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When I published the first twenty homes closed in Skaneateles on June 7th, I said we were "definitely picking up steam." And we were! It took 158 days to get to writing about the first 20, and it's only been 84 days since then. We are also well on our way to the next 20 with 4 having closed in the meantime. So, in no particular order, but with seller concessions subtracted from the reported price because that gives you the net to the seller, here are the Second Twenty single family homes in Skaneateles: 4388 Chapman Road - $82,000 8 Lakeview Circle - $310,000 48 East Elizabeth Street - $197,000 3826 Highland Avenue - $155,000 1394 Coach Road - $415,000 674 Stump Road - $74,900 4362 Chapman Road - $116,900 3943 Highland Avenue - $230,000 4547 Jordan Road - $128,000 3374 East Lake Road - $315,000 1269 Oak Bluff - $1,150,000 3960 Jordan Road - $125,000 598 Stump Road - $80,000 3899 Highland Road - $500,000 3833 East Street - $204,000 1018 Butters Farm Lane - $657,500 870

Officially off the market. Wow. No takers despite its 2004 price. He only lasted three months on the MLS before skulking off into the night with his tail tucked between his legs. Better luck next summer, buddy. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ With the 2010 Super Summer Selling Season (tm) over before it began, sellers like this should be sweating enough bullets to fill Camp Pendleton. 210 SAINT JOSEPH Ave, Long Beach, CA 90803 Asking Price: $999,000 Purchase Price: $1,145,000 Purchase Date: 9/2006 Beds: 3 Baths: 2.5 Sq. Ft.: 2,343 $/Sq. Ft.: $426 Lot Size: 2,970 Sq. Ft. Year Built: 1924 MLS#: Y1001993 On Redfin: 91 days Description: Ideal Belmont Shore location situated between 2nd and Livingston Drive so close to stores/restaurants, Livingston Park and Playground, as well as in desirable Lowell Elementary and Will Rogers Middle School District. Not a short-sale or bank-owned property. Remodeled in 2006 with new Tile Flooring, Updated Kitchen with Granite Counters and Stainle

The words BARGAIN PRICE - OWNERS MUST SELL!! don't inspire confidence someone is having a good time in the real estate theme park. You're half way down the big dipper, when that pasty white kid four rows ahead loses his lunch. You just know you've done your dough when the vomit smacks you square in the face. Cleaning off after such a ignominious end is someone's experience in Turners Beach right now. Turners Beach is one of those lifestyle areas, where real estate agents can lay it on real thick. Close enough to the job, but far enough away to .... well I can't keep a straight face to even write such crap. Let's just say the lust, the fear and the pressure gets the better of people. It's why someone plonked down $346,500 for this 4x2 'home in a dream location'. Now that was 2-1/2 years ago. Imagine the capital growth so close to the beach, to not just live a life, but to live the lifestyle you deserve... 150k? Lower; 100k? Lower; 50k? Lower; 25k? Lo

If you want to see the dangers of overpaying for real estate, you've come to the right place and you've definitely come to the right place if you're a Tasmanian. You're in the market for a house, but you're looking to set yourself apart. You can taste the newly acquired status, showing off to friends, proudly telling co-workers where you've just bought. It's a seductive mix, but stop and think when that real estate agent whispers in your ear, trying to press your real estate arousal buttons: - open plan, alfresco dining; - can't go wrong with property; - granite counter tops; - get in now before you miss out forever; - property only goes up *Cough* what? Sure, thanks to a massive credit expansion over the last 10 years there's been some amazing gains in property, but how long can that continue? Because those who bought in the past two years - the last ones to the party - have really gotten ahead of themselves -  that 500k house on the North-West coas

Sold on 08/24/10 - $325,000 I can't say that I'm terribly surprised, given the location, ultra-low interest rates and woeful lack of quality inventory in Long Beach. But I still believe the new owner substantially overpaid. Sorry, I don't care how close it is to the ocean -- when you're plunking down nearly TWICE what it costs to rent, you're getting ripped off and you obviously haven't done your homework. Oh well, it's a nice pad and the new owner can move on with his life and start enjoying his close proximity to the action. I'm a tad jealous. This was one of the few properties to actually pique my interest during 2010. And by the way, since this one-bedroom has now become a sold comp at $360 per square foot, what do you think this idiot is thinking right now, still languishing at $450 per square? "Well I'm not just going to give it away! " Sorry for the lack of posts, but like I warned my readers a few months ago, real life has taken a

The weather is wonderful, warm but not too warm, a breeze blowing in, low humidity and plenty of sunshine. I am planning on taking pictures this afternoon if it holds. The Fair starts today - so summer is waning. There are currently 148 (or so) active listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. Of these, 31 are in the village and 33 are lake waterfront. I say "or so" because two are listed twice - once for the village and another time for the town. Our service is new, and the village separation is part of the upgrade. However, once is enough - they appear both in the town and the village if cited as village. Of course, the opposite is true - one listing is not placed in the village, which it is, and so only appears in the town. Sigh.....better to be seen twice than not at all! It just messes up the statistics a bit. So five listings are actually new, not simply re-submitted in a new category. Two are re-lists of homes previously on the market -

(Okay, so I broke with my own "wisdom" of the past three years and added a photo to the last blog. It just seemed so right - and frankly, I like it!) Last night Bob and I attended one of those free dinners - free, as long as you listen to what the presenter presents. I was assured it would be short and since it was on energy savings I thought I could possibly learn something. I knew we were going to be sold a product but it was at the Inn Between on Route 5 between, as it happens, Elbridge and Camillus and I knew the food would be good. Why not try it? Bob was not so convinced. He reminded me of a time when his sister and brother-in-law went to a "party" and they were the only ones there. Bruce insisted on being polite and staying for the three hours; Mary Jo still can't believe they did this. But it must run in the family. Bob's niece just got married - being very young and very poor the honeymoon consisted of going to one of those "check out

I don't generally do this - highlight a listing, that is - but this one is special. Not because of the price $500,000, but because of the house. The home. The camp. The memories. I grew up on this private road on the west side of Otisco Lake. We bought our little camp many years ago for $10,000 one snowy January day. Getting the camp triggered getting a dog, Penny, and many friends who became my family. They are still with me. In the summers there were about 20 of us kids within about 10 years, with my age being the median. We had one of those idyllic childhood experiences on the road. It was safe and secure, both from people and traffic. Mr. Funck put speed bumps on the dirt road and yelled at everyone who went by going over 5 miles per hour. Everyone knew everyone. Need to get a drink of water? Walk in to a camp and get one! You never knew who was in the bathroom - the door would slam going in and going out with a loud thank you from some kid. Idyllic, like I said. We swam almost

I want to correct one possible misconception in my last blog post. I spoke about Realtors being the facilitators after the purchase has been made but before closing. This does not mean that we set the closing date and time. That is left to the three attorneys - buyer's, seller's and the bank's (if there is one). Only they know when all the paperwork has been filed and the numbers are ready. And those numbers change - the tax amount to be paid back or ahead, for example, is computed on a daily basis. I do wish at times we had more control over closings, but we don't - we can listen to sellersand buyers, make sure the paperwork does come to the appropriate places, and speak with attorneys - but they set the date. Phfew! That could have easily provoked a discussion! Now! There are currently 151 active listings for single family homes in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. Of these, 32 are in the village - a relatively high percentage. Six new l

I couldn't resist the play on words once I'd thought it. I am going a different way with this, but in some ways it is true. Buying a home should be a wonderful experience, and I try mightily to make it so. Hassle-free, everyone thrilled - both buyers and sellers - and a Mercedes in every garage..... Like the Mercedes, it doesn't always work out that way. This summer I have been consumed by closings, which, as Bob says, is a good thing, considering the alternative. There are still more to go, but I have a moment to breathe and reflect and express some frustrations here. I've always said that closing is like birth - there's a due date, but nothing prevents the baby from coming early or late, and it always seems like a surprise when the little one actually arrives. There's a lot of running around, a bit of chaos, but in the end a child is born and the pangs are forgotten. Closings this summer seem to have been especially painful, not just for my clients, but w

754 CHERRY, Long Beach, CA 90813 Asking Price: $384,900 Beds: 3 Baths: 1 Sq. Ft.: 1,400 $/Sq. Ft.: $275 Lot Size: 6,750 Sq. Ft. Year Built: 1920 MLS#: P743611 On Redfin: 31 days Down Payment: $15,400 FHA Income Requirement: $105,600 Monthly Nut: $2,400 Description: WOW AGENTS SHOW YOUR BUYERS THIS REMODELED HOME. KITCHEN HAS NEW MAPLE CABINETS, NEW GRANITE COUNTER TOPS, NEW TILE FLOOR, NEW MICROWAVE, NEW STOVE, NEW DISHWASHER, NEW GARBAGE DISPOSAL, NEW SINK AND FAUCET, NEW GRANITE ON BREAKFAST BAR, NEW CABINETS AND TILE FLOOR IN PANTRY. NEW TILE IN HUGE SEPARATE DINING ROOM. BATHROOM HAS NEW TUB, NEW TILE IN SHOWER, NEW FLOOR TILE, NEW SINK AND VANITY. BRAND NEW CUSTOM CARPET, NEW CUSTOM PAINT, NEW HEATER, NEW WINDOWS, CROWN MOLDING IN THE GREAT ROOM, NEW FRENCH DOOR IN GREAT ROOM, NEW INTERIOR DOORS. NEW GARAGE DOOR ON THE TWO CAR GARAGE, NEW SPRINKLERS FRONT AND BACK KEEP THE NEW GRASS NICE AND GREEN. NEW GATE AND FENCING, LONG DRIVEWAY FOR MANY CARS AND HUGE CONCRETE AREA FOR RV/BOA

My vacation has been such a busy time and I so wanted to write more - but no, getting home at 8:30 seems to prevent the creative juices from flowing. It's all I can do to eat Bob's wonderful meals - on paper plates, because it's still vacation! - and then read half a page... Currently there are 154 active listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. A total of 34 are in the village, and 42 are listed as "waterfront" - more on this later! The lowest priced home is $74,500 and the highest 2.9M. There are 18 single family properties listed at one million or over, and 29 are under $200,000. In the actual Skaneateles School District there are 149 active listings. Here's where it gets tricky. The Central New York listing service is trying to get agents to list in the actual towns and counties where the properties are located. There are three counties and several towns that touch the lake, but many people put properties in the Skaneateles

Thanks to our pal Morekaos for keeping us up to date on this property. The price was "$729,000" and changed to "$699,999" After more than a year and a half on the market, this is way too little, way too late. It's been wearing the scarlet "S" of Stale-Ass Listings for quite some time now, and this piss-ant 4% price reduction isn't going to get them anywhere. Given that (his second) Super Summer Selling Season (tm) is quickly coming to an end, I guess he'll just have to wait until next summer in the hopes that easy-money, $0-down loans have made a major comeback by then. Of note, the listing still says, "PRICED TO SELL!!!" He's serious this time, folks! Now he really means it! Scout's honor! It's worth noting that this asking price is rapidly approaching his 2004 purchase price. Yikes. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Our pal Morekaos dropped by to inform us that 219 Belmont is back on the market...this time with a stunni

3608 East VISTA St, Long Beach, CA 90803 Asking Price: $689,000 Beds: 2 Baths: 1 Sq. Ft.: 1,038 $/Sq. Ft.: $664 Lot Size: 3,150 Sq. Ft. Year Built: 1922 Community: Belmont Heights/ Alamitos Heights MLS #: S625650 On Redfin : 21 days Down Payment: $137,800 Income Requirement: $157,000 (3.5x mortgage) Monthly Nut: $3,600 Description: Absolutely Gorgeous Belmont Heights Home! Beautifully renovated throughout and includes a spacious sunlit living room with crackling fireplace, gourmet kitchen with custom cabinetry, Viking stove & inviting dining area, plus an adorable updated bathroom. Also features a private backyard retreat area, an oversized detached 1 car garage, updated electrical, copper plumbing & a tankless water heater. This home is stunning and truly a Must See! In March of 2005, when the bubble was steadily inflating like Lindsay Lohan's lips, this property was picked up for $620,000 . And considering the bubble continued to inflate well into 2006, the owner was

Since I am on vacation - see the last blog - I have all the time to write freely. I thought I would, but the vacation in my mind does not equal the vacation on the clock. I have had a wonderful time in the last couple days getting a listing and putting it online. I am pleased with it, for many reasons. And I also am learning - did you know that if you make your listing price an even number then it will be caught by people going up and going down in price. For example, if the property you have listed is $299,900 then it will be missed by people looking at $300,000 and up. But at $300,000 (this isn't WalMart!) you catch the people at 300K to 400K as well as 200K to 300K....Such a small point - but it's about how people search. And as long as I am having this lovely conversation with myself I must inject a word about what people search for. I remember our esteemed broker-emeritus, Mary McNeill, wondering why her fabulous 4 bedroom, 1.5 bath home wasn't being shown regul

Morekaos wrote: "Dropped below $500m this morning...ouch!!" The price was "$540,000" and changed to "$499,000" ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Asking Price: $540,000 204 North LA VERNE Ave, Long Beach, CA 90803 Beds: 2 Baths: 1 Sq. Ft.: 920 $/Sq. Ft.: $587 Lot Size: 2,400 Sq. Ft. Year Built: 1926 MLS#: P742241 On Redfin: 23 days Down Payment: $108,000 (20% conventional)/$21,600 (FHA) Income Requirement: $123,000 (3.5x mortgage)/$154,000 (3.5x home price) Monthly Nut: $2,900 (conventional @ 5%)/$3,300 (FHA) Description: Belmont Shore Classic 1926 Spanish Revival, 2 bed, 1 bath, Garage and 1/2. The subject is in great shape compared to most in the area. A must see if you want a more authentic 1920's Shore home. Features updated gas fireplace, updated bathroom and kitchen, newer roll up garage door. Property has a service porch which adds aprox. 20 sqft. Great ally access for ez drop off of grocery's , etc. A must see before purchasing another similar prop