The View from Edgemont and Some Big Home Sales
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- Category: Real Estate
The Edgemont real estate market has gotten some bad press lately but Caryn Balamaci, an Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Scarsdale, says that the Edgemont real estate market is actually doing well. There have been approximately 45 sales of single-family homes this year, with another 11 under contract awaiting closings, along with 23 coop sales. In comparison there were 62 single-family home sales in 2010 and she predicts that the forecast for 2012 looks good. She expects a strong market in the spring. Right now there are 64 homes for sale in Edgemont with the lowest priced at $550,000, a great price to get into your own home in an excellent community. It is a buyers' market and great deals are everywhere.
What do new buyers tell Caryn when they first meet to start the home search? First of all, they are looking for a home in a decent school district with easy proximity to the train station. New buyers tend to like Edgemont and Scarsdale because of its quick commute into Manhattan via Metro North. Caryn suggests that her prospective buyers tour the neighborhoods, study the area school districts, and contact the principals of the schools to speak to them directly. Caryn finds that most buyers are extremely well-educated (a huge change from 10 years ago). They have done a good deal of research online before they even meet with her, and it is a school district, not a town or village, that is their number one priority.
Of course, it is a tough economy and the real estate market everywhere has been affected. Lending is tougher so some buyers are having a harder time getting a mortgage. But the market is certainly not "dead" and the rental market is doing especially well. Many sellers put their homes on the market to sell but are also willing to consider a two-year rental (with the hope that in two years, the market will be stronger for sellers and they will get a better price for their home.) Right now, the rental market is very strong with limited rentals available. Another reason that rentals are popular is because the job market is very uncertain and the chance of losing one’s job is a factor. Therefore, more cautious customers might opt to test the community in a rental instead of taking on a jumbo mortgage.
Specifically when buyers ask resident and realtor Caryn Balamaci about Edgemont she tells them that the community is built around the schools. She describes the schools as a "small, nurturing environment.” She and her family have met wonderful people in Edgemont whom she calls lifelong friends. Of course taxes are high here; a byproduct of life in the suburbs—and Westchester County is not an exception. Caryn does tell potential buyers that if the property taxes appear to be too high for the market value of the prospective home, they should consider grieving those taxes during the two-week period in June with the Town of Greenburgh.
So is Edgemont still a great place to live? Absolutely! With approximately 40% of households categorized as family households and a low residential turnover (about 11% annually), it is a great family neighborhood where families are proud of their community and schools. Neighbors look out for each other's homes and everyone seems to know everyone else. Teachers care about their students and it is common to see elementary school teachers show up at the high school's theater productions to support their former students. What more can anyone ask for? As for my experience, the small school size was very important to me when looking for our first house in the mid 1990s. I think that was the ultimate deciding factor for us. We moved here in 1995 and are very happy that we did.
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Home Sales: 3 Tyler Road: Heathcote Tudor with over 3,200 square feet of living space on over 1/3rd acre of level private property. Five bedrooms, four baths and a flexible floor plan offers room for everyone to enjoy. New kitchen in 2010! Expansion possibilities. Ideal location within walking distance to elementary school, parks and playgrounds.
Sale Price: $982,888
Real Estate Taxes: $29,613
37 Morris Lane: Magnificent red brick colonial on over one acre in a beautiful, private and serene setting with lovely plantings, brick patio and pool. Located in the heart of Murray Hill, this home has exquisite moldings and paneling throughout. 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths. Kitchen with marble countertops and stainless steel appliances. Fabulous home for family living and entertaining. Walk to schools and shops.
Sale Price: $3,245,000
Real Estate Taxes: $53,870
53 Paddington Road: Fabulous new construction located in prime Fox Meadow location. This 6 bedroom 5 1/2 bath center hall colonial has all the amenities for today's modern lifestyle including mud room, 2nd floor laundry, backstairs, en suite baths, walk-in closets, and 9 ft ceilings. 6000 square feet of living space including 1,700square foot finished walk-out basement with bedroom and full bath.
Sale Price: $2,400,000
Real Estate Taxes: TBD
45 Church Lane: Exquisite 1920's Georgian Colonial designed by Master Architect William Bottomley. This Fox Meadow masterpiece has been meticulously renovated & offers 7 bedrooms,4 1/2 baths on over 1/2 acre w/magnificent pool.Easy 5 min walk to Scarsdale shops & NYC train.Sweeping circular drive welcomes visitors.Gorgeous period details incl high ceilings,3 fireplaces,exquisite moldings,arched windows,lovely stone veranda for elegant entertaining,professional chef kitchen w/custom cabinetry.
Sale Price: $2,200,000
Real Estate Taxes: $40,478
197 Lyons Road: Sun-filled, young colonial overlooking park is just minutes to commuter bus and elementary school. This inviting home's many features include oak floors, open floor plan, crown and dentil molding, eat-in kitchen opening to family room with fireplace, deck, spacious bedrooms, mastersuite with custom closets. New furnace 2010.
Sale Price: $930,000
Real Estate Taxes: $22,732
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Featured Listing 5 Carstensen Road: 
Enchanting, sun drenched, five bedroom Collet-built Tudor on half acre in Fox Meadow. Hardwood floors, cook's kitchen, living room with stone fireplace, nine-foot ceiling and floor-to-ceiling window facing gorgeous gardens. Stone patio abuts private grounds with fish pond. Walk to Village, train and high school. A gem. Learn more here :
List Price: $1,495,000
Featured Listing 14 High Point Lane:
Charming Colonial ideally located on a beautiful cul-de-sac, on an expansive acre. The property is highlighted by perennial gardens, specimen shrubbery, stone fountain and slate patio. Wonderful four-bedroom home boasting many renovations throughout. The perfect home for gracious living and entertaining. Learn more here:
List Price: $1,350,000
December Sales
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- Category: Real Estate
Sales continue to dribble in, perhaps due to very reasonable interest rates and flexible sellers. Here are some recent closings: 5 Walworth Avenue: Wonderful Greenacres Tudor with many charming features. French doors, wood paneled library, family room, ceiling moldings, gourmet kitchen with commercial stove, granite countertops and Sub Zero refrigerator. Wrap around deck. Level fenced-in yard. Beautifully landscaped.
Sale Price: $1,225,000
Real Estate Taxes: $26,073
180 Bell Road: Unique craftsman style colonial custom built by its owner, a local builder. Every attention to detail has been met. Custom moldings, windows, doors, Stickley style columns, cabinetry with hidden storage and secret panels throughout. Charming front porch and open floor plan. The modern cooks kitchen with center island has expansive views of the downstairs including deck, dining room and family area. The upstairs has four spacious bedrooms and new bathrooms.
Sale Price $975,000
Real Estate Taxes: $19,589
2 Rodney Road: Charming four-bedroom home near the Edgewood School. 
Sale Price: $753,000
Real Estate Taxes: $19,086
153 Webster Road: Updated home on quiet street. High ceilings, updated kitchen and powder room, plus new windows, roof, burner, wiring and refinished wood floors. Inviting front porch.
Sale Price: $535,000
Real Estate Taxes:$11,526
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Featured Listing: 74 Clifton: 
Charming, updated stone and shingle home. Many updates including: refinished wood floors throughout, new roof, new gutters, new kitchen with cherry wood cabinets, granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Renovated lower level family room and bathroom. Living room has new masonry fireplace and new picture window. Peaceful and private newly landscaped yard.
List Price: $749,000
Featured Listing: 144 Lee Road : 
Move right in to this charming, updated stone and shingle home. Many updates including refinished wood floors throughout, new roof, new gutters, new kitchen with cherry wood cabinets, granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Renovated lower level family room and bathroom. Living room has new masonry fireplace and new picture window. Peaceful and private newly landscaped yard.
List Price: $735,000
A Really Big Sale
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- Category: Real Estate
Just when you thought the season was over, a stunning sale is announced …. perhaps the biggest sale of the year by a long shot. Even more stunning are the terms of the sale– the home sold for $10,884,000 in an all-cash deal.
9 Heathcote Road sits on two and half acres of prime Scarsdale real estate in Murray Hill. The house has 20 rooms and 11,600 square feet of interior space including 7 bedrooms, a home theatre, a pool and a tennis court. Check out these photos of the grand entry, the kitchen and the master bath. The listing agency is Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s Realty.
The taxes you may ask? Assessed at $144,135, the annual real estate taxes are $188,233 – and that’s before the reval!
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Featured Listing: 24 Myrtledale Road 
Newly constructed home on quiet cul-de- sac, near Aspen Park. This home has a gourmet custom kitchen with granite island and adjoining family room with fireplace; luxurious master suite with tray ceiling, marble bath and his and hers walk in closets; fabulous lower level with playroom, full bath and exercise room. 5 bedrooms, 5.1 baths. Two-car garage.
List Price: $2,499,000. See more here:
Featured Listing: 19 Rock Hill Lane 
A private drive leads to this center hall Colonial on private property with beautiful views backing onto Sunningdale Golf Club. Generously proportioned rooms include a gracious living room, formal dining room and a great size modern cook's kitchen that adjoins the family room with a fireplace, plus an office/library. Large master suite with 10 foot ceilings, a fireplace, dressing rooms, and deluxe bathroom with shower and whirpool tub. Three additional bedrooms plus a bonus room off the back stairs. Full, attic and large finished basement.
List Price: $2,295,000 See more here :
Safe Home Tips and Home Sales
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- Category: Real Estate
After the spate of recent home burglaries many in Scarsdale are wondering what they can do to secure their homes. We recently visited the Scarsdale Police at their new headquarters and they assured us that they have added more patrols and increased their vigilance. They also offered the following list of recommendations to help avoid a burglary in your home and asked us to share them with you:
- When you go out, leave on lights, a television or the radio to make it look like you are home. Burglars target empty homes as they are not eager to run into residents
- Install lights with motion sensors around the perimeter of your home
- Use timers to turn lights on and off when you are not home
- Make sure you have your home alarm sticker prominently displayed in your front window
- If you have an alarm be sure it is activated and that the batteries are charged
- If it is feasible (no pets), make sure the alarm's motion sensors are on: the point of entry is often glass doors and windows leaving the alarmed door frames undisturbed.
- Buy a heavy safe for your valuables and bolt it down in a discreet location in the house
- Keep your exterior doors and garage door locked at all times – even when you are inside the house. If you have a deadbolt on the door, lock it.
- Be an observant neighbor and watch out for any suspicious activity
- If you are going out of town, call the police to put your house on the dark house list. They will check it for you while you are away.
- Don’t hesitate to call the police when you do see something or someone out of the ordinary. They are here to help.
- The Scarsdale Police phone number is 722-1200. In an emergency, call 911.
Recent Home Sales:
39 Jefferson Road: Charming sunny, center hall colonial features hardwood floors, a wood burning fireplace, 
and flat private yard. Short walk to elementary school. Scarsdale schools and recreation.
Sale Price: $850,000
Real Estate Taxes: $15,320
118 Evandale Road: Located in one the most desirable locations in Edgemont. This charming Tudor is at the end of a dead end street, is around the block from the Greenville Elementary School and down the street from the commuter bus to the Scarsdale train station.
Sale Price: $512,500
Real Estate Taxes: $15,741
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Featured Listing 1 Theresa Lane : 
Spacious 5 Bedroom Colonial on .27 acres set above the tree tops in Edgemont. Beautiful views. Renovated kitchen with granite counters and stainless steel appliances. Lower level family room with high ceilings and door to large deck overlooking fabulous yard, Laundry, powder room, large finished storage area. Additional lower level playroom leading to backyard. New roof and furnace.
List Price: $748,000
Featured Listing 1 Hadden Road :
Spacious Colonial Cape with charm and character situated on .38 acre with patio. This wonderful four bedroom residence features large rooms and great closets. A first floor master bedroom with marble bath, a fully fitted office and wonderful family room with bar area are a few highlights this home has to offer.
List Price:$795,000
Sales and Price Reductions
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- Category: Real Estate
Sales this week: 40 Fenimore Road: Stately stucco and stone Tudor, beautifully sited on more than 1/2 acre of private, level property. Well-maintained home has been freshly painted and features newly refinished hardwood floors, fabulous stone fireplace, and a living room with beamed ceiling.
Sale Price: $1,100,000
R.E. Taxes: $27,500
24 Rugby Lane: Charming, welcoming four bedroom storybook Tudor in Greenacres has a sun filled interior on a flat, private piece of land. Walk to school, close to shops, town and the train.
Sale Price: $770,000
R.E. Taxes: $20,641
Price drops: With the selling season long gone, prices on many of the homes on the market have dropped in in recent weeks. Here are a few that have been recently reduced offering an opportunity for those in the market for a new home:
46 Brewster Road: Fox Meadow Tudor of incomparable beauty, quality and size with classic proportions and exquisite architectural details. new: kitchen, five bathrooms, five zone hydro heat and central A/C, custom closets throughout, garage door, nine foot ceilings on first floor, three fireplaces.
Price was reduced by $296,000 or almost 9% on September to: $2,999,000
10 Carstensen: Immaculate Fox Meadow home built in 1999 boasts over 6,000 square feet of living space surrounded by pristine landscaping, flowering gardens, and a level private backyard. Fabulous interior with spectacular upgrades has perfect layout for today's modern lifestyle.
Price was reduced by $100,000 or 3.57% on September 6, 2011 to $2,699,000
99 Walworth: Elegant center hall colonial in Greenacres on an exquisite .35 acre with beautiful gardens and level yard. Fabulous kitchen, gorgeous formal dining room and grand front to back living room. Large windows for brilliant light and views. Completely renovated and meticulously maintained inside and out.
Price was reduced $100,000 or 6.69% on October 3, 2011 to $1,295,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Featured Listing: 118 Penn Road 
Classic center hall colonial nestled on almost a half acre of park like property. Wonderful details and potential. House to be sold as is. Taxes do not reflect STAR exemption of $1,266.55, if applicable.
List Price: $795,000, Learn more here:
Featured Listing: 123 Ferndale Road 
Great opportunity to move into quiet cul-de-sac location one block from elementary school and commuter bus to train. House has been beautifully maintained with many upgrades, spacious rooms, and architectural details. One of the few oversized lots on the street.
List Price: $610,000, Learn more here:
