Buying a home in general is usually the biggest investment in a persons life. So now you go out and start looking to buy a home and you notice that there are quite a bit of homes that are labeled as Short Sales. And what exactly is a Short Sale? Short sales allow the cash-strapped seller to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even though it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures. This seems to be one of the better possible outcomes for the seller of the home, but what should the buyer expect? As the buyer of a Short Sale they can usually look forward to a so... 01/04/2013

  Housing Recovery Debate Lingers Heading into 2013 By Evan Nemeroff The housing industry has experienced a rollercoaster ride in 2012 as foreclosures and residential delinquencies are falling, but inventory is still not being released by the banks into the market. So the big question still looms among industry insiders—are we really in a housing recovery right now? Rick Sharga, executive vice president at Carrington Mortgage Holdings, said the state of the industry is making progress, but he still anticipates a “slow, gradual grind-it-out recovery” heading into 2013. Sharga believes it will still take three to four years for a full recovery despite positive signs right now including an increase in pending home sales and inventory of homes for sale is falling due to homebuilders not bui... 12/21/2012

Holiday train show New York botanical garden What a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays. This annual event is sure to delight young and old alike. Located in The Bronx, the New York Botanical Garden is easy to reach by car or train making this an ideal adventure for the kid (or the kid at heart.) Plan your trip to this wonderful event, the Holiday Train Show, which runs from November 17, 2012 through January 13, 2013. This is open to everyone and tickets are required. Click here to go to the site and more information. 11/24/2012

3214 Ampere Ave Bronx, NY 10465-1004 Country Club ~ Bronx, NY Home Photo Gallery Virtual Tour Property Map Payment Info Request Showing Elisa Bruno ~ Michael LaMorte NYS Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Mobile:914.844.6011 Fax:914.277.4668 Website:Visit Website Price : $475,000 Bedrooms : 3 Bathrooms : 2 Square Foot : 1,732 County : Bronx Property Type : Detached Year Built : 1956 MLS Number : 3230760 click for more information and pictures Property Description LOOK at this location so convenient to NYC and LaGuardia Airport via Major Highways. Minutes to Crosby Ave shopping, Pelham Bay Park and Long Island Sound. This 3 bedroom detached townhouse has driveway parking, gas heat, covered patio, and new sewer water lines. Featuring Stainless Steel Appliances, Hardwood & Pergo Flooring an... 11/03/2012

How to Choose a Feng Shui Consultant.... A common question for when choosing a Feng Shui consultant is, Should I choose a consultant based on their credentials or should I choose based on my budget? The answer is, you should choose based on both and really after you speak with them over the phone before deciding to move forward. You need to take the time to read and study all the profiles as to see which Feng Shui consultant can accommodate your method of learning and method of Feng Shui you wish to utilize.  Be sure to speak with them over the phone as to see if you both have a connection.  That will truly help you narrow down your final decision.  Feng Shui LI *Carole Provenzale was a Certified Feng Shui Consultant who graduated from the Country's very first School for Feng Shui Studi... 10/01/2012

    This photo explains the reason why so many people never accomplish their dreams.  It explains why we gain weight, why we start on the road to greatness and never show up, and why really smart, ambitious, and hard working amazing people will never amount to anything. Listen up, because if you understand this concept as I explain it below, you might end up being one of the few that achieves everything you set out to in life. First, let me explain the photo.  On the right is my red Keurig coffee machine which no longer works.  Knowing that it would take ten days to get a replacement from Keurig, I bought a new Keurig since Lord knows I can’t go without my coffee for ten minutes, never mind ten days.  Of course, I had every intention of returning the broken, red Keurig machine, and upo... 09/23/2012

NYC- SONYMA Offer Products for First-Time Homebuyers     The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) offers five mortgage programs to assist first-time homebuyers with the purchase of a home in New York State.   Our five mortgage programs feature competitive interest rates, low down payment requirements, flexible underwriting guidelines, no prepayment penalties and down payment assistance. Each of these features are designed to make your home purchase more affordable. All SONYMA loans are financed through the sale of tax exempt bonds. Mortgage Programs:   Homes for Veterans ProgramA program specifically designed for military veterans. Allows a qualified veteran to apply for any of the below listed SONYMA programs with more favorable terms.   Remodel New YorkFirst-time homebuyers* can... 09/21/2012

The Real Estate Market Recovery Faces Its Latest Threat   A housing recovery may be under way, but there’s an obstacle that appears to be slowing down the rebound: the unusually high number of buyers who walk away from their contracts.   An average of nearly 18% of signed contracts on existing home sales were canceled during the three months ending July, according to data released this month by Capital Economics, an independent research firm. That’s the highest all year and the most since May 2010, when that figure reached 23%; in the five years before the housing slump started, the average never went higher than 10%. Separately, 36% of Realtors are reporting some kind of problem with a contract, including cancellations, delays and renegotiations of the sales terms, according to August ... 09/19/2012

Should Bronx Home Owners Sell So Near to the End of The Year? Selling your home as the end of the year approaches is actually a good idea, but you need to have the right strategy in place. The holidays will be here before you know it and it’s vital that you put your plan of action into play now, to ensure that you get the best results for yourself 60 and 90 days into the future as you work through the process of your move. The fourth quarter of the year can cause some sellers to worry if their home hasn't sold yet. But according to Trulia.com, there is still time to sell. Typically, many buyers want to move and get situated before the actual end of the year and holidays are here, but that shouldn’t give you pause. Yes, the spring is considered a prime time to sell; however, there is sti... 09/17/2012

Next Housing Moves Are Being Considered by Baby Boomers Many older baby boomers have been putting off moving for years now, due to weak housing markets, price declines and losses in their retirement accounts. But as markets are beginning to recover, some may be unearthing their buried plans to downsize, move closer to their children or relocate to a warmer climate. Whether they ultimately make a move has a lot to do with their finances and where they live.   “I think people are sick of waiting,” said Jennifer Darby Metzger with ERA Justin Realty, in New Jersey. Even if conditions aren’t perfect yet, there will be some boomers who don’t want to wait forever and take the encouraging market signs as a cue to get moving.   “The recession is letting up and the housing inventory is going down... 09/12/2012

The 5 Key Motivational Secrets of Successful People       Some make success look easy but the truth is that when a person who has reached the brass ring is noticed it’s only after the most difficult steps have been traversed, and not when they are struggling, which all people who have worked hard have done.       Luckily for those who want to follow in their footsteps, the secrets to success are not secrets at all. In fact, there are five things that all successful people do in order to achieve their dreams.       1. Successful people take responsibility for their actions and inaction       Have you ever wished for success but never put forth the hard work? If you can admit it, then you are on your way to becoming successful, because a person looking to become something bigger than he o... 09/10/2012

Bronx Housing Market Climbs As U.S. Housing Market is on the Rise! The U.S. economy is rounding the Labor Day turn and it appears that the housing market it finally climbing back up, after many attempts and failures.   It is nothing of mystery, just the facts of supply and demand. For the first time in years, the supply of both new and used homes available for sale has dropped below demand.   With the basis of supply and demand, as supply diminishes and demand remains...rising prices are sure to follow. The housing market is affected as any other market. Prices have been coming up each quarter over the past 2 years.   The rise in prices has sparked a light and seems to be convincing would-be homebuyers that it does not pay to wait, considering mortgage interest rates are at 60-year lows... 09/06/2012

New Yorkers': Do You Live With An Attitude of Gratitude?   Imagine for a moment one of those nights when you just can't fall asleep and you have to get up early the next morning for a very important meeting of which you are the keynote speaker. Your alarm clock goes off early in the morning waking you from what little sleep you had. You stumble out of bed, have a quick shower, grab a coffee and some toast, and off you go to fight the traffic on the way to work.   Does that sound like the start of a terrible day? Most would answer 'yes'. Few people however, would answer, 'no'. These are the people, who are in my opinion blessed with a gift. A gift that determines how they view their life. These people live with 'an attitude of gratitude'. For them, the situation described could be worse.... 09/05/2012

  NYC Celebrates Fall Fashion Week   New York Fashion Week kicks off the global calendar of Fashion Weeks, and is immediately followed by Fashion Weeks in London, Milan and Paris. With more and more male fashion being introduced into Fashion Week there is something for everyone.   Fashion Week Calendar   SeasonDates Fall / Winter 2012 February 9-16, 2012 Spring / Summer 2013 September 6-13, 2012 Fall / Winter 2013 February 7-14, 2013 Spring / Summer 2014 September 5-12, 2013 Fall / Winter 2014 February 6-13, 2014       For a Full Calendar of Events Visit: http://www.mbfashionweek.com/schedule   Fashion Week News   New York Fashion Week Generates $865 Million in Economic Impact Annually   CFDA Confirms Fashion Week Dates for 2013 and 2014 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week to Move to Lincoln Cen... 09/03/2012

  Labor Day: Day to Shop or Day to Relax?       Observed by United States Type   Federal Holiday (federal government, DC and U.S. Territories); and State Holiday (in all 50 U.S. States) Date First Monday in September 2011 date September 5 2012 date September 3 2013 date September 2 Celebrations Parades, barbecues Related to Labour Day   Labor Day is an American federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September (September 3 in 2012) that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.   Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans, and is celebrated with parties, parades, barbecues and athletic events.       Celebrations   The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outline... 08/31/2012

  Wetlands remapping New York, Could it harm or help business development property values?       The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Recently initialed an effort to remap the regulated wetlands in new yorks state. Some of the new maps are due to be released soon and could significantly impede business development and negatively affect property values.       Currently, all wetlands in New York State are regulated by the U.S Army corps of engineers (USACOE). New york state also regulates wetlands that are 12.4 acres or large. Applicants seeking to construct a project in New York must proceed through both of these agencies. This process is duplicative and time consuming; it can also result in conflicting requirement imposed by either agency.       The proposed... 08/29/2012

ATTN: NYC Home Buyers-Mortgage Rates Are On The Rise   NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — Average mortgage rates in the U.S. were mostly higher over the past week as fixed rates rose for a third week in a row, after a long streak of declines, according to mortgage-finance company Freddie Mac. Freddie Mac FMCC -2.48%  Chief Economist Frank Nothaft noted the rates edged up following economic indicators that point towards low inflation but gradually stronger economic activity.   For the week ended Thursday, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.62%, compared with 3.59% the previous week and 4.15% a year earlier. Rates on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 2.88%, versus 2.84% a week earlier and 3.36% a year ago.   Five-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, averaged ... 08/27/2012

Attn: Bronx Parents/Students New Back-to-School Checklist As the new school year fast approaches our children have to accept the fact that vacation time is over. As parents it is always a "process" getting everything together for the new school year. Do the kids have clothes, shoes, supplies, food, activities, snacks, after school activities, etc. It would be nice if we got handed a to-do manual for every thing we need to prep for, right? Although there is nothing that simply done for us, we can still make sure we are prepared for this major time of year. For a helpful checklist and hint, tips and more please click here, to be directed to an essential and helpful site. Also, if you are looking to move (buying, selling or renting), with this new school year upon us, now is the time to re... 08/22/2012

Happy 63rd Anniversary Hawaii   Mahalo, Hawaii for 60-plus great years. Sixty-three years ago, tomorrow, Hawaii was added as the 50th state to the United States of America. This happened 172 years and 4 months after the first state, Delaware, was added to the Union. Oddly enough, the first 11 states were made official in one year, yet it took 172 for Hawaii to crack the list. In case you want to find out what year our state became an official member of the United States, we’ve included a link to the Wikipedia page with the information on the history of what years states were added. Very cool information. As promised, here’s the info on Hawaii, the rest of the states and the party planning: 1) History of Hawaii: http://www.gohawaii.com/statewide/travel-tips/history 2) Wikipedia post: htt... 08/20/2012

New York City Living in Westchester Suburbs When it’s finished, Monarch at Ridge Hill will include four 12-story buildings and 500 condos. It will have 24-hour doorman service, a two-story fitness center, an outdoor pool, a playroom and bike storage. Pretty run of the mill, as far as new condos go. But that’s not all. Monarch also will have a golf simulator, wine cellar, screening room, basketball court, yoga studio, sauna, indoor lap pool and tennis courts. Add to that, it’s within walking distance of a Whole Foods, A State-of-the-Art Movie Theater, an Apple store and Lord & Taylor, plus more than a dozen other stores and eateries.   Oh, and it’s in Yonkers. New urbanism. This is how the team behind Monarch describes the lifestyle provided at its Manhattan-style condo in Westchester, 3... 08/10/2012