White Plains NY has often been referred to as “the city in the park”. It has a long tradition of trying to maintain green spaces even when pressure from developers would turn the entire downtown into a solid block of concrete, brick, mortar, steel and glass. Thanks to activist citizens, the green “feel” has been maintained. Not without many a fight and not without a great deal of help from several organizations.
People often ask me that question – albeit without the profanity – though in the back of my mind they are just trying to be polite…but that’s what they are thinking!
There has recently been a “round robin” of postings on Active Rain about compensation for agents, rebates and the (fading) rebate market.
Crystal Hawkins Syska
The Time: Wednesday July 6 – 6:30-8:30 PM
The Place: Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Rd. Suite #101 – White Plains NY
The Topic: Short Sale and Foreclosure Alternatives:
The Syska Group at Keller Williams – headed by the amazing Crystal Hawkins Syska is there to help Westchester NY home owners navigate the short sale maze and avoid foreclosure. Tomorrow she and her group are holding a seminar called Short Sale and Foreclosure Alternatives. This is a free seminar and is something that distressed sellers should not miss. Among the topics being discussed is the Emergency Homeowners Loan Program. This program offered by HUD can provide up to $50,000 or 24 consecutive months of mortgage payments to qualified homeowners.
Crystal discusses the issues confronting distressed home owners head on in a transparent and upfront way. She is a wealth of information and has helped many families through short sales allowing them to avoid foreclosure. If you need help – attending this meeting would be one of the best things you can do for yourself!
For more information
The Syska Group
Phone: 914-309-2851
Email: [email protected]
© 2011 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.
In a world increasingly divided between the have mores and the have nots, and municipalities struggling to make ends meet – those with deep pockets feel that minor incidentals such as “zoning” and a “city planning” are small obstacles to be pushed aside with relative ease. All they have to do is purchase a property – zoning not withstanding – plant their flag and impose their “vision” for the future of the land on the community.
The Stonecrest Cooperative: 21 North Chatsworth Ave – Larchmont NY:BACK ON THE MARKET AFTER FULL BATHROOM RENOVATION!
Since this listing has its own page with its own domain name – I did not create a new posting for it. So this is just to announce that the unit is back on the market after undergoing a complete bathroom renovation. The price is very competitive and the location nothing short of ideal.
The complex is located in an area that is the Sound Shore version of Garth Road in Scarsdale or downtown White Plains. In fact, anyone looking for a condo or coop in these locations would be well advised to take a serious look at the coops and condos on North Chatsworth Ave. generally. Located steps from the train, fine dining and shopping it was rated a “Walkers Paradise” by Walkscore.com. You really can leave the care behind! Larchmont is an express stop on the New Haven line – just 35 minutes from Grand Central Station.
Below are some photos of the interior of the unit – which is large in size has high ceilings and ample closet space and wonderful views.
If you would like to learn more about this listing including the affordable cost of living, a video and links to many more photos you can click here TheStonecrest3C.
© 2011 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.
When home buyers engage an agent they often expect us to be the repository of any and all neighborhood information. They often don’t see the need to do their own research because they can just pick the brains of their buyers agent. But the truth is far more complicated than that. Steering Laws prevent me from divulging anything about following:
For the last two years I have posted a July 4th holiday calendar and judging by the number of people viewing and the phone calls – it has been a huge success.
It’s not too early to think about the 4th of July Weekend – heck it is almost upon us. There is no need to go to Manhattan for great 4th of July fireworks and events – Just look at these Westchester events chock full of fireworks. Save gasoline and stress and forget the city this year. There is plenty to do in your own back yard and you save gasoline and stress.
Use the QR Code at the bottom of this page and have these great events with you all weekend – where ever you go. Go to QuiQR to get this feature for your smart phone if you don’t already have it.
Village of Mamaroneck Fireman’s Carnival:
Harbor Island Park – Mamaroneck Ave and Boston Post Rd.
Begins Tuesday June 28 7-11 PM . There is a parade on June 29th and fireworks on July 4th. The event continues through the 5th of July.
This is the Fire Department’s annual fundraiser. But the event itself is special and fun for ALL.
Independence Day Celebration – White Plains
White Plains High School – North St. between Bryant & Ridgeway
June 30 6-10 PM
A fun filled evening of inflatable rides, entertainment and fireworks.
Read the rest of this entry »
A few days ago I “stole” some time to indulge in a walk and photo-session at the Rockefeller Preserve. Fortunately, I brought my telephoto lens…and as luck would have it – I was able to capture several shots of this new mom and her brood of ducklings. Seriously, I could almost just see her “smiling” with pride! The ducklings were all over the place floating around on the water like tiny corks. They were bobbing their heads in the water – with their tail feathers in the air – as Mom looked on watchfully.
During these difficult times it is nice to know that there are community centers to fill in the many gaps that our communities are finding in their safety nets. The Carver Center is on such center.
The Carver Center has its roots back to World War II. It was started as a storefront after school program for the children of parents who were working in wartime defense industries. Over the years the Carver Center grew to be a small food pantry and a child care program until today it serves thousands. The Carver Center depends heavily on individual contributions from the community.
Right now the Carver Center is gearing up for its summer session for children. The program will serve 130 children for six weeks during the summer. The program includes
The Carver Center relies on community support and needs your help to keep its programs running. For more information about contributing to any of there programs click here.
They have a great program, worthy of our mention and support!
© 2011 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.
There is a lot of competition with Westchester NY homes for sale. During this major housing recession we’ve learned that aggressively promoting the home from top to bottom is extremely important.
When I list a home I tell the seller a hard truth that permeates this market whether you are listing at the high end in Scarsdale or Larchmont to a small coop in downtown White Plains. That truth is that buyers are demanding and LAZY….Seriously, most buyers just don’t want to lift a finger to do anything. The thought of sweat equity has been left in the dustbin of the bull market along with no-doc, low-doc and stated income loans.
Given this atmosphere – where buyers are skimming the cream and leaving the rest – we think often of bringing in stagers to achieve a depersonalized move-in ready feel to a home. People make upgrades just to sell a home. New kitchens and baths are often installed just to appeal to buyers. But what about that all-important first impression? Before people even enter your Westchester home? Curb appeal is very powerful and if you miss out on plantings during this summer market – you are missing an opportunity – and perhaps leaving money on the table.
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