Stephanie L. Solano, Licensed Real Estate Agent

Mt. Vernon, NY Co-op Market First Quarter 2011

This is the market report for co-op apartments sold in Mt. Vernon for the first quarter of 2011. All information is sourced from the Empire Access Multiple Listing Service.

In the first quarter of 2011, there were 12 closings with a median sale price of $155,000.

In the first quarter of 2010, there were 17 closings with a median sale price of $93,500.

15 co-ops are currently under contract at a median asking price of $70,000. 122 co-ops are active on the market and available ranging from $33,500 to 345,000.

If you'd like to search for a co-op in Mt. Vernon or just see where home values are going, get yourself a free listingbook account and search the MLS like an agent!

If you are thinking of selling your house, make sure you have all permits and certificates of occupancy (c/o) in place BEFORE listing your house for sale.

You might have held off on getting that permit or c/o for fear that your real estate taxes will rise. Pay the fee now because you will be paying way more for it later on if you don't.

After signing a contract of sale, not only does the buyer have responsibilities like securing a mortgage, but the seller has an obligation to have clear title of the house. This includes making sure you have permits and c/o's for things like decks, pools, finished basements, extra bathrooms, expansions, etc. Each municipality has different requirements, so speak to someone in your municipality's building department to determine what you need.

Let's suppose you have a ready, willing, and able buyer, signed contracts and are waiting for the closing date. The title report is run and oops you never bothered to get a permit or c/o. No problem, you'll head down to the building department and get it. Heck, you have a few weeks before the closing. And guess what? Your urgent matter is not urgent to the town. It can sometimes take up to 6 weeks for the town to finalize the paperwork. This can mean pushing back your closing or even worse, the time expiring on your obligation and the buyer can take their down payment back and walk away. House unsold, back at square one.

Here in Westchester County it's not uncommon for a closing to take place 90 days after signing a contract. Once the contract is signed, the listing is changed from "active" to "conditional contract" on our MLS. Your house becomes less searchable and in front of less eyes. Essentially the seller looses out on at least 3 months of activity or potential buyers.

Also, it is very important to hold onto important paperwork like this. Yes the town has a copy, but guess what? The town looses things too.

I was lucky enough for my husband to surprise me with a great meal at The Bedford Post Inn for our anniversary. They have 2 restaurants (The Farmhouse and The Barn) and an Inn with 8 rooms and a yoga studio.

The grounds are beautiful and rustic with a gravel driveway, arbors, stonework and nice plantings. It reminded me of Napa Valley. The dining room was also quite charming with a fireplace and nice decor. I understand that the fireplace gives nice ambiance, but in May it was too warm to have it on.

The menu is not very extensive which is ok with me. I rather have the chef concentrate on a few items and execute them perfectly. We ordered off the a la carte menu, but there also is a 5 or 8 course tasting menu. Everything we ordered was excellent. We had the ravioli with chopped truffle for an appetizer, veal and beef for our entrees. The sides of potato and broccoli were really good and the service was excellent as well.

Although we didn't get to meet Richard Gere (it's his restaurant) or Martha Stewart (who lives in Bedford), I would highly reccommend The Bedford Post for a special occasion. I would like to try The Barn for a brunch in the future.

Bedford is composed of 3 hamlets; Bedford Village, Katonah, and Bedford Hills. The town is 39.3 square miles in northern Westchester County. Bedford Hills has a stop on Metro-North which will take about an hour to midtown.

If you would like to be neighbors with Richard or Martha contact me at stephanie@jphilip.com, 914-645-2433, or set up a free listingbook account and search the MLS like an agent.

Farmers' Markets in Westchester County are getting ready to open for the season. If you like fresh veggies, fruit, poultry, baked goods, cheeses, fish and eggs see below for a farmer's market near you.

Croton-on-Hudson Farmers' Market
Municipal Lot on Municipal Pl. and Riverside Ave. (Street Address: Across From 1 Municipal Pl.)
WEDNESDAYS 1:30 PM TO 6:30 PM - RAIN OR SHINE JUNE 1 TO NOVEMBER 23, 2011

Larchmont Farmers' Market
Metro North Parking Deck #3 off Chatsworth Ave. (Street Address: Near 1 Railroad Way)
SATURDAYS 8:30 AM TO 1:00 PM - RAIN OR SHINE MAY 28 TO DECEMBER 17, 2011

New Rochelle Farmers' Market
Library Green, Huguenot Street and Lawton Street (Street Address: Near 264 Huguenot Street)
FRIDAYS 8:00AM TO 3:00PM - RAIN OR SHINE FRIDAYS JUNE 17 TO NOVEMBER 18, 2011

Ossining Farmers' Market
Corner of Main and Spring St. (Street Address: Ossining Post Office, 100 Main Street)
SATURDAYS 8:30AM TO 1:00PM - RAIN OR SHINE MAY 28 TO DECEMBER 17, 2011 (no market on June 11)

Pelham Farmers' Market
Corner of Harmon Avenue and Fifth Avenue (Street Address: Near 8 5th Avenue)
SATURDAYS 8:30AM TO 2:00PM - RAIN OR SHINE MAY 28 TO NOVEMBER 19, 2011

Pleasantville Farmers' Market
Memorial Plaza off Manville Rd. (Street Address: Across From 42 Memorial Plaza)
SATURDAYS 8:30AM TO 1:00PM - RAIN OR SHINE MAY 28 TO DECEMBER 17, 2011

Tarrytown Farmers' Market
Patriot\'s Park on Rt. 9. (Street Address: Adjacent to Tarrytown Public Library, 121 N. Broadway)
SATURDAYS 8:30AM TO 1:00PM - RAIN OR SHINE MAY 28 TO NOVEMBER 19, 2011

If you's like to find a home near any of these towns contact me at stephanie@jphilip.com or 914-645-2433 or set up a free Listingbook account and search for homes like an agent.

We got married!!! I can't believe how fast these 4 years have flown by and how much fun we've had together.

The ceremony was at Holy Family Church in New Rochelle. This is the same church where my parents got married back in 1971.

The reception took place at Glen Island Harbour Club, also in New Rochelle.