To showcase the beauty of Ithaca New York they will be having an inaugarul 13.1 mile half marathon. This race will start in downtown continuing through the Fall Creek Neighborhood, Stewart Park, Cayuga Lake waterfront, Cayuga Heights and the west campus of Cornell University.If running is not your activity there are many wineries to visit as well as a short drive to Watkins Glen or Taughannock Falls State Park.Here is a map of the area: https://goo.gl/maps/pNCoL.And as a reminder it is also Flag Day.  04/12/2015

A closing is an interesting thing.  Usually someone is getting paid (besides us)!  Someone may be saying goodbye and moving on.  A new person is saying hello to a new home.  So there are many reasons to think there could be some happy vibes from a closing!  But sometimes, closings make me very sad. Such an occasion arose recently when I helped a great seller client sell their modest home to a new first-time buyer.  The sellers came to me after a failed attempt with a different agency, and we hit it off from the start and work very well together.  The house didn't sell right away.  It took a while to find the right buyer.  When that buyer finally appeared, it happened that it was the daughter of a great local agent that I have worked with before and totally appreciate for his honesty and... 07/23/2014

A great new income property is on the market in Trumansburg NY! This totally renovated farm style home has 2 highly rentable apartment units upstairs. A recent post in Craigslist "for rent" yielded about 24 calls to the owner of the house.  The lower level is a 3 bedroom, hardwood floor, owner-quality apartment with one bathroom.  The property sits on approximately one acre, and is only 5 minutes from the Trumansburg schools and the village, as well as 5 minutes from Taughannock State Park and the lovely waterfalls and walking paths/lake access that are provided there.  Additionally, the Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance is held every July on the Trumansburg fairgrounds, adjacent to the Trumansburg schools. Income for this property is approximately $32,000/year.  The owner pays for... 06/30/2014

The First Ithaca Artist's Market was a grand success, based on my own observation and walk-about of the market last Saturday.  It was packed to the gills with all sorts of visitors looking for a unique holiday gift, or something for their own enjoyment.  There was a lot to choose from, and I had to force myself to be disciplined.  But I did walk away with some nice finds, and some contacts for later follow-up, as most of the vendors sell directly to the public from home studios or via web or phone sales. The first booth that caught my eye was that of Torie Tiffany, whose work is unique and fresh.  She produces two collections: "Fleurotica", which is a blend of bodies and blossoms, and "Faunagraphs", a critter collection. You can see a hint of her work in the photo at left here, featurin... 12/19/2010

  Greetings and Happy Holidays to All!   This is Agent Santos with a holiday update for you…   First, I have MOVED!  I am now working with Warren Real Estate, at the office on Hanshaw Rd.  Please stop by and see me anytime, but call in advance if you REALLY want to see me and I will make it a point to be there for you!   Second, YOU may have moved!  If so, please drop me a line and let me know the best way to keep in touch – by email, phone, drop-in, etc.  I am a social person, I enjoy the drop-in myself but I hate to do that to busy people.   Third, there is a TON of fun to be had in town this weekend, and I wanted to mention a few highlights in case you’ve been too busy to read the paper or listen to the radio – here are my TOP PICKS for holiday fun in Ithaca this weekend!     Downtow... 12/10/2010

            WELCOME PIGGERY!!          Surreality in Ithaca, NY!  Drive-Through Deli Serves Coffee with an Oink in Ithaca, NY!!   The newest small business to hit our local scene is creating a "buzz", literally and figuratively, with their new concept for an old drive-through coffee shop.  Situated in the location formerly known as "BUZZ" drive-through coffee shop, THE PIGGERY, a local farm CSA with outlets in the Ithaca Farmers Market, and in Manhattan at the Union Square Farmer's Market, has re-christened the location as "The Piggery" drive-through coffee and delicatessen as of last week!  Now you can pick up a pound of bacon or sausage when you order you coffee at the drive-through window. Be aware though, that the deli service hours aren't set to start until noon on most days.  You ... 11/27/2010

Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services will celebrate it's 33rd year of service next Friday, April 9th, with a noon luncheon at the Women's Community Building.  This is a group of people who are on the move to improve the quality of life for homeowners and first-time buyers in Ithaca, New York.  I am a client who can talk the talk!  When I first moved into my older, out-of-level South Hill home on a steep slope, I thought, hey, no problem! 40 year old furnace, no worries!  20 year old windows with flimsy bent screens - pshawwww!!  Well, after living in the house for only 4 months, I was ready to sell it!  But I found a MUCH better solution to my woes when I heard, through INHS, about the NYSERDA weatherization and energy efficiency programs for homes JUST LIKE MINE!  And, for people with ... 03/31/2010

Ellis Hollow is still a highly desireable address in Ithaca, NY.  What's to love about Ellis Hollow?  If you are a Cornell or Ithaca College Professor or Graduate/Undergraduate student, you couldn't do much better for location mixed with tranquility.  The elevation of the neighborhood puts it into a dreamy layer of fog on many early dawns.  Although it's as close to the campus as College Town, it's on the south east border of the area, and does not have the same orientation toward rentals.  Lots are larger, homes are farther apart, and there is a much higher percentage of owner-occupied homes in this area.  Because of it's location, a well-maintained and attractive home here tends to hold it's value.  In the last year, 12 homes sold in the neighborhood. Of these homes, the lowest sold p... 03/29/2010

The ITHACA REAL ESTATE market is off to a roaring start this year, driven in part by the huge tax credit incentives, which are really bringing the buyers out of every corner!  While most of the movement is in the price ranges below $200K, we are seeing good traction elsewhere as well, and certainly hope the trend will continue.  Move-up buyers still have at least 30 days to take advantage of this tax credit also, and since the recent uptick in mortgage rates, we expect decisions to start coming quickly as we march down the last 30 day stretch into April 30th. For the week of March 22: 72 new listings in the last 7 days  Average list  $ 251,711    pr per SF $122.17 48 went under contract               Average list  $ 174,852    pr per SF   $97.35 Certain sectors of our market do very wel... 03/26/2010

Our local board president David Irish is quoted in his article found in yesterday's Ithaca Journal, commenting on the state of our real estate market and his outlook for 2010.  Good, to the point analysis.  It should be a good year - it's definitely off to a strong start.  For questions on our area market, please give me a call or send me an email - I'd be happy to help! Reporting from Ithaca, NY, where we have been dumped on with 12 inches of snow in the last 24 hours! Agent Santos "The Short Report by Santos"     02/25/2010

Darn!  I was a big fan of the Smart Monkey, especially when it came to their wonderful Italian donuts, freshly made in the morning and rolled in sugar!!  I didn't even know they had closed until this week when I overheard it from a friend.  So they will continue with some catering functions, but the retail operation will close down.  Hope's Way also closed in the last month, and the Ithaca Bakery will now be moving into their former location in the Triphammer Mall.  I love IB, AND at the same time, I lament these closures of other very unique retail food cafes, whose presence made the Ithaca foodie scene a little more complex and interesting.  Ithaca Journal had a small blurb about the closure, which occured January 14th. 02/12/2010

The city of Ithaca is making moves on the commercial front, unlike many depressed towns and cities of our size.  We have a lot to be thankful for.  There are more than a couple things mentioned in the article cited in this post, that really get me going!  Just down the street from me on Clinton and Cayuga, (adjacent to the Cayuga St. parking garage) there will be a new Fingerlakes Wine Center, and a ground level restaurant in the building that was originally slated to become Cayuga Place condos.  Meanwhile, the turn of events for the condos is that they will be initally built-out as high-end green apartments and rented instead, as the developer has met up with some of the same financial challenges to getting the project funded that have besieged many of the nations largest commercial de... 02/04/2010

Looking thru a photograph I found inside a drawer I was taken by a photograph of you.... Wait that was the Jackson Browne concert at CMAC last Saturday. Sorry Looking through the Ithaca Board Statistics I was taken by the amount of homes available under $200,000. The total number of homes for sale in the IBR today 8/6/09 is 742. Of those homes 315 are listed under $200,000. That's a lot of possibilities, granted some of those homes might need a total rehab but in a market like this, that's a sign to go shopping. If you are a serious buyer who has their financing in check and home ownership is in your short site then you are in a terrific place. A bonus if you qualify for the $8000.00 tax credit if you close by December 1, 2009. Today's buyer is in a strong position to negotiate, and upo... 08/06/2009

If you have been contemplating home ownership but think you should wait just a little longer - think again!!!  Waiting for the right time can be expensive. Some buyers would have more equity today, despite falling prices, if they had bought when they were first considering it, instead of continuing to pay rent.   Financing is fickle. Some people who were highly qualified last year can't find financing this year because the credit market has tightened or their personal financial situation now makes them an undesirable borrower.   Interest rates are headed up. If prices decline by another 10 percent, but interest rates increase by 1 percentage point, the monthly payment will be the same. If you've found a house that is within your price range - make an offer!  Sellers are more willing to ... 07/28/2009

Shari Landsman, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson and EcoBroker at RE/MAX In Motion in downtown Ithaca has earned the National Association of Realtors (NAR) Green Designation. The NAR Green Designation is a real estate designation that helps real estate professionals be an advocate for green principles in the design and use of homes and a positive force for creating sustainable communities. The designation also provides real estate professionals with knowledge and awareness of green building principles applied in residences so that they can guide buyer-clients in purchasing and retrofitting green homes as well as help sellers by listing and marketing the green features of their properties. Shari's knowledge and awareness of green building principles enhances her ability to help local hom... 06/09/2009

Let me preface this... I like to repeat myself so in that tradition -- Ithaca NY has a steady real estate market, and if you are in the market for real estate you should buy now!   Just got word that FHA will allow first time home buyers, taking advantage of the $8000 tax credit, to use it as a down payment!   But wait there's more!  Ithaca has made the news again.  USA today reports (as I have been touting all along) .."Ithaca, a small city in Upstate New York, seems like a bucolic refuge from financial woes. It avoided the housing bubble, and so far, it has been sheltered from much of the economic crisis." Check it out...Ithaca NY: Affordable homes...       05/13/2009

It's official - real estate season is in full swing in Upstate NY.    I know I may have said it before, but it's evident now.  This is the second day, in a row,  that I have been in a multiple offer situation!   As I'm prone to repeating myself, I'll say it again - if the property is priced right and the demand is there,  it will sell.  Of course it's all about location, location, location as well.    The first deal fell through to a cash buyer. ("Yes, Virginia, cash buyers do still exist.")  What's that you say?  All you are hearing is the doom and gloom of the national housing market?  Well, I have just one question for you then -- do you listen to the national weather report to get your local weather??  Right... so talk to a local REALTOR... I digress... A piece of advice to all the ... 05/08/2009

Congratulations! You've decided to sell your home...but wait, what's that?  You don't want to use a REALTOR to assist you?  "Why should I use a REALTOR to sell my home?  It costs too much and I can do just as good a job."  And to that I say... please reconsider! You may be costing yourself more, more time, frustration and money by not consulting a REALTOR! Did you know that sellers who use a real estate professional make 16 percent more* on the sale of their home than do sellers who go it alone. REALTORS® are real estate professionals who are experts in marketing and negotiation. REALTORS® can help a seller set a realistic price and ensure the proper paperwork and various disclosures and inspections are handled correctly. REALTORS® know best how to prepare a home and maximize value, pro... 04/23/2009

Re-blogged by 0 agents Ithaca Oasis - Grand Opening This Saturday, April 18th! Okay, it's not your typical Real Estate topic, but it's REAL!  And it pertains to signs of our local market conditions - certain businesses are GROWING in spite of the national slump we keep reading about.  One of these, is the old Commonground, under new management (by Pam K), and re-emerging as "ITHACA OASIS" on Rt. 96B.  You must check this out - if not for the wine or tequila tastings (two Tuesdays a month), then for the live jazz sets on Friday at happy hour, or for Noche Latina, a crowd-pleasing format of dance instruction followed by a DJ'ed night of great latin dance tunes.  People are totally cutting it up out there - you wouldn't know it was happening from the unassuming look of the place.  Weekend... 04/15/2009

Okay, it's not your typical Real Estate topic, but it's REAL!  And it pertains to signs of our local market conditions - certain businesses are GROWING in spite of the national slump we keep reading about.  One of these, is the old Commonground, under new management (by Pam K), and re-emerging as "ITHACA OASIS" on Rt. 96B.  You must check this out - if not for the wine or tequila tastings (two Tuesdays a month), then for the live jazz sets on Friday at happy hour, or for Noche Latina, a crowd-pleasing format of dance instruction followed by a DJ'ed night of great latin dance tunes.  People are totally cutting it up out there - you wouldn't know it was happening from the unassuming look of the place.  Weekends tend toward bringing the party outdoors, especially as we move into better wea... 04/14/2009