NYS Certified Residential Specialist Chapter November/December 2014 Newsletter

CRSHi – On this rainy, dreary day, I thought it would be an ´a propos time to send out our November December 2014 Newsletter. As a Certified Residential Specialist (only 3% of Agents within the United States hold this coveted designation..

The Council of Residential Specialists is the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS® — a professional network of over 30,000 residential real estate professionals in the U.S. and overseas, with one common goal in mind…your success.

  • We provide real estate agents with the tools, resources and strategies they need to help them guide buyers and sellers through the residential sales process.
  • We offer a host of educational programs including classroom courses, self-paced e-learning, live webinars, archived recordings and events to help members stay ahead in this competitive and changing environment.
  • We award the prestigious CRS Designation to experienced REALTORS® who have completed advanced professional training and demonstrated outstanding professional achievement in residential real estate.

Learn more about the Council of Residential Specialists and how the organization can help you today.

CRS Headquarters
430 N. Michigan Ave., 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60611
Toll-free phone: 800.462.8841800.462.8841
General phone:312.321.4400312.321.4400
Fax:312.329.8551

Westchester is GREAT!

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

ID now required at Open Houses!

signIt has long been a topic of conversation. How, can we, as professionals, allow anyone (stranger, neighbor) to enter another’s home at an open house? Yes, we wish to sell that home, but shouldn’t we, as Realtors, ensure the security of our owners homes ?  Now, more than ever, based on the most recent act of violence  against a Realtor in Arkansas,  it is also important to take steps to secure our personal security also. We are always taught to tour the home with the potential buyers for obvious security reasons,  and to take various safety precautions such as not to enter a basement with someone. To go down the stairs after someone and not before them…

Houlihan Lawrence now has a new ruling. Photo ID is now required at all public open houses. Today, I posted my first notice at the front door, and requested of several visitors their ID. They all gave,  and I apologized of course…but at the end of the day, this is as much for our home-owners as it is for us.  Their home is important. We are all important! Henceforth, if a visitor chooses not show their ID then we must politely request they return with their agent of choice. There are now various apps an agent can utilize also.. BSafe, AgentArmor, Watchoverme , etc. In today’s world, this is important for all.

Westchester is GREAT!

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

Happy Holidays to all.. 2014 . ‘Tis the season to GIVE!

I never thought that I would be promoting a company’s commercial, but this 2013 WestJet commercial truly brings tears to your eyes. With so much sadness and unrest in this world, it is nice to step away and believe in what many of us were brought up to simply believe. Santa Claus and the miracle of Christmas. I will definitely fly WestJet if ever given the opportunity, and in viewing this video, it is also a nice way to remind us that we, too, can make a Holiday (no matter the religion) special for someone. Houlihan Lawrence has gift  drop-offs at many offices..  New Rochelle’s Hope Kitchen is also seeking gifts and food for those in need for the Holidays. You can easily donate the makings of  a wonderful Holidays feast such as ham, stuffing, yams, cranberry sauce, green beans, etc  at the Hope Community Kitchen.

Westchester is GREAT!

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

61 Bayeau Road, New Rochelle and Robb Pruitt…

61BayeauRd_print_57Robb and his family have greatly enjoyed living in Paine Heights for over 15 years, and so I asked Robb to share a few thoughts with everyone as to why 61 Bayeau Road is a GREAT place in which to live. “Buffalo Bob Smith” (“Howdy Doody”) used to tape his show from his home which was located a few doors away from 61 Bayeau Road. There is still the original mural on his basement wall and studio.

The gracious 4219 square foot Colonial home features 6 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, an indoor resistance pool (The Endless Pool ®)  where you can swim at the speed and distance of your choice. On 0.3996 of an acre, and being offered at $965,000. Welcome home!

New Rochelle is GREAT!

Posted in New Rochelle Area Information | Leave a comment

New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence 2014 Foundation Gala

November 13th, marked the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence Foundation Gala at the Fountainhead , New Rochelle. Unfortunately, I first arrived at 7:15, and only took a few photos and snippets of video, but I wanted to share with you all!

Honorees last night were Andrea Mitchell ’63
NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent,
and Host of “Andrea Mitchell Reports” on MSNBC

Deirdre Polow
25 years of service on the Board of Education,
and Founding and Current NR Fund Board Member

Milijana (“Millie”) Radonjic
Amy’s Greenhouse at Barnard School

Gwen and Alvin Clayton
Alvin & Friends Restaurant

Master of Ceremonies:

Errol Louis ’80
Host of “Inside City Hall” on NY1 News
CNN Contributor, and Columnist, The Daily News

There were so  many people present, a great silent raffle, and auction. A great time for all who joined the festivities! A very touching moment was when “Millie” Radonjic introduced a young student who had been battling (and overcome) cancer, and who had written and recited a wonderful poem. There was also a very proud moment for  Greg and Lianne Merchant when their son, Marcel, was awarded the Eric Tutera Athlete’s award.

A GREAT night!

See you next year!

New Rochelle is GREAT!

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

Thank you to all of our Veterans – We would not be here without you.

carpet-of-poppies-10017935Thank you to all of our veterans. When I was growing up, we would all purchase real poppies from our aged veterans. It gave us the opportunity to thank them firsthand, and to appreciate why they were there and what the poppy symbolized. I thought it wonderful that England chose to recognize the 888,246 British military who who died in World War 1  with ‘planted ‘ ceramic poppies at the Tower of London.  The poppies were all for sale, and they were all purchased.

The title of the work was inspired by a line from the will of a Derbyshire serviceman who died in Flanders.

He described “the blood-swept lands and seas of red, where angels fear to tread”.

World War 1 should not have been, and World War 11 was a continuation of that first war. So much brilliance dimmed by death.

Our military are always there for us and their sacrifices are so huge.   What else can be said, but a sincere thank you.

Westchester is GREAT!

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

Historic New Rochelle – Carrie (Lane) Chapman Catt

photo by Gay RosenBeing a Brit, I love history. Living in New Rochelle, I am surrounded by it! Carrie (Lane) Chapman Catt once resided on my street, and there is marker on the property. Who was Ms. Chapman Catt?

Carrie Chapman Catt 1859-1947  worked industriously as a school teacher to offset her college costs (which her father did not assist with), graduated from college and became a High School Principal one year later. She  joined the Women’s Suffrage Movement, and took it over the  in 1900. Ms. Chapman Catt and came up with what was known as the “Winning Plan” that helped pass the 19th Amendment in 1920.  “Catt told NAWSA (National Association of League of Women’s Voters) members that they had to focus on solely on the issue of suffrage and the passage of a federal amendment. So sure that women would get the right to vote, she helped establish the League of Women Voters to encourage women to use their hard-won right in 1920 before the amendment was passed.”

In 1923, she published Woman Suffrage and Politics: The Inner Story of the Suffrage Movement. Ms. Chapman Catt died in New Rochelle in 1947 of heart failure.

New Rochelle is GREAT!

Posted in New Rochelle Area Information | Leave a comment

It’s Snowing in New Rochelle and it is in the 60’s!

IMG_20141104_124603618[1]I had to stop and take this photo yesterday whilst driving in my neighborhood. As I always mention, New Rochelle has long been a favorite for movie companies and those advertising companies wishing to film print ads and commercials. New Rochelle is just a 30 minutes or so Express train ride from Grand Central Station, and is an easy commute for all, not forgetting those wonderful home prices, with  great schools and wonderful community involvement.

61  Bayeau Road

61 Bayeau Road

One such home is 61 Bayeau Road (http://www.61bayeauroad.com ) , located around the corner from where this particular commercial was being filmed. Being offered at $965,000 with 6 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 4210 square feet and with an in door resistance pool (The Endless Pool ®) also! New Rochelle is GREAT!

Posted in New Rochelle Area Information | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Mortgages Pay Offs by Bari J. Schulman, Esq.

 

BJS photoIn being a member of RE Vamp (a great networking group of Realtors, and Professionals, who meet on a monthly basis discussing relevant real estate topics over dinner), I meet some pretty intelligent and wonderful people. Some are inspectors, mold remediation experts, investment professionals, credit building experts, insurance people and attorneys! It is a wonderful opportunity to get know people in a more relaxed and in depth way, and I would love to highlight one such attorney ( Bari J. Schulman) . I recently met Bari, and asked that she share some relevant information with us all :

Mortgages pay offs

Conventional mortgages as opposed to privately held loans collect their money retrospectively as opposed to prospectively, as one pays rent. When people are selling their homes and paying off a mortgage sometimes they are confused about the payoff figure presented by the bank.  Here is an example.  Your closing takes place on the 24th of the month, let’s say Friday, October 24th. 2014.  You are current on your loan having paid the October mortgage payment.  The November payment is not yet due.  You know that your principal balance is $300,000.  But when you get your payoff figure there is a charge of 28 days per diem interest, which in this example let’s say adds $2,100 ($75 a day) to your payoff amount.  This can be an unpleasant surprise.  This happens because when you made your October payment you paid the principal and interest through September 30th.  When the payoff letter is requested, a date of when the bank will receive its money must be provided to the bank.  In this example the closing is taking place on a Friday, so even if sent by overnight mail, the bank will not get their money until Monday, 3 days later.  Also in this example the payoff figure added an extra day, “just in case”.  When the bank receives the payoff check any extra money will be returned to the mortgagor (the one who pays the mortgage) within 30 days.  If the bank was collecting money to pay real estate taxes, any money left in that account will also be returned at this time, unless it was credited to the mortgagor in the pay off quote.   Many banks will charge a fee for the payoff quote if it is requested to be faxed instead of sent by first class mail.  This can be another $25 – $50.  In Westchester county, as well as nearby counties in lower NY state, it is the title closer who takes care of this for the seller.  The title closer will charge a “pick up” fee for this service often $150 – 250 per loan.  Some sellers ask if they can send the payment to the bank themselves to save on this fee.  Unfortunately the answer is no.  The title company is insuring to the purchaser that the mortgage has been paid off, and they want to be sure they know this actually occurred.  Consequently they are unable to take the word of someone who is not working on their behalf that they will take care of this for the title company.

Westchester is GREAT!

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

The Magic Woods Golf Club & The Fund for Disadvantaged Kids

Robert D. Klineman is the Chairman of the Magic Woods Golf Club which happens not to be a golf club. Excuse me! It is a golf club without real estate – ( it) creates, develops, and supports community-based programs to inspire and improve the well-being of disadvantaged youth in the United States. Private golf & country club members are asked to graciously invite and support Read more. such kids (via schools & community groups) by providing unique invitations, experiences, inclusion, and personal/institutional capital. The reach of MWGC’s programs and innovative opportunities can extend worldwide to millions of young people, increasing in frequency over time, for the fundamental benefit of low-income, disadvantaged, and disabled kids.

Mr. Klineman is seeking contributions to this worthwhile organization $100-$5000 and for more information ( including College Student Internships – please see below ) merely visit the web site and/or contact Mr. Klineman’s office.

College Student Internships

Magic Woods GC & The Fund For Disadvantaged Kids (TFDK)

“An Improved Social & Educational Infrastructure”

College students compete in conference, club sports, and intramurals.  All college students may apply to be career-related & community service interns.  Particular interest is expected from student-athletes.  Our efforts underscore community inclusion consistent with the goals of program partners and the well-being of all kids.

Magic Woods GC (a golf club without real estate) develops & supports an “improved social & educational infrastructure”.  Programs engineer enrichment and improvement in the lives of low-income, disadvantaged, & disabled kids in the USA.  Community inclusion via private golf & country club host invitations for low-income K-12 kids via schools & NGO’s.  Unique and innovative experiences supplemented by private club members’ personal & institutional capital.  TFDK assists other non-profits in developing & providing community services “for the good of the kids”.  Think-Tank idea generation and proprietary research (macro-economic, education policy, structural change) for the benefit of kids and the community.  Current issues include:  proper resolution of college student debt (27 million(e) college student borrowers); philanthropic incentives for college tuition cost reimbursement;  role of national community service organizations in tuition defrayal & job creation;  reduction in the mandatory testing of grades 3-8 (22 million(e) K-12 kids ages 7-15).

The architecture & construct of Magic Woods & TFDK’s college student internships is applicable (with mission-specific intern responsibilities) to any non-profit organization in the USA.

Internship Description: Customized internships for course-bearing credit are subject to University approval.  Faculty advisors can assist college students with approvals for academic credit.  Logistics coordination for school & NGO (community) group invitations.  Examples of programs to be coordinated with schools & NGO’s include:  private golf club invitations for kids; on-site golf course superintendent instructional tours for K-12 kids; college ‘youth days’ & athletic event attendance; tutoring (K-12 students by interns); mentoring (by private club members for college student interns);  college financing guidance; K-12 fitness instruction; nutrition & cooking classes; community healthcare; food distribution expansion;  housing crisis counseling;  family crisis counseling; film, theater, music and visual arts events; and other collaborative activities with schools, NGO’s, and host venues.  Golf is the bridge from affluent private club members to disadvantaged kids – leading to stronger community bonds, enhanced student optimism, and broadened community inclusion.

Location: Interns may coordinate logistics and activities from a private, mobile preferred location.  Events are at designated host venues and facilities on and off-campus, including private golf & country clubs.

Internship Summary Duties:

  • Coordinate programs from colleges to public schools & NGO’s within a student-athlete’s region
  • Participate in TFDK support for non-profits and Think-Tank idea generation
  • Establish Magic Woods regional chapters in multiple state & local golf associations
  • Compile info & contact private golf & country clubs and other host venues & facilities
  • Compile info & contact club presidents, officers, committee chairs, members, GM’s, PGA Pros, Supr’s
  • Contact public schools & NGO’s (community groups) to discern participation and activity interest
  • Coordinate programs with school administrators, teachers, and NGO’s
  • Serve as goodwill ambassadors for Magic Woods GC to the community as a whole

www.magicwoods.org/about         www.tfdk.org

© Magic Woods GC * The Fund For Disadvantaged Kids (Divisions of ICSG-USA)

“For The Good Of The Kids” ©      1214 W. Boston Post Rd   Mamaroneck, NY 10543

Internship Scheduling Commitment(e):  a) for course-credit-bearing internships … according and subject to the specifics of faculty-approved and administration academic requirements; b) for non-course-credit-bearing internships, then weekdays & weekends @ 5-10 hours/month or more, according to individual levels of interest and availability.   Fall, Winter, Spring, & Summer internship opportunities.

Additional Internship Benefits & Amenities:  TBD   2014-2018:  Career-related & community service internship opportunities to be presented for posting at many ECAC & NCAA Division I, II, & III colleges & universities.  ECAC:  > 300 member colleges, 5,800 men’s/women’s teams, 120,000 male/female participants, across 16 states from Maine to North Carolina.  NCAA: > 1,000 colleges, 17,000 teams, 420,000 student-athletes in NCAA Divisions I, II, and II and III, e.g.:

  • Yale
  • Princeton
  • Brown
  • Iona College
  • Fordham University
  • CUNY
  • Fairfield University
  • Manhattan College
  • Lafayette College
  • Amherst College
  • Williams College
  • Penn State
  • Springfield College
  • Lehigh College
  • SUNY – Cortland
  • Bates
  • Bowdoin
  • Wesleyan
  • University of Miami
  • Carnegie Mellon
  • Syracuse
  • Brandeis
  • Providence College
  • Sacred Heart
  • Columbia
  • Cornell
  • NYU
  • of Pennsylvania
  • Connecticut
  • MIT
  • Quinnipiac
  • of Rochester
  • of Connecticut
  • Bucknell College
  • Colby College
  • Manhattanville
  • Middlebury College
  • Boston College
  • of Maine
  • Tufts University
  • Trinity College
  • Michigan
  • of Cincinnati
  • Notre Dame
  • SUNY – New Paltz
  • SUNY – Westchester
  • John’s
  • American University
  • George Washington
  • SUNY Old Westbury
  • Harvard
  • Dartmouth
  • Duke
  • Hamilton College
  • Boston University
  • SUNY – Purchase
  • Vassar College
  • SUNY – Albany
  • of Bridgeport
  • Ithaca College
  • of Hartford
  • Marist College
  • SUNY – Stony Brook
  • Franklin & Marshall
  • SUNY – Delhi
  • Washington & Lee
  • of Massachusetts
  • Temple
  • Merchant Marine
  • Northeastern
  • of Maryland
  • Lawrence
  • Rollins College
  • Georgetown
  • Pace University

Years 2-3  —  Expand to 25-100    and other NCAA Colleges & Universities

Years 4-5  —  Expand to 100-200       and other NCAA Colleges & Universities

www.magicwoods.org/about   www.tfdk.org

© Magic Woods GC * The Fund For Disadvantaged Kids (Divisions of ICSG-USA)

 “For The Good Of The Kids” ©      1214 W Boston Post Rd   Mamaroneck, NY 10543

Contact: Andrew Carnegie — Assistant to the Chairman rdk@aya.yale.edu

Magic Woods GC    The Fund for Disadvantaged Kids    “For The Good of The Kids”©  
Division of ICSG-USA – a 501(c)3 Non Profit Organization
1214 W Boston Post Rd   Mamaroneck, NY 10543   212 426-8000 tel & txt
Robert D. Klineman, Chairman
Westchester is GREAT!      (Information posted courtesy of the Magic Woods Golf Club)
Posted in Dutchess County, Harrison, Hartsdale, Larchmont Area, Mamaroneck 10543 Area Information, New Rochelle Area Information, Rye | Tagged , , | Leave a comment