As posted yesterday, the Bengal Tiger – a landmark Indian restaurant in downtown White Plains went up in flames yesterday. The cooking oil that was everywhere combined with 100 degree temperatures and flammable chemicals from the adjacent dry cleaners caused the fire to rapidly escalate into a 5 alarm fire. Over 160 firefighters from White Plains and neighboring communities responded to the blaze. The roof collapsed about 5 hours after the blaze began. The fire is now “under control” but not over. 25 were overcome by smoke inhalation and the heat and taken to area hospitals.
I drove by this evening to see what had happened. I was going to walk the streets, but decided against it as there were too many bystanders as it was and I didn’t want to be underfoot. The few shots I have were taken from my car, but you can still see the horrific damage. At least half that block is wiped out. The presence of White Plains’ finest and bravest was very dominant – as well it should be.
There are ancillary issues to this fire. One would be that it is a fire under investigation. The Journal News indicated that the restaurant had filed twice for bankruptcy protection in recent years.
Another issue is the down-sizing of the police and fire departments. White Plains residents faced an eye-popping 19% tax increase or layoffs. The unions did not appear interested in negotiating a pay cut or a cut in benefits and something had to give. The mayor and council took a line down the middle through layoffs and increasing copays for retirees and a 6% tax hike. Many are calling for the return of the laid off fire fighters. When I went on-line to see what was going on in the local on-line news – you could hear the hate on both sides. The anger from the union end and the anger from the taxpayers end. I must say here and now that anyone who thought the fire fighters didn’t “work hard enough” need serious psychiatric help. It is entirely possible for a fire to get out of control in that heat with the grease and chemicals creating the “perfect storm.” But I also have to say that White Plains resident’s have seen their taxes nearly triple in the last 12 years. The union demands have been and continue to be totally unaffordable and something had to be done. I will address this issue in a future blog.
One of the famous downtown White Plains restaurants went up in flames today as a fire – which started in the basement spread to engulf the entire restaurant and take out half a block on East Post Road in White Plains NY. The location, just off of Mamaroneck Avenue in the heart of the downtown, complicated matters as smoke engulfed the area with temperatures near triple digits. The five alarm fire demolished the Bengal Tiger and three other businesses – effectively destroying a half a block of the downtown area. 60 firefighters were from several communities were battling the flames. The oppressive heat sent 25 fire fighters to the hospital due to smoke inhalation as well as heat exhaustion. According to City Hall, the cause of the fire is under investigation. Tonight the fire is under control, but not out. It took over six hours to bring the flames under control. A man hole cover also exploded nearby complicating matters. In spite of the proximity the two fires are unrelated.
Area residents are being asked to conserve water as the fire – though under control – is still not extinguished.
Attention condo/cooperative board members and management. I know that times are difficult and that units are not selling like they were. This is particularly true since the tax credit has just expired. Westchester condos and coops are often the first step on the ladder to home ownership – so complexes that have entry to mid-level prices will be impacted the most by the expiration of the first time home buyer’s tax credit. The inventory of condos for sale Westchester NY is very high.
But nothing is worse for values in your complex than a ton of listings just sitting on the MLS going nowhere. Ok – so how can you help move these units ….let me count the ways.
1. Don’t make getting through the front line-security something akin to the landing at Normandy. Security is great – requesting a card from the agent is fine, but make sure that the building is actually accessible including the amenities. After all the buyer is often buying the lifestyle associated with the complex. It does no good for me to say “Oh and you should SEE the gym!” When they can’t see the gym because it is locked and no one has an access key. Read the rest of this entry »
Last year I wrote a post about the 4th of July events in Lower Westchester and it was a huge success. I even had people calling me for directions. Although going to the city is great – the Westchester to NYC commute can be painful on a busy holiday. And there really isn’t any need -there is plenty to do right here in Westchester. Soooooo….here’s the list for 2010.
Wednesday June 30:
Fireman’s Parade – Mamaroneck NY – Rain date – July 1
Begins at 7 PM starting near the Mamaroneck Ave. School and includes 30-40 fire departments. www.villageofmamaroneck.ny.us
63rd Annual Fireman’s Carnival – Mamaroneck NY – June 29 – July 5 – 7 PM – Midnight
This can be somewhat pricey but very worthwhile. If you plan to attend for more than one day you might consider buying an armband that covers you for every day.
We are definitely in the “Dog Days” of summer – my Siberian Huskies have morphed from outdoor dogs to indoor couch potatoes in search of the comfort of the AC. Somehow temperatures close to 95 with high humidity don’t square well with the physiology of a dog that was bred to withstand temperatures of 40 below in Alaska. So I definitely understand how they feel.
In any case some relief for the TGIF crowd is in order. So enjoy the video of the dancing pig. I found him on YouTube and thought he was kind of cute and something fun after a long hot week.
First time buyers looking for homes for sale in Westchester NY face a variety of choices. There are a lot of homes on the market right now and many find themselves like kids in a candy store. But that doesn’t negate the fact that houses for sale in Westchester NY are still very expensive and many of the things on that wish list – including the “must haves” often have to to be reconsidered and scaled back.
For example, the entry level buyer that wants a pre-war charmer with 2 full baths and and open floor plan with central AC for under $500k is looking for a product that does not exist in this market.
Many buyers initially turn their noses up when they see a cookie cutter:
Many of my colleagues in the real estate industry are very right-wing. Someone wrote a post about giving BP a break – I wrote a blistering response – or something closer to a tirade about how the far-right preaches personal responsibility UNTIL it comes to a large corporate entity. Then we should understand that business is business and let the free market “take care of it.” Sorry that doesn’t cut it. Nor does the apology for the apology that Senator Joe Barton gave to BP appease me at all. If the whole thing weren’t so ludicrous – it would have been hilarious. Certainly a case of being out of touch with a severe foot-in-mouth complication. Apparently, Barton felt that forcing the company that created thebiggest environmental tragedy in our country’s history was “shaken down” when they were forced to put money in escrow to pay for the damage. What’s wrong with this picture?
Consumers who have been searching for homes have been discovering something new and different when they do an address search on Google. They are suddenly swamped with web pages which amount to “listing sheets” of each address the punch into the search engine. The result is the mess seen on the right. A long list of web pages for a single address.
At first this might seem like real estate heaven for buyers and sellers a like. However, the number of these sites have been propagating like bunnies and the elation turns to confusion when the consumer picks up the phone to call the agent who listed the home.
Where is the Listing Agent?
You see, these listings are being sponsored by agents and brokerages that for the most part have nothing to do with the listing. Some may have no idea about the listing whatsoever. They engaged a service that covers several counties, and know nothing about the home in question. In fact their working territory might be 30-50 miles away or more – but they are eager to help the buyer or seller with their real estate needs no matter how little they know about the area.
A few years ago a post like this would have been an afterthought. Perhaps it would have even been laughed at as overkill. The condo and cooperative markets were on fire as the prime entry points into a market in which a single family home was a out of reach for the vast majority of first- time buyers. The need to prepare and stage a unit was just not part of the picture. But alas, this is no longer 2005. It is now 2010 and we have an inventory overhang that is giving this market a hangover.
This overhang is, in many cases, due to overbuilding and that fact presents those who are on the resale market with a problem. Sellers are competing with an inventory that includes a large percentage of brand-spanking new – never lived in units. These are very, very tempting to the average buyer. Everything is finished, fresh and sparkling clean. These units are now being priced to sell and they are turn-key. No heavy lifting, no muss, no fuss. To add insult to injury, these new complexes are often chock full of amenities that put a pre-war cooperative and some older condo complexes to shame. From the stainless steal appliances and granite countertops they are tough to resist.
Like the rest of 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.
As posted yesterday, the Bengal Tiger – a landmark Indian restaurant in downtown White Plains went up in flames yesterday. The cooking oil that was everywhere combined with 100 degree temperatures and flammable chemicals from the adjacent dry cleaners caused the fire to rapidly escalate into a 5 alarm fire. Over 160 firefighters from White Plains and neighboring communities responded to the blaze. The roof collapsed about 5 hours after the blaze began. The fire is now “under control” but not over. 25 were overcome by smoke inhalation and the heat and taken to area hospitals.
