About Westchester County, NY

Are you selling your home on your own?

I can understand that some home owners may want to try marketing and selling their home on their own (FSBO) since it appears to be pretty easy at first and then of course there is the perceived cost savings. Should you decide to give it a try, I sincerely wish you the very best of luck and encourage you to take full advantage of the essential tools and resources I offer to home sellers throughout my web site.

There is no catch, they are absolutely free, without any obligation whatsoever! As a matter of fact my entire web site is at your command. Just take whatever information may be of help in your endeavor.

CLICK HERE to open my free FSBO resource page now.

It was a bizarre phone call this afternoon. The lady on the phone swore that her home had just come off the market with another broker, but I couldn't find it on the MLS. I changed statuses, spellings of the address (1st? First?), and anything else I could think of. Nothing. The home is in Yonkers, so I asked if it could be on a corner and have another address. Nope, middle of the block.

I asked who the broker was, and she didn't know. Her brother and co-owner was handling that. Then, she finally gave me the clue I needed. The broker was in Queens. After a quick check, I had my answer.

The broker listed her Yonkers home on the Long Island MLS. Yonkers is not in the Long Island area. It belongs on the Westchester-Putnam MLS.

No wonder there were no calls. No wonder there were no showings. The house was, for all intents and purposes, not listed, at least not on the local market. It might as well have been on the California MLS.

So, if you are selling your home, I guess you need to add to track record, references and other advisable queries, if the agent will actually put the property on the correct MLS. Not that you want the local brokers and buyers to be aware of it. I mean, if you did that, it might actually sell.

Oh, and here's another little detail. The house doesn't expire on the Long Island MLS until August, 2010!

Next!

With Thanksgiving just around the corner I thought it would be a great time to give thanks to the one thing that get's often over looked. OUR BODIES!!! My friend wrote a great blog to honor her body. I had to share. It's honest and funny and true. We're passing it on as a thanks and celebration to self.

Happy Thanksgiving to my activerain family.

Enjoy!

Shaydie :0)

• To My Body, With Love.

  Dearest Body,

  You are truly amazing, if I do say so myself. I just thought that today would be an appropriate day to remind you so.

  Feet, how can I thank you for the many, many miles that you have carried me? I promise I'll do my best from now on to keep you soft, smooth and comfortable. How about a fresh coat of polish on those underrated toes of yours to give you a little boost? Just prop yourself up there. Take a load off.

  Legs, no more will I subject you to the harsh scrutiny in fluorescent lighting and full-length mirrors. You're strong yet soft, and you look fabulous in heels. Rawr.

  Hips, I promise to embrace you and feel proud that you are my own. You are sexy but functional; thank you for providing the perfect place to balance my wriggling children! Your curves are the epitome of feminity. It's possible that you alone may be responsible for the fact that my husband has stuck around as long as he has.

  Butt, you really know how to fill out a great pair of jeans. I can forgive a dimple or two. Besides, you go great with Hips and Legs.

  Belly... oh, belly. You may be a little softer than you used to be, but rock hard abs are not conducive to napping children's heads. You've been stretched out to accommodate life (twice!), only to shrink right back down again (twice!). You've been poked, pierced and prodded, starved and stuffed full. I think you deserve a break. No more will I deny you the occasional Twinkie. It's okay, really.

  Boobs, as the saying goes "The ol' gray mare, she ain't what she used to be!" I think we both (trice? thrice? three?) can admit that you aren't quite as perky as you were 10 years ago. But look at all you've been through since then! You've produced nourishment for 2 babies, endured numerous unsupportive torture devices, and provided hours of entertainment for my husband. Of course you aren't quite the same! However, the three of us know that you still have it... given the right bra, you make for an absolutely fabulous rack. And from what I understand, you are still excellent playthings when the mood is right.

  Arms, I know, I know... I've been known to call you "wimpy." While it's true you might be a little on the (gasp!) scrawny side, you've provided many loving embraces. Sometimes a hug says more than words, and nothing is stronger than that.

  Hands, you are the spitting image (if hands could spit, that is) of my grandmother's hands. You're strong and a little scratchy. Moisturizer is nothing to you! While I have wished for a soft, silky touch, as a young child I found that my grandmother's scratchy hands made for the BEST backrubs... perfect for drifting off to sleep. I think that my own children might agree.

  Face, I think that I owe you the biggest apology of all. You've been picked, stretched, pierced, tanned, plucked, waxed and even slapped. I promise to embrace the freckles, the laugh lines, and even, I suppose, the crow's feet. You are, simply, ME. It's safe to say that I've gotten quite attached to you. You've laughed, you've cried, and your expression always tells the truth. Every line, wrinkle, spot and scar tell the story of my life. I promise to take better care of you from now on. I kind of need you. Despite what I might think sometimes, you really are beautiful.

  Put simply, Body, you are unlike any other. You are mine. I've come to accept -- and love -- a few lines, blemishes, wrinkles and yes, even a little extra chub. You are perfectly imperfect. You are strong. Amazing. Unique. Beautiful. And don't you ever forget it.

  Much Love,

  Natalie

"Luck is when Opportunity meets Preparedness"

-Branch Rickey

After one of my more difficult meetings with a seller today, I had an appointment at a Yonkers condominium that had expired previously with another broker. Not long into out interview, the lady's cell phone rang and she informed me that she was not actually the owner.

Strike one.

The real owner was her brother, who was on the phone just then. He asked to speak with me, and I was happy to speak with him. It is always better to speak with the principal, you know? Initially, he wondered who I was and what I was doing over there.

Strike two.

I can't say that I blame him. If I were in his shoes I'd want to know who is trying to list my home with my sister who doesn't own it. I told him that very same thing. I asked, now that I'd seen the unit, if he and I could get together to speak about how I could help. He had more questions for me, and I guess I said the right things. He said he'd be over in 10 minutes. "Prepare the paperwork, we need to sell this thing."

Boom. It is high, it is far, it is gone.

10 minutes later, he was over, we hit it off as well in person as we did on the phone, and the condo was listed at a $25,000 price reduction. Pretty lucky, given other possible outcomes. But things like this don't happen unless you are out there and prepared for curve balls. He got that I wanted to do business, he meant business too, and we clicked. Just like that. Sometimes you get lucky.

Stay tuned.

* Branch Rickey was the GM of the Brooklyn Dodgers who signed Jackie Robinson and broke baseball's color barrier. Also the inventor of the minor league farm system, he is considered one of the most innovative baseball executives ever. Moreover, he changed the world.

Anthony Stokes Pereira, Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty is pleased to present this compilation of autumn events, including Harvest celebrations, farm stand listings, and foliage tours. We Hope that you enjoy the festivities and foliage of the lovely Hudson Valley!

• Please call and verify dates/times of events.

WESTCHESTER-PUTNAM-DUTCHESS COUNTIES COMMUNITY EVENTS

Cross River, November 14, 2 PM - Leatherman's Cave Hike. On this organized hike to Leatherman's Cave, learn the history and lore of our local hermit, the Leatherman, and the history of his time. The 2.5-mile hike is led by renowned storyteller Jonathan Kruk. Meet at the Michigan Road parking area. Parking $4 with Westchester County Park Pass; $8 without Park Pass. Tour is free. (914) 864-7322. www.trailsidemuseum.org

On-going - Rhinebeck, thru November 22, 10-2 PM - Farmers' Market - Every Sunday - The Hudson Valley's premier farmers' market featuring the freshest and best locally grown produce, as well as meats, cheeses, bread, wine, flowers, honey and more! Special events, free tastings&free live music, all season long. Municipal Parking Lot on East Market St. www.rhinebeckfarmersmarket.com

On-going - Yorktown Heights, thru November, 10 AM-4:30 PM - Farmstand. Pick your own apples and pumpkins at Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm. Visit the farm market every weekend for jams, jellies, honey, pies, donuts, and cider. (914) 245-5111. www.wilkensfarm.com

On-going - Ossining, thru December 15, 8:30-2 PM - Visit the Ossining Farmers' Market located at the corner of Main and Spring St. rain or shine every Saturday. Featuring locally grown produce, fruit, organic produce as well as farm raised poultry, meats, grass fed beef and more! (914) 941-3189. www.ossining.com

On-going - Millbrook, Thru December 27, 3 PM - The Hudson Valley -VS- France Wine Tasting Competition. Join us at Oak Summit Vineyard and enjoy a local version of the historic 1976 event! You will be blind tasting and judging 3 Gold Medal Hudson River wines, against 3 Gold Medal French wines of the same varieties. Every Second Sunday of every month by appointment only. Fee: $65. www.oaksummitvineyard.com

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For assistance with any of your real estate needs, please contact me, whether it's to get started on helping you realize your goals and dreams, or just to ask a question - no pressure, no hassle, no obligation - just a friendly conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to make a difference for you.

Anthony Stokes Pereira Office: (845) 770-2188 Cell: (845) 538-7021 Fax: (845) 624-7137 Email: anthony.stokespereira@randrealty.com www.anthonystokespereira.com