I recently had the joy of attending a special wine & food pairing night at Hazelnut Kitchen, 53 E. Main St. in Trumansburg, NY.  The proprietors, Justin Paterson & Lisa Jonckheere, had teamed up with Remembrance Farm to host a bang-up autumn meal that warmed the tummy, and the rest of me too, against the on-coming winds of winter.The Farm to Table movement is thriving in the region, much to the delight of the patrons and many who visit the area in search of something more authentic, more connected to a local person or place they might know, or be able to visit.  Farmers and restaurants are collaborating to produce outstanding, savory and creative menus like the one I sampled with my friend and leisure partner David K.When we first arrived, we were happy to see that the usual smaller tab... 11/20/2017

It’s been a few years since we were lucky enough to have this wonderful tour of “green” homes made available to the public.  I’m excited to get out on the tour this Saturday to see what’s new and different with our line-up this year.The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County (CCETC) does a great job organizing the event – as a volunteer with this tour for several years in the past, I can testify to the high traffic that we get at many of these unique custom houses.  It’s an adventure!  And not to be missed, especially for anyone thinking of building a special home in the northeast.  THE BEST are right here in Tompkins county!Here is your link to the tour information:  http://ccetompkins.org/your-home/green-building/green-buildings-open-house/2017-green-buildings-open-houseWrit... 09/27/2017

Having been fortunate enough to roam and play a little on this property in recent years, I was thrilled to see that Jan and Sue Suwinski, owners of Sheffield Farm, have taken steps to protect and preserve their homestead and acreage for generations to come.  Some welcome good news for the days we are in!Horse Farm Accepted & Protected Forever Any owner who would consider putting their assets into a conservation easement would naturally have some questions about it.  The Finger Lakes Land Trust has assisted many families with the big questions, and is equipped to help with planning for a transition like this. In terms of selling a property with such an easement attached - it has not had negative impacts on the sales in which I have participated.  However there will be some restrictions, ... 01/26/2017

Winter update from Ithaca, NY - this is the only week so far that we've had "ICK" for weather.  But it's the real deal.  After work, I am hunkering down at home today.  No need to put anyone at risk.  I live on a nice big hill downtown.  So although it's very close to town, it's also quite treacherous when the weather turns icy...Unless you have something like this!Or maybe this? I just took a land listing by phone and we discussed when to meet so that I could see this lovely parcel - it's 20.5 acres in Richford, with an old well and electric service deep into the middle of the lot.  Fortunately, the seller is okay with NOT meeting today!  We'll go see the place next Tuesday when things calm down.  But I might still use my Yak Tracks if anything is falling from the sky!As for 2017 predi... 01/10/2017

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

For the uninitiated, the major musical event of our calendar year is about to unfold here in Tompkins county.  No doubt, the area is known for high quality music year-round.  However this event really captures a lot of what the Fingerlakes, and Trumansburg & Ithaca specifically are about.   It's about the weather!  Songs have been written about the "Ithaca Weather" , which can be all over the map in 15 minutes!  There is usually at least one rainy day during the festival, and one heat wave! There are tents!  It's about camping and imbibing in interesting beverages and sampling the many outrageous food offerings, including lucious fare from Macro Mamas, Solas, and Stone Cat Cafe - you WILL find many yummy things here.  Just wish they would bring in a caramel apple person, personally! It'... 07/07/2014

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

Our local economist, Elya Kacapyr, has just released the latest economic report for Tompkins County. Home sales last April compared to this April showed no change in the number of homes sold, however the average price climbed a little over 1% this April from last.  The median dipped substantially.   The unemployment rate for our county is 5.7, while NY state is at 8.1 overall, and the national figure is 7.7. The future is uncertain, however a bring note is that help wanted ads were up, and this may suggest that employment may pick up soon. http://www.ithaca.edu/hs/economics/tcdex.htm   Reporting from Ithaca NY on an overcase June 4th, this is Linda Santos for the Short Report! 06/04/2012

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

Christmas Trees  for (Almost) Free in Ithaca, NY - at Greensprings Natural Cemetery Please don't get the wrong idea here folks, cemeterys are not the usual real estate blog post topic; or when they are, they are the butt of bad jokes. But this is for real, you can find and cut for yourself, a lovely Norway Spruce tree, and have it loaded on a horse drawn cart to be taken to your car in the parking lot, this Saturday from 11 am - 2pm at Greensprings Natural Cemetery.  Their website "naturalburial.org" can give you a bit more background on them and what they are about.  To be honest, I had never heard of them before seeing the small blurb in the Ithaca Jornal about their tree cutting day, but of course, it makes sense - they promote the use of natural decomposing materials, when making bu... 12/08/2010

            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

TRUMANSBURG FAIR KEEPS TRADITIONS ALIVE IN TRUMANSBURG, NY   I took my first trip to the Trumansburg Fair this year - specifically to watch the Demolition Derby with my boyfriend Rob, who is a motorsports guy.  The fair is really reminiscent of my childhood in Guam, where we had our community fair in July every year, on the 21st, to coincide with Guam's Liberation Day.  The sounds, sights, and aromas of a Fairgrounds are quite distinct - and a bit overstimulating, to be sure.  I got snap-happy (with the camera) within a few minutes of getting onto the grounds, and enjoyed taking it all in before the crowd filled the grandstand for the derby. Being that it was my first demolition derby, I was quite excited to see and feel the energy of cars crashing!  I think sometimes, "I could do somet... 08/27/2010

Trumansburg, NY has already surpassed total homes sales for 2009 as of late July 2010.  In 2009, 34 single family homes sold in the Trumansburg School District.  For 2010, the number of sold homes now stands at 41, and we have 10 homes currently under contract.  It's been anything but a typical year for the area.  People are attracted to the easy walk-about environment of the village, and the surrounding country scenes impart a very pastoral and relaxed feel.  Trumansburg is the site of the amazing Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance, which yours truly has attended for 4 of the last 5 years - a most enjoyable event.  Coming up soon, you can witness the killer Demolition Derby, also held at the Fairgrounds starting August 24th - 29th!  While you're in town, stop at one of the many pop... 08/17/2010

I recently was introduced to a client who made a difference in my life as an agent.  She was referred by someone in another state, via ActiveRain, and had some particular needs to be addressed - she walks with crutches and uses a wheelchair, and the referring agent was concerned about placing the woman with someone who would be able to help this client find a suitable home.  I am feeling pretty lucky that I got the nod that day.  I could tell from the first contact with the client that it was going to be fun!  She has a great personality and was coming to Ithaca to work at Cornell, in their human resources division, with a special focus on assisting those in the workplace who also deal with disabilities.  She was absolutely one of the most efficient and organized people I've had the ple... 07/26/2010

1. Ithaca, NYHome to Cornell University and Ithaca College, Ithaca turns out to be a pretty good place to stick around after college. Alternative weekly Utne Reader calls the 30,000-resident city "the most enlightened," especially with a vibrant scene for young people. Downtown there's a mall that was once a high school, a citywide arts festival, and a healthy history of social innovation. Underemployed college graduates have been able to create a massive network of social service agencies, making it a great place to find footing as a recent grad. Get the full scoop here 06/01/2010

Reminder: Armed service members have extra year to claim homebuyer tax creditWhile the contract deadline for the homebuyer tax credit for most Americans has come and gone, please remember, that members of the armed services and certain other federal employees still have time to take advantage of the incentive. For those that served outside of the U.S. for at least 90 days during the period beginning after December 31, 2008, and ending before May 1, 2010, the deadline is extended to April 30, 2011. If a binding contract is entered into by that date, the taxpayer has until June 30, 2011, to close on the purchase. Both the $8,000 first-time and the $6,500 repeat homebuyer tax credits are included in the extension.  THIS BLOG POST IS PER NYSAR NEWS.   CALL A RE/MAX IN MOTION AGENT TODAY AND... 05/23/2010

Ithaca Real Estate - ICSD SFD Market Report for 2010, Year-to-Date: Our market as a whole has performed very well from 2009 into 2010.  To date, we are ahead in the ICSD niche market, by 20 sales, with 118 pending.  The average sold price in the area went from $163,760 in 2009 to $175,610 in 2010.  The median went from $150,000 to $170,000.  The market was certainly stimulated by the first time buyer's and move up buyer's tax credits.  Nonetheless, the median price has jumped significantly, instead of trending down as it did from 2008 - 2009.  In that year, just 94 homes sold in the ICSD for the same time period, with the average sold price at$225,258, and the median sold price at $197,000. Ithaca City School District – Market Report Single Family and SFD w/Apartment SOLD Jan 1- Dec 31,... 05/15/2010

The Belle Sherman walking neighborhood that borders Cornell on the south west, is feeling no pain this year.  Residents who own homes in this neighborhood have a distinct advantage when it comes to accessing Cornell - two direct routes to the campus run right to the campus from this neighborhood:  Rt. 366 (also known as Ithaca Rd.), and Cornell St., which becomes Oak Ave. when it crosses Rt. 366.  The quality of homes is generally good, and the inventory consists of mostly older homes from 50-100+ years of age.  The occasional mint condition Craftsman can be found here, as well as plenty of 2 story homes with finished or finishable attic spaces.  There are even a few high-end town homes in Belle Sherman. For the year past, 32 single family homes sold in the area, or 2.6 homes per month.... 04/06/2010