Jill Sackler, Realtor Long Island's South Shore Expert

GET AROUND NEW YORK QUICKLY BY BICYCLE - ALTA BICYCLE SHARE PART II

Just in time for New York City's new bicycle initiative

GET AROUND NEW YORK QUICKLY BY BICYCLE - ALTA BICYCLE SHARE Part I

which begins the summer of 2012, New York's Hunter College has released a study which shows that every year, there are about 1,000 pedestrian accidents caused by collision with bicycle riders in New York State. About 550 of them happen in NYC alone.

They believe the number may actually be much higher as this study only accounts for those accidents which resulted in hospital visits for the pedestrians and does not include the individuals who sought treatment with their own doctors or who were able to brush themselves off and walk away. Injuries to the cyclists were not counted in the study.

Young children in poorer neighborhoods appear to make up a noticeable percentage of this study's statistics, perhaps because the children spend more time playing outdoors.

Since the program is expected to be a big hit with tourists, it is imperative that cyclists know and follow bicycle laws and safety rules such as:

• Do not ride on sidewalks.
• Do not ride against traffic.
• Stop at red lights and stop signs.
• Use a front headlight when riding at night. Reflective vests or leg bands are cheap, easy and important even during the day.
• Riding a little farther to the left will give you options if a parked car suddenly open their door.

Hunter College Study

Caution sign courtesy of Salim Virji's photostream via Flickr.com's Creative Commons License.

GET AROUND NEW YORK QUICKLY BY BICYCLE - ALTA BICYCLE SHARE

PART I

In the summer of 2012, a new initiative is set to launch.

Alta Bicycle Share, a vendor based in Portland, Oregon (a known leader in green cities) will fund the multi-million dollar program which allows users to rent a bike from one part of the city and return it to another.

This can be a real time saver as it is often near impossible to get a cab, bus or other method of transportation quickly. It is expected to be especially popular with tourists.

About $100.00 a year will cover the cost of membership. The program will include 10,000 bicycles and allow you access to about 3 miles of New York neighborhoods.

Theft is not an issue as the bicycles are equipped with GPS units and are paid for by credit cards.

In terms of easing vehicle congestion and encouraging exercise, this cheap, green method of transportation is a good one.

Bicycle courtesy of paukrus' photostream

Bicycle lane courtesy of spcbrass' photostream

via Flickr.com's Creative Commons license.

PATCHOGUE THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS - Schedule through the end of this year

Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts

71 East Main Street

Patchogue

631.207.1313

www.patchoguetheatre.com

Sept 24. Mickey B's Fall Spectacular

Sept. 25. The Double Entendre Music Ensemble

Sept. 28, Oct. 19, Nov. 17. All That Jazz Fall 2011 festival

Oct. 1. Danny Aiello

Oct 2. The Atlantic Wind Symphony

Oct. 8. Franc D'Ambrosio

Oct 15. The Led Zepplin Experience, "Hammer of the Gods"

Oct. 16. Julius LaRosa

Anna Marie Alberghetti

Oct. 23. Fourth Free Patchogue Arts Festival

A day of Art, Music, Poetry and Performance

Nov. 18. Taylor Dane

Nov. 19. B.J. Thomas

Nov. 25. Zebra Mad Company

A tribute to Bad Company

Dec. 10-11. "The Nutcracker Suite"

Ticket prices vary. Please call or check the website for more info.

Patchogue Theatre picture courtesy of dougtone's photostream via Flickr.com's Creative Commons License

THE UNDERBELLY OF THE SHORT SALE AND FORECLOSURE WORLD - A REAL ESTATE AGENT'S PERSPECTIVE

I never planned to get involved in short sales and foreclosures. My preference was the senior population, hence my SRES designation. Early in my career, I signed on with a referral company. The leads I received brought me into contact with the more obscure side of the real estate business.

I met some nice people, wonderful people really, who just didn't have the income to buy more traditional properties, and justifiably, were attracted to the rock bottom prices of distressed homes. Who wouldn't want to get a good deal? For those with only 100K or so to spend on a house in New York, a short sale or foreclosure may truly be the only option.

From time to time, people tell me that they were successful in purchasing one of these investors' specials, and I think it's possible to get lucky. However, my experience with Long Island's rather large inventory of short sales and foreclosures has proven to be a real test of perseverance and endurance.

First-time homebuyers are always unaware and are often disillusioned to find out that the low asking price listed is intended to generate multiple offers. Especially in the lower price ranges, houses will almost always sell for full asking price or more and, of course, cash is king.

The bank will wait to make a decision until there are several offers on the table. Prospective buyers need to be counseled to begin with their "highest and best." There may not be an opportunity to put in a higher offer. This purchase practice differs from the customary negotiation process of conventional housing. Unfortunately, it is usually not until they've lost several properties, loads of time and experienced heartbreak that they begin to understand this concept, Even so, in desirable neighborhoods, investors will win out every time.

Even without tenants, these properties can be almost impossible to get into. Less than reputable agents will refuse to call you back, hoping you'll get disgusted and give up. Obviously, if it's a house in halfway decent shape, dozens of people are going to be interested. The agent knows the property will sell quickly and is probably saving the house for one of his own clients in order to get both sides of the deal.

I had one foreclosure specialist tell me that purchasing a property in Nassau County, a very nice area within reasonable commuting distance of New York City, was simply not possible. Assuming there is nothing wrong with the listing, which can cause even investors to lose interest (i.e., title issues or unusually high taxes) there are always buyers ready to snatch it up quickly. This professional further stated that, in order to be successful, I needed to go to Suffolk County, where my chances of finding a distressed property for my clients was much greater. With the sheer number available, and their even greater commuting distance from NYC, Suffolk County's short sales and foreclosures are considered less desirable.

Just as frustrating is when these super deals are bought so quickly by those in the real estate business, they have not even been advertised to the general public. This certainly smacks of insider information and in other fields, would be considered a problem and against the law.

Corporations advertise properties with special 888 phone numbers to call. At these seemingly shady places of business, it is impossible to find someone to speak to. Even the reception area is set up with voice mail. Leaving 25 messages won't help a bit. They have no intention of getting back to you. The listing agent's name is fictional. If, by luck, someone answers your ring or you creatively find your way around the labyrinth that is commonly known as a phone directory, be prepared to hear that no one exists by that name. If you naively point out that this is the name listed on the MLS, you may very well be asked for the number of years you're working in the real estate business.

There are agents who purposely give you the wrong code to a combination lockbox and show no remorse whatsoever if you happen to complain about the frigid, rainy or snowy outdoor temperatures. Mentioning that your clients include a young couple carrying a baby and Grandma who can not stand for long and periodically needs to use the wet steps as a resting place elicits a very weak apology. Other agents make you participate in a treasure hunt just to get inside the home. You'll need to dig up the Sentri lockbox buried beneath the oak tree in the backyard to find the piece of paper on which the sought after combination is written for the second lockbox which was placed on the front door.

Tenacious to the bitter end, I'm surprised I haven't been able to sell more of these homes. But the system is difficult to penetrate and unless I aim to spend my days on the courthouse steps, getting to know the regular investors at auction and finding my place in a system in which I was warned "I'd be eaten alive", I'm not likely to have any more luck in the future. I suppose I'll just concentrate on my niche.

THE PLAZA THEATRE, EAST PATCHOGUE, NY

Original and updated post on the demolition of The Plaza Theatre

Original photo taken by John Paraskevas

Finally, about 100 people gathered to see and cheer the long overdue bulldozing of The Plaza Theatre in E. Patchogue. This theater, which sat empty for 25 years, is a real eyesore on the community's main street and is, at least, partially responsible for holding up the renewal of this area.

The delay stemmed from the fact that the Manhattan-based owner had repeatedly refused to sell the property and had little interest in updating it either. It took many years for the Town of Brookhaven to acquire it through eminent domain and to acquire funds towards the $725,000 cost of demolition.

A judge's ruling will most likely determine the owner's compensation for this building. The town has plans to sell the property for development. Residents have expressed an interest in a grocery store or possibly even another movie theater, according to news sources.