Old Westbury, NY

What Does $15,000,000 Buy You In Nassau County Long Island?

This is what you get for $15M: Old Westbury NY Georgian Mansion

As you can see from the consumer version of the listing, this mansion is in Old Westbury NY and was on the market for 6 days! The property size is just over 400,000 sq. ft. The home itself is 22,000 sq. ft. Listed for $20,000,000 and sold for $15,880,000. It closed on 3/7/2011.

What would you do with all that space? We can dream of owning a home like this but let's face it, it costs a small fortune to run a household of this magnitude so you better have the cash. Speaking of cash, this home was bought with CASH! No mortgage. For privacy reasons, I can't show you who bought the home or who now owns the home but the buyer did pay cash.

As you can see, there are only 2 photos in the listing. For privacy reasons, some homeowners of mansions and estates do not want interior photos of their home for the world to see. I can't blame them. If a buyer is serious, they will see the mansion/estate without seeing many photos first.

Take a look at the property taxes: $136,000 per year. And you thought you paid a lot of property taxes!

View Map of this Old Westbury NY Georgian Mansion

Well, that was fun finding the most expensive mansion in Nassau County NY in the MLS!

Lack of Photo Disclaimer: <Since this mansion and the size of the property it's on, there would have been no way for me to take photos of it unless I find being hunted down by possible guard dogs a thrilling experience>

Feng Shui on the Rise by NYC Feng Shui consultant Laura Cerrano

This blog is dedicated to Carole Provenzale December 17, 1954- May 16th, 2010

We love you and miss you mom :)

Orchid, excellent Feng Shui Flower

The idea of "Feng Shui" has been around for centuries, originating in the Eastern part of the world. Around the 60's and 70's, the concepts and beliefs started to make it's way over the the West Coast of the US. Finally, around the 1990's Feng Shui progressed to New York City and Long Island NY.

New York City

Old Westbury NY was blessed to have the second of his High Holy Master Professor Lin Yung's Feng Shui monasteries in that location. Here, the first accredited Feng Shui graduating class was graced by Mr. Yung's presence in 1996. This was the beginning of the "Feng Shui movement" on the East coast in the United States. Carole Provenzale was among the first Long Island Certified Feng Shui consultants and pioneers in New York.

Feng Shui consultant Carole Provenzale graduating in 1996

Carole's daughter Laura Cerrano, also a Certified Feng Shui New York consultant started training with her in 1997. Laura remembers seeing her mother being challenged by those who did not understand Feng Shui with viscus backlash and name calling. When people are not educated about a person, a topic, or new finding, fear seeps into their mind and creates irrational thinking and actions. It is not always kind, but is a natural response.

Laura Cerrano and Carole Provenzale, mother daughter Feng Shui conultants

Before Carole's passing in May of 2010, Laura recalls a profound conversation with her mother. Carole said her job was to help introduce Feng Shui and "pave" the way for others to being more open and receptive to this way of thinking. She informed Laura, "your job is to carry on the teachings, inspire, educate, heal, and more. You will see Laura, Feng Shui will spread because more people will be open to the concepts". Mother always knows best :)

Each and every day a deeper understating of "Feng Shui" grows. It has now expanded not only to local residents, it's branched into the media, corporations, architecture, you name it, it's there. Remember, it's not just about decoration, you need to blend the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of Feng Shui, that is very important.

Feng Shui is just a title to help us understand the changes that lay ahead, a change in the way we think for the future. It's all around us, in use, we feel it, it's energy. The world as a whole is changing physically, and we can all see that. We need to change mentally, emotionally, and spiritual if we truly seek understanding with each other and the Earth.

This is an exciting and challenging time, we are just grazing the surface.

If there's a bit of a designer of you, or if you just love looking at beautifully decorated rooms, you're in for a real treat this holiday season. From October 30th to December 12th, Orchard Hill, the former residence of Peggy Phipps Boegner will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a Designer Showcase with a Home For The Holidays theme. Only the second time in its history, this 1856 farmhouse on Long Island's Gold Coast, will open its doors to showcase some of the most artistic designers in the New York area.

Long before I started staging and decorating homes myself I was drawn to the designer showcases like a moth to a flame. Not only to you get to experience first hand the creativity of each designer as they take a raw space and infuse it with their enormous talent and personal style, but you also get to absorb a little bit of history of the region in the process.

If you're in the area and have the time, this would be high on my list of recommended events, one worthy of your attendance. I'm going to do everything in my power to be there as well.

For those not familiar with the area, you'll find some interesting information about the mansions of the Gold Coast and the history of the area. I'll be following up with posts about some of the fascinating stories behind the architecture.

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About the author: Geri Sonkin is a Licensed Broker Associate/Stager/Decorator serving Long Island sellers and buyers for over 24 years. Areas of expertise include Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens and Brooklyn. Specializing in resales, new construction, co-ops/condos, waterfront homes, estates, short sales, rentals and staging your home to sell for the most money the market will bear. For more information: www.LongIslandsBestHomes.com For new construction: http://2274Woodbine.GreatCustomHome.com 516-425-6098 Search all MLS listings and access up to date market statistics at AtHomeOnLongIsland.comAll text and graphics contained herein Copyright © 2010 Geri Sonkin & its licensors. All rights reserved.

If you're considering buying, selling or staging a home on Long Island, I'm here to help. Just give me a call or send me an email.

Geri Sonkin Long Island Real Estate Expert Home Stager, Decorator

Mark your calendar for the Fall Dog Days at Old Westbury Gardens in Old Westbury, NY on Saturday, Oct. 23 and Sunday, Oct. 24 from 10 am to 5 pm. Leash your dog and bring the dog to enjoy healthy exercise in designated areas of the grounds.

Then on Sunday, Oct. 24 from 1 to 4 pm, spend an afternoon at Old Westbury Gardens, Old Westbury, NY with your best friend. The Fall Dog Festival includes games, agility demonstrations, and exhibits by animal welfare organizations. Performances include music by Furry Murray and the Bow Wow Babes, and tricks by Jillidog. Costume contest and parade at 3 pm.

Old Westbury Gardens in Old Westbury, NY, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the former home of John S. Phipps, his wife, Margarita Grace Phipps and their four children. Completed in 1906 by the English designer, George A. Crawley, the magnificent Charles II-style mansion is nestled amid 200 acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes. Westbury House is furnished with fine English antiques and decorative arts from the more than fifty years of the family's residence.

Today, Old Westbury Gardens in Old Westbury, NY welcomes visitors of all ages for guided tours of Westbury House and Gardens, tours of the formal gardens, school visits, children's programs and events, family programs, museum exhibits, classic car shows, indoor and outdoor classical concerts, summer pop concerns, slide lectures, book signings, horticultural demonstrations and workshops, Scottish Games, botanical arts and gardening classes, and Master Gardener and Educator-led Talks & Tours of topics relating to horticulture, art, history, design and architecture.

Address:

Old Westbury Gardens
71 Old Westbury Road
Old Westbury, NY 11568
(516) 333-0048

Direction By Car

From New York City
From the Long Island Expressway: Take the LIE (I-495) to Exit 39 (Glen Cove Road). Follow the service road east for approximately 1.1 miles, turn right onto Old Westbury Road and continue 0.4 miles. The Gardens' gate is on the left.

From Eastern Long Island
From the Long Island Expressway: Take the LIE (I-495) to Exit 39. Turn left onto Glen Cove Road (Garden City) at the end of the exit ramp, cross over the expressway and immediately turn left onto the service road. Follow the service road east for approximately 1.1 miles, turn right onto Old Westbury Road and continue 0.4 miles. The Gardens' gate is on the left.

Copyright © 2010. By Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady". All rights reserved. *FALL DOG FESTIVAL AT OLD WESTBURY GARDENS - OLD WESTBURY, NY*

If you are interested in selling or buying a home in Brookville, Muttontown, Oyster Bay, East Norwich, Oyster Bay Cove, Syosset, Laurel Hollow, Bayville, Centre Island and Mill Neck, please call for more real estate information -

Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady", Brookville NY Real Estate Professional

Licensed Associate Broker

Address: 6336 Northern Blvd., East Norwich, NY, 11732

Pick up the phone and call today!

Cell Phone: (516) 385-0584

Email Me - rosalinda@rosalindamorgan.com

Visit my website - www.rosalindamorgan.com

More about me...

Feng Shui and Real Estate: A Realtor Discouraging a Purchase in New York?

I received an interesting call this morning from a New York State Real Estate Agent who had a knowledge and understanding of Feng Shui.

She wanted to have a Feng Shui Consultant on hand, she told me, because a prospective buyer had looked at a home on Long Island in the town of Old Westbury in the famed Gold Coast of Long Island and she felt the home would have a negative effect on her particular client.

This is a total reversal from what I hear from most Real Estate Agents who dread the thought of calling in a Feng Shui Consultant for fear they will be told the home or business they are interested in would not be a beneficial move for them. As a Feng Shui Consultant in New York for over 12 years, this particular phone call was definitely a first.

Although I work closely with some Real Estate Agents on Long Island and in New York City and Queens NY, many shy away from a knowledge or interest in Feng Shui. If their clients are aware of it, they often call me on their own without their Realtors knowledge. Prospective BUYERS are concerned their Realtor won't understand their beliefs.

This particular Realtor was going to advise her clients on her thoughts regarding Feng Shui and the home they are thinking of purchasing but had a concern SHE would be thought of as "odd" or "different" for discussing them. I have to stop and wonder if a Real Estate Agent, especially during these difficult times may actually Discourage a potential buyer?

I know many Feng Shui Consultants would disagree on this particular point but I can say this after years and years of experience: I have seen the most depressed and "sad" properties turn completely around based on two things-Space Clearings and a Client's LOVE of their new home or business and a positive attitude.

Feng Shui Consultants can SEE the Potential

You can thrive and prosper where YOUR Energy is SO STRONG it can overcome any negative influences. Love your Space and watch it love you right back!

New York Feng Shui and Real Estate

http://www.FengShuiLI.com

**Carole Provenzale has been a New York Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island & New York. On Site Feng Shui Consultations provided for New York City, Queens and all of Long Island for Homes, Apartments, Businesses, Corporations, Renovations and New Construction. www.TheFengShuiVoice.com