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Armonk Fighting over Funeral | Armonk NY Homes
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Tag Archives: Westchester NY Homes for Sale
Mortgage Rates up on Signs of Stronger Economic Recovery | Mt Kisco Real Estate
Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing average fixed mortgage rates moving back up near their highs for the year amid recent data pointing to signs of a stronger economic recovery, as well as positive news coming from the housing and manufacturing sectors.
News Facts
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.57 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending September 5, 2013, up from last week when it averaged 4.51 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.55 percent.
- 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.59 percent with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.54 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 2.86 percent.
- 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.28 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.24 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.75 percent.
- 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.71 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, up from last week when it averaged 2.64 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.61 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 edged up this week on signs of a stronger economic recovery. Real GDP was revised upwards to 2.5 percent growth in the second quarter of this year. In addition, residential construction spending rose for a ninth consecutive month in July. Lastly, the manufacturing industry expanded by the fastest pace in August since June 2011.”
10 Stylish Options for Shower Enclosures | North Salem Real Estate
A shower is one of the first things you notice when you step into a bathroom, so make sure your enclosure not only matches your style but also accentuates your bathroom.
We’ve all seen or lived in a home with the ever-so-famous enclosure framed in polished brass, but there are tons of other options with which to surround your shower. Whether you go for framed or frameless, or with no enclosure at all, choose your style wisely.
1. Frameless glass shower enclosure. This is a very popular option right now because of its flexibility; a frameless glass enclosure lends itself to any style, whether it’s a clean, sleek design that appeals to modern tastes or a simple and understated one with an elegant and classic look.
The glass itself is fairly easy to clean and maintain; it’s even more so if you get glass with a finish baked on that repels soap scum and water spots. Overall, frameless glass is a great way to showcase your shower.
The glass itself is fairly easy to clean and maintain; it’s even more so if you get glass with a finish baked on that repels soap scum and water spots. Overall, frameless glass is a great way to showcase your shower.
2. Aluminum and glass shower enclosure. Need a little something more to spruce up your shower? Don’t be afraid to be unique and try a shower surround that has flair. Created with glass panels set into an aluminum frame, this shower enclosure mimics the look of the tile in the back of the shower. The dark metal mixed with the clear glass gives the enclosure an eclectic feel.
3. Glass block shower enclosure. Eliminate the need for a door with a glass block enclosure. Glass block surrounds are versatile, and there are textured patterns on the blocks themselves. They have strong lines and give your bathroom a clean, cool look. The options are virtually limitless with glass blocks. You can find different block styles, thicknesses and even colors. |
Despite rising home values, millions still underwater | Cross River Real Estate
According to CNBC, three million homeowners rose above water on their mortgages this year, creating more positive equity and stability in the markets. The publication has more:
“Widespread rising home values during the past year have helped chip away at negative equity nationwide, helping many homeowners who were only modestly underwater to come up for air. For those homeowners who are deeply underwater, though, there is still a long row to hoe,” said Zillow Chief Economist Stan Humphries.
Source: CNBC
Bedford NY Real Estate Under $999k sales up 20% | Median price Up 1.6% | RobReportBlog
| Bedford NY Real Estate Under $1 Mill Report | RobReportBlog | ||
| 2013 | 6 months ending 9/4 | 2012 | |
| 71 | Sales | 59 | Up 20% |
| $620,000.00 | median sold price | $610,000.00 | Up 1.60% |
| $170,000.00 | low sold price | $263,000.00 | |
| $950,000.00 | high sold price | $995,000.00 | |
| 2177 | average size | 2374 | |
| $289.00 | ave. price per foot | $259.00 | |
| 160 | ave. days on market | 179 | |
| $604,401.00 | average sold price | $598,262.00 | |
| 95.12% | ave sold to ask | 95.32% |
HARP refinancings dip in second quarter | South Salem Real Estate
Higher mortgage rates caused refinance volumes to edge down in the second quarter as fewer homeowners filed refi applications.
When compared to the two prior periods, 2Q refinance volumes fell slightly, according to the latest housing agency refinance data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
In the second quarter, 279,933 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages refinanced through the government’s Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), representing 22% of total refinance volume.
The slight drop in refi volumes occurred as mortgage rates rose sharply to 4.07% in June, up from 3.57% in March.
The total number of HARP refinances from the inception of the program to now totals 2.65 million.
Market analysts expect the trend to continue, as mortgage rates are likely to trend higher once the Federal Reserve begins scaling back its monetary stimulus.
“I think once rates begin their return to normalcy as the Fed starts to taper, refinance demand is likely to further decline,” explained Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) markets and international banking analyst Sarah Hu.
She added, “The tapering of refinance activity may have already occurred as evidenced in this week’s refinance index (< 2000), the lowest since Jan 2011.”
On a similar note, Compass Point Research & Trade analyst Kevin Barker noted that HARP refinance volumes will remain under pressure given the higher rates.
“If borrowers have less of incentive to refinance at higher levels, it’s going to effect volumes and how aggressively originators will target HARP borrowers,” Barker stated.
He continued, “I would point out that the drop in refi activity compared to HARP volumes will be relatively less because they’ll be more resilient to rates.”
Of the loans that refinanced through HARP in the second quarter, 19% had a loan-to-value ratio greater than 125%.
While taking a look at year-to-date figures through June, 18% of HARP refinances for underwater borrowers were for shorter-term 15- and 20-year mortgages, building equity faster than traditional 30-year mortgages.
In Nevada and Florida, markets that analysts have been keeping an eye on since the recovery began, HARP refinances represented 59% and 50% of total refinances, respectively. This is more than double the 21% of total refinances throughout the country over the same time period.
Underwater borrowers accounted for a large portion of HARP refinances in a number states, representing more than 61% of HARP volume in Nevada, Arizona and Florida.
From the program’s inception through June, 2.34 million loans refinanced through HARP were for primary residences, 78,756 were for second homes and 307,272 were tied to investment properties.
read more…
http://www.housingwire.com/articles/26598-harp-refinancings-dip-in-second-quarter
NY Mercury Pollution Affects Many Places | Bedford Corners Real Estate
When you think of mercury contamination, you probably think of fish. But scientists have now learned that mercury pollution affects many places and species on land—and even the air we breathe. Saab Bio Power can guide you to control pollution.
Here’s what you need to know about this important issue.
How does mercury get in the air?
Much of the mercury in New York comes from coal-burning plants located in the Midwest. As smokestack emissions from these plants drift eastward, the airborne mercury settles in lakes and streams and transforms into methyl mercury, which is toxic and makes the mercury available for uptake into the food web. As a result, national health organizations advise people to restrict consumption of certain kinds of fish. For example, if you eat one 18” walleye caught in Sacandaga Lake in the Adirondack Park in New York, as far as mercury goes it is like eating one compact fluorescent light bulb.
If mercury contaminates fish, where do songbirds come in?
Mercury contamination in wildlife has been known for many years, but only recently have we begun to learn that it affects birds that do not live on water and never eat fish. In a study commissioned by the Conservancy in 2006, we found that some songbirds that eat primarily insects are at high risk of mercury poisoning. Mercury levels were high enough that it could affect the birds’ reproductive cycle, and may help explain declining populations of some species like the wood thrush. These results supported other research illustrating that mercury from air pollution that gets into soil can ultimately find its way into the human food chain.
What is The Nature Conservancy doing?
The Nature Conservancy recently is conducting research to monitor mercury levels in songbirds. Working in partnership with the Biodiversity Research Institute, global leaders in mercury research, this current study began in June 2013 and will continue each summer until 2017. The data compiled will ultimately provide more scientific evidence of the links between ecological health and human health.
What are some solutions to the problem of mercury pollution?
- Greater investment in a mercury monitoring network. This would allow us to better assess the extent of this problem, and if current efforts to reduce mercury like the recent Mercury Air Toxics Standards (MATS) Rule that requires coal-fired power plants to update their mercury pollution control technologies, are enough to result in improving the areas that are damaged.
- Continued research to learn more about this issue. This includes altering some management practices to reduce mercury emissions, such as some forestry practices and the management of water levels in our reservoirs.
- More support for local, regional, and global efforts to reduce mercury. There is no question that mercury is coming from multiple sources, and therefore efforts to reduce a single source, while helpful, are likely not to be enough. Let your legislators know that mercury is a problem you care about, and want to fix.
read more…
August 21, 2013
Billionaire Neighbors Keep Spying on Calvin’s Glass House | Bedford Hills Real Estate
[According to Page Six, Calvin Klein is feverishly trying to finish his long-aborning glass house on Meadow Lane in Southampton in time for a Labor Day housewarming. Apparently, even his billionaire neighbors (David Koch? Leon Black? Henry Kravis?) keep coming up the driveway to sneak a look inside. Well, who can blame them? The man is a style icon and one of the greatest designers of all time—isn’t everyone dying to see inside? (Besides maybe his ex Nick Gruber, who recently “came out as straight.”) Calvin, don’t forget, our address for the evite is hamptons@curbed.com. · Calvin Klein Takes Movie Break [NYPost]
The 15 best blogging and publishing platforms on the Internet today. Which one is for you? | Mt Kisco Realtor
Reading the signs a couple of years ago it was easy to assume that the art of blogging was set to die a painful death at the hands of social networks like Facebook and Twitter and others. While social has changed how we communicate online, blogging remains a core part of things.
In fact, the truth is that there’s never been a better time to blog. Social networks help build audiences and deliver content to readers, and more established blogs and websites often link to or aggregate smaller sites, sending swarms of viewers to read articles — The Daily Mail aside.
So, whether you’re a blogger returning from a break, seeking a new home or are looking to write online for the first time, here’s our guide to what blogging platforms are out there.
WordPress: WordPress.com and WordPress.org
WordPress has two options: a freemium hosted service that provides .wordpress.com domains — e.g. jonrussell.wordpress.com (but you can still pay to use your own domain) — and includes limited customization. Or the completey free .org version which allows for you to host WordPress on your own servers with much more control, edit themes to your hearts content, hack code and add as many WordPress plugins as you wish.
It is, in simple terms, the daddy of blogging. The platform powers almost 19 percent of the Web and has been downloaded more than 45 million times.
One of the platform’s core strengths is its community of creatives, who have produced thousands of customizations and tweaks allowing WordPress users to add sophisticated and powerful plug-ins (features) to their blogs, or dress it up in a new layout or design.
Pros: Customization, customization, customization!
Cons: Vast array of options can be complicated for less-experienced users — tread carefully.
Verdict: Still the best option out there. WordPress is especially useful for companies or those looking to develop (or have someone else develop) a sophisticated website
read more…
http://thenextweb.com/apps/2013/08/16/best-blogging-services/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily
Historically Sensitive Renovation over $300,000: Search and Rescue | North Salem Real Estate
Project Info
Designer: Judy Mozen / Handcrafted Homes, Roswell, GA Contractor: Judy Mozen, Randy Urquhart / Handcrafted Homes, Roswell, GA
Priorities
• Restore and repair an exterior façade using similar designs and, where possible, like materials
Launch Slideshow
Search and Rescue
Search and Rescue
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp7C01%2Etmp_tcm17-1999197.jpg
Design-builder Judy Mozen, owner of Handcrafted Homes, faced the daunting task of restoring and repairing the exterior of the historic Beaux Arts home of Asa Candler, the founder of Coca Cola.
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James Lawrence
Design-builder Judy Mozen, owner of Handcrafted Homes, faced the daunting task of restoring and repairing the exterior of the historic Beaux Arts home of Asa Candler, the founder of Coca Cola.
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp76EF%2Etmp_tcm17-1999194.jpg
The homes exterior was in a massive state of disrepair with serious structural damage: wood rot, lack of structural support in many places, brick work that needed tuck-pointing.
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James Lawrence
The home’s exterior was in a massive state of disrepair with serious structural damage: wood rot, lack of structural support in many places, brick work that needed tuck-pointing.
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp72D8%2Etmp_tcm17-1999190.jpg
After a lengthy search Mozen discovered three brothers in Chicago at Renaissance Roofing who owned an old government press. Handcrafter Homes hand delivered sample of the original metal tiles. The brothers made on by one 4,240 pieces of galvanized steel tiles, 720 pieces of valley and eave, 257 pieces of decorative hip/ridge, and 4 decorative finials. The pieces were coated in Kynar finish.
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James Lawrence
After a lengthy search Mozen discovered three brothers in Chicago at Renaissance Roofing who owned an old government press. Handcrafter Homes hand delivered sample of the original metal tiles. The brothers made – on by one – 4,240 pieces of galvanized steel tiles, 720 pieces of valley and eave, 257 pieces of decorative hip/ridge, and 4 decorative finials. The pieces were coated in Kynar finish.
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp6AB8%2Etmp_tcm17-1999187.jpg
The roof had a major valley rafter cut in the attic that had to be restructured. The valley pitch had to be altered slightly to control the flow of water to the hidden gutters.
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James Lawrence
The roof had a major valley rafter cut in the attic that had to be restructured. The valley pitch had to be altered slightly to control the flow of water to the hidden gutters.
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp672C%2Etmp_tcm17-1999186.jpg
One obstacle was removing old plaster pieces, which were held together by lead paint and crumbled when touched. Mozen commissioned knives to be made to reproduce the mouldings; they used resins to create the pieces. So much structural damage existed on the columns, capitals, and entablature that they had to be locked together with 2x4s to secure them during the repair work.
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James Lawrence
One obstacle was removing old plaster pieces, which were held together by lead paint and crumbled when touched. Mozen commissioned knives to be made to reproduce the mouldings; they used resins to create the pieces. So much structural damage existed on the columns, capitals, and entablature that they had to be locked together with 2x4s to secure them during the repair work.
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp6363%2Etmp_tcm17-1999185.jpg
Hidden gutters had leaked behind the cornice and frieze soaking and rotting the wood all the way through to the framing behind the interior entry hall plaster and gold painted crown moulding.
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James Lawrence
Hidden gutters had leaked behind the cornice and frieze – soaking and rotting the wood all the way through to the framing behind the interior entry hall plaster and gold painted crown moulding.
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp5F7A%2Etmp_tcm17-1999184.jpg
Engineer Clint Shaeffer at Quinn and Associates detailed the sizes and spacing of repairs to the structural wooden columns. The new staves were made and hand-sanded into place to preserve the design of the tapered columns.
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James Lawrence
Engineer Clint Shaeffer at Quinn and Associates detailed the sizes and spacing of repairs to the structural wooden columns. The new staves were made and hand-sanded into place to preserve the design of the tapered columns.
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp5BEE%2Etmp_tcm17-1999183.jpg
The curved porch demolition exposed a completely rotten structure, and a previous owner had cut joists to install lights and a fan.
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James Lawrence
The curved porch demolition exposed a completely rotten structure, and a previous owner had cut joists to install lights and a fan.
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp544C%2Etmp_tcm17-1999182.jpg
Mozen couldnt find a ready-made tile that was porcelain without a bevel. She researched until she found a small entrepreneur who was able to make the field tiles in a snowflake design and the Greek key border. She created a CAD drawing assigning two layout patterns that would allow the craftsman to make one sheet of snowflake and one without to keep from having hundreds of little tile pieces to install.
600
James Lawrence
Mozen couldn’t find a ready-made tile that was ¾” porcelain without a bevel. She researched until she found a small entrepreneur who was able to make the field tiles in a snowflake design and the Greek key border. She created a CAD drawing assigning two layout patterns that would allow the craftsman to make one sheet of snowflake and one without – to keep from having hundreds of little tile pieces to install.
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp4E50%2Etmp_tcm17-1999181.jpg
The porchs tiled floor before its restoration.
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James Lawrence
The porch’s tiled floor before its restoration.
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/Images/tmp4631%2Etmp_tcm17-1999180.jpg
The curved porch restored to its original elegance.
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James Lawrence
The curved porch restored to its original elegance.
Solutions
This circa 1910 Beaux Arts home was built for Asa Candler, the founder of Coca-Cola, in Atlanta’s Inman Park neighborhood, now on the National Register of Historic Places. Handcrafted Homes was tasked with restoring and repairing this highly damaged and neglected 10,000-square-foot home’s exterior.
Design-builder Judy Mozen says the team’s greatest challenge came from the requirement to restore using similar designs and materials. “The search for products and in certain instances, for the craftsmen to create these products, necessitated an elaborate investigation that preceded the actual beginning date of the work.”
Mozen created mock-ups when necessary and contacted craftsmen across the United States. She found three brothers in Chicago–Renaissance Roofing—with an old government press who made 4,240 pieces of galvanized steel tiles, 720 pieces of valley and eave, 257 pieces of decorative hip/ridge, and 4 decorative finials.
She discovered a small entrepreneur at American Restoration Tile in Arkansas who was able to make the porch floor’s field tiles in a snowflake design and the Greek key border. To prevent having hundreds of tiny pieces to install, Mozen created a CAD drawing for two layout patterns, one with the snowflake and one without.
Craftsmen commissioned special knives to help reproduce the mouldings and an Excel spreadsheet helped them keep track of all the various designs. They also had new staves made and hand-sanded into place to preserve the tapered columns’ design.
Judges’ Comments
This is a fabulous restoration. They truly restored the exterior of this house using original materials; where there was wood they used wood, they didn’t use fiberglass. You can see the marks in the scrolls on the capitals. How often do you see an exterior tile floor? They restored it and it looks incredible.
This was the best binder in the whole competition. They did a great job of pairing up the before and after shots to tell the story through the binder.
read more…