This is a wonderful contest for November, the month that starts the holiday season with taking time to think about the things we are "Thankful" for. What better way than to recognize those who give back. Who do you know?

Take ownership of your community-doesn't mean miles of territory. I focus on a spectacular lake front community known as Interlaken Gardens. Learn about the community now. Visit my website at http://dreamccc.com

Recently I was listening to a podcast that explained network marketing and made the comparison to real estate. In actuality, any business can be compared to network marketing. There is one person on the top with expanding numbers of individuals as you move down the corporate structure.

What does this mean for real estate? The Realtor® must coordinate all pieces of the transaction and multiple contacts for a successful result at the end of the day. Makes the job of a Realtor® more than a mere bringing together a buyer and a seller. 

Ask yourself, "am I a Realtor® or a tour guide?" 

There is something wonderful about August in New York and living here I really appreciate it. It is a time of true leisure, a time when you can take a day off and not feel guilty. The traffic is less with everyone taking last minute vacations or getting the kids ready for school.

Take advantage of the fewer crowds and spend a day in New York City as a tourist. You'll be glad you did.

The first thing anyone sees, including you, when you drive up to your home is the view from the street, also known as curb appeal. Now is the time to make a difference in the appearance of your 'curb'. Spring and summer is ideal to make a change in the yard. The weather is great and with a little extra attention spent on planting, relocating some existing plants, color choices, you can make a real difference. If you house is on the market, this is a critical step. If it isn't, paying attention to this detail today will reap rewards when the time comes to sell - one less thing to address when preparing your home for sale. Results you can see and enjoy today and tomorrow.

Things are beginning to look up. Finally, there are some choices and some properties available in Interlaken Gardens and Channing Place, Eastchester, NY. Both these communities are cooperative apartments that are built on Lake Innisfree (Lake Isle) and share a private beach with lifeguards, swimming, boating, playgrounds, basketball court and less than 30 minutes to Grand Central Station from the Crestwood Train Station.

It has been very quiet with very few listings for the past two years. It looks like things are beginning to come back to life. There are two listings in Channing Place, both are two bedrooms and two bathrooms and are priced between $399,000 and $459,000.

Interlaken Gardens has 14 active listings. Great choices available on both first and second floors. There are five one bedroom apartments from $199,000 to $249,999; seven two bedroom apartments from $275,000 to $399,900; one 3 bedroom/2 bath apartment and one 3 bedroom/3 bath apartment both priced at $499,000.

I am a resident expert on Lake Isle. It is one of Westchester's best kept secrets. It may be time to discover the communities surrounding Lake Innisfree (Lake Isle) for you and your family. Choose between these two cooperative complexes Interlaken Gardens and Channing Place, or single family ownership at the Townhouses at Lake Isle or Lake Isle Estates.

Although I am a member of my local MLS system, Trulia.com is a great source of Foreclosure specific information. This morning, my daily e-Mail from Trulia contained 10 listings in Eastchester, NY. Of the 10, 7 are Foreclosures! 

Here is a link to the foreclosure search in Trulia (there are 8 foreclosures available):  http://www.trulia.com/for_sale/Eastchester,NY/foreclosure_lt/

I am not a proponent of doom and gloom. The reality is, there are opportunities for those who are ready, willing and able to buy. It may not necessarily be a foreclosure or short sale. There are other properties that present opportunities for todays buyer; estate sales; family illness creating a need to move; job transfers and/or job loss.

As a buyer, why not take advantage of the opportunities this market offers? You never know, your dream cottage or castle may be available today!

I thought about posting results for the third quarter for the Lake Isle Real Estate Market, Eastchester, NY and have decided not to. Why? Things have been slow. The results might appear grim and I don't want to present that message because...

I am looking at a much better fourth quarter for the properties I specialize in, Interlaken Gardens, Channing Place, Lake Isle Estates and The Townhouses at Lake Isle. There are a number of excellent properties and fantastic opportunities in each community. Lake Isle, built around Lake Innisfree and bordering Lake Isle Country Club remains one of the best kept secrets in Westchester County real estate. With private beaches, pools, lifeguards, swimming, boating, low fee resident membership to Lake Isle Country Club featuring 5 pools, tennis courts, some lit for night play, an 18 hole golf course and a magnificent catering hall AND a less than 30 minute commute from Crestwood Train Station to Grand Central Station, Lake Isle is worthy of serious consideration.

I am looking forward to presenting the exciting activities Eastchester offers. I hope you join me.

Thanks for visiting.

$2,100 - House for Rent

3 Bedroom, 2 ½ Bath 1 Car Garage

Master Bedroom has its own full private bath.

Easy living in this raised ranch located only 1.8 miles (less than 5 minutes) off the Taconic State Parkway. Open floor plan with gleaming hardwood floors throughout. Modern kitchen with stainless appliances - refrigerator, stove, microwave and dishwasher. Granite counter and breakfast bar with stools overlooking the dining area with formal table and seating for six. Sliders from the dining room exit to the upper deck with a round table and four cushioned chairs. And the view, spectacular!

On the main level of this home you will find the master bedroom with private full bath and two additional bedrooms and hall bath. Enjoy the surround sound speakers in the living room.

The lower level offers a large family room with a half bath and sliders to the lower deck. The lower deck is furnished with two chairs, two ottomans, love seat and coffee table. The cushions add comfort to this level as well.

A state of the art washer/dryer are included with this rental plus a one car garage. Floors are covered with wall to wall  carpets.

Tenants pay all utilities. Hot water base board oil heat for the winter and central air conditioning for the summer. Or, switch on the attic fan and pull the heat out of the home and pull the cool breeze in.

No pets, no smokers. Two month security deposit plus first month rent.

For questions and to schedule an appointment, please contact:

Catherine C. Capasso
Principal Broker

Catherine Cornelia Real Estate
914-774-1958

To preview more pictures, please visit:
Click Here

There is a video link on the page as well. Enjoy!

WCBS Radio posted a listing of places for fireworks this coming Fourth of July weekend. The information is below and has contact phone numbers as well: Note: Playland Park has Fireworks ALL SUMMER.

WESTCHESTER

Playland Park: Fireworks every Wednesday and Friday through August 29. Free admission; parking $10...Playland Parkway  Rye, NY  10580 

Dobbs Ferry: Fishing derby, fun and fireworks. Fishing for ages 7-15, 10 a.m.-noon; games, picnicking, noon-9 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m. Free. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Waterfront Park. 914-693-2203.

Harrison: Fireworks. Free. 9:15 p.m. Project Home Run site, Oakland Avenue at Halstead Avenue. 914-670-3035.

Katonah: Independence Day celebration. Reading of the Declaration of Independence, patriotic music and picnicking on the front lawn. Free. 11 a.m. John Jay Homestead, 400 Route 22. 914-232-5651.

Kent: Fireworks. Free. 9:30 p.m. Lake Carmel, Route 52. 845-225-2067.

Mamaroneck: Fireworks as part of the annual Firemen's Carnival. Free. 9 p.m. Harbor Island Park, Boston Post Road. 914-777-7754.

Mount Vernon: Independence Day celebration. Ringing of historic 250-year-old bell, music, speeches, refreshments. Free. 10:45 a.m.-1 p.m. St. Paul's Church National Historic Site, 897 S. Columbus Ave. 914-667-4116.

New Rochelle: Spark the Sound fireworks. Show can be seen from all waterfront parks. Free. 9:30 p.m. Hudson Park, Hudson Park Road. 914-654-2087.

Port Chester: July Fourth celebration. Community service and appreciation awards will be presented. Entertainment, fireworks by the Grucci family at dark. Free. 7:30 p.m. Port Chester High School, 1 Tamarack Road. 914-939-8291.

Rye: Fireworks. Free. 9:30 p.m. Playland Amusement Park, Playland Parkway, Exit 19 off I-95. 914-813-7010.

Scarsdale: Concert and fireworks. Performance by the Westchester Band, followed by fireworks. $2. 7:30 p.m. Rain date: Saturday. Scarsdale Municipal Pool, 311 Mamaroneck Road. 914-722-1292.

Sleepy Hollow: Fireworks. Free. 8 p.m. at the former General Motors site, Beekman Avenue and River Street. 914-366-5106.

Southeast: Concert and fireworks. DJ Dieter of Sounds Unlimited performs. Free. 6 p.m. Rain date: Saturday. Scolpino Park, Doansburg Road. 845-279-3915.

Tarrytown: Independence Day 1856. Dramatic presentations, speeches, period music, traditional dancing, house tours, ice-cream demonstrations. $12, $10 seniors, $6 age 5-17, free for age 5 and younger. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunnyside, West Sunnyside Lane. 914-631-8200.

Tarrytown: Concert and fireworks. Van Martin Swing Band precedes the fireworks. Free. 7-10 p.m. Pierson Park, next to the Metro-North Railroad station. 914-631-8347.

I wish everyone a safe, happy and fun filled Fourth of July!