J. Philip's Westchester Real Estate Blog

Like White Plains, New Rochelle has been ranked in Money magazines top 100 small cities to live in America with a ranking of number 82. I am not surprised. New Rochelle (of Dick van Dyke show fame to those of you who have never been) is on the Long Island Sound, is home to Iona College, has a fantastic down town, and some really gorgeous neighborhoods with jaw dropping pre war architecture. We have a great listing here that I expect to sell any day.

Driving through some of those old neighborhoods off North Avenue takes your breath away. Here are some random shots. 

Glen island Park is a popular waterfront park on the Long Island sound where they have a marina and crew regattas. The choice of restaurants is terrific, both in New Roc city, the new downtown retail complex, and older sections of the place. There is a huge variety of homes here, from mansions to starter homes. 

I have blogged about New Rochelle previously, and it is worth reading up. 

About a year ago, while driving a client and her toddler up from Manhattan around Westchester looking at homes, I got a flat tire on North Avenue in New Rochelle. This is not a welcome occurrence for obvious reasons, but North Avenue is also very busy. As I began to put my car in jacks, several workers from a restaurant came across the street and offered to help. I looked over at their boss, and he nodded. 6 hands are better than 1, and I was back on the road in a jiffy. I made a mental note to stop by, and proceeded to forget. 

Two weeks ago, I had lunch with an attorney to whom I recently sold a house in the neighborhood, and she suggested me meet at AJ's Burgers on North Avenue. I didn't put it together until I met her, but this was the same place from my car incident last year. I had a burger, which was delicious- perfectly cooked, tangy, lightly seasoned and melted in my mouth. And the fries were not heavy, seasoned and still had the potato skin. Yum. My friend proceeded to tell me that AJ's had been her 2nd home while her kitchen was renovated. One look at the menu explained it. You had plenty of choices if you kept coming back. It isn't just a burger joint. 

I returned to AJ's Burgers again this past week and had a pulled pork sandwich with the house-made sauce. It was exquisite-tangy, slightly sweet, and tender. Just so you know it isn't a house dedicated to clogged arteries, there are always steamed veggies and spinach available, and I loved the spinach. They also have cajun chicken. That's next on my list. 

This time I got a chance to speak with AJ himself, and thank him for the help with the tire a year ago, as well as hear more about his place. They make their own desserts, and they smoke the meats right on the premises. The ice cream and sherbet is exceptional as well. They cater, deliver, and do take out. Not only that, they have a breakfast menu, and are open 24 hours Wednesday through Saturday. For our area, the price is right too. Dinners are served not on a plate but a warm skillet, which sets the place apart. Actually, there is much that sets AJ's Burgers apart, and I'll be going back in the near future.

AJs Burgers is located at 542 North Avenue, New Rochelle, not far from Iona College. Call them at (914) 235 3009.

I had two accepted offers today, one on a listing I am selling and another for a buyer I am representing. Here's a coincidence: They are on the same street in New Rochelle, less than a mile apart. They are completely unrelated deals. 

Another offer was presented on behalf of my buyer but we havn't had a response yet. Two accepted offers and the possibility of a 3rd in one day doesn't make me a great agent. But it does speak to the fact that people are no longer sitting on their hands. 

Word is out that now is the time to buy. Rates are fantastic, sellers are motivated, and prices are way down. The holidays are apparently not a deterrent to the pool of active buyers out there. Of course, Sundays get more husbands out with their wives when the Giants and Jets stink. 

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J. Philip Faranda is the Broker and Owner of J. Philip Real Estate, LLC in Briarcliff Manor, NY. He is a Top 10 Producer for closed single family transactions out of almost 7000 licensees in the Westchester-Putnam MLS in both 2007 and 2008. You can log onto the company Home Page at www.jphilip.com

You can search the MLS like an agent and find your dream home before other buyers for FREE confidentially & at no obligationat 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.