Spanish Real Estate Agents in Westchester County, New York - 03/30/08 06:41 PM
Our world has become very diversified.  I am now working with two buyer's agents who speak Spanish.  if you would be more comfortable working with a spanish speaking agent please contact me, we can help.
    
Miriam Bernstein, CRS, ABR, GRI, e-Pro, SRES        Associate Broker, Licensed in the State of New YorkRE/MAX Prime Properties, Westchester County, New York 10583www.MiriamBernstein.com"Content of this blog is solely my opinion
… (2 comments)

A Wonderful Bakery in Ardsley, New York - 03/30/08 05:19 PM
In the Westchester Section of the New York Times today is a wonderful article about a wonderful place in Ardsley.  I am there at least two - three days a week and consider it to be  the best bakery that I am aware of in Westchester County. All of their baked goods, cookies, cakes are just wonderful and not too sweet which is why I like it.  The fun thing they do is make speciality cakes shaped like buildings, or like above a tennis court.  The staff is always courteous and at the ready.  Check out the website and if you … (2 comments)

We Need to Do So Much More to Sell a House Now - 03/30/08 12:58 PM
Great article in the New York Times Real Estate Section today about what we Real Estate Agents/Brokers need to do to sell a house in this market.  We now come in with "teams" not of agents but of painters, stagers, mortgage brokers, florists, contractors, CPA's, plumbers, electiricans, landscappers, and cleaning people.  We are at the ready to get done whatever needs to be done to whip a house into shape so that it will be the biggest, meanest, cleanest and most presentible in its' neighborhood.  Primed to sell whatever it takes.
Doing More and More, here.
… (2 comments)

Zillow and the Market Going Up - 03/30/08 12:49 PM
I had a new buyer today.  Like so many buyers she has been online trying to figure things out.  She has gone to Zillow and announced to me that one of my market areas has had their prices increase over the past year.  When I tried to tell her that Zillow is not that accurate - I became the problem.  I am the one who is misinformed.  If Zillow says it, it must be so.  Scream, scream!
Garbage in, Garbage out.
    
… (6 comments)

Westchester County Office for Women - 03/21/08 06:35 AM
Westchester County Office for Women
The Westchester County Office for Women is dedicated to working for equal rights for women and the recognition of the full worth of all women.
We address the needs of women and families in Westchester County on three levels:
Public Policy and Advocacy Public Education and Research Direct Services Established by an Executive Order in 1980, the Office for Women has concluded its second decade of service to Westchester's women and families.
Learn more about our divisions and programs
This year's honoree into the Hall of Fame is Eileen Fisher:
Tired of trying to find clothing to fit her lifestyle, … (1 comments)

Even Ben Bernake Isn't Exempt! - 03/21/08 06:13 AM
Bloomberg News this morning reports that Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben S. Bernacke bought a home in the Washington, D.C. area for $839,000 in May of 04.  His home is 4 BR's and 2600 sq ft. ``Even though he's the Fed chairman, he's going to get hit -- but I think lot of people will in Washington,'' said William Wheaton, an economist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The value of Bernanke's home ``probably went up to $1.1 million and it's probably back down to $840,000,'' because prices in Washington just a couple years ago ``got out of control,'' Wheaton said.
The … (7 comments)

Virtual Farmer's Market, Westchester County, New York - 03/20/08 05:02 AM

Do you miss your outdoor farmers market?
Here is your online farmers market where you can order local foods from the Hudson Valley delivered right to your home or office.
They have gift certificates, special edition biscotti, grass fed beef strip steaks, and many more organic and healthy local foods. check out the website, My Personal Famers Market.
 
    
… (4 comments)

Requesting Information by Email! - 03/18/08 06:43 AM
I can't speak for anyone else but if you would like information about a listing from me, or if you want to know the value of your home it is not okay for you to email me and give fake phone numbers or names.  I received a CMA request yesterday from a very nice gentlemen who owns a home in Westchester County.  He sent through his name and phone number.  We spoke last night and I am perfecrtly willing to help him with the information he needs.  He truly wants to know the information.
I also received a request from a buyer … (13 comments)

Can I Ask A Question, Zillow, Trulia, Frontdoor, etc.? - 03/17/08 06:44 PM
I have been reading a lot of blogs, the news, researching what is going on with Trulia, Zillow, Frontdoor and goodness knows how many other sites there are out there.  I searched here on Active Rain as well.  From what I can gather each of these companies are making deals for listing feeds from different sources.  Prudential's deal with Yahoo is ending and they will team up with Trulia.  Company B is with Zillow, Company C is with Frontdoor.
Do I understand this correctly?  If so does this mean that the consumer must go site to site to pick up all of … (7 comments)

If I Knew Now What I Should Have Known Then? - 03/17/08 07:47 AM
For sellers of residential real estate you have to realize that the market has it's ups and downs.  The real estate market is cyclical.  There are seller's out there who wish they had known that the market would come down and when.  There are sellers now who will receive 10% less then two years ago.  These sellers wish they had had a crystal ball because they would have sold back then.  They would have sold for more money and in a much quicker period of time.  
Often I go to listing presentations.  Seller's always ask about the market and then when … (5 comments)

Our New Governor, David Paterson - 03/17/08 04:50 AM
Today, New York gets a new Governor.  The 55th Governor.  It has only been a week and a half since Elliott Spitzer found out about this troubles, resigned, and now we will have a new Governor.  According to the New York Times this morning, Mr. Paterson is carefully planning his inauguration for 1pm today because he wants to bring everyone together.   He is planning who will be there, where they will sit and doesn't want it to seem like gloating about the problems Eliott Spitzer is facing.  I already like this guy.
"But Mr. Paterson was aware of the symbolism of bringing … (1 comments)

Fed Cuts Discount Rate - 03/17/08 04:29 AM
From Blooomberg.com.  For the first time in thirty years the Federal Reserve had an emergency meeting lowering the discount rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 3.25%.  Mortgage rates will lower but now finding the money to back the mortgages is becoming an issue.  Bernanke says this should cure the ills of our economy, let's hope so.
The Federal Reserve, struggling to prevent a meltdown in financial markets, cut the rate on direct loans to banks and became lender of last resort to the biggest dealers in U.S. government bonds.
In its first weekend emergency action in almost three decades, the … (3 comments)

Home Warranty's for Buyer's - 03/16/08 06:01 PM
Home Warranty's can be a wonderful thing for buyers especially for first time buyers.  This past year a buyer that I sold a home to two years ago has gotten, 5 toilets replaced, got a new stove top, got a new generator, refrigerator and in fact is so happy with they Home Warrant that I got her she and her husband have decided to renew the policy on their own.  It has already paid for itself.  Another buyer moved into their new house and within a month needed a new hot water heater.  She is also very happy to have had the … (7 comments)

A Final Walk Through with a Vindictive Seller - 03/16/08 12:15 PM
When you buy residential property you get to do a final walk through prior to going to the closing table.  Walk throughs are generally held the day before a closing or the morning of but at everyone's convenience.  I recommend that this be done as close to the closing as possible.  The reason I suggest this is because of an experience I had a few years ago.  A walk through was scheduled the evening before the scheduled closing the following day at 1pm.  While this would not have occurred to me the buyer did the walk through and everything looked great.  … (13 comments)

What is a Low Ball Offer? - 03/16/08 10:35 AM
Buyers are trying to capture the price on its' way down and so they put in offers that are much lower than the current asking price of a property.  Some buyer's do this because they feel "why not" and "let's see what they say", some buyer's do it because they really can't afford the higher price.  A lot of seller's have come off the market and are trying to wait out this market because of the declining prices.  One of my listings just sold in five weeks.  We had many showings, several open houses and then a price reduction and a … (8 comments)

Short Sales in Westchester County, New York - 03/16/08 10:24 AM
Having done a few short sales I can relate to what is in this article.  Which also explains that Westchester County does not have the mortgage collapse of other areas but the numbers are growing.
"Is it possible for a homeowner who owes $725,000 on a mortgage to sell a house for only $560,000 and still walk away happy, or at least relieved? The answer is yes, if the transaction is a short sale - defined as selling for less than the mortgage owed, in a deal with the lender to forgive the rest of the debt and head off a foreclosure.
A … (0 comments)

I'm From New York, Who Can You Believe. - 03/11/08 08:49 AM
Yesterday in New York as I would imagine most people read about our Governor.  Governor Spitzer has admitted wrongdoing, hired a very powerful legal team and is probably a bad boy.  But it is worse than that.  He prosecuted others for the very thing he is accused of.  The Mann Act.  He arranged for a "person" to travel to Washington from New York and paid expenses.  He made suspicious deposits to his bank account always under the $10,000 that is reportable to the IRS.  His movements were suspicius.  Geeez, what was he thinking if he was thinking at all or what … (0 comments)

What About the Real Estate Agent? - 03/10/08 05:03 AM
There are several things to know about Real Estate Agents (Brokers).  There is a REALTOR Code of Ethics rules that we play by.  Real Estate Agents (Brokers) are only REALTORS if they belong to the National Assocation of REALTORS.  The Code of Ethics is a NAR document.  When you join NAR you become obligated to follow this Code of Ethics.  There are Real Estate agents (brokers) who do not belong to the National Association of Realtors and are not obligated to follow the Code of Ethics.  We are all licensed by our individual states as well.  Our license requires that we … (0 comments)

My Newest Blog - From Clicks to Bricks - 03/09/08 04:56 AM
The more I blog the more I see the need for separate blogs for separate information.  So I am introducing my newest, From Click to Bricks, for first time buyers.  For buyers who are clicking all over the internet from site to site and don't know what to do with all of the information they are getting.  For those who have read about all of the components of the home buying process but don't know what to do first.  This is a new blog so please check back often.  A lot of the information will be very specific to New York … (2 comments)

Is There Such a Thing as a Low Ball Offer???? - 03/07/08 06:08 AM
A few days ago I got a call from a reporter from the New York Times who is doing an article about REALTOR exspereinces with buyer's putting in "low ball offers".  In a downward market is there such a thing?  What exactly is a low ball offer.  In some areas of the country where you have properties in developments, cookie cutter, I think it is easier to determine price.  You are comparing the same basic properties, same sq footage, same property size, same # of bedrooms, same # of baths.  Some are renovated, some aren't.  It becomes clear what the value … (21 comments)

Music Playing, People Talking on Websites and Blogs?????? - 03/05/08 04:49 AM
This is a bit of a rant.  I like to roam around the internet looking at different blogs and sites, reading what other brokers and others have to say.  Sometimes I like to do that late at night or really early in the morning.  When other's are sleeping.  So, imagine how I feel when I go to a site, open it, and loud music starts to play.  Or a little person comes out and talks to me about how wonderful that particular site is.  Ok, you want music on your site.  How about an on/off toggle at the top for people … (17 comments)

Now is A Great Time to Buy and/or Sell Real Estate! - 03/03/08 07:30 AM
It is a great time to buy or sell real estate in Westchester County, New York.  If you are a seller prices have softened but not anywhere near what you are reading in the national newspaper or watching on television news. If you want or need to sell there are many qualified buyers ready, willing and able to buy your house.  Many sellers have taken their homes off the market because of the weakened prices and this has created a shortage of available homes.  This is all a good thing if you want to sell. 
In a few weeks there will … (1 comments)

Scarsdale School District Housing Statistics, 2/29/08 - 03/03/08 07:01 AM
Single Family Homes in the Scarsdale School District. Prices have adjusted and based on the days on market and a shorter selling period that sellers are adjusting their prices.
January 1 - February 29, 2008
14 Houses Sold in the Scarsdale School DistrictAverage price was $1,323,429Median price was $1,284,500Days on Market was 170January 1 - February 28, 2007
19 Houses Sold in the Scarsdale School DistrictAverage Price was $1,831,884Median price was $1,375,000Days on Market were 195January 1 - February 28, 2006
25 Houses Sold in the Scarsdale School DistrictAverage Prices was $1,782,410Median price was $1,529,000Days on Market were 160Disclaimer:  These statistics were prepared by me … (0 comments)

Hastings on Hudson School District Housing Statistics 2/29/08 - 03/03/08 06:43 AM
For Single Family Houses in the Hastings School District:
January 1 - February 29, 2008
8 Single Family Houses soldAverage price was $850,188Median price was $701,000Days on Market were 175January 1 - February 28, 2007
13 Single Family Houses soldAverage price was $784,692Median price was $805,000Days on Market were 207January 1 - February 28, 2006
3 Single Family Houses soldAverage price was $880,000Median price was $925,000Days on Market were 138 
Disclaimer:  These statistics were prepared by me using the Westchester Putnam MLS.  This was not prepared by the WPMLS.
    
Miriam Bernstein, CRS, ABR, GRI, e-Pro, SRES        Associate Broker, Licensed in the State of New YorkRE/MAX Prime … (0 comments)

Ardsley School District Housing Statistics, February 29, 2008 - 03/03/08 06:21 AM
When I look at the statistics below I don't see the doom and gloom that is being reported in various areas throughout the United States.  I see a little softening in prices but overall it is a good time to sell as well as buy in Ardsley.  I see that between last year and this year at the same time it takes slighter less time to sell a single family house.  These numbers are for the Ardsley School District and are just single family home sales:
January 1 - February 29, 2008
6 houses sold in the Ardsley School DistrictAverage price was $633,500Median … (0 comments)

Hastings on Hudson and Hastings, New York - 03/02/08 06:22 AM
Hastings on Hudson and Hastings, New York
Often when the public is looking for information for Hastings on Hudson they Google "Hastings".  Guess what?  There is a Hastings but it is up in Oswego County and is an entirely different community from Hastings on Hudson which is located in Westchester County, New York. Our Hastings on Hudson has a zip code of 10706.
Hastings on Hudson School District
The Village of Hastings on Hudson
Town of Greenburgh
Restaurants in Hastings on Hudson, New York
… (0 comments)

The Code of Ethics and Designations - 03/02/08 05:02 AM
Since the market has changed from a seller's market to a buyer's market I feel that I am getting more respect from the public for the skills that I bring to the table.  Over the past few years where all you had to do was put a house on the MLS, advertise a bit and buyer's would come and bid and buy and even fight over properties skills were not as important.  I believe that some portions of the public didn't understand where education, code of ethics or designations came into play.  Anyone could sell a house and they did.
Some agents … (0 comments)

New Construction in a Box - Westchester County, New York - 03/01/08 07:12 AM
There have been a couple of articles recently about homes that arrived in boxes, pre-fab we now call them, that were built in the 1920's throughout Westchester County.  These homes were purchased through the Sears Catalog and currently 115 homes are documented.  A couple of weeks ago The Journal News ran an article about Sears homes and spoke to an owner in Chappaqua.  The Real Estate Section of the New York Times today spoke to the previous owners of a Sears Catalog home in Hastings-on-Hudson.
These homes cost about $4000. back then and arrived in a box without the nails.  What is interesting … (0 comments)

 
Mbpicturedec2012 Rainmaker_large

Miriam Bernstein REALTOR® New Orleans Real Estate

New Orleans, LA

More about me…

RE/MAX N.O. Properties

Address: 8001 Maple Street, New Orleans, LA, 70118

Office Phone: CALLMYCELL

Cell Phone: (504) 908-2268

Email Me



Listings

Links

Archives

RSS 2.0 Feed for this blog