Details

Category: Real Estate

Published: 09 May 2013

The experts concur – it's a banner year for home sales in Scarsdale. We checked in with three local agencies for their observations on the Spring market and here is what they had to say:

Zach Harrison:
Platinum Drive:

"This is the strongest real estate market I have seen in Westchester since 2006. Bidding wars have been commonplace, driven by low interest rates and a lack of inventory."

Linda Roth
Coldwell Banker: 

This spring is an exceptional time to sell real estate in Scarsdale/Edgemont and surrounding communities. In addition the national real estate market is also showing strong growth. The combination of lack of inventory, an improving economy and historically low interest rates has brought out large numbers of purchasers, which in turn bring multiple offers, many over the asking price and with excellent terms. As always, lower Westchester with its convenient location leads the market.

Lewis Arlt
Houlihan Lawrence: 

Looking out the rear view mirror at sold properties in Scarsdale, we see an up-tick of 9.3% year-to-date (from 43 last year at this date, to 47 this year). And an increase of 11.7% year over year from May 6, 2012 (206 sold) to May 6, 2013 (230 sold). The median sale price stands at $1.246M year to date, compared to $1.285 last year at this time. (a 3% drop, statistically not very significant). The good news is prices remain relatively stable and sales are moving forward at a healthy pace.

Peering out the windshield at pending business, we can see a very healthy ratio of active listings to pending deals. The 112 currently active listings (a 19% decrease compared to 2012 at this time) is well balanced by 82 deals in contract, compared to 76 last year – nearly 8% more. Decreased inventory across the region has fueled higher prices as more buyers compete for fewer homes. This phenomenon has led to some highly competitive bidding and sale prices exceeding expectations, most evidenced in the $700,000-1,500,000 price range. Rates are low, consumer confidence is strong, and we are currently on pace to record more sales this year in the village than in a decade.

Sales:

18 Split Tree Road: (Pictured above) A prestigious Quaker Ridge colonial. The home features 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths. The newly constructed home also boasts an open floor plan, large level backyard with room for a pool, 2 story entry, and .46 acres of property.
Sale Price:$2,310,000
Real Estate Taxes: TBD

32 Sage Terrace: Sunny Greenacres Colonial. Set on .44 acres, the home features a large deck overlooking an even larger flat backyard. There are 6 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and a 3-car garage.
Sale Price: $1,700,000
Real Estate Taxes: $26,960

73 Brewster Road: Stately Fox Meadow Tudor features gracious rooms, hardwood floors, over-sized sunken living room with charming alcoves (one with wet bar), and leaded windows with stained glass detail. Five bedrooms, 4.5 baths, plus a billiard room. Situated on .3 acre lot.
Sale Price: $1,457,000
Real Estate Taxes: $34,596

Featured Listings:

107 Brambach Road, Scarsdale,
Move right in. Bright and sunny 2002 Colonial. Incredible location, walk to Scarsdale train station and Village shopping, bus to Elementary School and Middle School. Great layout and floor plan, entrance hall, powder room, living room, formal dining room, large dine-in-kitchen, family room with fireplace, door to patio and yard. Second Floor master bedroom with 2 closets and bath, plus 3 additional bedrooms and a hall bath. Lower level playroom and laundry, 2 Car Garage, 2 zone heat and air, hardwood floors throughout. Click here to learn more.
List Price:$1,199,000

7 Bethel Road, Scarsdale
Incredible location in the heart of Murray Hill. This 1921 Colonial is situated on a dead end street on 1.2 glorious acres. Wonderful Setting with great sun exposure throughout the house and property. Open and spacious layout with entrance foyer, living room with fireplace, large dining room, sun porch, family room, modern dine-in-kitchen with butler's pantry, mudroom, laundry room, backstairs to guest room with bath, Master bedroom with updated bath, three additional bedrooms and hall bath. Close to High School, train and village. Click here to learn more.
Listing Price:$2,700,000

21 Barclay Road, Edgemont
Appealing, light filled Colonial with lovely detail and wonderful space. Gorgeous curb appeal and a location convenient to schools and the Scarsdale train station make this home an irresistible package. Classic living, dining and family rooms, updated dine-in-kitchen with new appliances grace the first floor. There are 4 bedrooms and 2 baths on the 2nd floor. Finished basement playroom and a great deck. New roof and furnace. Desirable street in Old Edgemont. Click here to learn more.
List Price: $1,199,000

15 Kolbert Drive Scarsdale
Beautiful custom stone and shingle Colonial renovated with the finest material and craftsmanship. Magnificent gourmet kitchen with state of the art appliances, walk out play room and gym, walk-in cedar closet in Bessler attic. Gorgeous landscaping, masonry, stonework, screened in porch, patio and so much more. Situated on .49 private acres backing Winged Foot Country Club. Room for a pool. Move right in. Click here to learn more
List Price: $2,525,000

Details

Category: Real Estate

Published: 16 May 2013

While residents continue to express concerns about over-development and flooding the Scarsdale Committee for Historic Preservation is receiving a steady flow of applications to tear down existing homes. In most cases these modest homes are replaced with larger models that expand the footprint, cause trees to go and exacerbate the Village's storm water issues.

On Tuesday May 21 at 8 PM, the Committee for Historic Preservation will consider the four following homes. If they are not found to have historic merit they will be torn down:

• 50 Harvest Drive built in 1951
• 24 Herkimer Road built in 1940
• 7 Lebanon Road built in 1950
• 15 Circle Road built in 1920

This Week's Sales:

106 Carstensen Drive: (pictured above) Completely renovated Tudor home on a cul-d-sac in Fox Meadow. Updated kitchen with granite island and countertops, marble master bath, Pella windows and sliding doors, new/refinished hardwood floors, new landscaping and b-ball court in driveway!

Sale Price: $1,250,000
Real Estate Taxes: $22,974

3 Well House Close: A five-bedroom center hall Colonial located at the end of a cul-de-sac on .64 acres in the Mamaroneck Strip. Includes 3,500 square feet of interior space, 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, a large level backyard and stone patio. Sale Price: $1,175,000
Real Estate Taxes: $38,770

15 Elm Road: Sun-filled bright brick colonial on .13 acres in Greenacres home. Features 3 bedrooms and 2 baths and an attached garage.
Sale Price: $755,000
Real Estate Taxes: $17,238

169 Bradley Road: Bright and sunny three-story home with ,new eat in kitchen/family room. Three bedrooms on second floor and large playroom on third floor. Finished basement with laundry and door to yard. Two-car garage.
Sale Price: $672,500
Real Estate Taxes: $13,199

Featured Listing: 18 Eton Road, Scarsdale
Beautiful sun-filled Colonial in Estate Section-Grange of Greenacres. Situated on 1.14 acres of private property. Enjoy the heated pool and large patio right off the gourmet kitchen and family room. Gorgeous two story entrance foyer, incredible master bedroom suite with balcony and lower level with gym, laundry, game room and wine cellar. The perfect home for entertaining. Click here to learn more. List Price: $3,295,000

Featured Listing: 8 Sundale Place, Edgemont
Gorgeous, spacious and bright center hall Colonial on nearly 1 acre of lush, landscaped property with beautiful Shoreline pool. All rooms are generously proportioned with a flow allowing for both large and small gatherings and individual needs. Situated in a tranquil setting on a beautiful street, this home though only 32 minutes to NYC by train, seems a million miles away. 9' ceilings on first floor, 3-car garage, courtyard entry for cars, office on 2nd floor can be a 6th bedroom. Click here to learn more. List Price: $2,998,500

Details

Category: Real Estate

Published: 01 May 2013

One of the features that originally gave Scarsdale its pleasing neighborhood character was the variation in design of the original homes. Tudor, Dutch Colonial, English Cottage and Mediterranean homes were all in the mix when Scarsdale was first planned in the early 1900's. However today, as I peruse the neighborhoods and see the homes that are for sale each week, I am struck with the similarity of design of many of the new offerings. Colonials dominate the market. On both large and small lots Colonials are replacing splits, ranches, Cape Cods and whatever else is available to be torn down.

Why is there so little design innovation? Why don't people hire innovative architects to design custom homes? It turns out it's all in the numbers. We asked a local architect who's familiar with the landscape to tell us why developers almost exclusively build Colonials and here is what she shared:

1. Developers favor them because they have the most popular appeal and are the most economical to build.
2. Colonials are more economical to build than a home with complex volumes and picturesque rooflines.
3. Colonials generate the classic center-hall floor plans which have the most popular appeal.
4. The structural design is economical because framing is repetitive and foundations are rectilinear.
5. Colonials are best suited for simple rectilinear floor-plans with tall interior spaces with flat ceilings which are economical and most popular with buyers.
6. Colonials can render the largest interior floor area within the smallest exterior surface area.
7. Exterior detailing can be executed simply and economically because standard building components can be employed (uniform windows, gutters, shutters, trim-boards, etc)
8. Colonial roof lines perform well in Northeast climate -- as opposed to flat roofs.
9. Colonials are easier to render energy efficient than a house with walls of glass.
10. Most other styles require custom detailing or unique building components that may drive up the cost of construction.

There's your answer! If you see examples of new design approaches in your neighborhood, send photos and details to scarsdalecomments@gmail.com and we'll feature them on the site.

Sales:

63 Griffen Ave: New construction colonial on majestic, park like 1.18 acre in Quaker Ridge. Spacious rooms, finest materials and exquisite details abound. The home features 6 bedrooms and 5.5 baths. Room for pool and cabana.
Sale Price: $4,027,000
Real Estate Taxes: TBD

26 Cayuga Road: Newly constructed 7,500 square foot home on a cul-de-sac in Heathcote. The home is located on a half an acre lot and includes 15 rooms, 6 bedrooms and 5.5 baths. Built by KOS Building Group.

Sale Price: $3,450,000
Real Estate Taxes: $83,330

33 Cushman Road: Center hall colonial on tree-lined street in Heathcote. Renovated with quality materials and fine finishes. First floor boasts an open floor plan with a new gourmet kitchen, adjoining family room with fireplace that opens to a blue stone patio. Living room with fireplace, dining room, library and powder room. Six bedrooms and 5.5 baths. Large Master Bedroom Suite and deluxe master bath.
Sale Price: $2,437,500
Real Estate Taxes: $42,095

305 Heathcote Road: Beautiful 3,519 square foot Heathcote Colonial expanded & renovated on private .43 landscaped acres. This home features 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and a finished basement.
Sale Price: $1,300,000
Real Estate Tax: $29,676

108 Lee Road: Fabulous renovated Fox Meadow Colonial with open front porch, gracious rooms and quality architecture throughout. The home features a kitchen with stainless appliances, a large family room with a fireplace, a flat fenced yard, and a finished basement with a playroom.
Sale Price:$1,123,000
Real Estate Taxes: $19,423

31 Wynmor Road: This classic red brick colonial has a sunroom, living room, dining room, working fireplace, and an updated kitchen. The home also includes four bedrooms, a rooftop balcony, 1.5 baths, and hardwood floors throughout.
Sale Price: $950,000
Real Estate Taxes: $17,800

170 Bradley Road: Edgewood Tudor with classic layout. Special features include an eat-in kitchen, bright sunroom and two bedrooms on the third floor with a full bathroom. Wood deck off the eat in kitchen commands a view of the beautifully landscaped backyard. Home includes 5 bedrooms and 2.5 baths.
Sale Price: $686,000
Real Estate Taxes: $15,677

3 Clarendon Place, Edgemont: Spacious Split style home on quiet cul-de-sac. In ground swimming pool with large deck, 5 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 3 family rooms. .35 acres in Edgemont School District.
Sale Price: $607,500
Real Estate Taxes: $25,508

Featured Listing: 19 Penny Lane, Edgemont

Fabulous value in prime Edgemont on.45acres with gorgeous fenced in-ground heated pool and cabana with tons of room for play and gardens. In addition to living room, dining room and dine-in-kitchen, enjoy a lovely family room/library with built-ins, library ladder and beamed vaulted ceiling. Huge lower level with 2nd family room with fireplace and wet bar opens to patio, pool, recreation, exercise room, laundry room/mudroom and tons of storage. Built for comfortable entertaining and living. Click here to learn more

List Price: $999,000