When most people think of the $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers, they often just think the first time home buyer is the one that benefits from the tax credit, but there is a lot more to the story!

For example, take the sale of my first time home buyer at Timber Ridge. He purchased a condo, then the condo seller bought a home, which enabled the owners of that home to purchase a brand new house that was under construction. For those who think the tax credit only benefits the new buyer, think again! There were 3 houses that exchanged hands because of the 1st time home buyer, so I’d say there were a lot of people who benefited, not just the one. There were also mortgage brokers, attorneys, title companies, home inspectors, appraisers, and Realtors who benefited. My part of the sale representing a new buyer was the pivotal point in the transactions and that made everyone nervous except me. There were a lot of moving parts which means there were a lot of things that could have gone wrong at any time along the way. At the end of the day it was successful because everyone involved, agents and the owners worked together, kept lines of communication open, and stayed on top of everything through the entire process.

For first time home buyers interested in taking advantage of the $8,000 tax credit, you need to start looking now! I can give you names and references of those who are glad they took the plunge if you have any doubts. The tax $8,000 tax credit has been extended so use it. If you are a new buyer looking for a home, condo, or co-op, let’s start looking now!

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

There’s been a time change in the Leatherman’s loop sign up. Here’s what they said on Facebook:

“Leatherman’s Loop Registration Opening Time Change – We’re going with a 10AM registration opening on 1/1/2010. We love the idea of a midnight opening but it could become a problem. We have to really track the registration #’s closely as they come in and are worried that we might hit the course limit while the Harriers are asleep in the wee hours… Have a great New Year’s Eve celebration and don’t forget to register in the morning!”

You can join them on Facebook for new updates.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

While the winter snowstorm was approaching we finished our grocery shopping well in time to watch the first snow flakes start to fall. Since we were running low on sunflower seeds we picked up a bag for the birds, and they’ll need it when everything gets buried under a foot of snow. While filling the feeders I realized I was out of suet, but not to worry, because I can always make my own. It’s very easy and I like to be creative by adding a variety of ingredients in my cakes. I’m sure my feeders and suet would get top honors from Zagat for birds. If you’ve never tried it, give it a go, it’s easier than baking cookies, makes your house smell great, and the suet cakes provide hours of bird watching entertainment and the birds love it!

Here are two great sites with lots of recipes: http://www.attractwildbirds.com/feedingbirds/how-to-make-suet.htm, http://baltimorebirdclub.org/by/suetrecs.html

Here’s my favorite suet cake recipe, and don’t forget to take pictures of your feathered friends having a feeding frenzy. See my feathered friends on Flickr.

Peanut Butter Suet Cakes

1 part melted beef suet
1 part chunky or smooth peanut butter
6 parts cornmeal (I also throw in some oatmeal)

1. To the melted suet add peanut butter and cornmeal & oatmeal.
2. Spoon into paper-lined muffin tins and cool.
3. Store in the freezer until you’re ready to use.
4. Remove paper liner before placing in bird feeder.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Shhh! It’s a secret, but not for long! Houihan Lawrence is getting ready to launch a new website in January and I am so excited! Watch my video and I’ll show you how to find it and what it’s all about, then you can spread the word on Twitter, Facebook, or call a friend. I hope you’ll visit often and let us know how you like it.

Merry Everything & Happy Always!

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Today was the annual Houlihan Lawrence holiday luncheon held at Aurora’s restaurant in Rye, NY. Seeing all sixty fellow realtors and the administrative support team all enjoying and celebrating together reinforces how fortunate I am to work for this real estate company. Despite the most challenging market in decades, my colleagues exemplified the perseverance and integrity that underscores the code of ethics we all abide by.

Aurora’s distinctive cuisine and upbeat atmosphere added to the warmth of the occasion. I love the pizza beautifully prepared in the wood burning oven, but all the offerings on the menu are delicious. The most poignant part of the afternoon was when our manager Kathy Murray toasted the office and made an announcement of a donation to the Carver Center in Port Chester. In lieu of gifts to the agents a generous check was given to the center so they can better continue the important work and programs they offer to the Port Chester community. Go to CarverCenter.org to learn about the ongoing activities.

Real estate agents list and sell houses, but more importantly we are the ambassadors for what is best in a community and work tirelessly to drive that message and support the people who live there. As we’ve always been told, “charity begins at home.”

Posted By: Jan Vinikoor

For the past 30 years Roy Alleti of 50 Parsons Street Harrison, NY has decorated and created a Christmas fantasy land for all. With a wiggle and a wave all of Santa’s helpers are crowded together on the front lawn of his 1970s split-level. Two wooden soldiers stand at attention on either side of the house proudly overseeing the sea of Christmas characters and a menagerie of animal personalities.

Roy’s labor of love year after year is best experienced with a visit to this landmark. Grown-ups and children alike marvel open eyed at the Santa, reindeer and sled full of toys atop the roof of the house. Thousands of green and red flickering lights compete for attention and light up the night sky. Over-sized snowman, holiday carolers, Snoopy and his dog house and assorted elves all fill the lawn and even spill over to the neighbor’s yard (his Aunt’s house)!

Join us in welcoming the Holiday spirit to Harrison by making an official pilgrimage to Roy’s Christmas Land. The large mailbox which greets you as you approach is waiting for your list: that is if you’ve been good this year!

It matters not what faith one celebrates but only that your heart and spirit of sharing are re-kindled HERE.

For additional Westchester Christmas light displays go to mapmuse.com.

Posted By: Jan Vinikoor

The Leatherman’s Loop is my favorite running event of the year! I’m writing about it now because the sign up for the event is January 1, 2010 at 12:01 am! That’s two months earlier than last year and since there’s a limit of 900 entrants, runners should probably hold off on the bubbly until after logging in and registering online for the run. If you have never participated in the event, you’ll want to sign up to be put on the email list for the registration link.

The Leatherman’s Loop is a 10K run held the last Sunday in April which is April 25, 2010. It takes place at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River, NY. If you’d like to see what the race is all about, check out this brief video.

My first experience on the trails occurred 3 years ago when a colleague who knew I liked to run suggested I sign up. I signed up but knew nothing about the run other than it was at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Was I in for a big surprise! It’s not your normal 10K run, as this one includes running through mud flats (sometimes up to your knees) and two river crossings (waist deep water) along with the hill climbs and trail running. I was apprehensive at first, but at the end of the race, it was a ton of fun and I’ve continued running every year.

There’s a Navajo/Celtic blessing they give each year before the run that accurately describes the feelings on race day!

Beauty before me as I run
Beauty behind me as I run
Beauty within me as I run
Beauty all around….

Be sure to sign up early, and I’ll look forward to seeing you at the Leatherman’s Loop!

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

I was delighted when a buyer I have been working with for many months closed on his first home. Everyone involved in the transaction was very excited though it took a little longer to close than expected. This purchase was definitely made possible by the First Time Home Buyer Program, especially the recent extension. The $8,000 tax credit allowed him to find the perfect home, one that didn’t need to be remodeled, and is in move-in condition. The moving trucks are rolling to Timber Ridge Condominiums in Mt. Kisco New York!

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Santa arrived right on time in Katonah New York on Saturday, November 28th! It was a beautiful sunny day but since it is always difficult for children to wait in line, the Bedford Fire Department had their truck in the parking lot with lights flashing and Firemen answering questions. After a visit at the fire truck, the Smith children climbed on Santa’s lap for photos and a short chat about their Christmas wish list. The youngest, Karissa, told Santa she wanted a candy cane and her wish was granted immediately.

The arrival of Santa is always special for the children of Katonah and surrounding areas sponsored by the wonderful Chamber of Commerce.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Plans for the Annual Westchester Community Christmas Day Dinner in the St. Mary’s Academy School gymnasium are under way. This wonderful event has been held every year since 1994 and was based on the premise that “no one in the area should be alone or hungry on Christmas Day.” The first dinner served 50 guests and this year 300+ less fortunate residents of all faiths are expected to attend.

As the guests arrive on Christmas Day they are greeted by some of the 100 volunteers working that day. They will be served a wonderful dinner of ham, turkey, and all the trimmings. After dinner, Santa and some elves arrive with gifts for each guest. There will also be entertainment and crafts for the 150+ children expected to attend. As you can imagine, an event of this size needs lots of volunteers and donations!

In addition to the wonderful dinner and gifts from Santa, while they eat, the elves will collect information about each guest to discover their needs. The elves will then go shopping for them in a classroom loaded with tables of donated clothing, food and toys. At the end of the day of giving, the guest will leave with a take-home dinner, and their bag of gifts.

All aspects of the dinner are free of charge to the participants thanks to the generous donations of hundreds of Westchester restaurants, merchants, individuals and volunteers who donate whatever is needed to keep this tradition going. They need lots of help again this year so if you are able to contribute to this very worthy cause, please call Anne Mygatt at 914-589-1348 and she will be happy to pick up your donation or email ChristmasEvent@aol.com. All donations are used to support the dinner and help the individuals and families in the community. You can drop off donations before December 24th at the Houlihan Lawrence office located at: 156 Katonah Ave, Katonah, NY or St. Mary’s Montfort Academy located at 99 Valley Road, Katonah, NY, on December 23rd & 24th. (All donations are tax deductable)

Please help make this another very Merry Christmas!

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Timber Ridge is a 49-unit condominium complex conveniently located off Rt. 117 (Main St.) and Lexington Ave on the south end of Mt. Kisco. The complex offers 2 and 3 bedroom units, and some with garages and finished lower levels. The units sit on a hill and were built to work with the topography of the land. The swimming pool was recently renovated, and there is also a tennis court.

Timber Ridge Condominiums was the perfect complex for my first time home buyer and yesterday was the walk through where he was able to check out the unit before closing. Both the seller and buyer couldn’t be happier! It was so nice to hear how the sellers heartstrings are tugging at them with the thought of moving away from the friends and neighbors they have grown so close to while living there. It was also great for my buyer to hear how friendly and diverse the complex is, a real community, often a factor that is unknown until you actually live somewhere. As the big closing approaches, it is always rewarding when both sides of the transaction are happy and able to move on and in!

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

As the temperatures start to drop in Northern Westchester it’s time to think about my feathered friends. Now that their food source has become scarce I have once again started filling the bird feeders (I tend not to feed birds during the summer as there are so many natural sources available).

If you are a bird lover and are looking for a great diversion from the holiday shopping and activities, consider participating in the Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count (also referred to as CBC), Saturday December 20. This event has been held for 55 years by the Bedford Audubon Society in Northern Westchester as contributors to the largest and oldest citizen science project in 50 States and 13 Canadian providences and territories.

The Northern Westchester bird count covers a 15 mile radius that includes forest, swamp and fields where a variety of birds can be found in their natural habitat. At the end of the day there is a potluck dinner and the bird counts are compiled. Last year 8 inches of snow fell the night before the count, which added to the enchantment of the outdoor adventure but also made it more difficult to count certain species. If you are interested in helping count the birds this year, contact John Askildsen: 845-677-3993 or e-mail him: askildsen@verizon.net.

If you would like to see more photos of birds at my feeders, you can see them on Flickr.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

All the Repression, affairs, smoking and non-stop drinking on the job aside, the episodes of Mad Men give me flashbacks to my childhood in The Tarrytowns on the Hudson River. I lived in those neighborhoods amidst the executives with the exciting advertising jobs, the women limited to their Garden Club meetings and volunteer work for either the Junior League Nearly New Shop or at Phelps Memorial Hospital. Some women had lunch at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club and enjoyed either an afternoon of tennis, riding or time by the pool. Homes rarely had pools in that area since homes were much simpler those days in size as well as decor and the small lots did not allow for a pool. I know they call it Ossining in the series but the references are also just south into Sleepy Hollow and Philipse Manor territory. John Cheever, nicknamed “The Chekhov of the Suburbs” lived in Scarborough Manor and Ossining. All Mad Men Country. Perhaps he was the inspiration with his chronicles such as “The Sorrows of Gin.”

Episodes give me a start when a scene opens with the barware and glasses in the Draper home - exactly the same glasses my Father owned. Or when Betty Draper leans against her kitchen counters and the windows have the same “Cafe Curtains” my Mother had.

The train station was Philipse Manor on the Hudson which has a beautiful old stone Station House. I used to hear that the fireplace was lit for the evening return and there were leather wing chairs and Oriental rugs in the waiting room. Yes, drinking cars were big back then and perhaps this is where they waited for the wives to pick them up after their long day with their three martini lunches. Or one last drink before they went out to their station cars.

Community meetings for the residents of Sleepy Hollow Manor were held in the Rockefeller Family “Playhouse” up in neighboring Pocantico Hills. Perhaps this is how and where Betty used to meet her new love, Henry. She also mentions going into Tarrytown for a decorating project. I know the large hop she was referring to. The series is perfectly crafted with impeccable details with the use of cultural archives and resources.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed this time of the year… the shopping, wrapping, decorating, cooking, and the list goes on. I know I get overwhelmed with all the things I have to do just for my own family. So it’s easy to forget that outside of my little world, there’s an even bigger world… a world of need, especially during the holiday season. Given these tough economic times, it’s not so easy to give, but - isn’t ‘GIVING’ what we’re meant to do in the spirit of the holidays?

“Hope’s Door, formerly The Northern Westchester Shelter, is a private non-profit organization founded in 1980, to provide a safe haven and caring services to survivors of domestic violence; to empower victims to achieve safety, independence and healing from the trauma of abuse.”

Houlihan Lawrence in Chappaqua proudly supports Hope’s Door and we need your help to make this holiday drive even more successful than in the past. We will have a festively wrapped gift box inside of our office for donations (gift cards and gifts suitable for women and children). Donations will be accepted through December 15th. Please spread the word and help us to spread the joy!

Posted By: Suzette Kraus

At long last I have identified my anonymous Twitter and here’s the profile:

“Live in Northeast marshy wooded area. Love to eat flies and spiders, will hitch a ride indoors on plants when possible and tweet every day.”

It was my curiosity of wanting to identify my anonymous twitter that led me to make a digital recording of my morning tweets. I contacted the Lewisboro Wetlands office again offering to email the sound recording of the tweets hoping they would be able to identify what was tweeting. Instead they suggested I contact the scientists at the Ward Pound Ridge Science Museum as they would be the most knowledgeable and would be able to help me. I gave them a call and explained the mysterious tweeting dilemma and sent them an email with the recording. They were not able to identify it immediately, but sent my email with the sound file to other scientists and nature lovers. A few days later they called me and everyone concluded it was a spring peeper, which is actually a small tree frog. I was able to find the sound of a spring peeper online. Now compare that with my recorded tweets:

I think you would agree I found my twitter and it’s a spring peeper! Whenever I heard my twitter, I visualized those cute little blue Twitter bird icons, but I’m happy to know my twitter is actually a singing frog and I’m now thinking GREEN! I have not been able to locate the tiny frog in the foliage of my plants, but it’s still there tweeting every day.

Normally this time of year I would spray my indoor plants with insecticidal soap to keep the bugs away, but this year, the more bugs the merrier for my little peeper. Who needs soap when there’s a live hungry frog to eat them? I am also watering the plants regularly rather than letting them go dormant and making sure there’s extra water in the saucers since Spring Peepers like damp and marshy areas. Our many house guests over Thanksgiving enjoyed listening to our Twitter-frog. With all this Tweet-Talk, you might have guessed you can follow me on Twitter - sonjalovas - and I look forward to your tweets!

Posted By: Sonja Lovas