This market report is for single family home activity in the Briarcliff Manor school district for November of 2010. All information is derived from the Empire Access (formerly Westchester-Putnam) Multiple Listing Service.  A light month in Briarcliff Manor. Median price is about the same as last November, but only 3 deals closed. Nine homes are under contract at a median asking of almost $900,000, so we are positioned for a strong December. It happens that way.  There are 39 available home in inventory, which is a light and typical for this time of year.  Previous posts on Briarcliff Manor.   If you'd like to search for a home in Briarcliff, get yourself a free Listingbook account and search the MLS like an agent.  12/03/2010

This is for single family home activity in the Briarcliff Manor school district for October of 2010. All information is derived from the Empire Access (formerly Westchester-Putnam) Multiple Listing Service.  Compared to October 2009, Briarcliff Manor sales crushed in terms of transaction totals: 6 to 1. Median price is way down, but for a traditionally light month, all that means is that the lower priced homes were wrung from the inventory. A solid 7 homes are under contract at a median asking of well over $700,000.  In the Active section, you might notice that the late Brooke Astor's estate, Holly Hill, has come back on the market at a revised asking price.  There are 52 available home in inventory, which is a healthy selection and just under a year's worth of inventory. Previous post... 11/04/2010

This is for single family home activity in the Briarcliff Manor school district for September of 2010. All information is derived from the Westchester-Putnam Multiple Listing Service.  Compared to June 2009, Briarcliff Manor sales volume is about even. Transactions are down one, and median price is down about 2%. 10 Homes are under contract, which indicates more strong activity, albeit at a lower median price.  In the Active section, you might notice that the late Brooke Astor's estate, Holly Hill, has come off the market. It was replaced this past month by the Ash Ridge Estate as Briarcliff's most expensive available listing.  There are 51 available home in inventory, which is a healthy selection and just under a year's worth of inventory. Previous posts on Briarcliff Manor.   If you'... 10/02/2010

This is for single family home activity in the Briarcliff Manor school district for August of 2010. All information is derived from the Westchester-Putnam Multiple Listing Service. I decided to mix things up a little this month and see if I could compare this past August with the previous Augusts going back to the peak of 2005.  Compared to August 2009, Briarcliff Manor sales volume is down by 2 deals, but the median price, which had nowhere to go but up, grew by $118,000. 2008 must have been an anomaly, as the peak in 2005-2006 had median prices in the low 900's.  16 Homes are currently under contract with a median asking price of $839,000.  There are 49 available home in inventory with a median asking price of $865,222.  Well, no real trend. Days on market are longer, and prices are ... 09/05/2010

I think that only the Northeast has highways that could almost be classified as "pre war." Here in Westchester County, many of our highways are passenger cars only parkways, with old stone overpasses that do now allow commercial vehicles enough clearance to pass through. They aren't interstates by a long shot, but they are busy arteries. By my home we have the Taconic State parkway, the Saw Mill River Parkway, and the Bronx River parkway further down. They are actually rather green and woodsy, devoid of loud commercial trucks, and the overpasses like this on on 9A north (otherwise known as the Briarcliff-Peekskill expressway-but only on the maps) are charming.  9A does actually allow some trucks, and they label the clearance to avoid the odd shearing off the top of the cargo van. Always... 08/13/2010

5 Cool Things About Briarcliff Manor, NY Our fire trucks are white. No, the Dalmatians are not red.  Downtown was in the first episode of Saturday Night Live in one of the videos. You can see the Briarcliff Hardware Store on Pleasantville Road clearly.  Howard Stern's first job out of college was at WRNW-FM, which was in Briarcliff in the 70's.  Trump National Golf Course (of The Apprentice) is here, on the site of the old Briarcliff Country Club. Holly Hill, the 60 acre estate of the late Brooke Astor, is here in Scarborough, and is on the market for $10,500,000.  Previous posts on Briarcliff Manor   08/09/2010

This is for single family home activity in the Briarcliff Manor school district for June of 2010. All information is derived from the Westchester-Putnam Multiple Listing Service.  Compared to June 2009, Briarcliff Manor sales volume is about even. Transactions are down one, but the median price is up almost $200,000. 15 Homes are under contract, which indicates more strong activity, albeit at a lower median price.  In the Active section, you might notice that high listing of $10,500,000. That may be there for quite a while. That is the last Brooke Astor's estate, Holly Hill, which has been on for a while now because there is not a big market for 60 acre compounds with 10,500 square foot mansions. That might become the new Casa de J Philip if I hit Mega Millions this week.  There are 51... 08/07/2010

In 2007, we moved our family about a mile, one neighborhood over. Even though it was a short move, it took us across the line from the Village of Ossining to the Village of Briarcliff Manor. When you're me, you don't really expect to have many experiences with the police, aside from civic or social events. You don't expect them to be on the job on your property, but once not long after we moved here, they did.  My home office has a window on the side and rear of my home. If someone jumps my fence, I can see it. A few months after we moved here, I saw a pair of legs walk by the side window. Strange. The fence was locked. Then, another pair. I only saw legs, which had my mind racing. Who was swarming my yard with my kids playing back there? I was outside in a heartbeat, and to my relief, ... 07/28/2010

This is for single family home activity in the Briarcliff Manor school district for June of 2010. All information is derived from the Westchester-Putnam Multiple Listing Service. I blogged last month about the anomaly of no May sales in Briarcliff or Pleasantville, and true to  my expectation sales roared back in June. Compared to June 2009, Briarcliff Manor sales volume more than  doubled. The median price of $649,000 is rather low for the area, but the 14 homes under contract have a median price of $1.1 million so it balances out. One interesting fact: of the 9 sales, only 2 had more than 120 days on market. The homes that sold in under 90 days got 99% of asking price. The homes that sold in more than 120 days only got 89% of asking price. That is a huge disparity, and it speaks to th... 07/04/2010

06/30/2010

04/28/2010

Ann and I have lived in Briarcliff Manor since 2007 but the fact of the matter is that I have known Briarcliff as long as I have been alive; it is one of two villages in the town of Ossining. A small portion of Briarcliff lies in the Town of Mount Pleasant. This post will cover the Briarcliff School district, and not the small part of Briarcliff that is served by Ossining Schools. All information is taken from the Westchester-Putnam Multiple Listing Service for single family homes.  There have been 17 homes sold in Briarcliff in the past 180 days. The median sales price was $660,000. The average length of time on the market was 130 days. Here is the breakdown of percentage of asking price homes sold for broken down by time on market: 61-90 days: 98.4% of asking 91-120 days: 95.5% of ask... 04/12/2010

The Tree Streets is an unofficial nickname of a small neighborhood in the village of Briarcliff Manor that has a number -but not all- of streets named after trees. What sets it apart from much of the rest of the village is the moderate prices and predominant amount of pre war homes. The Tree Steets are also conveniently located...REALLY conveniently located. Todd Elementary School (Briarcliff Manor School district) is walking distance, and the neighborhood borders the 9A highway and the Taconic State Parkway. The village park, pool, downtown, tennis courts, library and Pace University's Briarcliff campus are also very close.  Because of price and location, the tree streets are very popular as starter homes. It is not at all uncommon to see people walking, jogging, and pushing strollers ... 04/03/2010

Briarcliff Manor is a sought after community within Westchester County, NY, commanding premium prices for real estate. However, recently it has become much more affordable since house prices have drifted lower over the last couple of years. It is definitely a buyers market. Nevertheless, if a house is priced for this market and shows well we are still seeing some competition amongst buyers. ZIP Code: 10510Location Characteristics: Sought after, upscale, picturesque village set on rolling hills north of New York City just off Route 9 A and the Taconic Parkway. Well developed municipality with very good puplic facilities and services and highly rated schools. Pretty village center with banking, police station, fire house, post office, shopping, coffee shops and good restaurants. Great acc... 03/29/2010

Located in the Scarborough area of Briarcliff Manor, Kemey's Cove is a quiet condo community nestled off of Revolutionary road overlooking the Kemey's Cove lagoon off the Hudson River. Historic places  nearby include Sparta Cemetery as well as the Jug Tavern. The setting gives it a stunning view of the Hudson and the Metro North train line that runs up the river. The Scarborough train station is walking distance (a jitney is also available) as is the Arcadian Shopping Center.    The complex has plenty of amenities: plentiful parking, a pool, tennis courts, children's playsets, and most units have patios or balconies. There are several floor plans, and apartment sizes range from 1 to 3 bedrooms. There are a few duplexes as well.   Construction of the buildings was completed in 1975. The... 03/28/2010

When I was a kid I had a Murray 5-speed bike with a banana seat and high handlebars, and I would ride between my neighborhood, Ossining's Indian Village, and Chilmark, across Pleasantville Road on the other side of Ossining Resevoir. Homes in Chilmark were bigger and nicer than my own. While I rode through those streets I dreamed that someday I'd live there. When I was in high school and ran after wrestling practice at night, I'd run through Chilmark because the hills weren't too rough and there were never any cars to avoid. It's funny how a place can be good for you for different reasons at different ages.  Chilmark was built in the early 60's, and is now a very mature community of tree lined streets with beautiful colonials, capes and ranches on spacious lots. It is the sort of place ... 03/24/2010

We've chosen the Tuscan Grille in Briarcliff Manor for our upcoming home buyer seminar this April 14 at 6pm. Tuscan Grille, formerly Torchia's, is located at 518 North State Road in Briarcliff Manor. This will not be your average seminar- we're going to cover things seldom discussed that will give attendees a tremendous advantage in getting financing, negotiating the best deal, and finding their dream home without turning the home buying process into a new part-time job or ordeal. We'll also define, describe and offer strategy on all the new phenomenon in 2010 housing, such as the new mortgage landscape, short sales, and the buyer's market. All are welcome.  There will be limited seating, so to reserve a spot simply call 914-762-2500 or email us to RSVP.  Directions to Tuscan Grille: Fr... 03/21/2010

J. Philip Real Estate will be participating a home buyer seminar for anyone interested in learning more about the process with no charge and no obligation on April 7, 2010 at a site to be announced shortly. We are flattered to have been asked to be the real estate broker presenting at the event. There will also be a home inspector, lawyer and loan officer present. The information will cover the steps from pre-qualification/pre-approval to closing, and the information will be good for both first-time and "move up" buyers.  Each profession will give their presentation on their role in the transaction, and there will also be a question and answer session to address specific concerns and inquiries. We believe the location will be in Briarcliff Manor, so check back and I will post time and l... 03/16/2010

Wow. Westchester County and the surrounding areas are buried with snow. There must be 2 feet of the stuff outside in my yard. What's more, the trees are FULL of the stuff, as if it were glued to them. It is creating a scene like none I can recall. Briarcliff Manor DPW has been by plowing the roads all day. They have to be exhausted. The 15 foot hedge in my back year is now bent over the 5 foot wood pile, completely obscuring it to the naked eye. Do you see any firewood in this photo below? I don't.   Tree branches that were 8 feet above the ground are now touching it. My neighbor's evergreen limbs could not stand the weight of snow and ice- at least 6 fell to the ground with loud cracks we heard inside our home. They must weigh hundreds of pounds, because our fence us smashed in at leas... 02/26/2010

My name is Phil and I am addicted to chocolate. My mother was the same way. I got Jeanne's gene. When you have a homemade confectionery on the same road as your office, the power of suggestion can be compelling. Especially around Valentine's Day, when justification for indulgence seems so...reasonable.  Chocolate Chalet has been a fixture in Briarcliff since I was a kid. I know my mother went there. I know it. It isn't just that the place sells chocolate. You can get the store stuff anywhere. What is so appealing about Chocolate Chalet is that they sell really ridiculously delicious, homemade, Sammy Davis Junior- sings- about it- chocolate. This is the sort of treasure that, once nibbled upon, would make you feel cheated that you didn't discover the place earlier. It is that good. It is... 02/15/2010