Being a long time resident of the south end of White Plains NY, I would be the first to admit that there is not a lot of commerce going on the area.  One thing you won’t find at that end of town is Big-Box anything.  However, residents of the area do have access to a variety of services and handful of stores.  These are of the Mom & Pop variety where service is king. Rosedale Pharmacy is near and dear to my heart.  Why?  Because they handled the often conflicting prescriptions that my father had to deal with during his three year battle with stage 4 cancer.  The diagnosis had come as a shock – but even more shocking were the insurance issues  – which were massive and all the medications he suddenly was dependent on.   Every pharmacist there took great care to make sure there were no co... 05/14/2011

Since the ending of the tax credit, White Plains NY homes for sale have been suppressed.  The cold winter with heavy snow fall kept buyers away.  Indeed the amount of snow buried lock boxes to the point where there were some properties I simply couldn’t show.  The lull was not specific to White Plains NY, but was generally felt throughout the county.  It is hard to say how much the weather impacted the market. There has been more activity this spring and sales are definitely picking up. Single Family Home Sales White Plains NY Median sales prices of SF homes in White Plains was down 7.6% from Q1 of 2010.  For 2011 the median sales price was $522,000 down from $565,000 the previous year. The price range was from $275,000 – $1.7 million. This decline is a reflection of the general declin... 05/12/2011

The jet stream has created some particularly volatile weather in our region over the past several years.  Watching storm clouds gather has almost become a hobby.  This was taken about a week ago in the Gedney Farms neighborhood of White Plains NY.  It was in the wake of all of the dangerous tornadoes that hit the south.  There were some isolated tornado warnings in New Jersey – which is rare at any time – although we do get some in the summer around June.  The sky was ominous enough for me to question whether or not I should be out.  The eerie contrast between the bright spring colors and the dark gray sky prompted me to stop for a photo op!  The clouds hung so low that I could almost imagine a funnel cloud forming.  But I had things to do for my clients.  Perhaps I should have listene... 05/09/2011

Are you looking for tile flooring and installation for your home in White Plains NY? Whether it’s a kitchen floor, bathroom floors and walls, an entry way or mudroom, or even a Kitchen tile backsplash,we can help you at Floor Coverings International.   We understand that it can be challenging to find the right type of tile for your floors, walls and backsplashes. What’s the right type of tile – ceramic, porcelain, tumbled natural stone, marble or granite? What’s the best style and color? What types are easiest to clean. Many customers seemed to get overwhelmed when they visit a tile store. Well here’s where we can help. Floor Coverings International makes it simple by “bringing the store to your door.” That way, you can see the samples in your own lighting and color coordinate with you... 05/07/2011

This is a unit that I have featured in the past.  It is located at The Broadlawn in White Plains NY – 20 North Broadway.   Recently the unit has undergone a face lift.  The pine paneling which dominated the the living area has been removed and the plaster walls restored and painted. The dramatic mantel remains intact and the French doors to the balcony complete the picture. The Broadlawn is a stunning complex located in the heart of downtown White Plains just a block from Trump Tower and the Ritz Carlton.   Here is a link to the original listing post with photos. New photos of the living room will soon be available on this site. Meanwhile – for anyone interested in a condo or luxury coop in downtown White Plains – this listing is a must-see.  It is truly one-of-a-kind. The complex is a... 04/30/2011

April 29, 12-6 PM, April 30, 10-6 PM, May 1, 11-5 PM, White Plains, NY - International Gem and Jewelry Show - Exhibitors from around the World offer a huge selection of quality jewelry of all kinds including loose colored gemstones, fine finished jewelry, and more. Enjoy discounts of up to 40%. Westchester County Center. (914) 995-4050. www.intergem.com If you would like us to include your event, email me your event and contact information at  anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com or Fax (845) 624-7137 Anthony Stokes Pereira, 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 Ra... 04/28/2011

The ceremony was simple but there was a goodly crowd outside of City Hall on a perfect spring evening to watch the swearing in of Mayor Roach as the city’s 18th mayor.   I had been on the road much of the day and was fortunate enough to make it to the event and  to have my camera  – so enjoy the photos.  I was actually carrying the right lens for such an event! The speech was apolitical and I was impressed as Mayor Roach gave thanks to his family and friends and city employees.  If nothing else the ceremony signaled an new beginning for a city that has had more than a few growing pains over the past few years. White Plains NY Growing Pains: White Plains has gone through a great deal over the past decade.  It went through massive growth during the first years of the 21st century.  There... 04/14/2011

April 16, 11-5 PM, White Plains, New York -  WHUD's Kids Fair -An exhibition of programs, services and entertainment for kids. Parking $5. Westchester County Center. (914) 995-4050 If you would like us to include your event, email me your event and contact information at  anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com or Fax (845) 624-7137 Anthony Stokes Pereira, 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 need to make an educated decision. The relationship between a home buyer or seller and their agent is... 04/14/2011

April 17, 10-4 PM, White Plains, New York - NY Metro Reptile Show -Thousands of pet reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates on display and for sale. $10 Adults, $4 - 7-12 yrs, children under 7 free. (845) 546-4845. www.reptileexpo.com If you would like us to include your event, email me your event and contact information at  anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com or Fax (845) 624-7137 Anthony Stokes Pereira, 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 need to make an educated decision. The relations... 04/14/2011

Truth be told - I don't have many yard signs at all.   Right now I don't have any signs out - so I can't even site an example in a photo.  Most of my listings are of the condo/coop variety but when I do have a sign up my main goal is to make it easy for potential buyers to access information about that particular home. My Sign Riders.... To that end - I have two sign riders in place.  The first has a direct line to my cell phone so they can simply call directly.  The second rider contains an easy to remember domain name that connects to a web page about the property in question.  Each listing gets its own page with its own domain name. The page is set up to offer comprehensive information including price, square footage, number of bedrooms and baths, taxes and cost of living.  Ample pho... 04/13/2011

April 8, 8 PM, White Plains, NY - Broadway Salutes Bernstein and Sondheim - A spectacular evening featuring some of the greatest music ever written for Broadway including Sweeney Todd, Gypsy, West Side Story and more. $42. Performing Arts Center. (914) 328-1600 www.wppac.com If you would like us to include your event, email me your event and contact information at  anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com or Fax (845) 624-7137 Anthony Stokes Pereira, 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 need t... 04/02/2011

April 6, 12:10 PM - 12:40 PM, White Plains, NY - It Takes Two - Piano Concert - Pianists Alex Ruvinstein and Julian Lampert play a virtuoso program of music for piano four hands.  Grace Church, 33 Church Street. Free. (914)248-1112. www.westchestergov.com If you would like us to include your event, email me your event and contact information at  anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com or Fax (845) 624-7137 Anthony Stokes Pereira, 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 need to make an educated d... 04/02/2011

After mentioning the special election in two previous  blogs – including one that embedded the mayoral debate , it would be anticlimactic not to mention the results. Election Results: The turnout was low – as was expected, but Tom Roach (D)  won a decisive victory  winning 52% of the vote with Bob Hyland (R ) winning 35% and Glenn Hockley (I)  taking in 15% of the vote. There were only 8700 ballets cast  in this special election – which is sad given the estimated population of over 57,000.  So that probably translates into something under  25% of the eligible voters turning out.  Given that this was a special election on an odd day, it would be hard to say that this was unexpected. But it underscores the potential for volatility that special elections for local offices tend to have.   ... 04/01/2011

For those living in White Plains NY – most of you should know that  the resignation of Mayor Adam Bradley has  created the necessity of a special election in White Plains.  I was thrilled to see that the debate of last Thursday was on the internet as a streaming video.  Pat Casey of The White Plains Times was the moderator.  The debate was organized  sponsored by the White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations  ( WPCNA)   and  Concerned Citizens for Open Space (CCOS).  I decided to embed the video here for those who lack cable.   For those who are still on the fence – this is a must- see.  Further – special elections can be very non-representative of the population at large.  Its on an off day – THURSDAY – and turnout is essential to get the representation they need and deserve du... 03/28/2011

I'm often asked whether solid hardwood or engineered hardwood flooring is better and of course the answer is "it depends."  It depends on many factors including your subfloor, condition of your floor and what factors are important to you (e.g. ability to sand & refinish, height of floor (relative to other surfaces and/or cabinets and doors), cost, type of wood.  There is no "one size fits all" answer. Usually, I go to a customer's home where I can look at their circumstances and advise them.  I'll ask them questions to better understand their needs.  And, often, I will give them prices for both options, so they can make a well informed decision. Clarification - this is a discussion about HARDWOOD not LAMINATE.  Laminate is fake hardwood - it looks real, but it's not.  Engineered hardwoo... 03/27/2011

I admit that this is rather late notice – but I decided to post this on my blog mostly for the sake of publicizing the re-broadcasts and the chance that someone who might be interested might stop by and decided to attend at the last minute. The White Plains Mayoral  debate is tonight at Ridgeway Elementary School – (corner of Ridgeway and Mamaroneck Ave.)  at 7:30 PM.  You can pose a question in writing to the candidates. As most people in the area know, the conviction of former Mayor Bradley has led to the installation of Tom Roach  as mayor pending a special election.   The  special election is scheduled for March 31.   Every vote counts – particularly in a special election where the turnout is decidedly lower than during the normal election cycle. The candidates are: Acting Mayor To... 03/23/2011

Indoor Farmers Market at the Westchester County Center - Fresh produce, baked goods, cheese, maple syrup, honey, jam, soap, meat, wine and dairy products, free admission, parking $5. (914) 995-4050. www.countycenter.biz If you would like us to include your event, email me your event and contact information at  anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com or Fax (845) 624-7137 Anthony Stokes Pereira, 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 need to make an educated decision. The relationship between a ... 03/19/2011

      Yes, it's true and very exciting...Floor Coverings International just got a website upgrade.  Check out our local Westchester Flooring site. I can't wait to find some time to pour through all the upgrades as well as make some edits (yes...in my spare time which seems to be non-existent these days since we are so busy...which is good).       Some of the upgrades include: - More/better pictures (with a bit of flash) to capture and guide the customer - A contact form to schedule an appointment on EVERY PAGE.  Sometimes there we weren't making it obvious that they could sign up for free appointment and/or it took too many clicks for them to get there and we would lose some. - Makes it obvious that we provide expert design consultation, material and labor - the full package   - On int... 03/16/2011

The IAQ Video network released a series of educational videos meant to educate the general public about indoor air quality issues. The first video is entitled "Mold - A Known Asthma trigger" and is available for viewing today. Asthma affects up to 7% of the U.S. population and it has been reported that asthma causes 4,000 deaths each year in the United States and ¼ million worldwide. Mold is a known asthma trigger for some people, so it is important for those individuals to live and work in an environment that has good IAQ free of elevated mold levels. There is no practical way to eliminate all molds indoors; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture. If you think you have a mold problem, can see mold growth or smell a musty odor, it is important to have the problem f... 03/10/2011

HEPA vacuum carpets, rugs, mattresses, headboards, etc. regularly. Have them professionally steam cleaned every year or two (or as manufacturer specifications).  It is important not to neglect cleaning/vacuuming under beds & furniture because dust & dead skin have a tendency to accumulate in these areas.Make sure particulate filters are changed and replaced regularly in forced air heating & cooling systems.Have your ducts professionally cleaned when needed.Be sure to keep the humidity under 60% RH to avoid any mold problems.  It is particularly important to have a dehumidfier running during the summer months in most basements to achieve this.If a flood or water damage happens in your home - CALL BOWERMAN RESTORATION immediatley!!!  914-804-5737. Without having a professional inspection,... 03/10/2011