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Ruthmarie Hicks

Housing and Market Statistics for Hartsdale NY – Second Quarter 2009

Manor Woods - Hartsdale NYThe Hartsdale housing market is in buyer’s market territory at this time. Like White Plains, the area resisted the housing correction particularly in the condo and coop markets until the stock market crashed in late 2008. Single Family homes had taken a hit prior to the market crash and although declines continued – they were not as severe.

Cooperatives:

The coop market saw a 3.1% price decline from Q2 2008. Hartsdale currently has an inventory of 11 months. There are quite a few contracts and pendings at this time. This reflects the longer escrow periods that the banks are responsible for. Sales volume is down 12.5% over the previous year. Much of that decline in slaes volume can be attributed to the slowness of the banks. The number of contracts and pendings indicates that thinAlthough this is absolutely a buyer’s market, the volume has picked up and the free-fall in prices has stopped.

Condominiums:

The most dramatic price adjustment was in the condo market. Prices were down almost 35% over the previous year. Sales volume was down over 14%. The current inventory suggests an absorption rate of 15.5 months. Although Hartsdale did not go on a high-rise “building spree” like White Plains and New Rochelle, the excesses of those markets are filtering their way through the entire lower Westchester condo market.

Single Family Homes:

Single family homes already took a hit last year prior to the market crash. Now there are signs of stabilization. Although prices are down close to 6%, sales volume held steady from Q2 of 2008. The free-fall has stopped. Homes at lower price points are selling better than those over $800k. This reflects the difficulties encountered in obtaining reasonable jumbo loans. Currently there is a 14 month inventory. But if you are a buyer shopping for a modestly priced home, that high inventory may give you a false sense of power. Homes in this price range are moving faster than the median.

Picture 2Hartsdale Housing volume Q2 2009

Hartsdale Housing Inventory and volume

Further Reading:

1. Hartsdale NY – Market Statistics for 3rd Quarter 2008.

2. Hartsdale NY – Housing and Market Statistics for Fourth Quarter 2008.

3. Hartsdale NY – Housing and Market Statistics for First Quarter 2009.

© 2009 Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.

Housing and Market Statistics for Hartsdale NY – Second Quarter 2009

Housing and Market Statistics for White Plains NY - Second Quarter 2009

Gedney Farms Golf Course White PlainsThe White Plains housing market finally to its hit when the stock market crashed in late 2008. Until that time, the White Plains market - along with much of lower Westchester had resisted the declines that had occurred in other parts of the country. Prices dropped sharply and as credit markets froze up, sales volume dropped to a trickle by the end of Q4 2008. The winter was long and harsh as sales volume continued to stay low. This was mostly due to the tighter lending standards and a general reluctance to buy for those who actually had the credit to do so.

Buyer interest started to increase at the beginning of the 2nd quarter as lower prices and the stimulus package pulled buyers off the fence. Towards the end of the quarter there were many more contracts and pendings. The question in early June was whether or not the banks would actually fund all of the loans. Fortunately, things started looking up and the market is again moving, although volume is lower than in years past is the order of the day. This can be attributed to tighter lending standards.

Cooperatives:

Coops actually showed a price increase over the 2nd quarter of 2008. The 2.7% increase was small - but compared to the decreases seen in the condo and SF home markets, it is an encouraging sign. Coops are the entry level purchase for most first time buyers - which explains the resilience. Sales volume overall is still down 24% over the previous year while inventory is estimated at about 12.5 months. The inventory pressure will keep prices in check, but all in all - the coop market has fared better than the rest of White Plains housing.

Condominiums:

Condominiums have taken a real "hit" in this market. Prices are down over 11% over the previous year while inventories remain very high. Right now there are over 153 condos on the market an absorption rate of about 8 units a month. That's up from the 3-4 units a month we saw at the beginning of the year. Still at the present rate of sales it will take over 18 months to sell off the current inventory. Sales volume is down 46% from Q2 2008 and 60% from Q2 2007. So this represents a serious buyers market.

Single Family Homes:

Single Family home sales have picked up over the last few months. Single Family homes were the first to correct in White Plains as their downward price spiral started before the market crash. Lower prices have driven buyers to make offers although the sales volume remains down 15% from the previous year. Prices are off 11.3% from last year, but there are signs that the excess inventory is easing. It will take about 11 months to absorb the present inventory. This is a buyer's market, but not a fire sale. Buyers should be aware of the fact that they can get a good deal, but pushing the envelope too far will cost them. Its a market that is moving once again.

White Plains NY Housing Prices 2009

Sales Volume White Plains NY Housing 2009

Absorption Rate - White Plains Housing Sales - 2009

Additional Reading:

White Plains NY - Housing and Market Statistics for First Quarter 2009.

White Plains NY - Housing and Market Statistics for Fourth Quarter 2008:

Housing and Market Statistics for White Plains NY – Second Quarter 2009

© 2009 Ruthmarie Garcia Hicks http://thewestchesterview.com. All rights reserved

Mornings at Coffee Labs - Tarrytown NY

Jade at Coffee Labs - Tarrytown NY

Coffee Labs of Tarrytown NY - A place to enjoy a great cup of coffee - with your best canine friend!

I confess that I have a coffee habit. It’s easy to point fingers at my 1/4 Spanish/Cuban heritage - but let’s face it - I’m addicted. This is particularly true of really fine coffee. And Coffee Labs offers some of the best blends there are. Once you’ve tried it, there really is no going back.

Sometimes I go to Coffee Labs in the morning with Jade - my mellow Siberian Husky. For those of you who have read the antics of my two White Siberian Huskies, you know that I hav two females named Jade and Tundra. Tundra is my wild child and Jade is as relaxed and mellow as Tundra is exuberant. So Jade gets to accompany me to the coffee shop where I get a great cup of coffee, pull up a table and get to work researching the market and catching up with correspondence. It’s my way of getting out of the office and enjoy a change of pace - while still being able to get work done. There are quite a few regular morning patrons at Coffee Labs. Many sit just like me - working away at their laptops sharing the bandwidth. Julie Annello is one a customer who I took note of because she didn’t have a laptop. Instead, she had her sketch book. For several days Julie tried to get a nice sketch of Jade, but somehow - it never quite happened…until last Wednesday… It really captures the quiet calm of Jade and her retiring, gentle personality. Julie gave me her sketch which I scanned into my computer and here it is….direct from Coffee Labs…Jade in repose while her “Mom” is working on market stats.

© 2009 Ruthmarie G. Hicks - All rights reserved.

Orignal Post...

Mornings at Coffee Labs - Tarrytown NY

Want Fireworks for the 4th of July? Want to Stay Local? Check Out These Lower Westchester Events…

happy-4th-of-july

Going into NYC for July 4th is great - but it can be a hassle. Fact is you don’t need to go to Manhattan to see terrific displays. Here is a short list of lower Westchester events and fireworks displays. This will help get you started….

You can start celebrating as early as tonight:

Events for Wednesday July 1, 2009


Playland’s Weekly Fireworks Display:

Starts at 9:15. Offered by the Westchester County Parks Dept. Admission for parking is $4.00

Location & Info:
Playland Park
Playland Parkway
Rye, NY 10580
(914) 813-7010

White Plains Fireworks Display:

An evening out at the White Plains High School. Includes fun for all With inflatable rides and food along with a children’s stage. Free to the public. 6-10 PM. (Rain date July 2)

Location & Info:
White Plains High School
550 North St.
914-422-1200

Events for Friday July 3, 2009


Kensico Dam Music Fest with the Westchester Philharmonic and Fireworks:

Gates open at 5 PM for picnicing - bring your own chairs and blankets. Car pooling recommended. Concert begins at 8 PM. This should be quite an event. Admission is FREE

Location & Info:
Kensico Dam Plaza
Bronx River Parkway
Valhalla, NY 10595
914-864-7275

Playland’s Fourth of July Fireworks Display:

Starts at 9:15. Offered by the Westchester County Parks Dept. Admission for parking is $4.00

Location & Info:
happy-4th-of-july2
Playland Park
Playland Parkway
Rye, NY 10580
(914) 813-7010

Westchester Chamber Orchestra’s Independence Day Concert:

Featuring pianist Adam Kent performing 20th-century composers from the U.S.
Admission is FREE.

Location & Info:
One Library Plaza
New Rochelle, NY
914-654-4926

Scarsdale’s Concert and Fireworks:
Concert begins at 7:30 PM and the fireworks start at 9:15 PM. Admission is $2.00

Location and Info:
Scarsdale Municipal Pool
311 Mamaroneck Rd.
Scarsdale, NY
914-722-1292

Sleepy Hollow Fireworks Show:

Begins at 9 PM.

Kingsland Point Park

Sleepy Hollow, NY

(Note I have no information on this event other than a sign on the road!)

Events for Saturday July 4, 2009:

Independence Day 1856 at Sunnyside:
10 AM - 5 PM - This is a full day event that includes dramatic presentations, period music and country dancing. They are offering a game of “Town Ball” which is a 19th century version of baseball. There are house tours and ice cream demonstrations. You can bring your own picnic or buy food on site. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $6 for children 5-17 years of age. Children under 5 are free.

Location and Info:
89 West Sunnyside La.
Tarrytown, NY
914-591-8763
www.hudsonvalley.org.

Tarrytown Fireworks Display:

Concert and fireworks at the gazebo overlooking the Hudson. Starts at 7 PM.

Location and Info:
Pierson Park
West Main St.
Tarrytown, NY
914-631-8347

Playland’s 4th of July Fireworks Display:

Starts at 9:15. Offered by the Westchester County Parks Dept. Admission for parking is $5.00

Location & Info:

Playland Park

Playland Parkway
Rye, NY 10580
(914) 813-7010

© 2009 Ruthmarie G. Hicks - http://thewestchesterview.com - all rights reserved.

Initially posted

Want Fireworks for the 4th of July? Want to Stay Local? Check Out These Lower Westchester Events…

This could be your back yard......

Garth WoodsOne of the many issues confronting first time buyers and those who want to “downsize” is that many crave having an outdoor space. Cooperative life isn’t always conducive to having outdoor space, but the coops on Garth Rd. are an exception. The park that runs behind the Bronx River Parkway side of Garth Rd. creates a wonderful “back yard” for the residents. For those who crave outdoor space and easy to footpaths. The area, called the Garth Woods Conservatory offers a quiet oasis from the usual street and village traffic and appears to be popular with many of the residents. I took advantage of some extra time I had and took a short walk along the Conservatory with my dog Jade. We ran into several canine friends along the way as well as several people who were happy to meet my dog…I wasn’t nearly so interesting.

As can be seen from the photos - many who live along the Garth Woods Conservatory have a birds eye view of the woods - with gardens or terraces having a view of the woods.

Garth Woods

Garth Woods

Original Post...This could be your “back yard”….

© 2009 Ruthmarie Hicks All Rights Reserved.