No one knows for sure, how could he or she? The Bedford Oak located at the corner of Hook Road and Rt. 22 (aka Cantitoe St.) in Bedford New York is estimated to be over 500 years old! It has been measured at 19 feet 9 inches at its girth and the branches spread 120 feet from tip to tip and that’s a big tree!

According the Bedford Historical Society who maintains the property where the tree is located, Harold Whitman deeded the ground the Bedford Oak stands on in memory of his wife, Georgia Squires Whitman, in 1942. As you are passing through Bedford Village, you should stop and admire its marvelous tree, or check out my video. As you look at the tree and gaze up through its branches you’ll probably find yourself pondering the many changes the surrounding landscape over has had in its life span. It is early spring and you can see its mighty branches and I’ll bring you another update when its lush and green canopy is on display. This tree has been a beloved landmark for hundreds of years and very much a part of Bedford New York’s history.

In celebration of Arbor Day, the Town of Bedford is having a tree planting party on the property on April 19, 2010 at 10:00 o’clock. Join them as they attempt to expand and preserve the beauty of the oak tree and plant more oak trees for future generations. I say attempt because they tried planting a tree once before that didn’t survive. This time the trees to be planted are larger and well established in hope that they too will thrive and mature to the great stature of the current Bedford Oak.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

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

A boomerang house refers to a household where young adults who have graduated from college, and/or are married come back to live in the home with mom and dad. These children left home and have been on their own but usually due to financial reasons find the need to return to the safety net of their family home. Believe it or not, it is a growing trend. My sister has been boomeranged 3 times (not all at once, thank goodness) and each time they substantially enable their adult children to get a strong foothold before moving on. If you are faced with that situation, then I have the perfect house for you! www.houlihanlawrence.com/3007373

The reason this home is so perfect for two households is that it is actually a legal two-family home. It was once a single family so it can be left the way it is or converted back. The best part about this house is there are two completely separate living levels, which will provide independence and privacy for everyone while remaining close. I will not even attempt to discuss the emotional or financial issues involved with retuning children other than to say, a good design and a good house arrangement can make everyone’s life much easier.

This boomerang house located in Bedford Hills, is an unassuming ranch at the end of a cul-de-sac and is very spacious with 3950 square feet. It is on ½ acre and the first floor has an eat-in kitchen, den, dinning room, huge living room with a beautiful fireplace and soaring ceilings. There are two bedrooms and 1 ½ baths. The lower level living area is 1100 square feet with a great room and fireplace, large master bedroom with bath and an additional bedroom, den and bath. There is also a workshop and storage area.

As you will see when you tour this home, it fits the bill for many lifestyles and needs. Another home that would make a great boomerang house was featured on a previous post as my pick of the week. For a private showing of these homes contact me: www.sonjalovas.houlihanlawrence.com/AboutMe.aspx.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

It was devastating when my sellers fired me less than 1 hour after activating a new listing on the Multiple Listing Service and the Houlihan Lawrence Web site. HoulihanLawrence.com.

I was so excited about this new listing and had everything ready to go as soon it went live. I had great photos, ad copy written, brochures designed, a broker open house scheduled with a tempting menu planned, video of the neighborhood and I even made a broadcast announcement to the other agents in our office giving them a heads up. Here’s what went wrong. Before activating the listing, I went to the town and pulled the property card, spoke to the town assessor for clarification on square footage and verified the taxes to be certain everything was accurate.

After activating the listing the owner called to inform me the square footage number was wrong. They bought the house 2 ½ years ago and it was represented to be 25% larger (I was not their buyer broker). I explained to them how and why I arrived at the number and how the town determines square footage on their style of home and suggested they speak to the assessor and confirm what I could legally represent to be correct.

They called me back to tell me they were waiting for a return phone call from the town but regardless of what the town said, I was told to list the property at the same square footage as they purchased it with or they would cancel the listing and find someone else! While I could understand their position, I advised them to speak with their attorney and told them I could not intentionally misrepresent them or my company. So, the seller fired me, emailed my pink slip (cancellation instructions), and the house was immediately taken off the market.

What I’d like to know, would you have fired me?

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

The recent storms in the North East caused extensive flooding for many Westchester homeowners. Do you know if you live in a flood plain? As a Real Estate agent when representing a seller, according to New York State Real Property Law 443, I have an obligation to buyers to “disclose all facts known to the agent materially affecting the value or desirability of property, except as otherwise provided by law.” As a listing agent, I have a duty to inquire of the sellers if the property is in a flood zone and that information must be communicated to the purchasers or the purchasers’ agent. Therefore, as a Real Estate agent representing a buyer or a seller, I need to be familiar with New York’s DEC and FEMA maps. It is also my duty to disclose and explain to a seller the impact a potential buyer will have obtaining flood insurance for a home in a designated flood plain. This can be frustrating for homeowners who have never experienced a flood but now find themselves in a designated flood plain according to the new maps.

Extreme changes in the weather, hurricane patterns, soil erosion and flood losses over the past decade is what motivated federal and state agencies to remap the United States and redefine flood zones in 2007. While the FEMA maps identify areas vulnerable to flooding as a result of the environment, they do not identify dangers of drainage systems installed by local municipalities which may be inadequate and also result in flooding. The FEMA maps do not identify all areas at risk especially those in rural areas or near small streams. That’s why flood insurance is a good idea for everyone and can be obtained through NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program). Insurance coverage can be a nominal fee if your home is identified as “low to moderate” risk depending on the type of coverage you need and the cost escalates with the level of risk.

Do you live in a flood plain? To find out click here.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Ticks are back! With temperatures climbing out of the 30s it’s starting to feel like spring. While taking the dogs for a walk we decided to let them off the leash to run and romp. Of course they ran through the wetlands, splashed in the pond and had a great time getting wet and dirty. While giving them their outdoor bath I found two ticks, which means it is time to be on the alert once again and continue to apply tick repellent on outdoor pets.

Here are some handy tips for tick control for people:

1. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants (tucked into socks) and hat when walking in the woods and fields. I prefer to wear white which makes them easier to see.
2. Use a tick repellent with DEET on your skin and permethrin on clothes. Make sure you read and follow the instructions on the labels.
3. Be sure to perform daily tick checks on yourself, children and pets and remove ticks properly and immediately.
4. While showering, use a washcloth, which will help to dislodge any unattached ticks.
5. If you notice any signs of an expanding solid patch often referred to as a “bulls-eye” it is an indication of a deer tick bite and you should seek immediate health care for treatment.

A guide for preventing Lyme disease and how to be tick free can be found here.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Although some snow is still on the ground the calendar tells us spring is near. As I gazed out my kitchen window a beam of light was shining just right and I noticed a swarm of bugs flying in circles. Then I looked out onto my rock cropping and thought I noticed green stems on the shrubs that have been brown all winter. I decided to take a closer look so I went outside and climbed up the rocks for a and yes, more than half the stems of the shrub had turned green. On my way back I noticed a few stems on the creeping phlox were also green and I saw a leaf of a weed popping through the ground. Early signs of spring are often very subtle, but if you look closely, they are all around. After a cold winter any sign of spring is very exciting! What was your first sign of spring?

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Lewisboro Elementary School is located in South Salem New York off Route 35 and Bouton Road. Elementary schools are often the driving force for parents of school age children in deciding which house to buy. To narrow the search an examination of Elementary Schools also come into play. As outlined in a previous post, I recommend scheduling a visit at the school prior to making a decision to purchase a home in order to get a feel for the school. To give you a head start in the process, here is my Lewisboro Elementary School video and comments about the school from a parent.

Our family returned to New York after living in Switzerland for three years and purchased a house in South Salem about a year and a half ago. What has impressed me most about Lewisboro Elementary School, and in fact the entire Lewisboro School District, is the level of involvement and participation of so parents. There are many bright and talented women and fathers that are always involved with school activities, no matter what they are. The PTA also organizes various fund raising activities that are incredible and all take extraordinary time and effort. The PTA sponsors educational events like the reading breakfasts and coordinated with the School District’s, Focus On Reading Month. There are activities at night, which allow more parents to participate in the school activities. In addition there is a very active arts and music faculty.

The school has a special event for every grade, for example; the 1st grade class does a 100 days celebration, 2nd grade puts on a State Fair, 5th grade is in charge of the Lewisboro Elementary School News and creates a live video broadcast everyday in addition to making the school announcements in the morning. They all share camera work and announcing as well as go on many special outings so it is very interesting for all the students. (I don’t remember what the 4th grade does but they all have one) I have enjoyed being involved with the school. Kathleen Fay

If you have a child who attends Lewisboro Elementary School and would like to share a comment about what you love about Lewisboro Elementary School, please feel free. Also, if you are considering a move into the area and would like to connect with other parents in the district, join me on Facebook.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Then don’t miss the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Mount Kisco, Saturday March 13th. The Reviewing Stand Performance starts at 1 pm and will feature Irish tales for children by Jonathan Kruk, a storyteller. The parade starts at 2 pm on Main Street and Moore Ave. and will have over 60 groups marching. There will be antique cars, including some antique NYC police cars, fire trucks and it just wouldn’t be a St. Patrick’s Day parade without the Irish Bagpipes and Irish Step Dancers. Parades are always a lot of fun so join in, wear green and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 13th in Mt. Kisco, New York.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

There were 74 houses on the Broker Open House tour this week. Even though there is still snow on the ground the spring market has started. While I can’t go to all 74 houses, I select several in each of my market areas and hit the trail to see as many as possible in 3 ½ hours. Three houses caught my attention this week and this is one of them. It is located at 1 Daniel Road in North Salem.

This house not only has curb appeal, but the inside is as nice as the outside. The original owners have lovingly maintained this spacious split for 37 years, with thoughtful updates to the kitchen, bath and family room. It’s on 3/4 acre of flat usable property just minutes the town park, schools, I-684, Metro North Rail Road, shopping and the apple orchards! It is pristine and in move-in condition! It would make be a perfect home for 1st time buyers who want to take advantage of the extended tax credit. Start packing and you could be moved in before the grass turns green. To see more photos, visit www.houlihanlawrence.com/3005183. If you would like a personal tour just leave me a comment or call Sonja Lovas www.sonjalovas.houlihanlawrence.com.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

It is a single family home that has two complete separate living areas usually on two levels. You will find two kitchens and two living rooms. The number of bathrooms and bedrooms might vary with the levels, but the design and intent is for family use. (Not rental income) There may or may not be a separate entrance to the second living area, and there will only be one electric meter as opposed to a 2-family home that will have two. This type of home could be used for a variety of co-habituation situation but the most common is mother daughter or nanny suite. Since there are not many homes like this, the demand is high.

To find out more about this beautiful well constructed Mother-Daughter home in Mt. Kisco, go to www.houlihanlawrence.com/3006822. It has custom masonry stone walls, a Belgian block lined driveway and brick and stone exterior. There are 2 fireplaces, chandeliers, a huge deck, wine cellar and lots of storage. If you love tile and marble, you will love this house, even the garage is tiled! There is also a huge garden area on the 1.03 acres of beautiful property and based on the preserved jars of tomatoes and peppers I saw in the cellar, it gets the proper amount of sun.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

In November 2009, I wrote about my frustration with junk mail. I counted all the unwanted junk mail for a month, tore off the address labels, shredded them, then signed on to websites and filled out their forms to remove my name from their list. I must admit I was a little skeptical and wondered if it would even make a dent in the mountains of junk mail I receive. Knowing that December with the Christmas Catalog mailings would not be the best month to measure its effectiveness, I decided to wait until February to see what the results would be. Just to be fair since February is a short month, I tacked on an extra 2 days in the beginning of March (the 1st of the month is always a heavy mailing period). I am thrilled to report back to you, it worked! In November I had 147 pieces of junk mail and it is now reduced to 69! That’s more than a 50 percent reduction!!! Wow, wow, wow, I am amazed! You really can make a difference, save valuable resources and reduce the amount of time it takes to tear and shred in order to protect your identity. So, if you take your name off the lists you too can reduce junk mail.

Once again the website I used to submit my requests to be removed from mailing lists are: https://www.dmachoice.org/dma/member/regist.action and http://stopjunkmail.org/resident.htm. It took me about an hour to fill out the forms but I will be saving more time in years to come!

Do you think I’m helping to save the planet?

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Chief Kisco stands as a sentinel at the intersection of Routes 133 and 117. The Indian Chief was mounted on a large pubic fountain for horses and donated by a prominent resident, David Fletcher Gorham in 1907. The water fountain was a symbol of the Prohibition Party with an inscription “God’s only beverage for man and beast.”

Chief Kisco was originally located on the south side of Main Street and Moger Ave. After having an altercation with an oil truck in 1925, he was moved to another site where he continued to receive hard knocks and several misfortunes including vandalism. From there he was relocated near the entrance of Mount Kisco Library while convalescing. Doc Stone, a silversmith, performed many of the repairs and theorized that the original Indian Chief was made from a pattern in a model shop. The model (he speculated) was cast in zinc ally and mass-produced by J.L. Mott Iron Works, New York, NY.

There are many myths and legends about Chief Kisco. One is that an infatuated Indian princess met her demise off the cliffs of Kisco Mountain as a result of a lost romance with the chief. Children in the 1920s loved him as he stood for courage, bravery, chivalry, trustworthiness, the town defender and their very own Indian. In 1950 a village historian revealed there never was a real Chief Kisco.

Chief Kisco was moved from the library to his current location in Feigl Square, the water fountain is now a beautiful planter and the myths continue. As you drive through Mount Kisco I’m sure you will admire this beautiful statue.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas