Larchmont, 10538 is very desirable and is considered one of the most expensive towns in which to reside in the United States, and many times you have to act quickly before you lose that buying opportunity! I recently represented buyers searching for a waterfront home (this particular home is located in a secluded cove with weeping willows galore, the occasional swan, and  beautiful views from most of the windows. Built in the 80's, offering 5 bedrooms, and close to the village, trains, and just 30 minutes from New York City.. it sold for $1.9 Millions Dollars in July, 2012.  After we we were in contract, an associate informed me that her buyers were on their way in from California to purchase the house and we had beaten them to it.. so we really lucked out! It also appraised for $1.95 ... 08/27/2012

What is the difference between white oak and red oak hardwood? Oak flooring is the most popular species of hardwood here in Larchmont NY.  Oak is a very practical wood, is readily available (grown and made in the US), very affordable and very easy to stain so you can find the color you prefer.  But many consumers don't realize that there are 2 species of oak - red oak and white oak flooring. If you are installing new hardwood flooring everywhere, either red oak hardwood or white oak hardwood will work, and your choice will probably be dependent on which look/color you prefer as well as the price (the prices of red oak/white oak fluctuate, so in general there is not usually a major price difference, but this can vary slightly at any given time frame or based on the brand/grade/width of h... 08/20/2012

What are the advantages of Oak Hardwood Floors for your home in Larchmont NY? Oak is the most popular species of hardwood flooring here in Larchmont NY. If you see hardwood in a home, chances are it's oak. Why is oak hardwood flooring so popular? 1. Oak flooring is very affordable since it's grown in the US and is  abundant. Oak hardwood tends to be less expensive compared to the other species (such as maple, hickory, brazilian cherry, etc). And, in Larchmont NY, it's very readily available to get unfinished oak hardwood flooring. Often, unfinished oak flooring (that is refinished and stained on-site) is a bit less expensive than prefinished oak, especially as you go wider in the plank size.     2. Oak flooring is the standard of hardness, and oak tends to hide scratches well. On the Ja... 08/19/2012

Ceramic tile reglazing is a wonderful and cost effective solution to change the color of your Larchmont NY bathroom tile. Tile reglazing - BEFORE        Do you have one of those dated bathrooms with the pink (or yellow or blue or green) tile with black lines (or if you are a realtor, do you have a client with one of these bathrooms)?  Did you know that there is a less expensive and less intrusive way to refresh that bathroom?  Rather than replacing the tile (which can get expensive), if your tile is in relatively good condition (i.e. not cracked or falling apart), you do have the option of reglazing your tile.  You can make it white or beige or virtually any color you would like.   The bathtub refinishing process involves scraping, washing and applying solvents to the surface, followed ... 08/18/2012

Everything you ever wanted to know about Carpet runners. In Larchmont NY, carpet runners for the steps have become more and more popular. What are carpet runners? A carpet runner goes on top of your hardwood steps. Unlike wall to wall carpet, carpet runners cover most of the step, but still show the hardwood on either side. They are bound on the sides for a finished look. Why are carpet runners so popular in Larchmont NY? Carpet runners serve 2 purposes: 1) they make the stairs safer - they help prevent slipping and 2) they add a decorative element. By having a some sort of carpet on the steps, it adds traction and friction so you are less likely to fall, especially if you are wearing socks in your home. Also, it makes it easier on your feet, knees and back when you are walking up and d... 08/17/2012

Brazilian Cherry Hardwood Flooring is growing in popularity in Larchmont NY.  Its brilliant red color and exquisite graining gives is breathtaking.   As the name implies, Brazilian Cherry hardwood grows in Brazil. Due to the climate and growing cycles, Brazilian Cherry is much harder than the typical oak you traditionally see here in the US. On the Janka hardness scale, Red Oak is a 1290 while Brazilian Cherry is 2350 - almost twice as hard.   But, the main reason customers love Brazilian Cherry is its beauty. The redness and depth of color is unparalleled, along with the richness of its smooth graining. Even if you stain oak to be red, you can't get same effect - it's impossible. Take a look.   Brazilian Cherry typically comes in wider planks which is more stylish and makes the space l... 08/16/2012

If you're looking for a light colored hardwood floor, consider maple  flooring for your home in Larchmont NY. Maple flooring is a light blond color with low graining. It’s a light, smooth look that can open up any room and give a modern, contemporary and northern European feel.     Maple flooring is harder than oak. On the Janka hardness scale, Maple is a 1450 vs. red oak which is 1290. Maple is lighter than oak flooring and its grain is smoother. While traditionally a light blond color, the shade of maple flooring can differ depending on its age and the area where it was grown. Maple’s appearance also differs based on how the trees are cultivated. Flame maple, quilted maple and bird’s eye maple are 3 different types grain patterns that will give your room 3 different looks.     Maple f... 08/16/2012

I am so proud of my fellow associates! Pam Joyce (Team Yo Adrian) and Sonya Cronin were going to swim this past Saturday in the great yearly "Swim Across America" event raising much needed money for cancer research. The charities benefiting from this year's event are: Swim Across America Laboratory and DeMatteo Research Laboratory at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Cancer Support Team (Westchester County based organization) Morgan Stanley’s Children's Hospital of New York - Presbyterian at Columbia University Medical Center Tommy Palazzo Fellowship at Columbia University However, one slight snag! The water was so choppy that the event had to be cancelled, and some kayakers (who cheer and support  the swimmers ) had to be towed back!  Not so for our very own Katie McLoughlin who ... 07/30/2012

 In Larchmont NY, dark hardwood floors are very stylish. Many of my customers love the dark look...they even ask for Ebony. Dark hardwood is sleek and stylish, and it gives your Larchmont home a sophisticated look. How do you get dark hardwood flooring? Most dark hardwoods are stained to make them darker. There are many species/types of wood that can achieve this look.   1. The most common dark hardwood flooring is oak that is stained with a dark brown stain such as Ebony (the darkest stain) or a slightly lighter with a Jacobean or Dark Walnut stain. Many customers who are seeking a dark stain want "pure" brown with no hints of red. And, these 3 stains seem to achieve that goal well. The above 2 pictures are ebony.   Even if you have red oak flooring, these dark stains will drown out th... 07/28/2012

Larchmont Condos & Cooperatives: Often when buyers are first looking at Westchester coops and condos, they make a beeline to condo/coop hotspots  like White Plains without giving a passing glance at  some of the towns and villages in the surrounding areas.  But often after looking for a while they realize that these towns and villages give them more of what they are looking for in terms of ambiance and convenience. The Stonecrest – 21 North Chatsworth Ave – Larchmont NY:       The Stonecrest, located at 21 North Chatsworth Ave Larchmont  is a luxury cooperative in a doorman building – located roughly two blocks from the train station.  The stately Pre-War Tudor complex boasts  one of the finest locations in the area.   The Roughly two blocks from the train station and a similar distance... 07/23/2012

  Larchmont homes are always in demand, even in a bear market, which this decidedly is not.  This update focusses on Larchmont homes  zoned for the Chatsworth Ave Elementary School.  The area  features the best of what a Westchester bedroom community has to offer.  Homes in this particular school zone cover village homes zoned for Chatsworth Ave. Elementary School as well as homes in Larchmont Manor – also zoned for Chatsworth elementary school.  Village homes are located in a very walkable area.  Although the area has a distinct suburban feel, the area features an  almost an urban convenience.  Metro-North is just a short walk away and its about 35 minutes to Grand Central Station. As a general rule, Larchmont Manor  features bigger more expensive homes on larger lots.  The streets are... 07/18/2012

Finally...I got the new sticker for my lap top...with my new The Flooring Girl logo.  I hope you like it.  I've had it now for close to 2 weeks.   As many of you know, I spend a lot of time in Starbucks in between appointments.  It's a convenient place to get my estimates done while enjoying some nice coffee and relaxation time.   Today, I was at the Starbucks in Larchmont, a town where I tend to have a lot of success.  As I got up to leave, I must have knocked something over and the guy next to me said, "Hey flooring girl...I think you dropped something."  I was of course embarrassed and made some small talk.  He then asked if I just did carpet, or if I did hardwood too...and of course we do all types of flooring...and as it turns out, his girl friend is going to need some sanding and ... 07/06/2012

Everything you ever wanted to know about Carpet runners. In Westchester NY, carpet runners for the steps have become more and more popular. What are carpet runners? A carpet runner goes on top of your hardwood steps. Unlike wall to wall carpet, carpet runners cover most of the step, but still show the hardwood on either side. They are bound on the sides for a finished look. Why are carpet runners so popular in Westchester NY? Carpet runners serve 2 purposes: 1) they make the stairs safer - they help prevent slipping and 2) they add a decorative element. By having a some sort of carpet on the steps, it adds traction and friction so you are less likely to fall, especially if you are wearing socks in your home. Also, it makes it easier on your feet, knees and back when you are walking up a... 07/04/2012

What are the advantages of Oak Hardwood Flooring for your home in Westchester NY? Oak is the most popular species of hardwood flooring here in Westchester NY. If you see hardwood in a home, chances are it's oak. Why is oak hardwood flooring so popular? 1. Oak flooring is very affordable since it's grown in the US and is  abundant. Oak hardwood tends to be less expensive compared to the other species (such as maple, hickory, brazilian cherry, etc). And, in Westchester NY, it's very readily available to get unfinished oak hardwood flooring. Often, unfinished oak flooring (that is refinished and stained on-site) is a bit less expensive than prefinished oak, especially as you go wider in the plank size.     2. Oak flooring is the standard of hardness, and oak tends to hide scratches well. O... 06/24/2012

  Larchmont Condos & Cooperatives: Recently, I had two sales at the Stonecrest in Larchmont NY.   The Stonecrest is an upscale cooperative in the heart of the Larchmont P.O.   Larchmont NY has long been a popular destination for buyers of single family homes, but Larchmont is also a popular location for those looking for condos or cooperatives.  A cluster of these condos and cooperatives are located  in a prime location within one to two blocks of Metro-North. The two block area encompassing North Chatsworth Ave, Jefferson St., Washington Square and Myrtle Blvd.   The area is not technically in the village of Larchmont, but is rather part of the unincorporated portion of the town of Mamaroneck.  The area is zoned for Murray Ave Elementary school.   The Stonecrest, located at 21 North Ch... 06/11/2012

I was very fortunate to be showing a property close to Turtle Park the other week, and was able to take photos of Turtle Park - probably the only time it isn't';t busy! It was 9  am.. and as a rule, it is a grand meeting place for young children and their parents/caregivers/family...  It is so popular that I always include it in my Larchmont tour with new clients, and as you can see the families leave their toys there for everyone to use. But, hey! That is Larchmont! There is a fire engine, climbing apparatus, a slide and a seesaw - all inducive for a fun time, and all so close to Larchmont Village. The correct name of the park is Vanderburgh Park, but since there is a large plastic turtle in the middle of the sandbox, everyone knows it as simply Turtle Park! Larchmont is GREAT! 06/01/2012

We have a great plethora of great mortgage brokers here on Active Rain, but when we meet buyers, and they obviously need a pre-approval to discern how much they can afford to purchase on a property, who do we recommend? and for what reasons?   My company favors Wells Fargo, and we have a special relationship with Wells Fargo through Houlihan Lawrence's Thoroughbred Mortgage Service. The Wells Fargo Mortgage Brokers visit our office each week at our office meeting. They take the time to introduce changing laws, new mortgage products and to basically remind us of their (great) services. It would be very silly of me not to recommend them to a new buyer, and so I do.. but I always recommend 2 other mortgage brokers also, as ultimately it should be the buyer's choice - not my own. I also kno... 05/30/2012

There are many species of hardwood flooring, and I thought it would be helpful to visualize and explain the different types.  I'm going to focus on the 6 most popular species - oak, maple, hickory, bamboo, brazilian cherry and brazilian walnut.   Oak hardwood flooring - Oak is the most common type of hardwood in the US. It's generally less expensive (since it is the most common) and it's usually the type of hardwood that you find in most homes...so if you are looking to match what you already have, chances are, it is oak.  There are actually two species of oak: red oak white oak.  You can read more about red oak vs. white oak it in this post.     Oak flooring is very practical for several reasons. First, it is economical. Second, due to the strong graining of oak, it helps hide the scra... 05/29/2012

One of the first questions I get asked from a potential buyer, is "what is the difference between an assessment and assessed taxes?" So many people get confused, and think that the assessment is either the tax amount, or there is an on-going payment due (yearly assessment)  on the home .. What is an Assessment? When a home is built, a valuation is placed on the property by a public officer or a board to establish a tax rate. That assessment is the charge or a levy which has been established by the town or city and is the basis on which the  taxes are charged. The assessment does not change each year in New Rochelle for example unlike neighboring Pelham unless your property has been renovated to such a degree that the footprint has been changed or noticeable capital improvements have bee... 05/24/2012

When my husband and I were first looking for a home, it was pre-computer/internet days, and we were clueless. We simply asked an attorney who we knew, and when he answered "New Rochelle". That was it! SO simplistic, and sometimes that is the best answer. If you all know where you wish to live, it makes the whole process that much easier. However, nowadays, with all of the internet info, the choices can make the whole process so confusing, so where to start? Obviously, different areas have different priced homes and so there is no point in choosing a particular area if you cannot afford a home there. ALso, do you like boating? hiking? suburbs? more rural areas? Are you seeking a home closer to the city or further away? SO, look to where you can afford, and then seek out information on th... 05/22/2012