As I drove out on Friday afternoon to Golden Meadows to see Jackie, I heard the news about Tim Russert's death. I called Bob to tell him and then listened to PBS for more information.
I had only come to watch Meet the Press this year during the primary season. I knew of Tim Russert because I was a news junkie, but hadn't really appreciated his insight, character and abilities until recently. I knew also that he was a huge sports fan and from Buffalo - how could I avoid knowing that! - and that he'd written about his father, Big Russ.
We spent the weekend doing quiet, small town things. Friday night we watched NBC until we couldn't take it any more and then ate dinner on the deck until it got dark and then beyond. We had the first strawberries of the season - and actually, they were the dinner.
Saturday I worked in the office, then went out to the lake and chose to read on the deck and talk to neighbors. I took phone calls about my listings - "if you list, you last" - and rather enjoyed that. In the evening we went to the Elbridge Strawberry Festival at the firehouse on Route 5, ate more strawberries and listened to the community band play patriotic and Americana songs for an hour. "America the Beautiful" always brings a tear. We came home to eat popcorn and watch "The Sting."
I saw Meet the Press this morning before my open house and thought more about what Tim Russert's life meant, why it so resonated with me. Someone told a story about how when Russert went to work for Senator Moynihan he was a bit overwhelmed by the resumes of the other staffers. He was from South Buffalo and went to John Carroll in Cleveland, not Hotchkiss, Harvard and Yale. Senator Moynihan told him he could learn what the others knew, but "they will never be able to learn what you know."
Tim Russert made me proud of growing up in Syracuse. And oh yes, being born in Buffalo, too.
Sunday, 15 June 2008
Thursday, 12 June 2008
An Old Friend
I heard of the death of an old friend today via the small network I have with other old friends. No names here - the obituary has yet to be published in the Syracuse paper.
But it's one of those moments that stops me. I called a local friend who I knew would know the details, and he filled me in. It helps some. I was able to fill in some blanks for the other old friends.
Memories pushed me back to junior high school in Syracuse - Levy, on the east side. Since then I've realized that those three years were really the beginnings of lifelong friendships. Those were the crucial years of learning to belong.
We had so much fun, it seemed, in those days. We traveled as a group, something new to me, raised as an only child. It was neighborhood fun - playing kickball in the field at Levy in the evenings, ice skating in Thornden park after dark, watching the boys skateboard down Berkeley or watching the boys play football in front of the dorm on Euclid.
I saw the old friend at our reunion twenty years ago. I hadn't seen him since graduation, and we had drifted into different spheres of influence prior to that. But somehow there was a connection still, maybe from elementary school even, that wasn't there with others. We said good-bye.
Life. I planted more flowers today, spent the afternoon catching calls and writing to friends. I'll spend the evening watching my twelve-year-old nephew play his last baseball game of the season in his neighborhood. Life.
But it's one of those moments that stops me. I called a local friend who I knew would know the details, and he filled me in. It helps some. I was able to fill in some blanks for the other old friends.
Memories pushed me back to junior high school in Syracuse - Levy, on the east side. Since then I've realized that those three years were really the beginnings of lifelong friendships. Those were the crucial years of learning to belong.
We had so much fun, it seemed, in those days. We traveled as a group, something new to me, raised as an only child. It was neighborhood fun - playing kickball in the field at Levy in the evenings, ice skating in Thornden park after dark, watching the boys skateboard down Berkeley or watching the boys play football in front of the dorm on Euclid.
I saw the old friend at our reunion twenty years ago. I hadn't seen him since graduation, and we had drifted into different spheres of influence prior to that. But somehow there was a connection still, maybe from elementary school even, that wasn't there with others. We said good-bye.
Life. I planted more flowers today, spent the afternoon catching calls and writing to friends. I'll spend the evening watching my twelve-year-old nephew play his last baseball game of the season in his neighborhood. Life.
House of the Week
I spent Tuesday doing my own broker's open for my new listing, 158 Shire Way in Camillus. I ate ice cream - I had promised something "nutritious and yummy" but wilted under the 90 degree heat. Whole milk, fresh fruit in the ices, good dark chocolate around the mini-Dove bars - that's nutritious, right?
The house was invitingly cool and I sat in the eat-in kitchen at the table watching the skies and listening to public radio through the whole-house speaker system. The skies showed at first rumbling dark clouds and I heard about extreme lightning storms threatening the area. The rain came in buckets and then stopped. The tornado warning followed with a list of afternoon school closings and cancellations across the region. Never a dull moment!
It felt right to be in that house. The owners had purchsed it as an investment and leased it back to Ryan Homes for use as a model. In exchange they received many upgrades and the interior decoration to make the model gorgeous. And it is.
I can't remember the first time I saw it, or with whom, but it made an indelible impression. "This is a ranch?" I thought. Cathedral ceilings, luxury bath, morning room, fireplace, upgraded kitchen. The layout is the best - master bed and bath on the left side, family room in the middle, two bedrooms on the right side with the laundry and another full bath. Simple - makes all the sense in the world!
The model is the Williamson, and while Ryan offered other plans everyone fell in love with the model and opted for it. As you drive through the community of Westshire, you see all but a couple Williamsons.
Everything about the community works. It's close enough to 695 to allow for quick access into Syracuse, the landscaping comes as part of the package for the homes, common areas will also be landscaped and everything will be maintained under a homeowners association. Very little work, but the joy of being independent and with single floor living. I think it will be one of the premier neighborhoods in the coming years as it matures.
I've sold a couple homes in there and shown it to others, so when I was asked to list it I was thrilled. I knew the house well, and as I put together the list of features that are unique to it because it was the model I was even more impressed. A Trex deck, epoxied basement floor (it shines!), the appliances including the washer and dryer, and all that professional interior decorating can do to make it stand out.
The furniture won't be there long because it goes back to Ryan Homes for auction, I understand. I've got an open house this Sunday, 1:00 to 3:00, to take advantage of the furnishings. But somehow I believe that even cleared of all the pomp and circumstance, it will still be remarkable.
Offered at $279,000.
The house was invitingly cool and I sat in the eat-in kitchen at the table watching the skies and listening to public radio through the whole-house speaker system. The skies showed at first rumbling dark clouds and I heard about extreme lightning storms threatening the area. The rain came in buckets and then stopped. The tornado warning followed with a list of afternoon school closings and cancellations across the region. Never a dull moment!
It felt right to be in that house. The owners had purchsed it as an investment and leased it back to Ryan Homes for use as a model. In exchange they received many upgrades and the interior decoration to make the model gorgeous. And it is.
I can't remember the first time I saw it, or with whom, but it made an indelible impression. "This is a ranch?" I thought. Cathedral ceilings, luxury bath, morning room, fireplace, upgraded kitchen. The layout is the best - master bed and bath on the left side, family room in the middle, two bedrooms on the right side with the laundry and another full bath. Simple - makes all the sense in the world!
The model is the Williamson, and while Ryan offered other plans everyone fell in love with the model and opted for it. As you drive through the community of Westshire, you see all but a couple Williamsons.
Everything about the community works. It's close enough to 695 to allow for quick access into Syracuse, the landscaping comes as part of the package for the homes, common areas will also be landscaped and everything will be maintained under a homeowners association. Very little work, but the joy of being independent and with single floor living. I think it will be one of the premier neighborhoods in the coming years as it matures.
I've sold a couple homes in there and shown it to others, so when I was asked to list it I was thrilled. I knew the house well, and as I put together the list of features that are unique to it because it was the model I was even more impressed. A Trex deck, epoxied basement floor (it shines!), the appliances including the washer and dryer, and all that professional interior decorating can do to make it stand out.
The furniture won't be there long because it goes back to Ryan Homes for auction, I understand. I've got an open house this Sunday, 1:00 to 3:00, to take advantage of the furnishings. But somehow I believe that even cleared of all the pomp and circumstance, it will still be remarkable.
Offered at $279,000.
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
Skaneateles Real Estate - The Weekly Update
This past week I was asked about the different areas on the west side where we were viewing homes. "Which are in most need of offers at this time?" In other words, where are the bargains going to be found?
Just the facts.
Skaneateles has currently 149 active single family listings. According to the MLS, 18 have closed this year, 5 of which are in the village. In the past 90 days none in the village have closed and only 7 outside the village. There are 3 properties that were marked contingent in the past 30 days.
Camillus has 161 properties listed as active. According to the MLS, 98 have closed this year. In the past 90 days 59 of these have closed. There are 26 properties that have gone to "K" status in the past 30 days.
Marcellus has 66 active single family homes for sale. There have been 21 closings this year so far and 12 within the past 90 days. In the last month another 5 have gone to "K" status.
Now, Skaneateles is the higher priced market and Camillus and Marcellus average about $350,000 less per property. Admittedly the pool of buyers is much greater for the latter two communities. But still, I think, as one Realtor told me yesterday, people are "holding back on pulling the trigger" from buying.
Now is the time! The rates are low - still low - and while the price of gas continues to rise ($4.11 last I saw at the Hess at Bennett's Corner) Skaneateles has the unique ability to provide all services within one park of the car. Grocery, pharmacies, banks, bookstore, coffee shops, attorneys, fast food and gourmet dining - just park and walk. And of course, real estate companies - we're right next to Doug's on Jordan Street. Stop in and write an offer!
Just the facts.
Skaneateles has currently 149 active single family listings. According to the MLS, 18 have closed this year, 5 of which are in the village. In the past 90 days none in the village have closed and only 7 outside the village. There are 3 properties that were marked contingent in the past 30 days.
Camillus has 161 properties listed as active. According to the MLS, 98 have closed this year. In the past 90 days 59 of these have closed. There are 26 properties that have gone to "K" status in the past 30 days.
Marcellus has 66 active single family homes for sale. There have been 21 closings this year so far and 12 within the past 90 days. In the last month another 5 have gone to "K" status.
Now, Skaneateles is the higher priced market and Camillus and Marcellus average about $350,000 less per property. Admittedly the pool of buyers is much greater for the latter two communities. But still, I think, as one Realtor told me yesterday, people are "holding back on pulling the trigger" from buying.
Now is the time! The rates are low - still low - and while the price of gas continues to rise ($4.11 last I saw at the Hess at Bennett's Corner) Skaneateles has the unique ability to provide all services within one park of the car. Grocery, pharmacies, banks, bookstore, coffee shops, attorneys, fast food and gourmet dining - just park and walk. And of course, real estate companies - we're right next to Doug's on Jordan Street. Stop in and write an offer!
Sunday, 8 June 2008
Working with the List Agent
Showing my properties or holding open houses I hear on occasion that people want to "work with the listing agent" exclusively, instead of engaging a buyer agent to work on their behalf. It always puzzles me, and since I am not confrontational I don't want to say "Why on earth would you want to do that?!" especially if it's the first time we've met.
My rationale is this: the listing agent has undertaken the responsibility of working for the sellers of a property. He or she has fiduciary duties to the seller: obedience, loyalty, disclosure, confidentiality, accountability and reasonable care. The goal is to sell the house at the price agreed upon by the seller and the listing agent.
I think buyers believe that part of that duty is for the listing agent to give inside information to the buyer about the property and "what the seller would take." This is precisely what confidentiality means. Should the seller say, "Let's list it at $150,000 but I only really need to get $140,000," this is not information the listing agent gives out.
If there are any material defects the agent is bound by law to disclose them, whether he/she is a listing agent or a buyer's agent. The sellers can't say "We buried the oil tank in the basement because it was leaking, but don't tell anyone." Or they can say it, but the listing agent must disclose it.
And that disclosure is part of the fiduciary duties and means that if a buyer walks into an open house and announces "We can pay $175,000 and expect to for a home," then the agent must disclose this tidy little tidbit of information.
The world moves too swiftly today for people to rely on their own resources. They need an agent advocating for them, and just for them. If they buy one of his/her listings, so be it. There's nothing wrong in my opinion with dual agency, if it is done openly and everyone understands the process. But going it alone without someone checking for homes, talking to other agents, knowing particular markets and the homes themselves can lead to frustration and paying too much for a home. The feeling then is frustration and anger - "She took advantage of me!"
Who sets the price for the home? Often agents - not this one - state with absolute certainty that the home is worth x number of dollars. Go ahead, fall in love with that number, roll it around on your tongue, see how it feels. I'll get you that price - watch me! And the game's afoot. I pity the poor lowly buyer who walks into a situation in which pride takes over the negotiations! "You can't offer that - it's worth so much more - it's worth x number of dollars, like I said!" ("And if it takes me three years to sell it at this price while the owner pays the taxes and insurance and mortgage, then it does - but I will get them that price!")
Is it the commission that buyers want adjusted, and think that will happen if the agent gets both sides, the listing and the buying? A $200,000 home means that 1% of commission is $2,000. For that amount of money, the buyer is putting him or herself at risk. And speculating on commission is not something that is openly discussed. Negotiate the price of the house - that's a lot more expensive!
So here I am, Sunday afternoon in the village - the quiet village - knowing that I have a listing going into the computer tomorrow and an agent out there who has confided in me that she might have a buyer for this type of property. She's a buyer's agent, working for her people, and she will get the first call before it becomes generally known. It's what a list agent and a buyer's agent do.
My rationale is this: the listing agent has undertaken the responsibility of working for the sellers of a property. He or she has fiduciary duties to the seller: obedience, loyalty, disclosure, confidentiality, accountability and reasonable care. The goal is to sell the house at the price agreed upon by the seller and the listing agent.
I think buyers believe that part of that duty is for the listing agent to give inside information to the buyer about the property and "what the seller would take." This is precisely what confidentiality means. Should the seller say, "Let's list it at $150,000 but I only really need to get $140,000," this is not information the listing agent gives out.
If there are any material defects the agent is bound by law to disclose them, whether he/she is a listing agent or a buyer's agent. The sellers can't say "We buried the oil tank in the basement because it was leaking, but don't tell anyone." Or they can say it, but the listing agent must disclose it.
And that disclosure is part of the fiduciary duties and means that if a buyer walks into an open house and announces "We can pay $175,000 and expect to for a home," then the agent must disclose this tidy little tidbit of information.
The world moves too swiftly today for people to rely on their own resources. They need an agent advocating for them, and just for them. If they buy one of his/her listings, so be it. There's nothing wrong in my opinion with dual agency, if it is done openly and everyone understands the process. But going it alone without someone checking for homes, talking to other agents, knowing particular markets and the homes themselves can lead to frustration and paying too much for a home. The feeling then is frustration and anger - "She took advantage of me!"
Who sets the price for the home? Often agents - not this one - state with absolute certainty that the home is worth x number of dollars. Go ahead, fall in love with that number, roll it around on your tongue, see how it feels. I'll get you that price - watch me! And the game's afoot. I pity the poor lowly buyer who walks into a situation in which pride takes over the negotiations! "You can't offer that - it's worth so much more - it's worth x number of dollars, like I said!" ("And if it takes me three years to sell it at this price while the owner pays the taxes and insurance and mortgage, then it does - but I will get them that price!")
Is it the commission that buyers want adjusted, and think that will happen if the agent gets both sides, the listing and the buying? A $200,000 home means that 1% of commission is $2,000. For that amount of money, the buyer is putting him or herself at risk. And speculating on commission is not something that is openly discussed. Negotiate the price of the house - that's a lot more expensive!
So here I am, Sunday afternoon in the village - the quiet village - knowing that I have a listing going into the computer tomorrow and an agent out there who has confided in me that she might have a buyer for this type of property. She's a buyer's agent, working for her people, and she will get the first call before it becomes generally known. It's what a list agent and a buyer's agent do.
Thursday, 5 June 2008
House of the Week
These days are full and long. Today I listed a multi-family in the city (as in Syracuse), received a commitment for a new listing, enjoyed a session on open houses with Mary McNeill, showed a home in Camillus, and then ran back to the office to put in the listing (see task #1).
So forgive me if Tuesday's broker's open was not discussed!
I did my own broker's open anyway - and only one, thank goodness! It's my new old listing at 188 East Genesee Street here in Skaneateles.
I listed and sold it five years ago. The gentleman who owned it passed away while it was listed and the estate sold it at the end. My clients bought it from pictures they saw on the internet and walked into it the first time on the day of closing. (Needless to say, I'm using some of the same pictures for this listing.)
Because of the circumstances of the sale, I have a very tender place in my heart for the home. I really liked the old engineer. He reminded me of my father who passed away in 1979 - a lot of extraneous detail and some gruffness, but a good heart nonetheless. We sat and he taught me about chaos one day, and fractiles. I felt as if I were a little girl sitting at the kitchen table again, hearing my father discourse on something I sort of understood. He would have used the sale of the house to retire to Florida. An accident away from the house ended his life suddenly.
The house itself reminds me of the home I grew up in on the east side of Syracuse by Thornden Park. Both homes were built about the same time - World War One was raging. They are solid homes, well-engineered with very little extra space. Each had a formal dining room, living room, three bedrooms and smaller kitchens by today's standards. They also had an extension off the living room - ours was used as a small den and piano room, and the Skaneateles home was a computer room/sunroom. These sweet rooms have windows on three sides. Another feature they have in common are French doors. I blogged once about my mother's cat Hermes bursting through ours.
They have fireplaces, hardwood floors, good ceiling height, and archways. The chrystal doorknobs were polished by the gentleman. Our yard was larger, leading back to border on the park and seemingly miles and miles of lilacs. This one has pretty gardens but also extends to a common back yard - not owned, but presumably used by the neighborhood.
I walk in to the house and feel immediately at home here in Skaneateles. Our home was sold when my mother moved out (after 56 years!) to a young woman who also had a little girl and who appreciated the home. It sold in the low 60s. This one is offered for $244,500.
So forgive me if Tuesday's broker's open was not discussed!
I did my own broker's open anyway - and only one, thank goodness! It's my new old listing at 188 East Genesee Street here in Skaneateles.
I listed and sold it five years ago. The gentleman who owned it passed away while it was listed and the estate sold it at the end. My clients bought it from pictures they saw on the internet and walked into it the first time on the day of closing. (Needless to say, I'm using some of the same pictures for this listing.)
Because of the circumstances of the sale, I have a very tender place in my heart for the home. I really liked the old engineer. He reminded me of my father who passed away in 1979 - a lot of extraneous detail and some gruffness, but a good heart nonetheless. We sat and he taught me about chaos one day, and fractiles. I felt as if I were a little girl sitting at the kitchen table again, hearing my father discourse on something I sort of understood. He would have used the sale of the house to retire to Florida. An accident away from the house ended his life suddenly.
The house itself reminds me of the home I grew up in on the east side of Syracuse by Thornden Park. Both homes were built about the same time - World War One was raging. They are solid homes, well-engineered with very little extra space. Each had a formal dining room, living room, three bedrooms and smaller kitchens by today's standards. They also had an extension off the living room - ours was used as a small den and piano room, and the Skaneateles home was a computer room/sunroom. These sweet rooms have windows on three sides. Another feature they have in common are French doors. I blogged once about my mother's cat Hermes bursting through ours.
They have fireplaces, hardwood floors, good ceiling height, and archways. The chrystal doorknobs were polished by the gentleman. Our yard was larger, leading back to border on the park and seemingly miles and miles of lilacs. This one has pretty gardens but also extends to a common back yard - not owned, but presumably used by the neighborhood.
I walk in to the house and feel immediately at home here in Skaneateles. Our home was sold when my mother moved out (after 56 years!) to a young woman who also had a little girl and who appreciated the home. It sold in the low 60s. This one is offered for $244,500.
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
Skaneateles Real Estate - The Weekly Update
So much to write, so little time....maybe just spot notes so I don't miss anything.
Active listings, listen up! We now have 149 residential listings in the Skaneateles area. I think it's like the price of gas - it just keeps going up with no end in sight.
There were 14 new residential listings this past week: 4 re-lists, 2 new construction possibilities, and 1 commercial building listed as a single family because it has an apartment in it.
There are now 18 closed properties for the year. Last week a waterfront property, pended in September of last year, closed. List price: $739,000. Closed price: $775,000. May I say "Go figure"? The answer is "location, location."
There was a lovely home marked contingent on the west side of the lake with lake rights - and in this case it was "condition, condition." Very beautifully remodeled home on incredible grounds - and under $500,000.
I checked out last year in the multiple listing service. I may be doing something wrong, but I get only 30 new listings for the entire year. It doesn't seem possible with 112 (!) new listings this year already. I know other Realtors read my blog - do you get the same response?
Speaking of reading, check the comment that came in under the blog "Everything that Rises..." It's a self-described "rant, " and worthy of a read.
But I must end on a good note. Yesterday about 200 Realtors gathered in Liverpool for a four hour ethics class, mandatory for continuing education. It's often fun to go to these things - good information, too - and I enjoy meeting people with whom I've only spoken. There was also a sizeable Skaneateles showing. One person spoke about offers coming in $200,000-$300,000 over previous offers and a hoot of derision went up from the audience. It's a different world out here; hyperbole is rampant.
The good note: at the breaks I was deluged with calls, but so apparently was everyone else. I heard exclamations of "Where have they been the last three weeks - now they call?" It just seemed as if things were beginning to pop again.
The proof is in the pudding, as they say - we'll see what next week holds!
Active listings, listen up! We now have 149 residential listings in the Skaneateles area. I think it's like the price of gas - it just keeps going up with no end in sight.
There were 14 new residential listings this past week: 4 re-lists, 2 new construction possibilities, and 1 commercial building listed as a single family because it has an apartment in it.
There are now 18 closed properties for the year. Last week a waterfront property, pended in September of last year, closed. List price: $739,000. Closed price: $775,000. May I say "Go figure"? The answer is "location, location."
There was a lovely home marked contingent on the west side of the lake with lake rights - and in this case it was "condition, condition." Very beautifully remodeled home on incredible grounds - and under $500,000.
I checked out last year in the multiple listing service. I may be doing something wrong, but I get only 30 new listings for the entire year. It doesn't seem possible with 112 (!) new listings this year already. I know other Realtors read my blog - do you get the same response?
Speaking of reading, check the comment that came in under the blog "Everything that Rises..." It's a self-described "rant, " and worthy of a read.
But I must end on a good note. Yesterday about 200 Realtors gathered in Liverpool for a four hour ethics class, mandatory for continuing education. It's often fun to go to these things - good information, too - and I enjoy meeting people with whom I've only spoken. There was also a sizeable Skaneateles showing. One person spoke about offers coming in $200,000-$300,000 over previous offers and a hoot of derision went up from the audience. It's a different world out here; hyperbole is rampant.
The good note: at the breaks I was deluged with calls, but so apparently was everyone else. I heard exclamations of "Where have they been the last three weeks - now they call?" It just seemed as if things were beginning to pop again.
The proof is in the pudding, as they say - we'll see what next week holds!
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