Holidays means Gingerbread 10804!

Posted on December 16 2010 by Gay E. Rosen

I love to bake at the Holidays, and I love the smell of gingerbread. I think that nothing better describes the Holidays more than the smell of fresh gingerbread baking in the oven, and then the gingerbread houses and displays as a result of that hard work!

I count myself lucky to have had some really great clients, and as a measure of my appreciation, I sometimes drop off a gingerbread house – to both surprise and hopefully delight! I think that in this season of giving, nothing is more rewarding than making something from the heart and given with love. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Holiday season, and a bountiful and prosperous 2011.

New Rochelle is GREAT!

Here are some gingerbread toy shops – complete with toys on display through the windows…. and some Victorian Caroliers….. “It’s the Season” (to both buy and sell!).

Posted in New Rochelle Area Information | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Reflections on a Past Era..

Posted on December 11 2010 by Gay E. Rosen

 

I was making my annual gingerbreads today for charities and clients alike, and was also watching a day of the Royal family on televison..

Today’s shows were wonderful, and centered around the Annual Royal Horse Show at Windsor, an event that the Royals ‘royally get into’ as horses are one of their pet hobbies.. My middle Son, AJ has dined with Princess Anne twice (he is a two time British Olympian). and he has always thought her caring and very nice. Today’s’ show reflected on the Duke of Windsor and his love of horse carirage racing, and horses, the Queen, and how she had her favorite horse (Burmese) buried at Windsor Castle which is a high honor, but it showed that same caring, dedication and made them very human. Prince Phillip said that the universal love of horses allowed everyone to meet and speak on the same level – no class barriers existing. When we saw the Royal Military Tattoo at the end of the event, it brought tears to both my eyes and my husband (who isn’t British)…. the whole event signified and dignified a bygone era, where customs, regiments, respect were tantamount to everyday life… the men shined their boots for 11 hours to produce the correct ‘shine’ and yet as one Royal Guard commented…. “with the dedication I give to my boots, my comrades also know I will give them that same dedication and attention on the battlefield…’ It had been raining for hours and yet the young troopers carried the various flags of Great Britain with their heads high and backs straight…

It brought back my trouble free youth, and made me reflect on how the world is today.

It was sad, as we saw what life was like, and should be like,.. no fear of terrorists….. Simplistic perhaps in my thoughts for there was certainly the cold war, etc., and so my thoughts are perhaps dated, but it made me yearn for that past life – I am very reserved at what the world will bring 20 years from now for our children, and where America will be.

I sense that the world no longer sees the US as THE power…. both China and Russia are emerging full thrust… and what then? Students were arrested a week ago at Columbia for selling drugs… drugs seem to be rampant..I sincerely feel that if we brought back the draft, it would instill in our youth a sense of belonging, of working together and accepting everyone of all races, train many for jobs, would stop unemployment to some extent, and would show the world that America is here to stay – forever. I would also limit production in other countries… and rather than have outsourcing, mandate a certain percentage of industry HERE to create jobs. People need unemployment benefits extended today, here and now, but jobs tomorrow…

BUT, apart from my reflections which are a tad maudlin, it is now the Holiday time, full of hope and wonderment for our litle ones, a time for sharing and giving of ourselves, and I am looking forward to a great 2011, for me, for you , for everyone!

It is STILL a GREAT in which to buy a home. What are your thoughts?

New Rochelle and Larchmont are GREAT!

Posted in New Rochelle Area Information | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

New College Dorm for Iona College 2010?

Posted on December 8 2010 by Gay E. Rosen

Hi: As a Realtor, I have had many calls from college students over the years seeking housing, as there simply hasn’t been enough available at Iona. It has always been a challenge, and for a dynamic college, this has been a long time coming! It has just been announced that a new Residence Hall will be built on what is now known as Murphy Lot, located on Mayflower Avenue; a ten story, 393 bedroom facility which will be able to house 575 students.

This will not affect any future enrollment, or any tax revenue for the city but rather offer a safe environment for the students, enabling them to join more clubs, organizations, go to more events, and they will not be allowed cars. The design will compliment the existing buildings owned by the college, and it is thought that with happier students, and an increased connection, their GPA’s will be higher and the retention rate will also be higher.

The College press release stated “The new building is crucially important to our ability to attract and retain high quality students…… Currently, as we transition from a commuter-based college to an on-campus resident model, we are proposing to build an attractive new residence hall on campus…… The new facility will dramatically reduce the number of students living in off-campus housing and cut down on the traffic generated by commuting students.”

This would then allow 75% of the students or more to reside in college owned housing.

“The College is currently listed in US News and World Report’s “Top Tier” in “America’s Best Colleges 2010”, The Princeton Review’s Best Northeastern Colleges 2010, “Best 300 Business Schools 2011” and “Best 639 National Colleges 2010” editions, BusinessWeek Magazine’s “Top 25 Undergraduate Business Schools in Northeast 2009” as well as ranked among “America’s Top 600 College and Universities 2009” by Forbes Magazine. ”

New Rochelle is Great! Please contact me with any of your real estate needs.

Posted in New Rochelle Area Information | Tagged , | Leave a comment

End of Year 2010 Market Stats Larchmont 10538 and New Rochelle

Posted on December 6 2010 by Gay E. Rosen

30 Malysana LaneHi! My office took on an interesting marketing study this past week…. Most buyers will ask what the cost per square foot is on past sales/available properties/properties in contract. It also enables us as agents (as we all know) to offset a seemingly high priced property against the square footage of your listing, thus enabling you to price higher or lower as the case may be.

We learned that the price per square foot in New Rochelle is at 2003 prices. the median sales prices were a tad under the 2004 prices at $628, and to-date 240 properties have been sold comapred with 196 for 2009.

In Larchmont and Mamaroneck , price per square foot is at 2007 prices, the median sales prices are at $995, and to-date 237 properties have been sold compared with 160 of 2009.

With interest rates slowly rising, it is now a great time in which to purchase a home, and for any bargain hunter – the winter prices are always a tad lower!

For any real estate needs, please feel free to contact me. Best, Gay

Larchmont and New Rochelle are GREAT!

 

Posted in Larchmont Area, New Rochelle Area Information | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Christie’s Real Estate Networking Event – December 2010

Posted on December 6 2010 by Gay E. Rosen

Hi!

Houlihan Lawrence, which sells more homes in Westchester than any other company, is affiliated with Christie’s Great Estates which, in turn, is the largest international network of real estate brokers (35,000 Sales Associates operating from 900 offices in more than 40 countries). Only the companies that have proven records of success in luxury sales and who exemplify Christie’s traditional value of service to their clients may display the coveted Christie’s Great Estates brand. This means, that should we desire it, (and of course willing to pay for it!), we can have our higher priced listings featured in the Christie’s Great Estates Magazine . Personalized brochures are also sent out to prospective buyers and offices worldwide endeavoring to find that special someone. If we do not wish to pay that special premium for the listings (which are usually $5 Million and above depending upon the area) to be featured in the magazine, I have still found it to be very impressive to mention to my sellers with properties over a price point of $1,000,000 that their listing will be featured on the Christie’s Great Estates website. Christie’s, the world’s oldest art auction house which was established in 1766 represents class – as does Houlihan Lawrence.

Like many of us, Christie’s Great Estates is in the process of changing their website, making it even more user friendly, and since they already attract hundreds of thousands of internet visitors every year, the outcome will be very impressive I am sure.

However, Christie’s Great Estates now features a Bespoke Division which is targeted towards the homes of celebrities, houses that have historic provenance or are architecturally significant. The listings are for a minimum of one year (of course), and any agent utilizing this special service would have the benefit of both the Christie’s sales team in addition to our (the agent’s) expertise. One recent listing that the Bespoke Division represented was Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Fifth Avenue Penthouse apartment that listed for $19 Million.

As an aside, Houlihan Lawrence is also affiliated with Mayfair International Realty which boasts 3 major websites and 350 offices throughout England, Mainland Europe and the Middle East, so to be also affiliated with Christie’s is icing on the cake! Houlihan Lawrence also features our Luxury Country Properties Division which has a very impressive record of having sold over 50% of all luxury properties in Westchester.

After the panel discussions and presentations, the evening ended with cocktails and hors-d’oeuvres . I had to post this tiny video as I thought it humorous that someone would have the gall to leave their wine glass next to a priceless antique!

Kay Coughlin, President and CEO of Christie’s Great Estates was standing next to me and noticed me taking my little video. She laughed, and recalled how at one cocktail party when she was with another company, someone had once placed a glass on an antique table, and the hostess said “No problem, we will just send it out for refinishing!” That is class!

If you have any real estate questions, please feel free to contact me!

Larchmont and New Rochelle are GREAT!

Posted in Dutchess County, Harrison, Larchmont Area, Mamaroneck 10543 Area Information, New Rochelle Area Information, Rye | Tagged | Leave a comment

More Awards at New Rochelle High School 2010

Posted on December 6 2010 by Gay E. Rosen

New Rochelle offers award winning school programs. The talent at the New Rochelle High School was acknowledged this week (and every week) in the local newspapers. Not only was the High School named second place at the Youth Businesss Olympics where the school competed against 17 other schools in the Westchester county – with Sade Amazan, Haley Baron, David Faria, Kwan Grays Brandon Hebenstreit, Sean Jacob, Alexander McLeod, Varun Soondar and Tom Zhang all participating, but the following High School Seniors were named semi-finalists in the 2001 National Merit Scholarship competition: Alexandra Avvocato, Maximilian Gordon, Jonathan Jove, John Kim, Dalia Littman, Jacob Meiner and Hanna Rosner-Katz.

The High School is rich in talent in all areas, and the following students were selected to perform at the Westchester County School of Music Association’s Area All-state Music Festival Concert. This took place on November 4th at SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center, and the students who were selected are: Lorida Antoine, Saul Backer, Emily Badillo, Rajshekhar Basak, Amy Fivis, John Ford, Maximilian Gordon, Angela Griffin, Kaitlyn Grogan, David Harary, Andrew LaBella, Max Lee, Jeffrey Levy, Jacob Meiner, Ella N’Diaye, Adam Rosenstein, Mark Tamarin, Frank Weigand, David Weissman, Simone Wien and Katrina Ungewitter.

New Rochelle is Great! Our Schools are Wonderful!

Posted in New Rochelle Area Information | Tagged , | Leave a comment

2010 Second Annual Holidays Arts & Crafts Market

Posted on December 6 2010 by Gay E. Rosen

Located at the BID GALLERY 43, 43 Lawton Street and across from the Library Green, you will be able to find jewelry, fine art, ceramics, glass, posters, woodcraft, unique clothing all made by local artisans.

Market hours are 11-5 p.m., Saturday December 11th, Sunday December 12th, Saturday December 18th and Sunday, December 19th.

Happy Holidays to all!

New Rochelle is GREAT!

 

Posted in New Rochelle Area Information | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

New Rochelle Arts Programs

Posted on December 5 2010 by Gay E. Rosen

Hi – A few days later but wanted to post how GREAT our local High School is, and the events they currently offer to the public. The school offers a PAVE program ( Performing Arts and Visual Arts program) and it really helps ‘to set the stage’ for college life. The Theater located at the New Rochelle High School Linda Kelly Theater. The performances were on Friday and Saturday, and the Ajkin Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker Ballet Suite featured the Children of New Rochelle in this wonderful, timeless Holiday production.

New Rochelle is GREAT!

Posted in New Rochelle Area Information | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Thanking those who Assist at City Hall on the Holidays!

Posted on December 2 2010 by Gay E. Rosen

I am sure that each year, the various offices have collections for the staff in appreciation for all of their hard work but do we sometimes forget the others who surround us to make our lives more productive? I do not mean tipping the meter maid (ha!) – she is vigilant here in Larchmont…..and we all cringe when we hear the words ‘she is marking the cars..’ (she marks the tires and after 2 hours – a nice $25 ticket awaits you if your car is still there!). I am thinking of those people who we might take for granted, and yet we constantly need their assistance.

Each year, I like to drop off a bottle of something to the hardworking people at the tax assessment office. Yes! Them! Our city allows us to go online for property information (now) which is great, but when we check our square footage, we have to go in person to the Assessment office. The people there are helpful, nice people, always willing to help and assist. It might be their job, but imagine working through numbers, and you get multiple interruptions from people wanting this or that info. I would like to think that a bottle of something once a year is a small payment for such great service. I also like to thank the people in our building department…. How many times do we have to pop in there for last minute, important info to help further a transaction? Once again, a bottle of bubbly or even a box of chocolates is small recompense for such an integral part of our job.

I see how some agents are within my office – thinking that every small thing the staff does is their right, as they bark out their commands. One staff member goes in an hour earlier each day just so she has the peace and quiet to concentrate on her work without fear of interruption…. I then imagine these same agents going to the various city departments in the various boroughs.. spreading their ‘cheer’ amongst people who might have a soured opinion on realtors to begin with… I would like to think that in giving a little something to those we encounter on a daily basis only helps promote us as Realtors in general, and hopefully brings a little smile too.

Happy Holidays!

If you have any real estate needs in either New Rochelle or Larchmont, I am but a phone call away!

 

Posted in New Rochelle Area Information | Tagged , | Leave a comment

On New Rochelle Taxes – Mr. Howard Rattner

Posted on December 1 2010 by Gay E. Rosen

I met today with Mr. Howard Rattner, the Finance Commissioner of New Rochelle, and asked him to comment on our taxes, and how it affects us as home-owners in this great city. If you click onto the video below, I think you will greatly enjoy Mr. Rattner’s comments. Howard has lived in New Rochelle for over 18 years, has been the Finance Commissioner for approximately 17 years, and in having his son, Nate, recently graduate from the New Rochelle High School 20th in his Class (Nate is attending Northwestern University and majoring in Journalism), he can readily extoll the virtues of living here.

If you have any real estate questions, please feel free to call me.

New Rochelle is GREAT!

Posted in New Rochelle Area Information | Tagged , , | Leave a comment