Tag Archives: Westchester Homes for Sale

Westchester Homes for Sale

Mixing It Up in a Century-Old Edwardian | Bedford NY Real Estate

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e get to see the results of designers’ hard work for their clients here on Houzz, but we don’t often get to peek into their own homes. For interior designer Shirley Meisels, her house is a reflection of her family’s lifestyle and collections, and it also serves as a design laboratory where she can experiment with ideas and test products and materials.
“Over the years I have had the opportunity to collect various objects and furnishings that I love — since this has happened over time, my home has an eclectic, almost ‘accidental,’ feeling,” she says. In her work she strives to give her clients’ homes that same casual yet pulled-together, collected-over-time look.
Meisels and her blended family moved into this hundred-year-old Edwardian house in Toronto in early 2013. They chose it because it was the right size, it was structurally sound and it had a nice flow. It only needed a facelift, which she pushed hard to complete in six weeks. Here’s how this self-confessed “clutter nut” has chicly organized and designed the house for family life.
Houzz at a Glance Who lives here: Shirley Meisels and her blended family: her husband and his two kids, ages 9 and 11, and her daughter, 10. Location: Midtown Toronto Size: 2,850 square feet; 4 bedrooms plus office, 4 bathrooms
Photography by Stephani Buchman

contemporary entry by Shirley Meisels

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“We love the flow of the house and that it has the perfect amount of space when we are all together, enough to feel spacious but not vast. I hate the idea of heating rooms that no one uses,” Meisels says.
She makes the space work by having a place for everything. In the entryway she insists upon a designated place to drop bags, keys, mail, coats and shoes. A custom wardrobe by Mhouse serves as a coat closet.
“At the same time I like some kind of dramatic design detail that will wow guests as they first enter — in this case the oversized mirror really has impact,” she says. A Sputnik chandelier foreshadows more retro style moves in the rest of the house.
Console table: Ikea; rug: Elte

traditional HT: Shirley Meisels2

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The home originally had transitional style, with yellow walls  and oak trim. Meisels painted everything with Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace, using washable flat on the walls and satin finish on the trim.
In addition to all of that painting, renovations included replacing all the flooring, cutting a window and sidelights into the front door, adding air conditioning, renovating the powder room, replacing radiators, completing a master bathroom that had been roughed in, working on the kitchen (more on that later), adding built-ins and reconfiguring closets. Later on the couple dug down and finished the basement, which took another six weeks.
contemporary staircase by Shirley Meisels

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AFTER: Through the entryway a glimpse of a wall mural by Lulie Wallace draws you into the house. “I thought that would be a fun corner to add a pop of color and pattern without overwhelming the hallway,” Meisels says.

traditional HT: Shirley Meisels2

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Just off the entryway, the living room features a beautiful bay window and fireplace. This is the old furniture and rug setup.

Sparks Should Fly In First Debate Of County Exec Race | Pound Ridge Real Estate

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As November draws closer, the county executive race heats up with the first debate between the two candidates after months of campaigning.

Incumbent Rob Astorino (R) and opponent, mayor of New Rochelle Noam Bramson (D) will be going head to head on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at the White Plains Reckson Metro Center Auditorium. The debate will be hosted by the Westchester Business Council.

Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion at Marist College, will be serving as moderator in what promises be a fiery debate, based on the campaign’s publicly combative tone thus far.

A panel composed of Business Council members representing various sectors of the local economy will pose questions to both candidates.

“The Business Council is honored to be holding the first official debate of the County Executive race,” said Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of the Business Council of Westchester, in a statement. “This race is the main event of the November election in Westchester with important implications for the county’s economy and business climate. We look forward to a highly informative and insightful debate.”

The debate begins at 6 p.m. and is open to council members only. To register to attend, members can access a form here.

The Reckson Metro Center auditorium is located at 360 Hamilton Avenue.

Two more debates between Astorino and Bramson are also scheduled. The second is Oct. 16 at RPW Group, Inc., 800 Westchester Avenue in Rye Brook. The third debate is on Oct. 23 at Pace University’s White Plains campus on 1 Martine Avenue.

 

 

 

 

Euro Zone Sees House Prices Rise | Chappaqua NY Homes

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Euro-zone house prices rose slightly in the three months to June, the European statistical agency Eurostat said on Thursday, in another indication that the currency area’s economy is slowly mending.

Separate national figures released since June suggest the rise may have continued in recent months, with Dutch and Irish prices rising in July and August. Eurostat has only recently begun issuing the euro-zone data on housing prices.

House prices across the 17-country euro zone were 0.3% higher in the second quarter of this year compared with the first three months, although they were still 2.2% lower than in the second quarter of 2012. The quarterly gain was the first since the second quarter of 2012, when prices rose 0.1%.

House prices in the euro zone are still 5.5% below the peak reached five years ago, according to Eurostat. Home prices plummeted in some countries as the impact of the 2008’s global financial crisis caused banks to reduce mortgage lending and many people lost their jobs. Now, with the economy emerging from an 18-month-long recession in the second quarter, conditions are beginning to change.

“The economies which are showing reasonable strength at the moment are beginning to see their housing markets improve,” said Professor Michael Ball, housing expert and professor of urban and property economics at Henley Business School at Reading University in the U.K. “There is evidence of economic growth, rising jobs and mortgage availability is quite good, and above all mortgage interest rates remain quite low.”

Rising house prices make homeowners feel wealthier and more willing to spend. They also reduce the risk that banks will suffer losses on their mortgage loans.

Nevertheless Mr. Ball advocated caution. “One quarter of rising prices doesn’t make a boom, and in real terms prices are still falling in many countries,” he said.

 

 

 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303382004579127162132681226.html

 

 

 

Updates from North Castle Supervisor Arden | Armonk NY Homes

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Dear Neighbors,

 

One of my key strategies for North Castle has always been to improve the appearance of our Town while reducing cost. That is why I am pleased to announce our green initiative this week that reflects this two-part philosophy. I would also like to draw your attention to a very special memorial service.

 

2014 BUDGET PROCESS

North Castle has begun its 2014 budget development. I have been meeting with the Town Administrator, Comptroller and the various Department Heads to review their plans.  During these meetings we will be drilling down and developing budget plans for each department and for the Town overall. I am encouraged by the numbers thus far and want to thank all the department heads for their hard work. I am confident that in the coming weeks we will once again deliver a budget that provides necessary services at the lowest cost to the taxpayers.  My goal, simply put, is to restore North Castle’s reputation as the low tax town in Westchester County. The tentative budget is due onOctober 30, 2013.

BEAUTIFICATION

If we want North Castle to stay a beautiful town, we have to nurture our environment and keep giving back to it. In this spirit, for the second year in a row, North Castle has taken advantage of the New York Power Authority’s Fall Tree Power program. This program enables us to purchase trees at a substantial savings. When you purchase one tree at the discounted price, you receive the second one free. This year we will be receiving 10 Colorado Spruces, 10 Flowering Pears for a total of 40 new trees. Importantly, we will be planting these trees in all three hamlets of North Castle, not just Armonk. Thanks very much to the members of our Beautification Committee and the Green Acres Garden Club for all their hard work. Special thanks to our Parks employees for planting our new trees.

 

MEMORIAL FOR SOCCER COACH MICHAEL JONES

If your children play soccer in North Castle, you know the name Michael Jones. Mike Jones, better known as “Jonesy” was one of our community’s most beloved soccer coaches and he was tragically murdered on October 7th, one year ago. The soccer families I have spoken to have told me that Mike, who came here from Liverpool, did much more than teach soccer skills to our kids. With his ever jovial personality, he created a special connection with each and every child. He was a spirit-lifter, self-esteem builder, parent supporter and incredibly loyal friend. Over the years, he lived with several Armonk residents on his tours here and became part of their families. On October 14TH, at 11:00 am, on the IBM Track Field  there will be a dedication of a memorial to this special young man to help insure that he is never forgotten. Please contact rememberjonesy@gmail.com for more information or make a donation at www.mikejonesmemorialfund.com.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Supervisor Howard Arden

Fixed Mortgage Rates Little Changed | Bedford Hills Real Estate

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Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing average fixed mortgage rates changing little for the week amid the federal debt impasse in Washington, D.C. and a light week of economic data releases.

News Facts

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.23 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending October 10, 2013, up from last week when it averaged 4.22 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.39 percent.
  • 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.31 percent with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.29 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 2.70 percent.
  • 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.05 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.03 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.73 percent.
  • 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.64 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.63 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.59 percent.

Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following links for the Regional and National Mortgage Rate Details and Definitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

Quotes Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac.

“Mortgage rates were little changed amid the federal debt impasse in Washington, D.C. and a light week of economic data releases. Of the few releases, the private sector added an estimated 166,000 jobs in September, which were fewer than the market consensus and followed a downward revision of 17,000 workers in August, according to the ADP Research Institute. The Institute for Supply Management reported a greater slowing in growth in the nonmanufacturing industry in September than the market consensus forecast.”

Freddie Mac was established by Congress in 1970 to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation’s residential mortgage markets. Freddie Mac supports communities across the nation by providing mortgage capital to lenders. Today Freddie Mac is making home possible for one in four home borrowers and is one of the largest sources of financing for multifamily housing. For more information please visit www.FreddieMac.com and Twitter: @FreddieMac.

Fastest Markets are in Low Gear | Waccabuc Real Estate

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Home-selling speeds fell for the fourth month in a row. In August, 27.9 percent of homes went under contract in less than two weeks, down from 29 percent in July and 33.7 percent in April, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

The competitive landscape in the housing market has changed drastically since spring, due to elevated home prices and mortgage rates. Many buyers have slowes or paused their buying plans over the past four months according to Redfin’s latest Bidding War Report/

San Jose remains the fastest-moving market in August, with 43.6% of listings under contract within two weeks despite slowing slightly from 46.1% in July. Across 23 markets, San Jose has been the fastest every single month since December 2011.

The slowest-moving market was again Philadelphia, which saw 7.0% of homes under contract within two weeks, down from 7.3% in July.

San Diego slowed the most from July to August. In San Diego, the rate of homes going under contract within two weeks slowed from 36.1% to 31.6%.

Las Vegas sped up the most from July to August. In Las Vegas, 24.7% of homes went under contract within two weeks in August compared with 18.3% in July.

Compared to a year earlier, Atlanta sped up the most. The rate of homes going under contract in 14 days moved from 1.2% to 22.7% between August 2012 and August 2013.

Sacramento slowed the most in the year, dropping from 40% to 34.1%.

Despite the slowing trend throughout summer, market speed could see a slight increase in September as some buyers react to reduced mortgage rates. After surpassing 4.7 percent in mid-August, 30-year fixed mortgage rates eased to about 4.3 percent in September in reaction to the Federal Reserve’s decision on September 18 to keep its stimulus program unchanged for now. Although the rates have dropped only slightly, Redfin agents in Seattle, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles in recent days have reported a boost in urgency among buyers to find a home.

 

 

 

http://www.realestateeconomywatch.com/2013/09/fastest-markets-are-in-low-gear/

Wolfgang Puck Drops $14M on Pritzker-Approved L.A. Villa | North Salem Real Estate

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21 images

Anthony and Jeanne Pritzker—members of über-rich American family noted not only for its Hyatt fortune, but also as the benefactor of the famous architecture prize—have finally found a buyer for their eight-bedroom villa in Bel Air: celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. According to The Real Estalker, Puck laid down $14M for the Mediterranean spread christened Villa les Violettes. The place listed for $21.99M over a year and a half ago, when the Pritzkers’ new spread, a positively palatial compound boasting 53,000 square feet of living space and a bowling alley, wrapped up construction. That original ask was shaved down with painful sluggishness—18 times over the course of a year, to be exact—until, in March 2013, Villa les Violettes blinked off and on the market, emerging with a new $16.495M ask.

Inside the 1938 manse, which the Pritzkers bought in 2001 for $9.5M: a limestone foyer, a “ballroom-sized living room” with parquet floors and 15-foot ceilings, a double-height library, a media room, a silvered dining room, and a marbled kitchen The Real Estalker insists “will get a soup-to-nuts overhaul.” Outdoor details include a 3,500-square-foot garden and trellised flowers like whoa—plus a pool, a fancy-pants outdoor dining area, palm trees, resort-style furniture, and a tennis court.

 

 

 

http://curbed.com/archives/2013/10/08/wolfgang-puck-drops-14m-on-pritzkerapproved-la-villa.php

California home sales to rise with inventory in 2014 | Mt Kisco Real Estate

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After declining this year, home sales in California will rise in 2014 along with inventory, according to a forecast released today from the California Association of Realtors.

The trade group anticipates existing, single-family home sales in the Golden State will rise 3.2 percent next year, to 444,000, after a 2.1 percent decrease this year. California’s median home price is set to rise 28 percent this year, to $408,600, and is expected to increase an additional 6 percent next year to $432,800.

“We’ve seen a marked improvement in housing market conditions in a year with the distressed market shrinking from 1 in 3 sales a year ago to less than 1 in 5 in recent months, thanks primarily to sharp gains in home prices,” said CAR Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young in a statement.

“As the market continues to improve, more previously underwater homeowners will look toward selling, making housing inventory less scarce in 2014. As a result of these factors, we’ll see home price increases moderate from the double-digit increases we saw for much of this year to mid-single digits in most of the state.”

“The wildcards for 2014 include federal, fiscal, monetary and housing policies — such as the mortgage interest deduction and mortgage finance reform — as well as housing supply and the actions of the Federal Reserve, which will ensure a higher rate environment,” she added.

The trade group projects 30-year fixed mortgage interest rates to rise to an average 5.3 percent in 2014.

 

 

 

 

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/wire/california-home-sales-to-rise-with-inventory-in-2014/#sthash.6wBKBOmo.dpuf

LendingTree, Zillow Clash over Housing Credit | Pound Ridge Real Estate

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Two companies that compete with each other in housing finance clashed this week over the critical issue of access to mortgage, releasing reports that were in direct conflict with each other and served to increase confusion and tension rather than clarify anything.

According to LendingTree’s report, its Credit Accessibility score is benchmarked at 100, using data from the full year of 2012.  It reported the average accessibility score for the US was 106 in August, compared to 103 in July and 100 in June, indicating that borrowers had an easier time accessing mortgage credit in August compared to prior months, reported a LendingTree news release.

“Over the past few years, potential borrowers may have found it difficult to get approved for a loan.  But as home prices rise, refinance activity slows and government programs change, potential borrowers are finding it easier to gain access to credit,” said Doug Lebda, founder and CEO of LendingTree.  “Lenders are easing down payment and credit score requirements while still adhering to conforming loan guidelines.  And as the private securitization market starts to bounce back, borrowers who didn’t qualify in the past may now have that opportunity.”

On the same day, Zillow’s Mortgage Marketplace reported that:

“Despite a healing housing and mortgage market, three out of 10 Americans remain unlikely to qualify for a mortgage, according to a Zillow® Mortgage Marketplace analysis.

“The research analyzed 13 million loan quotes and more than 225,000 purchase loan requests on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace in September 2013, and compared it to a similar study conducted in September 2010.

“Borrowers with credit scores under 620 who requested purchase loan quotes for 30-year fixed, conventional loans were unlikely to receive even one loan quote in September 2013, unchanged from three years ago, even if they offered a relatively high down payment of 15 to 25 percent. Nearly 3 out of 10 Americans, or 28.4 percent, have a credit score of 620 or lower, according to data provided by myFICO.com.

“Meanwhile, the bar has risen for borrowers to get the lowest available mortgage rates. The best mortgage rates are typically reserved for those with credit scores of 740 or higher, compared with 720 in 2010. According to myFICO.com, 40.3 percent of Americans currently fall into this category. In 2010, 47 percent of Americans had credit scores over 720 and were able to get the best rates. Borrowers with credit scores above 740 did not receive significantly better mortgage rates.

“In the 2013 study, borrowers with credit scores of 740 or above got an average low annual percentage rate (APR) of 4.42 percent for conventional 30-year fixed mortgages. Borrowers with mid-range credit scores between 620 and 739 received APRs, on average, between 5.09 and 4.47 percent, with the APR rising as the credit score drops. Those with credit scores below 620 received too few loan quotes to calculate the average low APR.

“Despite all-time high levels of affordability in the housing market, tightened lending standards mean that nearly one-third of Americans are unlikely to be able to achieve the American Dream of homeownership because they can’t qualify for a mortgage due to a low credit score,” said Erin Lantz, director of mortgages at Zillow. “Your credit score is the single most important factor in determining your mortgage interest rate and monthly payment. To avoid any surprises when buying a home, check your credit score and report at least six months before you intend to buy to see if there are any costly inaccuracies, pay down high-balance lines of credit and make sure your bills are always paid on time.”

 

 

http://www.realestateeconomywatch.com/2013/09/lendingtree-zillow-clash-over-housing-credit/

Late Summer Sales Keep September Prices Hot | Lewisboro NY Real Estate

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Home price gains in September rose over record August levels, evidence of residual summer buying activity, according to the first market report of the month to be released.

All regions saw small up-ticks in yearly price gains as Clear Capital’s Home Data Index (HDI) Market Report said September prices rose to 10.9% year-over-year.  In August, national yearly home price growth reached 10.2%, the last time Clear Capital reported double digit yearly price growth since the middle of 2006, the height of the bubble.

Clear Capital’s August prices remained 32.5% off their previous highs and only in line with 2002 prices.  Additionally, the low tier price segment of the housing market saw quarterly gains of 2.0%, the lowest since April 2012, indicating the sector that kick started the recovery is already on a path of moderation. From its peak rate of growth in April 2013, rates of growth for the low tier segment, or home sale values in the bottom 25th percentile, have fallen from 4.1% to 2.0%.

“While national and regional rates showed more of the same in September, an interesting dichotomy is unfolding beneath the surface,” said Dr. Alex Villacorta, vice president of research and analytics at Clear Capital. “Strong performances in San Francisco and Detroit remind us that in a dynamic market, the only constant is change. For about a year and a half now, we’ve been focused on First-In, First-Out recoveries characterized by hard hit markets attracting investor interest, like Miami, Phoenix and Las Vegas. Now as the recovery matures, we see homebuyers re-engaging in markets that haven’t fit the typical investor profile.

“As demand calibrates to local economic environments, markets will start to find their natural equilibriums with moderating gains ahead. This should invite new markets, such as San Francisco and Detroit to share the spotlight as their recoveries continue to evolve,” he said.

Highest   Performing Major Metro Markets

Qtr/Qtr Rank

Metropolitan   Statistical Area

Qtr/Qtr % +/-

Yr/Yr

REO Saturation

1

San Francisco, CA –   Oakland, CA – Fremont, CA

4.4%

28.3%

6.3%

2

Detroit, MI – Warren,   MI – Livonia, MI

4.3%

23.3%

31.7%

3

Sacramento, CA –   Arden, CA – Roseville, CA

3.9%

27.7%

11.0%

4

Las Vegas, NV –   Paradise, NV

3.9%

32.2%

19.8%

5

San Jose, CA –   Sunnyvale, CA – Santa Clara, CA

3.9%

25.7%

2.8%

6

Atlanta, GA – Sandy   Springs, GA – Marietta, GA

3.6%

26.1%

21.2%

7

Birmingham, AL –   Hoover, AL

3.5%

10.4%

20.6%

8

Los Angeles, CA – Long   Beach, CA – Santa Ana, CA

3.4%

22.2%

9.2%

9

Chicago, IL –   Naperville, IL – Joliet, IL

3.4%

21.5%

20.2%

10

Riverside, CA – San   Bernardino, CA – Ontario, CA

3.2%

21.8%

15.9%

11

Miami, FL – Ft.   Lauderdale, FL – Miami Beach, FL

3.2%

20.4%

21.9%

12

Bakersfield, CA

3.0%

20.8%

16.7%

13

Columbus, OH

2.9%

6.7%

23.6%

14

San Diego, CA –   Carlsbad, CA – San Marcos, CA

2.8%

19.6%

7.9%

15

Oxnard, CA – Thousand   Oaks, CA – Ventura, CA

2.7%

18.2%

7.1%

Top

Lowest   Performing Major Metro Markets

Qtr/Qtr Rank

Metropolitan   Statistical Area

Qtr/Qtr % +/-

Yr/Yr

REO Saturation

1

Charlotte, NC-   Gastonia, NC – Concord, NC

-0.1%

-0.4%

17.1%

2

Louisville, KY

0.2%

1.0%

18.5%

3

Raleigh, NC – Cary, NC

0.2%

1.1%

11.3%

4

Hartford, CT – West   Hartford, CT – East Hartford, CT

0.3%

4.0%

4.0%

5

Rochester, NY

0.4%

3.7%

2.2%

6

St. Louis, MO

0.4%

-0.2%

23.3%

7

Dayton, OH

0.4%

4.8%

22.2%

8

New Orleans, LA –   Metairie, LA – Kenner, LA

0.4%

3.4%

12.3%

9

Virginia Beach, VA –   Norfolk, VA – Newport News, VA

0.7%

5.0%

9.8%

10

Dallas, TX – Fort   Worth, TX – Arlington, TX

1.0%

6.8%

12.4%

11

Baltimore, MD –   Towson, MD

1.0%

5.5%

7.2%

12

Pittsburgh, PA

1.0%

5.2%

4.5%

13

Richmond, VA

1.2%

8.8%

11.1%

14

Philadelphia, PA –   Camden, NJ – Wilmington, DE

1.3%

5.2%

4.6%

15

Providence, RI – New   Bedford, MA – Fall River, MA

1.3%

11.7%

6.0%

The Clear Capital Home Data Index Market Report is built on information from recorder/assessor offices, enhanced by adding the company’s proprietary streaming market data. It reflects nationwide coverage of sales by aggregating this data at ten different geographic levels, including hundreds of metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and sub-ZIP code boundaries. It includes equally-weighted distressed bank owned sales (REOs) from around the country.

 

 

http://www.realestateeconomywatch.com/2013/10/late-summer-sales-keep-september-hot/