Second Quarter Port Washington Home Sale Statistics

According to the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island, 49 homes sold in Port Washington in the second quarter of 2010 (12 in April, 13 in May, and 24 in June). The average listing price was $737,000, the average original asking price was $757,000, and the average sold price was $707,000. Port sellers are getting an average of 93% of their original asking price. Selling prices ranged from the low at $322,000 to just under $1.325 million. The average tax bill was $12,000, and average days on the market was 98.

There are currently 161 homes available and another 44 are under contract. The absorption rate is about 12 months. The absorption rate is an indicator that describes how long it would take to deplete the inventory of homes if no new homes came on the market. A healthy market is considered to be about 3-6 months. Although the absorption rate appears to have improved from the first quarter (14 months), I would argue that the first-time home buyer tax credit closing deadline (which has since been extended), has somewhat skewed the June sales.

The average price of a home in Nassau County is currently $514,000. For comparison, the average price of a home in the United States is $263,000.

Please feel free to comment on this post, or send me an e-mail.

203k Loan Helps Buyers Purchase Distressed Properties

The FHA's 203k loan program is one of the most underutilized programs for home buyers. It is a program offered by lenders through the FHA to enable buyers to purchase homes that would otherwise not pass inspection. Many buyers are looking at foreclosures, but cannot afford to make the repairs necessary to pass inspection. The FHA will not approve a loan if a home does not offer basic requirements, but a foreclosed home has often been vandalized, or has had air-conditioning or heating systems, appliances, or plumbing stolen. With this program, the cost of the repairs are rolled into the loan (the streamlined 203k program permits homebuyers to finance up to an additional $35,000) so buyers don't have to deplete their savings; buyers don't move in until the repairs are completed.

Because the program is not well-publicized by the government, several real estate agencies and lenders are partnering with companies like Lowe's and Home Depot to get the word out about the 203k program. Buyers find it convenient to work with one company because they can supply everything - for example, kitchen and bath renovations, plumbing, electrical systems, and air-conditioning and heating systems. They can also supply a contractor to plan and execute the entire renovation.

The government feels that this program is important to help communities recover from the foreclosure crisis. They also hope that it will expand home-ownership opportunities. The loans are available through lenders nationwide, be sure to check the HUD website for approved lenders.

There are some requirements to qualify for the loan, but it is generally easy to qualify for and the down payment is still 3.5% as with a regular FHA loan. The home must be owner-occupied, and the borrower must demonstrate credit worthiness.

For more information on the 203k loan program, visit the hud website. Please feel free to comment on this post, or send me an e-mail.

Happy Father's Day to Husbands, Fathers, Grandpas, Brothers, etc! Enjoy!

Here's my husband Kenn on one of our best trips to Yellowstone.

Picture Day - One of the Many Pretty Spots in Port Washington

Come to Cinema on the Bay

The Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington presents this year's Cinema on the Bay. Here is a message from the group: On long summer nights, the community gathers to watch movies, stroll Main Street and sample the wares and food offered by local merchants. As boats glide by on the bay, friends old and new enjoy clean air, waterside views, and all of Port's natural beauty.

This is Port Washington at its very best. A small town with big-hearted people who support and grow our local resources. It is the quality of life and natural environment that Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington and the Town of North Hempstead have been working to preserve, protect, and enhance for the last 42 years.

On four Saturday nights, June through August, the Cinema on the Bay film series takes center stage in a town-wide festival. The spotlight also shines as Yoga Life offers Sunset Yoga one half hour before each movie, area shops stay open late, restaurants serve festive fare, and Sunset Park transforms into an open-air marketplace.

Schedule:
Mamma Mia - Saturday, June 12th 8:30 PM – Sunset Yoga. Movie starts at 9:00 PM.
The Sunshine Boys - Saturday, July 17th 8:30 PM – Sunset Yoga. Movie starts at 9:00 PM
E.T. - Saturday, July 31st 8:00 PM – Sunset Yoga. Movie starts at 8:30 PM
American Graffiti - Saturday, August 14th 8:00 PM – Sunset Yoga. Movie starts at 8:30 PM

If inclement weather, please call 516-767-9151.

Check out the Residents for a More Beautiful Port Washington website.

Healthy Cooking for Busy People!

Healthy Cooking for Busy People, 7-9 pm on Wed. June 9th, $25 for Port Residents when you register by 6/6.

Lorraine Miller, Holistic Health Coach
Inspiring Healthy, Happy, Active Living.
Call now to schedule your complimentary health history consultation!
lorrainemillerhhc.com; wellness@lorrainemillerhhc.com; 516.448.2505

Patriots Enjoy Port's Memorial Day Parade!

Cantor to Be Honored at Dedication of Restored Pre-Holocaust Torah

News from Temple Beth Israel of Port Washington:

Temple Beth Israel of Port Washington has restored a Torah written in Hungary over eighty years ago, and will dedicate it in honor of Cantor Baruch Blum and Mrs. Gerri Blum, celebrating 33 years of devoted service. The dedication ceremony at the Temple, planned for Sunday, June 6, will be followed by a reception.

The Torah, which traveled to South Africa and Israel before coming to Port Washington, has been meticulously restored by Sofer (Torah Scribe), Zerach Greenfield. To be ritually usable, Torahs must be hand-written by trained scribes in accordance with prescribed rules governing the design of the Hebrew letters, animal parchment, quill pens and hand- processed ink. One error, fraying of parchment, or the fading or blurring of a single letter renders the entire Torah unacceptable for religious use. This restoration will enable the Torah’s continuing its sacred role for current and future generations.

The Torah restoration project was planned as an expression of appreciation to Cantor and Mrs. Blum. A Hungarian Torah was chosen because the Cantor’s paternal heritage is Hungarian. Cantor Blum was born in Israel and came to New York to study music, dance and theatre arts. Famed choir director Oscar Julius inspired his interest in becoming a Cantor, and he studied under Zvi Aroni at the Manhattan School for Cantors, graduating in 1975. His spiritually uplifting, rich baritone voice leading prayer, his patient, kind, and expert training of bar and bat mitzvah students, as well as lay Torah readers, and his warmth and generosity of spirit in support of Temple needs have endeared him to the entire community.

Also a talented musician, Gerri Blum, who teaches both voice and piano, has generously contributed her skills and time to many special Temple services and activities over the years. She is an active member of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, the national parent organization of Conservative Temple Sisterhoods, where she currently holds the office of Regional Education Vice-President. The Blums have four children and twin grandsons.

The June 6th event is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.; Temple Beth Israel is located on Temple Drive at the south end of Mackey and Haven Avenues. For further information please call the Temple office at 516-767-1708 ext. 9 or e-mail.

How Keller Williams Markets to Today's Buyers

When listing your house for sale, it's a good idea to be aware of the following statistics. According to the 2009 National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, about 90% of buyers begin their search for a home online. That leaves 10% for open houses, signs, print media, walk-ins, and other methods. So if you want to reach buyers, you need to have a wide-ranging Internet presence. When you list with Keller Williams of Greater Nassau, your home will appear on the Long Island Multiple Listing Service as well as syndicated to more than 125 websites. This list of sites is growing all the time.

In addition, your home will receive its own website, with links to local schools, a walk score, demographics, and other useful information for buyers. We will also create a number for interested buyers to text to their phone. They will then get information sent directly to their phone, and the inquiries can be tracked for easy follow-up.

Another new avenue for buyers is Optimum Homes. Optimum Homes is available at no additional cost to subscribers of iO Digital Cable and Optimum Online customers. When you list with us, your home will be viewed by buyers sitting at home watching television!

89% of sellers use an agent to sell their home, and 77% of buyers work with an agent when buying a home. Although Keller Williams is one of the largest real estate companies in the U.S., many have not heard of us in the Long Island and Queens areas. But Keller Williams is #1 in brand recognition among real estate agents as reported in a 2009 industry-wide survey for the Swanepoel TRENDS Report. So when an agent working with a buyer sees a Keller Williams listing, they know who we are, and can be confident of an ethical, hassle-free transaction.

In addition to being on the cutting edge of new technology, Keller Williams is the #1 real estate franchise on the Annual Franchise 500 list by Entrepreneur magazine in 2009, and rated highest in overall satisfaction for home buyers among national full service real estate firms, two years in a row, by J.D. Power and Associates.

If you are thinking of selling, I would be happy to meet with you for a free consultation and market analysis. I am also happy to answer any questions that you may have.

Please feel free to comment on this post, or send me an e-mail.

Lorraine Miller Designs Helps You Tell Your Story

I met Lorraine recently at a Chamber of Commerce meeting. I was impressed right away with her fresh, unique business card. I wanted to see more of her designs. I checked out the Lorraine Miller Designs website, and I liked very much what I saw.

As featured in Newsday's GreenStreet LI, Lorraine Miller Design specializes in eco-friendly invitations, stationery, and one-of-a-kind gifts. Their mission is to help people celebrate important moments in a way that provides joy and insiration. They offer a unique approach to event-related design, providing individual attention and creative guidance in a comfortable and giving atmosphere. Every piece of communication, starting with the initial announcement all the way to the thank you card, tells a story. Lorraine Miller Design helps you tell your story in a way that's special to you.

You can coordinate all of your event essentials into one look called Design 360. For a wedding, create matching ceremony programs, escort cards, thank you cards and more, to make the event special and memorable. I especially like the Plantable and NYC collections. The site also promises that kids, baby, and other items such as wrapping paper, party favors, etc. are coming soon!

Whether you are an event planner, soon-to-be-married, or simply looking for a special gift, Lorraine Miller Design is your go-to place for exciting, fresh, and "extra-special" designs. Also, Lorraine Miller Designs is included among environmentally-friendly vendors listed in the Green Bride Guide. They work solely with printers that are environmentally conscious, and they offer design and print options that you can feel good about, without sacrificing quality and incurring high costs.

Visit the website or call 516-448-2505 to learn more. You can also find them on Facebook and on the Lorraine Miller Design blog.

Please feel free to comment on this post, or send me an e-mail.