July 27th, 2010 › Uncategorized › Gregg Smolev › no comments ›
We having been saying it for a year now – the housing market in Westchester has been improving after dropping for the prior two years. The Westchester-Putnam Board of Realtors published 2nd Quarter 2010 statistics last week, and it showed overall higher volume and higher prices for homes in Westchester.
Unemployment has been declining in our market area, and there is almost no new construction – that’s a recipe for recovery. We will keep an eye on future reports to see if the trend continues.
July 5th, 2010 › Uncategorized › Gregg Smolev › no comments ›
No vacancies right now at Ichabod’s Landing, but we can show a home if you are interested in purchasing or renting later this year. Please call Douglas Smolev at (914) 772-7672 to make an appointment.
June 6th, 2010 › Uncategorized › Gregg Smolev › no comments ›
Our waterfront homes are currently all rented, but one or two will become available later this year. However, starting July 1, you will be able to preview the waterfront townhouses.
There is also a townhome currently available that does not have a direct water view, but offers excellent value and will give you the opportunity to live right near the water and take advantage of the great location in southern Westchester, walking distance to the train station.
Call Douglas Smolev at (914) 772-7672 for more details.
May 18th, 2010 › Uncategorized › Gregg Smolev › no comments ›
Our last two waterfront rentals were rented this past weekend. However, all six of our rentals will eventually be for sale, including one or two later this year. If you are interested in owning a townhouse with absolutely the most spectacular Hudson riverfront views, please contact Douglas Smolev at (914) 772-7672 to put your name on our waiting list, and as soon as we have something available we will contact you for a personalized showing. You can also send an e-mail to douglas.smolev@themarcongroup.net.
April 29th, 2010 › Uncategorized › Gregg Smolev › no comments ›
Spring fever – after a winter like this, we all have it! Seems to us the best way to cure it (and summer fever too) is to live in a townhouse on the Hudson, with incredible Hudson River views. Watching the sailboats catching a cool breeze right from your own roof garden overlooking the river, enjoying cocktails while the sun sets over the Palisades…what could possibly be a better way to spend a spring or summer afternoon?
These Ichabod’s Landing Westchester townhomes with Hudson views are quite simply the most unique homes for sale or rent in lower Westchester. This is the year to change your lifestyle and get the townhouse with water views you’ve always wanted – call Douglas Smolev at (914) 772-7672 to make an appointment to see these spectacular townhouses near Tarrytown.
April 4th, 2010 › Uncategorized › Gregg Smolev › no comments ›
The days of thinking of your house as something to “flip” or as a piggy bank to take cash from have long since ended. Instead, we are back to the way things were meant to be – your house is where you live. So, you want to be sure that before you make the long-term decision on where to live, you are absolutely certain that it’s the right place.
That’s why many people are deciding to rent first, make sure they like it, and then making the decision to purchase. At Ichabod’s Landing, you can do just that. You can rent of our homes for a year and then decide if you want to purchase. It’s a no-risk way to try the Ichabod’s Landing lifestyle, living right on the Hudson River within walking distance to the Tarrytown Metro-North station.
We are certain that once you try living in one of our gorgeous townhouses, replete with gourmet kitchens, fireplaces, and best of all, roof decks with spectacular views of the Hudson, the Tappan Zee Bridge and the Palisades, you will absolutely fall in love and never want to leave!
So call Douglas Smolev at (914) 772-7672 or e-mail him at douglas.smolev@themarcongroup.net for details on renting.
February 26th, 2010 › Uncategorized › Gregg Smolev › no comments ›
With so much to see and do in the Hudson River towns, activities and events encompass all four seasons. Residents of Ichabod’s Landing are close to everything.
High on everyone’s “go see” list is KYKUIT, the nearly 100-year old Rockefeller Estate in Pocantico Hills, home to four generations of the family. Tours start at Phillipsburg Manor in Tarrytown and encompass the six-story stone house, Governor Nelson Rockefeller’s spectacular gardens and his famous 20th Century modern sculpture collections as well as his underground art galleries and Coach Barn. It’s easy to see why John D. Rockefeller chose this site for its breathtaking views of the River and the Palisades.
PHILLIPSBURG MANOR in Tarrytown is a National Historic Landmark and part of the Historic Hudson Valley. Established in the early 1700’s it is now a working 18th century farm with costumed interpreters re-enacting life in pre-Revolutionary times. This historic site offers a variety of school programs and is a wonderful place to spend time for both adults and children.
SUNNYSIDE, also a National Historic Landmark, was home to one of America’s most famous authors, Washington Irving, whose “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is the derivation of the “Ichabod’s Landing” condominium’s name. Costumed guides take visitors on a tour back in time exploring the lifestyle of the man who called his pre-Civil War estate his “snuggery.” Both adult tour programs and school programs are available.
LYNDHURST in Irvington is owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is one of the U.S. finest Gothic revival mansions. Its 67 acres overlook the Hudson River. Known for its magnificent sweeping lawns, rose garden, carriage house, children’s play house and the partially restored Rose Cottage greenhouse, it was home to 3 different influential businessmen, the last and most famous one being Jay Gould. Group tours are available for adults and special programs are available to school groups.
For live performances there is nothing like the TARRYTOWN MUSIC HALL, located on Main St. and one of the oldest venues in the U.S. Its 843 seats all have unobstructed views of the stage. Renovated ten years ago and still going strong, the Music Hall offers plays, individual performances and other events, as well as productions by local theater groups. Performers have included Dizzy Gillespie, Liz Calloway, Bruce Springsteen, Chris Botti and John Tesh.
After sightseeing, attending a concert or show, or walking or hiking along the Hudson River in Tarrytown and Irvington, you might want to visit one of the area’s excellent waterfront restaurants including Irvington’s The Red Hat on the River, Sunset Cove in Tarrytown, Half Moon in Dobbs Ferry or Harvest-on-Hudson in Hastings or choose from a myriad of local dining venues including The Cookery and Sushi Mike’s in Dobbs Ferry, Equus, Caravela, Santa Fe and Ruth’s Chris in Tarrytown.
When moving to a new home it’s good to know where the local hospital is and what its affiliations are. Phelps Memorial Hospital on Route 9 in Sleepy Hollow is a world-class hospital center. Its affiliations include the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the Mount Sinai Hospital and together with three other major Westchester hospitals is a member of the Stellaris Health Network.
January 24th, 2010 › Uncategorized › Gregg Smolev › 1 comment ›
The Westchester-Putnam Multiple Listing Service just released its 4th quarter 2009 statistics, and they seem to indicate a rebound in the Westchester housing market. While for the full year sales were down 12% and prices were down 11% versus 2008, the fourth quarter told a different story. Single family home sales were up 36%, and condominium sales were up 44% versus 4th quarter 2008, while median prices were down 1.8% and 2.1% respectively.
In fact, the volume of single family sales was just about equal with 4th quarter 2007. These statistics indicate that there are plenty of buyers for well-priced homes. But price is key. Sellers need to be realistic and recognize that prices are at early 2004 levels. They are down about 20% from the 2007 highs. Many people, however, are recognizing that rarely are the stars so aligned to purchase a home – low prices and low interest rates are combining for record affordability. If volume continues to pick up, prices will follow at some point.
Westchester does not have a glut of housing – in fact, for sale inventory is not much higher than it was during some of the boom years. In fact, it is very difficult to get new developments approved in Westchester, so that in and of itself serves as a brake on overbuilding. It simply became overpriced, with buyers bidding properties up to unsustainable levels. Once the economy started to implode, particularly Wall Street, Westchester housing prices inevitably followed.
With the beginnings of a modest economic recovery, and Wall Streeters taking home bonuses again (even with the general uproar about it), this may signal the turning of the corner. It will be interesting to see as the year unfolds. In all likelihood, prices will not increase much this year, if at all, but if the volume of sales continues to pick up, then certainly by next year prices will start to move up. Needless to say, if the economy were to backtrack again, all bets are off, but if things continue to improve, albeit slowly, then the Westchester housing market should continue to improve slowly as well.
November 16th, 2009 › Uncategorized › Gregg Smolev › no comments ›
People who live in Manhattan often find it hard to picture themselves living anywhere else – Manhattan simply has it all. However, having it all has a pretty hefty price tag, whether you rent an apartment or own a co-op or condominium in Manhattan. So, the thrill of living in Manhattan is often tempered by the reality of not getting much for your money, particularly when it comes to housing.
People who live in Westchester certainly get much more for their housing dollars than those who live in Manhattan, but if they work in Manhattan or like to spend some evenings and weekends there, getting to Manhattan can be a hassle.
Ichabod’s Landing, however, offers the best of both worlds. Townhouses right on the Hudson River, available for sale or rent at a fraction of what anything with even a remotely comparable view or space would cost in Manhattan, yet just a five minute walk to the Metro-North train station and just 30 minutes to Grand Central. It’s the perfect place for commuters or those who appreciate everything Manhattan has to offer, and also enjoy being in a gorgeous waterfront location near parks and transportation.
If you’re looking to live on the water in an exceptional townhouse at a very reasonable cost for riverfront living, Ichabod’s Landing would be an excellent choice to start your search.
Tags: close to mass transit, commuting, commuting distance, hudson river, reasonable price, sleepy hollow, townhouses, walk to train, westchester
September 17th, 2009 › Uncategorized › Gregg Smolev › no comments ›
Even with a weak economy, gasoline prices remain pretty high. As the world economy recovers, those prices will be going even higher, and many analysts predict that gas prices will exceed $4.00 per gallon at some point in 2010 and much higher than that in future years.
Obviously, that is a big concern for anyone considering moving their residence. The cost of driving is heading ever higher for the foreseeable future. In addition, studies have shown that most people want shorter commutes because longer commutes detract from family time and quality of life.
So it is probably true going forward that homes that are close to mass transit and convenient to shopping are going to be more valuable than those that are not. Just a reminder – at Ichabod’s Landing, you can walk to the train, and shopping of every conceivable kind is within a few minutes drive. Certainly factors to consider!
Tags: close to mass transit, commuting, commuting distance, gas costs, Ichabod's Landing, walk to train