The New Rochelle Council for the Arts http://www.newrochellearts.org/is featuring an art exhibit at the Rotunda Gallery at City Hall, 515 North Avenue, New Rochelle 10801 until January 11th, 2013. Gallery Hours are 10-4 p.m. daily.  The program is made possible in part by Arts/Westchester with funds from Westchester County Government, the City of New Rocehlle and the support and participation of membership. http://www.newrochellearts.org to join! New Rochelle is GREAT! 01/03/2013

I came across quite a few homes this year that featured an illegal deck, bathroom, etc. Many times it is obvious, and other times not so… I found that many times the agents would not list the deck, bathroom as being illegal on the listing, and I guess were hoping ‘it would correct itself’ or ‘no-one would notice’ once the property was in contract.. Shame! I had written a blog on legalizing prior to selling a home back in March of 2011, and I always find it worth returning to – year after year. If only the seller(s) would realize that it is to their advantage to obtain that Certificate of Occupancy prior to listing the home for sale. They would then be able to include that particular illegal bathroom/deck, etc. in the property description, and ostensibly obtain a higher sales price for t... 12/29/2012

Anyone who has lived in New Rochelle will tell you what a great place (city) it is to live in! We are about to celebrate our 325 “Birthday” with a year-long celebration.. The year long celebration theme was introduced on Thanksgiving with banners. “From the Huguenots seeking religious freedom through the ‘tides’ of immigration over the centuries, this year-long celebration will honor all whose rich traditions and cultures have contributed to our rise as a dynamic and vital suburban city.” Join us as we raise the City’s flag and kick off a year’s worth of festivities! ” New Rochelle is GREAT! http://www.newrochelleny.com/325   12/29/2012

 A picture is worth a thousand words or in this case a dollar or so! There is free parking until the 31st (it started December 10th) at various munipal parking lots where there are meters, and street parking where there are meters. New Roc Center, etc. are not included.   New Rochelle is GREAT! 12/29/2012

Back in January 2011, I had written a post on using the right people. Times are tough, but regardless of that people will always try and save money for home repairs. I have seen the 'do it yourself-er' who spaces steps too far apart, railings too far apart, installed decks  (as they know what to do), and then of course they call their friends and uncles, and the chap down the street who moonlights as a repairman/handyman.... All done with the best of intentions until there is either a fire, a serious problem or they try to sell their home and discover that since they never used a licensed professional (be it an electrician, plumber, contractor), and obtained no certificate of occupancy, they have to hire an architect, have plans drawn up for that addition/deck/renovation, etc. pay a fin... 12/28/2012

I had written a blog post in March 2011 on lead in the water mains... It is of concern to many in different towns.. What should you do if you feel there is a health threat? In the situation I mentioned, the agent's clients ran for the hills...  but was that necessary?  The agent had stated  the inspector informed her that there is probably a lead water main (yes, throughout New Rochelle unless you have installed new piping from your home to the water main), or have taken other preventitive measures..  Upon hearing this piece of info, her clients freaked out, and are possibly deciding against the purchase. That was a shame… on three counts…. 1 – New Rochelle has a Private Water Company representing the city - United Water. They are very accessible and will offer any pertinent information... 12/22/2012

Here is a quick snapshot of the single family home sales in New Rochelle as of 12/19/2012.    New Rochelle 1/1/2011-12/31/2011 1/1/2012-12/20/2012 $0-$499,000 Number of Sales                                    74                                                          87  Median Sales Price                              $419,000                                             $405,000 Price per Sq. Ft.                                      $223.69                                               $214.39   $500,000 - $699,000      Number of Sales                                   86                                                           91                                                            Median Sales Price                           $572,512                                           ... 12/20/2012

There was a  Realtor’s open forum at Munroe College yesterday, December 18th, 2012 at their Main Street location pertaining to the amazing New Rochelle BID Program. It was conducted by Mayor Noam Bramson, Mr. Ralph DiBart, the Executive Director (and only employee), and Mr. Marc Jeorme, Chairperson of the BID Program, and also Executive Vice President of Munroe College . What is a BID? Short for Business Improvement District, the New Rochelle BID was initiated in 2000, and is comprised of approximately 800 business owners , approximately 300 property owners who voluntarily pay an additional tax charge to be a member, which in turn brings forth an assessment of some $320,000 annually. The BID’s prime goal is greater economic development, new business and newinvestment. The BID program ha... 12/19/2012

      The New Rochelle Humane Society is always seeking new ways to make moeny to help as many pets find their forever homes. To that regard, The New Rochelle Humane Society has recently opened a new Thrift Shop at 54 Centre Street, New Rochelle. The hours are 11-4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and on a recent visit I was amazed at the quality of the items offered. Beautiful baby clothing (like new), a lovely coat (not my size!), and a great place to find something special for yourself or family member. There is a municpal parking lot directly across the street. New Rochelle is GREAT! 12/19/2012

  Back in March, 2011  I wrote a post about protecting my buyers in the event the appraisal came in lower than the sales price . I had entered into the bid and negotiation that should the property NOT appraise at the sales price (as I feared it wouldn't but there were multiple bids) then the sellers would offset the differential, and not approach my buyers for additional monies. They agreed.. and when the property did not appraise, I was able to save my buyers some heart-ache and money.. All good. It also made me wonder if there WERE multiple bids... Now fast forward to 2012, and I have a lovely couple who are buying their first home together.. I felt the home would appraise, but was still surprised to hear that it appraised at just $5000 over the sales price. This is becoming more and ... 12/09/2012

Back in November, 2010, I had written about showing buyers homes that were either vacant or just cold within...I experienced deja vu the other day when I walked into a home and it was 48 degrees.... That might not seem so cold, but it seemed warmer outside than indoors! The buyers could not wait to leave the home, and the fine architectural detailing was overlooked in the buyers' haste to leave as soon as possible. Plus this was a Two Million Dollar home. I am not suggesting that a home be warmed commensurate to its price, but if you are seeking top dollar for a beautiful home, then one should not look to cutting corners. With the cost of heating a home, fuel  can be quite costly if you are not living there. Perhaps having a friend, house-sitter, neighbor or relative (or real estate age... 12/08/2012

I called a local Chimney Sweep to clean my chimney... They arrived when expected, were at my home for just 30 minutes and did a great job.. Okay... I then asked for the bill so I could pay, and they stated "you are with Houlihan Lawrence, think of us in the future, and there is no charge!". Oh my goodness. How lovely!  However, as I explained to the gentlemen.. I am VERY happy with your service, and if you give me your cards, I will be MOST happy to recommend you ..BUT I do not wish to lose my license, and therefore cannot accept anything 'free or complimentary from you!" (Meanwhile, as I was standing there without make-up - thinking - they KNOW me - Yikes !) I paid!   As an honest Realtor, one who works hard to establish her reputation, it is really nice that people would like to offer... 11/30/2012

It is no secret that the New Rochelle High School has an astounding football team. It has for years. Coach Lou DiLorenzo (the High School football coach) has led many young men into victory on the playing field.. There were a few short years when he was not the coach, and the team did not fare as well.. As soon as he returned, his magic, together with the athletes' great talents have made history. I have always wondered why he hasn't been approached by a college or more.. He is an excellent coach. They would not have made the Championship without Coach DiLorenzo,  but he also has some help from the Pop Warner Youth Tackle League of New Rochelle which introduces young athletes to football at the tender age of 5 or so... It is so adorable to see them practicing in their tiny uniforms, and... 11/26/2012

Come hungry, and have a blast at the pre- Thanksgiving Parade Pancake breakfast at the New Rochelle High School. A yummy breakfast consisting of pancakes, juice and coffee for just $3 children, students under the age of 18 and senior citizens, and $5 for adults. What a baragain and so much fun as the teachers are on hand to serve and join in the merriment. The proceeds go to New Rochelle‘s Fund for Educational Excellence. For more information, contact 576-4657 or email sweisman@newrochelle.k12.ny.us http://newrochelleny.com/Calendar.aspx?EID=978 Then, it is onward to view the 48th annual Valenti Thanksgiving Parade which starts at the corner of North Avenue and EastchesterRoad and then makes its slow procession south on North Avenue to Main Street. For more information on the parade, pa... 11/14/2012

We all know how the squirrels – well, squirrel away for the winter… Whilst walking my pooch, I had noticed how one squirrel (or perhaps a family) were busy taking their nuts into the various open knot holes in the tree featured. Then Sandy visited us, and so many of the branches of the tree fell down, that it was marked for destruction. I would still see the squirrel busying himself, totally unaware of what would eventually be…. Today is the fateful day. I hope he has friends to stay with… and hopefully he will still have enough time to make a nest elsewhere.                    The squirrel was nowhere to be found today….. I wish him the best… New Rochelle is GREAT! 11/14/2012

The last Farmer’s Market of the year will be held this Friday, November 16th from 8 am -3 p..m next to the New Rochelle library on Library Green (Huguenot and Lawton Streets). As you can see, there is a vast array of fresh and abundant produce, and some delicious nut butters (I purchased the maple almond butter and it is scrumptious!   http://www.farmersmarketonline.com/fm/NewRochelleFarmersMarket.html New Rochelle is GREAT! 11/14/2012

The house and tree is not featured here, but as I was walking in my neighborhood, I couldn't help but notice that one tree that had been uprooted had exposed an old oil line!  The owners  past or present must have planted the tree over the old line... Funny but sad! Power is now back so all good (for us - not for others)... A funny side story was that when I walking my pooch the other night-  so dark - you really needed a flashlight in order to see anything... my pooch saw a piece of white on the other side of the street and dutifully pulled me over to investigate. it was a skunk! Ha!  I ran so fast, as did the skunk and he didn't spray us! Yeah!  I laughed so much....     11/05/2012

On Saturday, I wrote about how one of my past customers sold her house and moved into another house where we had already refinished the floors.  In both cases, I worked directly with the real estate agents, so I had not met the customer.   Well on Sunday, I was meeting a customer who is buying a new home...and lo and behold when I arrived, one of those same real estate agents met me at the door.  I was pleasantly surprised and related the previous day's events to her and we had a good laugh.   2 seconds later, I look up and see the buyer's agent, and by coincidence I also know her.  I was even more surprised to see her since she typically works in Connecticut and not in lower Westchester.   Needless to say, this was impressive to my customer (who had found me online) and both of these a... 10/28/2012

Yesterday morning as I was driving to my first appointment, things seemed familiar.  First, I had a customer who's name I was sort of familiar with...but I couldn't place who it was.  And, I seem to remember all of my customers.   I asked my office manager about this, and she said yes, that is a past customer, but you never met them.  You worked directly with the real estate agent, and we refinished their floors, and they were happy. And, they were nice.  They sold their house and now they are moving into a new one.  Sweet!   Then, I looked at the address of their new home and it seemed familiar too.  I knew we had done someone on that street and I had a hunch I knew who it was.  But, again, this was for a customer I never met (I probably only do 2-3 a year where I haven't met the custo... 10/26/2012

Every local sports program always needs funding, and the New Rochelle Huguenots Baseball Varsity Team is no exception. As I was frequenting my local supermarket over the weekend, I saw some dedicated Varsity baseball players and their great coach, Peter Annunziata, outside the store, asking for donations.. The Coach is planning a trip during Spring Break, 2013 to Vero Beach in Florida where they will be competing against some of the best teams in the country. The coach mentioned that he had 15 players stopping by and assisting throughout the day, but photographed here with Coach Peter Annunziata (far left) are Daniel Dasgusta (Catcher), Jared Almonte (Short Stop), Joshua Stern (Pitcher), and Kevin To (Pitcher) in no order.   10/23/2012