Your Yearly Review - a Time for Self-reflection! - 12/30/10 12:29 PM
Having just read Dave' Rosenmarkle's post on  When it's time to send a license back , and after reading the various comments, I wanted to make a few of my own....so many that I thought a post would cover it all!
I am my hardest critic, and when I have my yearly review, it is not only for my manager's benefit, but also for my own. Each year I set myself goals, and that yearly report informs me where I stand with regard to those goals.  My yearly review centers upon the following:
1) Continuing Education.  This is important for networking,  … (6 comments)

Dear Susan Sarandon - Could I recommend a good Realtor? - 12/29/10 08:04 PM
Dear Susan Sarandon: You are an excellent Oscar & award winning actress, but as a Realtor, could I possibly mention that you must have had some terrible experiences to portray a real estate agent in Wall Street 2 as a pushy, self-centered persona? From your wardrobe (loud brassy handbag, and clothing), basically confirmed in many people's minds what a real estate agent is like - when that is far from the truth! Please feel free to call me (and I can easily refer you to some people in the Active Rain network) if you would like an excellent Realtor in the … (14 comments)

You checked the heat BUT did you check TODAY? - 12/26/10 12:38 PM
Hi - with snowstorms all around us, and expecting over a good foot by tomorrow in New Rochelle, I thought it a good idea to check on a vacant property I have that is also listed over $2 Million Dollars. I am so glad I did. The house was cold, and the heat seemed not to be on. I called the owner, who gave me the number for the property manager, and then the manager said he would call the caretaker (yikes!), but am glad I went there. You never know, and when you are representing owners, no matter who is … (15 comments)

If you want some fun this Holiday - what to do.... - 12/25/10 09:30 AM
Hi - I am sure you have probably have seen this ... BUT if you haven't, here is a really funny Saturday Night Live sketch on the TSA. Everytime I see it, it makes me laugh. We haven't heard too much in the past week, so hopefully all of you who traveled this Holiday didn't encounter anything untoward! Once again, wishing you all a very Happy Holiday - and now it is time to cook the turkey and ham! New Rochelle is great! Best, Gay … (17 comments)

My Christmas (Real Estate Gift!) Sold! - 12/25/10 09:17 AM
  I just obtained an accepted offer on my listing in Pawling yesterday so not only is my owner very happy, I  - and my co-listing agent are also! It just confirms that there are serious buyers out there throughout the Holiday season and it is a good time to KEEP the house on the market, not to withdraw it.  OPEN HOUSE $439,999 - Alpine Ski Chalet - 1-3 p.m. Sunday 11/21/2010  
I had just sold one home for the seller, and she wanted me to list this house also, but it is out of my area and comfort zone, … (14 comments)

It's not too late to send a Holiday Card! - 12/23/10 08:23 AM
I procrastinated this year, but finally sent out my cards the other day... The reason I procrastinated was that I also sent out adjoining envelopes to many of those recipients with a quick market update... I received an email from one person last night-  thanking me for the news... It's terrible that we have to keep thinking of marketing throughout this lovely season too, but it is just the way it is. If they start talking about moving over the turkey, who will they be thinking of? ...  I  wanted to share with you  http://Jacquielawson.com/  For just $12 a year ($18 … (8 comments)

New Rochelle Humane Society - Great Gift Ideas! - 12/20/10 04:37 PM
Did you know that the local New Rochelle Humane Society (which services 17 neighboring towns) is offering a 50% discount on all adoption fees for those wonderful senior homeless pets or those who have been in the shelter for 4 months or more?It’s also not too late to post your beloved pet’s name in the Memory Tree which will be on display at the New Rochelle Humane Society from December 1 through January 4! With only a $5 donation, the Humane Society will write the name of your loved one (or a friend’s loved one) on a white or red ribbon … (4 comments)

ME, ME ME, ME, and don't forget ME! - 12/19/10 11:16 AM
I had to write a follow-up to this blog I had posted back in October.... It actually took 4 months in which to close on this property in New Rochelle....  the buyers blamed the bank (of course), but when one of the buyers worked for that bank, and they had a baby in between.... I do not know.. I did obtain another bid in between but the attorney thought it in our client's best interests to stay with this buyer... But enough about that.....  You have a great listing agent but let me tell you about ME...  
In this past … (10 comments)

Than you Active Rain for Allowing me Expand my Horizons - no clouds in sight! - 12/19/10 10:12 AM

When I first started in real estate in New Rochelle, we were allowed to call anyone and everyone, and were taught to regularly call our sphere of influence. Since I was always a reserved person, that was a hard but (at the time) necessary adjustment. I found that while I knew so many people in the city, most were just hard-working people, had lived in the city for over 5 generations, and as one person told me "Gay, they will have to carry me out of my house feet first, we are never moving.." I advertised in the local paper … (12 comments)

Rosen Vineyards for the Holidays! - 12/17/10 08:53 AM
 
I love to give at the Holidays, and made wine back in the early ’90s. My thought was to make a nice wine with less sulphites just as they do in Italy, and delved into making a cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, merlot…but it ended up being the worst wine….Oh well, I tried….It was fun stomping on the grapes, and using all of the fun equipment. Over the years, I would make raspberry liqueurs, peach wine, cherry brandy….. all given to my friends with my silly tongue-in-cheek labels.

I sold a home this year at 103 Mount Tom Road in New … (16 comments)

It's Gingerbread Time! - 12/16/10 03:15 PM
I think that nothing better describes the Holidays more than the smell of fresh gingerbread baking in the oven, and then the gingerbread houses and displays as a result of that hard work!
I count myself lucky to have had some really great clients, and as a measure of my appreciation, I sometimes drop off a gingerbread house - to both surprise and hopefully delight! I think that in this season of giving, nothing is more rewarding than making something from the heart and given with love. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Holiday season, and a … (6 comments)

Are these college courses or representative of our local High School? - 12/15/10 09:53 AM

 
I have done my share of traveling to the various colleges over the years,  and looking at the various program guides or course catalogs, and have been suitably impressed. I find myself being equally impressed with our local High School in New Rochelle. Some might comment on how large our high school is (approximately 3300 students), but because of its size, the faculty is able to offer such subjects as:
1) English 4 Honors (and of course English 2 Regents)
2) Journalism, College writing, Shakespeare, British literature
3) Mandarin (1 and 11)
4) French 5 and French AP
5) … (4 comments)

Upcoming New Year - new website....What are you planning? - 12/15/10 09:06 AM
I had to annouce my new website -I am sooooo psyched! It has the benefit of IDX, video links, wonderful information (mais oui!), and I have been trying to purchase the appropriate URL's to draw potential buyers/sellers. My past website was from Realtor.com..... but they did not change with the times.... and I felt I was forced to change... I would get leads from that website, and I am hoping that with a revamped site... 'they will come"
Please visit me and let me hear your comments.  http://www.gayrosen.com  Looking forward to 2011. Best, Gay
… (10 comments)

Robert Cox - Diehard Blogger and New Rochelle's Conscience - 12/14/10 11:37 AM
Robert Cox - Diehard Blogger - WVOX Radio Show Host and Managing Editor -"Talk of the Sound" December 13th, 2010 Robert Cox is a diehard blogger…. so much so that he took on the New York Times way back when and won… having them change their policy about retracting opinions on the Op Ed page…. For the last 2 years, Robert has been the conscience of New Rochelle on his “Talk of the Sound” blogsite where he is the Managing Editor, and which only focuses on New Rochelle and what happens within. Robert will be the first person to inform you … (2 comments)

Reflections on a past era... - 12/11/10 08:26 PM
              
I was making my annual gingerbreads today for charities and clients alike, and was also watching a day of the Royal family on televison.. 
 Today's shows were wonderful, and centered around the Annual Royal Horse Show at Windsor, an event that the Royals 'royally get into' as horses are one of their pet hobbies.. My middle Son, AJ has dined with Princess Anne twice (he is a two time British Olympian). and he has always thought her caring and very nice. Today's' show reflected on the Duke of Windsor and his love of horse carirage racing, and horses, the Queen, … (0 comments)

New Residence Hall for Iona College - 12/08/10 04:58 PM

Hi: As a Realtor, I have had many calls from college students over the years seeking housing, as there simply hasn't been enough available at Iona. It has always been a challenge, and for a dynamic college, this has been a long time coming! It has just been announced that a new Residence Hall will be built on what is now known as Murphy Lot, located on Mayflower Avenue; a ten story, 393 bedroom facility which will be able to house 575 students.This will not affect any future enrollment, or any tax revenue for the city but rather offer a … (2 comments)

NEW ROCHELLE High School - Another day, another Award! - 12/06/10 09:07 PM


The talent at the New Rochelle High School was acknowledged this week (and every week) in the local newspapers. Not only was the High School named second place at the Youth Businesss Olympics where the school competed against 17 other schools in the Westchester county - with Sade Amazan, Haley Baron, David Faria, Kwan Grays Brandon Hebenstreit, Sean Jacob, Alexander McLeod, Varun Soondar and Tom Zhang all participating, but the following High School Seniors were named semi-finalists in the 2001 National Merit Scholarship competition: Alexandra Avvocato, Maximilian Gordon, Jonathan Jove, John Kim, Dalia Littman, Jacob Meiner and Hanna Rosner-Katz.
… (0 comments)

Second Annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Market - 12/06/10 08:56 PM
 
Located at the BID GALLERY 43, 43 Lawton Street and across from the Library Green, you will be able to find jewelry, fine art, ceramics, glass, posters, woodcraft, unique clothing all made by local artisans. Market hours are 11-5 p.m., Saturday December 11th, Sunday December 12th, Saturday December 18th and Sunday, December 19th.Happy Holidays to all!New Rochelle is GREAT!
 

… (3 comments)

Christie's Great Estates - a Day to Remember! - 12/06/10 08:41 PM
Hi! Houlihan Lawrence, which sells more homes in Westchester than any other company, is affiliated with Christie’s Great Estates which, in turn, is the largest international network of real estate brokers (35,000 Sales Associates operating from 900 offices in more than 40 countries). Only the companies that have proven records of success in luxury sales and who exemplify Christie’s traditional value of service to their clients may display the coveted Christie’s Great Estates brand. This means, that should we desire it, (and of course willing to pay for it!), we can have our higher priced listings featured in the Christie’s Great … (0 comments)

Market Stats New Rochelle and Larchmont areas.. - 12/06/10 08:51 AM
Hi! My office took on an interesting marketing study this past week....  Most buyers will ask what the cost per square foot is on past sales/available properties/properties in contract. It also enables us as agents (as we all know) to offset a seemingly high priced property against the square footage of your listing, thus enabling you to price higher or lower as the case may be.
We learned that the price per square foot in New Rochelle is at 2003 prices. the median sales prices were a tad under the 2004 prices at $628, and to-date 240 properties have been sold comapred … (0 comments)

Stephen M. Irwin's "The Dead Path" - 12/06/10 08:23 AM

Hi - The beauty of going to the library is that we can take out books we wouldn't ordinarily purchase, and if we do not like it... no harm done. I normally like to take out 3 books at a time, and in desperation the other week, saw this book, and grabbed it....I left it to last, and was really surprised - I loved it... so much so that I have been waking up the last 2 nights at 3 am and have been reading until 6 am! It is finished. I have not read any of Stephen King's books, … (8 comments)

Arts at the New Rochelle High School - 12/05/10 09:00 AM


Hi -  A few days later but wanted to post how GREAT our local High School is, and the events they currently offer to the public. The school offers a PAVE program ( Performing Arts and Visual Arts program) and it really helps 'to set the stage' for college life. The Theater located at the New Rochelle High School Linda Kelly Theater. The performances were  on Friday and Saturday, and   the Ajkin Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker Ballet Suite featured the Children of New Rochelle in this wonderful, timeless Holiday production.
New Rochelle is GREAT! 
Posted by:  Gay E. Rosen
… (2 comments)

Don't Forget to thank the Tax People!!!! - 12/02/10 09:30 AM
I am sure that each year, the various offices have collections for the staff in appreciation for all of their hard work but do we sometimes forget the others who surround us to make our lives more productive? I do not mean tipping the meter maid (ha!) - she is vigilant here in Larchmont.....and we all cringe when we hear the words  'she is marking the cars..' (she marks the tires and after 2 hours - a nice $25 ticket awaits you if your car is still there!).  I am thinking of those people who we might take for granted, and yet … (9 comments)

Taxes go up -but a few GOOD reasons to Live in New Rochelle - 12/01/10 04:54 PM
A few words by Mr. Howard Rattner - Finance Commissioner of New Rochelle on Taxes December 1st, 2010 I met today with Mr. Howard Rattner, the Finance Commissioner of New Rochelle, and asked him to comment on our taxes, and how it affects us as home-owners in this great city. If you click onto the video below, I think you will greatly enjoy Mr. Rattner’s comments. Howard has lived in New Rochelle for over 18 years, has been the Finance Commissioner for approximately 17 years, and in having his son, Nate, recently graduate from the New Rochelle High School 20th in … (0 comments)

 
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Gay Rosen

Larchmont, NY

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Houlihan Lawrence

Address: 2070 Boston Post Road, Larchmont, NY, 10538

Office Phone: (914) 833-0420 x 307

Cell Phone: (914) 907-2645

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Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Rye NY real estate info for home buyers and sellers.


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