Bedford NY Real Estate | Robert Paul Talks Life in Bedford NY

Last year, 66-year-old Lauren Knoblauch sold or donated nearly everything she owned, from her two-bedroom home on a suburban Seattle lake to her furniture and many of her clothes. She moved everything else, two small carloads’ worth, into her new home: a downtown apartment that, at less than 150 sq. ft., is smaller than the average U.S. master bedroom. The move came as Knoblauch, who works in inmate rehabilitation, pondered her impending retirement. “I started thinking about what I was passionate about,” she said. “I wanted to see opera in Europe, to spend money on what was exciting to me.” Her new apartment, which costs $575 a month — less than half the $1,400 average for a Seattle one-bedroom — puts her about 20 minutes from Symphony Hall by foot and a short bus ride from the Opera House. With new financial flexibility, she’s traveled to Germany and Ireland to see opera performances. “I’m loving it,” she says. The burgeoning tiny house and micro-apartment movements, which ge...

Housing starts slumped in February by the most in four years as bad winter weather in parts of the U.S. prevented builders from initiating new projects. Work began on 897,000 houses at an annualized rate, down 17 percent from January and the fewest in a year, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday in Washington. The median estimate of 80 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for 1.04 million. “It was just the weather, basically,” said Richard Moody, chief economist at Regions Financial Corp. in Birmingham, Alabama. Still, “my view of the recovery in single-family housing is that it’s coming more gradually than others think.” An increase in building permits was driven by applications for multifamily units, indicating single-family construction, the biggest part of the market, will keep struggling. While stronger hiring and low borrowing costs have helped the industry advance, sales remain challenged by limited supply of cheaper homes and sluggish wage growth. The median e...

Everyone loves the holidays – the smells, the food, the presents, the time with friends and family. Most people have started making their wish lists, and some have gone so far as to start shopping. Here’s a present for you and your family: the gift of avoiding holiday-related insurance claims. When it comes to the holidays, insurance concerns are usually an afterthought. But many enjoyable aspects of the holidays can also pose dangers. Consider the following elements of the holidays — and their potential for trouble. Hunger pains Who doesn’t love holiday food? Turkey with all the trimmings, Christmas ham and New Year’s Day black-eyed peas and greens are a big part of the season’s fun. So what’s the problem? Cooking is the leading cause of residential fires in the U.S., according to the National Fire Protection Association. And the average home fire claim costs $34,306, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). What’s the worst that could hap...

In the home price race, Chicago is pulling up the rear, but it's one step ahead of New York. An index of Chicago-area single-family home values rose 3.9 percent per year from June 2011 through June of this year, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices. That was the ninth-smallest increase among the 10 U.S. metro areas in Case-Shiller's 10-city composite index. San Francisco had the biggest three-year annualized gain, 13.1 percent, followed by Las Vegas, 12.2 percent, and Miami, 10.2 percent. While modest growth may irritate homeowners in the Chicago area, where the Case-Shiller index is still 23 percent below its September 2006 peak, it isn't such a bad thing if you're not a seller. “If you want to sell your house and move to the Sun Belt, you're probably frustrated,” said David Blitzer, managing director and chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices. On the other hand, “you're not pricing people out of housing as fa...

Millennials are being dissected more intensely than a frog in a high school biology class. The reasons behind why they move, where they move to and what is stopping them from moving is analyzed, picked through and then reported on to the industry to help cater to what they want. But as one of two millennials in our editorial department — the other being Ben Lane — it's clear that our lives are drastically different. As Ben's recent blog on the topic stated: It’s the group that everyone can’t seem to stop talking about. Millennials this. Millennials that. Millennials have taken over. And the worst offender of all seems to be CNBC. First and foremost, all millennials are not alike, no matter how many times CNBC tells me they are. Look, I understand why millennials are important and why they get talked about. Heck, I’m a millennial myself, although just barely…on the upper end of the scale, I should say. And we are not the only two in the industry who don’t fit into the...

Welcome to the million-dollar mansion that might just be one of America's most unsellable homes. In the Marengo, Illinois, mansion, there's an eagle painted on the ceiling. There's a dragon painted on the bedroom wall, and in the living room, a life-sized ostrich statue. Real estate agent Elka Roberts said she'd been trying to sell the property outside of Chicago for more than two years - and is still looking for that elusive buyer. Unlike the houses in the neighborhood, the mansion has a custom drawbridge, its own tower and a massive pool. But without any takers, the asking price has dropped by more than $200,000 to $ $1,099,000, Roberts said. According to the National Association of Realtors, 2.3 million existing homes are currently on the market, the highest number in almost two years. So, if you're looking to sell your home, Barbara Corcoran, a New York real estate guru who appears on ABC's "Shark Tank," says to keep some cardinal rul...

Homebuyers held off purchasing homes in June due to rising home prices, Credit Suisse reported in their monthly traffic survey of real estate agents. "Comments from agents in June suggest that buyers are growing increasingly discouraged by economic and employment conditions, and as a result, have made the decision to hold-off on purchases—particularly at current prices," the company reported. Out of the 40 markets surveyed, 32 saw lower than expected traffic, five were in line with expectations and three saw better than expected traffic. Those numbers were all a decline from May, when only 28 were below expectations and five saw better than expected traffic. The only three markets that saw better than expected traffic last month were Columbus, Ohio, Ft. Myers, Florida, and Dallas. Some of the weakest markets were San Diego, New York/Northern New Jersey and Phoenix, which all saw Buyer Traffic Index levels below 30 (50 is neutral, where the traffic met expectations)...

New Rochelle's Down to Earth Farmers Market is back And today is Opening Day, 8:30 am-2:30 pm! North Avenue, at Huguenot Park, in front of New Rochelle High School To celebrate the season, join us for great music by the band, John Whoever and Who Are They, Etc. from 11:30 am-1:30 pm . Vendors for 2014 Season: Alex's Tomato Farm: Father and son lead up this family-owned farm. They'll have strawberries, summer squash, kohlrabi, beets, hot house tomatoes, starter plants for the garden, and much more. Brookside Farm - Pasture-raised meat, poultry, and eggs. Dagele Brothers Produce : Seasonal vegetables from the renowned "Black Dirt" region of Orange County, NY. **NEW VENDOR ** - e-Desserts : Scones, cakes, and bars featuring what's in season from local farms. e-Desserts is named after the owner's two children who inspired her to ...

Coined by a group of landscaping and water industry pros in 1981, xeriscaping was developed to promote water conservation following the drought of 1977. For many years, xeriscaping was confined to desert and high desert environments. However, the trend migrated further north as more and more individuals stared looking for low-maintenance, water-saving landscaping solutions. It’s easy to look at a well-xeriscaped yard and be deceived by its simplicity. However, don’t get tricked into thinking you can jump into the project without careful planning. The trick to xeriscaping is to design a plan that conserves water but looks good doing it. To accomplish this, you’ll need to do a few things. First, you’ll need to properly prepare the soil to ensure it’s not too sandy or composed of heavy clay. Next, you’ll need to choose plants that work for your soil conditions, yard layout, and environmental factors. From here you’ll need to make sure everything is properly irrigated (yes, even drought...

Freddie Mac ( OTCQB : FMCC ) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS ® ), showing average fixed mortgage rates largely flat compared to the previous week amid light economic reports. News Facts 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.14 percent with an average 0.5 point for the week ending June 5, 2014 , up from last week when it averaged 4.12 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.91 percent. 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.23 percent with an average 0.5 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.21 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 3.03 percent. 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 2.93 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.96 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.74 percent. 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.40 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, down from last week when it averaged...

Despite a decrease in overall foreclosure activity, bank repossessions in April increased 4 percent from the previous month, although they were still down 14 percent from a year ago. There were a total of 30,056 bank repossessions nationwide in April. Bank repossessions increased from the previous month in 26 states and were up from a year ago in 16 states, including New York (142 percent increase), Oregon (91 percent increase), New Jersey (58 percent increase), Illinois (55 percent increase), Indiana (52 percent increase), Maryland (45 percent increase), Connecticut (44 percent increase), California (27 percent increase), and Nevada (15 percent increase). “The rise in bank repossessions in many states is a sign that those markets are working through the final remnants of foreclosures left over from the recent housing crisis,” said Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac. “Many of these bank-owned homes are bottom-of-the-barrel properties in terms of location or condition, ...

409 Bridge Lane, Sagaponack 24 images <div class="gallery loaded"><a href="http://hamptons.curbed.com/archives/2014/05/09/breezy_elegance_in_sagaponack_for_765m.php"><img src="http://cdn.cstatic.net/images/gridfs/536cd144f92ea12cc0025521/34864.jpg" width="500" height="334"></a><br /><a href="http://hamptons.curbed.com/archives/2014/05/09/breezy_elegance_in_sagaponack_for_765m.php" style="font-size: 9px; text-align: center;">Click here to view the full photogallery.</a></div> We're crazy in love with the subtle charm of this property. The exterior is all classic summer house , with awnings, a dining pergola, apple trees, hedges, a heated saltwater pool and even a vintage shed. Inside, it's all understated elegance, from the beamed ceilings, to the planked doors, to the vintage bathroom fixtures. The kitchen is perfection , with pro appliances, more vinta...

With the weather warming and flowers blooming, May is a wonderful time to prepare your home for a season of indoor-outdoor living. Spruce up your outdoor kitchen, boost curb appeal, do a fire safety check and more — here are 10 home tasks to consider doing this month. Matthew Bolt Graphic Design Save to Ideabook Email Photo 1. Touch up interior paint. This is one of those tasks that sounds far more daunting than it really is. A plastic cup filled with paint and a small brush are all you need to make minor touch-ups to most rooms. A few minutes covering up scuff marks and stains can make a world of difference! If you have small holes (from moving artwork, for example), fill them with putty and allow it to dry for at least a day before painting. Mina Brinkey Save to Ideabook Email Photo 2. Restain the deck and repaint the porch. Freshen up your porch and deck this month by applying a new coat of paint or stain. A once-a-year refresh will help extend the...

Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages rose this week with the spring home-buying season beginning. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate for the 30-year loan rose to 4.33 percent from 4.27 percent last week. The average for the 15-year mortgage increased to 3.39 percent from 3.33 percent.   Mortgage rates have risen almost a full percentage point since hitting record lows about a year ago. Warmer weather has yet to boost home-buying as it normally does. Rising prices and higher rates have made affordability a problem for would-be buyers. Sales of new homes fell 14.5 percent in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 384,000, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. Purchases of existing homes also declined last month, the National Association of Realtors said Tuesday. read more.... http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/04/24/average-us-rate-on-30-year-mortgage-rises-to-433-pct-15-year-loan-increases-to/

Here's why the rest of 2014 will be rough for housing | 2014-04-14 | HousingWire

The number of buyers who signed contracts to acquire homes in Southwest Florida flattened out in February from the previous month, a signal that real estate sales may slow in the months ahead. Real estate agents reported 1,532 new pending sales in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties during February. That was up a scant 0.3 percent from January, but perhaps more significantly, down nearly 3 percent from a year earlier.   That tracked the national trend, however. The number of Americans who signed to buy new homes fell in February for the eighth straight month.   Pending sales are considered a reliable measuring stick for future home purchases. There is typically a one- to two-month lag between a signed contract and a closed sale.   Experts say higher mortgage rates, rising prices and a limited stock of homes have slowed sales in recent months. A brutal winter also has been blamed for slower sales in the Northeast, which could impact sa...

Pending Home Sales at 30-Month Low | South Salem Homes | Bedford New York Real Estate | Bedford NY Homes by Robert Paul Realtor

Mortgage foreclosures are at a six-year low, according to data from Back Night (formerly Lending Processing Services), and that is helping boost the vast majority of local housing markets to their best showing since 2010. Separate data from Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac says 96% of 410 U.S. counties are "better off than they were four years ago," when foreclosures were at historic highs. (The 410 counties in the survey represent about 63% of the U.S. population.) There is still a downside, and a fairly substantial one: RealtyTrac reports that just 8% of county markets are "better off" than in 2006, just before the housing sector went bust in a big way.   Apparently, the housing market is in the second year of an upward trend after six years of downside price activity. RealtyTrac says the real estate market hit bottom in 2012 in terms of median residential home prices, and 80% of homeowners are better off than they were in 2012, the firm says.   To cal...

29 images <div class="gallery loaded"><a href="http://curbed.com/archives/2014/03/24/miami-beach-manse-sets-its-sail-headway-for-225m.php"><img src="http://cdn.cstatic.net/images/gridfs/532ffa27f92ea1490a025605/imagereader.jpg" width="500" height="375"></a><br /><a href="http://curbed.com/archives/2014/03/24/miami-beach-manse-sets-its-sail-headway-for-225m.php" style="font-size: 9px; text-align: center;">Click here to view the full photogallery.</a></div> Location: Miami Beach, Fla. Price: $22,500,000 The Skinny: New to market in Miami Beach is this slightly bizarro compound on guard-gated Hibiscus Island, which is asking $22.5M for six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and hundreds of square feet of sailcloth. The home, which Curbed has covered before but deems worth another shout-out as House of the Day sheerly for its strangeness, has 13,000 square feet of living ...

Photo via Design Boom Japanese architect Junya Ishigami —apparently known as "a brash upstart with a flair for the controversial" —has just released plans for a private residence commissioned by an art collector, to be sited on a secret location in Chile. Clearly ready to on one-up the other precarious, teetering structures of the world, the one-story, disk-like dwelling will be positioned to face the South Pacific from a point between two rock formations, hovering above the ground. From the inside, the home resembles a shallow bowl with curving, windowless walls and (probably glass-covered?) circular cut-outs in the floor to provide both a source of light, and that impending fear of falling through the floor that homeowners love so much. Above, a totally flat roof "devoid of any boundaries or walls" offers unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape. Enter a tiny world, this way. >> So how does one get to this odd and slightly dangerous locale? S...