Renee 's Blog

Color My Agent Green

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 18:16:00 -0600

Clients are asking, "How green is my Realtor." More buyers are looking for ways to save energy and agents are looking to attract buyers and sellers. Want to try a new way to market your services as a Realtor? In today's downward spiraling real estate market thinking of new ways to promote yourself might not be so difficult. So, her comes the mother of invention, real estate agents are trying to attract buyers and sellers by making them aware of "green," environmentally friendly homes. The agents market these energy saving homes on their Web site. And go as far as to take course to gain knowledge about geo-thermal heat pumps. They also endeavor to help their sellers qualify for grants and tax credits for these improvements that save energy. But is all the knowledge gleaned in abbreviated courses enough to answer as an expert? That is questionable. Read, "How Green Is My Realtor."

Your Home Is Not Your Nest Egg?

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:48:12 -0600

The baby boomers had an additional pension for their retirement, it was their home. They paid their mortgage, as they paid the bank their equity increased. It was as if they had an additional stock market account. The piece of the American Dream increased as the housing boom took hold. The stockmarket has cycles and now comes the housing downturn so, the value of their homes is diminishing too. There are definite differences between the value of your stock market account and your home. First, the market fluctuates daily whiles homes are affected by the same economic conditions, values do not change drastically overnight. And, you can sell a stock over the Internet in a matter of minutes you can't do that with your home today. The premise of the article in today's Wall Street Journal defines the differences for us read, Why Your Nest Is Not Your Next Egg.

I Love Trader Joe

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:14:14 -0600

Walking down the aisles of Trader Joe's chocked full of goodies. The shelves are stocked with the basics but the store has a wide variety of organic produce, imported cheese any many other goodies. I love it because they pride themselves in selling the unusual, e.g. frozen chicken-lemon grass springs rolls to wild blueberry juice at great prices. Now we have the news that Trader Joe's will remove some Chinese-grown foods from it's stores primarily because of customers expressing worries over the safety of products made in China. Trader Joe's is responding to the worries that China's food will go the way of their toy industry, pet food. For me, you will find me strolling down the aisles in their Westchester County, Hartsdale store, looking for interesting new and exotic foods of the world. Article about Trader Joe's barring some imports.........

The Year Of The Rat

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 07:25:25 -0600

The month of February brings a new year and reason to celebrate. It is Chinese New Year, the Year Of The Rat. Celebrated all over the world by people of Chinese decent. The Lunar New Year is steeped in tradition, although the legend of Nian is the most colorful explanation. Nian was a fierce monster, who came to torment humans every year. Powerless to stop his yearly attacks until a wise old man came to help by tricking Nian into eating other beasts instead of humans. Red was the color of decorations used on windows and doors because Nian was afraid of the color red. Today, red decorations adorn Chinese New Year parties. The Year of The Earth Rat, is an earth sign of calm, it is always in motion. There are twelve animal sign that stand for each month of the calendar. The year of your birth does not just stand for your age. Under Chinese Astrology system the year of your birth stands a phase of a sixty year cycle of life. Hopefully, a lucky one. The Chinese New Year was celebrated in Westchester County read about The year of the rat, A Lunar Year Celebrated In Hartsdale

Run Your Homes From Far

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 15:13:15 -0600

Many homes in Westchester Countyare weekender's. Worrying about freezing pipes, or flooding from hot-water heaters that have burst is not much fun. Piece of mind comes from today's watchdog a remote access system . A little insurance for making sure your home away from home is safe and all systems are go. The systems works from a central control box that connects directly to the Internet. The box then connects directly with sensors from a wireless signal. There are all kinds of neat stuff you acess remotely. You can even purchase some of these products directly from www.icontrol.com. Even homewowners going on vacation may be another use for a homeowner to install one of these remote systems. Read all about, "The Brain In A Box," in The New York Times....Keeping Track From Afar

Commercial Landlord Who Needs Manners

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 11:21:13 -0600

Yesterday, I met a commercial client, Mike, his landlord and the landlord's broker at my client's restaurant. Mike called me to set-up a meeting so that he could lease the additonal contiguous space for his restaurant. The landlord was quibbling about my client opening up a wall and placing a metal beam in the ceiling. That should have been the landlord's responsibility, he then looked directly at his broker and myself and said to Mike, "You pay the commission too." Maybe I have been lucky but that never happened to me. Yet, the landlord went on to tell me about the other commercial spaces he has with the hope of me bringing other clients.

A Realtor's Surprse

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:14:29 -0600

Picture this you are showing a new client a home. You point out all the features as you walk through, no this is a living room stuff, you open a closet and what a surprise you get! So, as you open the closet in the master bedroom there is a dead body hanging in the closet. Can't really make this stuff up. The agent and clients in tow lock the door and call for help. Read Fox News airs A Realtors Surprise

Eight Tips For Pricing Your Home In A Buyer's Market

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:45:01 -0600

I have been a real estate broker for a long time and have observed many different real estate markets It is obvious to me that pricing your home is so important in today's weak real estate market. Prices are down and homes are staying on the market longer. I believe that if you price your home correctly it will be on the market a shorter period of time. Homes that are overprice stay on the market longer. Usually they sell for less than they should have in the first place because they become stale. Here are Eight Tips For Selling Your Home In A Buyer's Market

Celebrity Watching In Westchester County, New York

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:08:41 -0600

I had a great lunch today, at Bedford Post, Richard Gere's new restaurant. The decor is rustic, the food was great. And if you judge a place by it's coffee you will not be disappointed. It is Westchester County's new place to celebrity watch and be seen. Check out the article, titled, "The Chef At Richard Gere's Bedford Post Inn, from the Journal New.

Celebrity Great Losers

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:35:49 -0600

The downturn in the real estate market not only affects us simple folk but celebrities too. The month of December saw 4,430 homes sold, which was a decrease of 48% in units. The starter home in LA will cost you $1,400 ,000. The range covering homes from $3,000,000. - $6,000,000., are having trouble selling. The writer's strike didn't help homeowners as they were buying up and caught in a bad market. Don't you feel sorry for Avril Lavigne, the rocker, who had to reduced the price of her Beverly Hills home from $6,900,000 to $5,800,000. Guns N' Roses guitarist, Slash claims he overpaid for the Hollywood Hills home, that he purchased in January, 2006, for $6,200,000., and sold it in December, for $5,700,000. He is now suing his real estate agent. That's enough for me never to want a celebrity for client because I don't want to be a real estate agent who is the greatest loser.

Forbes Magazine article, Celebrity Real Estate Loser

Rx for the Ailing Housing Market

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 07:26:58 -0600

The economy seems to coming down with a nasty cold. The symptoms are more that a running nose and a fever, they are a housing market with decreasing values and rising unemployment. The establishment is treating the wrong symptoms, trying to boost spending by giving a small stipend back to taxpayers. There own money, I might add. Today's commentary by Irwin Kellner outlines a stimulus package that has a direct effect on creating wealth, confidence and directly influence spending. A rebate given to buyers and seller of homes in areas based on a per centage of value of real estate in a local area , might be a better prescription. The Wall Street Journal's article....How To Fix The Housing Crisis

Don't Believe The Hype

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:28:33 -0600

The date October 19, 1987, Black Monday, never to be forgotten by investors in the stock market. A few months before, a client of mine told me that he converted all his stocks to cash. I wondered why? Time proved him right. In 2005 an LA Times reporter and his wife sold their home. He saw the signs of an impending downturn in the LA real estate market. When friends thought he cashed in too soon, "Don't Believe The Hype," by Public Enemy played in his head. Today, there is a song playing in my head, by the Mamas and the Papas, "California Dreaming."

The LA Times article, "How We Cashed In Before The Housing Crash."

I See Real Estate Prices In My Crystal Ball

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:20:38 -0600

Today's article in the Westchester Business Journal addresses the price of real estate in the Hudson Valley after the sub-prime mortgage meltdown. The Westchester and Putnam housing markets are performing better than most around the country. Yet it makes the point that we are not immune to the effects of other real estate markets around the county. We should expect the number of home sales to decrease, along with the prices and inventory to grow. So, tell me what else is new!

Westchester Business Journal article Home Prices Mostly Ebb

The Greening Of The Suburbs

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 19:12:38 -0600

I thought for sure Westchester County, New York, would be on this list, as an overpriced suburb. While the price of homes in the county would still be considered very expensive it didn't make the list. Westchester's residents take heart, Manhattan did not make the list either. So, maybe the writer should tell ask my clients about cost of purchasing a home here. Ever wonder who is writing these articles and where they get their information. See if your home county made it.

Money magazine, America's most overpriced suburbs

New Condo In Westchester County, Chappaqua Crossing

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 07:33:08 -0600

Westchester County's Chappaqua , New York, has overcome a resistance to developing condos before, the year was 1975. Mitcfhell Berenson, a developer, proposed a multi-family town house condominium and won a decision from the state's highest court. They found the town zoning laws, "Must provide for the development of a balanced, cohesive community." Here we go again, now the property in question, is the Reader's Digest campus, encompassing 114 acres in Chappaqua. Now, Summit Development, believes their proposal is within the Town of New Castle's zoning laws. Their first proposal was rejected. The new proposal is for 222 condominium unites of market-rate age-restricted housing, 32 affordable work-force housing for residents town employees and emergency service volunteers and 24 age-restricted affordable units.

While Westchester County residents enjoy the beauty of open space, I believe we need more condo development, that are wisely planned and fit in with nature's setting. So, will suburban towns cooperate with builders in planning a community for all to enjoy? That is the question and we will have to just wait and see.

NYTimes Article, The Suburb That Resisted Condos

Be A Smart Negotiator

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 06:51:00 -0600

The Spring market is just about here. Interest rates are falling. Deciding to purchase a home is a big step. First time buyers can be the beneficiaries of falling prices. Buyers should find out all they can about the area they want to live-in, ask their agent to do a Comparative Market Analysis for them and also try to find out how much the seller paid for their home. Does the seller have a time frame? I always caution my buyers not to, "Fall in love," with any home so they can treat their negotiation process as a business deal. The more knowledge you can glean the more negotiating power you have.

The Los Angeles Times article, Smart Buyers Know How To Negotiate.

The Real Estate Boom

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:57:02 -0600

There is a boom in real estate it just does not happen to be on our continent. It is in Bagdad, Irag. Citizens looking to live in a safe city are finding too few homes so, now the demand is causing bidding wars. The prices are rising. Iraqi's usually pay cash for their homes. Is this enough to make you wish you were an agent selling real estate in Bagdad? Not me, I will stick with Westchester County, New York in the good old USA.

The Los Angeles Times article Bagdad's Housing Boom

Weathering The Real Estate Market

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 07:18:17 -0600

Every evening I sit and listen to the cable news, local news and the conventional news channels, the doom and gloom of the housing market is always a favorite topic. There definitely is a housing slow down in the Westchester County, New York market. In the luxury market developers are now offering extras e.g., pools, home theatres included in the price. They are negotiating the price, instead of sitting longer with properties while paying bank notes. And, are building fewer rather gambling on building spec homes. While others are still not willing to negotiate prices they are offering rent now buy later deals on condos. Just maybe this is a good thing for all home sales and it will filter down to home owners this spring, who might just be realistic in pricing their homes. The lesson, listen to a knowledgable Realtor. It is hard to predict when this market will change but innovative sales approaches coupled with realistic prices will rule to get the property sold.

NYTimes Article Builders Weigh Their Issue

Is Now The Time To Buy A Home???

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:35:18 -0600

If you want a piece of the American home ownership dream now may just be the time to buy. If you have a down-payment, the combination of lower home prices and lower interest rates, than this is a good time to purchase yout dream. I believe there are good buys in Westchester County's Real Estate Market as well as other regions in the county. There is a well written article by Wallet Pop, that details the process to go through before you purchase. Knowledge is power so know everything you can before you purchase.

Mount Kisco's New Library

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 07:02:02 -0600

The Village of Mount Kisco's breaks ground for their new state of the art library. An 8 million dollar facility, where the old library was, housing 18,000 sq feet, exactly double in size. The facility will include a silent reading room, circulation desk, technology support and browsing areas, children's reading room with craft area. It will be heated and cooled by geothermal wells. The Mt Kisco Library a foundation has been set up to help furnish the facility.

The Journal News Article

Does Your Money Fly Out The Window

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:20:39 -0600

Homeowners can keep ahead of wasting their dollars by having an energy home auditor inspect their home. The auditor checks areas such as; insulation, door and window frames so that costly energy is not escaping. They check the efficiency of your homes systems heat and air-conditioning, leaks can be costly culprits. Why not check to see if your heating or electricity company conducts these in home audits. Read the article below for excellent information about where to find inspectors and who can they help.

Auditing Your Home For Drafts And Other Costly Problems

Your So Vain

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 06:54:50 -0600

Ever wonder why someone would want vanity plates??? I do when I spot one. Then I try to sound out the word or abbreviation they display. Is there a secret message? Honestly, some make sense and others do not. Marketing, branding, advertising or just plain vain, I really don't get. There is a Realtor in our town of Bedford, New York, who not only has a vanity plate on her BMW X5 but whose windows are covered in thick white lettering. Very unattractive. So, that brings me to another point, when is marketing tastful or not. Guess everyone has a different idea of nice.

Article on vanity plates

Mahopac, Westchester County

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:00:35 -0600

Today's article in the New York Times, "Thinking of Living in Mahopac's, Westchester County addresses the beauty of nature in the area . Pristine waterways, rolling treed country side are enjoyed by residents because of careful thought and caring about preserving natures beauty. The air quality is so good that CNN rated it one of the best places to live. Want to know more about Mahopac, click on the Westchester County Site

Here is the article from The New York Times Living in Mahopac

Falling Home Prices Brings Litigation

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:03:33 -0600

The down real estate market brings new cautions to brokers. I am an associate broker at an office in Westchester County, New York. Our office manager is always reminding us of what a litigious society we live-in. She is, of course, correct. Before I ever accept a bid from a buyer client, they receive CMA just a seller would. They can come to an educated decision before they put in an offer to purchase. However, many buyers did purchase at the high so, are we insulated from litigation? I believe if you do the right thing by clients it will go a long way to prevent being sued.

Read today's New York Times Article, Feeling Misled On Home Price, Buyers Sue Agent

Elite School Districts in Westchester County

Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:32:28 -0600

What do the elite school districts in Westchester County have in common you ask? They concentrate on developing young minds with an emphasis on skills. They want students to think and problem solve rather than gear their knowledge to a standardized test. These district as alway looking for ways to challenge the mind. Providing electives outside the standards curriculum, provide art programs early in a students school career and encourage writing skills like those developed by a school newspaper. There is a price to be paid by the homeowners in higher taxes to have these kinds of critical programs. I believe the dollars come back by increased real estate value in these districts.

Read Developing minds is the real test for elite school districts