Real Estate Market

Spring is nearly here and I'm delighted to report that I am seeing something that hasn't happened for several years  - bidding wars!. Why now when the market is (according to the media) so bad? Well several factors have come into play which is causing this localised phenomena. Several major corporations are currently relocating their personnel into our area and need homes for them to move to. Our inventory is low due to winter hiatus, weather, and demand. the final factor is that those home on the market and selling have been priced correctly allowing buyers to obtain financing.

OSI pharmaceuticals is currently moving 350 families from Long Island to Ardsley, in Westchester and many of those families are looking at Rockland as our homes provide better value, good schools and lower taxes. I recently spoke to Monica Coomis HR Director at OSI "We need help to get these people located ASAP and Rockland presents some great options" she said. "Compared to the LIE which is what our personnel are used to the Tappan Zee bridge seems like a walk in the park! If they can get more for their money of course they'll consider Rockland, trouble is there doesn't seem to be much on the market right now."

Wow, if ever there was a time to be For Sale, this is it!  Combined with people downsizing and first time buyers attempting to find a home before the government tax incentives run out in April we need inventory fast.

This is a classic case of "He who hesitates is lost!" When the traditional influx of Spring listings hit the market, the incentives will be gone and the buyers will have much more to choose from once again


 Vanessa Saunders is a Certified Corporate Relocation Specialist  Call 845 598 5083 or email for more information on this subject.

Did you know that you could save thousands of dollars in property tax?

It's common to find property values "over-assessed." Local assessors often tax properties according to an assessed value, and all too often, homes are "over assessed.” This means you are paying too much in property tax! But you, or someone you appoint, can legally bring your claim to a local Assessment Review Board to request a reduction in your assessed value. However, you can only do this once a year and that time is fast approaching.

Your chances at success are exceptionally good! If your appeal is properly prepared, and you follow the procedure accordingly, you can gain savings that will stay with you year after year.

If you use a consultant there is no risk to you - at all!

No up-front fees. Nothing to lose. Plus: a FREE case study to see if you qualify. There is absolutely no charge to you unless the tax appeal company succeeds in reducing your taxes. Then the fee is 70% of the first year's reduction - payable when you get a letter from the town to prove that your assessment has been reduced. After that first year, the savings are entirely yours, or if you are planning on selling you’ll find it much easier to sell and your buyer’s will be very grateful.

Chances are that your taxes can be appealed given the reduction in value of homes in our area. If you do decide to appeal please let me know and I will guide you through the process or if you prefer,  put you in touch with a local tax appeal company. Buyers know that this process can only happen once a year in the Spring, so, if you have taken the initiative it will hopefully pay dividends to both buyer and seller.

Call me at 845 598 5083 and I'll be delighted to provide you with a FREE current market analysis to show the current market value of your home which you can compare against your assessed value and get your taxes lowered.

PS. Check out my BLOG if your home was built before 1978 - New Lead Paint Regulations are coming soon...

Wikepedia describes The term "Web 2.0" as a web applications that are commonly associated enabling interactive information sharing, interoperability, and collaboration on the World Wide Web.

Examples of Web 2.0 include web-based communities, social-networking sites, Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, and video-sharing sites You Tube, wikis, blogs, mashups, and folksonomies.

A Web 2.0 site allows its users to interact with other users or to change website content, in contrast to non-interactive websites where users are limited to the passive viewing of information that is provided to them.

By marketing a listing using ALL of the above technologies I am able to share it with the world. Starting with an interactive website that features multiple links including a virtual open house, local schools, area information, and much more your home can me seen by millions of buyers globally giving you the exposure necessary to sell and the information buyers need to shortlist your home to view.