People

Details: Published: 18 December 2013; Created: 18 December 2013; Last Updated: 18 December 2013; Hits: 11519

IrisKalt Real estate agent Iris Kalt is something of a legend in Scarsdale. She has been with Prudential Centennial Realty for almost 20 years where she has been recognized repeatedly as one of the top performing agents in Westchester County. In 2000, she was profiled in the New York Times as "The Dealmaker." What are the secrets behind Iris' success? We spoke to her this week and found that she was very willing to share her tricks of the trade with our audience.

Here is what she told us:

How did you get your start in the field?

I began in 1986 as a part-time agent after Molly Goldstein, a top agent and member of my country club Bonnie Briar, told me I would be a terrific agent. After I was laid off as a school psychologist for a year she took me under her wing and taught me the business. She showed me how to look up listings in the Multiple Listing Service book (there were no internet listings at the time), introduced me to local builders and taught me how to do a subdivision. She taught me everything I know and I learned from the best.

The following year, the Board of Education called me back to work and I tried to work in the schools during the day and pursue my real estate career at night and on weekends. I quickly realized that you can't be successful in real estate on a part-time basis. It is difficult to get a listing just by being enthusiastic. You must build your reputation and network to get referrals. It is not an easy business but if you are dedicated and willing to put in your time and effort it can be lucrative.

Tell us about some of your more interesting sales:

In 1988 I had some Chinese customers who wanted a house that was large enough to accommodate their extended family. I agreed to show Johnny Lu the former home of Frederick P. Rose at 72 Brewster Road, a large ranch on one and a half acres with a pool and tennis court. The whole Lu family showed up at the train station and 6 people crammed into my 450 SL Mercedes convertible. They ended up buying the house and moved in -- but let the tennis court go. When they were ready to sell, I got the listing and sold it in 2009 to a developer who subdivided the property into three lots. There are now three homes there.

I also had the listing for 268 Fox Meadow Road near Fenimore Road where I realized there could be another subdivision. However, the Village would not let the developer take the house down as it was a "sister house" next door. The case went to state court and eventually the home was cleared for demolition. There are now two houses on the site.

I call 15 Meadow Road in Quaker Ridge the house that keeps on giving. Molly Goldstein sold me the house which sits on almost an acre of land adjacent to the Quaker Ridge School. I lived there with my family for eighteen years and my children could walk through the yard to school. When we were ready to move we sold the house to one of my customers. When that customer wanted to move, I sold him a new house that was being built on Stratton Road (also her listing.) I then sold the Meadow Road house to the builder of the new house on Stratton Road. He tore it down, built a new house and I sold that as well.

What are some of the differences between the market in the 1980-'s and 90's and now?

It's harder and harder to find a subdivision. You can still find teardowns but they are pricier.

What is your advice to those who are going to list their house for sale?

People prefer move-in condition houses. Buyers only know what they see. Refinish the floors, repaint, de-clutter, re-seal the driveway and landscape with welcoming plants and shrubbery. The house should look good. The better the condition, the quicker it will sell.

Price it near fair market value. The less you ask the more you are going to get. If you price it too high, real estate agents won't see the value and they won't bring qualified buyers. The listing will become stale. The less you ask the more competing offers you will get and the higher the bids. I listed a home on Overlook Road in Fox Meadoow for $1,795,000 and it sold for $2,010,000. The asking price gets them in the door ... it's a great selling tool.

What's your view of the tax revaluation in Scarsdale?

Some houses are under valued and some are over valued. The revaluation is only going to make it as fair as it can possibly be.

If you could look into the future, what would you expect to see 25 years from now?

As long as the Scarsdale school system and amenities remain tops, and Scarsdale remains a child-centered community, real estate in Scarsdale will be desirable. However, there may be less and less open space!

Anything else would you like to add?

I feel fortunate to have helped many families settle in Scarsdale and helped other sell their homes for top dollar and move to wherever they wanted to move in the time they wanted to get there. Whether they are buying another property or have to more in time for the opening of school, I get people where they need to be.

Learn more about Iris Kalt at www.IrisKalt.com.

Details: Published: 12 December 2013; Created: 12 December 2013; Last Updated: 12 December 2013; Hits: 3862

scarsdalevillagehall The Citizen's Nominating Committee (CNC) is looking for potential candidates for Village Trustee. Our non-partisan system tries to get the best Scarsdale citizens to serve on our Village Board. The committee considers all who are interested in the positions available.

For further information, please contact a member of the CNC, listed under the Nominating Committee link at www.scarsdaleprocedurecommittee.org, or contact CNC Chair David Irwin at 914-472-2311 or dirwin0513@gmail.com.

The deadline for submission of materials is January 14th at 5 p.m. The CNC plans to announce the slate on January 23rd.

Details: Published: 02 December 2013; Created: 02 December 2013; Last Updated: 02 December 2013; Hits: 8385

sandimarx After 20 years supporting other actors, talent agent Sandi Marx has finally taken center stage. The former Scarsdale resident and mother of three had to delay her dream to perform while she supported her family by forming a talent agency where she worked with her partners for years.

Now that two of her three children are out on their own, she has turned her energies to writing and the art of storytelling and has quickly scored some impressive successes.

Using funny tidbits and anecdotes from her years at the agency she has written some entertaining material and tested it out in front of live audiences. Marx says, "I love the challenge of throwing myself out there in in a room full of fairly judgmental and intelligent listeners and trying to connect in a personal way. Learning how to a hone my skills in the Art of Storytelling has been a challenge and pure joy. Since I have always enjoyed gabbing at parties this seems like an natural progression."

To prepare, Marx has studied with a few coaches and most recently has been working at a school called People's Improv Theatre (PIT) on her "storytelling or "spoken word" skills.

She recently entered a contest on the Moth who holds story slam events at venues around the country. Some of the stories are showcased on NPR. At the Moth event in Los marx2 Angeles, Marx was randomly selected to perform and came out first among the ten performers that night. She has been invited to perform in the Grand Slam Moth Championship at the end of January where she will compete against the last 10 Moth winners.

Her winning story, which can be viewed on YouTube, recounts her sweet revenge on a childhood bully, decades after the girl terrorized Marx in sixth grade. In the performance she has changed the bully's name as not repeat more "mean girl" behavior.

Marx plans to continue to write and perform new stores and ultimately hopes to write a compilation of her tales. Watch her winning performance here and wish her luck at the Grand Slam in Los Angeles.

Details: Published: 27 November 2013; Created: 27 November 2013; Last Updated: 27 November 2013; Hits: 7750

Since our report last week that handyman Robert Satenberg was arrested for stealing $30,000 worth of jewelry from a Scarsdale home where he was doing work, we have heard from many of you who also employed Satenberg to do jobs around the house. One commenter reported that ironically he had hired Satenberg to install a safe. We also heard from Satenberg himself, who posted an explanation and apology on Scarsdale10583 and asked for exoneration for his son.

Here is what he wrote:

"To the people that I've work for in Scarsdale, I am saddened at myself for taking such a low road with myself, you should all know that a out of control drug habit prompted me to make such bad choices and I wish that I did something about it before it got this bad. You should all know that I am admitting myself in for treatment and I hope to make the best out of the rest of my life. I have a lot to make up for and I am sorry for abusing your trust. And my son never had anything to do with your losses."

Where does the investigation stand and will more property be recovered? We reached out to Scarsdale Detective Lt. Thomas Altizio for an update. Though there is an ongoing investigation, here is what he could share:

"I can say that a number of Scarsdale residents that had employed Mr. Satenberg in the past and experienced a theft have contacted us since the arrest was made public. We are investigating all of these reports, as well as going through previous burglary and larceny reports to compare property that was stolen to the property Mr. Satenberg had pawned or possessed. In addition to the stolen jewelry that was recovered from Toby's Jewelry in Hartsdale on the day of the arrest (11/14/13), Toby's Jewelry had located additional stolen items that were at a different location, and subsequently turned them over to Scarsdale Detectives. Since his arrest, additional jewelry that was in Mr. Satenberg's possession has been turned over to the Scarsdale Police as well. Scarsdale Detectives have been contacting prior victims and showing them photos of the recovered jewelry items for identification. This is an active investigation that is still ongoing, and any other significant developments will be reported as necessary."

Details: Published: 21 November 2013; Created: 21 November 2013; Last Updated: 22 November 2013; Hits: 6265

verontrettler The Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce is partnering with local non-profit The Acceleration Project, (TAP), to study local consumer trends and make recommendations to ensure the vibrancy of Scarsdale's retailers. This new project was kicked off at the Chamber's monthly meeting at Vintology on Tuesday night November 19. TAP founders Lisa Tretler and Jane Veron provided an overview of their plans and asked retailers about the challenges they face and what they need to know about their customers to succeed.

Tretler and Veron, who both have considerable experience as business consultants and strategists, explained that their organization harnesses the power of local women to help local businesses grow. They have assembled a team of women with experience in all facets of private industry who will provide strategic planning and advice to companies who might not be able to afford this level of assistance.

The Buy Local study for the Scarsdale Chamber will involve speaking to local business owners, using that feedback to formulate an online survey for local residents and interpreting the survey results to identify key opportunities for local businesses. The TAP team will also survey other localities to determine "best practices" and see what's driving customers to other downtowns.

Veron explained that the success of individual businesses benefits all. She said, "we would like to see a thriving retail hub." She believes that residents desire a sense of community and that the best results will come through collaboration.

The work for the study has already begun and TAP hopes to report their findings to the Chamber by June, 2014. Watch for the consumer survey on Scarsdale10583.com. TAP welcomes your input.

In addition to running TAP, Lisa and Jane provide coaching and business planning to entrepreneurs and women looking to reenter the workforce. Learn more about TAP here: www.theaccelerationproject.org.