Donald Reich

Getting Help...Realizing When You Need It!

It's finally spring and many of us have sprung into action! Are you spring cleaning, planning spring projects, or perhaps even getting your home ready for sale? Contact a local Westchester Realtor! You can find a great professional right here at Prudential Centennial Realty. One thing is for sure, if your home project is to help get the house ready for sale, you want to do it right and have a good understanding of what potential buyers are looking for.

The second step is to really think about your project. Renee Ursem, professional organizer said, "I consider myself a do-it-yourself kind of gal. My husband and I take care of our own yard, pool, and house. We're picky about how things are done, so we choose to do many things ourselves. It works pretty well."

She explains, a few months ago, the couple decided to touch up the doors and baseboards in their house. Since the previous owners had left paint, she figured it would be a quick little project-a little paint here, a little paint there, no problem.

Well.....apparently there were a few glitches in her plan.

The first problem surfaced when the paint (which had been labeled) didn't match the surface being painted. Maybe it just needed to dry? When the dry paint still didn't match the doors, they didn't panic; they just decided to paint the doors (cut-outs and all). Seems like a natural solution to a minor problem, right?

Armed with the right color and proper tools, the second day was spent rolling and brushing on the paint. The lack of light made it hard to see, and the paint didn't roll on as easily as expected. It was going to need a second coat.

"That's when reality struck," said Renee, "this was going to take a lot longer than I wanted or expected."

Now, mid-project, it became evident, that she needed help. Assessing the project in its entirety and thinking about potential issues prior to starting, may eliminate problems all together.

Tip: Cheryl Long (Editor in Chief of Mother Earth News) is a proponent of testing paints, cleaners or any other products that may have any effect on finish, color, materials, etc. of the surface on which you are using them. EVEN IF YOU HAVE USED THE PRODUCT, OR ONE SIMILAR BEFORE.

Renee decided to call a professional Handyman to help her out. A local contractor, (there are several in Westchester, or you can refer to your realtor at Prudential Centennial Realty), was able to give her a bid quickly and help her out right away. The handyman was able to get the entire project done in less than a day.

A week later the doors were painted better and faster than they could have ever done alone. It was almost a pleasure for them to write that check, knowing that instead of spending months frustrated, they could use the time to do something fun.

The point here is that when it comes to do-it-yourself projects, know when to say when!

It is time for you to get some help? Here are some things to consider:

• Be specific. "I need help with my finances" doesn't work. Do you need help saving money, setting up a budget, doing taxes, or filing your financial documents? Knowing what you need is half the battle.
• Determine the type of help needed. Do you need a contractor, a professional, a coach, or just some extra hands?
• Do some research. Ask friends for recommendations. Look online. Get some bids. Don't assume that you can't afford help. Always refer to professionals that have experience with home buying/selling or perhaps just have great references for local handymen, like a Westchester County Realtor. Prudential Centennial Realty has a list of handy experts waiting for you!
• Assess the problem area's costs. What is not getting that project done costing you now? Time, energy, a relationship, your sense of peace, future goals?
• Look ahead. What could you do after the project is complete? Getting it done will help you move on to bigger and better things.
• Formulate a plan. It may be possible for you to pay for help right away. Maybe you need to do some of the work yourself. You might need to save for it. It could be done in stages. The point is to figure out a way to get it done so you can move on.
• Get started. At some point you just need to take the plunge.

Once the project is done - enjoy it! Congratulate yourself on a job well done and admire the handiwork!

Or, if your project was part of getting your home ready for sale, contact Prudential Centennial Realtynow.

Long Island Sound a Choice Home for Plants, Animals, People!

Did you know the Long Island Sound is an estuary? If you've got a blank look on your face, you're not alone. Many people are aware of estuaries, but don't recognize them by their somewhat presumptuous name.

If you're looking for homes along the Long Island Sound, you'll be glad to know this is some of the most highly-sought-after Westchester County. If you're shopping for home in Mamaroneck, you've come to the right place! Our listings feature so many beautiful homes in Mamaroneck, Larchmont, New Rochelle, and much more.

Here is just one example of one of our waterfront listings in Mamaroneck.

What is an Estuary?

When salt water from the ocean mixes with fresh waters from rivers and land water sources, an estuary is created. This is just one of the features that makes the Long Island Sound so special and an incredibly desirable place to be.

Unlike many estuaries, Long Island Sound has two connections to the sea and a multitude of major rivers. In 1987 this area was designated a "National Estuary" by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

This mix of fresh and salt water helps create an optimal environment for plant and wildlife. Sustaining habitat is abundant here for feeding, breeding, and nesting.

In addition to being an environmental miracle, the Long Island Sound is a major contributing factor to the local economy with about $5.5 billion annually pouring into the region from boaters, anglers, swimmers, and tourists.

This isn't such a bad place for people to live-it's fabulous and more than 8 million people agree as they live in the Long Island Sound watershed.

Great Waterfront Property Available

If you're ready to become a part of the Long Island Sound's complex and beautiful eco system, explore some of our waterfront community profiles. Then contact Prudential Centennial Realty for a tour and more information about this amazing region.

With one quarter closed for 2011, the economic conditions seen during 2010 continue to affect sales activity in Westchester.

Number of Homes Sold:

To continue reading the 2011 First Quarter Report, please click here

What: Bronxville Summer Farmers' Market

When: May 28-Nov. 19, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (rain or shine)

Where: Stone Place at Paxton Avenue, Bronxville, NY

Vendors: Contact Mary Liz Mulligan, 914-479-2246, m1m5950@gmail.com

Bronxville Farmers' Market Welcomes Summer May 28

It's been a long, cold winter. If thoughts of fresh fruits, vegetables, homemade breads, jams and jellies are dancing in your head, get ready for the Bronxville Chamber of Commerce Summer Farmers' Market.

The Summer Market opens May 28 and will take place every Saturday on Stone Place at Paxton Avenue in Bronxville, NY. The Farmers' market will be open 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., "rain or shine" according to the Chamber's online announcement.

Want to get in on this well-organized and extremely successful event? Simply contact Mary Liz Mulligan at 914-479-2246 for all the details. You can email her too at m1m5950@gmail.com.

Bronxville, NY is an affluent village in Westchester County, NY. In fact, it was once the home of late President John F. Kennedy. The Kennedy family bought a 21-room mansion on a six-acre estate where the future president participated in Boy Scouts from 1929 to 1931. There are many stunning Bronxville NY homes for sale. Area residents love the upper-class atmosphere, elegant architecture, fine homes and community facilities.

It's activities like the popular Farmers Market that bring people of the village together to enjoy the area's abundance.

If you are shopping for Bronxville NY homes for sale, contact Prudential Centennial Realty today. One of our licensed real estate professionals will be glad to give you a tour of the area featuring Bronxville NY homes for sale based on your expressed wants and needs. Just 15 miles north of Manhattan, Bronxville is a serene community with a celebrated level of education in Bronxville schools.

Bronxville Farmers' Market a Bronxville Tradition

Established in June 2002, the Village of Bronxville and the Bronxville Chamber of Commerce are reported to have joined together to create a venue for vendors from throughout New York State's Hudson Valley. " ... all goods are in compliance with the New York State Department of Agricultural Markets," according to the chamber's website.

Vegetable and produce vendors even honor W.I.C. and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program checks. At this market you will find:

• fresh produce, including organic produce and specialty items
• pasture raised-meats and poultry
• honey
• maple syrup
• pickles
• cheese
• breads
• baked goods
• quiche
• dips
• soups
• herbs
• lavender and lavender products
• local wines
• field-cut wild flowers
• bottled milk
• granola
• soups
• cookies
• hand made soaps & lotions
• home spun fibers for knitting and chutney

Don't miss this delicious and green tradition!

Today is the first day of May!! We had sunshine, 65 degrees, and buyers looking for homes. What more could I ask for? I guess a sale or 2 would be nice, but one step at a time. This is definitely shaping up to be a good spring. Better than last year, though still not as good as a 5 years ago.

I hope everyone else had a great May First too!