Punxsutawney Phil  the groundhog supposedly is only right only 39% of the time… but it looks like he was quite correct this year!  Every year on February 2nd, Phil is awakened from his burrow to make his prediction. If Phil sees his shadow then there will be six more weeks of winter, and if he does not see his shadow then there will not be six more weeks of winter. I never realized that there was such a following… but upon seeing the thousands of people who attended this year’s celebration, it is obvious – Phil will be in demand for many more years to come! New Rochelle is GREAT! 02/05/2014

Carpet Trends for 2014What's stylish when it comes to carpeting? Here are the carpet trends that I'm seeing for 2014 in Westchester, NY. As you'll see, some of the trends overlap.  Styles may differ a bit across the country both due to geographic/climate differences as well as other area may be a bit behind the New York trends.   1. Carpet runners on stepsStair runners continue to grow in popularity, especially as more consumers convert from carpet to hardwood floors. Hardwood flooring is definitely the preferred surface, but the one area that almost all customers prefer carpet is on the steps – both for safety and for design. Click here for a complete guide on carpet runners. This even includes a video I made.        2. Natural fibers, especially wool and sisalAs the trend towards ecof... 01/20/2014

     In 1911, Clifford B. Harmon (a real estate developer) began development on a 145 acre property along the Sheldrake River that included Mott’s Hickory Grove area. He called it Larchmont Gardens . The Larchmont Gardens Lake was subsequently built and is now known as the “Duck Pond.” There are many charming homes located in the area… one such home is 34 Myrtle Boulevard, Larchmont 10538. Larchmont is GREAT! 01/01/2014

34 Myrtle Boulevard, Larchmont, 10538 – where charm abides..      Located in prestigious Larchmont Gardens, 34 Myrtle Boulevard, Larchmont, New York 10538  is a charming Colonial home offering 2735 sq. ft.,  3 bedrooms,  4.5 baths with a circular driveway on .40 level acre tree-lined corner lot.  The gracious entrance foyer with its art deco detailing  leads to a large, sunny 30′ living room with a fireplace, French doors opening to a Southern style porch and spacious  lawn.  The dining room opens to a screened-in porch and the eat-in kitchen has a wonderful adjacent large  (14′ X 10′) laundry/utility room. There is a powder room  off the foyer, and  the second floor features a nicely sized landing with a Master bedroom and bath, and two additional en suite bedrooms.  The third floor ha... 01/01/2014

Today was an emotional day… The first emotion was being totally frozen by 3 p.m today after standing outside in the cold for 6 hours! Ha! The second emotion was love. Love for  all of my associates who stepped up to the challenge to give their time, energy and support for this wonderful charity. Our Manager, Debbie Doern, stopped by yesterday at our Fund Raising Bake sale event to offer support, and today our Sound Shore Regional Manager, Judi Smith, stopped by to purchase a few very small items, but vastly overpaid  (although Margie Wechsler’s pumpkin cakes are delicious as are Lou Pollak’s chocolate chip cookies all warranted more) but she also overpaid by probably $35….. Love, was the emotion that threaded its way though today’s cold, dreary and overcast day but that shaft of love an... 10/13/2013

Working in an office (like mine – Houlihan Lawrence #1 in Westchester), means that we have many opportunities to work together both on a business level and on a social level. When it comes to working together for a charity – or for a fellow worker, then “Team Larchmont” knows no bounds! We had raised  close to $1600 for breast cancer awareness  earlier this week. (Houlihan Lawrence is a yearly supporter of this great charity, and our office – along with every  Houlihan Lawrence office – raises funds for the charity, and we also participate in a walk  “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer“. This year, it will be held on October 20th, 8:30 am at the Manhattanville College where you are invited to join us and walk from 3-5 miles-  your choice!  We all decided to have a bake sale this weeke... 10/12/2013

There are currently 49 Active Listings available in the Larchmont, 10538 zip code, ranging in price from $498,000 (a town home) to $16.2 Million (a waterfront property). There are 7 properties in Conditional Contract, 10 Pending, and there have been 71 sales  for properties up to $1 Million Dollars with 10 being sold at list price, and 20 being sold over list price which is phenomenal.  The price per square foot was $438.57 with a median price of $810,000. There have been 77 sales of properties over One Million Dollars with 10 properties being sold at list price, and 32 properties selling over list price.  The price per square foot was $527.65 ..and a median price of $1,392.000. As a comparison, in 2012 for the same time period, there were 57 properties sold up to One Million Dollars wi... 09/22/2013

  I have put off creating videos-  for years...  About 4+ years ago I bought the Flip Mino.... loved it... updated it to the more expensive HD version... and then, of course, they  became passe...  I also  found they were hard to hold steady and so  my videos would suffer accordingly. Also, the visual detail was not as good as I would have liked... I put my video career off to the side yet again. We are all so busy that I find if it doesn't come to me straightaway... I just do not have the time to pursue it! Active Rain had a video contest last year that I used the Flip Mino yet again, and then along came a video contest this past August on Active Rain. It was time to try again. Last year, I bought a wonderful camera- the SONY HD AVCHD DSC HX200V Cyber Shot... It was both a camera and v... 09/16/2013

The weather forecast was for rain… but how could it! Matt Kelley of Thoroughbred Title Services was hosting his third Annual Wine & Cheese Pairing at a beautiful home owned by our Mary Gail Barry from the Larchmont Manor. The guests? The Houlihan Lawrence Larchmont office, and the evening was delightful. The fall (real estate) season has started, and what better way to celebrate than to imbibe some wine and cheese with friends while we are discussing our new listings and sales. The Houlihan Lawrence Larchmont office is doing so well, and the evening celebrated that fact also. What was served? This where I must credit the Dobbs & Bishop Fine Cheese Shop in Bronxville, New York, (914) 361-1770, and Rochambeau Wines in Dobbs Ferry (914) 693-0034 for the following descriptions are theirs al... 09/14/2013

 I was meeting clients the other day, but could NOT resist the beautiful weather, and so made a quick diversion to the Larchmont Manor Park  (established in 1892).  While this video is very short,  it does capture the tranquility, beauty and one of the many reasons, people love to live in the Manor, 10538! Featured here is the Horseshoe Harbor Yacht Club which was founded in 1988, and the Larchmont Manor Beach. If you are seeking a home in the Larchmont area-  please call me. I will be happy to assist! Larchmont is GREAT!     09/06/2013

       I recently listed a very nice home in Larchmont ,10538 for rent. The owners,  (and now friends) a lovely young couple who were relocating,  could not take their beloved dog of 4 years to their new apartment. They knew of no-one who could take the dog and they also wanted to make sure that a special family would be adopting their pooch. I immediately suggested that I would put out feelers about adoption within my area offices (we have a wonderful network), but the owner could not emotionally address the issue at first…hoping against hope that something would change …. but it didn’t. Three weeks before they were going to leave their home, and on my way to a  closing on a lovely property in New Rochelle,  I stopped by the rental property and asked to take a pic of the pooch. While w... 09/02/2013

 Dee is an Associate of mine at the Larchmont Houlihan Lawrence Office.  Like many associates, she has to wear many hats (and all of them very well!).  Dee, is a former beauty Queen and both Dee and Laura Giannone head the Miss Westchester Pageant and Miss Hudson Valley Pageants  which also air on LMCTV ( Cablevision  Public Access  TV for Larchmont – Channel 75) .   This is Dee’s Fourth year as Executive Director and Producer of the pageants which was aired on LMCTV and as such, the show was nominated this past spring for LMCV’s “Best New Series” and “Best Single Show”.  She won the ‘Best New Series’ Award! The  23rd LCMTV Awards show was held on June 5th at the Emelin Theater and is was rather like the Academy Awards for the nominees.. an exciting and thrilling night for all . Dee is ... 08/07/2013

     Pam Joyce is an Associate at the Larchmont Houlihan Lawrence office. She is always  ebullient and willing to lend a hand to anyone in need -  even though her schedule is a tough one between children, her real estate profession and charities! On Saturday, July 27th, 2013, Pam volunteered in the “ 2013 Swim Across America” local challenge which started at the Larchmont Yacht Club. Pam participated with 10 of other swimmers in  “Team Cohen” so named after Talia Cohen, a Mamaroneck High School Student who tragically passed away a few years ago. “Talia Cohen, died of cancer at age 16 in November 2002. Talia was an inspiration to everyone who knew her.  She fought her 19-month battle against cancer with courage and dignity. ” The various teams could either swim in a one mile, up to a 4 m... 08/05/2013

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend the yearly Christie's Great Estates Real Estate Affiliates Conference in Manhattan. It was a full day starting with coffee and tea at 8:30 am, and a full day's program where I not only learned a great deal, but also had the chance to network with Realtors and other Christie's affiliates across the country and beyond. We had lunch and  ended the day with cocktails. It was very civilized and wonderful!   I also had the opportunity to appear in a Christie's video - and why not! Larchmont and New Rochelle are GREAT! 07/19/2013

The summer concert series begins! Tonight at 7 p.m. at Memorial Park in Larchmont, the Channel Surfers will delight and entertain. SO, bring your blankets, your chairs, and your appetites, an enjoy. Food and beverages are available for purchase, and it is a great way to celebrate life, your family and friends.                           Larchmont is GREAT! 07/08/2013

We have always been taught that to offer a true CMA (Comparative Market Analysis), we must look towards similarly sized properties, in a radius of one mile or same zip code, same elementary school, etc. that have sold in the last 3 - 6 months. Years ago, it was the past year, but with the then  economic climate going downhill on a continual basis, it slowly became 6 months, 3 months, and now back to 6 months.. I have even heard some appraisers compare to the past year in a complex...   That aside, what we are seeing in Larchmont for example. where we experienced so many multiple bids this past spring market, that those homes that are pending are  the NEW CMA stats. Nothing sold, but rumors abound, and so when pricing a home for listing purposes, or even for purchase.. we must now look a... 06/30/2013

  I am usually so busy with clients that I always get to pass this weekly event as I am driving around,  and never get to visit. This past Saturday, a client re-scheduled, and so I finally made it to the Farmer’s Market. What a joy it was! The weather obliged, and it was sunny and people were there enjoying the free samples but mostly buying! We were entertained by the Chatsworth Elementary School Band (accomplished young musicians one and all). The market  was officially opened on May 25th and per the web site runs through December 21st.  It usually closes around 1 p.m. every Saturday… I was surprised to hear from one baker that he is the first there each week around 7 am… so I am loathe to mention that it opens at 9 for it would seem not!   The longest line was for the pickles (Dr.Pic... 06/17/2013

Each year, Christie’s invites its affiliates (and their agents) into their New York Saleroom  at Rockefeller Plaza for a day’s learning extravaganza. This year was no exception to the information that was shared. Upon entering the building, I had to pass an exquisite display of Tiffany Lamps, with colors and detailing so fine… This year, the Christie’s speakers were: Angela Ambrosini, Associate Vice President & Creative Director, Clayton Andrews , Senior Vice President & Regional Manager, Kate Buchanan, Vice President, Private Collections & personal Insurance, Kathleen Coumou, Senior Vice President, Regional Manager, Elizabeth Harrington, Publisher at Large for North America – Hurun Report – China Rich List, James H. Herbert 11, Chairman – CEO  First Republic Bank, Silvana Malpelli , CR... 06/12/2013

  Memorial Park might look deserted and tranquil right now, but once the summer concert series commences, it will reflect the vibrant community that resides in this lovely community. Located adjacent to the “Plates Restaurant“, and off Myrtle Boulevard, and just a short distance from Larchmont Village. Mark your calendar for the first concert which will be held on Mondays at 7 p.m. commencing on July 1st with  “The Bookends’. Rock N Roll from the 50′s, 60′s and 70′s. Presented by the Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Department. All that is needed is some sun, and your blanket! Larchmont is GREAT!    06/12/2013

When it comes to sanding and refinishing floors, many customers ask me about "dustless sanding" and "sandless refinishing" and all other combos of these words.  Needless to say, many customers in Westchester (and across the country) have these terms mixed up. It's no wonder given all the latest gimmicks and new companies that keep popping up.    So this is my attempt to set the record straight and explain the terms - dustless sanding vs. sandless refinishing.    Originally posted at: Dustless Sanding vs Sandless Refinishing - What's the difference?    Background: Refinishing hardwood floors - the full sand and refinish Typically, when you refinish the floors, you sand them. You sand them fully which means sanding them 3 times finer and finer grits, and then it looks like raw hardwood ag... 06/10/2013