Tag Archives: Westchester NY Homes for Sale

Westchester NY Homes for Sale

Princess keeps French chateau afloat with opera, fashion shows | Chappaqua Real Estate

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Minnie de Beauvau-Craon, known in her tiny French village as “Princess Minnie,” has ruled over the Château de Haroué in the Lorraine region of northeast France since her father died in 1982.

In order to keep the 82-room chateau going, the 59-year-old princess hosts open-air operas attended by thousands on the grounds as well as fashion shows featuring works by Givenchy, Venet and Balenciaga, among others and also featuring the best fashion products like these pure nails pro reviews. Next year she plans to hold art exhibitions, and maybe, one day, an informal pub.

Source: New York Times

 

 

 

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/wire/princess-keeps-french-chateau-afloat-with-opera-fashion-shows/#sthash.4ckyQ5qB.dpuf

Generate leads by the thousands with Facebook photo contests | Armonk Real Estate

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Editor’s note: This post explores a marketing tactic submitted by Dream Town Realty, the most recent winner of #madREskillz, a weekly Inman News Twitter competition.

One day this summer, a University of Chicago student biking to school was struck by how a sculpture featuring figures holding their heads in exasperation seemed to mirror the mood of many of his college peers, who at the time were mired in finals week, according to Yuval Degani, president of Dream Town Realty.

Captured by the parallel, he whipped out his smartphone and shot a photo of the angsty figures, Degani said.

That proved to be a smart move on the student’s part: The photo ultimately bagged him $2,500, after garnering the most votes in a Facebook photo contest hosted by Dream Town Realty.

Cash prizes were just one aspect of the robust marketing campaign that Dream Town held over the summer. The competition’s success demonstrates that hosting photo contests can help catapult a broker’s Facebook following and boost online engagement.

Calling for submissions of photos of the Windy City, “Chicago in Focus” helped Dream Town collect more than 4,000 likes on its Facebook page in just one month, more than tripling the amount the page had gathered over the four previous years of its existence.

 

 

 

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/2013/09/26/generate-leads-by-the-thousands-with-facebook-photo-contests/#sthash.IZt7POmF.dpuf

Fall Is Calling: What to Do in Your October Garden | Waccabuc Real Estate

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like having options  — from which flavor of tea to drink after lunch to which route I’ll take to walk home. Gardening this month is no different. Whether you’re after garden chores or perhaps some seasonal puttering, it’s all about picking your own path.
You can prep soil for spring planting, divide grasses and transplant perennials, even tuck in more cool-season edibles. Alternatively, you can just enjoy fall’s splendor and put off some of the season’s more tedious tasks. Let fallen leaves provide hearty mulch for your lawns and hold off, for now, on cutting back spent summer and fall plants. Instead, take some time to sit back and watch the leaves change. It’s your garden, so enjoy it. Here’s what you can do in your garden this October.
Find your October garden checklist:
California | Central Plains | Great Lakes | Mid-Atlantic | Northeast
Pacific Northwest | Rocky Mountains | Southeast | Southwest | Texas

traditional landscape by Le jardinet

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Northwest. “Refresh your container gardens with a selection of winter-hardy evergreen shrubs, perennials and seasonal color spots,” says landscape designer Karen Chapman.
For a festive fall arrangement, she says that “small conifers, bright spurge (Euphorbia spp) and evergreen sedums are easy candidates for containers — especially when dressed up with a few cheerful pansies.”
It’s also time to plant spring-blooming bulbs — even in containers. “Dwarf daffodils, hyacinths and crocuses are just a few of the possibilities,” Chapman says.
Shown: ‘Princess Irene’ tulips are stunning with ‘Peach Flambe’ coral bells (Heuchera).
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traditional landscape Pomegranate Tree

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California. Garden editor Bill Marken suggests potting trees and shrubs for a permanent and festive seasonal touch.
“Pomegranates symbolize fall in Mediterannean climates,” Marken writes. “Like early Christmas ornaments, the fat, round red fruits hang heavy on spindly branches along with small leaves turning an autumn yellow. For a container, look for a dwarf variety such as ‘Nana’, displaying fall foliage and tiny red fruits if you’re lucky.”
Get his California October checklist | More tips for the California garden
mediterranean landscape by Donna Lynn - Landscape Designer

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Southwest. Water management is still important this month. “Continue to monitor and reset the timers on any controllers you may have, especially in the low and middle zones. As temperatures decrease, reduce the water needed,” writes New Mexico landscape designer David Cristiani.
“If you are planning a landscape for a barren area or for an area outside plant roots, create water harvesting opportunities to benefit plantings and some visual interest by installing subtle basins, swales and berms away from structures, where lush plantings are desired,” he says.
Get his Southwest October checklist

Scoop leads off the street with storefront touch screens | South Salem Real Estate

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Editor’s note: This post explores a marketing tactic submitted by Halstead Property, the most recent winner of #madREskillz, a weekly Inman News Twitter competition. Every Thursday, Inman News invites real estate professionals and companies to tweet offbeat marketing tricks using the tag #madREskillz. After reviewing the submissions (and retweeting many in the process), we select two finalists and put them to a vote on Facebook. Then we feature the winner in a story.

Interactive ads have proliferated on the Internet for a simple reason: You grab more eyeballs online if your ads move around and actively engage people.

Acting on the fact that the same is true in the real world, Halstead Property, winner of the latest #madREskillz competition, is using interactive storefront displays provided by tech company imageSurge to poach leads right off the street.

“Storefronts get hundreds of thousands walking by them on a regular basis,” said Matthew Leone, director of Web marketing and social media at Halstead. “It’s just taking advantage of that.”

With motion graphics and calls to action, the street-side displays invite pedestrians to search online listings at any hour and connect with agents.

They also offer videos and virtual tours with “through-window” audio. And they track analytics, including the number of people who use the display and which properties they view the most. That way, brokers can gauge return on investment and tweak the content featured in the displays.

 

 

read more…

 

 

http://www.inman.com/2013/09/19/halstead-property-scoops-leads-off-the-street-with-storefront-touch-screens/#sthash.7elKhwjk.dpuf

Westchester Opens Commuter Parking Lots For New Haven Line Riders | Bedford Corners Real Estate

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Four temporary parking areas will be set up to provide people who normally ride Metro-North’s New Haven Line access to trains on the Harlem Line and to the subway, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino announced Sunday.

Service on the New Haven Line in Fairfield County has been substantially reduced due to a power outage that arose Wednesday. Repairs are currently underway by Con Edison.

Connecticut riders looking for an alternate route to New York City can try out the four park-and-ride lots. The lots are free and offer a total of 8,600 additional parking spaces along with access to trains and the subway. Here are the locations:

  • The garage at 8 E. 153rd St. near Yankee Stadium will have 1,500 parking space and allow walking access to Yankees-East 153rd Street Station on the Hudson Line Service.
  • Orchard Beach at Pelham Bridge Road/Shore Road and Orchard Beach Road will offer 5,000 parking spaces and a free shuttle to Pelham Bay Park’s #6 Subway.
  • Rye Playland will offer 1,500 parking spots and a bus to the White Plains Station on the Harlem Line. The free bus trip is about 10 miles.
  • Kensico Dam at Park Drive West in Valhalla  will offer 600 parking places and a bus to the North White Plains Station for Harlem Line Service. The bus trip is about a mile.

The parking areas will be open at 4:30 a.m. daily and shuttle buses will start running at 5 a.m. Shuttle bus service will continue throughout the day, the county said. The focus will be on the morning and evening commute, and the schedule will be assessed daily, Astorino said.

“The disruption of service on the New Haven line has caused tremendous inconvenience to thousands of commuters,” Astorino said. “Westchester County government immediately reached out to Metro-North to offer our assistance in making additional parking, buses and other resources available to help get New Haven line commuters to work as quickly and easily as possible.”

The parking lot at Playland, where the amusement park has closed for the season, has spaces for 1,500 cars.  At Kensico Dam Park, parking can be established for up to 600 cars by using the grass field.

The county will be reimbursed by Metro-North for its costs, Astorino said.

How Much Does it Cost to Install Windows? | Armonk Real Estate

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Windows can bring light and warmth, provide views, beautify inside and out and add tremendous value to your home. They also can let in the elements and intruders that put your home at risk. That’s why windows – quality windows – must be considered an important investment. The cost of windows will depend on the type, dimensions, materials used, security features, the complexity of the installation, and, of course, the number of windows needed.
Number of Windows

Generally, the more windows you need to install, the more expensive the installation price. But installation professionals will charge less per window if you install several at the same time. So if you’re thinking about only replacing a couple of windows, it might make sense for you to talk to your pro about the cost of installing multiple windows at one time. It may save you money in the long run.  Continue Reading

Window Sizes

Windows tend toward different dimensions depending on where they’re needed. Living rooms typically have larger picture windows hung in multiples ranging from 3×4′ to 6×6′. Standard bathroom windows are quite a bit smaller, ranging from 2×1.5′ to 2×3′. Major window manufacturers can customize windows to any dimensions, but be aware that you may pay more for odd sizes.

Window Sash Materials

Vinyl windows are inexpensive and require little or no maintenance. They’re also extremely durable; changes in humidity don’t cause them to swell or shrink. Most vinyl window manufacturers stand behind their products with strong warranties. Their greatest drawback is that they’re not as sturdy or attractive as wood. Wood frames, on the other hand, cost more and require much more maintenance. Fail to repaint and finish wooden window frames and they become susceptible to the elements. But all that work and money can be worth it for the classic, authentic architectural appeal of wood. That’s why some historical neighborhoods have covenants requiring that windows be framed with wood. New composite windows attempt to capture the best of both worlds by mixing PVC polymers with wood fiber to create a stronger, more attractive synthetic window frame.

Window Panes

New windows can save you considerable money on your utility bills and make your home more comfortable. Windows are rated by the U-factor. The lower the U-factor, the more energy efficient and higher the initial cost. You’ll pay more for double-pane windows, but they will pay for themselves over time. Experts say double-pane windows can save up to 24 percent in cold climates during the winter and up to 18 percent in hot climates during the summer. More about double-pane options.

Other Window Cost Factors

Replacing existing windows is, of course, usually cheaper than cutting walls for new ones. You might consider talking to both your contractor and a security firm about how to make your windows safe from burglars. Also, be aware that windows above the first floor may be more expensive to install because of access issues.

I’ll Have the Same: How to Design With Monochromatic Color | Armonk Real Estate

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We’re taught from an early age that overindulgence is a bad thing. But sometimes it can be very, very good.
Repeating a single color throughout an entire room can be not only beautiful, but relatively easy to pull off. No worrying about whether the curtains go with the carpet. When everything’s the same color, it’s usually a match.
Granted, the look can be overwhelming. It works best in contained spaces where you don’t spend a lot of waking hours, such as a bedroom. And while it’s possible to match the color precisely in every detail, it’s better (and easier) to vary the shade a bit — in terms of both hue and intensity, and texture and sheen. That keeps the repetition interesting.

modern bedroom by Amy Lau Design

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One of the appealing things about a monochromatic interior is that colors you’d think would be too overpowering on their own become more demure when used en masse. The sheer quantity dilutes their ability to shock and makes even a strong color, like acid green, feel restful.
When working with bright colors, be mindful of the amount of light the room gets: This space could be blinding if it got a lot of intense, direct sun.
by Chambers + Chambers Architects

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This charming bedroom merges shades of pink, orange and coral. They have more depth and visual interest together than a single shade would have, and also contribute to the room’s casual feel.
contemporary kids by Melanie Coddington

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Although the patterns in this girl’s room don’t match, they all work together because they share a common color. Liberal additions of white prevent the blue from overwhelming the space and add to the tranquil atmosphere.
traditional living room by Kendall Wilkinson Design

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The combo of blue and white is a seaside staple. But in this San Francisco home, the variations in hue and solid planes of color banish some of the sweetness, making the scheme feel fresh and more contemporary.
eclectic bedroom by HERMOGENO DESIGNS

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Pink has such feminine connotations, we’re often afraid to use it outside a bedroom. But inside a bedroom — watch out! Pink fabric upholsters the walls and bed in this boudoir, making the softness not just visual but tactile.

Short Sales Peak, Then Plummet | Cross River Real Estate

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Distress sales as a whole are falling but short sales are declining twice as fast as fewer homeowners are losing their homes over the past year.

For the 12-month period ending in June 2013, distressed sales overall (including both REO and short sales) were down nearly 30 percent from the same period ending in June 2012 — from 650,000 to 463,000. Of these, short sales had declined significantly — by nearly 60 percent — accounting for just over 46,000 sales during that timeframe as compared to 104,000 in 2012 according to residential real estate transaction data from the LPS Home Price Index.

Short sales rose and fell quickly.  In the first quarter of 2012, some 109,521 properties were sold in pre-foreclosure — a proxy for short sales, according to RealtyTrac.  At that time, LPS reported a 25 percent increase from the same quarter the previous year and a three-year high and for the first time, short sale transactions are exceeding foreclosure deals. In January, short sales made up 23.9 percent of home purchases, according to LPS. Meanwhile, foreclosures made up 19.7 percent of sales.  Just one year prior, in the first quarter of 2011, foreclosures made up the bulk at 24.9 percent of transactions while short sales made up 16.3 percent.

LPS’ July Mortgage Monitor report also found that while loan origination volume had slowed slightly from May to June, overall activity remained relatively strong. According to LPS Data & Analytics Senior Vice President Herb Blecher, prepayment activity (historically a good indicator of mortgage refinances) is still largely driving origination volume, as has been the case for some time now.

“Prepayment speeds have been impacted by the sharp increase in mortgage interest rates we’ve seen over the last couple months,” Blecher said. “However, even with that increasing interest rate pressure, July’s monthly prepayment rates are still about where they were this time last year, when rates were at historic lows. In fact, they are roughly at the same levels as the heights of the ‘mini refinance booms’ in 2010 — when interest rates were comparable to where they are today — and in 2009, when rates were even higher. Of course, as interest rates continue to climb, we can expect that both prepayments and associated originations will decline. It’s notable however, that we saw an increase in prepayment activity in July among higher loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages — those with LTVs of 100 percent or more — indicating continued HARP refinance activity.

 

 

http://www.realestateeconomywatch.com/2013/09/short-sales-peak-then-plummet/

 

 

 

Enjoy Cider Saturday At New Canaan Nature Center | Pound Ridge Homes

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The New Canaan Nature Center is celebrating cider season with a series of autumn-themed events on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cider press demonstrations will be held 15 and 45 minutes after every hour, and the apple sling shot will be fired at the top of every hour.

There will also be a pumpkin scavenger hunt and seasonal crafts activities for children.

Fresh local cider will be available for purchase by the cup, half gallon and gallon.

Admission is $5 for nature center members and $8 for nonmembers. Children under age 2 are free.

The Nature Center is located at 144 Oenoke Ridge in New Canaan.

For more information, contact the nature center at 203-966-9577 or online at http://www.newcanaannature.org.

 

 

http://newcanaan.dailyvoice.com/neighbors/enjoy-cider-saturday-new-canaan-nature-center

Wells Fargo originations may be off by 30% | South Salem Homes

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Wells Fargo (WF) Chief Financial Officer Tim Sloan says mortgage originations are projected to be off by 30%, while refinance volumes will be off by an estimated 60%.

Seeking Alpha elaborated on Sloan’s statements:

Still, he reminds business remains strong and those percentages are based on very strong comparables.

One bullish stat shows mortgage payments to disposable income is just 18% vs. a fifty-year average of 27%. At the height of the bubble it was 30%. Amid the high interest rates of the early 80s, it was about 50%.

                    Source: Seeking Alpha