J. Philip's Briarcliff, Ossining & Westchester Real Estate Blog

Briarcliff Manor, about 30 miles north of New York City on the Metro North Hudson line (Scarborough stop if you are keeping score) is a village of stately, bucolic neighborhoods. It boasts one of the most charming main streets you'll see on Pleasantville Road, and if you wander a bit you'll find Pace University on the old Briarcliff College campus, Trump National Golf Course, and Holly Hill, the late Brooke Astor's estate (on sale now for $10.5 million). It has an award winning school district, wonderful amenities, and a quality of life that is top shelf. Ann and I moved our family here in 2007 from the next neighborhood over in Ossining, and we love it here. I consider it one of the most underrated places in Westchester County.

Howard Stern got his start here at a small radio station (WRNW) which, as I recall, was operating out of a small house in the 70's. My office on North State Road is walking distance from that place. 

46 single family homes were sold in the village in 2009, and the median price was just over $654,000. 

At the peak of the market in 2005, the median price was 865,000. That puts the correction at just under 25%, which basically wipes out the inflated spike from 2004-2005.  

There are 38 homes for sale currently, ranging in price from $419,000 to $4.65 million, excluding the Astor Estate. This means that there is just under a year's worth of available inventory. 13 homes are priced below $700,000, and there is no telling how many more will be listed for sale in the coming weeks as the holidays get small in  the rear view mirror. If you do come to Briarcliff, park downtown on Pleasantville road and do a little window shopping. You'll like what you see, and you'll understand why we who live here love it. 

 

• J. Philip Faranda, Broker-owner, J. Philip Real Estate, LLC. 2010 Vice President, Westchester-Putnam Multiple Listing Service. 
• Read my short sale blog here. 
• J. Philip Serves Briarcliff Manor, Ossining, Croton, the River Towns, Westchester County, and the bedroom counties of New York City.
• Free MLS Search! Register for a Free Listingbook account and search the MLS like an agent. 
• I'm hiring agents. 
• Agents: Subscribe to the 40 Somethings Group. Reach Phil at (914) 723-8900.

All content/images, unless noted, are the property of J. Philip Faranda & may not be used without permission

When I walked outside this morning, I was greeted by an old friend: warmth. Warm weather isn't new this year, but the norm lately has been brisk mornings, warm days and cool evenings. A warm morning, for me, is a first in 2009.  Briarcliff Manor is beautiful in the Spring, and I took some photos of my favorite place in the Village: my yard. 

That tree just got those white blossoms. You can see the forsythia behind the fence. 

This is a better view of the forsythia. 

My lawn is not a putting green. I prefer to consider it "vegitatively diverse." Those legs belong to a certain camera hog who loves dandelions more than her dad. 

One of Spring's other calling cards: no more need for firewood.

One more nice one:

The back yard cherry blossoms will be next week. They aren't quite there yet. Here's sneak preview from last year:

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You can search the MLS like an agent at http://jphilip.listingbook.com.

J. Philip Faranda ranks among New York's premier short sale REALTORS specializing in short sales in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam & Dutchess Counties. www.NYShortSaleTeam.com. Read Phil's short sale blog at http://NewYorkShortSaleBlog.wordpress.com.

J. Philip Serves Briarcliff Manor, Ossining, Croton on Hudson, Pleasantville, Sleepy Hollow, White Plains, Yonkers, Peekskill, Cortlandt, Tarrytown, Yorktown, Montrose, Hawthorne, Thornwood, Valhalla, Hartsdale & all of Westchester County, New York.

 

• J. Philip Faranda, Broker-owner, J. Philip Real Estate, LLC. 2010 Vice President, Westchester-Putnam Multiple Listing Service. 
• Read my short sale blog here. 
• J. Philip Serves Briarcliff Manor, Ossining, Croton, the River Towns, Westchester County, and the bedroom counties of New York City.
• Free MLS Search! Register for a Free Listingbook account and search the MLS like an agent. 
• I'm hiring agents. 
• Agents: Subscribe to the 40 Somethings Group. Reach Phil at (914) 723-8900.

All content/images, unless noted, are the property of J. Philip Faranda & may not be used without permission