You will never have to pay to be listed as a top neighbor. Period. That important detail clarified, let's discuss how we arrive at two "top neighbors" for a given region:
Localism is a bustling collection of hyper-local communities, and the top neighbors should reflect those members who are most active. When ranking users in a given region, several factors are considered. To get your foot in the proverbial door, you need to have posted at least one "Localism" article or photo for the region.
The very best way to quickly rise to #1 is to post high-quality local content. Keeping a steady strem of incoming posts and photos will massively tilt the scales in your favor.
What doesn't count toward the top neighbor ranking? ActiveRain points and community sponsorships. The top neighbor spots will always go to the most active members in a region. We want to create a level playing field that encourages the growth of communities — talent and dedication are required to win the day.
When buyers ask me about White Plains NY homes – the first neighborhood that generally comes to their mind is the Highlands. Homes in White Plains are very popular with buyers in general, but a home in the Highlands often on top of a buyer’s wish list when discussing specific neighborhoods. And why not? The Highlands has a prime location in a growing city.
The Upper and Lower Highlands - Suburban and Walkable:
The upper Highlands at the southern end of White Plains is very suburban. Larger lots with lots of mature growth with the bulk of homes in the pre-war charmer category. The lower Highlands (north of Bryant Avenue) is a walkable neighborhood. Once again – the pre-war home is the norm. In general, the lots are smaller and the area though quite suburban has something of an urban vibe to it as well. Parts of this area are very walkable to the downtown and even the train – though the latter would depend on your precise location and just how much you like to walk. So leaving the car is definitely a possible. The Ritz Carlton Towers and the White Plains skyline are seasonally visible from many locations in the lower Highlands.
For those who want a single family home, but want to be near the action and live in a walkable area – the Highlands is an ideal neighborhood.
White Plains NY Condos & Coops in the Highlands:
Although this neighborhood is dominated by single family homes and most of it is zoned exclusively for such housing – the portion of the Highlands that borders the downtown White Plains has several significant low-rise condo complexes. Some of the most desirable White Plains NY condos are located right on the edge of the downtown. Most notably, there is White Oak on Greenridge Ave as well as the low-rise half of Jefferson Place. The premier cooperative the Surrey Strathmore is also located on the edge of the Highlands.
Commuter Heaven:
The commute to Manhattan is nothing short of ideal. 33 minutes by express train from White Plains to Grand Central Station. White Plains is an express stop with three trains per hour off-peak – making for a very convenient commute. For the Harlem line train schedule Click Here.
Home Pricing History for the Highlands White Plains:
The chart enclosed shows the sales history of the Highlands from 2006 onward. As can be seen prices have had a significant drop – particularly since the crash of 2008. The drop has been about 16% as the desirability of the location has buffered the neighborhood against more severe price drops. The median price of a home in the Highlands at the end of the first half of 2010 was $551,000 – down from $655,000 in 2006.
Home Pricing Update for Q3 2010:
The median price in Q3 2010 was $575,000. Inventory remains fairly low with contracts and pendings indicating a 5 month inventory . Price increases in neighboring municipalities show that for buyers – the time might be now. Price increases in other towns and the lower inventory indicates the days of the great buyers market in this neighborhood may be numbered. White Plains NY homes for sale are popular but sellers still need to be realistic as inventories of homes in White Plains remain somewhat high.
For the most part, my blogs have emphasized the Cityscape of White Plains, NY and with good reason. Over the past ten years the downtown has undergone a revolution of development that has brought in many new residents who have flocked here from more urban areas. Those who are priced out of Manhattan have moved here as well as those who decided that they could get more bang for the buck in White Plains then in the city. The downtown has become a favorite destination for those who choose to leave Manhattan.
But not everyone comes to White Plains to live in the city. White Plains is often roughly divided into two parcels. To the north, is the downtown and to the south are the single-family residential neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are no more than about 2.5 miles from the center of town – 3 miles at the very outskirts – yet they appear to be a world away in character.
The Highlands is a neighborhood that borders the downtown. It sits on relatively high ground with respect to the rest of the city (hence its name.) It is often the favorite destination for first time home buyers. People who are moving up from condo or coop life. Manhattanites are attracted to the Highlands because parts of this neighborhood abut the downtown. Depending on where you live in the Highlands, walking to the train is a possibility.
This is a neighborhood characterized by single family homes that date back to the turn of the century. This is a mature neighborhood in that there has been relatively little new construction over the past 50 years and the bulk of the homes date back to the 1920s. For the most part, the homes are on the smaller side. 1800-1900 sq.ft. being the norm. The lots are spaced close together many being roughly 0.115 acres. Although oversized lots exist as do larger homes.
The neighborhood is one of the friendliest in the area. My pictures show many sidewalks and the residents USE those sidewalks. You often see neighbors chatting with each other on the street and taking walks early in the evening. Children often are playing in front yards. The area has a really close-knit family feel. For those who like older homes with Victorian wrap-around porches or a smaller colonial or Tudor from the pre-war period, this neighborhood is a must-see. It seems a world away from the hustle and bustle of the downtown. It has the charm and grace and uniqueness of an old established neighborhood. But looking towards the downtown area and one can see how close this south-end neighborhood Highlands is to the high rise buildings of the downtown.
The cost of living:
Recent typical sales have ranged from $550k for a 1600 sq.ft. 3BR/1BA home in need of renovation to $735k for a 4BR/2BA home fully updated. Taxes average about $7500.00 before the STAR rebate.
For those who are not aware, these are very competitive prices for Westchester , NY which is why few homes in this neighborhood stay on the market for long. The New York Times reviewed Living in the Highlands in 2004. The information is still timely and worth reading.
To Search for Homes and for further information go to my website/blog with free home search at The Westchester View.
I am always happy to answer your questions and you can speak to me directly on my moble phone: 914-374-5529.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
