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Westchester NY Homes

5 predictions for housing in 2014 | Bedford Corners NY Homes

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The housing market may quite return to normal next year, but it’s getting there.

Dusting off their crystal balls, real estate experts can at least spy the path toward for the sector in 2014. According to real estate listing and research site Trulia, sales and prices of of non-distressed homes are almost back to normal, while foreclosures are ebbing and fewer homeowners are behind on their mortgage payments.

Yet while this march toward a more stable housing market is a welcome one, it’s creating new problems along the way. Expect less highs and lows next year, but not smooth sailing. Here are five trends to look for in the new year:

Mortgage rates will top 5 percent. This is a matter of when, not if, as well as how high interest rates on mortgage loans. As 2013 draws to a close, mortgage rates have increased 1 percent over last year, rising on the back of a strengthening economy. Stronger economic growth will eventually lift the Federal Reserve’s hand out of the mortgage market in 2014, causing it to taper its bond-buying stimulus program. When the Fed merely mentioned tapering the program last June, rates jumped nearly half a percentage point overnight.

Housing market research firm Zillow predicts that interest rates for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage will surpass 5 percent for the first time since early 2010.

“While this will make homes more expensive to finance – the monthly payment on a $200,000 loan will rise by roughly $160 – it’s important to remember that mortgage rates in the 5 percent range are still very low,” said Erin Lantz, Zillow director of mortgages, in an e-mail.

Mortgages will be easier to secure. Although loan rates are likely to rise, getting a mortgage should be easier next year.

“Rising rates means lenders’ refinance business will dwindle, forcing them to compete for buyers by potentially loosening their lending standards,” Lantz said.

One wild card is a new federal rule kicking in on Jan. 10 that sets mortgage standards. Lenders that don’t follow the rules will face greater legal liability and potential penalties if that loan defaults. It remains to be seen whether that could constrain lending.

Inventory will stabilize. The National Association of Realtors, a Washington trade group, characterized 2013 as the “year of low inventory.” That wasn’t all bad, with low inventory driving most of the explosive price gains in the spring and summer. But the shortage was short-lived, as inventory has since returned to 2012 levels. Cash-carrying investors are also exiting the market.

Trulia chief economist Jed Kolko said that means home buying will look far less frenzied than it was this year.

 

 

 

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/5-predictions-for-housing-in-2014/

Old-world German architecture and a modern-day film spur a Hill Country farmhouse’s warm style | Pound Ridge Homes

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It’s no surprise these homeowners have comfortably nestled into their guesthouse, as one major inspiration for the home was the cozy English cottage Kate Winslet’s character owned in The Holiday. Their plan was to build the guesthouse in the Texas Hill Country, retire, move down from Lubbock, then complete construction on the main house. Surrounded by over 20 acres full of oaks and wildlife, they enjoyed the guesthouse so much that they put off the construction for a few years, and they secretly fear they won’t love the main house as much. As we take a tour through this charming home, you’ll understand why.
Houzz at a Glance Who lives here: A retired couple Location: Fredericksburg, Texas Size: About 1,000 square feet; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom

Austin Pitner, owner of Bonterra Building & Design, worked with the homeowners’ large inspiration file full of homes (most over a hundred years old) and with a floor plan and elevations from architect David Rowland. Bonterra completed all of the construction and designed all of the interior details and finishes, such as the timber frame beams, custom fireplace, doors and cabinetry.
The home has a regional feel, which is German influenced and rural (Fredericksburg was originally settled by German immigrants). The standing-seam metal roof is preweathered Galvalume. The stone is chopped white limestone, indigenous to the area.
The porch floor is part of the concrete foundation; the beams are western red cedar.
“No one is around for miles, so this outdoor shower is completely private and great for hot Texas days,” Pitner says. The stones around the house are crushed local granite.
The retaining wall is made of stones found onsite while digging holes for the septic tanks. “When you dig around here, you never know what you’re going to find,” Pitner says. They hit upon these perfect layers of rock.
“When they came out of the ground, they were dark gray and ugly; we stacked them and wondered what to do with them,” he says. During the time they mulled it over, several rainstorms hit, and the rock lightened to a beautiful color. They decided to use it for the wall. “You couldn’t shop for anything better than these stones,” he says.
The front door is mahogany planks with metal straps. The metal details, wood beams and lanterns lend an old-world European farm feel.
“We wanted the interiors to be rough but clean,” Pitner says. He used timber-frame construction throughout. The beams are hewn Douglas fir, hand notched for corner support. They avoided using molding to create the feeling of a monolithic, old blocked house. While the stones and beams lend the look of an old European farmhouse, the stained concrete floors, lack of moldings and simple floating kitchen shelves mix in contemporary touches.
Pitner advises hiring a professional to stain concrete floors; he was very impressed with the way the pros were able to match the floors to tones in the beams.
The kitchen has an indigenous feel, like it rose naturally right out of the land. The countertops are limestone, and the cabinets are alder.
One of the homeowners enjoys feeding the foxes and their babies who come to visit through the Dutch door.
Shaws Farmhouse Sink: Rohl

New home purchases decrease 18% | South Salem NY Real Estate

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Even while mortgage applications for new home purchases in November were down 18% from October, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, the size of the average loan continued to trend upward.

The average loan size for new homes reached $295,523 in November, according to the MBA’s Builder Application Survey.

Since the MBA started publishing the monthly survey this summer, average home loan size has increased more than $12,000 from the June average of $283,000.

The number of new homes sold in November decreased to 32,000, from 40,000 in October.

The MBA estimates that sales of new single-family homes were running at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 455,000 in November.

By product type, conventional loans composed 66.2% of loan applications, FHA loans composed 19.9%, RHS/USDA loans composed 1.1% and VA loans composed 12.9%.

MBA’s Builder Application Survey tracks application volume from mortgage subsidiaries of homebuilders across the country.

 

http://www.housingwire.com/articles/28282-new-home-purchases-decrease-18

 

How wise agents get appraisers to see what they see | Bedford Hills Real Estate

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Appraisals continue to be a potential issue with every contract. It doesn’t need to be this way. Of course, there will always be situations where a genuine value challenges exists. But for the most part, better preparation by agents can alleviate the majority of problems.

A key component of that preparation is an understanding of what an appraiser does and how they operate. This can quash issues before they arise. Appraisers have no interest in “killing a deal.” They get paid to complete reports. Appeals or contested reports waste everyone’s time, and no appraiser goes out looking to waste time.

Agents would do well to understand that the appraiser is not their enemy, but simply one of the many people involved in the sale.

Appraisers report the market — they don’t create it. The agent-appraiser relationship can be contentious, mainly due to a lack of understanding. Appraisers have little idea of how much time can be invested with a client, and agents have little understanding of the requirements appraisers work under.

 

 

– See more at: http://www.inman.com/2013/12/13/how-wise-agents-get-appraisers-to-see-what-they-see/?utm_source=20131213&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailyheadlinesam#sthash.KkSG0mEy.dpuf

Best Vegetable Seed Companies | Chappaqua NY Homes

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By the time you poke your first seeds into the ground each spring, you  already have huge hopes for the success of your crops. You’ve spent hours  planning, weeks waiting, and your soil may reflect years of hard work spent  building its fertility. With so much potential in those seeds, you want to buy  from a seed company you can trust. So how do you know which have the best seeds  and selections? And which follow sustainable practices?

To answer these questions, we asked hundreds of gardeners to take our 2011  Seed Company Survey. Our survey group was a well-seasoned bunch: About 65  percent had grown food gardens for more than 10 years. Each respondent picked  his or her three favorite vegetable seed companies and then ranked companies  based on individual qualities. Ultimately, the survey revealed 15 standout  vegetable seed companies, all of which emphasize sustainability. (Join our Gardening Advisory Group to take future surveys.)

Top 15 Sustainable Seed Companies

Our Top 15 list (toward the end of this article) is based on how often the  vegetable seed companies were ranked in gardeners’ top three. For our survey  takers, it wasn’t just about the seeds. In addition to an array of varieties  with consistently high germination rates, they wanted seed companies that  provide detailed variety descriptions, growing advice and interesting stories.  Genetic integrity was also a top priority. The gardeners we surveyed were deeply  concerned about genetically modified (GM) food crops, so we made sure all of the  companies here have signed the Safe Seed Pledge — a written commitment to sell  only non-GM seed — or made public declarations that they will not knowingly sell  GM seeds.

Many gardeners said they didn’t know there were more than 100 mail-order seed  and plant companies. You can find a national list in our Directory of Companies Offering Mail-Order Seeds and  Plants.

Superior ratings in multiple categories put Johnny’s  Selected Seeds, a company that offers heirlooms, organics and hybrids, in  the top spot. “The Johnny’s catalog is accurate and informative without the  hype, and I have never had a failed crop from their seed,” wrote a Midwestern  gardener with more than 20 years of experience. Others praised Johnny’s “cool  tools” and hard-to-find organic gardening supplies, and many said they liked  doing business with an employee-owned company.

Gardeners want to support preservation of heirloom varieties, so Seed Savers Exchange  received high marks for providing unique and nearly forgotten heirlooms. Seed  Savers, a nonprofit organization, has “wonderful heirloom seed, a beautiful  catalog and a great mission,” wrote a Mid-Atlantic gardener who puts  sustainability first. The Seed Savers catalog was rated highly for its variety  descriptions and photographs, plus customers said they liked being a part of  seed conservation. “They’re outside of the mainstream, consolidated  seed-production system, and they have a wonderful community feel to their  operation and network,” wrote an organic gardener in the Pacific Northwest.

A strong sense of purpose has earned Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds many  loyal patrons. A prominent spokesman against GM “Frankenfoods,” founder Jere  Gettle has amassed a global selection of rare and worthwhile varieties. “What’s  not to love about Baker Creek?” wrote a Mid-Atlantic gardener. “They’re making a  hugely positive impact on the world. With all the GM seed obscenities going on,  they’re helping make sure humans will be able to eat in the future!”

Passions for ethical responsibility and high-quality seeds helped put Seeds of Change, High Mowing Seeds and Fedco Seeds near the top of the list, too. Here’s what some  respondents had to say about them:

Seeds of Change: “Good combination of heirlooms, open-pollinated and quality  hybrids, all organically grown.”

“I find the agronomics information listed for each type of vegetable very  helpful, and I like their emphasis on biodiversity and sustainability.”

High Mowing Organic Seeds: “I love the personal service and wide variety of  organic selections from High Mowing.”

“The varieties they offer are excellent and suitable for organic market  farming; everything is certified organic, which makes life easier if ordering  seed for a certified organic farm.”

Fedco Seeds: “Excellent variety choice, and usually the cheapest prices. I  like supporting a co-op, and Fedco offers information on where their seeds are  from.”

Crazy for Seed Catalogs

Nearly 70 percent of gardeners said they buy most of their seeds from  mail-order vegetable seed companies. Most gardeners were quick to heap praise on  their favorite seed companies and their catalogs. Of Fedco, one gardener said, “Their catalog makes wonderful, entertaining, laugh-out-loud reading, and all of  the vintage graphics are wonderful.”

Loco for Local Seeds

Most gardeners send at least one seed order to a local or regional company,  and this practice offers certain benefits. For instance, locally grown seed is  more likely to be suited to your climate. In the upper and mid-South, Southern Exposure Seed  Exchange has a strong following. “I go here first,” said a Mid-Atlantic  gardener. “Southern Exposure provides mostly locally grown seed, heritage and  open-pollinated varieties, excellent service and decent prices.” Known for  offering unique items, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange was called “a small  company with a big heart” by a longtime organic farmer.

In the Northwest, Territorial Seeds reigned supreme as a regional seed source,  with excellent ratings for producing catalogs brimming with varietal and  cultural information. “They always have what I want in stock, so I don’t have to  wait. The variety descriptions are excellent,” wrote a gardener with a small  plot who’s just getting started. And Territorial Seed is successful nationally,  too. “Territorial has good selection across the board, dependable seeds and fair  pricing,” said a New England gardener. Additionally, Territorial is one of the  only major seed companies that publishes a winter catalog, which is of  tremendous interest to food gardeners in areas with mild winters.

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Gardeners of all skill levels enjoy trying new crops and varieties, and many  look to mail-order seed companies to add to the adventure. “Nichols  Garden Nursery always has something new and interesting, plus they continue  to carry my old favorites,” said a veteran gardener from the Southwest. A  Mid-Atlantic gardener noted, “The family warmth of Nichols shows in the care  they take with each order, and they have taken a stand against treated and GMO  seed.” A gardener from the Midwest with more than 20 years of experience summed  it up this way: “When I’m looking for old-world heirlooms or just plain fun,  Nichols Garden Nursery is my favorite.”

Those in search of undiscovered garden pleasures often find them in packets  from Renee’s  Garden, which is also a valued source for garden-worthy annual flowers. “The  Renee’s Garden catalog introduced me to favorite new crops, including ‘Trombetta’ squash and ‘Garden Babies’ lettuce,” said an experienced gardener  from the Southwest. A Midwestern gardener with 20 years of experience praised  Renee’s “combo packs” that include three varieties of lettuce, squash, tomato or  pepper.

Read more: http://www.motherearthnews.com/print.aspx?id={56DCD921-5138-45DE-8FC5-E13DAADFF64F}#ixzz2nMheJ3Y6

Tech-Happy Design in the Hollywood Hills Asks $7.825M | Chappaqua NY Homes

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Location: Hollywood Hills, Calif. Price: $7,825,000 The Skinny: Here’s a sleek Hollywood Hills house that is definitely not for the technophobic: with self-closing kitchen cabinets, an automated Neorest toilet in the master bathroom, and a sound system that’s controlled via a Smarthome system, this place might very well be among the first to throw off the shackles of human domination when the A.I. singularity occurs. Until that unhappy moment arrives, though, the Jay Vanos design provides everything an early-20th-century free-range human could want in modern luxury. Inside there are Miele appliances in the kitchen (including a built-in coffee system and wine refrigerator) and heated bathroom floors; outside there’s an infinity pool with a swim-up bar and spa, all with panoramic city views. The 5,200-square-foot home has three bedrooms and four bathrooms (one full, three partial) that are served by an elevator which, hopefully, is not powered by a semi-autonomous computer chip nurturing a murderous rage toward the people who make it go up and down all day, every day. The listing is asking $7.825M, regardless of whether Skynet is about to awaken or not.

Black Ice, Slick Conditions Likely In Chappaqua | Chappaqua Real Estate

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The snowstorm that dropped 2-4 inches of snow throughout Westchester County has passed, but the National Weather Service has just issued a Special Weather Statement warning of black ice and slick conditions Tuesday night and into Wednesday.

Those conditions are especially likely on walkways and untreated roads, where many are either wet or covered with snow and ice.

Temperatures are expected to fall into the 20s Tuesday night with any slush or standing water refreezing.

Icy conditions could continue Wednesday, which will be mostly sunny but with a high of only around 30 degrees.

Thursday and Friday should also be dry, but temperatures are not expected to climb past the freezing mark.

The next chance of snow is Saturday, with a 70 percent chance and a high temperature of 35.

 

http://chappaqua.dailyvoice.com/news/black-ice-slick-conditions-likely-westchester

 

Immigration reform could spur housing recovery | Katonah Real Estate

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Immigration reform in America would broaden and accelerate the current housing recovery, in addition to feeding the growth of the economy by adding new, younger workers into the labor force, a report from the Bipartisan Policy Center said.

In a report titled “Immigration Reform: Implications for Growth, Budgets, and Housing,” the policy center argues that immigration reform can produce powerful economic benefits, and for people trying to protect their immigration status in the USA, the use of a lawyer from the Sam Shihab & Associates, LLC is one of the best options for this.

Immigration reform would jump-start the housing recovery by dramatically increasing demand for housing units, growing residential construction spending by an average of $68 billion per year from fiscal year 2014 to 2023, the report said.

The 20-year period includes a peak of more than $110 billion per year in fiscal year 2022 through 2025, with the first decade’s annual average about $56 billion per year higher, and the second decade’s about $81 per year billion higher.

However, if all unauthorized workers were removed, spending would decline by more than $100 billion per year compared with the baseline, or the current projections if no change was made, and more than $175 billion per year compared to the reference case.

http://www.housingwire.com/articles/28250-immigration-reform-could-spur-housing-recovery

How to Create a Social Media Strategy By Spying Your Competitors | South Salem NY Realtor

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Are you struggling to create a social media strategy for your business?

Lacking insight into the social behaviors of your customers?

No data, no problem!

Chances are your competitors have done all the hard work and all you need to do is look for it.

In this post, I’ll show you how to research the competition’s social game plan so you can build a solid social media strategy of your own.

Finding the Fundamentals

When it comes to social media marketing, you need to answer a few fundamental questions:

  • Should your business be on social media?
  • What networks should you choose?
  • How do you create a great profile?
  • What type of content should you post, and when should you post it?

Everyone must answer these questions, including business owners who want to create a strategy for their own business, marketing managers who need to convince their CEO to invest in social media and consultants who create strategies for clients in a wide variety of industries.

Fortunately, you can find answers through the process of competitor research.

Keep reading to discover how to get insight on your competitors.

#1: Comparing Audience Size

While you shouldn’t obsess about how many fans or followers your competitors have, noting these numbers at the beginning of your campaign can help you answer the following important questions.

how many fans do your competitors have

Noting the number of fans your competitors have can help you answer a few important questions relevant to your own business. Image source: iStockPhoto

 

1. Should your business be on social media?

If your competitors have an audience on social media, whether it is 100 people or 100,000, the answer should be yes. Otherwise, your competitors are tapping into a customer base that your business could be completely missing out on.

2. Which networks should your business focus on?

Do all of your competitors have strong presences on some networks, such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, but not others, such as Pinterest? If the answer is yes, then it means two things: 1) businesses in your industry do not do well on Pinterest or 2) with creativity, you have a chance to reach a group of customers with little competition.

3. Have you reached all of your target audience?

Competitor research isn’t just limited to businesses starting their social media strategy. If you have been using social media for a while, but not getting results, take a look at the size of your competitors’ social media audiences to help you gauge whether you are reaching as many of your potential customers as possible, or whether you still have room to grow your network.

 

 

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/social-strategy-competitor-research/

 

Dreaming in Color: 8 Ravishing Red Bedrooms | Waccabuc Real Estate

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I’m not a morning person, so I’ll take any help I can get for waking up early and feeling motivated to start my day. Bold red is an attention-getting hue, so it’s a great color for those who need assistance getting revved up and energized. Keep in mind, though, that red has been shown to raise blood pressure slightly as well as increase stress and anxiety levels, so it’s not a good color for those who need their bedroom to be a mellow sanctuary. Of course, deeper and darker reds that veer toward burgundy are less “hot” and therefore more soothing, so look for those if you prefer a more calming effect in your bedroom.

For those of you ready to go red, check out these eight bold red bedrooms from around Houzz, along with a few tips for working with the hue in your own bedroom.

I love a strong accent wall color, especially when it’s picked up elsewhere in the room via textiles, furnishings and decorative accessories. This deep red is gorgeous set against the rich wood details, and the white wall helps lighten it all up.
If a solid red wall is too intense for you, try breaking it up with plenty of white. This is a fantastic and affordable way to get a one-of-a-kind look in your bedroom, with just masking tape and paint.
Or use red as an attention-getting background hue for fun, decorative wall decals that are easy to install and also easy to change out down the road. This is another cost-effective way to get a supercustom look in your bedroom.