The Home Guru has been away for a couple of weeks. The announced reason was that I was enjoying some well-deserved vacation after five years of never missing a single deadline, but really, I just needed to stop. I just needed to pull the emergency cord on practically everything that goes with holding house and home – and head and heart – together because I had a real emergency. It all started when I got involved with a community issue that was highly charged and polarizing. I took a position and utilized this column, in retrospect not the best venue, to engage readers and to express my views on the matter, using a metaphor unthinkingly that caused quite a ruckus. Some community members on the other side of the issue, some of them friends, became upset with me, some saying so quite point... 03/11/2014

It’s late and I’m sitting in my easy chair, comfy cozy with my comforter pulled up from my toes to my chest, protecting me from a cold winter’s night. My half glasses resting on the bridge of my nose, making me look like old man Silas Marner, I’m squinting into my laptop, happy as a clam in my not-so-humble abode, happy to be working on a project I love doing. Yes, life is good, life is perfect, safe and secure. Suddenly, I hear a warning buzz, then ominous silence. Then, the sound of a skillful landing nearby, unseen. I look around with trepidation. Is it on the lampshade? The end table? The side of my chair? Oh my God, could it be on ME?  I see nothing. Silence. Maybe that nasty little creature with the primitive shield on its back slithered into some crack in the space between the fl... 03/06/2014

“Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see,” was one of my mother’s favorite expressions when teaching me how to find my way in life.  When I became old enough to think for myself, however, I would say to myself, what kind of nonsense is that? But after a fancy, formal education as well as enduring a rather rigorous college of hard knocks, I find myself still relying a lot on those pearls of wisdom doled out at my mother’s knee. From time to time, however, I forget. Recently, I found myself in a situation where I believed everything I heard when I shouldn’t have. And I was ashamed of myself for it. As registered voters where we own homes, we all take part in the process of shaping what our towns are and what they are to become in the future. Through zoning codes and ... 02/15/2014

While usually it is the function of buyers to order a home inspection once they decide to place an offer on a house, would you consider it an outrageous notion if I were to suggest that you as a seller order an inspection even before you list your home? Would you think it even more extraordinary if I suggested that you order a home inspection even if you are not considering selling your home in the near future? I thought about these things recently when Matthew Albano of True View Home Inspections emailed me the design for a brochure he is planning which encourages home sellers to beat buyers to the punch by engaging his services to inspect their homes in advance of listing. Matt’s note to me reminded me of that cautionary and amusing sign I found on the exit door of the men’s room in t... 02/14/2014

Perhaps you’ve never thought much about foam rubber as a stuffing for furnishings, but I for one have never cared for it. Not that there’s anything wrong with it, as Jerry Seinfeld would say, but I’ve always had a kind of inborn aversion to the way it feels and performs. A few months ago when the wingback chair in my man cave (actually a misnomer – my hideaway is really a rather nicely appointed room) literally fell apart, I ordered a replacement from Macy’s from a newspaper ad. I didn’t think about the materials used when I ordered it, but it seemed to have an appealing shape, considering that it was a lounger in disguise. When it arrived, however, I was disappointed to find that its arms, seat and back were upholstered in foam rubber. Well, I thought, it is not as though I bought the ... 02/10/2014

Never one who was big on remembering or quoting verse from the Bible, I do sometimes think of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3, Verses 1-4. You know, the passage about the appropriate times to do this or that, when to mourn or rejoice, and all that? It’s gotten me through the low spots when I’ve thought, oh, okay, I guess this is one of those down times when I should just lie low or, I guess this is when I can kick up my heels. During 2013, we realtors were able to say, this is the time to rejoice and this is the time for homeowners to sell and buyers to buy. At least that’s what the report of the Multiple Listing Service, released last week, confirmed that we should do. The good news was that the real estate business was better in 2013 than it had been since we laid a big fat egg after 2007. We... 02/09/2014

This is Why Should You Hire a Professional Real Estate Agent? A well qualified, competent real estate agent will help you navigate the countless number of decisions that arise when buying and selling a home. An agent provides value to the homeowner in many ways: They pay for all the marketing and advertising costs. We ads experience and expertise in all aspects of the sales process including marketing, financing, negotiations and more. We co-ordinate all of the showings that atke place. That brings a system of known and trusted real estate professionals. If your agent doesn't have the answer then he or she likely knows someone who does. Always has your interests in mind so you always have someone on your side. Can handle and advise you on all price and contract negotiations. Provides yo... 01/20/2014

Want to sell your HOME? Well, you better have it on the market. And I don't mean for sale by owner. Real buyers are out there with their agent looking for homes, not driving around looking for FSBO signs. Those buyers that do look for FSBO's are the ones looking for a bargain. They know that most FSBO's sell below what a Realtor could have gotten. Only between 5%-15% of FSBO's are successful in selling their home. I like to call a FSBO the BEST KEPT SECRET in REAL ESTATE! There are over 7,000 Realtors in our MLS and only a hand full may know you are on the market. List your home with a Realtor today and get it sold at the right price in a time period that works for you. There are not enough homes on the market right now! Beat the Spring Market and get your home on the market while the  ... 01/10/2014

Land Listings Wanted!!! Westchester and Putnam County Residential Vacant Land Are you considering selling your Land? Or even better yet, do you need cash and have land to sell if so, I can help! I am experienced in: Evaluating Vacant Land. I have a vast Knowledge ofCounty and Town Zoning Codes & the Planning Process. Land Marketing is not for everyone!!! This Is My Objective!!To sell your property, within the time frame you need to have it sold, under the most favorable terms and conditions possible. If you are thinking of listing your land in Westchester, Putnam or Dutchess County please give me a call. 845-590-5488   01/05/2014

In history civilizations varied when the year started & ended. Going back, far back in history, a way of marking time varied from area to area. Even when the year began was different. some civilizations celebrated the New Year just before new crops were planted, usually what we call March today. Some areas say the New Year would cleanse the bad things and bring in good new things. I truely hope they were right and this year will bring in a great new economy and a healthy atmosphere around the would. Good Luck to Everyone in Your adventure into this great New Year we are entering!!!   In history civilizations varied when the year started & ended. 12/31/2013

In the real estate world, 2013 was quite a year to observe and ponder, wasn’t it? Quite unlike any other in recent history. Considering that it was clawing its way back from the doldrums of the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, it had a lot of catch-up to do and, while uneven, it rose to the occasion. Prices rose an average of five percent nationwide and in some tony pockets of Westchester, as much as 20 percent. Instrumental in the price increase was the low inventory compared with the number of buyers in the market competing against each other in bidding wars, unheard of during the recession. And mortgage rates remained at historic lows. Much of that is about to change according to the pundits whose expertise The Home Guru culls from his crystal ball to present a li... 12/30/2013

Will this really be a New Year? Will you change the way you go about your business? Or will you continue to do business the same way you have in the past. The market has changed and if you do not change with it you will be left behind. If you are changing than work with those changes to bring your business into the 2014 year with a bang!! Some of the things I am changing is to advertise more to buyers instead of just advertising listings. I believe that if you are just advertising your listings than you are just looking for that one buyer who wants to buy your house that you advertised. Another words that "needle in a hay stack" But if you just advertise a price range in an area you are advertising to a larger number of buyers. You can also advertise types of products, such as foreclosu... 12/30/2013

You’d never know it to meet me today but I was born with some kind of neurological condition that resulted in my reaching the age of five without speaking a word. That was in the days before autism spectrum disorder had been diagnosed and certainly there was no treatment available for kids like me who were non-social, withdrawn and didn’t verbalize. But from what my mother tells me, I recovered from whatever that condition was completely and miraculously on the final day of a nine-week novena she made at St. Donato’s Roman Catholic Church in West Philadelphia. After hearing this story, I never questioned reports of miracles, because I haven’t shut up since. While I was able to speak, I still had to challenge myself to become more socially interactive in school. I debated, I wrote for th... 12/22/2013

We thought that the 203,000 jobs added in the U.S. in November, But! We thought that the 203,000 jobs added to the U.S. economy in November was a good thing, But it will most likly push interest rates higher on residential mortgage. new higher rates with tighter underwriting and lack of inventory along with some home prices rising some buyers are trying smaller lenders. "Smaller banks and mortgage brokers share of the mortgage market rose to 60 percent in the third quarter, versus 39 percent in 2009", according to Inside Mortgage Finance. Banks not in the top 25 largest lenders rose to 35% of the market from 13% in 2009. What's more, "the big banks are pulling out in a big way—just five of the top 20 single-family mortgage originators in 2006 remain active in the market", according to a... 12/07/2013

Clients tell you we want to take ourhome of market for the holidays! The holidays are here. Your clients are asking if this is a good time to sell their house. Should I take my home off the market until the spring? Even though showing become fewer, the ones you do get are more serious buyers. Well the home might not be ready for showings! It can help if you implement a 2-24hour advance notice this can help with the stress of having to get ready for a showing. Another thought is if your home is on the market during the holidays there might be less compitition. No matter what time of year, a home that’s priced well for the market will surely sell no matter what time of year it is. Turn up the temperature during showings to make your home feel more like a home. Have Holiday treats and fest... 12/06/2013

It had been a long time between visits with blacksmith Bill Fitzgerald. The last time was almost 30 years ago when I asked him to assemble on my property a number of wrought iron elements -- fencing and columns -- that I had collected from various salvage companies and antiques shops. Expertly, he welded the old pieces together with new elements he had fashioned to create a 50 ft. fence and fancy gate, from 4 ft. to 7 ft. high, that serve as an entrance to my garden and pool area. Each and every day since that time, I have enjoyed looking at that unique work of art as an addition to my landscape. This time around, I wanted to observe Fitzgerald in his workshop and to talk about what homeowners prefer today in the use of decorative wrought iron. Visiting him today in his workshop just of... 12/06/2013

Short Sale buyers don't understand "AS IS"!! Don't forget to explain the term "AS IS" to your Short Sale buyers. They need to understand just becausethe seller still lives in the home,they still will not do any repairs. I have seen buyers try to walk away because there are a few cosmetic things wrong that they claim were not wrong before. Most likely there were but you were not as critical when you first saw it. Chance are you were to into getting this great price, and did not notice it. Buyers if they are not fully aware can have a deal blow up in there face! Some advise is to talk about this more than once. Even you they say they understand. The chances are they still don't git it. 11/30/2013

Is Thanksgiving Day to close to Christmas this year? In an article on AOL today they btought to light something that most of us today don't know about. 74 years ago FDR decided to move Thanksgiving to a week earlier. "Political ideology was a determining factor, with 52 percent of Democrats approving of Roosevelt's move and 79 percent of Republicans disapproving. "Politics Tints Views On Thanksgiving Date," said a contemporaneous New York Times headline." But 2 years later Congress changed it back to the lovely day we celebrate it on now. Thank god for the small things in life!!! 11/27/2013

You need to stand out from the crowd!!!! You can not please everybody, but you need to be relevant in your marketing to the clients you want to attract. Your brand is your promise. A successful brand is a promise delivered. You better make sure you can deliver on your promise. Always surround yourself with colleges and friends that are more successful than you. You should always have and optimistic view of what ever you are doing. An attitude of I can will go pretty far in any business atmosphere. 11/27/2013

Got approval on a short sale, and an accepted offer on a foreclosure!! This year this type of business has been 40% of my business. In past years I have done some, but not as big of a chunk of the overall year. Our area is not none for a lot of this product, but it seems like the market here is changing to include more of these homes. If so, I should do very well, as I specialize in foreclosure's and short sales. Is this the same in your part of the country? 11/27/2013