those conversations and multiply it  via the crowd. Facebook is insights, conversations and news on  steroids.

It  is a reflection of what makes us human, except that it is visible to  billions of people. We are different, fun and sometimes boring. It is a  kaleidoscope of emotions, events and the bizarre. That’s why we tune into  Facebook. Its a voyeur’s paradise. Never dull and often entertaining.

So what entices us to reveal our lives online? Is it narcissism, vanity or  just wanting to get something off our chest. Annoyance is noticed and often  shared.

Here are the results of a fun survey to find the 10 most annoying types of  people on Facebook.

The 10 most annoying people on facebook

Infographic source: Lovemyvouchers.co.uk

Who and what annoys you on Facebook?

 

 

 

Read more at http://www.jeffbullas.com/2013/10/15/the-10-most-annoying-types-of-people-on-facebook/#88WiemX4jwB425JI.99