SO, who lived in the house you are considering to purchase? Did an axe murderer (yikes, No!),  a movie star, a politican or perhaps a philanthropist previously reside there ? Ancestry.com  move aside!  I recently listed a beautiful  home at 271 Beechmont Drive in New Rochelle, 7 bedrooms, 3.2 baths,  4610 square feet, beautiful hardwood floors, an artist’s studio, library (and/or bedroom), a wonderful media room, and BRAND new central air conditioning, 0.36 of an acre  and all overlooking the Beechmont Lake .. While the home speaks for itself… how to market it? The owners mentioned in passing that the reason there is an artist’s studio is because a famous cartoonist once owned the home .  Oh my goodness, a blogger’s delight.. . I merrily sought out the previous owners’ names, a... 05/14/2014

           Firstly, the buyers seem to be searching for everything new… They would rather spend more but find a new home as opposed to buying and renovating. If a home must be renovated, then price is tantamount to success.  Larchmont is very ‘hot’ right now, as is Scarsdale (however I have heard that since Scarsdale is going through the re-assessment process, the sellers are seeking to leave and avoid those even higher taxes). Bronxville has quieted down… My personal thoughts are the homes that are entering the market are well over 2 Million dollars, and that coupled with the high taxes perhaps are just to high for this current market to sustain? New Rochelle homes are selling in pockets. What is that? Well, I certainly do not mean pocket listings which are frowned upon and with good r... 05/01/2014

From left are: Ron Cohen (Acorda Therapeutics), Laura Forese (NY Presbyterian), Tom Kallish (Tommie Copper), Dani Glaser(Green Team Spirit), Bruce Bernacchia and Joe Murphy(Liberty Lines).    Last Wednesday night The Business Council of Westchester honored its 2014 Hall of Fame winners. This annual event is held each year at the Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle, NY 10805.  Each year a new class of exceptional businesses and entrepreneurs join the alumni which include business and entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to the Westchester County NY economy.   "And the Winners Are:" Ron Cohen of Acorda Therapeutics.  The company, one of several bio tech companies in this county, has won the Small Business Award.  It has also won the New York State Best Companies to ... 04/30/2014

           The weather was breezy, warmth in the sun, and chilly when not, but that made no difference for the warmth permeated throughout this wonderful event… it was the 2014 MS (Multiple Sclerosis) NY – Southern Westchester Walk at the Glen Island Park in New Rochelle. Stephen Meyers, President and Chief Executive Officer of Houlihan Lawrence announced earlier this month that ” Houlihan Lawrence has added the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to its list of corporate sponsorships.  Our sponsorship will include our participation in three separate events during the year.  The first of these events is the 2014 MS Walk which will be taking place on Sunday, April 27th in two locations, one in Westchester County at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle and the other in Putnam County at the Ma... 04/27/2014

  I have mentioned AJ’s Burgers before, but must again…  Truly, THE best hamburger in New Rochelle.. I had to have my checked the other day, and so I walked across the road to AJ’s… (it is located across from City Hall and Hamilton Avenue). There are televisions to keep you busy, and more importantly, the food is delicious.  Not fatty, just goodness…. I ordered the lunch special of the cheeseburger with fries… and it was delicious. It is a great place to bring the family, your casual date, or just to meet friends… AJ’s Burgers…   New Rochelle is GREAT! 04/20/2014

 Located so close to New York City, and just 30 minutes away by train, New Rochelle or “the Queen City of the Sound”  was a safe haven for the French Huguenots  (French Protestants) fleeing persecution in France in the 1600′s,  who arrived here in 1688 through to around 1760,  and the names of many local residents still bear the names of those original settlers. Many of whom were artisans and craftsmen, and our street names are representative of those original settlers, Fanueil, Slocum,  Sicard, and Flandreau to name a few.   While a city of over  77,000, I would like to feel that there is still a ‘small town’ ‘neighborly’ accent with many cultural and neighborhood organizations melding together to make our city even greater. We have a dog park for Fido,  and  the New Rochelle Humane So... 04/20/2014

Commencing on April 6th, at Alvin & Friends,  there will be the first ever Westchester Comedy Festival and Competition. April 7th – Sam’s of Gedney Way April 8th – Maggie Spillane’s Ale House in Mount Vernon April 9th - Ossie Davis Theatre - New Rochelle April 10th – Workshops -Roosevelt Square Building, Mount Vernon, N.Y. April 11th – Roosevelt Grand Ballroom, Yonkers New York. The entertainment will start at 8 p.m. – advance fees are $15 and $20 at the door..      Click on the following link for more information and please note how this event will be helping  worthwhile charities..  Westchester Comedy Westchester is GREAT!   04/03/2014

       New Rochelle is GREAT!   Hosted by  New Rochelle BID  has organized for our dining pleasure the opportunity to have a three course meal at many local and wonderful restaurants…  for only $26  http://www.newrochelledowntown.com/  See you there! New Rochelle is GREAT! 04/03/2014

Debbie Gartner , as we all know, is the nicest of people, ever helpful, intelligent, and oh! by the way, she is the President & Owner of a thriving floor company, " Westchester Floor Coverings International". If you need carpeting, tiling, floors refinished, new flooring (you get the idea), anything by way of floors- then contact Debbie for her free quotes. I popped into the office the other day, and Debbie had delivered to our office a wonderful array of yummy cookies, chocolate covered and otherwise, chocolate bars, and discount vouchers for our clients. THAT makes good business sense but would we expect anything less from Debbie? Westchester is GREAT! 03/23/2014

  New Rochelle has a new Commissioner for Development - Luiz Aragon. Well, I should not say new as Mr. Aragon started in his position in February of 2013, and was instrumental in the installation of ‘smart meters’.  He is certainly a visionary, and has many plans for New Rochelle..  Wonderful, exciting plans, and when you hear him speak,  you feel that excitement too… Mr. Aragon sees New Rochelle as  a village trapped within  the body of a city (I rather like that analogy), and he envisions preservation, privatization of the parking meters with private companies.. He reached out to Columbia University last year where their Earth Institute offers a “Sustainability Essentials Training Program for people who wish to explore the concepts and principles of sustainability and who want to lear... 02/27/2014

           I am not a football fan, but it would be very silly of me not to realize that this indeed a day to celebrate, enjoy one’s friends and family, and partake in some food.. a winter celebration and Holiday!  I was surprised to hear that pizza is the number three choice of party goers, and of course, the number one choice are those chicken wings… While delicious deep fried, and served with blue cheese and the trimmings, I like to make an equally delicious (I feel) style o f chicken wing, but one that is oven fried…  I just season with some cayenne, salt & pepper, and fry  on a rack to allow the fat to drip down for 400 degrees in the oven for an hour or until thy are browned and crispy looking..  I then serve them with our favorite sauces.. in our case, a hot sauce and a sweet and... 02/04/2014

Some clients are so much fun to work with.  Take for example, this New Rochelle, New York client.  Fresh Eyes For Your Home has worked with her for about a year and a half already, transforming her classic 70's colonial from drab to fab.  This gal loves color and her style is mid-century modern.  And we have been in designer heaven throughout this process! While it's difficult to really see this powder room because my photography skills leave a lot to be desired, the "before" was a blend of over the top 60's rococco, with a pretty unsophisticated butterfly motif on the walls.  Not her style - at all! We removed the sink and mirror and replaced them with a clean, white lacquered mirror and vanity that actually has some storage.  After all, who wants to get caught in someone else's powder... 01/05/2014

  While there was a ‘soft opening or Gallery launch’ in December, 2012, there will be an official opening of the Mahlstedt Art Gallery on January 4th, 2014. Entitled “Soltace Synergy” this week has been hectic with local reporters visiting the gallery in preparation of the Grand Opening reception this coming Saturday at 6:30 p.m. where guests  will be able to mingle with the artists for a few wondrous hours.  Located at the majestic old Mahlstedt Lumber Company building at 415 Huguenot Street, New Rochelle, the new owners of the building (purchased in 2008)  and gallery, Oshi and Ephraim  Rabin have renovated the building beautifully to create an oasis of original art, and a wonderful hi-tech office setting for  Parchem Fine & Specialty Chemicals, Marketing Technology — housed in the sa... 01/01/2014

   Well, today it was just a commercial on Paine Avenue, and as I walked my little Pooch, Binky,  it made for some (barking) excitement for him as we passed the many cars, trucks (one a Food truck where there emanated a delicious smell of breakfast burritos). The other month, it was a Warner Bros. movie starring Jason Bateman, Tina Fey and Jane Fonda. The movie title was “This is Where I Leave You” and it is based on a best-selling novel by Jonathan Tropper. Being produced by Shawn Levy (‘Night at the Museum’), it created some excitement on  neighboring streets (Longvue and Lyncroft Avenues). What can I say….   everyone loves New Rochelle, “Queen of the Sound” . New Rochelle is Great! 12/19/2013

This is the season to give to others, show that we care and are thinking of them no matter our religious backgrounds  (I feel).  It might be a sentiment, a card, an email, or in my case, I like to make  gingerbread houses (or toy shops!).   They are fun to make, and I truly do enjoy giving to some of the special people I meet on a daily basis.. Some go to clients, both current and past, one goes to a friend who lost her daughter  a few years ago and is rearing her grandson (and loves it – keeps her young!)..  But regardless of the recipients, the fun is definitely in the making and giving. If I make someone smile along the way, then even better. New Rochelle is GREAT! 12/16/2013

  Nina Gail Betancourt, our NYS CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) President extraordinaire had called the other week, and asked me to travel to New Jersey for Triple Play (a yearly event where Realtors, Real Estate Educators, Mortgage Bankers, etc come together to learn, network and improve and hone their skills. It is one of those events that I would feel guilty attending… leaving hubby behind, and going away to have fun with friends (it isn’t all about the learning). I could not go based on other commitments (I always promise myself ‘next year’) but it never seems to arise! Imagine my surprise when I received a congratulatory email from Jerry Cibulski, our NYS CRS 2014 President Elect … and then to receive a link from Nina announcing that I was voted the 2013 NYS Chapter CRS of t... 12/14/2013

I decided to walk my pooch in the a.m. near the race start of the “Paine to Pain” Half Marathon, and write a short blog with a few video clips before appointments.. The enthusiasm was so apparent, the excitement, the energy and oh my - how those volunteers worked! There were High School Cheer Leaders, Mayor Bramson was there, the New Ro Runners contingent was there; though I am not quite sure that Thomas Paine would have approved of the “Royal Flush”  toilet situation.. too British sounding ! Ha! John Wright, the Executive Director of the Thomas Paine Cottage Museum was there in Colonial costume with musket in hand to help start the races. I apologize to those involved, as I am not a New Ro Runner ,and so I do not know the announcer’s name (who did a wonderful job throughout, or any of ... 10/08/2013

I think the sign says it all… Although I do not think Mr. Paine could have run half as well as the New Ro Runners will tomorrow at  9 AM! Awards: Awards are three-deep in the following categories, for men and women Overall 16-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+ Team awards: Teams must have a minimum of four runners. If you have more (up to six), we take the top four. Our six categories are: Men’s Open Women’s Open Co-Ed Open (top two of each flavor) Master’s Men (all runners 40+) Master’s Women (all runners 40+) Master’s Co-Ed (all runners 40+) Have fun! New Rochelle is GREAT! 10/05/2013

When I am a listing agent, I always research the home I will be listing to ensure there are no open Certificate of Occupancy issues, and that the number of bathrooms on the Assessment/Property card coincide with the home itself. If there are some bonus bathrooms as we call them, then they must be addressed in some fashion. I am currently listing a home that had been sold many years ago to the current owners with an open permit. Neither the Title Company nor the agents concerned caught it, and now my sellers must address the issue. There is an extra bathroom, but I discovered the bathrooms are all original, and it would seem to the Building department personnel that the plans were changed when the home was originally built. So we will obtain a letter from an architect which will satisfy ... 09/25/2013

The Davis Elementary School is comprised of the area close to the Davis Elementary School,  Larchmont Woods , the Beechmont area, and parts of the Historic District too. There are currently 37 Active Properties on the market ranging in price from $459,000 to $689,000 in the available properties priced up to $900,000. There are 9 properties in Conditional Contract, 1  Pending , and 61 properties have sold in the past 6 months. The lowest sales price was $90,000 (Oh my!), the Median Sales price was $577,000 and the highest sales price was $878,000. The price per sold sq. ft. was $262.53. However, that is also based on those lower sales prices. Once again, if I were preparing a comparative market analysis, I would not only be looking to the same elementary school, but also neighboring stre... 09/17/2013