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Yorktown Heights, NY Real Estate News

By Bill Primavera
(William Raveis Real Estate)
In the real estate world, 2013 was quite a year to observe and ponder, wasn’t it? Quite unlike any other in recent history. Considering that it was clawing its way back from the doldrums of the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, it had a lot of catch-up to do and, while uneven, it rose to the occasion. Prices rose an average of five percent nationwide and in some tony pockets of Westchester, as much as 20 percent. Instrumental in the price increase was the low inventory compared with the number of buyers in the market competing against each other in bidding wars, unheard of during the recession. And mortgage rates remained at historic lows. Much of that is about to change according to the pundits whose expertise The Home Guru culls from his crystal ball to present a li...
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By Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker, Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa
(Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT)
Will this really be a New Year? Will you change the way you go about your business? Or will you continue to do business the same way you have in the past. The market has changed and if you do not change with it you will be left behind. If you are changing than work with those changes to bring your business into the 2014 year with a bang!! Some of the things I am changing is to advertise more to buyers instead of just advertising listings. I believe that if you are just advertising your listings than you are just looking for that one buyer who wants to buy your house that you advertised. Another words that "needle in a hay stack" But if you just advertise a price range in an area you are advertising to a larger number of buyers. You can also advertise types of products, such as foreclosu...
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By Bill Primavera
(William Raveis Real Estate)
You’d never know it to meet me today but I was born with some kind of neurological condition that resulted in my reaching the age of five without speaking a word. That was in the days before autism spectrum disorder had been diagnosed and certainly there was no treatment available for kids like me who were non-social, withdrawn and didn’t verbalize. But from what my mother tells me, I recovered from whatever that condition was completely and miraculously on the final day of a nine-week novena she made at St. Donato’s Roman Catholic Church in West Philadelphia. After hearing this story, I never questioned reports of miracles, because I haven’t shut up since. While I was able to speak, I still had to challenge myself to become more socially interactive in school. I debated, I wrote for th...
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By Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker, Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa
(Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT)
We thought that the 203,000 jobs added in the U.S. in November, But! We thought that the 203,000 jobs added to the U.S. economy in November was a good thing, But it will most likly push interest rates higher on residential mortgage. new higher rates with tighter underwriting and lack of inventory along with some home prices rising some buyers are trying smaller lenders. "Smaller banks and mortgage brokers share of the mortgage market rose to 60 percent in the third quarter, versus 39 percent in 2009", according to Inside Mortgage Finance. Banks not in the top 25 largest lenders rose to 35% of the market from 13% in 2009. What's more, "the big banks are pulling out in a big way—just five of the top 20 single-family mortgage originators in 2006 remain active in the market", according to a...
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By Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker, Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa
(Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT)
Clients tell you we want to take ourhome of market for the holidays! The holidays are here. Your clients are asking if this is a good time to sell their house. Should I take my home off the market until the spring? Even though showing become fewer, the ones you do get are more serious buyers. Well the home might not be ready for showings! It can help if you implement a 2-24hour advance notice this can help with the stress of having to get ready for a showing. Another thought is if your home is on the market during the holidays there might be less compitition. No matter what time of year, a home that’s priced well for the market will surely sell no matter what time of year it is. Turn up the temperature during showings to make your home feel more like a home. Have Holiday treats and fest...
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By Bill Primavera
(William Raveis Real Estate)
It had been a long time between visits with blacksmith Bill Fitzgerald. The last time was almost 30 years ago when I asked him to assemble on my property a number of wrought iron elements -- fencing and columns -- that I had collected from various salvage companies and antiques shops. Expertly, he welded the old pieces together with new elements he had fashioned to create a 50 ft. fence and fancy gate, from 4 ft. to 7 ft. high, that serve as an entrance to my garden and pool area. Each and every day since that time, I have enjoyed looking at that unique work of art as an addition to my landscape. This time around, I wanted to observe Fitzgerald in his workshop and to talk about what homeowners prefer today in the use of decorative wrought iron. Visiting him today in his workshop just of...
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By Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker, Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa
(Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT)
Short Sale buyers don't understand "AS IS"!! Don't forget to explain the term "AS IS" to your Short Sale buyers. They need to understand just becausethe seller still lives in the home,they still will not do any repairs. I have seen buyers try to walk away because there are a few cosmetic things wrong that they claim were not wrong before. Most likely there were but you were not as critical when you first saw it. Chance are you were to into getting this great price, and did not notice it. Buyers if they are not fully aware can have a deal blow up in there face! Some advise is to talk about this more than once. Even you they say they understand. The chances are they still don't git it.
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By Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker, Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa
(Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT)
Is Thanksgiving Day to close to Christmas this year? In an article on AOL today they btought to light something that most of us today don't know about. 74 years ago FDR decided to move Thanksgiving to a week earlier. "Political ideology was a determining factor, with 52 percent of Democrats approving of Roosevelt's move and 79 percent of Republicans disapproving. "Politics Tints Views On Thanksgiving Date," said a contemporaneous New York Times headline." But 2 years later Congress changed it back to the lovely day we celebrate it on now. Thank god for the small things in life!!!
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By Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker, Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa
(Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT)
You need to stand out from the crowd!!!! You can not please everybody, but you need to be relevant in your marketing to the clients you want to attract. Your brand is your promise. A successful brand is a promise delivered. You better make sure you can deliver on your promise. Always surround yourself with colleges and friends that are more successful than you. You should always have and optimistic view of what ever you are doing. An attitude of I can will go pretty far in any business atmosphere.
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By Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker, Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa
(Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT)
Got approval on a short sale, and an accepted offer on a foreclosure!! This year this type of business has been 40% of my business. In past years I have done some, but not as big of a chunk of the overall year. Our area is not none for a lot of this product, but it seems like the market here is changing to include more of these homes. If so, I should do very well, as I specialize in foreclosure's and short sales. Is this the same in your part of the country?
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By Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker, Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa
(Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT)
More Tips for Westchester County Real EstateWhat it takes! My tips are as basic as you can get. This is part of what makes them very doable for everyone!!! One of the easiest ways to get a home sold is to send copies of new listings to the top agents in your area. Sell them on the price and they will sell your home. An e-mail flier will get the job.  This one is a bit of a recap. Put your name, picture and all your contact information on everything. The exception to this is your closing gift. Then the followup items will get you the referrals. Listings with many photos will ensure that Internet buyers will not pass you over. The more pictures the better the chances you will get a buyer from the Internet. Sellers who feel you have done a good job marketing their homes will refer you more...
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By Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker, Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa
(Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT)
If you are selling your Vacant LandBEWARE OF END USERS (people who think they can build their own home with no experience) that make offers on your property but have no idea what they are getting into. They tend to make offers more than it is worth, then you think that is the value, then someone with experience make an offer and you think it is not enough. Your agent should do some research on the buyer to find out if they seem capable of following through with the deal.
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By Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker, Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa
(Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT)
Westchester County Real Estate--Last 6 months in Yorktown Heights, 10598 As a follow up to Westchester County Real Estate--The homes that are priced well are still SELLING!!!! In the last 6 months in Yorktown Heights there were 177 Single Family Homes sold. As of today we have 36 in Conditional Contract and 13 Pending. 49in total. These homes were priced to sell and owners were reasonable in their negotiations to the point they were able to make a deal. On the other hand the most expensive home sold in Yorktown Heights sold for $1,582,500.00 in 234 days. The longest on the market was a home that sold for $269,000.00 and was on the market for for 851 days. As you can see homes that come on the market in Yorktown Heights and are priced right will sell.  
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By Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker, Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa
(Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT)
Selling your VACANT LAND?Does your land have approvals? Trying to sell land with no approvals can be a real crap shoot. Buyers will sometimes make a deal and when their attorney finds out he says's no deal. If you want to get the best price for your land you need to have some sort of official approval from the county that says you can build a home with a certain number of bed rooms. Land with approvals will sometimes selsl for 10-30% more than one without approvals. Also sometimes buyers are so skeptical you will not even get an offer. So if you can afford to get the approvals you should no matter how long it will takes because if a buyer makes an offer subject to approvals you will then have to wait for the to get approvals and if they drag their feet it could take even longer.
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By Bill Primavera
(William Raveis Real Estate)
Many years ago when my wife and I discovered our dream home in the country, we were delighted that we could figure out a way to turn a one-and one half story saltbox wing with all original 18th century details into a separate apartment. It was and still is the most charming rental unit, we’re convinced, in all of Westchester.  However, it came with one caveat. Whenever it was available for rent and we received inquiries from prospective tenants, the first thing my wife would ask was, “Do you mind telling me how tall you are?” There was always a questioning pause on the other end of the line, but if the answer was 6’2” or over, her response was, “Sorry, I don’t think this apartment would be for you.” The reason was simple to explain. The structure was built in 1734 when people were short...
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By Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker, Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa
(Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT)
We really need Land Listings!!! Westchester and Putnam County Residential Vacant Land Are you considering selling your Land? Or even better yet, do you need cash and have land to sell, if so, I can help! I am experienced in: Evaluating Vacant Land. I have a vast Knowledge of County and Town Zoning Codes & the Planning Process. Land Marketing is not for everyone!!! This Is My Objective!!To sell your property, within the time frame you need to have it sold, under the most favorable terms and conditions possible. If you are thinking of listing your land in Westchester, Putnam or Dutchess County please give me a call. 845-590-5488
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By Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker, Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa
(Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT)
The average days on the market for the VACANT LAND in Upper Westchester and Putnam County has gotten out of hand. Property that is in on the market right now has been on the market for an average of 393 Days. This is over a year and counting.And a couple of pieces that were in contract have come back on the market. We are getting a lot of phone calls. But prices seem to still be to high.I am predicting a slow start for 2014!!
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By Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker, Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa
(Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT)
LOOKING FOR A LUXURY HOME IN YORKTOWN HEIGHTS? If you are looking for a luxury home in Yorktown Heights there are only 4 to pick from. They range in price from $1,600,000.00 - $1,750,000.00 Ranging from 4000-7863 Square Feet. They are all 4 Bedroom. The lots range from 2.12 acres to 7.92 acres. We can have you in one of these homes in 60-90 days. Call (845-590-5488) to make and appointment or receive an email with the listings and available pictures.
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By Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker, Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa
(Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT)
Looking for a home in Yorktown Heights? There are only 18 3 BR homes available today. They range in price $259,900.00 to $350,000.00 Only 18 3 BRS, we can get you into one in 45-60 days!!! Call me today (845-590-5488) for a consultation in my office in front of my computer. Find your home in less time than you thought possible!! We will see every home in your price range on the computer and only view the homes you really think will work for you. There will be no stone left unturned!!! Call today 845-590-5488    
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By Thomas Santore Lic Associate Real Estate Broker, Realtor®-ABR-Land, Residential & Commercial Sa
(Coldwell Banker Realty/Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT)
  More tips! These work anywhere!!!   Westchester County real estate-What it takes!   Easy marketing ideas to get you started.   When ever you are out and about, let people know you have a Real Estate Practice. Everyone is interested in Real Estate. More listings are gotten this way then you would think!   Always have your business cards on hand. I always give out two-three to everyone. It is one of the cheapest forms of advertising.   If you are with a national brand you should use the brands identity and tie it to your own marketing.  
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