Readers Express their Views on the 2016 Revaluation Plus Sales, Featured Listings and Open Houses

Last week's announcement of the 2016 property revaluation brought a record number of hits to Scarsdale10583. To date, the story on the reval received 12,536 hits – that's a lot for a town of 17,000 residents. Furthermore, there are now 107 comments on the story, with residents sharing their own woes or presenting data about homes that appear to be over or under-assessed. Read it here.

Also this week, John F. Ryan, the man who was charged with doing this second revaluation in just two years, posted a report about his methodology and findings on the Scarsdale Village website. The report is complex and not easy for a lay person to follow. But you can glean some information about the methodology behind the reval by reviewing it.

One of the more interesting facts to note is that the five Scarsdale neighborhoods each were rated with a multiplier with Fox Meadow receiving the highest rating of 1.30. Heathcote is at 1.15, and Edgewood, Greenacres and Quaker Ridge are all valued equally at 1.10. Therefore, according to Ryan, here's the value of .3 acres in each of the Scarsdale neighborhoods:

Edgewood: $891,000
Fox Meadow: $1,050,000
Heathcote: $930,000
Greenacres: $890,000
Quaker Ridge: $890,000

For some the rationale behind these multipliers is perplexing.

Ryan's report supplies no overall data about changes to property values. We don't know how many assessments went up, how many went down and how many stayed the same. We can't see in the aggregate how Murray Hill fared, vs. Greenacres or Edgewood. We asked Village Assessor Nanette Albanese to provide these numbers and she said they would be posted on the Village website soon.

Readers who have been perusing individual property records have noticed that the valuations of some of Scarsdale's most desirable homes was cut considerably, while the value of more modest homes went up, They claim that this new reval has shifted the tax burden from Scarsdale's premium homeowners to the owners of smaller homes, similar to the situation prior to the 2014 revaluation.

However, since we don't have cumulative data to review, it's hard to draw any conclusions about the fairness of the new valuations, who, if anyone, is bearing more than their fair share and to determine if the complaints of those commenting on the site are valid. We asked Scarsdale's Mayor Jon Mark for his thoughts on the revaluation and he said he will make remarks on the revaluation at the Village Board meeting on Tuesday night June 14 at 8 pm. Residents who want to comment, are invited to attend and to speak.

Here are a few of the many interesting comments on the revaluation that we received. Keep in mind, that those who are content with the results are not complaining, so these comments may be not be a fair representation of residents' opinions about the revaluation.

Comment # 2
In other words the new reval just undid all the equalizing that the reval from two-years ago did to level the playing field. Those who made the most noise got the biggest breaks.

Comment #5
My Edgewood home went up over 30% since last year. Over 40% since I purchased it less than four years ago. I have done NOTHING to it except paint - basic maintenance. In fact, it is probably in worse condition because of wear and tear.

I suspect they are valuing my property (a potential tear down) based on the sale of a tear down across the street last year. Which was one house on TWO LOTS.

If this is any indication of the quality of the re-valuation, there are going to be a lot of problems. I am not paying some shyster to grieve this for me and if they reject the package I put together then I am opening a flea market in my front yard and raising pigs in the back. Sorry neighbors. I have to raise the extra nine grand somehow.

Comment #15
As I continue to look through the reassessment profile of my immediate neighborhood, it has become apparent that this new reevaluation does not work. You have 4 bedroom renovated houses assessed for less than three bedroom houses with less bathrooms and square footage on the same size property.
Tyler technologies performed a house by house detailed assessment of all the homes in the village ( total bathrooms, air conditioning, square footage, condition, property etc.). My immediate neighborhood appeared to have a fairly balanced profile after grievances were heard. This new revaluation lacks consistency.

Comment #27
As many shocked residents discovered that Village informed us that the revaluation done by Tyler was to correct the imbalance of large estates paying too little, now with an obvious flawed model, it's reverted back to previous unfair situation. Furthermore, it is causing tremendous financial and emotional distress to wrongfully overvalued house owners. What a complete waste!!! We strongly agree with the others that Village should void this ReVal. Please stop wasting our limited resources.

Read more comments here and post your own below.

Sales:

211 Madison Road

This custom Colonial has a chef's kitchen with stainless appliances, a center island, breakfast area, and walk-in pantry adjacent to the family room/fireplace. The mudroom has cubbies and leads to the two-car garage. There is a master bedroom suite with a bathroom and two walk-in closets. On the second floor, there is a bonus room and a laundry room. There is a staircase to attic storage and a flat backyard.

Sale Price: $2,150,000
Taxes: TBD

4 Harvest Drive

This home has an entrance hall, powder room, living room/library with coffered ceiling, built-ins, gas fireplace, and a window seat with storage. There is a family room with fireplace, dining room, lounge area, chef's kitchen with center island and stainless steel appliances with a door to an attached two-car garage. French doors open to the screen porch and back deck. In addition, there is a first floor bedroom and full bath. There is a loft gallery overlooking the lower level, with French doors leading to a back deck, a master bedroom with French doors to a Juliet balcony, two walk-in closets, and a spa bath with separate stall shower and double sinks. There are also two additional bedrooms and a full bath. The laundry area is located on the second level.

Sale Price: $1,933,000
Taxes: TBD

9 Cayuga Road

This Colonial is set on a half acre of landscaped, level, private property on a dead end street. The first level features an open-plan kitchen/family room with top-of-the-line appliances, granite counters, breakfast area, sitting area, sliders to the deck, a mud/laundry room, living room, dining room, den/office with built-ins, bar and fireplace, guest room, full bath, powder room and two car garage. The second level boasts a master bedroom with a walk-in dressing area/closet and a master bath, three additional bedrooms and a renovated hall bath. The lower level includes a walk-out finished recreation room with fireplace and a storage area.

Sale Price: $1,888,000
Taxes: $26,300

3 Canterbury Road

This home is sited on a level .5 acre with a circular driveway, five bedrooms, five bathrooms, with new windows, built-in speakers, and two wood burning fireplaces. The living room and dining room has two sets of French doors to a stone patio. There is a butler's pantry with a wet-bar and a wine refrigerator between the family room, dining room, living room and kitchen. There is a cook's kitchen with top of the line appliances. The master suite is on the first floor with a bathroom and dressing room.

Sale Price: $1,885,000
Taxes: $35,919

Edgemont:

3 Eva Lane

This 3300 square foot colonial is on a cul-de-sac on almost half acre with high ceilings throughout. The family room has a stone fireplace. There are five bedrooms, an updated powder room, eat-in-kitchen with stainless steel appliances and sliding doors to the deck overlooking the backyard. There is a first floor bonus room, wall to wall carpeting upstairs, a two car garage and a finished lower level, which is not included in the square footage.

Sale Price: $988,000
Taxes: $38,490

Featured Listings:

16 Fenimore Road, Scarsdale

Very short walk to train station, shops and schools from this impressive Colonial set on park like 0.57 acre of flat land. Over 8,450 square feet of living space crafted with the highest end finishes by one of Scarsdale's most experienced and respected builders. Sought after center hall layout with two story entrance and 10 foot ceilings on first floor. Sun filled living room with fireplace, library with coffered ceilings and built-in bookcases, formal dining room with butler's pantry, spectacular eat in kitchen with center island, breakfast room and adjoining family room. Guest room with full bath, mudroom and three-car attached garage complete the first level. The second level features 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, large playroom and laundry room. The luxurious master suite boasts a tray ceiling, his and hers walk-in closets, sitting room and bathroom with soaking tub & separate shower. The basement features a recreation room, gym, bedroom and 2 baths. For more information, click here.

List Price: $3,775,000

10 Marbourne Drive, Scarsdale

Enjoy your own private heated pool from this lush and ultra private over half acre property. This spacious and luxurious home has been designed with an open floor plan including a dramatic two-story family room, floor to ceiling windows and ideal space for indoor and outdoor fun. The lower level has been transformed into a country club like setting with full movie theatre including state of the art equipment and surround sound, a wet bar, full bathroom, gym area and plenty of space for pool or ping pong. The house has been recently upgraded to include new hardwood floors, custom moldings, staircase, custom closets throughout, recessed lighting, and is fully wired for surround sound, music and security. There is also a three-car garage and a mudroom that leads into the kitchen and first floor bedroom with full bath. There is a bus to all Scarsdale schools from this extremely desirable neighborhood. For more information, click here.

List Price: $2,249,000

94 Round Hill Road, Scarsdale

Magnificently perched atop Round Hill, this classic Colonial features the character and romance so closely associated with this iconic hilltop beauty, along with a masterful addition and renovation (Cum Laude Builders) offering the amenities and spaces that render a modern age home, with no comforts spared. The entire back of the house features an endless sprawl, comprised of a mudroom, access to an enormous deck, a sunny study, a beautifully proportioned butler's pantry along with the ideal kitchen/great room with a wall of glass and doors to the yard. Special features include two fireplaces, abundant French doors, palladium windows, a beautiful master suite, and a constant dialogue with the outdoors which offer a huge terrace that can easily accommodate an impressive dinner party, beautiful stone walls, an equally large deck, and a flat yard. Privately set and perfectly located near the schools, shops, and transportation. For more information, click here.

List Price: $1,995,000

99 Boulder Ridge Road, Scarsdale

This bright and spacious Dalton end unit is beautifully appointed and offers privacy with wooded views. Large living room/family room and fireplace, ceiling speakers and French doors to new deck. Eat-in kitchen features stainless appliances, granite countertops, new wine fridge and custom pull-out drawers. Bosch washer/dryer conveniently located on first floor. Private patio overlooks great yard. Custom closets and Hunter Douglas blackout blinds in all bedrooms. Loft area can be used as an office and/or additional bedroom. Finished basement boasts a playroom, exercise area and potential guest room. Two-car garage and tons of storage throughout. Enjoy the amenities of the complex including 24-hour security, landscaping, snow removal, pool, fitness room, clubhouse, tennis courts and playground. Parking at Hartsdale train station, 30-40 minute commute to midtown Manhattan. Town of Greenburgh recreation. Bus to Ardsley schools. For more information, click here.

List Price: $999,995

Open Houses:

42 Brite Avenue, Scarsdale
Sunday, June 12th, 1:00-3:00pm

Classic Georgian Colonial with circular driveway and new central air conditioning, new gas furnace, newly-finished lower level that added a bedroom, a full bath, a playroom, and has a permit to allow a full kitchen to be installed. New stainless steel Sub-Zero refrigerator and appliances in the kitchen: new stainless steel washer and dryer. New and extensive backyard landscaping including stone wall on the perimeter, privacy evergreens, slate patio, and new drywell drainage system. This house has large rooms throughout and versatile space. The bedroom on 1st floor is used as an office space. The breakfast room can be combined to create a larger kitchen space. The dressing area outside the master bath can be re-worked into a spacious and customized master bathroom. Oversized 24ft x 24ft family room on the 1st floor with a ten foot ceiling, a wall of windows has access to the new slate patio and flat backyard. This is an ideal home for a buyer looking to add their own finishing touches! For more information, click here.

List Price: $1,975,000

6 Stratton Road, Scarsdale
Sunday, June 12th, 2:00-4:00pm

Masterful design and modern luxury are uniquely embodied in this one of a kind, custom built home. This picture perfect, brick, center hall colonial is exquisite and light filled with 9+ foot ceilings. Quality crafted with design and functionality in mind including custom moldings and built-in cabinets. Top of the line kitchen features Calcutta Island and back splash, Wolf/Subzero appliances including steam and convection ovens, warming drawer, oversized pantries with storage. Mudroom directly off attached garage with floor to ceiling storage and cubbies. Each bath has custom marble vanity and Master has radiant heat floor and steam shower. Sun drenched office has private entrance and French doors to Living Room. Basement has a Gym with Ballet Studio, Playroom, Professional Laundry room, potential au pair suite and full bath. Gorgeous outdoor living and entertaining space has built in bluestone countertop, natural gas grill with Rotisserie, burner and refrigerator. Walking distance to schools, worship, shops and other amenities. For more information, click here.

List Price: $1,850,000

14 Paddington Road, Scarsdale
Sunday, June 12th, 2:00-4:00pm

Captivating Stone, Brick and Stucco Tudor Manor House with a Slate Roof on a Level .41 Acre in the Heart of Fox Meadow with a Fine Close-in Location to Scarsdale Village Amenities and Metro-North train to NYC. A through spacious center hall leads to a grand step-down living room with fireplace, 9' barrel ceiling adjoining a sunny library/family room, a formal dining room and a large kitchen with a Garland range/ oven, a family dining area and desk center. Sliding doors a to flagstone patio across the back of the house also reached from the center hall and library. Six bedrooms including four on the second floor with three baths. Two more bedrooms and bath accessed from the kitchen. Two powder rooms. Large leaded windows let the sun shine in from all directions. Fine architectural details include a grand staircase, beautiful oak floors, barrel ceilings and wide open doorways on the first level. Take a look and see a grand opportunity to put your personal touch on one of Scarsdale's finest homes! For more information, click here.

List Price: $1,695,000

56 Carthage Road, Scarsdale
Sunday, June 12th, 1:00-3:00pm

Heathcote elegance. Classic proportions and exquisite architectural details abound throughout this sun-filled four bedroom, 3.5 bath center hall Georgian Colonial in Heathcote. First floor features formal dining, living room with fireplace, stylish new kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, new cabinets. Continue to the breakfast and family room with two skylights, two bay windows overlooking beautifully landscaped, fenced-in backyard. Adjacent mudroom with side entrance. Porch, patio for summer enjoyment. Second floor has en-suite master bedroom; large second family room (original master); two additional bedrooms, two more baths. Hardwood floors throughout. Huge walk-in-closets. Third level offers a guest studio/4th bedroom, separate lounge/TV room with 2 windows and 2 skylights. Full basement with versatile space for recreation, gym, additional storage. Move right in to enjoy the warmth of your beautiful home. Elegant, convenient, stunning describe this magnificent home. For more information, click here.

List Price: $1,590,000

48 Secor Road, Scarsdale
Sunday, June 12th, 1:00-3:00pm

Bright and updated classic Scarsdale home on a quiet street in highly desirable Heathcote neighborhood. House highlights include: gorgeous master bedroom and bath, family room off kitchen and powder room (all added in 2003), lovely architectural details, hardwood floors, slate roof and large level backyard. 1st floor has an entry foyer, formal dining room, formal living room with stone fireplace, enclosed porch, kitchen with sunny breakfast area, adjacent family room and powder room. Dream master suite has a vaulted ceiling, large WIC with built-in shelving, and oversized luxurious marble and granite master bathroom with jacuzzi tub and large master shower with body sprays and a handheld shower. 3 spacious bedrooms, recently renovated hall bath and laundry complete the 2nd floor. Walk to elementary school, middle school, preschools, five corners shops, golden horseshoe shops and commuter bus to train. Free bus to high school. 30 minute train to NYC. This won't last - a must see! For more information, click here.

List Price: $1,295,000

216 Highland Road, Greenburgh
Sunday, June 12th, 1:00-3:00pm

Stunning Colonial with light streaming through oversized windows in every room. Generously proportioned, elegant rooms. Custom built in 2006, Energy Star rated with high-end finishings. Private dead-end street adjoining a 20 acre estate. Perfect house for entertaining with an open floor plan to great room with fireplace. Huge pantry, laundry room and a three-car garage. Master suite with fireplace has a walk-in closet and incredible dressing room. The 4th bedroom is being used as home office. Two blocks to bus to train. Four block walk to elementary school. Taxes are gross. It does not include Star deduction of $1909. Extraordinary tranquil spot with sunny rooms. A grand way to live in this exquisite home. You and your family deserve this beautiful home! For more information, click here.

List Price: $1,548,000