Is this declining market finally over? Buyers have a great opportunity to secure a 30 year mortgage at rates below 5%! A buyer’s market with historically low interest rates!!! 24,327 existing single-family homes sold by New York Realtors during the 2010 second quarter, an increase of 71.3 percent from the 2010 first quarter. These second quarter figures represent a 31% increase over second quarter in 2009, with 47% increase in June 2010 over June 2009 figures. The June 2010 median sales price of $220,750 represents an increase of 19.3 percent in comparison to the June 2009 median.  In Rockland County alone, single-family home sales rose 95% in June 2010 over June 2009, with a slight decline in the median sale price of 420,000 versus 421,000 in June 2009.  In a survey conducted by New York State Association of REALTORS with the Siena Research Institute, results show New York consumers are negative about the current real estate market, but optimistic about the future. They feel that it is a very good time to buy, but a poor time to sell. Latest statistics for June 2010 show a 14% increase of new residential listing over June 2009.  It appears that consumers have high expectations for the future New York State real estate market.

Donna Podesta Wright Bros Real Estate Nyack NY www.donna.wrightinnyack.com

Sun began playing at age 3 and performing at 5, now at 29, he marks the 200th anniversary of Chopin’s birth.  In 1996, the Village Voice named Sun musician of the year, this series is sponsored by the Soiree Society of the Arts, led by Mahwah resident Yashar Yaslowitz.

Donna Podesta, Wright Bros Real Estate, Nyack, NY  www.donna.wrightinnyack.com

Ramapo ranks #88 Best Place to Live 2010 in US!

Clarkstown Ranked #41 Best Place to Live 2010 in United States

Money Magazine Best Place to Live 2010 ranks Clarkstown #41 on the list and Ramapo ranks #88. The list was based on statistics of cities that have populations between 50,000 and 300,000. Ranking considerations were based on housing affordability, quality of schools, job growth, cost of living, arts and leisure, diversity and health care. Clarkstown has a population of approx 83,000 residents and Ramapo has approx 116,000 residents. Money Magazine has also rated Clarkstown among the top six safest communities in the United States. Good news for home buyers, great prices and interest rates are lowest in years!!!

Donna Podesta Wright Bros Real Estate Nyack NY www.donna.wrightinnyack.com

This blog is to all of you who read this blog to find out information about real estate transactions down here on the beautiful Hudson river at The Harbors at Haverstraw.  I will break this down into 3 sections, Part1will include information about the home(s) that is under contract/UC and those that have closed (title transferred/TT) or leased/L.  Part 2 will show you all the current listings with info.

Lets, get into it.  Keep in mind, all of this information is coming from the Greater Hudson Valley MLS

Part 1 On March 3, 2008 1324 Round Pointe Drive came onto the market at $549,900, 2 years and 4 months later, it is now under contract, the listing price was $350,000, this unit was gorgeous and had views of river and pool, over 1600 sq. ft., unreal!  I will let you know in my next update if and when it closes for and for ho much.

Since November 1, 2007, there has been 9 re-sales (not the sale of new construction) at the Harbors, 7 of them were condos 4 in the Clubhouse and 3 in Bayside respectively, 2 of them were town homes both inland town homes not waterfront.

Since November 1, 2008, there has been 5 re-sales at the Harbors at Haverstraw; 1 town home (18 Harbor Pointe Drive sold for $500,000 on 12/4/08 - 3 beds 3.1 bath 2560 sq. ft. Gabriel II) & 4 condos (2 Bayside/ 2  Clubhouse)

Since November 1, 2009 there has been 1 re-sale ,  3213 Leeward Drive 2 bed/2 bath with a den.

So, those are the numbers, do they surprise you?  Is it what you expected?  That means that only 5 re-sales have closed since 11/1/2008. Which means every 4 months there is a closing.  I think that rates is way to slow which brings me to my next point in Part 2

Part 2

Here is some more news to chew on, there are currently 24 re-sales at the Harbors at Haverstraw; 8 town homes (3 waterfront, 5 inland), 16 condos (13 in the Clubhouse, 3 in the Bayside).  If the market continues at the same pace it will take 8 years to sell 24 homes. Now, don’t freak out, although activity has clearly gotten better over the past year in Rockland County, it seems that the Harbors has not benefited from the recent upswing in homes that were under contract possibly b/c of the home buyer tax credit and the low  interest rates.  On the bright side since June 1, 2009, there has been 4 closings; all condos (2 Bayside & 2 Clubhouse),  which means that in the past year every 3 months a home sold so, it wouldn’t be until 2016 until all of the current homes sell.  Now, if the downtown adds a few more nice restaurants that other business can then feed off of.  Only if Haverstraw becomes what we all know it can and what it is all ready on its way in doing,  you will see a direct correlation between sales here and revitalization her at the Harbors at Haverstraw.

Ok, those 24 listings, lets break those down.  Since March 1, 2010, there has been 20 new listings at the Harbors at Haverstraw!  I guess everybody is bouncing from this place, after all, this is a community made up of all different types of people who are moving to and from places with different situations in life.

I just hope that these homes will sell and not all turn in to rental properties, which seems to be a good way out for a seller who needs to move on with there life.

If you know anybody that you think would be a perfect fit for our community please have them contact me.

Until next time…

Adam Stein - www.harborsbroker.com -845.323.9709 - adam.stein - Wright Bros. RE

Last Thursday, July 8th, a special evening broker’s open house was put on by the broker/owner of Wright Bros. Real Estate, none other than 30 year Rockland real estate veteran, well respected amongst everybody, Mr. Russ Woolley!!

Russ didn’t just throw the Realtors of Nyack a party b/c he felt like it, although here at Wright Bros. we do like to celebrate success, Russ has a new listing on 7 Tweed Blvd in Upper Grandview NY and he wanted to give all the Realtors of Rockland a “taste” of the home.

The home was built by Sean Keenan of SMK Construction, who happens to be my favorite builder here in Rockland. This contemporary home was actually purchased in very poor condition but the builder and broker had a vision of the most spectacular property and home in Rockland County and they transformed a once neglected home to an absolute gem. I am not just saying this as a sales person, I am saying this as a 30 year resident of Rockland County, this is the nicest property on one of the most prestigious streets in Rockland.  Tweed Blvd. sits high above the Nyack’s on top of Clausland Mountain State Park, which is also great for hiking. This home happens to feature 30 mile panoramic views of the Hudson river!!!

Anyhow, there were over 70 Realtors who showed up! For those of you in the business you know that’s a lot. The big reason we had such a good turnout besides the magnitude of the home, was that Russ Woolley has made so many valuable relationships through the years with other brokers in Rockland County and in particular the Rivertown area.  Another reason why we had such an amazing turnout is that Wright Bros. and all of our agents have such an excellent reputation in the area we serve, that people just want to hang out with us, talk shop and have a good time while enjoying food and wine. By the way, all the great food was provided by Mike Mandio of Louviers Mortgage, who happens to be the best mortgage broker in the business hands down, no questions asked.  I ask all my buyers to use him and they always thank me even years after the deal.  I only surround myself with the best team of workers when I work with clients, after all, my clients deserve the best service.

As for the house, well only Mr. Frank Sinatra and my FLIP HD cam can truly show you what all the talk is about…until next time!

Here is a link to the home on my Wright Bros. web site

Adam Stein - www.harborsbroker.com - 845.323.9709 - adam.stein

If you recall a few months ago I posted a blog about the secret Hudson river trail off of Warren Ct. in the Village of Haverstraw. Well, on the opposite side of the trail lay a field of dreams. The Village of Haverstraw constructed a beautiful baseball field that overlooks Bowline Bay in honor of fallen American hero, Corporal Manny Lopez of Haverstraw, NY. Manny played in the Haverstraw Little League long before I ever coached my first game however, now in the future I will get to coach young kids from Haverstraw my favorite game on a field named after a local hero. It is a great honor to me to have met Manny’s mother , Mrs. Yolanda Lopez, as I was able to express my appreciation for the sacrifice that her son made for the freedom of our country in this ongoing battle against terrorism.

Anyhow, back to baseball, the local Quisqueya Sports Club softball league held the inaugural game on the field and I was there to get all the action, lets go to the videotape, Mr. John Fogerty!

Adam Stein - www.harborsbroker.com - 845.323.9709 - adam.stein - Wright Bros. RE

First things first, I have a bunch of blogs about to come out as so much has been happening in Haverstraw that its hard to keep up, so you look for those in the days to come.

On Friday July 2nd the Town of Haverstraw put on a fireworks display that would make anybody’s jaw drop.  Every year the fireworks seem to get better and that’s kinda how it is down here at The Harbors at Haverstraw.  Since the first summer at the Harbors in 2006, the development has held a block party outside the town homes that really started out as just neighbors having fun on the nation’s birthday.  It has evolved into something much greater, luckily I brought my Flip HD cam with me so you can experience the night just as I did, except without the beer, or if you like pop open a brew and enjoy the fireworks, happy 4th!

I just want to thank all the service men and woman around the globe you give the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live free in America.

Adam Stein - www.harborsbroker.com - 845.323.9709 - adam.stein - Associate Broker

On Friday night, June 18th the Village of Haverstraw in conjunction with the Greater Haverstraw Chamber of Commerce and the Arts Alliance of Haverstraw hosted Dancing In the Streets in front of the Village Hall on Maple Avenue.  This is the 3rd year of this great event where the street is shutdown to traffic, decorative lights go up and there is a stage set up as well.  The music was provided by The Groove Machine who played all different genres of music.

This is a great event that keeps getting bigger every year.  The good news is if you missed the first Dancing Under the Stars, there are two more planned for the summer.  I will get back to you with the dates but I do know the next one will be held in front of Babe’s on Railroad Ave. in West Haverstraw for the 1st time!

Enjoy the vlog! Until next time…

Adam Stein - 845.323.9709 - www.harborsbroker.com - adam.stein - Wright Bros.

I have been looking forward to doing this blog for a long time, in fact, let me be the first to say that its been long overdue, after all, the Bricktown Inn might have ignited the revitalization efforts in Haverstraw and that’s what this blog is all about. I met Michele and Joe Natale back when they first bought their mid 1800’s brick mansard colonial. Ever since then, they have helped me get involved with the Haverstraw Chamber of Commerce which I am still a member of today after six years.

They transformed their home into a 4 room B & B that has gotten rave reviews from patrons from all over the world. Their guests are either local folks trying to escape for the weekend while hiking Hi-Tor mountain and walking along the Hudson or world travelers that come to the Hudson Valley to see this historic region that we live in. In fact if you Google “Bricktown Inn Haverstraw” you will see 89 reviews and they speak for themselves.

There are many things to love about the Bricktown Inn, some of my personal favorites are the rocking chair front porch decorated with relaxing outdoor furniture, the baby grand piano in the parlor, the great room with the exposed brick and of course, the food and desserts.

Not only does the Bricktown Inn suit your overnight needs but, if you want to have a business event or social gathering, the Inn can accommodate groups of at least 15 people or more with a Victorian Tea party that is a great time.

It appears that Joe and Michele Natale have inspired their neighbors to renovate their turn of the century home into a B & B as well, so look for that in the future but in the meantime please visit the Bricktown Inn and enjoy everything this area has to offer.

Check out this short montage of the place, enjoy!

Until next time…

Adam Stein - 845.323.9709 - www.harborsbroker.com - adam.stein - Wright Bros.