Stay tuned for a quiz - you get the guess the most expensive homes sold in the following areas: Skaneateles, Marcellus, Camillus, Elbridge and Onondaga. Think about it now, write down the numbers, and I'll reveal the answers at the end of the update.
Currently there are 141 active listings of single family homes in the Skaneateles area as defined by the multiple listing service. There were seven new listings this week - 5 having waterfront somewhere within reach/access of the property. Only two were re-lists, which must mean that homes are selling rather than being re-listed. Two of the re-lists are waterfront well over one million dollars. There's a new one close to that, but not going over. Two others have lake rights and are priced under $500,000. If you hurry, a village Victorian is for sale, similar to my 11 Onondaga from last year, both in size, vintage and price. And then there's a tiny house with a smaller price in the low $100,000, a re-list with a reduction.
One home was marked contingent at the same time the price dropped 20% - which came first? Who cares as long as it's sold!
And there were no closings this past week - none whatsoever - to keep our total of 35 year-to date. This still ravages last year's total of 18 by June 10th. We're fine! The worst is over!
On to the most expensive property closings in the towns I mentioned. Ready? This all started thanks to a conversation with a friend who was looking at pricing. We thought a house was priced too high for the area, so I took a look. Imbedded in all this is the information - and more because it was so interesting to me once I got in to the statistics.
Marcellus. This was difficult, because "Marcellus" encompasses both some listings from the towns of Onondaga and Camillus, but they are placed in the Marcellus area because they are Marcellus schools. I was a purist and looked for the town only. That said - The most expensive house along with many, many acres to sell within recent memory (like 2002) was $500,000. The second most expensive was on Otisco Lake and sold for $460,000, an unbelievable sum to me as an owner of a camp there. But it went on multiple offers, above list price. There were 23 homes altogether that sold for over $300,000.
Camillus. I was surprised here. Only 8 homes sold for over $400,000. The most expensive closed last year for $617,500, but then there was a gap to the next most expensive. Once again, acreage and obviously a fantastic home were involved.
Elbridge. We are farm country, remember? There were 5 homes that sold over $250,000 with the most expensive being waterfront on Cross Lake for $279,000. My house might give this number a run, but like most of my neighbors we prize what we have and I'm not going anywhere.
Onondaga. Another surprise! I keep showing these absolutely gorgeous homes with views that go for miles up in the hills, so I think that there must be at least 100 that have sold for the list prices. But no - only 20 have sold for over $400,000. The most was $960,000 in 2008 and the next was $650,000 in 2004.
Skaneateles. I started my search at 2 million, but there were too many. Over 2.5 million there are 11 closed properties - and yes, this is the closed price. All, of course, are on the water. The most expensive is the beautiful home on West Lake Street which is undergoing extensive renovations but was purchased at 4.9 million. The most expensive non-waterfront home was 2.15 million and I bet you can guess which one on Genesee it is. It is followed by another Genesee Street property (lakeside, but no frontage or rights) and the pretty brick on Andrews Road.
Especially in Skaneateles' case many homes are bought or sold or built without passing through the multiple listing service. You can try, as my friends did, to search numbers out on www.ongov.net - or just continue to read my blog even though it may not contain all the facts, all the time. Hopefully it's fun!
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Village Exultation
I ran in through the back door of the office last week as a friend was coming through the front just to say hello. We ended up sitting in the conference room for over an hour, catching up on our lives from the winter months and just talking.
I had sold her and her husband a small village home last year so this was their first summer in residence. I ran into him on one of my early walks with Koko and he was ecstatic, if sweaty from his early morning run, to be in the village. Kathy was as well and proceeded to outline their lives here.
This is their second home. I reminded her of when she had called in to ask about my then-listing at 51 West Elizabeth Street. I had told her she was the perfect candidate for the job of revitalizing it, turning it into a sweet cottage to be used for weekends and grandchildren. I didn't hear from her for a bit - it was really a cold call on her part - and then she came in with her daughter who had recommended me. I love the history of getting to know people, bringing them into my life.
Kathy and Dave bought the house to come closer in to civilzation. They live way out - way out! - in the country and wanted to be near people, just not all the time. Their grandchildren live outside Syracuse, so Skaneateles was perfect for their purpose.
I don't think they expected to fall in love so very much with the village. Kathy tells me they walk everywhere - to the hardware store, P&C, to Doug's for ice cream and then they walk off the calories. They sit on the porch of the Sherwood and the wait staff bring them their drinks without their needing to order them. Then they walk home - no cars or designated drivers needed!
Kathy stayed recently to care for the younger of her grandchildren. They had a ball, she told me. There was so much to do and so much laughter. Meanwhile, back at the country home, Dave slaved away trying to keep the jungle back from the house. The lawn in the village was easily mowed despite its good size.
Kathy said her good-byes and went off to Riddlers to pick up the paper with the summer insert and grabbed some karmel corn which she returned to share. I thought how pleased I was to have been instrumental in bringing them here. Even the cat does the two hour trip now with barely a meow.
In the couple days that followed our visit I had similar experiences with three other people. Bob was told the same thing that Kathy told me when he went to do a job in the village - how absolutely thrilled the people were to have bought in Skaneateles, how eager they were to share it with their relatives this summer. Another woman is moving in again after being in the country. She'll miss the openness of the fields behind her house, the cross-country-skiing and the summer walks, but she's looking forward to opening the door and walking out with her dog.
Another young couple are trying to buy into the village, a difficult thing when the least expensive home is over $200,000. But the father wants to take his sons to the playing fields, walk to school with them, and then to his own job. He wants to go fishing on the bridge over the outlet, be available for evening sports. The homes we've looked at have good-sized back yards, large enough for pools and playfields. It's a village, not a cramped city.
And even if you live outside the village, as we do, you can still enjoy it with a simple drive in and easy parking. We left Seattle, Alex and I, when it became impossible to find a place to park at the piers. He couldn't ride his bike in the city parks because they were too crowded. Skaneateles is highly accessible.
A few years ago I met a couple who spent their weekends in the village. They lived in Syracuse and came out at least one day a week. There was so much to do - kayaking on the lake, the festival in August, Doug's Fish Fry on Friday nights, the antique boat show and sidewalk sale in July. And no need to travel far - half an hour brought them to this ever-changing vacation-site.
We are privileged to have the village, whether we live in it or simply enjoy it.
I had sold her and her husband a small village home last year so this was their first summer in residence. I ran into him on one of my early walks with Koko and he was ecstatic, if sweaty from his early morning run, to be in the village. Kathy was as well and proceeded to outline their lives here.
This is their second home. I reminded her of when she had called in to ask about my then-listing at 51 West Elizabeth Street. I had told her she was the perfect candidate for the job of revitalizing it, turning it into a sweet cottage to be used for weekends and grandchildren. I didn't hear from her for a bit - it was really a cold call on her part - and then she came in with her daughter who had recommended me. I love the history of getting to know people, bringing them into my life.
Kathy and Dave bought the house to come closer in to civilzation. They live way out - way out! - in the country and wanted to be near people, just not all the time. Their grandchildren live outside Syracuse, so Skaneateles was perfect for their purpose.
I don't think they expected to fall in love so very much with the village. Kathy tells me they walk everywhere - to the hardware store, P&C, to Doug's for ice cream and then they walk off the calories. They sit on the porch of the Sherwood and the wait staff bring them their drinks without their needing to order them. Then they walk home - no cars or designated drivers needed!
Kathy stayed recently to care for the younger of her grandchildren. They had a ball, she told me. There was so much to do and so much laughter. Meanwhile, back at the country home, Dave slaved away trying to keep the jungle back from the house. The lawn in the village was easily mowed despite its good size.
Kathy said her good-byes and went off to Riddlers to pick up the paper with the summer insert and grabbed some karmel corn which she returned to share. I thought how pleased I was to have been instrumental in bringing them here. Even the cat does the two hour trip now with barely a meow.
In the couple days that followed our visit I had similar experiences with three other people. Bob was told the same thing that Kathy told me when he went to do a job in the village - how absolutely thrilled the people were to have bought in Skaneateles, how eager they were to share it with their relatives this summer. Another woman is moving in again after being in the country. She'll miss the openness of the fields behind her house, the cross-country-skiing and the summer walks, but she's looking forward to opening the door and walking out with her dog.
Another young couple are trying to buy into the village, a difficult thing when the least expensive home is over $200,000. But the father wants to take his sons to the playing fields, walk to school with them, and then to his own job. He wants to go fishing on the bridge over the outlet, be available for evening sports. The homes we've looked at have good-sized back yards, large enough for pools and playfields. It's a village, not a cramped city.
And even if you live outside the village, as we do, you can still enjoy it with a simple drive in and easy parking. We left Seattle, Alex and I, when it became impossible to find a place to park at the piers. He couldn't ride his bike in the city parks because they were too crowded. Skaneateles is highly accessible.
A few years ago I met a couple who spent their weekends in the village. They lived in Syracuse and came out at least one day a week. There was so much to do - kayaking on the lake, the festival in August, Doug's Fish Fry on Friday nights, the antique boat show and sidewalk sale in July. And no need to travel far - half an hour brought them to this ever-changing vacation-site.
We are privileged to have the village, whether we live in it or simply enjoy it.
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Skaneateles Real Estate - The Weekly Update
Here we go again! I am so excited each week to check the listings and see what's sold, what it sold for (this was a week!), and what is new on the market. Things are happening out there. I've switched from listing agent (it seems) to buyer's agent. Last year buyers were hard to come by - now they are everywhere!
Currently there are 139 activing listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. Remember - the "area" can include Cortland and Cayuga Counties as well as Onondaga. If you can so much as get a glimpse of the lake listings come on the market in "Skaneateles." People do not search "Scott" or "Homer" - they do look to Skaneateles to be all-inclusive.
There were 5 new listings this week - two of them are re-listed waterfronts, and there's a new one, also. In the village a home around $300,000 has been re-listed with a price reduction (lovely arch in the dining room, I might add) and a new one with fantastic lake views in the mid-$300,000s has come on. But the prize must go to the tiny waterfront - low $200,000s! Right on the water - call me!
Two village homes were marked contingent, both with histories over a year (in one case almost 3 years) of marketing. Both homes reduced their prices along the way but are still well above $500,000, the average price of a home in the Skaneateles area this year. The price reduction - and I know there are many of you out there asking this question - was in the neighborhood of 15% off the original list price. But we don't know yet the actual closed price.
Altogether there are 15 homes marked either pending or contingent. Of these, 5 are waterfront. That's a good thing, considering that only 3 waterfront properties have closed so far this year.
BUT! We now have 35 closed single family residences this year. This compares with only 18 (!) last year by this time and 32 in 2007. Lest we become complacent, however, in 2006 there were 45 closed homes by June 3rd. We have a ways to go to beat that, but I wouldn't be surprised if that number was the high of all times in Skaneateles. I'll check at some point which year produced the most closings - and postulate as to why!
There were two new closings this past week. The numbers are clear indicators of the practice that starting too high does not pay off. It also opens up the door to the age-old question of how to price unique homes.
House #1 suffered from the increased price of gas over the past year because it is located about 6 miles outside of the village. That's my guess, at least. Plus it had odd bedrooms which made it really a two bedroom home although the agent and owners promised more. The sale price was almost 25% less than the original list price - but the new owners got a great view!
House #2 - alack and alas! Again it was down the lake, has a great view, and is unique. It needed some work as did the other one, but it was much larger. It closed at 64% of its original price, and only 66% of its assessed value. Ouch! The price per square foot comes in at around $80 - not that you can calculate square footage with any real meaning in our market.
Does this mean you can offer that type of a reduced price on other homes? Not everything is overpriced, but everything is a function of time and desireability. Being close to or in the village is big now - things sell because there is very little need for a car and village prices have stayed competitive. Condition matters also - pristine and well-staged are keys. Underpromising and overdelivering helps, too. The old adage that you "can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" rings true here. In 2006 maybe you could. Not now. And not with rates creeping up there - make your deals now - and that means both buyers and sellers!
Currently there are 139 activing listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. Remember - the "area" can include Cortland and Cayuga Counties as well as Onondaga. If you can so much as get a glimpse of the lake listings come on the market in "Skaneateles." People do not search "Scott" or "Homer" - they do look to Skaneateles to be all-inclusive.
There were 5 new listings this week - two of them are re-listed waterfronts, and there's a new one, also. In the village a home around $300,000 has been re-listed with a price reduction (lovely arch in the dining room, I might add) and a new one with fantastic lake views in the mid-$300,000s has come on. But the prize must go to the tiny waterfront - low $200,000s! Right on the water - call me!
Two village homes were marked contingent, both with histories over a year (in one case almost 3 years) of marketing. Both homes reduced their prices along the way but are still well above $500,000, the average price of a home in the Skaneateles area this year. The price reduction - and I know there are many of you out there asking this question - was in the neighborhood of 15% off the original list price. But we don't know yet the actual closed price.
Altogether there are 15 homes marked either pending or contingent. Of these, 5 are waterfront. That's a good thing, considering that only 3 waterfront properties have closed so far this year.
BUT! We now have 35 closed single family residences this year. This compares with only 18 (!) last year by this time and 32 in 2007. Lest we become complacent, however, in 2006 there were 45 closed homes by June 3rd. We have a ways to go to beat that, but I wouldn't be surprised if that number was the high of all times in Skaneateles. I'll check at some point which year produced the most closings - and postulate as to why!
There were two new closings this past week. The numbers are clear indicators of the practice that starting too high does not pay off. It also opens up the door to the age-old question of how to price unique homes.
House #1 suffered from the increased price of gas over the past year because it is located about 6 miles outside of the village. That's my guess, at least. Plus it had odd bedrooms which made it really a two bedroom home although the agent and owners promised more. The sale price was almost 25% less than the original list price - but the new owners got a great view!
House #2 - alack and alas! Again it was down the lake, has a great view, and is unique. It needed some work as did the other one, but it was much larger. It closed at 64% of its original price, and only 66% of its assessed value. Ouch! The price per square foot comes in at around $80 - not that you can calculate square footage with any real meaning in our market.
Does this mean you can offer that type of a reduced price on other homes? Not everything is overpriced, but everything is a function of time and desireability. Being close to or in the village is big now - things sell because there is very little need for a car and village prices have stayed competitive. Condition matters also - pristine and well-staged are keys. Underpromising and overdelivering helps, too. The old adage that you "can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" rings true here. In 2006 maybe you could. Not now. And not with rates creeping up there - make your deals now - and that means both buyers and sellers!
Monday, 1 June 2009
An Open Letter to Governor Paterson
Dear Governor -
We were reading the morning paper today and saw the article about the owner of the cigar store who sold a 31 million dollar lottery ticket. He was so happy - he hoped that the buyer was one of his regular customers because then he would get a big tip and his store would be known as a lucky store. I think my take might have been how happy I would be for someone I had known for a long time, but then it occurred to me....we are talking about greed.
Greed is a great motivator.
So here's what I propose. We've got those pesky property taxes that won't go away and are extremely high. You've tried everything, and I give you credit for that, to bring them down or offset them with other taxes. The breweries won't let you do it, the soda people want their sugary drinks, everyone feels impinged upon. So why not offer the public something for nothing? Or very little....
We have the lottery for schools, and that's been successful. Why not a lottery for ALL our taxes that we pay to the state? Think about it - one super, duper mega lottery SEASON. We could hold it here in Central New York in the summer. Two weeks of daily - hourly - drawings to pay off everything!
The big prizes would be awarded to those who are here in person to claim them. That would mean they would have to stay in hotels and eat food - here, in Central New York! They would need to be entertained - here in Central New York! Talk about DestiNY!
Why here? Because we have gorgeous lakes and that mall that will someday be built with our tax money anyway, and because if you have to be here in person to win then you have to travel from somewhere, across the state either by Thruway or Seaway or Airway or Railway. Not so easy to just pop over from New Jersey... The ticket-purchasers would have to come and SPEND MONEY! A whole industry would spring up around those two weeks.
And tickets could be bought online, too. I hope it's legal, but then, the legislature can make it legal if it's not. They pay property taxes, too. All over the world people could pay our taxes for us!
Now why would they? Because they might get lucky and make money. Someone will win - a lot of people will win. And it's that chance that will bring them here. That glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, they will win $50,000 or $100,000 or a million dollars! All for a few bucks while they're having a good time. A GREAT time! Because it's summer and the Finger Lakes and the wineries and the Nationals will be in Syracuse and the Chiefs might win and they are running at Vernon and theaters all over have summer stock productions and it's 80 degrees and lovely! Not to mention Skaneateles' sidewalk sale and the antique boat show....wow! But most importantly, they might make money, more money than they make in their jobs all year!
So, Gov, if I may call you that, I hate to say this, but what have you got to lose? You've tried everything else, Andrew Cuomo is breathing down your neck, you seem to love upstate...and frankly it's not looking too good for a second chance. So throw the dice - make us all rich and famous - and get those taxes reduced so businesses will come in and my clients (and me) won't have to pay those property taxes.
I can see it all now - "breakfast and bucks" at Stella's Diner, the noon drawing at the Fairgrounds, the 6:00 pm drawing at the Mall, 10:00 at Alliance Bank Stadium (too bad it's not downtown) and then the fireworks. And do it the next day, and the day after that - different venues, new millionaires (who must claim their prize within 4 hours - "will they make it on time?") - and so much press in the slow time of the summer months. And money, more money than you ever thought possible, all flowing into the state's coffers. And not out of the citizenry's wallets for stupid things like taxes.
And all because you took a chance - you risked it all - to make the Great State of New York a tax-free state.
Sincerely,
Meg
We were reading the morning paper today and saw the article about the owner of the cigar store who sold a 31 million dollar lottery ticket. He was so happy - he hoped that the buyer was one of his regular customers because then he would get a big tip and his store would be known as a lucky store. I think my take might have been how happy I would be for someone I had known for a long time, but then it occurred to me....we are talking about greed.
Greed is a great motivator.
So here's what I propose. We've got those pesky property taxes that won't go away and are extremely high. You've tried everything, and I give you credit for that, to bring them down or offset them with other taxes. The breweries won't let you do it, the soda people want their sugary drinks, everyone feels impinged upon. So why not offer the public something for nothing? Or very little....
We have the lottery for schools, and that's been successful. Why not a lottery for ALL our taxes that we pay to the state? Think about it - one super, duper mega lottery SEASON. We could hold it here in Central New York in the summer. Two weeks of daily - hourly - drawings to pay off everything!
The big prizes would be awarded to those who are here in person to claim them. That would mean they would have to stay in hotels and eat food - here, in Central New York! They would need to be entertained - here in Central New York! Talk about DestiNY!
Why here? Because we have gorgeous lakes and that mall that will someday be built with our tax money anyway, and because if you have to be here in person to win then you have to travel from somewhere, across the state either by Thruway or Seaway or Airway or Railway. Not so easy to just pop over from New Jersey... The ticket-purchasers would have to come and SPEND MONEY! A whole industry would spring up around those two weeks.
And tickets could be bought online, too. I hope it's legal, but then, the legislature can make it legal if it's not. They pay property taxes, too. All over the world people could pay our taxes for us!
Now why would they? Because they might get lucky and make money. Someone will win - a lot of people will win. And it's that chance that will bring them here. That glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, they will win $50,000 or $100,000 or a million dollars! All for a few bucks while they're having a good time. A GREAT time! Because it's summer and the Finger Lakes and the wineries and the Nationals will be in Syracuse and the Chiefs might win and they are running at Vernon and theaters all over have summer stock productions and it's 80 degrees and lovely! Not to mention Skaneateles' sidewalk sale and the antique boat show....wow! But most importantly, they might make money, more money than they make in their jobs all year!
So, Gov, if I may call you that, I hate to say this, but what have you got to lose? You've tried everything else, Andrew Cuomo is breathing down your neck, you seem to love upstate...and frankly it's not looking too good for a second chance. So throw the dice - make us all rich and famous - and get those taxes reduced so businesses will come in and my clients (and me) won't have to pay those property taxes.
I can see it all now - "breakfast and bucks" at Stella's Diner, the noon drawing at the Fairgrounds, the 6:00 pm drawing at the Mall, 10:00 at Alliance Bank Stadium (too bad it's not downtown) and then the fireworks. And do it the next day, and the day after that - different venues, new millionaires (who must claim their prize within 4 hours - "will they make it on time?") - and so much press in the slow time of the summer months. And money, more money than you ever thought possible, all flowing into the state's coffers. And not out of the citizenry's wallets for stupid things like taxes.
And all because you took a chance - you risked it all - to make the Great State of New York a tax-free state.
Sincerely,
Meg
Sunday, 31 May 2009
Faith Restored!
Every once in a while, my faith in humanity and my own abilities falters. Between the e-mail problems and the rain, a sudden lull in activity, a friend's serious illness, by last Friday afternoon I wanted to go home and put my head under the covers. Maybe if I slept a week things would work out better....
Bob would have none of it. We had planned to go to Burritt's Cafe that evening and we were going to go. I had looked forward to it and I knew that once there I would be fine. The rain let up and we traveled the few miles over to Weedsport. It was well worth it!
Israel Hagan was playing and that's what drew Bob. I didn't know the man, but he's been around Syracuse music for years with the band Stroke. That night it was just him and his guitar, great songs (oldies, as befit the audience) and a winning, friendly demeanor. He played for two hours - mostly covers, some invitations to sing and clap - and he dragged me from my doldrums to feeling fine. Sherry and Darryl also provided help with a decaf latte and then for dessert a chai latte. They were busy, the carrot cake was touted, and the atmosphere was marvelous. Mr. Hagan will return July 10th - mark it on your calendars.
The next day I went off to show a multi-family to a friend. I hadn't seen him in a while and he was flying high with the Friday birth of a fifth grandchild, another little girl. We roamed around the house for an hour or so, finding wells and septic systems, then waved good-bye. Always a pleasure.
Back to the office - our owner, Dave Cramer, was setting up the upstairs which we've now taken over to accommodate new agents and create more room downstairs as well. He was in a fine mood, having closed the Camillus office and bought a beautiful building in Fayetteville to house the east agents and some of the west who won't join us here in the village.
I heard about two properties about to be listed by one of our agents, and lo and behold I have two people who will be very happy (I hope) to know about them. More investigation is needed, but it's rare when there's a natural fit. Then a rental appeared out of thin air (and a phone call) andI was off and running.
The good thing about those sorts of opportunities is that it gives me a chance to call people with whom I haven't spoken in a while. Good conversations ensued, how grand! The world was turning around for me!
After lunch at Creekside with Bob (curry chicken salad - I highly recommend it) I went shopping in the bookstore and then on to the Creamery. I purchased 5 books for the silent auction for the Lions' Club's golf tournament - two were Mike Quigley's memoirs about growing up in Skaneateles. I still love the title of the second: Childhood without a Helmet.
A bit of shopping over in Auburn - gas prices are cheaper there, did you know? - and I even found a new bag at Marshall's! I was exhausted - sleep has been hard to come by lately - so I napped when I got home, with that fine spring breeze floating in while I floated out.
We went to the Chiefs baseball game with my in-laws - Chiefs lost in the 10th - and I ate a hot dog and had a beer. Saranac. Pure contentment. Topped off by an ice cream sundae at the bottom of the 7th.
Today it was too rainy for Koko and me to walk, so I'm just enjoying blogging here in the village while Koko watches the world go by out the screen door. We'll head home in a minute for breakfast (spinach, parmesan omelette with ham on the side), coffee and the paper. I'll be back this afternoon for my open house (1:00 to 2:30) at 3862 Highland Avenue - come visit! The world is rightsideup again!
Bob would have none of it. We had planned to go to Burritt's Cafe that evening and we were going to go. I had looked forward to it and I knew that once there I would be fine. The rain let up and we traveled the few miles over to Weedsport. It was well worth it!
Israel Hagan was playing and that's what drew Bob. I didn't know the man, but he's been around Syracuse music for years with the band Stroke. That night it was just him and his guitar, great songs (oldies, as befit the audience) and a winning, friendly demeanor. He played for two hours - mostly covers, some invitations to sing and clap - and he dragged me from my doldrums to feeling fine. Sherry and Darryl also provided help with a decaf latte and then for dessert a chai latte. They were busy, the carrot cake was touted, and the atmosphere was marvelous. Mr. Hagan will return July 10th - mark it on your calendars.
The next day I went off to show a multi-family to a friend. I hadn't seen him in a while and he was flying high with the Friday birth of a fifth grandchild, another little girl. We roamed around the house for an hour or so, finding wells and septic systems, then waved good-bye. Always a pleasure.
Back to the office - our owner, Dave Cramer, was setting up the upstairs which we've now taken over to accommodate new agents and create more room downstairs as well. He was in a fine mood, having closed the Camillus office and bought a beautiful building in Fayetteville to house the east agents and some of the west who won't join us here in the village.
I heard about two properties about to be listed by one of our agents, and lo and behold I have two people who will be very happy (I hope) to know about them. More investigation is needed, but it's rare when there's a natural fit. Then a rental appeared out of thin air (and a phone call) andI was off and running.
The good thing about those sorts of opportunities is that it gives me a chance to call people with whom I haven't spoken in a while. Good conversations ensued, how grand! The world was turning around for me!
After lunch at Creekside with Bob (curry chicken salad - I highly recommend it) I went shopping in the bookstore and then on to the Creamery. I purchased 5 books for the silent auction for the Lions' Club's golf tournament - two were Mike Quigley's memoirs about growing up in Skaneateles. I still love the title of the second: Childhood without a Helmet.
A bit of shopping over in Auburn - gas prices are cheaper there, did you know? - and I even found a new bag at Marshall's! I was exhausted - sleep has been hard to come by lately - so I napped when I got home, with that fine spring breeze floating in while I floated out.
We went to the Chiefs baseball game with my in-laws - Chiefs lost in the 10th - and I ate a hot dog and had a beer. Saranac. Pure contentment. Topped off by an ice cream sundae at the bottom of the 7th.
Today it was too rainy for Koko and me to walk, so I'm just enjoying blogging here in the village while Koko watches the world go by out the screen door. We'll head home in a minute for breakfast (spinach, parmesan omelette with ham on the side), coffee and the paper. I'll be back this afternoon for my open house (1:00 to 2:30) at 3862 Highland Avenue - come visit! The world is rightsideup again!
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Skaneateles Real Estate - The Weekly Update
Nothing but good news! I've sworn off anything bad. It's been a rough few days dealing with the nasty e-mail that drove so many people to concern for me or feelings that somehow it was all a scam. Always positive, always moving forward. It's the only way!
Currently there are 139 active listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. Seven new ones came on this week - 3 are re-lists with slight reductions, and therefore 4 are new. There is the beautiful waterfront for 1.1 million, the 2 bedroom priced well under $100,000 and sure to go quickly, and a lovely B&B opportunity for half a million. Of course 175 acres at a price tag of 4.25 million scoops them all - two houses, no waterfront.
There is very little new, if any, in the pending or contingent department. These generally show up past the date they actually are sold so it's always difficult to discover what is news.
But the best news is that we have reached 33 closed properties so far this year. Think of it! There were 66 altogether last year, and we're not even through May! This compares with 31 in 2007 which resulted in 103 closings for the year, and 41 in 2006 which gave us 107. I have to say we are back to normal. Really! I think so!
The newly closed properties are odd. One is a waterfront that closed at 65% or so of the original list price. The other was a spectacular property that appears to have closed at 20% over the original list price. There must be a story there - I'll see what I can find out.
It feels good to be selling and closing. I would suggest that if you are thinking about listing your home, now would be a very good time!
Currently there are 139 active listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. Seven new ones came on this week - 3 are re-lists with slight reductions, and therefore 4 are new. There is the beautiful waterfront for 1.1 million, the 2 bedroom priced well under $100,000 and sure to go quickly, and a lovely B&B opportunity for half a million. Of course 175 acres at a price tag of 4.25 million scoops them all - two houses, no waterfront.
There is very little new, if any, in the pending or contingent department. These generally show up past the date they actually are sold so it's always difficult to discover what is news.
But the best news is that we have reached 33 closed properties so far this year. Think of it! There were 66 altogether last year, and we're not even through May! This compares with 31 in 2007 which resulted in 103 closings for the year, and 41 in 2006 which gave us 107. I have to say we are back to normal. Really! I think so!
The newly closed properties are odd. One is a waterfront that closed at 65% or so of the original list price. The other was a spectacular property that appears to have closed at 20% over the original list price. There must be a story there - I'll see what I can find out.
It feels good to be selling and closing. I would suggest that if you are thinking about listing your home, now would be a very good time!
Friday, 22 May 2009
I've Been Phished!
Send no money - I am doing fine in Skaneateles, selling and listing homes!
Thanks to all of you who have expressed concern!
6:30 pm
After a very long day of showing homes, answering the phone, and replying to e-mail concerns, I am actually thrilled that everyone called me or checked with Linda here at the office.
We are calling the attorney general, as requested, to report international internet fraud. I am sorry for any inconvenience or discomfort this caused you.
There is a website - thank you Karen - that purports to "protect me" from this particular fraud. All I have to do is pay them some $$$. I did not click on the "click here" for a multitude of reasons. I feel like the small storeowner who is being threatened by thugs!
It's been interesting to hear reactions. Several people brought up the lack of grammar in the letter, the misspelling of my e-mail address, and the surprise that I would ask poverty-stricken people to send money. One lovely recipient of the e-mail said she believed I would find a different way out of my predicament and she wasn't worried.
My favorite was the person who said this was a great scam on my part, calculated to ensure that I heard from people I haven't spoken with in a long time. I did have wonderful conversations and caught up on what was happening in others lives, but I promise you I did not initiate the original e-mail.
For those of you somehow missed it, or deleted it immediately as I did, the e-mail stated that I was stuck in London and could not get out of a hotel unless I paid $2,250. I was allowed only one e-mail, so.....please send the money or I would be stuck forever.
I am not stuck - I am so happy to be here in Skaneateles with the new knowledge of how concerned people in my life are for my welfare.
Meg
Thanks to all of you who have expressed concern!
6:30 pm
After a very long day of showing homes, answering the phone, and replying to e-mail concerns, I am actually thrilled that everyone called me or checked with Linda here at the office.
We are calling the attorney general, as requested, to report international internet fraud. I am sorry for any inconvenience or discomfort this caused you.
There is a website - thank you Karen - that purports to "protect me" from this particular fraud. All I have to do is pay them some $$$. I did not click on the "click here" for a multitude of reasons. I feel like the small storeowner who is being threatened by thugs!
It's been interesting to hear reactions. Several people brought up the lack of grammar in the letter, the misspelling of my e-mail address, and the surprise that I would ask poverty-stricken people to send money. One lovely recipient of the e-mail said she believed I would find a different way out of my predicament and she wasn't worried.
My favorite was the person who said this was a great scam on my part, calculated to ensure that I heard from people I haven't spoken with in a long time. I did have wonderful conversations and caught up on what was happening in others lives, but I promise you I did not initiate the original e-mail.
For those of you somehow missed it, or deleted it immediately as I did, the e-mail stated that I was stuck in London and could not get out of a hotel unless I paid $2,250. I was allowed only one e-mail, so.....please send the money or I would be stuck forever.
I am not stuck - I am so happy to be here in Skaneateles with the new knowledge of how concerned people in my life are for my welfare.
Meg
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)