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The Low Down on High Orchards

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Bitsy Maranus - 600 Douglas Road Chappaqua NYHigh Orchards is one of Chappaqua’s treasures: a rare find–a vintage home in a quiet residential neighborhood, completely updated with modern touches. Built in 1895, this gambrel roof farmhouse was originally part of a farm belonging to the Quaker settlers of New Castle.

A long tree lined drive past enclosed fields and gardens leads to the house, set on 1.5 level usable acres backing up to woods. Over the years it has seen many changes.  According to the New Castle Historical Society, the property was probably farmed over the years and may have even served as a summer boarding house for vacationers from New York City.

The current owners have renovated the home, retaining period details, yet still keeping the original charm and character.  On the modern side, the addition of solar panels and a high efficiency furnace have dramatically lowered heating and cooling costs.

This one of a kind property has been featured on both the New Castle Historical Society and the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association House Tours.

PrintBitsy Maraynes, 
the listing agent for
 Houlihan Lawrence, states:  “It is the perfect blend of old and new: an antique home filled with charm and character that also offers  the best of modern technology and energy efficiency.”

Heir Atlas- Safeguarding Your Financial Intentions

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heir-LesterHimelBy Lester Himel

Sometimes there is a difference between what’s supposed to happen in life, and what really happens…

Staggering, preventable losses of assets or property…that’s what sparked the idea for Heir Atlas.

A group of financial advisors were discussing real losses to real people due to simple, common things: a beneficiary was never updated, a Will was lost, a bank account misplaced, a policy was terminated as premiums were forgotten.  Potential caregivers or heirs were unaware of what to look for or where.  Executors were left wondering if there was more.  Where was the transfer of information?

An example:  “John, your mother had a stroke last night.  She’s going to need a lot of care, bathing, dressing, even walking.  Do you know if she has a Long Term Care policy?  Do you have an idea as to where to look?”  Are you able to handle her expenses as she recovers?

Another example:  “My mother died about a year ago.  I thought I knew what she had but I’m still searching for bank accounts. As she aged, she became increasingly reluctant to open up about her finances. Her attorney had a Will but that only mentioned who got what.  It did not tell me where to look for everything.  I’m really not sure if I’m wasting my time.

So, the advisors asked what if there was a simple way to organize your estate from one central, accessible location; a single place to integrate all estate categories and manage updating details?  With technology experts, they designed a new and dynamic engine to help clients protect their vital estate intentions: Introducing Heir Atlas.

What are we addressing? 

When we use a bank, invest, buy an insurance policy, we have expectations.  If we have an accident or become ill, we expect our money or proceeds (on a policy) will be used for our benefit. If more serious, we expect someone to inherit it.  Surprising to many, it’s not that easy.   An insurance policy only pays if a valid claim is made; if no one is aware of the policy, there will be no claim and no payment.  If you have investments, bank accounts, IRA’s, etc. and care-givers are unaware, it may not be used to cover your needs while you recover.  In a more serious event, if beneficiaries are unaware, the money may eventually go to the state; there is currently almost $42 billion in unclaimed funds nationwide (see NAUPA for unclaimed property: www.naupa.org).

The “evaporating policy” problem is real.  If you own Term Life, Disability or Long-Term-Care (LTC) insurance, you realize that if you miss premium payments, the policy will “evaporate”.  You can envision an elderly relative forgetting to pay premiums on that LTC; years of premium payments and no policy?  It happens, and happens easily, when those who might be a help (family, care-givers) are not aware of what and where.

An increasingly important problem we call “Mom’s in Florida”.  When we have aging or Special Needs relatives, there is a heightened desire to record and maintain the information for their well-being, and to ensure the eventual transfer without omission.  Heir Atlas can help.

How do people typically deal with all of this? 

Most people use a “shoebox” or file at home for documents.  Many use a safe-deposit box.  Almost everyone assumes that their nearest relative (spouse, kids, etc.) will know where to look or what to look for.  We know from experience that these are poor assumptions.  Even in those situations where we have someone who is disciplined and diligent in updating the list, the diligence fades over the years.  Someone who is diligent at 52 is rarely as diligent at 82.

To list items is good, but incomplete.  The key to success is updating and locating.   As our lives change (marriage, children, divorce, deaths, and change in charity) we need to update the beneficiaries, just as we do change-of-address when we move.  When we change employer, bank, investment firm, and advisor we must update the list.  We sometimes forget.  And we need to ensure the right people will know where to look when the time comes.

How does Heir Atlas help?

Heir Atlas is a “directional hub”.  The service is web-based and carries the same security as used by banks.  Heir Atlas does not require account numbers!  A client catalogues the bank and investment accounts (without account numbers), policies (without policy numbers), locations, instructions and key information.  The client also lists those “trusted” individuals who are to receive the information if events in the client’s life require it.  Additionally, there is room for a list of advisors (attorney, accountant, whatever…) for the trusted individual to lean on if necessary.

A crucial part of the program is the regularly scheduled communication for updates.  Heir Atlas is unique in this respect.

The idea of a central hub for your relations to call is important.  This can’t be stressed enough: updating and central location is essential. If you have a family, if you want to ensure everything you’ve worked for is used as you planned, Heir Atlas deserves your consideration.  Please go to www.heiratlas.com. We welcome your suggestions for improvement.

HoulihanLawrence.com: The “Ultimate User Experience”

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houlihanwebsiteBy Barry Graziano

As the leading real estate brokerage in Chappaqua and throughout Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties, Houlihan Lawrence strives to meet the needs of clients, providing utmost service in all aspects of the business. Consequently, a major website redesign was recently completed and introduced to the public. The new website includes keyword search capability, a social forum for the community, full-screen high-definition photography, greater use of video, extensive market data, and caters to mobile users with an iPad friendly design. HoulihanLawrence.com is seen by millions of visitors each month and the enhancements made create the ultimate user experience. The redesign of the Houlihan Lawrence website responds to several shifts in digital behavior. By identifying these practices and incorporating these ideas into the architecture of the new website, Houlihan Lawrence was able to enhance consumer experience in the following ways:

Searching should be simple and intuitive. At the new houlihanlawrence.com, a visitor can now search for homes by amenities, street address, features, and any other keywords. This quick search method is supplemented by a sophisticated refined search menu, and allows users to find exactly what they are searching for. Today’s consumers look to their peers for reviews, insight and conversation. Our new Community Conversations webpage at social.houlihanlawrence.com, allows just that. Here consumers have the opportunity to connect with locals who have the inside account on towns, neighborhoods and even specific streets, providing an authentic peer-to-peer dialogue. Bigger is better and our full-screen, high-definition photography is now on all Houlihan Lawrence listings, capturing the eye of visitors at first sight.

Entertaining and informative video is now peppered throughout the new houlihanlawrence.com. By showcasing current listings, local communities, and market conditions, users have a brand new way to consume real estate information.

With iPads now almost as common as a smartphone, the overall design of our website enhances the iPad experience, and allows for smooth navigation by scrolling down the vertically formatted pages. With newfound mobility, iPads have altered not just the way we consume information, but where we consume information.

Our new website also offers data and information that buyers and sellers want and need to make an informed real estate decision. Be it statistics, year-over-year change of homes sold or median sale price, our new Market Conditions webpage provides monthly and quarterly data on school districts and towns. Demographic and lifestyle data is also available, giving users a deeper understanding of the market and the community.

Active listings are widely available but many want to know information on homes that are in contract and sold. At HoulihanLawrence.com, visitors may sign up for a VIP account, and gain access to in contract and sold listings. This relevant information gives clients an edge in the competitive real estate market.

The unveiling of the new website paves the way for an important year in the history of Houlihan Lawrence. 2013 marks the 125th anniversary, and it is our pleasure to celebrate with all of our clients and supporters throughout the years. With 24 local offices and over 1,000 agents, Houlihan Lawrence will continue to provide white glove service, for everyone.

We welcome you to visit our Blog at 
ChappaquaTrending.com. As the new Brokerage Manager of the Chappaqua office, I am thrilled to be part of such a vibrant community.

Barry T. Graziano
Brokerage Manager
Associate Broker, ABR, SFR
Houlihan Lawrence
Real Estate Brokerage
914-238-4766 x222 – Office
914-469-0053 – Direct or Text

125 Years of Houlihan Lawrence History

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houlihanlawrenceFrom its very beginnings in the farmlands of Bronxville, the Lawrence principle of high quality planning and development has been the cornerstone of the company’s success.

William Van Duzer Lawrence was a pioneer. His vision for Bronxville was fulfilled and he built one of the first, fully planned communities in the United States . He created a country living development for those active in the arts in New York City so that those creative and artistic families would feel welcomed and among friends.

The selection of home sites, the pattern of street network, water and sewer lines, schools and hospital–were all perfectly executed to become a future model of suburban America.

In the years that followed that first dream and reality, four generations of the Lawrence Family have been creating and developing choice properties–each bearing the principle of high quality planning.

Continuing the trend toward country living for New Yorkers who like to be surrounded by their own ample acres, Lawrence Farms was undertaken in 1928. Offering both acreage and completed homes, Lawrence Farms spreads through Chappaqua, Mount Kisco and New Castle.

The present executive offices of the Readers’ Digest were part of Lawrence Farms, as was the Mount Kisco Country Club.

Over the years, other Lawrence developments of distinction have been added to the honor roll–North Manursing Island at Rye, Winding Road Farms at Ardsley, Flintlock Ridge in Katonah and Bedford Village Farms.

Today, Lawrence Investing Company, Inc., Lawrence Management, Inc., and Lawrence Real Estate are involved in properties from Nantucket to Dallas, as well as residential, apartment and commercial buildings in Westchester.

This Summer – Get Ready To Rock!

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rock“The motivating force at the New York Rock Academy is excitement. Regardless of their level of experience, students will be encouraged to explore the music they truly love,” explains Janet Angier, owner of Music in Chappaqua, who started the camp nine years ago.  Originally known as Chappaqua Rocks, the camp has evolved to include kids from all corners of Westchester and beyond who not only wish to rock out–but who may also be contemplating a career in music.  “Before Chappaqua Rocks, there wasn’t any program that offered true band experiences, where you could design the repertoire you learn and be placed with like-minded peers who have the same level of experience and interest,” says Angier.   “Here kids feel really inspired–they play the music they love in a warm, supportive environment.”

Camp faculty–many accomplished and working musicians themselves–help match kids with different skill sets to create bands that mirror real life experiences.  For the last two years, Oscar-nominated, Grammy-award winner Dave Bickler, lead singer of the band Survivor (“Eye of the Tiger”), provided weekly mentorship to the students, and this summer’s featured mentors are being confirmed.

Camp Director Danny Golub’s positive and encouraging teaching style sets the tone for the camp.  “He can play any instrument, and any kind of music,” Angier comments.  A performing artist in his own right, he said he most enjoys witnessing the progress at the New York Rock Academy: “The kids learn important life lessons beyond music.  It teaches them how to listen to each other and they learn how to play together.  Sometimes we might have a kid who can barely play a note with confidence and by the end of the week, they are rocking it out on stage with style!”  The camp also offers an opportunity for kids to try different instruments and explore their interests further. Trained instructors can teach guitar, drums, keyboards, bass, vocals and even songwriting.  “We’re always thinking out of the box,” said Golub.  Both parents and students are astonished at how the bands are able to perform complete arrangements of songs in a single session.

At least 75 students are typically enrolled throughout the summer, with no more than 25 students kids attending a weekly session. “Because it is such a fun learning environment and students accomplish so much in such a short amount of time, students generally come back year after year and what is even more exciting, is that almost everyone makes music become a part of their lives through this camp experience. Whether they go on to study music at college, or become connected with the industry as professionals, the New York Rock Academy is an amazing launching pad,” Angier explains.  Angier’s own daughter, 11-year-old Tori Robinson, is one perfect example.  Tori, who has been attending the camp for three summers, is a very talented vocalist and song writer as well. She now has a mentor with a record company in Nashville reviewing her work for a possible record label!

Not only does the New York Rock Academy include this summer program, but it also offers workshops throughout the year. Students are placed in bands that meet weekly throughout the school year, culminating in a performance at a New York City rock club. At one such event in December, the Bitter End in the West Village was packed with moms, dads, siblings and friends having a blast.  It’s great fun for family and friends who come out to applaud the kids’ debuts; visitors also experience a genuinely enriching musical experience watching many truly talented kids play, whether it’s contemporary tunes or old-time rock and roll.

Music in Chappaqua parent Renee Syler thoroughly enjoyed performances by her kids, Casey, 16, and Cole, 14, who have attended the Academy for six summers and have received lessons at Music in Chappaqua since 2006.  Casey is a vocalist and guitar player and Cole is a “hard core drummer,” said Syler. “Over the years, I have seen them both bud–not only as musicians but as human beings.”

Some of these kids, from this writer’s chair, seemed like they could well be tomorrow’s stars!   It’s not an exaggeration to say that the experiences gained at New York Rock Academy form the basis for a lifelong passion for playing in a band both for fun and professionally, explains Angier.

“Through developing and nurturing their souls, the kids learn how to express themselves through music,” says Angier. “They enter a whole world of activity that becomes an integral part of who they are, not just as musicians, but as people.”

–Grace Bennett