Larchmont NY has long been a popular destination for buyers of single family homes, but Larchmont is also a popular location for those looking for condos or cooperatives. A cluster of these condos and cooperatives are located in a prime location within one to two blocks of Metro-North in the Larchmont P.O.
The Stonecrest – 21 North Chatsworth Ave – Larchmont NY:
The Stonecrest, located at 21 North Chatsworth Ave Larchmont is a luxury cooperative in a doorman building – located roughly two blocks from the train station. The stately Pre-War Tudor complex boasts one of the finest locations in the area. The Roughly two blocks from the train station and a similar distance to shopping and fine dining, I am hard pressed to think of a more convenient loation. The address has a walk score of 92 out of 100 making it a walker’s paradise.
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Of course this is a play on “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.” But what I am trying to address here is that many people think changing real estate agents will help a listing that is not selling. One agent is as good as another, so if one doesn’t “perform” then we just move on to the next. Commoditization of the work force seems to be the order of the day – so it is somewhat natural that buyers and sellers would treat real estate agents the same way.
Sometimes change can be a good thing. If your agent isn’t doing a good job marketing your home, bringing in a new agent may be the answer. But in other cases, and perhaps more often than not in this crazy market – it will make little or no difference in the final outcome. In fact, it could actually work against a seller to do this.
Agents have limited control over the final sales price…
One dirty little secret of real estate is that an agent has a very limited ability to influence the final sales price. We can help you get the most that the market will allow….but beyond that we too are at the mercy of market forces. The notion that we can beat the bushes through saturation bombing marketing and pull out the ONE buyer willing to pay a premium for your home because of its special features is the stuff of urban legend.
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This is my final post in this series but just because Small Business Saturday ends today, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bookmark these posts and visit them during the holiday season and beyond. Most of these suggestions have been on the Westchester View before. I had a rather busy black Friday – people were shopping for homes as well as for the holidays.
Located at the corner of Palmer and Larchmont Ave., this is a store that lends it self to reviews….I couldn’t put down my camera when I wrote a review last September. Everywhere you turn around there is something very unique. I was in the store yesterday and they are having specials for Small Business Saturday. I love going in there because there is always something new and totally unique in there. Here are some new things that stirred my interest:
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This is my second installment on Small Business Saturday. Small businesses are the bedrock of our community and I’m thrilled to see that the small brick and mortars are getting some attention because Black Friday has largely become a big-box affair. To see my first entry on small businesses in White Plains NY click here. You will also find more information about why small business is so important to a community. Marie Graham also wrote a very eloquent post about the value of small business and why we should skip Black Friday and make Small Business Saturday rock.
Here are a few picks for the village of Tarrytown. in general Tarrytown NY has done a good job of keeping their small brick and mortars as a dominant feature. As a result it is a very unique village with a great deal of character and personality. The three main stores are located on Broadway (Route 9) about a block south of the main drag on Main Street whereas Coffee Labs Roasters is right in the center of town on Main Street.
Bark & Meow is celebrating 5 years in Tarrytown. Located just a half block south of Main Street – it is easy to get to, but easy to miss if you don’t know that its there. They have very unique products for dogs and cats including adorable collars and coats, rain jackets. It also has a wonderful supply of dog and cat food at reasonable prices. I’ve seen stores in other locations charging far more. The photos below are nice stocking stuffers for both pet lovers and pets. The dog biscuits might even tempt a human, the ornaments are terrific and that wallet makes an amazing gift.
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Small Business Saturday had its debut last year. But they are upping the publicity and ante this year. In my opinion – a program like this is a step in the right direction. In Washington they jawbone about supporting small business – but talk is not action. Yet small business, including bricks and mortars have traditionally been the backbone of American exceptionalism and success. They need and deserve our patronage and support.
Our love affair with big-box stores and rock bottom prices has come at a price. Service? What’s that? Knowledge of the product? You’ve got to be kidding me? In addition there have been bankrupt businesses, lost jobs that paid decent wages and less money coming into the community. Consider this: when you spend $100 with a local merchant, $68 returns to the community. When you buy at a national chain – only $43 is returned to the community. Thats a 37% difference in direct economic stimulation.
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Westchester NY – particularly southern Westchester is surrounded by water. On the south-eastern border up to the southern tip of Connecticut, the Long Island Sound dominates the area. The entire span of the western side of the county borders the Hudson River.
The Westchester RiverWalk is a 51.5 mile planned pathway that lies parallel to the river and will – when completed span the entire county. The walk itself will actually span 14 different municipalities and will connect village centers, many of the historic sites along the route, trills such as the Croton Aqueduct trail, as well as esplanades and boardwalks.
I have walked portions of RiverWalk with camera in hand including the areas of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow just north of the Tappan Zee Bridge as well as the downtown Yonkers waterfront. The slide show my vision of what the RiverWalk is all about – as seen through the lens of my camera…which is often my friendly translator!
For a GoogleEarth Virtual Tour of the RiverWalk - click here.
© 2011 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.
Hudson Harbor – Tarrytown NY
The last time I updated my blog on Hudson Harbor of Tarrytown NY, Phase I townhouse sales were in full swing and the Phase II condominiums were just starting to get underway. With Phase II now in full swing, it is high time I updated the information on this amazing development.
Hudson Harbor is located right on the Hudson River against a major portion of the Westchester’s Hudson River Walk -A trail which will ultimately extend the length of the county along the Hudson River when completed. This development is a combination of luxury townhomes as well as condominium flats. Interspersed between the town homes will sit a complete community including shops and dining – creating complete mini-community on the Hudson River. Included in this package is a complete fitness center, a large out door pool both for residents only as well as guest houses for residents who have visitors.
Hudson Harbor – Tarrytown is part and parcel of a massive effort to reclaim the riverside for residential and community use . Public monies including a complete renovation of the train station have been committed and the end result will be a wonderful walkable community on the river – Just steps from Metro-North.
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A few months ago an agent responded to blog I wrote about first time buyers. Her comment was that “First time buyers today don’t know what is good for them. They want their cake and ice cream before they’ve had their main meal. “ I wish I could remember the blogger’s name – but I forgot the post and only remember the quote. I had understood what she was saying, but at the time, felt the judgment was more than a little severe. However, recently I’ve recently had a cooperative for sale in a very lovely building and sometimes selling something small in a complex where everything is easily compared brings buyer behavior into sharper focus. Having observed the sales in that building – such as they are because volume was very low until just a few weeks ago – the agent is largely correct…wanting the glitz without the substance IS impacting the decision making process of first time buyers – and I predict that it will come back to haunt them when they sell.
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This is a tough topic for me to address objectively. However, I have seen many blogs recently from agents touting their expertise as “local experts”. Meanwhile, I’m also seeing quite a number of other agents bragging about the number of listings that they have. Most of these agents can not possibly accumulate the raw numbers by being local. Many of these agents have listings that are scattered far and wide – sometimes in more than one state or at least in several counties.
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The Furniture Sharehouse is having the last in its fall furniture drive series in White Plains NY on Sunday. For those wanting to know how to help flood victims from the hurricane in New York (Irene) – this event should be on top of your list. This is ideal for anyone who is thinking about moving and decluttering. Its ideal for those who feel t that their gently used furnishings are getting out of control…. and taking over the home. In cases like this you might want to load up the SUV and bring them to a place where they will be used by needy and grateful families.
For those who do not know what the Furniture Sharehouse is all about – it is a not-for-profit furniture bank that coordinates with many social service agencies in Westchester – helping needy families to furnish homes that would be nothing but 4 bare walls without help from the commmunity. According to Marie Graham – they have furnished nearly 1500 families so far.
Now- before you load up the car – there are some guidelines so please click here so you know what is appropriate.
The Time: Sun Nov. 13, from 9AM – 1 PM
The Place: The Woman’s Club in White Plains NY – 305 Ridgeway – White Plains, NY 10605
© 2011 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.
