More Tips for Westchester County Real EstateWhat it takes! My tips are as basic as you can get. This is part of what makes them very doable for everyone!!! One of the easiest ways to get a home sold is to send copies of new listings to the top agents in your area. Sell them on the price and they will sell your home. An e-mail flier will get the job.  This one is a bit of a recap. Put your name, picture and all your contact information on everything. The exception to this is your closing gift. Then the followup items will get you the referrals. Listings with many photos will ensure that Internet buyers will not pass you over. The more pictures the better the chances you will get a buyer from the Internet. Sellers who feel you have done a good job marketing their homes will refer you more... 11/26/2013

If you are selling your Vacant LandBEWARE OF END USERS (people who think they can build their own home with no experience) that make offers on your property but have no idea what they are getting into. They tend to make offers more than it is worth, then you think that is the value, then someone with experience make an offer and you think it is not enough. Your agent should do some research on the buyer to find out if they seem capable of following through with the deal. 11/26/2013

Westchester County Real Estate--Last 6 months in Yorktown Heights, 10598 As a follow up to Westchester County Real Estate--The homes that are priced well are still SELLING!!!! In the last 6 months in Yorktown Heights there were 177 Single Family Homes sold. As of today we have 36 in Conditional Contract and 13 Pending. 49in total. These homes were priced to sell and owners were reasonable in their negotiations to the point they were able to make a deal. On the other hand the most expensive home sold in Yorktown Heights sold for $1,582,500.00 in 234 days. The longest on the market was a home that sold for $269,000.00 and was on the market for for 851 days. As you can see homes that come on the market in Yorktown Heights and are priced right will sell.   11/25/2013

Selling your VACANT LAND?Does your land have approvals? Trying to sell land with no approvals can be a real crap shoot. Buyers will sometimes make a deal and when their attorney finds out he says's no deal. If you want to get the best price for your land you need to have some sort of official approval from the county that says you can build a home with a certain number of bed rooms. Land with approvals will sometimes selsl for 10-30% more than one without approvals. Also sometimes buyers are so skeptical you will not even get an offer. So if you can afford to get the approvals you should no matter how long it will takes because if a buyer makes an offer subject to approvals you will then have to wait for the to get approvals and if they drag their feet it could take even longer. 11/24/2013

Many years ago when my wife and I discovered our dream home in the country, we were delighted that we could figure out a way to turn a one-and one half story saltbox wing with all original 18th century details into a separate apartment. It was and still is the most charming rental unit, we’re convinced, in all of Westchester.  However, it came with one caveat. Whenever it was available for rent and we received inquiries from prospective tenants, the first thing my wife would ask was, “Do you mind telling me how tall you are?” There was always a questioning pause on the other end of the line, but if the answer was 6’2” or over, her response was, “Sorry, I don’t think this apartment would be for you.” The reason was simple to explain. The structure was built in 1734 when people were short... 11/22/2013

We really need Land Listings!!! 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 of County 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 11/22/2013

The average days on the market for the VACANT LAND in Upper Westchester and Putnam County has gotten out of hand. Property that is in on the market right now has been on the market for an average of 393 Days. This is over a year and counting.And a couple of pieces that were in contract have come back on the market. We are getting a lot of phone calls. But prices seem to still be to high.I am predicting a slow start for 2014!! 11/19/2013

LOOKING FOR A LUXURY HOME IN YORKTOWN HEIGHTS? If you are looking for a luxury home in Yorktown Heights there are only 4 to pick from. They range in price from $1,600,000.00 - $1,750,000.00 Ranging from 4000-7863 Square Feet. They are all 4 Bedroom. The lots range from 2.12 acres to 7.92 acres. We can have you in one of these homes in 60-90 days. Call (845-590-5488) to make and appointment or receive an email with the listings and available pictures. 11/17/2013

Looking for a home in Yorktown Heights? There are only 18 3 BR homes available today. They range in price $259,900.00 to $350,000.00 Only 18 3 BRS, we can get you into one in 45-60 days!!! Call me today (845-590-5488) for a consultation in my office in front of my computer. Find your home in less time than you thought possible!! We will see every home in your price range on the computer and only view the homes you really think will work for you. There will be no stone left unturned!!! Call today 845-590-5488     11/16/2013

  More tips! These work anywhere!!!   Westchester County real estate-What it takes!   Easy marketing ideas to get you started.   When ever you are out and about, let people know you have a Real Estate Practice. Everyone is interested in Real Estate. More listings are gotten this way then you would think!   Always have your business cards on hand. I always give out two-three to everyone. It is one of the cheapest forms of advertising.   If you are with a national brand you should use the brands identity and tie it to your own marketing.   11/16/2013

  Do you still do paper ads?   Had a cma today and when I went through my marketing plan the clients asked why I did not list any paper ads.   They said that I had the most aggressive internet advertising plan, but "where are the paper ads that the other agents would do".   I showed them the latest statistics on where buyers are coming from.   They said "what about advertisements for open houses" I told them that when I do and open house it gets posted on over one hundred websites and we send out post cards to the neighborhood. And then I added we have been getting on average 8-12 people at our open houses and this year we have sold a few homes directly from the open house.   Needless to say I got the listing and at my commission and the price I recommended.   11/16/2013

More not so basic tips  It is very important that when you send anything to a past or current client that you address it to them personally (not occupant) If you can find the time to hand write something it will make all the difference. Items like notepads with your picture and information on them keeps you in their mind. When you sell a home give your buyers some postcards with the picture of their new home on it to send to friends. Remember always include you contact information on them. 11/15/2013

Listing your VACANT LAND for SALE can be very trying. Most agents in the business have never listed or even sold a piece of VACANT LAND. You are going to want and AGENT with EXPERIENCE in BOTH LISTING and SELLING LAND. The first way to do this is to ask them for a list of PAST and PRESENT LISTINGS. If they can not produce these than they are not the right agent for you. The second thing you want is a list of actual sales. This is sometimes more important than a lot of listings because it shows they can get the job done. The third thing is their knowledge of what it takes to get approvals in your area to build on the property. Also the knowledge of who can help you get these approvals and the relationship one process has to the other.   11/15/2013

  I am happy to introduce and recommend my client, Marshall Alarm Systems and the business owners Marshall and Michele Marinace.  Marshall Alarm Systems is a trusted business in Westchester County, NY.  This family owned business was started by Marshall Marinace in 1976.  Marshall started the business in his basement with the help of his wife and business partner, Michele.  Through hard work and exceeding their customers’ expectations Marshall Alarms has grown to become a prominent regional provider of all security related services. Marshall is extremely proud of his business and its growth.  He has made a commitment to continue to be a major regional player in the business and fine residential security market.  His trusted clients include homeowners, businesses, municipal governments, ... 11/14/2013

Looking to sell your VACANT LAND? I have a lot of EXPERIENCE!!! I have been doing REAL ESTATE FOR ALMOST SEVENTEEN YEARS now. I  have been involved in 79 different land deals in that time. I sell a lot of my listings my self (42%), but am always will to work with other brokers. I have completed 113Sides/Transactions. I have a background in construction and have build several homes. I know the ins and outs of getting approvals on vacant lots which gives me and advantage over most agent in the area. If you are thinking of listing your land in Westchester, Putnam the Bronx or Dutchess County please give me a call. 11/14/2013

  Self marketing the way to go   E-mails, we all like to use them. They are fast and convenient, but they require constant monitoring. Put your e-mail address on everything you do and give people and check your mailbox 2-3 times a day.   You should market yourself as the expert in your area. This requires constant direct mail contact with t he information take keeps your potential clients up to date on what is going on in their neighborhood.   All your marketing should have a point you want to get across. Kept this in mind when selecting something to mail or E-mail.   11/13/2013

At least once or twice a year, I like to take a “snapshot” of the moment in the housing market as a sort of historical record, and the very promising developments in the past six months prompt me to do so now. But first the bad news. While many signs in the market are pointing to happier days, the biggest challenge my associate realtors and I face today is the lack of housing inventory to satisfy the number of buyers who are out there right now, ready with cash in hand to buy. But, where is the selection of houses they might have found as recently as last year? Actually, they’re still coming on the market, but because the number of buyers has increased significantly in the past year, new listings are being absorbed more quickly and cannot keep pace with maintaining a healthier inventory... 11/13/2013

Listing VACANT LAND for SALE can be very trying without proper agent. Most agents in the business have never listed or even sold a piece of VACANT LAND. You are going to want and AGENT with EXPERIENCE in BOTH LISTING and SELLING LAND. The first way to do this is to ask them for a list of PAST and PRESENT LISTINGS. If they can not produce these than they are not the right agent for you. The second thing you want is a list of actual sales. This is sometimes more important than a lot of listings because it shows they can get the job done. The third thing is their knowledge of what it takes to get approvals in your area to build on the property. Also the knowledge of who can help you get these approvals and the relationship one process has to the other. 11/11/2013

Westchester County Real Estate--The homes that are priced well are still SELLING!!!! Especially in Yorktown. There have been some homes that have came on the market in the last 6 Months that had accepted offers in the first 6 weeks of being on the market. Does this sound familar to those of you that were in Real Estate back in 2006-2007? Why do some homes sell faster than others? It's a very easy question to answer. The homeowners priced there homes according to the present market and made sure the condition matched the price. These two combinations make for a quick and good sale when the competition is not priced accordingly. As more and more people realize this, the market will improve and the economy will follow. We also need to do away with agents overpricing a home just to get the ... 11/11/2013

Your profile has been viewed 11000 times. Joined ACTIVE RAIN on 12/13/2007. At that time I knew nothing about blogging, not that I do now, but I hope I am better at it than before. I never knew the power of a blog. If you told me I would have someone view my profile on average better than 5 times a day I would have said you were daffy. But as of 5 minutes ago I had my 11,000th viewing of my profile. I get calls every once in a while referencing my web presence and ACTIVE RAIN has been a big part of that. Now it is easy to post my blog on and the crazy sites out there with just a tough on the screen and there it goes out ot the world. You know I will continue to blog as often as possible, and Thank You ACTIVE RAIN!!!! 11/09/2013