Larchmont Manor 10538 is great place in which to live... as we all say, location, location, location! 6 Douglas Lane boasts a great dock for your boat, or kayak, it has easy access to the village, fine dining and recreations (and don't forget close to the trains), and of course, as a resident of Larchmont Manor, you have access to the Manor Beach too! The public open house is this coming Sunday, January 29^th, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and the home is being offered at $1,650,000. Yes, you can have it all.

Larchmont Manor 10538, a great place in which to live!

Posted by:  Gay Rosen

Clinton Corners, 12572 - just 15 minutes from historic Rhinebeck. GREAT opportunity to purchase your own land - be it for recreation, hunting or simply a family retreat! Including Lake Rights (perfect for boating and/or swimming), some wetlands and those wondrous woods! This parcel of 56.75 Acres of land also boasts double road frontage and wonderful views. Five acre zoning. Just three miles from the Taconic Parkway and just 90 minutes from New York City! Approved for telephone, cable, electric, well/septic tank. What are you waiting for?

Posted by:  Gay Rosen

Even when it is cold, Larchmont Manor beckons! Enjoy water access and beautiful views from your deck and private dock in exclusive Larchmont Manor.

6 Douglas Lane is located in Normandy Bay off Little Harbor Sound, this 4/5 bedroom, 4 bath expanded ranch was completely renovated by local Architect Manuel Delgaldo.

Featuring an open floorplan, sunny rooms, private dock and beach rights, this house has much to offer. Close to the village, Manor Beach, tennis and skating. Yes, you can have it all! Just 35 minutes to New York City.

There will be a public open house this upcoming Sunday, January 15^th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Come visit, and appreciate the location, location, location!

Larchmont is GREAT!

Posted by:  Gay Rosen

Okay...What is that you might ask? Technology as we all know is ever-changing and for those us in real estate who wish to stay "in the know" to better aid all of our clients, attending programs like the RE ReBar Camp is a very positive "must!"

It was created only three years ago, and is a wonderful platform in which to share ideas (not selling yourself), but your ideas, your proven formulas in success be it in photography, videos, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), blogging tips and the best programs to utilize. Professionals attended from far and wide (I met one gentleman whose niche is in technology for his buyer clients and hailed from Boston), many agents from New York City, Connecticut, etc. (a great networking day) and you always walk away having learned something...

A GREAT, informative day. I cannot wait to implement some of the ideas and strategies put forth yesterday... and did I mention that Houlihan Lawrence was once again one of the sponsors? Houlihan Lawrence, as usual, cutting edge!

Westchester is GREAT!

Posted by:  Gay Rosen

I just listed a lovely Victorian home located at 19 Ferdinand Place, New Rochelle, 10801. It is priced at $499,000, features four bedrooms, a new kitchen, new hardwood floors in all of the bedrooms, new central air conditioning, new siding, newer roof and windows, new landscaping, and the seller is legalizing 2.5 new baths and an office. GREAT- right? There is a beamed living room, dining room with fireplace, and original pocket doors... a deep backyard.... do I sound enthused? I am!

However, the neighbors have also been patiently watching for the home to be restored and renovated, and I had a wonderful surprise on Sunday - at my first public open house. The majority of the neighbors on the street all visited to say 'hello,' and to see the renovations of the house! They all loved it, and I learned some interesting tales. The former owner raised six daughters in the house - with one bathroom. Oh my goodness, can you imagine the revolt he would have in today's society (the house was built in 1912 and has LOW taxes).

A neighbor mentioned how she would play with the daughters in the spacious 538 square foot enclosed porch with its gleaming hardwood floors and paneled hardwood ceiling. It was nice to hear how the other homeowners look out for each other, like their neighbors, and keep in touch and are involved... In fact, a neighbor's relative is coming to see the house on Thursday.... seems like they can't keep away from Ferdinand Place! Ha! New Rochelle 10801, a GREAT Place to live.

Posted by:  Gay Rosen

It's a wonderful life! When you use the word "Move" in the Hamlet of Katonah, New York - Town of Bedford -  it can mean many things.

This charming, spacious, sunny 1907 Dutch Colonial Village Home is on the Records of the Katonah Land Development Co. which was founded in 1898 as one of the first homes built in The New Katonah on one of it's original six roads. The original 87 buildings were moved to The New Katonah to make room for the NYC Reservoir System. Quite a feat!  New Katonah was designed by the firm of Frederick Law Olmstead who is also known as the designer of New York City's Central Park. Therefore we have gentle green spaces within our little downtown.

I love reading the history of The Great Move of 1897 and learning that while they were being lifted and set upon shaved trees to be pulled by horse and mule to the new sites, their owners were still living in them. I often wondered why in one of the photos there was still laundry drying on the front porch! There was a report of a wedding being held in one of the homes on the move and school children would walk to school in the morning and have to search for their homes along the rails when they would return.

Since it was not one of the Stately Victorians or Italianate structures moved, it has the then "new" Dutch Colonial style which is still in clearly in evidence.

The Dutch Colonial style was popular during the first half of the 1900's. It was considered to be the preferred style of Luxury Homes of that time. In the "1928 Home Builders Catalog," the following described this architectural form:

"While the term “Dutch Colonial” conveys a definite type of house to almost everyone, the name itself is misleading. “Dutch” does not refer to Holland and “Colonial” has no direct relationship with Colonial Architecture. This type of home takes its name from the Dutch Colonists who settled in the lower parts of New York and New Jersey. There they lived for many years in warm and cheery comfort. The Dutch Colonial house conveys to us this rich domesticity and love of good living."

That description certainly sums it up! This solidly built home has it's original architecture beautifully maintained yet has amenities for today's living. The expansive front porch warmly greets you. It is almost a room onto itself affording many hours of open air living and enjoyment - even on rainy days! This spacious front porch was reconstructed with reinforced beams to support it into the new century.

This very inviting home is open and spacious with three floors of rooms, plus a full basement. The welcoming entry opens to a large  living room with wood burning fireplace and a formal dining room both of which boast hardwood floors and high ceilings. The main floor includes a recent addition to the back which provided a sunny Family Room off the new kitchen with sliders out to the brick patio and to the upper terrace. Adjacent to the Family Room is a very convenient mudroom with a closet, built in cubbies and a wall of pegs for coats just steps from the two car garage. Plus there is a Powder Room.

Up the beautiful sweeping staircase, past the leaded glass window and the gabled window the extension provides a large master and bath with walls of closets! In addition to which there are three bedrooms and a full hall bath. The third floor has a full staircase with additional rooms, large windows plus a skylight and space for storage. The window trim and sashes throughout the renovation on both floors match the window trim of the original structure.

The "Live In The Village of Katonah Lifestyle" is wonderful. You can stroll to all - the train, shops, restaurants, Churches and schools. Chain stores are not allowed in the Village of Katonah so there are many unique shops to enjoy. The Katonah Chamber of Commerce and The Katonah Village Improvement Society provide both support for the Merchants and care for our downtown plus events for all to enjoy.

Along our "Museum Mile," which is a very short ride out of the Village one will find The Katonah Museum of Art, The Rosen House at Caramoor - home of the Summer International Music Festival, plus The John Jay Homestead which now also hosts a wonderful Farmer's Market Spring to Fall. They enhance life in the Village year round. There are so many events, shows, fairs, concerts and lectures offered by them that it provides a very interesting, large facet to our lives here!

77 Valley Road, Katonah is a wonderful home!

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

With the Holiday Season upon us, there are many new choices at the movies. I just saw one I would like to recommend: "The Descendants."

George Clooney is great as a dad who has suddenly become the parent in charge of two difficult children, and a difficult family situation. I won't give away all of the story, only tell you he does a wonderful job.

He is a great actor and I think this has Academy Award potential.

Posted by:  Barbara Eisert

As a Docent Volunteer at Caramoor I recently was asked to help in the Office Of The Rosen House Museum at Caramoor. I was told I could bring a book, the computer would be on for me and I just had to take care of calls and any possible visitors.

Little did I know that something quite unique was in store for me that afternoon.

What I became privy to was quite an experience. Head of The Rosen House, Merceds Santos-Miller, brought me a almost crumbling manila folding file filled with letters and postcards from 1925. They were found in a cabinet in Young Walter Rosen's Bedroom. They were all addressed to his Mother, Lucie Bigelow Rosen. What was interesting was that Caramoor in Katonah was built starting in 1929 - four years after the letters had been received. They must have been brought up from their New York City Town Home on West 54th Street for safe keeping or storage. These letters are being reviewed in order to keep the Rosen House a top flight historic house.

I was to read them and cull out the ones of interest and write notes on what I had found on a legal pad. I dug right in carefully donned with white cotton gloves on. They were all hand written on lovely personally monogrammed or Hotel stationary hailing from all the Corners of the World.

Of course the most were from her Mother, Flora Bigelow Dodge Guest, entreating with her to come for a visit with her children to England - even if she were not there at the time. She offered free use of a cottage or a separate floor of the home, free use of the car. That stationary had the heading "Wookyi-Tipi, Ferring, Goring on Sea, Sussex" Her home must have been on the water since she pleaded "Bring the children - Walter Jr. & Anne - so they can swim and paddle!"

There is a little history about Lucie and her Mother, Flora. Her Mother had married Lionel Guest, the 4th son of the 1st Baron of Wimborne and cousin to Winston Churchill, in 1905 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and they settled in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, an island in Montreal, Canada. In December 1911 the family moved to London. In 1913, she could no longer tolerate her controlling, selfish Mother. She longed to live and work in New York City as she had briefly at the side of her illustrious Grandfather, John Bigelow, Founder of The New York Public Library and an Editor and Co-Owner of The New York Evening Post. He had also served as Minister to France under President Abraham Lincoln. HerHer escape was front page news in The New York Times and she was found by Scotland Yard a few days layer in a rooming house on London's West End. Her terms for her return was that she was to live with her Aunt on Gramercy Park in New York City and work at The New York Evening Post.

There was also one from her Mother from Pretoria, South Africa since Lionel dipped his toe into investing in the African Mines. There was another that suggested things were not going well and they were thinking of letting the Butler - "The Man" - go but keeping the Good Cook, the Housemaids, The Upstairs Maids and several others. That is one way of tightening your belt!

One letter referred to Lord Ivor Churchill – Lionel’s oldest brother. A favorite of mine on that otherwise dreary afternoon was one from an editor with Harpers Bazaar, asking permission to do an article on her and her individualistic sense of style with several of her gowns to be sketched for the magazine article.

There was one from a Patrick Thomas who sent greetings to them after learning that they had enjoyed a safe passage to Europe. He may have been the Butler or Major Domo since he sent regards from the staff as a whole and asked if Mr. Rosen was pleased at what he had packed for him.

There was another from a friend that suggested she try some of the "special tonic" that had done more than stop her cough and has actually given her an appetite. You wonder what ingredient was in the special tonic! She had every intention of taking that wonderful elixir through the Winter!

I made my way through that one file in three hours and was bleary eyed but very happy and feeling rather privileged at the end. I wonder what 1926 has in store for me!

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

On Saturday, December 2nd, the day prior to The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, there is a new Katonah Tradition to Herald the Holidays! "Shop and Stroll" as part of the Katonah Chamber of Commerce "Weekend of Lights" is meant to promote the shops, restaurants and businesses in downtown Katonah. What is new and fun this year is to come into Katonah and look for the "Cookie Stop" signs. Stop in and collect your cookies! Participating Merchants include Charles Department Store, Cross Sport Woman, Ebba, The Eclectic Collector, Eiluj, Fine Lines of Katonah, The Gift Garage, Houlihan Lawrence, Jems, Katonah Wine & Liquor, Raymond Opticians, Surburban Groove and others to collect your cookie assortment! Shop & dine and collect your cookies - almost like the Trick or Treating we missed this year. They promise caroling, special events and special offers.

Happy Holidays!

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

  

Santa stopped by the Chase Bank in Katonah on Saturday before heading North to oversee toy production for the big day.

What we now have to look forward to is The Annual Katonah Christmas Tree Lighting!

It will be held at the traditional spot - St. Luke's Church at the crossroads of Bedford Rd. (Rt. 117) and Katonah Avenue on Sunday December 4th at 6p.m.

From the Katonah Chamber of Commerce:

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

Upon showing a property the other day in the Mamaroneck (Rye Neck School District area), I had to stop to take a few photos! Mamaroneck is a glorious town in which to reside, was ranked #60 by CNNMoney's "Best Places to Live." As you gaze upon these sunset photos... could there be any doubts?

Mamaroneck - A GREAT Place in which to live!

Posted by:  Gay Rosen

If you live in the area of 10543, then you have heard of legendary "Walter's." It might be a roadside "store" (although there are benches in the rear of the building), but the food is highly sought-after, and I must admit, the hot dogs are crispy (cut in half), the buns are warmed, and I do not know how to describe it, but it all "goes down well."

I can recall going to a walk- thru prior to a closing, and I took my client to a tasting from Walter's with double hot dogs on a bun, curly fries and a coke... He loved it! The building itself is a free standing, copper roofed Pagoda styled property... sounds different, but so is the fare. The original owner, Walter Warrington, invented his split style hot dog with his own homemade mustard cooking mode in 1919, built the pagoda styled stand in 1928, and it was declared a historical landmark in 1991.

The stand has been represented by four generations of Warringtons.... and I am sure enjoyed by four generations of local residents too! Serving 11:30 a.m. to  6 p.m, Monday through Saturday, and 11:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

If you are in the area tomorrow, November 12^th, please enjoy a Walter's Hot dog, and pop by to an open house at 706 Palmer Court, #2C ( $137,500 - one bedroom, unassigned parking great layout) from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Sounds like a great afternoon and plan!

Mamaroneck is GREAT!

Posted by:  Gay Rosen

There is a Monkey Loose in Larchmont!!!! Weeee-lll not exactly... but it got your attention - right? Watercolor Cafe, a relaxed and charming small restaurant but with atmosphere, and featuring all kinds of musicians to attract the weary soul, as you imbibe and enjoy various delicious edibles - such as the crispy duck or grilled black angus steak... BUT this Saturday, November 12^th, Peter Tork, formerly of the legendary 1960's Monkees Musical Group, will be performing at Watercolor Cafe at 7:30 p.m.

There is a cover fee of $35.00, and reservations required.. Step back in time, and enjoy! Also, if you are in town, and love the area... pop by at 6 Douglas Lane on Sunday, November 13^th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the public open house... Private dock, Normandy Cove, Larchmont Manor, close to the village (Watercolor Cafe), trains, and all....and all just 35 minutes from New York City.. What are you waiting for!

Watercolor Cafe, 2094 Boston Post Road (914) 834-2213

Posted by:  Gay Rosen

Larchmont Manor - 10538 - Public Open House House 6 Douglas Lane Sunday November 13^th 1p.m. to 4 p.m.

As featured in the Sunday New York Times "On the Market Section" on October 30^th, 6 Douglas Lane, located in prestigious Larchmont Manor, with its private dock, and soooo close to the village, fine dining, the trains and the beach too... will be hosting a public open house this Sunday from 1-4 p.m. 4-5 bedrooms, 2573 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths on the first floor, and 2-3 bedrooms on the second floor, this expanded ranch with its sunny, open floorplan was renovated by local Larchmont architect, Manuel Delgado and reflects his love of light and space. Being offered at $1,650,000..... what are you waiting for!

Posted by:  Gay Rosen

Beechmont Lake is lovely in all seasons, but it was a little hard to see this morning as it was so foggy! Being British, it made me think of dear old England! New Rochelle, a great place to live, and just 35 minutes to New York City.

Posted by:  Gay Rosen