Closing Eastchester NY Homes for Sale through Quality Marketing

You don’t have to be a marketing guru to sell your home; you just need to know how to spot one from a mile away. Before you contract with a real estate professional to sell your home, quiz the agent about up-to-date marketing strategies. If your property is competing with other Eastchester NY homes for sale, this information could be critical to you.

Today buyers, sellers and their agents rely heavily on the Internet as a means of communication. An agent or brokerage that uses savvy Internet marketing strategies is most likely to be in tune with the overall market.

Yesterday’s Marketing Tools

Following are some of the following tried and true major marketing methods of yesterday:

1.      Yard signs

2.      Newspaper ads

3.      Open houses

These methods are still used today and very relevant. Not everyone who wants to buy a home uses the Internet today – uhm, just 89 percent of them. According to a 2011 National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 88 percent of all homebuyers used the Internet as an information source.

Today’s Marketing Tools

Let’s take a look at more statistics reflected in the 2011 NAR study results:

Fact: a wide variety of resources were used in searching for a home

Fact: 88 percent of home shoppers use the Internet

Fact: 87 percent use real estate agents

Fact: 55 percent used yard signs

Fact: 45 percent attend open houses

Fact: 30 percent review print or newspaper ads

How important are your real estate agent’s Internet presence and market strategies in relation to the sale of your home? Absolutely crucial. Prudential Centennial Realty employs the latest and greatest technology to market Eastchester NY homes for sale. We employ marketing strategies proven to sell homes. Your licensed real estate professional should:

Explain in detail the marketing strategies employed to sell your home

• Understand technology terms and be able to explain how those strategies are used
• Feature a professional, easy-to-use website with verifiable traffic
• Employ search engine optimization strategies to drive quality traffic to the primary website
• Use a follow-up campaign to keep buyers interested in their services
• Use blogs and articles to establish professional credibility
• Have a means to post your home listing in multiple high-traffic locations on the Internet with ease
• Recognize the role of traditional marketing methods in conjunction with Internet marketing

Looking for a licensed real estate professional with tech savvy skills and wisdom to assist in the sale of your home? Contact Prudential Centennial Realty today. Our experience in selling Eastchester NY homes for sale is unmatched.

5 Quick Tips to Sell White Plains NY Homes for Sale

Properly staged White Plains NY homes for sale are most likely to attract buyers’ interest. Follow these five simple steps to help sell your home in a competitive buyers’ market. 

1. Pack it up
Your family mementos make your home feel warm and cozy, fun and friendly – to you. To a home buyer such treasures can add more of a . . . well . . . a cluttered ambiance. Invest in some good moving boxes and carefully pack them away in preparation for the big move. Clear shelves, countertops, and closets of excessive stuff. Keep only essentials on display. This goes for clothing, dishes, bed linens and furniture too. Your house will seem larger and more spacious.

2. Paint it
A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for any room. Choose a neutral color and paint connecting rooms the same color to make them flow and seem open and roomy. It’s okay to use some color, but consider consulting a designer before you choose to create the right mood. Paint your walls the same color as your curtains for a spacious feel!

3. Perk it up
Bring your home to life with fresh flowers and tasteful accents that say “Welcome home!” The perfect flower arrangements just might come from your very own garden in the spring and summer. Use seasonal arrangements to capitalize on the splendor of spring, summer, fall, or winter.

4. Personalize it
Some people are tempted to push furniture up against the walls to create the appearance of space. Try pushing furniture into cozy groupings to make areas seem more personal and inviting.

5. Price it right
Your Prudential Centennial Realty licensed real estate professionals are in tune with the current market for White Plains NY homes for sale. Rely on them to help you properly price your home.

If you’re shopping for White Plains NY homes for sale, or if you want to compare your property to others in the area, visit our White Plains listings online.

Scarsdale NY Homes for Sale:

A Great Place for Pet Lovers

 Pet-owners shopping for Scarsdale NY homes for sale will be delighted to learn Scarsdale veterinarians were named “Top Vets” in Westchester County.

According to a Marketwire January press release, Scarsdale veterinarians at Central Animal Hospital were selected by other vets to receive the honor in 2011 and 2012. The veterinarians are featured in a “Top Vets” list in the upcoming March issue of Westchester Magazine.

What does this mean for pet-lovers shopping for Scarsdale NY homes for sale? It means great care for the animals in their lives! Central Animal Hospital, 317 Ardsley Road, Scarsdale, NY offers pet wellness care, surgical care and boarding. The hospital treats dogs, cats and “pocket pets”; but, it also treats birds, lizards, snakes, turtles and more. The hospital even offers a boarding facility. Even better, the hospital has the rare distinction of accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

Bring your special pet along and let’s look for the perfect Scarsdale NY homes for sale. We’ll help you find the perfect home for your family – no matter how scaly, slimy, or hairy your loved ones are.

Shop for Scarsdale NY homes for sale online today!

Mamaroneck NY Homes for Sale: Five Factors that Should Affect Your Offer

Once you find the perfect home for sale, your Realtor will help you make an offer on one of the Mamaroneck NY homes for sale you like best. Many first-time buyers are tempted to lowball every seller’s asking price. It’s okay to make an offer below the asking price, but there are many factors to consider before you actually make a formal offer. You could lose the house of your dreams by devaluing a property that’s ripe for the picking; and, you could spend excessively if you make an offer higher than the value of the home.

Following are five factors you should take into account when making an offer on a home.

1. Overall condition

It’s time to look at details. You will be able to determine how a home has been treated by details many might gloss over. Is grout cracked and chipped? Are doorknobs intact and fully functional? How about light switches and light fixtures? Look at the outside of the home as well as the inside. Check for leaks in the ceiling and cracks in the floor. Look at several homes (even if you have fallen in love with just one) to compare the conditions of each home for sale.

Ask for a comparative market analysis using similar homes in the area in a similar condition so you can better determine how the asking price fits in with the selling price of these homes.

2. Housing Market Health

The United States housing market has been soft for the past few years. That means there is more inventory than demand for homes and prices are competitive. Many short sales and foreclosures have flooded the market. It’s a simple matter of supply and demand. Remember, there could be more than one offer pending on the home you want to buy. If you shoot too low, another more generous buyer could pick up the property for just a little more than you’re willing to pay. Don’t worry, Prudential Centennial Realty has been helping to buy and sell Mamaroneck NY homes for sale for years. We know and understand the market very well.

3. Home Improvements

Don’t be fooled by a fresh coat of paint and a new living room carpet. Home improvements such as these definitely make a home seem more appealing, but they don’t necessarily add to the value of a home. Now, if the seller added bedrooms, finished a basement, added a porch or put in a pool then that’s something to consider.

4. Seller Circumstances

It’s rare to find a seller so motivated that he or she is willing to accept the first lowball price on a home. Although many people are forced to leave their homes to start a new job, take care of an elderly family member, or satisfy a requirement of divorce few are willing to devalue their own homes. Homes that sit on the market for an extended period of time may get less expensive over time as homeowners struggle to pay two mortgages and maintain a home they don’t live in. Be wary of vandalism, the condition of the yard, and plumbing that can crack and freeze if not properly winterized.

5. Community and Available Education

Many Westchester County residents chose their homes to ensure a high quality education for their children. Quality education is known to be a driving factor in the real estate market. Check out local school districts and education opportunities. Ask about a neighborhoods safety and arrest records. Look at the exterior condition of surrounding homes and yards. All of these will help you determine what you’re willing to pay for a property.

Browse our impressive list of Mamaroneck NY homes for sale online! Call us today for help buying or selling your home.

The art of negotiation requires experience, knowledge and plenty of practice. Prudential Centennial Realty licensed real estate professionals can help you make the right offer on any one of the many Mamaroneck NY homes for sale.

Library Improvements Enhance Attraction to Scarsdale, NY Homes for Sale

Education, culture and fine arts are all important elements of the Scarsdale community. If you are shopping for Scarsdale NY homes for sale, note the changes taking place at the Scarsdale Public Library.

The library recently released its five year plan; it includes more open spaces, updated technology, targeted programing and even a café.

The library’s mission is “to serve a central role in the cultural and intellectual life of the community . . .” Library board trustees take this mission to heart and have spent the past two years deciding exactly how to meet the community’s needs.

Many who buy Scarsdale NY homes for sale seek the acclaimed high quality of education in Westchester County. The public library’s upgrades will make better use of indoor and outdoor spaces. Enhanced technology is a key in planning the library’s five-year plan.

In an article published Jan. 28 in The Daily Scarsdale, Mark Chapman reported, “The traditional role of the library is changing, according to the plan, as new technology creeps into every facet of people’s lives.”

In addition to responding to a cry for upgraded technology, board members also heard residents’ complaints that technology leaves them hungry for more face time with real humans. The new plan takes into account the need for human interaction.

The plan also encourages the Scarsdale Public Library Board to explore new revenue sources including the addition of revenue-generating services. Board members could also call on individuals, businesses and foundations to bolster its budget.

If you are looking for Scarsdale NY homes for sale, now is a great time to buy. Take advantage of our online listings available for viewing 24/7. Contact Prudential Centennial for assistance in finding the right home for you and your family.

Larchmont NY Homes for Sale:

NAR Tackles Obama Budget Housing Issues

 Larchmont homeowners and those shopping for new Larchmont NY homes for sale realize the great benefit of home-related itemized tax deductions including the mortgage interest break benefiting thousands of American families.

National Association of Realtors® President Moe Veissi  issued a formal statement urging the president and Congress to “do no harm” to the housing industry. “NAR firmly believes that the mortgage interest deduction is vital to the stability of the American housing market and economy. We urge the president and Congress to do no harm,” Veissi said.

This issue is important to those shopping for and marketing Larchmont NY homes for sale because some budget proposals could actually raise taxes. Veissi said, “ . . . The nation’s homeowners already pay 80 to 90 percent ofU.S. federal income taxes. Raising taxes on them, now or in the future, could critically erode home values at all price levels. This would destroy middle-class wealth accumulation and trillions of dollars in home values nationwide.”

NAR also opposed the elimination of capital gains treatment for carried interest of a real estate property investment saying the measure “ . . . could disrupt the conventional business model and places an unfair tax burden on general partners – ultimately this would negatively impact commercial real estate investment.”

Take advantage of your housing tax breaks now. View Larchmont NY homes for sale online 24/7. Prudential Centennial Realty is here to support you and the American economy.

Mamaroneck NY Homes for Sale:  Wall Decals Can Bring a Room to Life

Want to spruce up your home without spending a lot of money? Think wall decals. The simplest wall decal can add an element of elegance, power, whimsy, relaxation, and plain old fun. As you’re shopping for Mamaroneck NY homes for sale, imagine the kinds of wall decals you can use to make any room your very own.

If you haven’t browsed the Internet for wall décor lately, you have got to check out the many artsy, colorful patterns available in all shapes and sizes. Whether you want to cover a whole wall, or one corner of your window, you are bound to find the right decal on line. The best news is, wall decals are very reasonably priced. You can make a statement with wall decals starting at about $3. Yes, really. Of course the price increases with higher quality, complexity, various colors and size. It may well be worth it to pay a little extra to get a decal you know will last.

People sometimes use simple wall designs to add a touch of class to Mamaroneck NY homes for sale. They are easy to apply, and easy to move and remove.

Here are some simple tips for proper application:

1. Buy decals before you paint a room. Take the decals to the store with you to purchase the paint.
2. Shop for wall decals online where you will find a wide selection, and many sales. Read descriptions carefully to be sure what you’re getting before you order.
3. If you are applying decals to new paint, let the paint cure for one month first.
4. When applying decals to existing paint, clean the walls thoroughly. Wash them with warm water the day before you plan to apply the decals.
5. Achieve a comfortable room temperature before applying decals. Extreme temperatures can stop decals from sticking to the walls.
6. Avoid areas of high humidity. Consider an alternative décor for a bathroom.
7. Wall decals stick best the first time. Measure placement. Mark key spots with tape or pencil marks.
8. Invite a friend over to help you apply large decals or recruit a willing family member.
9. Plan ahead before you begin to apply the decals. Get all tools in order so they’re handy when you need them.
10.  Use a soft squeegee to remove any incidental air bubbles that might occur in decals.

 For great information about staging Mamaroneck NY homes for sale, and making the most of a home you want to purchase, contact our Prudential Centennial Realty licensed professionals. We’re ready to make you look great! Learn more about the amazing Mamaroneck community on our website and browse Mamaroneck NY homes for sale right now!

Scarsdale NY Homes for Sale: Keep Walks Clear, Stay Safe

Those with Scarsdale NY homes for sale — in fact anyone living in Scarsdale — knows winter has finally settled in. That means snowy walkways and some hard winter work.

It’s important to keep walks and driveways free of snow. Slippery, slushy, and snowy walks can be dangerous. But, did you know the act of removing snow can be dangerous too?

Prudential Centennial Realty encourages those with Scarsdale NY homes for sale to remove snow and ice. But, we also encourage you to take your own health seriously when you head out the door to some refreshing outdoor work. Please, plan ahead.

Helpful hints for safe snow removal:

If you are not sure you are healthy enough to shovel snow or use a snow blower, ask your doctor for a physical exam.

1. People with high blood pressure, a history of heart disease or any other concerning health condition should get (and follow) specific instruction about what you should or should not do.
2. Play it safe. Protect your back. If you have a history of back problems, wear a brace and practice proper bending and lifting techniques. Lift with your legs.
3. Don’t smoke or drink coffee before you shovel snow. Caffeine and nicotine can make your blood vessels smaller and cause your heart to beat faster (not a good combination).
4. Get a good hat. Most heat will leave your body through your head. Wear the right kind of snow gloves. Wear boots with good traction to help you get a grip on the snow. If you get cold and wet – go inside to warm up and change into dry clothes.
5. Take plenty of breaks while you work. If you find yourself breathing too hard, stop working until you start breathing normally.
6. Let someone know when you go outside to work in the snow. Tell them where you will be working and how long you will be outside.
7. Take a cell phone outside with you; or, use an emergency alert system in case you fall or feel ill.
8. Drink plenty of water while you work.
9. Use the right kind of snow shovel or snow blower for your landscape and your body type. Follow manufacturer’s instructions to the letter.

There are many Scarsdale NY homes for sale. Winter is a great time to buy because prices are most reasonable and sellers are usually very motivated in the winter months. Let Prudential Centennial Realty help you find the perfect Scarsdale home. Learn more about our beautiful Scarsdale NY community on our website.

Larchmont NY Homes for Sale Could be Easier to Finance:
NAR Responds to President’s State of Union

The National Association of Realtors® recently issued a formal response to President Barrack Obama’s expressed support of the housing industry in his State of the Union Address on Jan. 24.

If you own a Larchmont home, or if you are shopping for Larchmont NY homes for sale, you might find comfort in the President’s expressed commitment to help homeowners and would-be homeowners. NAR President Moe Veissi says he is encouraged, but not convinced enough is being done to rehab an ailing housing market.

In his 2012 State of the Union President Obama hit on a number of key issues plaguing the construction and housing industries. Some highlights include:

1.      Promise of an Executive Order to clear away red tape that hinders many construction projects:

“In the next few weeks, I will sign an Executive Order clearing away the red tape that slows down too many construction projects. But you need to fund these projects. Take the money we’re no longer spending at war, use half of it to pay down our debt, and use the rest to do some nation-building right here at home.”

2.      Plan to help ‘responsible’ homeowners by keeping interest rates low and reducing red tape for borrowers and lenders:

“ . . . responsible homeowners shouldn’t have to sit and wait for the housing market to hit bottom to get some relief . . . That’s why I’m sending this Congress a plan that gives every responsible homeowner the chance to save about $3,000 a year on their mortgage, by refinancing at historically low interest rates. No more red tape. No more runaround from the banks. A small fee on the largest financial institutions will ensure that it won’t add to the deficit, and will give banks that were rescued by taxpayers a chance to repay a deficit of trust.”

3.      A call for responsibility “from the top down” to heal the mortgage industry wounded by fraud and gross errors:
“We’ve all paid the price for lenders who sold mortgages to people who couldn’t afford them, and buyers who knew they couldn’t afford them. That’s why we need smart regulations to prevent irresponsible behavior. Rules to prevent financial fraud, or toxic dumping, or faulty medical devices, don’t destroy the free market. They make the free market work better.”

NAR Responds to the President with Caution

In an official statement issued by NAR Jan. 24, Veissi commended the President for his remarks, “ . . . As leading advocates for homeownership, Realtors® know that restoring the health of the housing market is the only way to achieve a broader economic recovery.”

Veissi maintains more should be done to hold off a major inventory of foreclosed homes. He said affordable financing is lacking; and, that hinders the housing market recovery.

The NAR official called for a more streamlined short-sale process as well as expanded financing opportunities to reduce excess inventories of distressed properties.

 “While we are beginning to see early signs of stabilization in the housing market,  NAR calls on Congress and the Obama administration to come together and make housing a priority issue. In this vein, we urge the White House to host a national housing summit to encourage a broad discussion among stakeholders to help formulate and advance policies that move the country toward a real housing and economic recovery,” Veissi said.

There are many great Larchmont NY homes for sale on the market right now. Historically low interest rates give you the green light to shop for Larchmont NY homes for sale right now. Visit our website to view our listings any time of the day or night.

White Plains NY Homes for Sale:

Kudos to Award-Winning Westchester Finance Department

If you’re shopping for White Plains, NY homes for sale, you have great taste. In fact, all of Westchester County offers some pretty amazing property settings. Art, culture, history and recreation are readily available to all Westchester residents. The education here is recognized nationally for excellence. But, our focus today is on the Westchester County Administration and its commitment to efficient financial management.

We like to give credit where credit is due. Prudential Centennial Realty offers kudos to Westchester County’s Department of Finance. For four years in a row the county has earned the highest form of recognition for governmental accounting and fiscal reporting. The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has once again bestowed a “Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting” upon county financiers; and, we think that’s worth noting!

The association ranks financial administrations that meet the high standards of the program which includes demonstrating, “spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate its financial story.” According to a Jan. 30 news story published on Westchester.com, the award credits Westchester County for a “significant accomplishment by a government and its management.”

Westchester County’s Finance Commissioner is Ann Marie Berg. She and her staff obviously take great pride in their work. Westchester County residents can be proud. Those shopping for White Plains NY homes for sale, and homes throughout Westchester County should find assurance in an efficient and conscientious government.

If you’re shopping for White Plains NY homes for sale, take time now to browse our online listings! Contact us today for assistance in finding the perfect home for you and your family.