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The Deals and Duds of Westchester's Real Estate
The Speculator

July 2008

07/31/08

Home Inspection Horror Stories

Whether you're buying new construction or an existing home, an inspection by a certified home inspector is a must. And oh the things they’ve seen. I asked six home inspectors, “What are some of the worst things you’ve encountered during a home inspection?”

"A house in Cortlandt Manor looked decent on the outside, but upon viewing the crawl space beneath the house, every support beam was
eaten almost entirely through by powder-post beetles. The entire
house was structurally unsound. This was a deal breaker.”
George Grap
United Homesteads
New Rochelle

“A couple was looking to buy a house in Tarrytown. There was a horrific odor coming from the basement, which was locked and only the landlord,...

Posted at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments: 4

07/24/08

Zip Code Dilemmas

A starter-sized Cape in a top school district, or roomy Colonial in a bad rep school district? One bathroom and a 3-minute walk to the Metro-North, or multiple bathrooms and a 20-minute schlep to the train? When comparing similarly priced single-family homes in different communities, the size, condition, acreage, and number of amenities can vary greatly. Do you purchase a house where you get the most for your money, or do you make sacrifices to live in the posh zip code? Below are four homes all priced close to the county median sales price ($622,000). Where would you live?

Modestly Cute Cape
List Price: $615,000
On Market Since: May 14, 2008
Original List Price: $699,000

Posted at 04:44 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

07/10/08

What $10 Million-Plus Can Get You in Westchester

It’s 10 victories on Survivor, it’s the approximate 2008 salary of New York Mets closer Billy Wagner, and it’s more than most of us will ever spend on a home. But $10 million, even in pricey Westchester, will put you in the upper echelons of the luxury home market. Check out these four listings for what hedge fund managers, professional athletes, and like-salaried individuals shop for in a home.

Posted at 05:59 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0

07/07/08

Top Reasons Why Single Family Homes Don’t Sell

We all love our homes, even if we’ve just put ours on the market. But why aren’t the strangers tramping through our hallways and bedrooms evaluating every nook and cranny feeling the same way? It could be something you’re doing—or not doing. Or it may be a market factor beyond your control. The list below will likely contain the reason(s) why your abode is sitting and sitting and…

Cushion Pricing. Many sellers mistakenly buy into the idea that you price your home with a cushion, and negotiate down. A better strategy is to decide what you would really accept and price it very close to that number. You’re more likely to see a bidding war when a listing is presented as a good deal.
...

Posted at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments: 0

About This Blog

John B. Turiano

John B. Turiano
White Plains, NY

Ever since purchasing a condo at 10 Stewart Place in White Plains in 1999 (and seeing an approximately 300% rise in value over the subsequent years), John Bruno Turiano has been in love with real estate. His idea of an exciting Saturday night is watching a marathon of Flip this House.

He also sleeps with the New York Times Real Estate section under his pillow.

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