It feels like July has barely started, and yet the month is halfway over. Despite the fact that summer is here, and it’s usually a slow time of year, the real estate market continues to impress many. Already, 5 homes have gone into Conditional Contract since July 1st, while 5 properties are Pending and waiting to close. Looking at the Sold listings, a whopping 22 homes have closed in the first half of July alone. That beats the 13 homes which were sold during the same period of time in 2009. Double dip? All signs point to “Not in Scarsdale.” What are the signs that we may have actually turned the corner? 1. The Number of Homes Sold. There are more Buyer’s in the market today, and they are ready to do business with serious Seller’s. More homes are seeing multiple offers when they are pri... 07/20/2010

SCARSDALE The number of homes sold in Scarsdale in 2010 has increased dramatically versus the same period in 2009. There were 76 homes which had Title pass to new owners in the first six months of this year. That number is up from the 52 homes which sold in 2009, for an increase of over 46%. The most homes sold, 24 of them, were in the $1,000,000- $1,499,000 price range. Homes went into contract at a faster pace, however the “Average Days On Market” has increased from 173 days to 209 days. “I think there is a little confusion in looking at the Days On Market numbers,” said a local realtor. “The numbers measure the amount of time it takes from the time a home is listed on the market to the moment Title is passed, or the sale is closed. The increase in Days On Market is most likely due to... 07/07/2010

Celebrating their 41st anniversary playing in Scarsdale, The Westchester Band performed their second concert last evening in Chase Park in the downtown village. The Westchester Band is conducted by Alan Hollander, a professional musician since the age of eighteen. He has also conducted the American Wind Ensemble, Larchmont Symphony, and Westchester Pops. Mr. Hollander is also an adjunct professor of Oboe and Music Education for Lehman College, and the band Director. The free concerts will continue through August 5th. Last night’s show included a performance by Hudson Voices, a 12-voice ensemble. Featured songs included “Memories” and “Phantom of the Opera.” Each concert features a range of music from popular to opera, including well-known classics, show tunes, concert marches and the ga... 07/02/2010

The Hartsdale Farmers Market is back! Founded in 1993, and sponsored by the Town of Greenburgh, June 19th is the official start to their season. Every Saturday, you can expect to see stands loaded with fresh fruits, vegetables, breads and pastries. The market will run every Saturday through November 20. “We’re about creating clusters of people who are passionate about getting good food,” says Miriam Haas, founder and manager of Community Markets, the small consulting company behind about twenty of the farmers’ markets in the region. Her endeavor in food organizing began in 1991 in Ossining, New York. Haas and fifteen other families started a co-op to satisfy their increasing concerns about chemicals in their produce. “It came out of a need to find organic produce for our young children... 06/21/2010

Chase Road and Spencer Place were closed down early Saturday morning, June 19th for the arrival of no less than 95 artisans from around the world who were showcasing and selling their creations. Publicized for weeks, and with the help of sunny blue skies, the event was packed. Artists were able to show off much of their best work, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, jewelry and more. The town was transformed. Streets usually filled with cars were now filled with people perusing, and some purchasing, the stellar art. “This is amazing. All of the art is so breathtaking. The amount of work, dedication and time that must go into each piece is truly touching. Everything is displayed so beautifully,” said Scarsdale resident Sara. The Paragon Fine Arts Festival, in conjunction with ... 06/19/2010

What is the effect on Real Estate when you have high property taxes? There are lots of buyers looking to break into the Scarsdale and Edgemont markets. They've heard of the great school systems and family friendly communities. But the taxes are high…really high. Even for Westchester County, which has the highest taxes in the nation. And while many buyers find that they can afford the purchase prices in the area, they have been having difficulty finding taxes they can afford. "I'd love to move to Scarsdale. I love the community, how close it is to the city and the tree-lined streets and parks. There's no shortage of places I can bring my kids to play," says Beth, a buyer and mother of two. "I've been looking to move to Scarsdale for almost a year. I'll find a house that's great, but thos... 06/14/2010

  It’s almost June, a time when High School Seniors are getting ready to graduate. The caps and gowns are being sized, and excitement is in the air! High School is almost over for them, and college is on its way. So why are parents so worried? It’s been said time and time again, people move here because of the school systems. Scarsdale High School and Edgemont High School both had 100 percent graduation rates last year, topping all high schools in central Westchester, according to data from the New York State Education Department. Edgemont Union Free School “is a culturally diverse community of concerned individuals dedicated to providing exemplary education in a changing world. We are committed to our students...We take pride in our uniqueness; the Edgemont Schools are the essence of o... 06/01/2010

  It's almost that time of year again, the day all Scarsdale and Edgemont homeowners have been waiting for...GRIEVANCE DAY at the Tax Assessor's office! June 1st is officially the first day in the tax grievance process.  In Scarsdale, this process lasts until the third Tuesday of the month, which this year falls on June 15th. That officially gives all property owners exactly 15 days to file their applications, with completed paperwork. If you think you might be over assessed, it might be well worth your time to investigate the possibility in having a case, and you have only two weeks left to do this. Potential savings can vary from a few hundred dollars to thousands. These savings depend on a number of different factors, including the value of your property, the tax rate, the amount you... 05/21/2010

Springtime in Scarsdale, yeah it's finally here! The beautiful weather is out which means that it's time to think about Landscaping. Homes that are coming onto the market are especially concerned with making sure they have great curb appeal. Nothing can dazzle and attract a buyer like colorful flowers. Who can turn away the idea of buying a house with perfect tulips, bushy hydrangea's, and a blossoming Cherry Tree? Newcomers who have recently moved to Scarsdale and Edgemont from the more urban areas, like New York City, might be surprised by the amount work and expense it takes to maintain a nice yard like that. The process can be stressful and confusing. Do you hire a landscaper? Or do the work yourself? Landscapers charge a fee for maintenance of the yard, usually on a weekly or mont... 05/04/2010

Most people are aware that solar panels can produce electricity for homes, but there is still a great deal of confusion about how it works. There is also a lack of education regarding the tremendous government incentives which are now available to homeowners. When solar panels are installed on a home, you are not "off the grid." Your home is still connected to the power company; you are just drawing less power from the grid and replacing the conventional electricity with power produced at home. Think of it as a system of debits and credits. On a bright sunny day, the system produces at peak power, so less comes from the power company. At night, your consumption swings back to total consumption from the grid. The PV panels, Photovoltaic, are very dependable. With no moving parts to wear ... 04/27/2010

In the real estate market, most people thinking of selling are asking, "What is my property worth?" Putting a value on a piece of real estate can be both a science and an art. The value of a property is in the eye of the beholder. Real Estate prices can come from your tax assessor, a recent appraisal, a Real Estate Agent or, what the home seller wants for the property. The official definition of a market sales price is- what the buyer wants to pay for the property. APPRAISAL One tool in gauging a property's price is having a professional appraisal completed. Anytime a property is sold or refinanced with a mortgage lender, an appraisal will often occur. An appraisal analyzes and documents the condition and features of a property and analyzes its value through a process that usually invol... 04/26/2010

The annual Scarsdale High School carnival included fun, rides and lots of great food! There were great adventures for the whole family. And it was certainly one of the best ways to donate to charity. Mr. Neil Ginsberg, a teacher at Scarsdale High School, has ten years of overseeing the carnival. While it's the much-anticipated opening day of the carnival his students look forward to, he most enjoys the roller-coaster of work in the weeks beforehand. "I love how the kids get so involved in their club stuff and their class stuff, they really work hard to make their booths work and all, and the most important one is about 3, 4, or 5 weeks after its over - I love when we are able to write checks and send it out to charities." Yes, you heard right. Not only does the carnival bring loads of ... 04/20/2010

Bidding wars -two words that are music to a seller's ears. Once thought to be a relic of the real estate boom, "bidding wars" have started reappearing, especially in the Scarsdale area. In the past, these bidding battles were knock-em-dead-punches made by buyers who had barely made it into the driveway of a home before they were on the phone calling their attorney to draw up the contracts. Once the recession hit, and banks forgot where their pockets were, bidding wars disappeared faster than magic brownies at a Rolling Stones concert. Until recently, bidding wars were thought extinct- limited to rare or exceptionally well-priced properties. But now, inventory is flying at a fast rate of speed, and bidding wars are once again becoming the rule rather than the exception. "You don't have ... 04/16/2010

Sales doubled in the 1st quarter of 2010 in Scarsdale versus the same period in 2009, confirming what many real estate agents already know in the area, the number of home sales in the area are rising. According to data retrieved from the Westchester-Putnam Multiple Listing Service, the number of days on market for home sales increased in the first quarter, from 180 days in 2009 to 278 days in 2010. But, it's important to note, the first quarter contains many homes that were still in contract from 2009, a year where homes were taking time to sell. "Actually, many homes that were listed in the first quarter of this year have moved from Active to Contract in a short amount of time," said Jonathan Lerner, Managing Broker of Engel & Völkers Scarsdale.  "We are seeing many more homes in the a... 04/07/2010

The landlocked Village of Scarsdale NY is something of a symbol for the affluence of Westchester County.  The town was founded officially in 1788.  It remained a small town of mostly farmers and farm-workers until the Harlem Line railway was established, connecting Scarsdale to Manhattan.  At that point it slowly converted from farmland to  a bedroom community for commuters. In the early 1980’s Scarsdale became the site of a famous murder when “the Scarsdale diet doctor” Dr. Herman Tarnower,  was murdered by Jean Harris a woman whom he had had a long-term relationship with. The subsequent investigation and trial were a national sensation. Personally, I can still recall the media circus at the County Court House throughout the trial. Scarsdale NY Demographics: Today, Scarsdale remains a... 04/06/2010

Real estate in Scarsdale NY has a remarkably sparse number of cooperatives located within  the Scarsdale 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 Chauteaux in Scarsdale NY: The Chauteaux is an elegant  pre-war  garden complex located just off of East Parkway on Chauteaux Circle.  Mature grow... 04/06/2010

I recently read this, and decided to post it here. I hope everyone will enjoy it as much as I did.   I've been on a big kick lately about people bringing passion to their jobs. I don't care if they are an artist, a banker, a teacher, a waiter or whatever. We need to realize that everyone benefits when people are excited about what they do and how they deliver it to their customers, clients, neighbors and even strangers.The great Martin Luther King, Jr. once gave a speech at a junior high school in Philadelphia in October, 1967 where he said the following:"...When you discover what you will be in your life, set out to do it as if God Almighty called you at this particular moment in history to do it. don't just set out to do a good job. Set out to do such a good job that the living, the d... 03/30/2010

Tips for the First-Time Home Buyer Buying your first home is one of the most exciting things you will ever do. If you have spent years living in apartments, there is nothing more satisfying than owning your own property. The process can be a little lengthy, and you might hit a few bumps in the road to home ownership. If you are thinking about purchasing a new home, here are some smart tips to help you avoid some of the hiccups. 1-      Get your finances in order. Request a copy of your credit report so you can check it for accuracy. Mistakes are common and you want to make sure there is no fraudulent activity. If you come across something that you know is an error, circle it and send it to the reporting agency along with a letter of dispute. Free credit reports can be obtained once a ye... 03/26/2010

Every day, the news media reports some sort of bleak commentary regarding the economy, government, healthcare, etc. Sometimes it's a wonder that any of us is able to continue going on with our lives. Another month has passed with an outrageous number of job losses, you almost you wonder how anyone has a job anymore. Even one job loss at this point is too much compared to the already millions of people who do not have any employment. But with a news media that thinks the top story of the day is telling us how many times Tiger has "birdied" all his partners, do we really trust them to tell us what's going on right in our backyards? Hopefully, you agree with a big, resounding No! Yes, the news is important for learning what's going on nationally. And perhaps, all the issues of State too (b... 03/05/2010

With Scarsdale and Edgemont having received yet another snow storm, most people are counting the days till spring and summer arrives. And what is one of the best features to have in the summer? Why, a pool, of course. Like Clark Griswold in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, who fantasizes about buying an in-ground pool with his holiday bonus, you can see it already: The crystal clear water, the poolside deck, the floating raft just waiting for you to climb on and sunbathe. You're not alone. Some real estate professionals caution that a swimming pool can be a deterrent to buyers when the home goes back on the market. Having an in-ground pool in the backyard has the potential to dissuade an interested buyer who might not have any desire to deal with the maintenance it demands, or the... 03/02/2010