For the forth quarter Rockland county single family dipped slightly lower than the prior quarter, while condo sales prices saw a price appreciation of about 6% with fewer days on the market.  This is undoubtedly due to first time home buyers taking advantage of the $8,000.00 federal tax credit and owning rather than renting. For my full report on Rockland County as well as the surrounding counties, check out my Real Estate Market Report.   04/16/2010

RAND REALTY'S WEB SITE RANKED NO. 1 BY GREATER HUDSON VALLEY MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE    New City, N.Y. (March 15, 2010) - Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty announced today that its innovative Web site - www.RandRealty.com - has been ranked No. 1 by the Greater Hudson Valley Multiple Listing Service (GHVMLS) according to property views. This is great news and show's the forward thinking of both Better Homes ans Gardens and Rand Realty to produce a really great interactive experience for both the home buyer and sellers.  For the complete story, you may view it here. 03/15/2010

 Solar Electricity - Photovoltaics     Technology Snapshot & Benefits: Photovoltaics are technologies that convert radiant light energy to electricity. Photovoltaic (PV) cells, also called solar cells, are the building blocks of this technology. PV cells are connected together to form larger modules. A module is typically placed near or on a home or building to provide a portion of, and in some cases all of, the building's power and in turn electricity. PV systems are used for "off-the-grid" applications (homes, cabins, and water pumping on farms) as well as federal government applications (traffic warning lights and emergency call boxes near highways). Estimated Cost Savings: Cost savings for PV systems are typically calculated in terms of other energy options such as extending power l... 02/03/2010

Here is a video regarding the fantastic website homebuyertaxcredit.com.  It is filled with all the answers to all your questions including an Eligibility Quiz.  It has FAQ's as well as videos and so much more.  It really is your one place to go for all your answers.  Check it out, you'll be glad you did.   01/20/2010

If you are confused about the $8000 dollar buyer tax credit, or are just looking for an easy to understand layout with FAQ's, you can visit my website here at my company Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty.  If you require any futher information, please feel free to contact me for assistance. 12/22/2009

If a cookie shows up in a box that looks like a warm, comfy winter sweater, it should certainly follow that this cookie would make you feel feel as warm and comfy as that sweater, right?  Thankfully, these cookies do exactly that.   Through the literal translation of pfeffernusse (from German) is "pepper nuts,"  these traditional German spice cookies contain neither pepper nor nuts.  What they do have is generous amounts of clove, allspice and cinnamon, giving them that certain spiciness that's associated with winter.  The crumbly cookies are rolled in powdered sugar, giving them a snowy appearance that evokes picturesque holiday scenes.  Quite appropriate, as they are traditionally enjoyed during the winter holidays, and even dipped into wine!  Really, what wouldn't taste good dipped i... 12/04/2009

Today's Mortgage Rates     30-yr Fixed Conforming 4.875         30-yr Fixed Conforming Jumbo 5.625         15-yr Fixed Conforming 4.25     A sampling of today's unbelievable mortgage rates combined with much lower home prices and government tax incentives make this a fantastic opportunity for home buyers. Simply put, "If you don't but something now, you are crazy!" Call me now to find out how you can enjoy the reward and tax benefits of home ownership today!! Remember...opportunity has no tongue and can not speak. 12/03/2009

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate has released a great new application for the iPhone.  It takes pictures of homes that you are looking at, then tags them with the location so that you can remember which home was which.  It gives information on local schools, stores shopping, restaurants, etc. Plus a host of other features. Check out the link. You can see a short video about it here.  You can it for free here. 11/20/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Greg Peterkin, Manager               19 E. Central Ave.               845-735-3700 LOCAL REALTOR® ACHIEVES NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® GREEN DESIGNATION November 18, 2009 Pearl River, NY – Kevin J. Cavanaugh with Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty has been awarded the National Association of REALTORS®’ [NAR’s] Green Designation, the only green real estate professional designation recognized by NAR.  Kevin achieved this prestigious designation after completing 18 hours of course work designed specifically for REALTORS®.  The courses were created in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of industry experts from across the country; ensuring designees gain comprehensive knowledge of green homes and buildings and issues of sustainability in relat... 11/18/2009

    When you want to sell your house, you have two rational choices:  Prepare it properly for sale to maximize what you sell it for, or cut the price below comparable houses to entice a buyer who isn’t looking for perfection. If you neither prepare it for sale nor cut the price, it will be overpriced for the market, and you should expect that it will be waiting for offers for a long time.  Many buyers won’t make offers on overpriced houses – even lowball ones. If you want to get the most for your house, you will choose to prepare it properly for sale, which will preserve your equity. What does “prepare your house” mean in today’s market? 6 Essential Steps to Prepare a House for Sale 1. Repair: To get top dollar, your house must be in tip-top condition – outside and inside.  Important co... 11/16/2009

  This was taken this year in August to honor the 812 Military Police returning from Iraq.  The parade was held in Tappan, NY in Rockland County.  It was quite a nice time and also very moving during the ceremony.  It makes you really appreciate what these men and women are asked to do.  Have a great day everyone.       11/10/2009

It looks like the  $8000 tax credit for first time buyers will be extended to May 1, 2010.  The Senate and The Legislature have both passed the bill which includes higher income limits as well as a provision for step up buyers.  A step up buyers is deemed someone who has lived in their property for at least five years.  That credit will be for up to $6500.  The bill is just awaiting the expected signature of President Obama.  For more information on this you can click here. 11/05/2009

Saturday marked the annual Colonial Day at The Dewint House here in Rockland County, NY which was George Washington's Headquarters and was built in 1700.  There were activities for the children as well as renenactments of life in the 1700's.   If you would like to see additional photographs of this, as well as others of Tappan and the surrounding communities.  Click HERE. 09/28/2009

   Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty, one of the Hudson Valley’s largest real estate brokerages with 22 locations, is “going green” in its offices and has introduced energy-audit discounts and educational programs to help sellers and homeowners reduce their energy consumption and bills. “It’s more important than ever for businesses and homeowners to do everything they can to reduce their energy consumption to reduce costs and benefit our environment,” said Matt Rand, managing partner with Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty. “We want to establish Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty as a leading resource for information and assistance regarding energy conservation while setting a good example in our own operations. Reflecting this, we’re holding a contest to see which of our office... 08/31/2009

I am in a small office in Pearl River, NY in Rockland County which is about 12 miles or so outside of Manhattan.  Here is a market share chart that represents our office.  BHG-Rand 65%!! Not bad numbers I say! You can enlarge the chart by sliding the bar under the image.     06/25/2009

1. A spike in local sales activity. 2. Higher asking and selling prices vs. appraisal value opinions for residential properties. 3. More activity at open houses. 4. Shorter marketing times. 5. Reduced number of foreclosures and short sales. 6. Stabilized employment. 7. Fewer buyer incentives and seller concessions. 8. New construction starts. 9. “Move-up” buyers entering the market. 10. Apartments advertising renter specials.             For all of your Rockland County Real Estate Needs, visit me @  kevincavanaughonline.com   06/24/2009

Effective today, We are no longer Prudential Rand Realty.  We are now proud to be affiliated with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate.  The Legendary Better Homes and Gardens  has been an integral part of the American experience since 1924, and now brings a refreshing, stylish, and original approach to real estate as a lifestyle, not just an investment.  We are also proud to be associated with the Realogy Corporation, the parent company for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, giving us access to the global resources of the world's largest real estate company. I am truly excited to be a part of this new cutting edge synergy in todays' demanding market.  And I know that I have the solid backing of one of the most, dynamically forward thinking companies to back me up.           For all ... 04/22/2009

Should your clients wait another year, given that a lot of industry observers think prices will continue to decline through 2009?  Again, it depends.  Spending another year living with your mother in law in the hopes of shaving a few dollars off your mortgage payment doesn’t appeal to everyone.  And even if prices go down, say, another 10% in the next year, that’s not going to help buyers who see rates rise by 1% or so.  Too many buyers focus on the house price rather than the house payment, but it’s the payment that they’re going to be writing checks for every month.  A $400,000 house at a 5% interest rate has about the same payment as a $360,000 house (10% cheaper) at a 6% rate.  Go play with rate calculators if you don’t believe me.   So in 2009, people who need to both sell and buy ... 03/19/2009

People who are getting so anxious about the trends in sales prices in Westchester and the Hudson Valley need to remember that the real estate market is just a market.  And like every other market, the real estate market is subject to the fundamental economic laws of supply and demand.Indeed, the real estate market in Westchester and the Hudson valley is a really GREAT market from an economic standpoint. That is, the market is extremely responsive to changes in supply and demand.  What do homes in our region sell for?  Exactly what the market will bear, no more and no less  Why?  Because the cooperation among real estate brokers creates a very fluid market in which most buyers are aware of every home on the market, and can compare homes when making a purchase.  There's very little "fric... 02/17/2009

If anyone would like to experience the visual charm of Tappan, NY then check out my photographs on Tappan Localism.  I will be adding several more very shortly. These photos were taken on this past New Years Eve.   Please enjoy!  If you need any further information on Tappan, NY  or the surrounding area.  You can reach me here at kevincavanaughonline.com 02/04/2009