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I praised Auburn in my last post - now it's Marcellus' turn! Specifically, I want to make you-all aware of a free class available at the new Natural Solutions for your health store at 6 West Main Street right in the heart of the village. Nutritionist Rick McIntyre is offering a Free Weight Loss Metabolic Syndrome Class on Tuesday, June 1st, from 6:00 until 8:00 pm. To quote: This class will stress the need to balance protein, carbohydrates and fat to lower inflammation and balance blood sugar....This diet is meant to be a life style not a short term fix. Each person will learn their individual protein and carbohydrate needs for the weight loss phase and for maintenance after they reach their ideal weight. I would really love to go, but I have another appointment scheduled for that time. If you want to reserve a place, please call him at 673-3949. If you are like me and can't make it but would like to, please call and tell him because hopefully he can schedule another

For years and years and years my favorite summer movie place was the Westcott Cinema on the east side of Syracuse near the University. I grew up in the area, spent my quarters there on Saturdays for the 1:00 science fiction/scary movies, got spoken to, I am sure, by the owner's wife who patrolled the aisles. (I like to put my feet up.) As a teenager I went on dates there - I remember especially "A Man and a Woman," the French film with the haunting music. Since coming back to Central New York I've loved going there on hot summer nights, trying to eat at Alto Cinco and then finding success at Munjed's - the spanakopita! There was always a lecture by the owner...a good movie to be discussed over and over afterwards at a coffee house or on the ride home....what fun and great memories. The Cinema has changed and now is more of a music venue. I've missed it tremendously. But we've discovered Auburn Public Theater through the Patricia Neal rendering of Capo

Things are beginning to move now. I've spoken with several people who have seen a definite uptick in their purchase offers and offers on listings. We all seemed to have buyers and/or listings, but no offers. It's changing! Currently there are 130 active listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. Twenty-five are in the village. We are creeping up again to the 150 or so we had a couple years ago when the market was just beginning to feel the pinch. The higher number seems to be the effect of people waiting to sell and now finding that waiting has not brought the change in the economy they had expected. So houses come back on, increasing the inventory. Picking up on that theme - four homes have come onto the market. One is truly a new listing because it is new construction, under $400,000. The other three are waterfront re-lists, albeit one with a twist. A small camp was re-done and is now on the market at a higher price. it will be interesting to

2525 East OCEAN Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803 Wishing Price: $2,799,999 Beds: 4 Baths: 4 Sq. Ft.: 4,100 $/Sq. Ft.: $683 (!) Year Built: 1953 Community: Belmont Heights/Alamitos Heights MLS#: P725816 On Redfin: 73 days Down Payment: $700,000 (25%) Income Requirement: $600,000 (mortgage/3.5x)/$800,000 (home price/3.5x) Monthly Nut: $15,000 (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!) Description: One of a kind location. Mid Century designed by Shelly & Merchant. Located on Ocean in Bluff Park with Catalina and Ocean Views. Unobstructed and panoramic views of the Queen Mary down to Huntington Beach. Private interior courtyard, plus a game room with fire pit and electric fireplace. Game room opens to the back yard with room for a pool This is a great home for entertaining with most of the original charachter in place. There are 3 fireplaces; located in the living room, master bedroom and upstairs den. There is a bedroom and bath downstairs and a full laundry room/craft room/ breakfast room off the kitchen. Perfect

Lovely, lovely day here! Slight breeze, warmth for the first time in a few days, brilliant sunshine. Made me realize that summer will be here very soon. "The fastest three months in the year," Bob says. There are currently 129 active listings under the heading of Town - Skaneateles in the multiple listing service. Twenty four of these are in the village. One new camp came on (actually two that I know of, but one is listed in Niles) for around $600,000. Its location is unknown because the owners don't want anyone checking it out while they are living there and trying to enjoy days like this. Interesting device, but I believe sincere, not just a market ploy. There is a multi-million dollar "castle" for sale - sorry, no waterfront. In the town there are two re-lists, both around the $200,000 mark. Outside and a ways away is another one in the low $100,000. We do have a newly contingent property - lake rights in the village, listed in the mid-$400,000. It

The price was "$250,000" and changed to "$225,000" In case anyone is operating under the misguided belief that the banking system has stabilized and housing is poised for a big comeback, I want you to consider that this shitty apartment is still booked at full value on the lender's books -- despite the current asking price being $114,000 less than the 2004 appraised value. As long as that bullshit is allowed by the government (and in fact actively encouraged by way of mark-to-fantasy FASB policies and various extend-and-pretend programs like HAMP, HAFA, etc.), it will take YEARS for this inventory to actually hit the market. Meaning, returning to true values (based on actual incomes and sizable down payments) will take ages. I'm tired of waiting -- exhausted, really -- but I'm also no fool. If I could use Other People's Money, this would be a no-brainer. Buy now and walk away if things go south. But I have my own cold, hard cash on the line and as l

Absolutely incredible. Finally, after three years on the market, this waterfront property finally sold. Although I'm sure the seller is relieved, I bet he's also crestfallen that nobody fell for his deluded sense of entitlement. With an original asking price approaching $5,000,000 , selling for $3,200,000 must have been a gut-wrenching fall from grace. You mean my house isn't special? You mean Naples isn't immune from market realities? You mean I'm not going to walk away with a bank vault full of bubble cash? From nearly $800 per square foot to $474 per square. Ouch. By waiting so long to dispose of his delusions of grandeur, he cost himself literally HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS . I guarantee you he flat-out rejected numerous "offensive" $3.75 million offers. Guaranteed. Even stranger than his bullheaded pricing strategy, this house appears to have been empty for quite some time: Dude, what were you thinking? Anyhow, I have no idea when he bo

Our pal Morekaos dropped by to inform us that 219 Belmont is back on the market...this time with a stunning $100,000 price reduction. This idiot has been chasing the market down since January 2009 with no luck. He's praying to the high heavens that the current $749,000 ask will get the job done, but that's where it should have been priced last year . Although $384 per square foot is reasonable, you're a little late to the party, dummy. And, although you're sporting a new price, your realtard is still sporting the same ALL-CAPS listing description. In fact, it still says "PRICED TO SELL!!!" Um, you also said that when it was priced at $849,000 in October. So, if it was supposedly "PRICED TO SELL!!!" at $849,000 but was summarily IGNORED by the buying public, with your obvious lack of real estate accumen and glaring inability to compute simple numbers and determine when something is woefully overpriced for the current market, just why should anyon

We've been bird-watching a lot lately. I wake up every morning to the sound of those marvelous birds, a robin has built her nest over the light on the side ramp to the apartment, Bob has hung gorgeous birdhouses throughout the property. I have a large feeder just outside the window by my desk - a rose-breasted grosbeak visits regularly these days. We also have an occasional visit from a red-bellied woodpecker who likes the hanging suet. Bob brought back photos from his walk with Boo this morning of the pair of bluebirds who apparently have settled into one of our houses. I have seen a heron many times down by our neighbor's pond, and geese are nesting there now. Currently there are 124 active listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. Twenty-four of these are in the village. Over the past week nine new listings appeared, three of which are true re-lists, both with reduced prices. Another two came on that were on the market not that long ago, sold,

4301 East 2ND St Unit 2F, Long Beach, CA 90803 Wishing Price: $415,000 Beds: 1 Baths: 1 Sq. Ft.: 900 $/Sq. Ft.: $461 Year Built: 1965 MLS#: P732255 On Redfin: 16 days HOA: $175 Down Payment: $83,000/$17,000(FHA) Income Requirement: $95,000 Monthly Nut: $2,400/2,800(FHA) Description: Beautiful home in the Belmont Heights area. Enjoy the ocean breeze and view from a large bedroom balcony. Located blocks from the beach and Belmont Shore shops and restaurants, Belmont Pier and the Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool. Meticulously maintained with the following upgrades: Bamboo floors throughout, modern walls, refinished cabinets, renovated modern bathroom, subway tile, console sink, remodeled living room with modern built-in shelving unit running expanse of wall, custom closet in bedroom, frosted glass and modern closet doors. Must see as this will not last! What is a "modern wall"? Is he talking about that bad-ass technology from Minority Report that allows you to access and analyze digi

Bear with me on this one - I promise I will get to the title eventually. Last Saturday Bob's family and I threw him a surprise birthday party. He walked in thinking he was going to a "Jack and Jill" shower, complete with a gift certificate all prettily wrapped and his leek pesto. The bridal shower would have been for our niece, Christine. He consented to go if he could make his pesto. You remember Saturday - 20 to 40 mph wind, with gusts to 60? Temperatures in the 30s with higher elevations getting snow? We were definitely in the wind tunnel at my sister-in-law's, and we certainly did see snow that evening. She had to break off from decorating to secure their screened gazebo from flying away to Kansas. Most of us stayed in the house, warmed by their pellet stove and the throngs of old friends and relatives who showed up to surprise Bob. The rest of the crew went out to the barn, transformed that night into the Bob-aloo Cafe, complete with bar and tables and amb

On March 30th I said, "Hey, Flippy, Price Reduction's on line #2. Says it's urgent." Well, the capitulation has begun in earnest: May 10, 2010 - Price Changed $309,000 Apr 28, 2010 - Price Changed $319,000 Apr 12, 2010 - Price Changed $325,000 Mar 27, 2010 - Listed $339,000 Those dreams of stacking flipper cash are quickly disappearing like a parakeet fart in Tornado Alley. And check out this updated description: Agents Owner Financing available with 20% down 8% rate for 30 or 40 years due in 5. Easy qualifying on credit and income. No appraisal needed or tax returns fast approval no hassles or time delays. Corner-front Condo unit with city views and cool ocean breeze. Two bedroom and two baths newly remodeled. Convenient location close to beach, parks, public transportation, Belmont Shores [SIC] and Shoreline Village. On site laundry facility with 1 car underground parking. Granite, new appliances, carpet and building security with plenty of storage space in unit. Pr

Address: 2501 TEMPLE Ave #205, Signal Hill, CA 90755 Wishing Price: $379,000 Beds: 2 Baths: 2 Sq. Ft.: 1,179 $/Sq. Ft.: $321 Year Built: 1983 Community: Signal Hill MLS#: 10-441365 On Redfin: 30 days HOA: ? Down Payment: $76,000/$15,000 (FHA) Income Requirement: $87,000 Monthly Nut: $2,300/$2,700 (FHA) Description: Elegant condo in prime location. Home boasts laminate wood flooring, central air & heat, washer & dryer, big beautiful fireplace, and a large balcony with view of the mountains. Separate shoots [SIC] for trash and recyclables. Residents enjoy a pool, jacuzzi, clubhouse, BBQ area, tennis court, and a serene courtyard area with a gazebo. HOA dues include basic cable. View this home now before it is sold! The first sentence of the description, which only contains five words, features two bald-faced lies! This condo is "elegant"? Really? And this is a "prime" location? Naples is a prime location, Signal Hill is a crime location. Second of all, how are

Here's an, uh, interesting angle: Why a Rising Unemployment Rate is Good News It sounds dreadful. After drifting down consistently since last fall, the unemployment rate has suddenly shot up again, from 9.7 percent in March to 9.9 percent in April. But don't despair: A rising unemployment rate is actually one of the best signs yet that the economy is bouncing back. The unemployment rate rose for the right reason. Instead of shedding jobs, employers added 290,000 jobs in April, the strongest showing since 2007. The reason the unemployment rate went up is that a lot more people are suddenly looking for work. The government said that the labor force swelled by 805,000 people in April. That's more than three times the number of new jobs, so the proportion of people looking for a job but unable to find one went up. Still, that big increase in the labor force marks an important shift in sentiment among people on the fringes of the economy. Someone explain that ridiculous logic to

I happened to turn on CNN this afternoon just as the stocks were flying down. I was washing the dishes, and I looked out the window and wondered if I were witnessing the crash of everything. Riots in Athens, earlier the flooding in Nashville, Great Britain possibly unable to form a new government, oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico near my cousins' retirement homes and lovely Fairhope, Alabama. Buy real estate, is always the cry when stocks go down. Housing is considered the safer bet - and it is all betting. And as I looked outside I saw why - the grass and trees are real, you can see them and touch them. My stocks - such as they are - are on paper. I get a monthly statement and I send my financial person money in the spring to offset taxes. Land is everything - I remember that incredible moment in Gone With the Wind, when Scarlett reaches down and picks up the soil. She knows the value of the land and will do whatever it takes to keep it. Stockowners do what - reach int

I just love those statistics! Even though the sun is shining, there's a cooling breeze, the pond is gurgling out my door calling to me, I am here getting ready to make some sense of my weekly research. I suppose I could have other obsessions.... Currently there are 117 (there were 118 when I started this afternoon!) active listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. The Village claims 22 of these. The numbers are the same as last week - but the houses have changed, I can assure you. There are a few re-lists, but only three and two of them are waterfront - the high and low ends of waterfront. There's really something for everyone - a Village beauty in the heart of the town for mid-$600,000, waterfront new listings upwards of and spilling over and above the million dollar mark. There's also the highly sought after country property and a HUD listing for under 50K in the Jordan-Elbridge school district. The very good news is that there are 10 - count

The price was "$825,000" and changed to "$839,500" Yeesh. Talk about slack-jawed optimism. Hey dummy, you've been on the market for 13 months ...don't you think it's about time to get serious? What a delusional idiot. UPDATE: It gets worse. Remember his (waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay nicer) competition on Monrovia ? After nearly a year of market-chasing, that guy sold in March for $805,000 , a monstrous reduction from the original $1,055,000 asking price. Just why this obtunded fool on St. Joseph believes his hideous domicile deserves a $25,000 premium over the larger, significantly more impressive Monrovia house, I'll never know. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The price was "$875,000" and changed to "$850,000" I have to give him credit for consistently lowering the price, but I've got bad news: on the very same day as his $25,000 price reduction, his (waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay nicer) competition on Monrovia lowered his ask to $835,000