Donna Cox

Don't go it alone.

If you or someone you care about is struggling to make mortgage payments and facing the possibility of foreclosure, please make time to attend this informative workshop. The workshop is designed to provide homeowners with information needed to evaluate the many options available in these uncertain economic times.

This is an opportunity to have your questions and concerns addressed with discretion, competence and compassion.

Foreclosure Prevention Workshop - Sponsored by Prudential Rand Realty

When: 6-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 25
Where:The Comfort Inn, 425 E. Route 59, Nanuet, NY


If you'd like more information, you are welcome to give me a call on 845-641-8613 or send me an email at donna.cox@prudentialrand.com.

Donna Cox
Broker Associate
Prudential Rand Realty
845-641-8613

Here are additional details....

For those at risk of facing foreclosure, a workshop Tuesday will include congressional representatives, nonprofit housing counselors and Rockland County's district attorney, sheriff and county clerk.

The free event will have two panel sessions focusing on fraud preventionand foreclosure prevention. A third session will have comments from local, state and federal officials. A question-and-answer session will follow. The event is from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Comfort Inn in Nanuet.

Rockland District Attorney Thomas Zugibe will moderate the first panel, which will inform homeowners how to protect themselves against fraud and scams when seeking help. The panel also will explain how the county clerk and Sheriff's Department can help homeowners.

The second session will offer practical information on foreclosure-prevention options such as loan modifications and short sales.

That panel includes representatives from the Rockland Housing Action Coalition, the Legal Aid Society of Rockland County and HOGAR Inc., as well as Sean M. Moss, the New York/New Jersey director of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The panel plans to explain the steps of the counseling process, encourage homeownersto schedule appointments and explain a homeowner's rights and expectations if doing a short sale to avoid foreclosure. Karen Oates, president of the Mental Health Association of Rockland County Inc., also will speak on how to prepare children and adults for a foreclosure.

"We are creating a safe, sanctioned atmosphere where they can find answers ..." said Greg Rand, managing partner with Prudential Rand Realty, the event's sponsor. "We hope to put a compassionate face on a daunting process and help homeowners take action."

Journal News, November 22, 2008

Foreclosure Prevention Workshop

When: 6-9:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 25
Where: The Comfort Inn, 425 E. Route 59, Nanuet, NY

Government officials and agencies will present free lectures and workshops for those concerned about home foreclosure. While most of the resources are Rockland-based, residents of other counties are welcome to attend.
Expected participants include representatives from HOGAR, the Rockland Housing Action Coalition, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Legal Aid Society of Rockland and the Mental Health Association of Rockland, and several elected officials.

If you'd like more info, you are welcome to give me a call on 845-641-8613 or send me an email at donna.cox@prudentialrand.com.

The following is from the Journal News...

A lot of Americans would rather go down with the Titanic than offer a lifeboat to homeowners facing foreclosure - the starting point in our ongoing economic collapse. Many members of Congress have been similarly inclined; so far, proceeds from the $700 billion bailout package have been jealously reserved for failing financial institutions and their shareholders while doing little so far to solve our credit crisis or untangle the root problems of individual borrowers.

It is clear, however, that local governments cannot sit back and wait for Washington to engage. The point was underscored yesterday by New York state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. He issued a report on the foreclosure crisis in New York and its deleterious effects on municipal finances. The "good news" is that the toll from failing subprime mortgages is less pronounced here than in other parts of the country, despite pockets of problems.

"The bad news is that there is a real possibility that, given anticipated declines in property values, local governments will be faced with some touch choices in the future," the report states. ". . . A 5 percent reduction in property values could result in a 'worse case' potential loss of between $1.0 billion and $1.3 billion . . . to local governments unless tax rates are increased significantly, with most of this loss occurring in school districts."

He warns that a handful of local governments are at their constitutional taxing limits, severely limiting their budget choices. "Property taxes are the foundation for local tax revenues, but that foundation is weakening," said DiNapoli. ". . . With no end in sight to the housing crisis, many local governments will find their finances stretched pretty thin in order to maintain services."

No joke. Yesterday, Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef pushed to give homeowners facing foreclosure a boost - more time to pay off their tax debt, and allow them to make smaller payment installments. That won't get at all of a troubled homeowner's problems, but it will help. Additionally, next week a comprehensive workshop organized by Prudential Rand Realty will offer owners facing foreclosure further assistance, information and support - perhaps a life line beyond calamity.

Government officials and local nonprofit agencies will be on hand Tuesday night at The Comfort Inn in Nanuet for the Foreclosure Prevention Workshop. Greg Rand of Prudential Rand told the Editorial Board of the eagerness to help by all those involved, from Rockland Housing Action Coalition to elected officials. He said he hoped to bring similar workshops to Westchester and other Lower Hudson Valley communities.

Rockland carries the embarrassing distinction of having the sixth-highest property taxes in the country (Westchester's No. 1 and Putnam escaped the Top 10 by one slot, coming in at 11th.) At present, 385 properties are in the foreclosure process due to property tax delinquency, according to Rockland Finance Commissioner Chris Kopf. Property owners have to come up with 20 percent of the amount owed just to be entitled to a two-year payment plan for getting out of arrears. Vanderhoef yesterday proposed a "Homeowner's Relief" law that would allow a homeowner behind on property taxes to make a 5 percent down payment and have three years to pay. To change the local law, "home rule" legislation needs to be passed by the state Legislature.

That could be much-needed breathing room for those staring into the abyss.

A Journal News editorial

The rivertowns are a collection of small towns and villages situated on the western banks of the Hudson River. The rivertowns are among the most special and sought after locations in the lower Hudson Valley and include Palisades, Sneden's Landing, Piermont, Upper Grandview, Grand View, South Nyack, Nyack, Central Nyack and Upper Nyack. Located about 15 minutes north of Manhattan, the rivertowns are perfect for those looking to live in a beautiful, diverse and convenient location with easy access to Manhattan, Connecticut and Westchester.

September 2008 vs. September 2007 YTD - Single Family Homes
New inventory (the number of homes going on the market) decreased 1% (214 YTD 2008 vs. 217 YTD 2007). There was a 36% decrease in the number of sales (68 YTD 2008 vs. 106 YTD 2007). The average sales price decreased 11% to $669,557. Overall, the average sales price for single family homes in Rockland County (inclusive of the river villages) was $508,118 down 9% over the same period last year.

September 2008 YTD vs. September 2007 YTD - Condos (including townhomes and co-ops)
New inventory (the number of condos going on the market) decreased 10% (99 YTD 2008 vs. 110 YTD 2007). There was a 29% decrease in the number of sales (36 YTD 2008 vs. 51 YTD 2007). The average sales price decreased 22% to $429,256. Overall, the average sales price for condos in Rockland County (inclusive of the river villages) was $295,975 down 5% over the same period last year.

Visit my website at http://www.donnacox.com/ to see a wonderful selection of homes for sale in Rockland County and the Hudson Valley Rivertowns. Or, give me a call on 845-641-8613; I'd love to hear from you.

Donna Cox
Associate Broker
Prudential Rand Realty

August 2008 vs. August 2007 YTD - Single Family Homes
New inventory (the number of homes going on the market) decreased 11% (2,359 YTD 2008 vs. 2,646 YTD 2007). There was a 28.5% decrease in the number of sales (775 YTD 2008 vs. 1,084 YTD 2007). The average sales price decreased 7.7% to $513,567.

August 2008 YTD vs. August 2007 YTD - Condos (including townhomes and co-ops)
New inventory (the number of condos going on the market) decreased 9.3% (819 YTD 2008 vs. 903 YTD 2007). There was a 35% decrease in the number of sales (286 YTD 2008 vs. 439 YTD 2007). The average sales price decreased 6% to $292,586.


About Rockland County, NY.........

The incomparable beauty and quaint charms of Rockland County offer peaceful, pastoral countryside spiced by river villages, historic sites and, arguably, the world's most beautiful river valley. It's unmatched as a getaway spot for a day, a week, or more. There are magnificent Hudson River views that once inspired a whole school of American painters. 32,000 acres of unspoiled parklands. Rolling mountains, sparkling lakes for swimming, fishing and boating. Unique historic sites that made important contributions to America's earliest history. Intriguing museums, landmarks, music and theatre await you.

But don't be fooled by this seemingly rural charm. Because of the county's proximity to New York City (16 miles), and residents that are no less than icons in the theatre, arts and business, there is a sophistication found only in big cities. With Palisades Center Mall and close-by Woodbury Commons, boutiques, shops and galleries, you will find endless shopping opportunities. And restaurants-we rival Manhattan's best. We have some great things hidden in the little corners of our world. (Excerpt from the Rockland County Tourism site)

Visit my website at http://www.donnacox.com/ to see a wonderful selection of homes for sale in Rockland County. Or, give me a call on 845-641-8613; I'd love to hear from you.

The rivertowns are a collection of small towns and villages situated on the western banks of the Hudson River. The rivertowns are among the most special and sought after locations in the lower Hudson Valley and include Palisades, Sneden's Landing, Piermont, Upper Grandview, Grand View, South Nyack, Nyack, Central Nyack and Upper Nyack. Located about 15 minutes north of Manhattan, the rivertowns are perfect for those looking to live in a beautiful, diverse and convenient location with easy access to Manhattan, Connecticut and Westchester.

August 2008 vs. August 2007 YTD - Single Family Homes
New inventory (the number of homes going on the market) decreased 5% (185 YTD 2008 vs. 194 YTD 2007). There was a 40% decrease in the number of sales (58 YTD 2008 vs. 96 YTD 2007). The average sales price decreased 7% to $699,845. Overall, the average sales price for single family homes in Rockland County (inclusive of the river villages) was $513,567 down 7.6% over the same period last year.

August 2008 YTD vs. August 2007 YTD - Condos (including townhomes and co-ops)
New inventory (the number of condos going on the market) decreased 4% (93 YTD 2008 vs. 97 YTD 2007). There was a 40% decrease in the number of sales (29 YTD 2008 vs. 48 YTD 2007). The average sales price decreased 21% to $430,524. Overall, the average sales price for condos in Rockland County (inclusive of the river villages) was $292,586 down 6% over the same period last year.

Visit my website at http://www.donnacox.com/ to see a wonderful selection of homes for sale in Rockland County and the Hudson Valley Rivertowns. Or, give me a call on 845-641-8613; I'd love to hear from you.

Donna Cox
Associate Broker
Prudential Rand Realty