WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR HOME FRONT. Special to WPCNR from Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors and Houlihan Lawrence realtors April 14, 2014 UPDATED 3: 40 P.M. E.D.T.:

Westchester single home sales spurted 20%  in the last quarter. Houlihan Lawrence of White Plains indicates this may be fool’s gold and attributes this increase in sales and prices to a low inventory of homes available (creating the higher prices).

Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors noted in their report that “In a high sales rate and tight inventory environment, prices could be expected to increase-  and they did. The first quarter median¹ sale price of a single family house in Westchester was $600,000, an increase of $85,000 or 16.5% over last year’s median.
Westchester, which accounts for about 60% of the region’s real estate sales, led the way with a powerful 19.4% sales increase in its single family house sector, and 21.0% in its cooperative unit sector.

Westchester condominium sales did not follow suit, however, declining by 15.2% from last year.

The region’s surge in real estate sales since early 2013 continued stronger still in the first quarter of 2014.

However Houlihan Lawrence of White Plains in their report shared with WPCNR Monday afternoon, wrote county closings in first Quarter of 2014 were down 11% because of snow:

“To a large extent, the strong pace of Q1-2014 closings reflects deals that were
originally put together late in 2013. Meanwhile, the snowy conditions delayed the
traditional February start to the spring market. Fewer sellers listed their homes for
sale in February, creating an inventory crunch that kept buyers on the sidelines
waiting for more options. This scenario is most obvious in Westchester County,where we ended February with fewer than 2,600 single-family homes for sale, representing the lowest inventory level at that date since 2005, and a 10% decrease from 2013.

As a result of these delays, pending sales as of the end of the (1st) quarter (2014) were down over 11% in Westchester County compared to Q1-2013. 

Similarly, Dutchess County saw a 7% decrease in pending sales, while Putnam County only experienced a 3.1% decrease in this time period. Sellers who did test the market during this period found their properties selling at higher prices — and in much less time — as is evident in the16.4% decrease in average days on market.

A surge in activity in late March is helping to make up for lost time. We experienced
strong growth in both new listings and new sales contracts into the close of the
quarter.

By the end of March, inventory levels were down just 2%, signaling the rise
of a busy late spring.

Overall, we expect the year-over-year rate of sales growth to slow in Q2, and indeed
throughout the remainder of 2014. With most of the market area having returned to
healthy sales levels by 2013, the favorable comparisons we saw as the market
emerged from the down turn are now behind us.” (This, from Houlihan Lawrence)

Realtors participating in the Hudson Gateway Multiple Listing Service, Inc. reported a grand total of 2,552 closed residential transactions in the MLS’s core four-county service territory in January through March, an increase of 10.8% over the 2,304 closings in the same period last year.

The increase from 2012 to 2013 was 8.8%, and compared to the recessionary performance of only 1,582 closings in 2009, the 2014 volume was 61.3% higher.

The first quarter closings resulted largely from properties that were listed and marketed during the late autumn and winter months of 2013.

The next highest year to year increases in residential sales were posted by Putnam  (11.9%), Rockland (7.7%) and Orange (4.2%).  In all three counties the sales gains were largely in the single family house sector.  In contrast – and as in Westchester – condominium sales were lower by about 15% in Rockland and Orange, and were unchanged in Putnam (though Putnam condo sales usually are few in number, e.g.,19 as per this report).

The robust sales levels kept the pressure on to maintain the region’s inventory which, at 10,014 listed properties² at the end of the quarter, was 3.9% lower than last year at this time.  In the single family house sector, Orange posted the largest decrease (6.3%), followed by Westchester (3.2%), Putnam (2.6%), and Rockland (0.7%).

Not all of the increase derived from competitive market pressure, however.  Some reflected the addition of more high end properties to the real estate market basket. Such properties (defined in this report as single family houses selling for $1,000,000 or more) constituted 23% of house sales in the first quarter of 2014, a level that was more characteristic of pre-recession markets. Last year’s first quarter ratio of high end properties was just 16%.

Rockland and Putnam exhibited the same upward price movement as Westchester, just at lower price levels.  In Rockland, the $380,000 median sale price of a single family house was 6.1% higher than last year’s $358,000.  In Putnam the increase was 11.0%, taking the median price to $318,000.

But Orange closed the quarter with further slippage in its median price for single family houses, to $219,000, down 3.1% from 2013. As previously reported by this MLS, Orange County continues to deal with a higher proportion of stressed properties in its sales mix, which brings the averages down.  However, one current positive indicator for Orange is that its first quarter mean¹ sale price – $250,842- was 5.4% more than last year’s, suggesting that some more highly priced properties entered the sales mix there.

Overall, the lower Hudson region’s real estate market appears to be shedding the last of any remaining baggage from the recession that bottomed sales and prices in 2009.

With some few exceptions there is now strong pent-up demand by buyers in most parts of the region, in all price ranges, and among all residential property types.

The larger economy is a supporting factor in our now-recovered market.  Mortgage interest rates are still very affordable at around 4.5% for a thirty year conventional loan.

Unemployment throughout the region is down by one to two percentage points from a year ago.  And the equity markets including the Dow Jones have been setting new records. Real estate can thrive in that environment and based on this first quarter performance the lower Hudson market is poised to do so.

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. From My Sisters’ Place. April 10. 2014:

My Sisters’ Place (MSP) and the community unite to MOVE for change with the new “Team MSP” Initiative to raise awareness and funds for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking through participation in athletic events.  Team MSP is more than just running, biking, walking, or swimming—it’s an entire community advocating for relationships based on respect, equality, and peacefulness.

Currently the scheduled races are:

The Running Goddess 5k (June 1, 2014- Katonah, NY)

North Avenue Mile Run/Walk (June 8, 2014- New Rochelle, NY)

Westchester Super Sprint Triathlon (September 20, 2014- Rye, NY)

Run the Farm 5 Mile Train Race (October, 2014- Katonah, NY)

…Or find a race of your own!

Interested participants can find or create their own activity for Team MSP involvement.  “The beauty of Team MSP is that one can pick their athletic activity of choice and use the same paradigm to help MSP accomplish our formidable goals” says Karen Cheeks-Lomax, Esq. MSP’s Chief Executive Officer.  “Our children will find peace and respect in their relationships when agencies like MSP take our work into every corner in our communities and we become healthier as a result, a true win-win!”

Registration is easy, go to www.mspny.org/news/teammsp.  Create a team with friends and family or sign up independently.  Each participant will receive a Team MSP jersey and can fundraise for families in crisis who are relying on MSP for emergency residential services and supportive counseling and legal services.

We know 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime (NYSCADV.org), up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually (dvrc-or.org), and 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year (loveisrespect.org).  So help MSP make a difference by joining Team MSP!

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WPCNR Quill & Eyeshade. By John F. Bailey. April 7, 2014:

The White Plains Common Council was presented with a $176.1 Million budget this evening by the city administration, $4 Million more than 2013-14 budget ($172.1 Million)an increase of 2.3%.

The property tax increase as a result of the increase is  also 2.3%.

The tax rate moves from $191.74 to $196.14 per $1,000 of  assessed valuatation meaning that if your own a median priced home in White Plains that would sell for $650,000 with an assessed value of  $16,475 would pay $73 more in  city property taxes ($3,231.41) than you did this year ($3,158.92).

The combination of city and school district property taxes for such a home is $13,118.22 ($9,886.81 going to the White Plains school district). In 2013-14 that combined bill was $12,767.30. City and school taxes are up $351 this year for the $650,000 home.

Add the County property tax of $2,059 (including the sewer taxes)  to this total and that median priced homeowner’s tax bill hits $15,177.     

Budget Director Michael Genito told WPCNR, the city has not reduced their workforce this year. He also said the budget is under the state tax cap.

However, he told us it is not clear yet from the state the consolidations and savings guidelines the city would have to comply with in order for White Plainsians to receive a refund on property taxes from the state next year.

Asked if the city commissioners and non-union employees salary increases were included in the budget, Mr. Genito said any salary increase for commissioners would have to be added by the Common Council.

A 2% raise across the board for city commissioners and deputy commissioners, et. Al would cost the city approximately $75,200. Currently the city pays its 27 appointed officials an aggregate of $3,759,969 plus benefits.

Asked if a possible settlement of the police contract (currently in binding arbitration),was included in the budget, Mr. Genito said it was.

Asked where, consultant Eileen Earl said it was included in the Reserve for Financing, which is currently proposed to be $3.1 Million. John Callahan, city Corporation Council, asked if an decision of the arbitrator was imminent, said he expected the arbitrator decision would come “soon.”

Ms. Earl added that the reserve also included funds for the Civil Service Employees merit pay increases required by their current contract. Five million dollars is planned to be transferred to  the tax stabilization fund to  pay  salaries as it has the last two years.

The budget projects a 2% increase in sales tax allocated to the general fund this year, even though the collections this year are running consistently 2% behind 2012-13. The $46 Million sales tax expected in 2014-15 does not count the sales taxes expected to be transferred into the Tax Stabilization Fund. The total sales tax handle is now running 2% behind after 7 months.

At this time WPCNR projects baded on NY State Department of Finance statistics, the city  will hit $50.9 MILLION, enabling the city to fill up the tax stabilization fund with another $5 Million, which again next year will enable them to handle budgeted pay increases. The Tax Stabilization fund was ostensibly created by the Common Council in 2010 to rebuild city fund balance but actually funds payroll each year instead, and has not grown fund balance.

Asked if this was a “bare bones” budget.  Mr. Genito said the budget was increased to maintain services. Mr. Callahan added that to cut the budget would meant eliminating city services.

On the prospect of sharing services and consolidating services to enable the city to qualify taxpayers to receive property tax refunds in the spirit of Governor Andrew Cuomos tax cap legislation applying to villages and cities, Mr. Genito said achieving that qualitifation has yet to be determined, and would be difficult, because the city would have to reach out to other villages and towns. He pointed out the city could not provide fire department service to another community  because this was prohibited by law.

WPCNR asked if the city was going to reconvene talks with the city school district to see if they could save the school district money and consolidate more than $75,000 worth of vehicle maintenance. Ms. Earl said the city already shares recreational fields and facilities of the school district. WPCNR asked Mr. Genito if the school district was reluctant to allow the city to handle services for them  from reluctance to eliminate positions. Mr. Genito said they were not and that the Joint Facilities Committee met regularly to find areas of consolidation.

Asked if savings from introducing  one driver, one armed sanitation trucks, had been dollar-quanitied yet,  Genito said there was not a dollar saving, but the Department of Public Works was able to move former sanitation truck workers into other vacant positions in the department, avoiding new hires.

There is no increase in Parking fees in the budget.

The city said the major factors impacting Tax Rate are labor contracts (2% cost of living and step increases), self-insurance requirements (up 17%) and debt service (up 13%).

The budget now begins review by the Common Council beginning:

April 16, 6 P.M. in the Mayor’s Conference Room: The Budget & Management Committee hears a review of the budget

April 21, 5:30 P.M. — Department of Public Works Expenditures

April 30, 5:30  P.M.–Parking and Public Safety Expenditures

May 5, 7:30 P.M. —Public Hearing

May 19,  7:30 P.M.- Adoption

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WPCNR Press Box. April 7, 2014:  They’re getting ready at the new Big Ball Park.

Today the Bronx Bombers return to Yankee Stadium.  In the honor of Opening Day, WPCNR brings back this original celebration I wrote about why Opening Day is the best day of the year

OPENING DAY is better than Christmas Day,
When you look out the window and you know they’ll play,
Whether dreary gray or billiant spring sun’s ray
Opening Day means the Big Show is back today.

In decades past, Opening Day was for fanatics starved,
Eager for the sharp crack of ash on horsehide carved;
The flutter of pennants snapping in northwest winds
Atop ramparts of inviting arches of walls, and sculpted friezes wistfully escarped. 

Fans lucky to get away with ducats
Marvel at grown men in boys’ flannels and sharp whites pristeen,
Back to play in April’s warm zephers in NY blazened caps,
Dashing specks of white warming up on the sprawl of the greenest green.

Motor cars panting in good-natured traffic jams on the Deegan,
Down Yawkey Way, on 35th and Shields or Waveland’s jam.
Through car windows you see the first glimpse of the storied Park,
The place where ball is played, where ghosts of Ted, Babe, Duke
Mel, Spahnie, Whitey, Mickey, Willie, Yaz, Minnie and Sandy lark.

Paying a White Plains fine to park, passing stogie smoking old men
at the same gates for a hundred years,

Now out into the street

You go, aroma of roasting chestnuts, pungent cigars sweet,

Cries of “scorecard heah” “programs,heah” shout out, neath light towers to heaven.

Fans in cap and uniform, little boys and girls gawk in awe hoping to make the Anthem
Never seeing such sheer walls, topped with the legend “GameToday 1:30 PM.”
Clutching slim cardboard tix to Section 14 Upper Deck up to the turnstiles
Festooned with souvenirs more dear as diamonds, beyond, the lure of endless aisles.

Into the press of crowd, the grizzled usher, RIPS YOUR TICKET.
Turnstile turns, clicks, and into the cathedral of ball you go
Into the rotunda greeted with magic signs dazzling the senses —
UPPER LEVELS SECTIONS 1 to 39, 2 to 40

Hawkers shout –Voices of Flatbush — colorful books in hand

“Yearbook heah,” “Dodger Yearbook here,” “Hot dog, heah,”
Assail your ears up ramps you walk to the sign “NEXT HOMESTAND” 

Walking the catwalk,sliver of blue is first look of the magic sphere
Into the sunlight splaying the vast rake of the mighty grand stand.

Spread out below are knights of the diamond in white hues
Cavorting, snapping throws across immaculate red clay
As majestic fungo bats CRACK! sending spheres soaring towards filling bleachers a mile away,
Bunting flutters from the deck’s rails red, white and true blues.

Old glory unfurls on the highest pole in center field
Colorful signs deliver the manly flavor of the only real game,
GILLETTE To Look Sharp, The Red Sox use Lifeboy, Schaefer It’s A Hit
Hey, Neighbor Have a Gansett, White Owl Cigars, Hit Sign Win Suit

From old familiar walls, to Gladys Gooding on the organ
Friendly old green scoreboard displaying
Today’s games around the big leagues BETTER THAN CNN
CHI CLE BOS DET, CHI STL, NY WAS make you king for a day.
Two Bits for a scorecard, usher wipes your seat, ballpark fills your heart.

Penciling lineup 422B, 1 SS, 14 1B, 4 CF, 39 C, 6 RF, 23 LF 19 3B 36 P

Smell of beer, peanuts and pretzels.

Nippy air, warm rays sink into your face feels nice,

Starters wheel,deal, kicking high on sidelines fueling expectancy

Men in blue, arms folded solemnly conduct the home plate regimen
Casey, Ralph , Walter, Joe and Sparky exchange lineup cards and knowing
Ground rules by heart, go over them for ritual’s sake.
Announcer entones “Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to Yankee Stadium.”

“Please rise for the playing of our national anthem,”
Nancy Faust at organ note by note peels baseball’s theme song
Rising on the breeze, uniting do-rag and ball cap,
Fedora, ponytail and bouffant in the spirit of the great game.

Grass is never greener on opening days
Strikes are louder, the long drives electrify in alleys
Beers with THICK hig creamy heads, taste crisp cold mellow best brew all year
Smashes laser through short and in the gap in raucous rallies

Magicians without wands start 6-4-3s,

Backhand sure hits losing their caps

“Oh what a play’s” crackle on WGN with “CUBS WIN!”‘S

Jack and Mel, Vince, Red, Curt and Murph are back at the mikes to turn mundane days Into joy with a ninth inning elixir and “happy recaps” 

Thunderous ROAR accolades the 2-out winner again creating big kids’ grins.

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Mike Couzens, right shown broadcasting a Fort Wayne Tincapsbaseball game. For an article on his stint this weekend telecasting the national high school final four on ESPN follow the link below.

WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. From the Fort Wayne Tincaps. April 6. 2014:

Mike Couzens, 2007 graduate of White Plains High School and 2011 Syracuse University graduate as you know from a previous feature on Mike on WPCNR is the Promotion Director and Voice of the Fort Wayne Tincaps,  a minor league affiliate of the San Diego Padres, during the baseball season. He also is a go-to broadcaster for all kinds of games in a galaxy of sports all over the country  for ESPN.

This weekend, the Tincaps report, Mike has been tapped to telecast on ESPN the high school national basketball tournament, and is featured in an article on the ESPN website, which you can read  right here: http://frontrow.espn.go.com/2014/04/mike-couzens-brooke-weisbrod/

Mike got to telecast from Madison Square Garden. Congrats, Mike, we’ll be looking for you in a major league play-by-play booth someday soon.