The Westchester View » Villages/Towns

Westchester Events – Hudson River EagleFest – Feb. 4, 2012

Ruthmarie Hicks — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:18:54 +0000

Yes, I know – everyone is gearing up for the Superbowl. But there are many who would like to share in outdoor activities this weekend.

For the past 8 years the Hudson Valley has celebrated the renewed presence and vibrancy of our national bird in the Hudson Valley. Many are too young to remember, but in the 1970s the American bald eagle was an endangered species. Now they are thriving and I have witnessed their presence on more than a couple of occasions. The photo at the right is one I took at Kingsland Point Park about a year ago. Apparently, the majestic soul in the portrait was watchful but not fearful of me or my telephoto lens….But the photo shows that my presence did not pass unnoticed…he was well aware of me and watching my every move – with his eagle eye!

This post is more than a bit tardy – and for that I apologize. The bus tour is sold out. However, there are still ways to participate and learn more about some of our most majestic birds of prey.

The event is hosted by the Teatown Reservation but the epicenter is at Croton Point Park – There are many ways to participate:

Eagle Theater Schedule:

10 AM, 11AM & 12 PM - Close Encounters with Wintering Eagles and Owls
1 PM, 2 PM – Exclusively Eagles
3PM – Flight of the Raptors

Advance Ticket sales are $5.00/person and $10/person when purchased at the door.

Eaglet Stage Schedule:

These shows are free of charge!

9 AM – Eagle Identification Tips
10:30 AM & 2:15 PM – Jonathan Kruk – Master story teller
12 PM – Teatown Birds of Prey Program
12:45 – Physics of Flight – Beyond Feathers
1:30 – Birding Optics

Additional eagle viewing sites along the Hudson River…

Each area is staffed by eagle experts with spotting scopes.

Croton Boat Ramp at Croton-Harmon Train Station
George’s Island Park – Montrose
Riverfront Green Park – Peekskill
Kathryn W. Davis Riverwalk Center – Sleepy Hollow
New Croton Dam – Cortlandt
Bear Mountain State Park Trailside Museums & Zoo.

Go Giants! Crazy Superbowl Hat Making Day!

Ruthmarie Hicks — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:17:43 +0000

What would the Superbowl be without the crazy hats? I mean really – you gotta have them…Well the Larchmont Library is going to make things easy for you! They are hosting a hat-making event on Saturday – Feb. 4 for kids aged 7 and up…The event is free and the time is 10:30 AM

The Event - Crazy Super Bowl Hat Making
The Place - The Larchmont Library – Larchmont Ave.
The Time - 10:30 AM Sat. Feb. 4
The Cost - FREE!

Enjoy!

Market Update – Larchmont NY Homes – Chatsworth Elementary School

Ruthmarie Hicks — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:47:06 +0000

Larchmont homes zoned for the Chatsworth Ave Elementary School feature the best of what a Westchester bedroom community has to offer. Homes in this particular school zone cover two distinct neighborhoods.

Homes in the Village of Larchmont:

Homes in the village of Larchmont feature tree-lined streets and pre-war homes packed with Old-World charm and character. They range in style from rambling Victorians with wrap-around porches, graceful colonials and impressive Tudors. Typically, the homes in the village sit on smaller lots, though there is still a feeling of space and privacy. These are mature neighborhoods with old-growth which adds to a sense of privacy.

Convenience is a very big amenity of this part of Larchmont. It is easy to leave the car behind and walk to shops and fine dining. Many leave the car and walk to the train and end up doing their shopping on their way home. Most locations in the village are eaily accessible by foot to Metro-North. Walk Scores range from very walkable to walker’s paradise – which is very unusual for single-family home neighborhoods.

Homes in Larchmont Manor:

As a general rule, Larchmont Manor features bigger more expensive homes on larger lots. The streets are graceful and meandering with the mature growth that characterizes a long-established neighborhood. Located on the other side of Boston Post Rd., the area is slightly less accessible to shopping and dining withou the car. It makes up for it with more spacious homes, some feature water views of the Long Island Sound.

The area boasts the beauty of Manor Park and the Larchmont Yacht Club.

The walk score in this neighborhood ranges from very walkable to car-dependent.

Larchmont Homes – Median Sales Prices:

All data comes from the Empire Access MLS (EAMLS). This first chart shows the pricing before the crash and following. The red bars are the years prior to the crash of 2008 and the green bars are 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively. In 2006 the median sales price was $1.226 million and that peaked in 2008 to $1.343 million. In 2009 that number abruptly “corrected” to $907k and rose to $1.243 million in 2010 and now rests at $1,053,000 for 2011. The decrease in median reflect a decrease in 3-4 BR homes. Larger homes with 5+ BR’s have actually gained back the ground that they lost. There was in an increased number of sales in the fixer market at the entry level this year. But median prices were indeed down slightly in an apples to apples comparison. This may have been a reflection of the the expiration of the first time homebuyers tax credit which would impact smaller homes more than larger homes. Median prices for 3-4 BR homes remain about 17% below the values attained near the peak in 2007.

Larchmont Homes – Sales Volume from 2006-2010:

The sales volume before the crash went from 78 sales in 2006 to 48 in 2008. Once the crash of 2008 happened sales volume stayed nearly the same for 2009 but at severely reduced prices. That ground was recovered in 201o and increased again in 2011. These numbers indicate that this market is shifting from a buyers to a sellers market. The increase in sales volume is a key indicator of a recovery in progress.

For the Latest Information on Sales and Listings:

For the latest on sales stats and current listings - feel free to contact me by phone – (914-374-5529) or email – (Ruthmarie.Hicks@gmail.com) or you can simply fill out the form below – whichever method you prefer. Don’t worry – I do not sell, spam, or otherwise abuse your information!

Market Update on Larchmont NY PO – Single Family Homes

Ruthmarie Hicks — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:21:23 +0000

Larchmont homes typically evoke tree-lined streets and mature neighborhoods. This area does not disappoint on any of these. The area is strictly residential – yet for the most part it is walkable neighborhood – many of the homes being a mile or less from the train station and parts of the village. Some areas are somewhat further from town – so walkability depends upon you precise location. But leaving the car behind is indeed an option for a large portion of this neighborhood. Because this is a long established neighborhood, Larchmont homes generally have a distinctive Old -World charm about them. Tudors seem to dominate the area although Colonials are very much in evidence as well. But don’t let the age of these homes fool you. Most of them have aged gracefully and boast many upgrades that can give you the best of both worlds: old world charm – with modern amenities. The lot sizes run the gamut from roughly 0.12 acres to over an acre in larger homes. In general, the homes close in to the village sit on smaller lots.

Larchmont NY PO – Median Sales Prices:

The big bad bear market has actually been very kind to Larchmont Village and the Larchmont PO. While other areas of Westcehster NY are still in the doldrums, Larchmont homes have been selling at a fairly brisk pace and prices have increased. This first chart shows the pricing before the crash and following. The red bars are the years prior to the crash of 2008 and the green bars are the years following the crash. In 2006 the median sales price was $998k and that peaked in 2008 to $1.125 million. in 2009 that number came crashing down to $905k and has risen steadily to nearly $1.1 million this year. This has been a strong come-back.

Although the market in the area has recovered quite briskly, the pace of recovery has varied somewhat between smaller and larger homes. This chart contrasts the differences between 3 and 4 BR homes. In general, with a few caveats, the homes under 2000 sf with fewer bedrooms have recouped less ground than their larger counterparts.

Larchmont NY PO – Home Sales Volume:

The sales volume before the crash went from 94 sales in 2007 to 72 in 2008. Once the crash of 2008 happened sales dropped to 51 for 2009 but recovered in 2010 when it went back to 95 sales. 2011, although slightly lower in volume, was noted for its competitive sales.

Fotos on the Fly – NYC Skyline from Hudson Harbor – Tarrytown NY

Ruthmarie Hicks — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:13:10 +0000

One of the most exciting new construction developments is Hudson Harbor – Tarrytown NY. I’m not normally a big fan of modern architecture, but I have to say that I really love the construction of this complex with its use of fieldstone and old wood beams. They made it look like Stone Barns which is quite an accomplishment. But what really makes its special are the views.

So after we saw the development, I went for a walk on the RiverWalk that runs right behind the complex. (The complex – now in Phase II is right on the river.) and took some photos. Basically I started with a wide-angle lens and moved to a tele photo.

The first picture is of the Tappan Zee Bridge. The Manhattan skyline can be faintly seen under the bridge with the wide angle. The second picture was with a zoom lens – it gives you a perspective of where the Manhattan skyline is in relation to the TZ bridge. The final was when I zoomed in on the skyline itself. I’ve taken photos from this perspective before, but it was such a clear – if blustery day, that the skyline really “popped” particularly with the color of the sky.

Hope you enjoy these – they were fun to take.

Market Update – The Chateaux – Scarsdale NY

Ruthmarie Hicks — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:34:27 +0000

Real estate in Scarsdale NY has a remarkably sparse number of cooperatives located within theScarsdale municipality. The famous Garth Road cooperatives – though conveniently located with resepect to Metro-North and village shopping, are not truly in the Village of Scarsdale. If you are looking a cooperative that is located in the Village of Scarsdale with easy access to the train station as well as shops and Scarsdale restaurants, then the Chateaux of Scarsdale is one complex that fits the bill. The location couldn’t be better for the commuter - you can even grab a quick morning drink at Starbucks on your way to the train platform.

The Chateaux in Scarsdale NY:

The Chateaux is an elegant pre-war garden complex located just off of East Parkway on Chauteaux Circle. Mature growth gives and the unique garden-style buildings a tremendous amount of grace. The setting is peaceful in spite of being in the middle of the village. And you can’t ask for a better location. You can easily leave the car for day to day errands. Shops are just around the corner, dining out is just steps away.

The Chateaux – Recent Pricing & Sales History:

Up to the end of 2010 there were some very sturdy markets that appeared to be immune to the gyrations of the housing recession. Certainly, Westchester is far more resistant to correction than other parts of the country. But in 2011 this market, that had resisted a major correction, finally corrected…and the correction was severe because it came all a once. 1 BR units fell from a median price of $249,000 to $192,00 – a near 23% decline. 2 BR units fell from a median of $545,000 to $375,000 – over 31%. This correction in higher end cooperatives has also been seen in the Larchmont P.O. where the price drop has also been over 30%. These areas represent the highest end of these markets in areas that are close to the train and have sought after school systems.

*The Chateaux is a smaller complex so statistical data is difficult to relay reliably. The asterisks indicate years in which no sales were recored So I kept the median price the same as the previous year.

Although sellers have to be very realistic when listing their coops, this represents a rare opportunity for buyers. Buyers should be grabbing on with both arms because this could truly be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get in at the ground floor with affordability that hasn’t been seen for over a generation. It really doesn’t get much better than this and buying now beats renting hands down. It’s not even close when the overall outlay is examined carefully. With rents increasing rapidly, I have to ask – yet again – what on earth are you waiting for? If you are rejecting the 30% off sale hoping to get a 50% off sale – you are taking a very big risk indeed.

Market Update – Scarsdale Manor – Garth Road – Scarsdale NY

Ruthmarie Hicks — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 03:01:20 +0000

When people think of real estate in Scarsdale NY they tend to think of single- family homes and high-end cooperatives with Old-World charm. Scarsdale Manor is one of the larger cooperative complexes on the famous Garth Road. The area reflects the mature elegance of Scarsdale Village and features many pre-war complexes that were converted into cooperatives in the 1980s. It is a mature community with very little space for new development.

The area couldn’t be more convenient. It is highly walkable, you can leave the car behind for most of your day-to-day errands. A 10 minute stroll puts you on a Metro-North Train to NYC. The trip to Grand Central station in midtown is a mere 29 minutes by express.

Scarsdale Manor Complex:

Scarsdale Manor like many of the buildings surrounding it, is a pre-war complex which is reflected in the grace of the structure and the grace that the units inside convey. A 1 BR unit can range in size from 725 – 950 sf while 2 BR units range from 900-1250 sf. Many of the 1 BR units are sold as Jr.4’s when they have a separate dining area. Many of these units have been renovated from top to bottom allowing buyers to enjoy the best of the old as well as the new. And speaking of modern amenities, the complex is wired for FIOS, Cablevision and Direct TV.

Scarsdale Manor – Sales History:

The sales history at Scarsdale Manor reflects the general market on Garth Road in the Scarsdale PO. Prices for 1 BR units are down about 18% from the peak while 2 BR units are down about 16% from the peak prices As of the end of 2011, the median price for a 1 BR unit in Scarsdale Manor is about $180,000 while the median price for a 2BR unit was $270,000. Thats down from a peak of $220,000 and $320,00 respectively. The area has held up relatively well when compared with other municipalities. The proximity to NYC as well as the walkability of the area contributes to the ability of the complex to sustain these price points. The lower volume over the past year may indicate that prices that are still declining – but for most part, the air appears to be out of this market and buyers would do well to take advantage of a near 20% price drop along with the very low interest rates that are now available. By doing so it is easy to “lock-in” a low cost of living that if interest rates rise, we won’t be seeing again.

The charts below show the median prices before (in red) and after (in green) the market crash of 2008. The market for 2 BR units responded more strongly to the tax credit with an uptick in prices for 2010 – only to have the gains erased in 2011. The sales volume is of slight concern. This often indicates that the market is still declining. Sellers certainly need to be realistic in their pricing.

For the latest listing and sale information on Scarsdale Manor:

For the latest on sales stats and current listings - feel free to contact me by phone – (914-374-5529) or email – (Ruthmarie.Hicks@gmail.com) or you can simply fill out the form below – whichever method you prefer. Don’t worry – I do not sell, spam, or otherwise abuse your information!

Garth Road Scarsdale NY – Market Report

Ruthmarie Hicks — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:18:28 +0000

The cooperatives on Garth Road in the Scarsdale PO are a very popular destination for first time home buyers and those who are scaling back from a home. Among Westchester coops, the Garth Road location is one of the best known and most sought after. This is not without good reason. The location is fairly close to perfect for commuters and those who prefer to leave the car behind and walk to town.

Although Garth road bears the ever popular Scarsdale PO, the coops on Garth Road are located in the municipality of Eastchester. But for all practical purposes, the location is is just like living in the Village of Scarsdale. Just 30 minutes from Grand Central Station – the location is ideal for commuters. For most residents, the train is less than a 10 minute stroll away. The village of Scarsdale is equally convenient. Leaving the car behind is easy in such a prime location – easier in fact than for many people who actually reside in the town of Scarsdale.

Like most cooperatives, the bulk of these complexes -particularly those close to the train and town are prewar buildings with a great deal of character.

The complexes of Garth Road Scarsdale:

The Northgate – 105 Garth Road
Eton Lodge - 117 Garth Road
Eton Hall – 127 Garth Road
The Kenilworth – 142 Garth Road
Colchester Hall – 143 Garth Road
The Craigswald – 187 Garth Road
Scarsdale Manor – 174-198 Garth Road
The Thornycroft – 209 Garth Road
Garth Essex – 230 -260 Garth Road
Garth Woods – 235 Garth Road
The Buckingham – 253 Garth Road
Garth Manor – 281 Garth Road

General Sales History and Pricing on Garth Road:

Cooperative complexes across the county have undergone a major market correction over the past few years.

The charts below show an overall decline of of roughly 20% for both 1 BR and 2 BR units over the past six years. Median prices for 1 BR units have fallen from $214,000 to $171,000 since 2006. For 2 BR units the price drop has been from a median sales price of $344,000 in 2006 to $273,000 in 2011. Although sales volume is well off from the peak of the market, it is healthier than some other areas and the decline has leveled off – and at these prices, it is likely that demand will increase significantly in 2012. Certainly it is far cheaper to purchase a cooperative than it is to rent anything comparable. So this will drive buyers into the market in the near future.

Right now, buyers should consider these complexes to be “on sale” and be ready to take advantage of what this market has to offer. Waiting for the 35-40% off sale that may never happen, may prevent you from taking advantage of the 20% off sale. Sellers need to be realistic. It is no longer 2005-2006 and it could be a long time before we see those prices again.

Westchester Events – Holiday Edition – Christmas Eve Services at Union Church – Pocantico Hills

Ruthmarie Hicks — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 04:18:42 +0000

Union Church of Pocantico Hills has a rich history. Part of the Historic Hudson Valley – the church has is closely associated with the Rockefeller family. It is also very famous for its stained glass windows by Matisse and Chagall. From the outside, the church is a chapel-sized field stone structure. Something of a classic Tudor. But the interior windows are simply breathtaking. The rose window by Matisse, was his last work of art. The Chagall windows came later. All were commissioned by the Rockefellers as memorials to family members.

The Christmas Eve services are a way for families to come together and get away from the Christmas materialism. Its a wonderful time to reflect about what Christmas really is all about. Something that quite honestly seems to get lost in the process of our mall -crazed month of shopping. The services themselves are marvelous with a mix of music, scriptures and carols and a short sermon. The church is non-denominational and welcomes one and all. There are three Christmas Eve services, at 3:30, 7:30 and 11 PM. The latter two services are candlelight services.

Before I sold real estate – I actually sang in that church choir. Unfortunately working on the weekends and attending a church nearly 30 minutes from my home an office does not mix well, but I have a tremendous affinity and affection for this church and try to get there whenever I can – which sadly is not often!

The Event – Christmas Eve Services at Union Church
The Place - Union Church of Pocantico Hills 555 Bedford Rd., Tarrytown NY
The Time - Dec. 24 at 3:30 7:30, and 11 PM

Wendy Gee – Something for everyone – Larchmont NY

Ruthmarie Hicks — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:24:18 +0000

As some of my readers know, I am currently on a quest to promote local businesses and merchants in lower Westchester NY. Westchester retail has come a long way since I was a youngster shopping at the local army and navy. But local merchants face an uphill climb from big-box creep. So far the focus has been on Mamaroneck, Larchmont, White Plains, and the River Towns – particularly Tarrytown. After a while, I realized that I was in as much of retail rut as the rest of the world. Sure I have my favorite haunts – but all of us need to stretch beyond and try new things!

To be totally candid – I had never been into Wendy Gee before this past week. From the outside, it looked to be well above my price range – and if the truth were to be told some of the higher end items certainly are. However, you can find just something for just about everyone at Wendy Gee from higher-end but comfortable furnishings for adults to toys for tots. Even the family pet is included. Many of the items are geared to adding a sense of style and whimsy to a room. An accent piece from this store can actually change the feel of room, by adding a splash of the unique. As my stager for properties (Marie Graham) would say ” a touch of whimsy an color go a long way.” Just one or two pieces could help transform a room from dull to dynamite.

This is a great place to shop for the remaining people on your list for the holidays and beyond. This is not a big-box bland place to be. Enjoy the video below an be sure to visit their website: WendyGee.com. Better still – stop by for a visit and get some ideas. Wendy Gee is located at 1949 Palmer Ave. in Larchmont NY.