Proposed QRM Regulation Harms Creditworthy Borrowers & Housing Recovery... - 04/29/11 06:54 PM
The following organizations, along with NAR, recently prepared an in-depth analysis of the impact of the proposed "Qualified Residential Mortgage (QRM) Regulation":
Center for Responsible Lending, Community Mortgage Banking Project, Mortgage Bankers Association, Mortgage Insurance Companies of America, and National Association of Home Builders. These oranizations developed this joint white paper in advance of the House Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises hearing on the Qualified Residential Mortgage, which took place on April 14, 2011.
The executive summary of the white paper, entitled, "Proposed QRM Harms Creditworthy Borrowers and Housing Recovery," is provided below, or the entire white paper is available … (1 comments)

Will Pending Bill Streamline & Speed Up Short Sales?... And Prevent More Foreclosures?... - 04/29/11 06:35 PM
Finally a new bill aiming to improve and streamline the process for approving proposed short sales may soon bring relief to home owners who are unable to keep their homes and want to avoid foreclosure. The bill, introduced in the U.S. House last week and strongly supported by the National Association of Realtors®, would impose a deadline of 45 days on lenders to respond to short sale requests.
The legislation, the "Prompt Decision for Qualification for Short Sale Act of 2011," was offered in Congress by U.S. Reps. Tom Rooney (R-Fla.) and Robert Andrews (D-N.J.).
The current short sale process can be very time-consuming, muddled and inefficient, … (1 comments)

OPEN HOUSE - Irvington NY 10533 - 32 Richmond Hill - Pristine Townhouse For Sale - Price Just Reduced - 04/29/11 10:42 AM
OPEN HOUSE - Sunday May 1st - from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Pristine Richmond Hill Townhouse 32 Richmond, Irvington, NY 10533 View Map PRICE REDUCTION - TAXES GRIEVED successfully - 17% reduction for 2011 plus STAR deduction of $1,630 - Spacious, pristine Town Home in beautiful Richmond Hill complex. Large sunny updated Eat-in Kitchen with stainless steel appliances opens to Living Room with fireplace and Dining Room with glass sliders out to private patio. Upper level boasts 3 Bedrooms and 2 Baths. Double doors open to oversized Master Suite. Stunning marble Master Bath with jacuzzi and steam shower. Unbelievably large … (0 comments)

William Raveis Legends Realty Group - Westchester County NY Real Estate Services - Phyllis Lerner, Realtor - 04/28/11 03:51 PM
Residential & Commercial Real Estate Listings, Sales, Rentals, Consultation, Relocation, Buyers, Renters & Sellers Representation Services
Phyllis Lerner, RealtorBroker / OwnerWilliam Raveis Legends Realty Groupwith offices inSleepy Hollow - Tarrytown - Pocantico Hills - Briarcliff Manor 914-438-7556http://westchester-real-estate.us
serving all communities of WESTCHESTER COUNTY NEW YORK such as:White Plains Yonkers Amawalk Annsville Archville Ardsley Ardsley-on-Hudson Armawalk Armonk Arthur Manor Banksville Bayberry Park Bedford Bedford Center Bedford Hills Beech Hill Beechmont Beechmont Woods Bonnie Crest Boutonville Briarcliff Manor Bronxville Bronxville Heights Bryn Mawr Park Buchanan Buckhout CornersButlerville Cecil Park Cedar Knolls Chappaqua Chauncey Chester Hill Park Chimney Corners Colonial Acres Colonial Heights Crestwood Crestwood Gardens Crompond Cross … (0 comments)

Irvington Ny 10533 - PRICE REDUCTION - Pristine Richmond Hill Townhouse For Sale - 04/27/11 07:49 PM
Pristine Richmond Hill Townhouse 32 Richmond, Irvington, NY 10533 View Map PRICE REDUCTION - TAXES GRIEVED successfully - 17% reduction for 2011 plus STAR deduction of $1,630 - Spacious, pristine Town Home in beautiful Richmond Hill complex. Large sunny updated Eat-in Kitchen with stainless steel appliances opens to Living Room with fireplace and Dining Room with glass sliders out to private patio. Upper level boasts 3 Bedrooms and 2 Baths. Double doors open to oversized Master Suite. Stunning marble Master Bath with jacuzzi and steam shower. Unbelievably large walk in closet. Fully finished basement of 700 sq ft boasting a very … (0 comments)

Bronxville NY 10708 - Elegant Vintage Updated - Bronxville Lodge Penthouse Style Coop Apartment For Sale - 04/26/11 12:57 AM
Beautiful Bronxville Coop - Corner Unit - Deeded Indoor Parking 280 Bronxville Rd #9B, Bronxville, NY 10708 View Map Sought after Bronxville Lodge Coop building. Top Floor Corner/End Unit with deeded indoor parking space. Short walk to Metro North & Bronxville Village! Light and bright End Unit in beautiful pre-war building boasting an elegant and expansive Entry Hall. This very well kept One Bedroom Unit offers oversized rooms with hardwood floors and architectural details throughout. Completely updated Eat-In-Kitchen with top of the line appliances, granite counters and tile floor. Sun comes streaming into an oversized Living Room which can also hold … (2 comments)

Sleepy Hollow NY 10591 - Charming Webber Park Colonial For Sale - 04/23/11 11:06 AM
Charming Webber Park Craftsman Colonial 60 New Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591 View Map Charming, bright & sunny 1928 Stucco Craftsman Colonial in Webber Park with period detailing & hardwood floors throughout. Beautiful stone walls lead to a rocking chair front porch. Living Room opens to enclosed Sunroom/Den with new Powder Room & large Formal Dining Room. Kitchen, off Dining Room with door to oversized interlock patio and backyard. Great for entertaining. Upstairs boasts a gorgeous new Bath & 3 Bedrooms. Absolutely move-in condition. Just bring your furniture and enjoy the summer. Close to children's parks & Rockefeller Preserve walking trails! … (3 comments)

Mortgage Defaults In Decline?! - 04/23/11 10:54 AM
Data through March 2011, released by S&P Indices and Experian, shows a decline in mortgage default rates for the fourth consecutive month. The agencies' index of first mortgage defaults fell from 2.45 percent in February to 2.33 percent in March. As measured by the S&P/Experian Consumer Credit Default Indices, first mortgage defaults are down 41 percent from March 2010.
Read the full DSNews article here
 
 
… (1 comments)

FICO Profiles The Strategic Defaulter... - 04/23/11 10:49 AM
As home prices began retreating more and more, the term "strategic default" became a new and often heard term in the news... and this practice has become such a concern within the lending industry that Fannie Mae announced policy changes aimed at stepping up penalties against borrowers who simply walked away from their mortgage obligations even though they had the ability to continue payments.
But the problem is, how do you determine who is a strategic defaulter? Now, FICO says it's developed a method, using consumer behavior analytics, that will allow lenders to identify borrowers who are a risk for strategic default. Is this … (4 comments)

Pelham Manor NY 10803 - Substantial Price Reduction - Spacious Custom Home - 04/23/11 10:28 AM
PRICE JUST REDUCED TO $745,500
Pelham Manor, NY 10803Beautiful & Spacious Custom Home 
Owner Will Consider All Reasonable Offers!Beautiful custom built home with unbelievable detailing throughout. Main level Master Bedroom Suite with large Walk In Closet and luxurious Marble Bathroom. Formal Living Room with custom moldings opens to an amazing Dining Room with custom woodwork , built-ins and special lighting. Elegant Powder Room. Oversized updated Eat In Kitchen with lots of cabinets and large center island opens up to a bright Sunroom and wood deck made for for entertaining. Upstairs are two more large Bedrooms, another full Bath with skylight and walk-in expandable Attic. … (1 comments)

William Raveis Real Estate Joins Zillow Listings Feed Program... - 04/23/11 09:31 AM
William Raveis Real Estate and Seattle-based Zillow announced a partnership which enables William Raveis Real Estate to automatically feed all of its listings to Zillow on a regular basis.  With this syndication, properties listed with William Raveis Real Estate are now accessible on the Zillow/Yahoo!® Real Estate Network, the largest real estate network on the web, and across Zillow Mobile apps on the iPhone®, iPad®, AndroidTM, and BlackBerry®.
William Raveis joins the Zillow Listings Feed program, which launched in November 2007 and has grown to more than 4 million for-sale listings, and hundreds of thousands of rental listings.
Ninety percent of all … (0 comments)

Are Mortgages Harder To Get?!... One Lender That Bucks The Trend!... - 04/20/11 08:09 PM
Banks are still seemingly reluctant to make loans without the Fannie and Freddie guarantee... and loans backed by these two still account for just about every mortgage written as of today. 
Both agencies have raised the minimum credit score that borrowers must have from 580 to 620... which is probably for the best. But they also implemented a host of other requirements as well, and that means real estate deals get drawn out, or don't get done at all, even for good risk borrowers. 
If you violate just one Fannie/Freddie guideline your mortgage gets rejected. According to the Federal Reserve, a quarter of all mortgage loan applicantions get denied... and … (1 comments)

Take Action Now... Support The NYS Property Tax Cap... Click The Links Below... - 04/20/11 04:12 PM
Take action NOW and tell your state representatives that you support a two-percent property tax cap!The New York State Association of REALTORS has launched a statewide advocacy campaign in support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's two-percent property tax cap proposal. We are calling upon all our members to visit www.taxcapny.com and send a letter voicing your support for this monumental legislation. After taking action, please share the link with your clients, customers and colleagues.Our nation-leading property tax burden is preventing young New Yorkers from achieving the American Dream of homeownership and making it tougher for seniors to keep their life-long homes. New … (2 comments)

5 Tips To Help You Get The Best Gas Mileage... - 04/19/11 06:02 PM

Here are some very simple but effective tips (provided by Chris Pagli, one of my colleagues here at William Raveis Raveis Legends Realty Group} on how to reduce your gasoline consumption...
 
Via Christopher Pagli - REALTOR/ABR, GREEN (William Raveis Legends Realty Group):
1. Slow down: Most cars get the best gas mileage at 45-55 miles per hour. Driving faster than 60 mph actually can cut gas mileage anywhere from 7 to 23 percent. 2. Lose the heavy load: Make sure you're not carrying in your car more than what you need. An extra 100 pounds sitting in the trunk or back … (6 comments)

NYS Property Tax Cap Proposal... NYSAR's Multi Media Campaign... - 04/19/11 05:50 PM
Following this is a news release by NYSAR regarding their property tax cap campaign. It seems to me that this is a long overdue action. What is your take on this issue?
Today news broke about the launch of the New York State Association of REALTORS' statewide multi-media advocacy campaign to support passage of the two-percent property tax cap. Here is the full press release:
Starting tomorrow, you will see our "Cap that Tax" advertisement while you're watching your local news and you'll hear the radio spot in your car. There will also be online and print advertisements during the next … (0 comments)

Irvington on Hudson NY 10533 - Charming Two Bedroom Coop with Hudson River Views - 04/19/11 04:18 PM
Gorgeous Updated Half Moon Coop Apartment 124 South Buckhout Street, Irvington, NY 10533 View Map This spacious Halfmoon Coop Apartment has it all. End Unit with direct Hudson River Views. Absolutely move-in condition. All new electrical and plumbing. New kitchen with Stainless Steel appliances and new bath. Lower level unit with river views. Sit on your patio and enjoy the sunset. European washer and dryer in unit. Entry Hall opens to large open Living Space with Dining Area. Great for entertaining. Hall leads to Bath, Master Bedroom and 2nd bedroom. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout. Best 2 Bedroom in the complex. Close … (0 comments)

Easter Morning... When All Is New... - 04/19/11 04:07 PM
I'll post this a little early since many will have no time to see this otherwise... to all of our past and present clients, our friends and colleagues throughout the world... Happy Easter!
Easter Morning, When All Is New For I remember it is Easter morn,And life and love and peace are all new born. ~Alice Freeman Palmer
Contact Info Phyllis Lerner, RealtorLicensed Real Estate Broker Cell 914-438-7556Email | Website

All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. … (0 comments)

PRICE JUST REDUCED !!! - Pelham Manor NY 10803 - Spacious Custom Residence - Extended Family Layout - 04/18/11 11:30 PM
Gorgeous Pelham Manor Custom Home 981 Split Rock Road, Pelham Manor, NY 10803 View Map SUBSTANTIAL PRICE REDUCTION - Beautiful custom built home with unbelievable detailing throughout. Main level Master Bedroom Suite with large Walk In Closet and luxurious Marble Bathroom. Formal Living Room with custom moldings opens to an amazing Dining Room with custom woodwork, built-ins and special lighting. Elegant Powder Room. Oversized updated Eat In Kitchen with lots of cabinets and large center island opens up to a bright Sun Room and Wood Deck made for for entertaining. Upstairs are two more large Bedrooms, another full Bath with skylight … (3 comments)

Sleepy Hollow NY 10591 - Charming Webber Park Craftsman Colonial For Sale - Near Rockefeller State Park Walking Trails - 04/18/11 11:10 PM
Charming Webber Park Craftsman Colonial 60 New Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591 View Map Charming, bright & sunny 1928 Stucco Craftsman Colonial in Webber Park with period detailing & hardwood floors throughout. Beautiful stone walls lead to a rocking chair front porch. Living Room opens to enclosed Sunroom/Den with new Powder Room & large Formal Dining Room. Kitchen, off Dining Room with door to oversized interlock patio and backyard. Great for entertaining. Upstairs boasts a gorgeous new Bath & 3 Bedrooms. Absolutely move-in condition. Just bring your furniture and enjoy the summer. Close to children's parks & Rockefeller Preserve walking trails! … (3 comments)

OPEN HOUSE - Saturday April 16th - 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Irvington NY 10533 - 04/15/11 07:39 PM
Gorgeous Updated Half Moon Coop Apartment 124 South Buckhout Street, Irvington, NY 10533 View Map This spacious Halfmoon Coop Apartment has it all. End Unit with direct Hudson River Views. Absolutely move-in condition. All new electrical and plumbing. New kitchen with Stainless Steel appliances and new bath. Lower level unit with river views. Sit on your patio and enjoy the sunset. European washer and dryer in unit. Entry Hall opens to large open Living Space with Dining Area. Great for entertaining. Hall leads to Bath, Master Bedroom and 2nd bedroom. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout. Best 2 Bedroom in the complex. Close … (3 comments)

Tarrytown NY 10591 - Dramatic, Green, Maintenance Free, Sustainable River Front Living - Condos Starting In The Mid 600's - 04/14/11 04:38 PM
Hudson River Frontage - Tarrytown NY 10591Starting in the mid-600'sDramatic, impeccably designed condominium residences featuring expansive windows and private balconies with spectacular Hudson River views. Healthy, green, maintenance-free, and sustainable luxury living. Spacious 1 to 4 bedroom layouts with upscale kitchens, bathrooms, hardwoods, natural stone, fire places, and more. Fantastic community amenities and easy commute to New York City and other points throughout the Tri-State area.For more information contact:Phyllis Lerner, RealtorWilliam Raveis Legends Realty Group914-438-3903http://westchester-real-estate.us
 
… (1 comments)

Saving Money At The Pump... Tips For "High Mileage" Realtors... - 04/14/11 01:01 PM
As a follow up on a recent article of mine about rising automotive gasoline prices where many of you chimed in with very good comments and recommendations I also was looking on line on how to save money at the pump. During my search I stumbled onto a very enlightening article at Edmunds.com making recommendations on how to save... well, money at the pump.
Here it is for your perusal...
 
… (5 comments)

Tarrytown NY 10591 - Rotary Club "Rubber Ducky Derby" - $1,000 Grand Prize - 04/13/11 02:34 PM
Where: Patriots Park, 121 N Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591 Date: April 30, 2011 Time: 11:00am-3:00pm More than 1,000 rubber duckies will be entered into Andres Brook at Patriots Park, but only one will emerge victorious  when the Rotary Club of the Tarrytowns holds its third annual Rubber Ducky Derby Day on April 30.
The event , which will take place during the YMCA Health Kids Day, gives people the opportunity to "adopt" rubber ducks to race down Andres Brook. There are five heats with as many as 300 ducks per heat.The winner of each heat will then square off for a final race, with … (0 comments)

OPEN HOUSES - Two Beautifully Renovated & Updated Coops for Sale - Irvington NY 10533 - 04/13/11 01:40 PM
LIVE IN SOUGHT AFTER IRVINGTON NY

OPEN HOUSES

Two of the nicest apartments for sale
at Irvington's Half Moon Coops
can be viewed on


Saturday, April 16th, 2011 from 2:00 PM through 4:00 PM

Updated 3 Bedroom Coop Apartment
Second Floor Unit w. Hudson River Views from Balcony
Modern Laundry Room
Assigned Parking Spaces
199 S. Buckhout Street
Irvington NY 10533

and

Updated 2 Bedroom Coop Apartment
First Floor End Unit w. Hudson River Views from Patio
Washer & … (0 comments)

Landscaping For Curb Appeal... - 04/12/11 10:08 PM
Spring is knocking on the door!
An attractively landscaped property creates curb appeal and helps your homestead obtain and/or retain maximum value... and a beautiful yard is a head-turner, no doubt about it.
The good news is that even if you can't tell a tulip from a turnip at the garden center, you can still create eye-catching curb appeal by paying attention to the basics of good landscaping. Ignoring your yard - or doing something that's out of character with the neighborhood - can jeopardize the value of your home. READ THE FULL ARTICLE At HOUSE LOGIC to learn more about what you can do yourself … (3 comments)

PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE - Saturday, April 16th, 2011 - 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Beautifully Updated Irvington Coop Apartment For Sale - 04/12/11 09:35 PM
Half Moon - Irvington NY - Completely Renovated 3 Bedroom Coop 199 S Buckhout St #199, Irvington, NY 10533 View Map Beautiful pristine upper level 3 Bedroom Apartment Unit with Hudson River Views from all windows and Living Room deck! New Kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops. Gleaming new hardwood floors throughout. Maintenance fee includes all utilities and taxes. Complex has Laundry Room, Storage and Bike Room for owners convenience. Close to Metro North and charming village center with lots of shops and restaurants. A stones throw from elementary school. Enjoy everything the quaint Village of Irvington has … (0 comments)

PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE - Saturday, April 16th, 2011 - 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM - Pristine Irvington Townhome For Sale - 04/12/11 09:27 PM
Pristine Richmond Hill Townhouse 32 Richmond, Irvington, NY 10533 View Map Taxes successfully grieved - 17% reduction for 2011 plus STAR deduction of $1,630 - Spacious, pristine Town Home in beautiful Richmond Hill complex. Large sunny updated Eat-in Kitchen with stainless steel appliances opens to Living Room with fireplace and Dining Room with glass sliders out to private patio. Upper level boasts 3 Bedrooms and 2 Baths. Double doors open to oversized Master Suite. Stunning marble Master Bath with jacuzzi and steam shower. Unbelievably large walk in closet. Fully finished basement of 700 sq ft boasting a very large Family Room, … (0 comments)

Yonkers NY 10705 - PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE - Sunday, April 17th, 2011 - 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Gracious Pre-War Center Hall Colonial For Sale - 04/12/11 09:23 PM
Gracious Well Maintained Center Hall Colonial 1 Tibbetts Road , Yonkers, NY 10705 View Map Lovely 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath Center Hall Colonial with beautiful land. Very private location at the end of Tibbetts Rd. Large Living Room with fireplace opens to an enclosed porch with deck overlooking the picturesque backyard. Eat In Kitchen. Hardwood floors throughout. Full finished basement with Butlers Kitchen, Full Bath, plenty of storage and Laundry Room. Door out to backyard. Large terrace over attached 2 car garage.
Details Asking Price: $529,500 MLS: 3101274 Sq. Feet: 1600 Lot Size: .28 acres Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3 # of … (0 comments)

Yonkers NY 10705 - PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE - Sunday, April 17th, 2011 - 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Spacious Custom Home w. Accessory Apartment For Sale - 04/12/11 09:20 PM
Spacious Single Family Home w. Accessory Apartment 3 Tibbetts Road, Yonkers, NY 10705 View Map Large custom built one Family Home with Accessory Apartment located on a quiet, dead end street near Van Courtland Park golf course. Private, level property. Entry Hall with Staircase, Powder Room, Coat Closet, doors to lower level and over sized one car Garage, Eat In Kitchen, Formal Dining Room, large Living Room with Fireplace, vaulted ceiling and glass sliders to Deck overlooking private backyard. The second Floor offers a large Master Suite with Dressing Area and Bathroom, plus 2 more Bedrooms and a Hall Bath. The … (1 comments)

Irvington On Hudson NY 10533 - Fantastic 2 Bedroom Coop Apartment with Hudson River Views For Sale - 04/12/11 05:52 PM
This spacious Halfmoon Coop Apartment has it all. End Unit with direct Hudson River Views. Absolutely move-in condition. All new electrical and plumbing. New kitchen with Stainless Steel appliances and new bath. Lower level unit with river views. Sit on your patio and enjoy the sunset. European washer and dryer in unit. Entry Hall opens to large open Living Space with Dining Area. Great for entertaining. Hall leads to Bath, Master Bedroom and 2nd bedroom. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout. Best 2 Bedroom in the complex. Close to Village with lots of restaurants shops and Metro North. This is an absolute must … (0 comments)

US Gasoline Price Widget... Find The Lowest Gasoline Prices In Your Area... - 04/11/11 07:37 PM
Here are a couple of widgets and sites that may be of help when trying to track down the lowest gasoline prices in your neighborhood. While it won't prevent your gas bills from rising throughout the next few months it may help you at least to keep them down a little bit.
Get the US Gas Prices widget and many other great free widgets at Widgetbox!
And here is another good web site to find the lowest gas prices in your area
Gas Price Watch
One more good web site to find the lowest gas prices in your area
Gas Buddy< … (4 comments)

With Gas Prices Rising... What Options Do We Have?! - 04/11/11 07:20 PM
Here in Westchester County NY automotive gas prices have been rapidly rising over the past few weeks and have reached now well over $4.00 per gallon for regular grade gasoline. This represents the highest price ever for gasoline in the month of April which leads me to believe that we'll be seeing $5.00 per gallon or higher in early Summer!
This dramatic rise has affected my cost of doing business (like everyone else of course) and will definitely impact how I'll do business in the near future, especially if it comes to showing potential buyers properties around the county. I already replaced my aging, gas guzzling SUV with a newer, … (70 comments)

Realtor Code Of Ethics... Article 1... - 04/11/11 05:28 PM
Article 1

When representing a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant, or other client as an
agent, REALTORS® pledge themselves to protect and promote the
interests of their client. This obligation to the client is primary, but it
does not relieve REALTORS® of their obligation to treat all parties
honestly. When serving a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant or other party
in a non-agency capacity, REALTORS® remain obligated to treat all
parties honestly. (Amended 1/01) • Standard of Practice 1-1 REALTORS®, when acting as principals in a real estate transaction,
remain obligated by the duties imposed by the Code of Ethics.
(Amended 1/93)
… (1 comments)

Credit Score Changes... - 04/11/11 04:10 PM
Consumers, on average, can barely pass a test about recent changes in the credit score market and that means they may not know how their scores score affects their ability and/or cost to borrow when it comes to securing any type of credit.
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and VantageScore Solutions say on 22 credit score questions administered by Opinion Research Corp. to over 1,000 consumers late last month, on average, consumers answered only 60 percent correctly.
Most did not know who makes credit scores available, what is a strong score, nor the financial cost of a poor score.
"The bad … (1 comments)

Is Your Local Housing Market "Over-Correcting"? - 04/07/11 07:35 PM
Almost all States of The Union saw housing prices soar crazily between 2000 and 2005. In some instances they shot up by double digits from quarter to quarter. Below is an excerpt from House Price Index charts compiled by the FHA for NY, FL & CA during these years. You can easily see where the housing market really overheated... with highs in 2004...
Quarter - New York - Florida - California

However, it seems to me, and please correct me if I am wrong, that we have reached pretty much the bottom of this correction. If prices retreat even more, it seems to me that it … (3 comments)

New Home Building Trends... - 04/06/11 04:41 PM
Buying a super-sized, outdated home today could give you a really tough time selling it when it's time to move on again.
By 2015, new homes will be 10 percent smaller, greener and packed with more technology and "universal" features than today's homes, according to a new study by the National Association of Home Builders.
The NAHB's "The New Home in 2015" alludes to the economic downturn for ratcheting up a "less is more" movement that includes everything from homes designed with fewer frivolities to small "pocket neighborhoods" with smaller homes.
The study says the lousy economy is the force behind the changing … (6 comments)

The Importance of Proper Foundation Maintenance... - 04/06/11 04:25 PM
Protect your real estate investment by making sure that your home's foundation is properly maintained. Defects in foundations can occur for a number of reasons and improper foundation maintenance can compound these occurrences. Here are some tips to prevent damage to your foundation:
Keep at least two to four inches of concrete showing below the brick or siding. Keep the gutters clear. In the spring, remove debris that has accumulated during the winter months. Keep the soil around your home at a constant moisture level. Install root barricades if a large tree is close to your home's foundation. Large trees and shrubs that have been planted too … (2 comments)

Will My Home Appreciate In Value? - 04/06/11 04:05 PM
Well, here is the bad news: It is highly unlikely that we will ever again see homes appreciate at double digit rates from year to year.
However, the good news is: It's highly likely home prices will eventually rise again and therefore your home could appreciate as well.
So, what should you look for when buying your next home to increase the likelyhood of value appreciation?
Location, location, location! It's an old real estate adage, but it still makes sense once you understand the impact of land value on appreciation. The reason that land is an appreciating asset is because of supply and demand. Land is in limited … (3 comments)

HARP Refi Option For Home Owners... LOWER Your Mortgage Payments & Get BETTER Terms... - 04/04/11 11:30 PM
The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) offers a mortgage refinance option created by the US government. It is currently available through June 30, 2012.
The objective of a HARP mortgage refinance is to provide creditworthy home owners, those who have proven a commitment to paying their mortgage, the opportunity to get into a new, stable mortgage with better terms. Home owners whose interest rates are much higher than the current market rate generally see a reduction in their monthly payment when they refinance through HARP.
The HARP mortgage is a new loan and will require a loan application and will go through a underwriting … (1 comments)

Westchester County Spring Market... Is It Starting... Or What? - 04/03/11 12:24 AM
While the Westchester real estate market is slowly emerging from a rough winter hiatus recent sales activity suggests it may become much more lively very soon. Personally I am getting very busy working with solid buyers which bods well for my immediate future...
How are you faring? Are you seeing improvements? Is it getting better, or what?
 
… (2 comments)

When To Accept An Offer... And When To Pass... - 04/01/11 01:12 PM
The current real estate market can be a difficult one for many sellers to navigate. And while your real estate professional can and will advise you on the merits of an offer, the ultimate decision of what offer to accept is entirely up to you. This decision can come with quite a bit of pressure. Even in the most favorable of markets this can be a difficult time. How do you know when to accept an offer?
Here are some questions to consider: 
Is the buyer pre-qualified/approved? Selling will require an investment of time and money. You may need to find a … (3 comments)

Spring Market Update... Before You List Your Home For Sale! - 04/01/11 12:50 PM
Here are a number of tips you'll have heard most likely before... however, please take them to heart because this Spring market will offer many new property listings and you'll need very possible edge you can get if you want to sell your home in a timely fashion.
1. Curb Appeal: Buyers make snap judgments about each home they view. These judgments are drawn largely from first impressions. Be sure your home has impressive curb appeal. Fresh flowers and mulched beds, along with trimmed hedges and grass are a must. If your home needs a fresh coat of paint, now is the … (2 comments)

Spring Market Hopes... - 04/01/11 12:35 PM
Optimism about the housing market isn't quite sweeping the nation, but Americans remain sold on the value of home ownership... and it is a good time to be bullish about buying a home. The housing downturn hasn't shaken consumers' resolve to consider home ownership an integral part of an American Dream.
The eighth quarterly "Allstate-National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll: The American Dream" revealed that nearly nine out of 10 homeowners say they would buy their same homes again.
Among those with homes with lost value, the same percentage said they would buy their home again.
Also, seven of 10 Americans say … (0 comments)

 
Phyllis_lerner_realtor Rainmaker_large

Phyllis Lerner, Realtor - Broker / Owner - Westchester County NY

William Raveis Legends Realty Group

Tarrytown, NY

More about me…

William Raveis Legends Realty Group LLC

Address: William Raveis Legends Realty Group, 37 Main Street, Tarrytown, NY, 10591

Office Phone: (914) 332-6300

Cell Phone: (914) 438-7556

Email Me

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