Tag Archives: Waccabuc Homes for Sale

Solar Panel Is Next Granite Countertop for Homebuilders | Waccabuc Real Estate

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Solar panels are the next granite countertops: an amenity for new homes that’s becoming a standard option for buyers in U.S. markets.

At least six of 10 largest U.S. homebuilders led by KB Home include the photovoltaic devices in new construction, according to supplier SunPower Corp. (SPWR) Two California towns are mandating installations, and demand for the systems that generate electricity at home will jump 56 percent nationwide this year, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.

Enlarge imageSolar Panel Is Next Granite Countertop for New U.S. Home: Energy

People view a model a Garbett Homes net zero energy house, which produces as much energy as it consumes, in Daybreak, Utah, on Aug. 14, 2013. Photographer: George Frey/Bloomberg

“In the next six months, homebuilders in California and the expensive-energy states will be going solar as a standard, and just incorporating it into the cost of the house like any other feature,” Jim Petersen, chief executive officer of the PetersenDean Inc., the largest closely held U.S. roofing and solar contractor, said in an interview.

Lashing panels to roofs during construction is about 20 percent cheaper than after a house is built. Homeowners who can afford the extra $10,000 to $20,000 cost in return for free power threaten the business of traditional utilities such as Edison International of California or Kansas’ Westar Energy Inc.

 

 

Solar Panel Is Next Granite Countertop for Homebuilders – Bloomberg.

Foreclosure Inventory Plunges 32 Percent | Waccabuc Real Estate

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There were only about 49,000 completed foreclosures in the U.S. in July 2013, down from 65,000 in July 2012, a year-over-year decrease of 25 percent. On a month-over-month basis, completed foreclosures decreased 8.6 percent from the 53,000* reported CoreLogic in June.

As of July 2013, approximately 949,000 homes in the U.S. were in some stage of foreclosure, known as the foreclosure inventory, compared to 1.4 million in July 2012, a year-over-year decrease of 32 percent. Month over month, the foreclosure inventory was down 4.4 percent from June 2013 to July 2013. The foreclosure inventory as of July 2013 represented 2.4 percent of all homes with a mortgage compared to 3.4 percent in July 2012.

As a basis of comparison, prior to the decline in the housing market in 2007, completed foreclosures averaged 21,000 per month nationwide between 2000 and 2006. Completed foreclosures are an indication of the total number of homes actually lost to foreclosure. Since the financial crisis began in September 2008, there have been approximately 4.5 million completed foreclosures across the country.

“As the housing market continues to recover, the foreclosure inventory is declining quickly, down by 32 percent from a year ago,” said Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic. “Continued strength in the housing market will contribute to our outlook for ongoing improvement in the stock of distressed assets through the end of this year.”

“Completed foreclosures and delinquency rates continued their rapid descent in July. Every state posted a year-over-year decline in foreclosures and serious delinquencies fell to the lowest level since December 2008,” said Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic. “Not surprisingly, non-judicial states have come the farthest the fastest in reducing shadow inventory and lowering delinquency rates.”

Highlights as of July 2013:

  • The five states with the highest number of completed foreclosures for the 12 months ending in July 2013 were: Florida (110,000),California (65,000), Michigan (61,000), Texas (45,000) and Georgia (41,000).These five states account for almost half of all completed foreclosures nationally.
  • The five states with the lowest number of completed foreclosures for the 12 months ending in July 2013 were: District of Columbia (141), North Dakota (484), West Virginia (505), Hawaii (512) and Maine (754).
  • The five states with the highest foreclosure inventory as a percentage of all mortgaged homes were: Florida (8.1 percent), New Jersey (5.9 percent), New York (4.7 percent), Connecticut (4.0 percent) and Maine (4.0 percent).
  • The five states with the lowest foreclosure inventory as a percentage of all mortgaged homes were: Wyoming (0.4 percent), Alaska (0.6 percent), North Dakota (0.7 percent), Nebraska (0.7 percent) and Colorado (0.8 percent).

*June data was revised. Revisions are standard, and to ensure accuracy, CoreLogic incorporates newly released data to provide updated results.

 

 

 

http://www.realestateeconomywatch.com/2013/08/foreclosure-inventory-plunges-32-percent/

90 Stories Above Manhattan, This Pad Has a 30′ Waterfall | Waccabuc Real Estate

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[All renderings by ODA.]

This apartment, located somewhere 90 stories above Manhattan, is apparently “one of the largest private apartment residences in the United States,” according to the blurb from ODA-Architecture, which handled the apartment’s interiors. We’re not sure exactly when the renovation took place, but we stumbled on it yesterday courtesy of one helpful Curbed tipster, and it’s the kind of apartment that’s worth our attention regardless of timing. The property is 18,000 square feet, with six bedrooms and 12 bathrooms. Then there are the quirkier features, which include a theater and music room, private spa and gym, teahouse, 2,000 bottle wine room, sculpture garden, and 30′ waterfall with reflecting pool. Each of those amenities deserves to be followed by an (!) or two. And the archibabble reveals a little bit more:

With a perimeter of 16′ foot floor- to-ceiling windows, the essence of the apartment is the sculpture garden at its entrance. The garden features a spectacular 30′ water wall and reflecting pool overlooking the famed United Nations headquarters along the East River. This superlative dwelling also features a 75′ expanse of living and dining area along with a Italian kitchen, library, game room, day spa, home theater and professional grade listening room with recording studio.

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The ODA listing for the project does not, of course, disclose the apartment’s owner. Our tipster wonders if the apartment in question is the three-unitpenthouse duplex at Trump World Tower, which sold back in 2007 for $33.654 million. The square footage doesn’t quite add up, though—anyone have any insight?
· Private Residence [ODA]
· Trump World Tower coverage [Curbed]

 

 

90 Stories Above Manhattan, This Pad Has a 30′ Waterfall – Renovations – Curbed NY.

Reining in Share House Rentals in East Hampton | Waccabuc Real Estate

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[PARTAY! Photo credit: GoaG]

The Wall Street Journal yesterday discussed the latest proposal in the Town of East Hampton for limiting share houses because of complaints about noise and overcrowding at beaches. Some residents say the problem has worsened in recent years as trendy bars and clubs have opened in Montauk. The bill would require homeowners to inform the town if they are renting their house and disclose the square footage and number of bedrooms. Not everyone is in favor. John Keeshan, the well known Montauk broker, says if the town would “enforce the laws on the book presently, it wouldn’t be necessary to muddy the water by creating new legislation.”
· East Hampton Seeks Share-House Hangover Cure [WSJ]

 

 

Reining in Share House Rentals in East Hampton – party hearty – Curbed Hamptons.

3 Mobile Tools to Improve Your Social Media Marketing | Waccabuc Realtor

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Have you figured out how to engage on-the-go prospects and customers?

Is more of your audience interacting with your business from their mobile phones?

If you want to enhance your mobile marketing, then keep reading.

I’ll show you three awesome tools that make mobile marketing easier.

Why Mobile?

Mobile is no longer something you can afford to ignore.

As customers’ adoption of mobile grows, you need to find ways to leverage mobile marketing tools to optimize their experience, no matter what device they’re on.

Whether you’ve already been experimenting with mobile marketing or are just getting started, the right tools help increase leads, engagement and sales.

In this article, I highlight three tools that offer easy ways to mobilize your social media marketing strategy.

#1: Send SMS (Text) and Video Messaging With Mogreet Express

One of the most powerful mobile marketing channels available today is SMS or short message service, which is also known as text message marketing.

SMS is a permission-based messaging tool that lets customers receive messages from you after they text a keyword or sign up using a web form.

SMS may not sound sexy, but it’s highly effective. Studies have indicated that 97% of mobile subscribers read an SMS (text) message within 15 minutes of receiving it. 84% respond within 1 hour.

Many top retailers actively use SMS to send out sales or product updates, special coupons or other important announcements. Coca-Cola focuses 70% of their mobile marketing budget on SMS/Text messaging.

Coca-Cola embraces the power of SMS to reach consumers.

So what does this have to do with social media?

Conversations with your customers shouldn’t end on Facebook, Twitter or any other social platform you currently use.

Mogreet Express lets you quickly create SMS (text) or video messaging campaigns to incorporate into social media and build a database of customers who want to receive your information and offers.

First, you create a keyword to title your campaign, and then Mogreet Express pairs your keyword with a shared short code. Make your keyword short and easy to remember.

After you’ve decided on a keyword, you’re guided through the process to set up the response customers receive when they opt in.

mogreet dashboard use keywords

Mogreet Express lets you set up keywords in your dashboard to promote campaigns to your audience.

Now you’re ready to promote your campaign on Facebook and Twitter. The easiest way to do this is by using language such as:

“Become a Mobile VIP. Just text YOURKEYWORDHERE to 12345″ (this would be the short code that Mogreet Express provides to you).

Lane Bryant incorporates their call to action on a Facebook tab to connect with them. Their keyword is LBGB and their short code is 23705.

Buy This $35M Palm Beacher For Florida’s ‘Favorable’ Taxes | Waccabuc Real Estate

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Either whomever wrote this property listing is absolutely clueless, or they’ve really got to learn a few things about being discreet because nothing says “Hey let’s audit this guy” like buying a really expensive house with a listing which features “Florida’s favorable tax climate” more prominently than bedroom count or square footage. Fitting to the theme, the house even looks like it should be in a tropical tax haven with its island decor. But besides all that gauche money talk that (we imagine) would never leave the mouth of a true Palm Beach blue blood, the $35 million house has its advantages, including eight bedrooms, a fifty foot pool, gorgeous lake views, yacht dockage, and a location in the absolute center of town. You could walk to Worth Avenue, to the beach, to the Breakers, and to the Everglades Club! (if they let you in…) · 445 Antigua Lane, Palm Beach [StreetEasy]

 

 

read more…

 

http://miami.curbed.com/archives/2013/08/29/buy-this-35m-palm-beacher-for-floridas-favorable-taxes.php

 

The Solidity and Stature of NYC’s Central Savings Bank | Waccabuc Real Estate

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Welcome back to Curbed Classics, a column in which writer Lisa Santoro traces the history of a classic New York City building. Have a building to nominate for a future installment? Please suggest it to the tipline.

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Banking and commerce are integral to the city’s livelihood, so it’s no wonder that New York City’s banking institutions are designed to look important. This is certainly the case with Central Savings Bank, which stands out even among the noteworthy classical structures that are its neighbors. The building is easily accessible to the public and warrants a closer look.

The Central Savings Bank (currently Apple Bank), located at 2100-2108 Broadway at West 73rd Street, was built between 1926 and 1928 by the architecture firm of York & Sawyer. The bank had been founded in 1859 and was originally known as The German Savings Bank in the City of New York, with its first location inside the Cooper Union building. Just five years later, in 1864, the bank would move a bit uptown to Fourth Avenue and 14th Street, eventually occupying a new bank building that was constructed in 1872. Decades later, during World War I, the bank changed its name to “Central Savings Bank.” Though the name change may have been due to anti-German sentiment, the bank continued to flourish and the trustees banked (sorry) on the Upper West Side’s business and residential development and chose to open an uptown branch.

CSBold_8_13.jpg [The Central Savings Bank, via NYC-architecture.]

York and Sawyer was an obvious choice for the new building. In addition to both working for the prolific firm of McKim, Mead and White, York and Sawyer were experienced in designing other noteworthy banking institutions, such as the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on Liberty Street and the Bowery Savings Bank on 42nd Street. The Central Savings Bank commission would be especially stately given its unique location atop a trapezoidal lot adjacent to Verdi Square. With the latitude to design a building free from the confines of adjacent structures, and complemented by nearby open space, the designers were able to create a unique, iconic structure.

CSBdoor_8_13.jpgThat structure was a six-story freestanding building designed in the style of an Italian Renaissance palazzo. Constructed of rusticated limestone, the building was adorned with decoration that would in fact be very fitting for a palazzo. This included the two lions surrounding the clock above the main entrance, cartouches featuring the heads of classical figures and shields containing the caduceus motif&151;two snakes ensnarled around a staff—which has become the modern symbol of commerce and negotiation. In addition, the exterior features stunning wrought iron doors, gates, grilles and lanterns designed by Samuel Yellin, considered the country’s master iron craftsman during the 1920s. The building is still not as highly decorated and elaborate as its Parisian-inspired neighbors to the south, the Ansonia and the Dorilton, but is instead serious and refined.

 

 

 

 

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http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2013/08/21/the_solidity_and_stature_of_nycs_central_savings_bank.php

 

Fannie reconsiders low downpayment mortgages | Waccabuc Real Estate

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According to the Wall Street Journal, Fannie Mae is in talks to reduce portfolio risk. This gut-check prompted the GSE to consider scaling back on its purchases of minimum downpayment loans. The Wall Street Journal further notes that:

In recent months, a series of changes in the mortgage market have led to an uptick in low-down-payment loans available for sale to Fannie. That prompted a review of the company’s lending policies, and officials are said to be working on a plan to limit the company’s purchases of these loans.

                    Source: Wall Street Journal

 

Sales of New U.S. Homes Fell More Than Forecast in July | Waccabuc NY Homes

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Purchases of new U.S. homes plunged 13.4 percent in July, the most in more than three years, raising concern higher mortgage rates will slow the real-estate rebound.

Sales fell to a 394,000 annualized pace, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. The reading was the weakest since October and was lower than any of the forecasts by 74 economists Bloomberg surveyed.

A jump in borrowing costs over the past three months may be prompting buyers to hold back, showing the difficult job ahead for Federal Reserve officials as they try to wean the economy from monetary stimulus while sustaining growth. The falloff in demand is in contrast to a surge in confidence among builders such as Toll Brothers Inc. (TOL), which suggests they remain optimistic about the long-term outlook as employment improves.

“It’s definitely a rate shock,” said Doug Duncan, chief economist at Fannie Mae in Washington. “You could see another month or two of weak sales or it could go longer. This is a sustainable recovery, but we’ve also said it’s not robust. Along the way, there will be some hiccups. This is certainly a hiccup.”

Stocks rose, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index’s posting its first two-day gain in three weeks, as investors weighed the housing data against signals from Fed policy makers on stimulus cuts. The S&P 500 climbed 0.4 percent to 1,663.5 at the close inNew York.

The median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a decrease to 487,000. Forecasts ranged from 445,000 to 525,000. The Commerce Department also marked down readings for each of the previous three months with June’s sales pace revised down to 455,000 from a previously reported 497,000 pace.

Economic Surprise

The difference between July’s outcome and the average estimate of economists surveyed was 7 times larger the poll’s standard deviation, or the average divergence between what each economist forecast and the mean. That was the biggest surprise since April 2010. The S&P Supercomposite Homebuilding Index, which includes companies such as Lennar Corp. (LEN) and KB Home (KBH), fell 1.5 percent in the first 30 minutes after the figures were released. It was down 3.1 percent at 1:12 p.m. in New York.

New-home purchases were 6.8 percent higher in July than the same period in 2012 on an adjusted basis, today’s report showed. The median price increased 8.3 percent last month from a year ago to $257,200.

That’s one reason builders are becoming more upbeat, with the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo confidence index rising this month to the highest level since November 2005.

 

 

read more…

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-23/sales-of-new-homes-in-u-s-plunged-more-than-forecast-in-july.html

 

Wells Fargo loans make up 22% of all mortgages | Waccabuc Real Estate

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According to Inside Real Estate, Wells Fargo (WF) continued its reign as the top mortgage lender and provided 22% of all U.S. mortgages in the second quarter of 2013. Following suit was JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Bank of America (BOA) and Quicken Loans.

A complete chart, showing each mortgage bank’s originations can be found by clicking on the red link provided below.

                    Source: Inside Real Estate