Many homeowners in lower Westchester have been hoping to downsize but stay local.   In some cases, the children are gone but these empty nesters have careers that keep them local or perhaps some have grandchildren that live in the area and they wish to stay near family.  Particularly after the big storm that we had yesterday – downsizing to something a bit easier to manage feels right for those who have been struggling with Nor’ Easters and hurricanes.  We now seem to be having the storm of the century every six months – and tackling all the resulting issues can be a lot of work.  I know it is – because I own my own home….   Condo and townhouse prices remained stubbornly high – until now….   One of the biggest impediments to downsizing has been the cost.  Single family homes corrected... 10/30/2011

Dateline: White Plains, New York 10601 Truly Speechless Saturday, View From My Living Room, White Plains New York 10601 Saturday October 29, 2011 12:35 pm, EST     10/29/2011

Westchester County Home Show - Fall 2011 - October 29th and 30th - Saturday and Sunday This is the 8th annual fall Home Show and it's taking place this weekend in White Plains at the County Center.  You will find all sorts of home improvement contractors - painters, roofers, architects, designers, general contractors, bathroom remodelers and many more.  Click here for a full vendor list. 198 Central Ave. White Plains, NY 10607 Link to official website.  (Unfortunately there is no info here on costs, but it's generally $10 or less to attend these types of shows and they usually circulate coupons in the local newspapers).  I believe the times are 12-6 on Saturday and 12-5 on Sunday. I plan to attend, so maybe I'll see you there.   10/28/2011

Introducing The Flooring Girl - Debbie Garner, Owner of Floor Coverings International - Westchester NY/Stamford CT With the recent launch of my new website TheFlooringGirl.com, I thought I'd give you a little peak to learn more about The Flooring Girl.  My goal is to make your home look more beautiful from the ground up.  Whether you are looking for hardwood, carpet, tile or just need to refinish your floors, I can help you find the floors of your dreams. My tagline is "We bring the store to your door." The reason that is so important, is that you want to see the samples in your own lighting, so you can color coordinate with your paint colors and furniture.  And, yes, the samples do look different in your own home vs. the store!  They can even look different from room to room. So, here ... 10/25/2011

White Plains NY - Westchester County Center - The Fall Home Show With New York City just a stone's throw away, this home show offers a diverse array of home products and services, with a metro flair, featuring local, state and national vendors, presenting innovative and imaginative displays. The Westchester County Home Show offers the very best home improvement companies in the Metro area, attracting attendees from the suburbs to the city. Companies you’ll see at this year’s Home Show includeCustom Cabinets, Cabinet Refacing, Waterproofing, General Contractors, Roofing & Siding, Brickface, Vacation Resorts & Timeshares, Green Industry Association, Magazines, Publications & Newspapers, Painting - Interior & Exterior, Home Improvement Companies, Pest Management, Home Monitoring Services, ... 10/24/2011

If you are going to sell your Westchester home in a few years, NOW is a great time to get new hardwood floors. . Lately, I've had a lot of customers who tell me they intend to sell their homes 2-5 years from now...when their kids graduate and/or when the market bounces back.  They are smart because they are doing their home improvements NOW, including their floors. There are many reasons to improve your floors several years BEFORE you sell. 1.  You can enjoy your new flooring and other home improvements NOW while you are living in your home and SIMULTANEOUSLY improve the value of your home (assuming you are upgrading from carpet/vinyl, etc. to hardwood (or tile floors).  So, you are doing this both for you and for the new owners. 2.  You are prepping your home to sell early.  This will... 10/24/2011

  No one has a crystal ball  so determining when a market is going to hit bottom is pretty much like shooting craps.  Sooooo – anyone trying to TIME THE BOTTOM is clearly a gambler.  Its not savvy, its not cool or even all that smart – and yes…it is RISKY to try to time the bottom. Gambling on lower prices and lower interest rates…. People think that if they haven’t made a decision to buy that no decisions were made.  That makes them feel “safe”.  NOT TRUE.  The buyer made a decision and that decision was to punt.   So in reality, the buyer is rolling the dice that the market will decline more or at least not improve.   They are also gambling that interest rates will remain at record lows.  As one famous blogger (Lenn Harley) puts it to her buyer clients “The market will bottom six mont... 10/22/2011

Medical Equipment Drive: Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, WHite Plains NY  10605    October is Physical Therapy Month, and to mark the occasion, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital in White Plains is holding a medical equipment drive. Things many of us have accumulated in our garage and attics can now be put back to use, and genuinely make a difference in someone elses' life. Once all good, working equipment is collected and checked, it will be redistributed free among their patients in need, and to AmeriCares, to aid and assist people in need both domestically and internationally.   Note: equipment must be serviceable and in usable condition; anything requiring batteries or electricity will not be accepted. For questions, or more information, please contact Sandra Alexandrou, PT at salexand@bu... 10/20/2011

Hardwood Flooring Trends - Westchester County - September 2011 By far, hardwood is the preferred flooring in most Westchester Homes.  Hardwood flooring is beautiful, lasts a lifetime (and then some), and it's easy to clean and maintain.  Those with allergies and asthma especially prefer hardwood flooring, and we are often ripping up  carpeting to convert to hardwood, especially when people are moving into new homes.   If customers can't afford hardwood flooring, they will sometimes revert to laminate flooring or carpet.  While these surfaces cost less than hardwood, in the long run, they will cost more, as they will need to be replaced more often.  Furthermore, hardwood improves the value of your home, so when it is time to sell - whether that's in the next year or 20-30 yrs from now - ... 10/18/2011

Video on Green Flooring products - Robert & Julie Peoples I just came across this video on my Google Alerts from my friends at Floor Coverings International in Austin, TX.  They were interviewed on TV, and I think they do a nice job explaining many of the Green Flooring options. Here in the Westchester NY/Stamford CT area, when it comes to green flooring, the following are the most popular: Hard surface: - Bamboo Flooring - Cork flooring Carpet - Wool carpeting We also sell some of the recycled nylons and hardwoods that use recycled shavings (as mentioned in the video), but most of the customers in our area who want to go green, opt for the higher end natural products rather than these greenish products.  So, more opt for wool carpets vs. partially recycled nylon carpets, or bamboo/cork... 10/01/2011

  Over the past few months I have written several times about the now infamous  Gedney Farms  vs. FASNY issue.    For those not in the know – the private French American School  (FASNY) is seeking a special permit to build a 1200 student K-12 campus in the Gedney neighborhood.  I have been on record as being against the project. I have written a couple of posts to this effect outlining my concerns for the neighborhood and the implications for the future building prospects on other large tracts of land that have yet to be developed. Over time, circumstances change and neighborhoods often have to change with them. This is very true and can not be denied.  Change is the only constant in life. Nothing stays the same  Neighborhoods who are not open to any change will be left behind going int... 09/30/2011

Networking for Women in Westchester - Professional Women of Westchester (PWW) Yes, it's true...women supporting other women!  I love this group. Such a dynamic and fun group of motivated women.  I learn so much from these woemen.  It's great to be around others witha positive attitude. Jamie Imperati is the impetus behind this whole group, and she co-founded it with Linda Rey, Lisa Kaslyn and Rose Colonna, 4 powerhouse women. This group alters the meeting, usually having exclusive networking get togethers and then combo speaker series/networking.  I have to say the networking in this setting is much friendly and more supportive than typical networking as women seem to bond together.  The costs for the events are minimal (usually $10-$15) and this is to help cover the food. The next even... 09/29/2011

  Gotta admit – Fall is my favorite time of year.  It is a time of new beginnings and fresh starts.  I look at the fourth quarter of the calendar year as the first quarter of the next year…and I think others feel the same way.  About a week ago I was at Carlson’s Floral and Gift on route 100B on Dobbs Ferry Road in the White Plains PO.   They are always ahead of the curve.  The early signs of fall were there – but summer hadn’t quite left the building.  The flowers below were of the late summer variety.  The Mums weren’t quite blooming, the Halloween pumpkins hadn’t arrived – yet some of the trappings of fall  – like our pumpkin friends in the photo on the right  had made their appearance.  Carlson’s is a great store for quality arrangements and the displays can be really uplifting afte... 09/24/2011

ANNOUNCEMENTS: CONGRATS TO JP ENDRES! It's a big week for announcements involving some of our Rand colleagues. Most significantly, Congratulations to White Plains manager JP Endres, who has been elected Secretary-Treasurer for the New York State Association of REALTORS for 2012!  That's really an amazing accomplishment, and we're lucky to have such a prominent bigwig here with the company.                     Anthony Stokes Pereira (845) 624-8100 Ext. 188 Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty I can help you with every aspect of buying or selling your home because I'm experienced, because I am a Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty Real Estate Professional . . . and because I care. As your Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty Sales Professional, I will provide you with the information you... 09/24/2011

Did you know that recently Raymour & Flanigan opened in White Plains NY 10605?  Well I didn't either until an enterprising entrepreneur from their office stopped by my showroom.  His name is Scott Snyder.  Turns out they are located right above the Cheesecake Factory (where Fortunoff used to be at 1 Maple Avenue). He came by to introduce himself and offer my employees discounts on furniture.  I said, thanks but we really don't need furniture...but, here's a better idea.... I have lots of customers who are moving into new homes...and they need furniture!  He then said he would give me 10% off coupons for me to give my customers!!!! I've given some to several customers moving into new homes, and they are especially thankful. And, for any real estate agents here in Westchester who have an ... 09/23/2011

Can you install hardwood flooring on top of concrete? Yes you sure can...provided there is not a moisture issue.  (You should never install hardwood when there is a moisture issue regardless of the subfloor). If you live in a condo or co-op building in Westchester, you may have a cement subfloor rather than a plywood subfloor.  Many customers think that this limits their choice of flooring and that they are restricted to laminate flooring (i.e. fake hardwood).  While laminate flooring will work in these conditions, so will engineered hardwood, so you may want to consider both options based on your preference and budget. There are 3 ways to install hardwood flooring (from best to worst): 1  Nail down - requires plywood subflloor (you can't nail into concrete...last I checked) 2.  Glue do... 09/21/2011

It isn’t easy to choose.  There are so many beautiful looks,  That’s why, when designing a kitchen, I always start with the countertops. While the options are numerous, the countertops make a big impact in the kitchen and will often define your color palette. Marble is magnificent,  but it’s a porous surface and needs frequent sealing, making it considerably   high maintenance.  Since my clients cook, I don't recommend it.  Man made surfaces are beautiful and low maintenance, but they also have greater uniformity and easily reproduced, so that unique impact can be compromised.  And, it's just as expensive as natural stone.  So, I frequently select granite for the kitchens I design http://fresheyesforyourhome.com/ and here’s why:       Granite is beautiful.  It's not a trend, but a time... 09/20/2011

  Trump Tower White Plains NY – is one of the buildings that dominates the downtown White Plains skyline.  It was the first of the high rise complexes to go up in the city and it was the tallest building in White Plains until the Ritz made its appearance at the end of 2007.  As far as White Plains condos go, Trump ranks among the most luxurious.  This is one complex people are always asking about.  So I’m giving an update near the end of the 3rd quarter in response to all the questions about Trump and the Ritz.  For more information, you might want to visit my web page for Trump Tower   which has more information than will be presented here.       Sales Price History at Trump  Tower White Plains NY   The chart below depicts the sales price history at Trump White Plains.   The red bars r... 09/18/2011

  The Ritz Carlton White Plains represents the pinnacle of high-rise luxury in downtown White Plains, not to mention the county of Westchester.  As far as White Plains condos are concerned, it doesn’t get any more luxurious than this!  Located in the heart of the downtown area, it is just steps from some of the finest dining, entertainment and shopping that  Westchester has to offer.  Lets not even get started on the amazing amenities the Ritz offers – and the views on the higher floors are simply breathtaking. You can get Manhattan, the Long Island Sound and everything in between in one massive panorama. Being just 33 minutes from midtown Manhattan is the icing on the cake.   Recently, I’ve had quite a few buyers interested in the Ritz Carlton – but many are confused about the pricing ... 09/15/2011

Renovating and Redesigning -White Plains NY 10601 - Progress at the Broadlawn ...And the walls are tumbling down!  We are progressing well at the Broadlawn.  All the old 70's wallpaper, cabinetry and lighting are gone.  A new circuit box has been installed and the electrical capability has been upgraded.   Now, the air conditioner and the dishwasher can both be on at the same time without overload.  The plumbers are currently installing new water and waste lines to accommodate our new kitchen and bath fixtures and we await an electrical inspection.  Once that is completed, my carpenters can come back in, frame out the new closets, replace the old window sills, and patch up the walls.  The master bedroom and the dining room will now have exposed brick-the pointing is in good shape, not m... 09/12/2011