Buying

Buying, Market Statistics

Cold Spring & Philipstown Market Report 1st Quarter 2012

The first quarter of 2012 for the Cold Spring and Philipstown area indicated a very slow quarter compared to the same period last year, according to the sales data from the Empire Access MLS. In the first quarter of 2012, there were 3 sales in Philipstown and Cold Spring at a median sale price of […]
Buying

Êtes-vous prêts? Partez!

25 years ago I was a proud member of the Villanova University rowing program. You might know it as Crew, and we reviled the redundancy of those who would say “Crew Team.” I was a coxswain all 4 years, and my job was not to row, but to be the one crew member who sat in the […]
Buying, Commentary, Selling

What is a Silent Second Mortgage?

In all real estate transactions involving a mortgage-which is most of them-all details of the transaction are recorded on a government form known as a HUD-1. A purchase can have more than one mortgage- the bank can loan a second (subordinate) mortgage, or in some cases, the seller can hold a second mortgage as well. In Westchester […]
Buying

Dear Moms and Dads of Homebuyers

This is an open letter to the parents of the world who have grown children looking to buy a home. I have 4 children myself. While they are not grown, I get the parent thing. I laugh when people mention “18 years” as the length of time for active duty parenting, because if I live […]

Buying Cold Spring & Philipstown Market Report 1st Quarter 2012 The first quarter of 2012 for the Cold Spring and Philipstown area indicated a very slow quarter compared to the same period last year, according to the sales data from the Empire Access MLS. In the first quarter of 2012, there were 3 sales in Philipstown and Cold Spring at a median sale price of […]

Buying Êtes-vous prêts? Partez! 25 years ago I was a proud member of the Villanova University rowing program. You might know it as Crew, and we reviled the redundancy of those who would say “Crew Team.” I was a coxswain all 4 years, and my job was not to row, but to be the one crew member who sat in the […]

Buying What is a Silent Second Mortgage? In all real estate transactions involving a mortgage-which is most of them-all details of the transaction are recorded on a government form known as a HUD-1. A purchase can have more than one mortgage- the bank can loan a second (subordinate) mortgage, or in some cases, the seller can hold a second mortgage as well. In Westchester […]

Buying Dear Moms and Dads of Homebuyers This is an open letter to the parents of the world who have grown children looking to buy a home. I have 4 children myself. While they are not grown, I get the parent thing. I laugh when people mention “18 years” as the length of time for active duty parenting, because if I live […]

Buying Real Estate Attorneys: Choose Your Lawyer with Care Upon occasion, an attorney will “kill” a deal. It is part of the business, and I have seen my own client’s attorneys pull the plug on a transaction when things did not look like they were going in the best interests of our client. The attorney’s job, after all, is to handle the contract portion of the […]

Buying Down Payment Assistance in Westchester County In a high cost area like Westchester County, one of the biggest obstacles to home ownership by otherwise qualified buyers is saving for a down payment. With rates so low, it is a shame for some people to be forced to wait to save, only to have rates and affordability negatively affected by the time they have their money saved […]

Buying Home Buying: The Basics of Homeowners Insurance Once you’ve purchased your dream home, it’s time to protect it! Buying a home can be very risky without homeowners Insurance. It is essential for safeguarding your most valuable possession against defects, vandalism and disaster. It will cover the costs of repairs in the event of calamities such as fire, storms, vehicles, aircraft, riots, theft, […]

Buying Why a Home Buyer Needs an Inspection If you ever watch any home buying or remodeling shows on satellite or cable TV, you know what kinds of secrets a home inspection can reveal about a seemingly-safe house! Home inspections are crucial before finalizing any real estate purchase. The purpose of a home inspection is to evaluate the physical condition of the home […]

Buying How to Choose a Home to Buy If you’re ready to start looking for your dream home, and you’ve narrowed your search to a few select neighborhoods, take these following tips to heart: 1. Types of homes. Choose the type of home that is the most appealing yet practical for you. In addition to single family homes, there are multifamily homes, condominiums […]

Buying Staging a Home For Sale During The Holidays While the holidays are a favorite time of year for millions, it’s definitely not their favorite time to buy a home. The housing market plunges between the months of November and January as people put turkey dinners, tinsel and trees on the top of their lists and house hunting on the bottom. However, if you […]