Our family plans are already underway for celebrating Independence Day at the Pound Ridge Town Park. There are many options in Westchester to celebrate and watch fireworks display. They actually start in June so you can you will be able to attend several. Here are a few for you to consider.

June 26, Town of Somers The Annual Independence Day celebration starts early and includes the Lynn Adams Memorial 5 K run & 1 mile Walk and Talk-a-thon. The Lions Club will have their famous Barbeque, there’s an Italian American Club Classic Car Show, Wright Reis Homestead Tours, SYSO All Star Games, Children’s and Family Games, Skate Park Competition, Waterslide, Entertainment, Music and Fireworks! Reis Park, 81 Primrose Street, Somers, NY.

June 26, South Salem Fireworks Spectacular Onatru Farm Park This is an evening of entertainment and fireworks provided by the South Salem Town Board to celebrate the 4th of July. It’s a great way to enjoy fun and excitement with friends, family and neighbors. Bring your picnic dinner; blanket and a flashlight would also be a good idea.  Picnicking starts at 6 pm, music starts at 7 pm and the fireworks are at 9:15 pm The cost is $20.00 per car. (Rain date is July 1st)

July 2, Playland’s renowned fireworks display. Fireworks display start at 9:15 and the cost is $5.00 for parking. Playland Park, Playland Parkway, Rye, NY

July 3, Kensico Dam Music Fest and Fireworks – Gates open at 5 pm for picnicking but no grills. Music starts at 6 pm with the Wanderers, then the Gerard Carelli Orchestra at 8 pm and Fireworks at 9:15. It is free a free event at Kensico Dam Plaza, Bronx River Parkway in Valhalla, NY.

July 3, Pound Ridge Park will be holding their fantastic Fireworks display. Come early to pick your spot and bring a picnic dinner to enjoy while listening to music and visiting with neighbors, family and friends. Parking is at the Pound Ridge Elementary School on Rt. 172 or at Scott’s Corner Market where there is a shuttle bus to the Pound Ridge Park. Donations are appreciated

July 4, Old Fashioned Fourth at Muscoot Farm. You can buy hot dogs and hamburgers at the concession stand or bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the afternoon playing old fashioned games and churn some ice cream.

Posted by:  Sonja Lovas

Bedford Hills - Monday 9 a.m. at Babbitt & Glen Roads, down Church to Main Street then just North to The Memorial just past the Bedford Hills Fire House. County Legislator Ursula LaMotte, speaker.

Bedford Village - Monday 11 a.m. starting at Seminary Rd - off Rt 172 - ending at The Village Green. Lee Roberts, Town Supervisor, Chief Joanne Aquilino and other speakers will be present.

Katonah - Monday 10 a.m. starting at the Firehouse on Bedford Rd through the business area along Katonah Avenue. Parade will then continue along the shops towards tracks and up The Parkway to Lawrence Circle - named after Lawrence of Kellogg & Lawrence. Guests and Veterans Of American Legion Post on Rt 22 will speak. Then back to the Firehouse for Ice Cream!

Lewisboro - will have their Parade on the 31st at 12:15 starting at Lakeshore Drive & Spring and culminating at the Town Hall.

Mt. Kisco - will have their Memorial Day Parade on SUNDAY the 30th - at 2pm starting at Smith Avenue which is between Rt 117 and Lexington Avenue.

Pound Ridge - Noon on the 31st starting at The Pound Ridge Elementary School down to Westchester Avenue. The Parade will feature the Mt. Kisco Scottish Pipe and Drum Band. School children will recite their patriotic essays and Ruth Newell, a long time Pound Ridge Resident and Veteran of WWII will speak. There yoiu will notice those Famous Finger Pointing Signs!

Somers - The Lasdon Park Antique Show will be held - Lasdon Park Rt 35 Somers. For more information and for hours - call 273-4667

South Salem - will celebrate with a Fair on the 31st including a 5K and 10K race and a 4.3 mile walk around Lake Truesdale at 8:30 a.m. This will be followed by the Pee Wee Races. The Fair will be from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on the grounds of the South Salem Presbyterian Church on Spring Street.

Posted by:  Karen Benvin Ransom

Enjoyed biking with my husband on the North County Trailway. The North County Trailway is a paved pedestrian and bicycle path located on the land of the former Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad. The North County Trailway spans 22.1 miles in Westchester County, from Eastview in the Town of Mt. Pleasant, to Baldwin Place in Somers, continuing north into Carmel in Putnam County for 7.5 miles as the Putnam Trailway. It is a great way to spend a few hours on a bicycle in Westchester by yourself, or with family and friends!

Contact me for more information on biking in northern Westchester County, or my listing in Michelle Estates in Cross River, New York: www.houlihanlawrence.com/3008337. If you want to live on Lake Waccabuc, Lake Oscaleta or Lake Rippowan, and swim, fish or boat from your private dock give me a call!

Posted By: Susan Mason

I’m not afraid of my shadow, but I am concerned with shadow inventory. Shadow inventory is the supply of repossessed and distressed mortgages going into foreclosure that haven’t reached the market yet. According to Standard & Poor’s rating, it could take up to three years to clear. While this study represents nationwide statistics it is important to understand the affect the release of REO (bank owned property) has on a local level.

For example, in my market area in New York which consists of: Bedford, Mt. Kisco, New Castle, Somers, Lewisboro and North Salem there are currently 20 single family houses and 2 condominiums identified as Short Sales among the 799 properties currently on the market and 5 single family houses, 1 condo that are REO properties (bank owned). Short Sales generally result in lower lender losses because the homes are left in better condition than those whose owners have vacated and left the property unoccupied reducing its value due to neglect and the elements. The Short Sale process can be difficult and time consuming but in the end is a better solution for everyone involved.

Shadow inventory is difficult to measure because it is not clear how many REO properties the lenders are holding onto, how many will soon fall into foreclosure, or when they will be released on the market. There could be a number of issues involved with the release of the foreclosed property causing the delay. The sooner the Banks put their inventory on the market so it can be cleared, the more stable the market will become. When searching for a home, it is important to understand how the Short Sale and REO affect the market values of the homes surrounding them.

Are you are interested in purchasing a Bank owned property or Short Sale when it comes on the market?

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

The Metro North Harlem line is a commuter passenger rail system that runs north from New York City 82 miles to Dutchess County and has 38 stations. Access to the train and the time it takes to get to the City is often a major consideration when purchasing a home. If you don’t live close enough to walk to the train, then parking considerations are a required issue. Here’s what you need to know if you want to park in Katonah or Bedford Hills and take the train.

The town of Bedford has 9 parking lots and 3 are reserved for business only, the rest are available for business and Bedford residents. If you pay taxes to the Town of Bedford, you are guaranteed a parking space. You may not always get the desired lot when you apply for a permit, but for $350.00 you can get a permit to park in a designated lot. For example: If you live near the Village Green, you may not be assigned a space in Bedford Hills which is the closest station but will end up in Lot #3 which is located in Katonah. The permits are issued on a “date rank” basis, so as people move and/or don’t renew their permits the available slots become open and eventually you will move up to the closer lot and spots.

Individuals living in Somers even if they may have a Katonah Post Office address are not considered residents of Bedford because they pay their taxes to the town of Somers. The town of Somers receives 100 permits to park in Bedford’s lot #3 and the Town of Somers distributes those permits.

Non-residents are the unlucky ones. After the residents apply for and renew their permits the town tries to figure out how many non-resident slots will be available. That number changes every year. They are distributed on a lottery basis and you have to sign up for an email alert in order to be placed in the lottery. The cost for non-residents is $1,000.00 per year.

There are also 105 meters in lot #3 in Katonah and 35 in Bedford Hills. The cost for metered parking is $5.00 for 16 hours and $7.00 for 24 hours. My guess is, the early bird gets the meter.

Guaranteed parking makes the Hamlets of Bedford desirable, especially for people who work in the City.

Updated rates here as of 4/9/10

Check out my video of the parking locations in Katonah.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Heritage Hills in Somers, NY is located in the beautiful town of Somers on Rt 202 in Upper Westchester. This is the best landscaped and well organized condominium development I have seen in Westchester. Building here began in 1975 with complete build out of 30 separately managed condominiums in 2007. It sits on 1100 acres of land with 2606 units. It is divided into East Hill and West Hill locations. It also has an Activity Centre with its own art studios, a private library, a theater, rooms for billards and table tennis, bridge, poker, mahjong and many more other clubs. In Sept of 2009, Heritage Hills opened up a newly built State of the Art Fitness Centre with trainers on site for assistance. At this Main Recreation Center you will also find an indoor Basketball Court, a heated Swimming Pool, 3 Tennis Courts, 2 Paddle Tennis Courts and 3 Bocce Courts. There are 4 other Pool Sites with Tennis Courts around the Development. There is also a 9 Hole and 18 Hole Golf Course and a Clubhouse which is open to the Public.

Life at Heritage Hills cannot get any better or easier. There is a shuttle service to nearby Metro North commuter Train Station and Shopping Areas. Heritage Hills is so well organized and caring for its community that help is always available through the individual committees setup. There is so much happening in Heritage Hills that will keep you occupied as can be seen in the Monthly Community Newsletter. There are a great variety of activities for all ages young and old, working or retired and it is up to you how involved you want to be.

So whether you are thinking of having a more relaxed lifestyle and not having to worry about outside maintainance of a house …or if you are a first time home buyer … or someone looking to downsize or upsize … or if you are an Investor looking to buy an investment … if you have not been to Heritage Hills then it is time you gave us a visit.

If you would like to have more information that I have not included in this article, contact me at tchang@houlihanlawrence.com or call me at 914-907-0881.

Coming next … Condo Sales in Heritage Hills for 2009.

Posted By: Teresa Chang

This lovely Somers home has had the white glove treatment for many years and is pin perfect. Updated and energy efficient, this home is a value with an acre plus of land backing up to a preserve and over 3000 square feet of living space. All for only $579,000!

Great Family house for the way we live today! This home is ready for your color palette. Gleaming wood floors. All freshly painted. Skylights (treated not to fade fabrics) drench the home with sunlight and warmth. Gracious dining area off the kitchen and large family room within view. Easy living on one level with three bedrooms and two new baths. Separate entrance into family room which can be used for home office. Lower level has two above ground finished rooms perfect for a home office or family room/game room/guest overflow plus laundry and utilities.

Level property with a circular driveway. Oversized two car garage. Views galore. In-ground pool, new patio and deck for outdoor enjoyment.

On over one acre of park-like privacy and views bordered by stone walls and protected watershed property. Gardeners Paradise: forsythia, lilac, mock orange, iris (abundant in rock gardens too), rhododendron, Rose of Sharon, and a magnolia that blooms year round. Met with approval from Botanical Garden Tour and Judges.

Stone House Road is a traditional family neighborhood and not a development. It has a 3/4 mile loop, with its own fitness track. Stone House Road has a lake, still perfect for hiking, or sitting on a beach to get away from it all. We are minutes to the Croton Falls train (one can walk there) and close to the Somers Town Center.

If you would like to view this home and learn more about Historic Somers feel free to contact me: KBenvinRansom@HoulihanLawrence.com

View the full listing: HoulihanLawrence.com/3003141
Town Information: http://www.houlihanlawrence.com/TownGuideDetail.aspx?n_k=45

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

This beautiful colonial is my broker pick of the week! This colonial has a very open and expansive feel. The arrangement of living room, dining room and kitchen with open family room make this a great house for entertaining. Your guests will not be crowded in the kitchen because it is so open and inviting. The property is exactly what everyone wants, private, flat, and well landscaped. There are many custom features in this house, and while there is snow on the ground now, there is also an inviting 20 x 40 in-ground pool. It is properly priced so put this house on the must see list! For more information about this great house visit HoulihanLawrence.com/3001234.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Governor Patterson just sweetened the pot for first time home buyers by announcing the Federal Income Tax Credit program which gives a dollar for dollar tax credit for 20% of the annual mortgage interest amount. This Mortgage Credit Certificate program is not a one-time offering like the $8,000 Federal tax credit; it’s a gift that keeps on giving and giving, year after year for as long as you own the house and live in it. Homeowners taking the dollar for dollar credit will still be allowed to deduct the remaining 80% interest on their Federal Income Tax returns. The benefit to the first time home buyers can be huge! Click here for the term sheet.

There are of course guidelines for those who wish to participate in the tax credit program such as purchase price limits, household income limits, and there are even special target areas that provide additional incentives. The requirements vary for the different regions in the state as well. For the Westchester guidelines click here. So, first time home buyers, if you’re thinking of buying a house, get out there and find it soon because time is running out! If you need help just ask Sonja. If the house you want isn’t in Katonah, Pound Ridge, South Salem, or Somers, she’ll guide to another great Houlihan Lawrence agent in her network who can help you.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Bedford Hills Memorial Day Parade
9am at Babbitt Rd & Glen to Main Street & Community House to The Bedford Hills Firehouse.
Speaker: Bedford Judge Kevin Quaranta

Katonah Memorial Day Parade
10 am - from Katonah Firehouse to Memorial Circle across from the Katonah Library - ice cream to be served to children after the Parade behind the firehouse!

Mt. Kisco Memorial Day Parade
FRIDAY, MAY 29th, 7pm from Smith Avenue to Oakwood Cemetery and then down Main Street to the War Memorial at Village Hall. It is a great night to be in Mt. Kisco- my Dad used to get us a ring side table at a restaurant along the parade route!

Somers Memorial Day Parade
10am at the Intermediate School 240 Rt 202 to the Cemetery

South Salem Memorial Day Parade & Service
12:15 from Lake Shore Drive & Spring Street to Lewisboro Town House - 11 Main Street

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

I love looking at the variety of stonewalls while driving through Bedford, Katonah, Somers, Pound Ridge, South and North Salem. Some of the stonewalls are historic (especially those around cemeteries) and date back to the 1600s when settlers cleared the land for farming. As the land was cleared the stones were placed around the perimeter of the property to create fences. Since small rocks or stones made plowing difficult, they were moved and placed around cultivated areas while the larger rocks were used to contain livestock in pastures. Rocks and stones were also used as foundations for barns and houses. The size and shapes of the stones are varied, as well as the construction methods used to build stonewalls.

When the water levels are low in the surrounding reservoirs you can still see the stonewalls and where they they were before the land was used for water shed.

In an effort to preserve these stonewalls, many local towns require building permits and have ordinances regulating stone walls, everything from repair, new additions, and setbacks. Here’s a little slide show with some do’s and don’ts to building stonewalls.

While there are many methods used to build stone walls, my favorite walls are always the original rather than the uniform perfectly shaped and placed stone.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas