Author Archives: GioHomes

Get Cultured in Westchester

Westchester County has long earned a reputation as being an artistic haven for being the home of several arts and culture venues. If you’re not doing anything this weekend, plan a date with yourself, a friend, or a loved one and bathe in the local arts and culture scene. Here are some spots you shouldn’t miss.

Katonah Museum of Art – Step inside the revered halls of Katonah Museum of Art and a variety of exhibits will welcome you. This non-collecting institution is a favorite among arts and culture enthusiasts who love to admire and learn more about different artistic disciplines, historical periods, and cultures.

You’ll find Katonah Museum of Art at 134 Jay St, Katonah, NY. For more information, log on to http://katonahmuseum.org.

Photo courtesy of https://www.neuberger.org/

Neuberger Museum of Art – Neuberger is the place to be in Westchester if you’re looking for a healthy dose of 20th century and contemporary art. The real treasure, however, is the facility’s collection of beautiful African art. When you visit Neuberger Museum of Art, you’ll also get to tick something off your list, as the facility is listed as the tenth largest university museum in the country.

Neuberger Museum of Art is located at Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Rd, Purchase, NY. Check out http://neuberger.org for more details.

Clay Art Center – Admire ceramic masterpieces and get your hands dirty as you make your own work of art at the Clay Art Center. The most active ceramic facility in the county, the center offers a variety of ceramic instruction and pottery workshops that will help you hone your art.

Clay Art Center is located at 40 Beech St, Port Chester, NY. For a complete list of programs, log on to http://clayartcenter.org.

Emelin Theatrefor the Performing Arts – A 275-seat nonprofit theater, Emelin delivers something for everybody – you can pop, bluegrass, comedy, dance, jazz, folk, and a whole lot of other productions. Best of all, Emelin Theatre also produces kid-friendly shows with their children’s theatre productions.

Drive all the way to 153 Library Ln, Mamaroneck, NY to visit Emelin Theatre. For more details, including schedule of shows, visit http://emelin.org.

Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts – For the best summer and fall music festivals in Westchester County, head over to Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts. You can check out their calendar of shows and ticket information at http://caramoor.org.

Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is located at 149 Girdle Ridge Rd, Katonah, NY.

You can also read our blog post about the White Plains Performing Arts Center here. If you’re looking for more things to do in Westchester County, check out this link.

Kid-friendly activities to enjoy in Bronxville

Bronxville can be a very fun place to be for kids, as there’s a multitude of activities, destinations, and surprises for them to enjoy throughout the year.

Here are some of the best activities to enjoy with your kids:

Arts and crafts and storytelling at the Bronxville Public Library

201 Pondfield Road

The Bronxville Public Library has a fun program for kids of all ages: there’s story time for babies, crafts sessions for preschoolers, and a book group for young adults. The library also features a children’s room with comfortable couches and tables where kids can draw, solve puzzles, or read a book. Every Friday afternoon, the library also hosts movie screenings for kids and their families.

Outdoor trip at the Bronx River Path

Pondfield Road West, near Bronx River Parkway

Enjoy the beauty of nature with your kids by visiting the Bronx River Path, a picturesque paved path that includes a 0.8-mile loop encircling the serene Bronxville Lake. This path is also great for dog walkers, joggers, and bikers.

Movie and frozen yogurt at Kraft Avenue

Bronxville Cinemas, 84 Kraft Ave. / Swizzles, 102 Kraft Ave.

The Bronxville Cinemas is the perfect place to enjoy a kid-friendly movie, as it is very rarely crowded. After enjoying the movie, you can take your kids to nearby Swizzles, which offers self-served frozen yogurt.

Playtime at Sagamore Park

Sagamore Park is an excellent place for fun activities for kids. The park is equipped with all sorts of kid-friendly amenities. Children can enjoy playing in the huge sandbox, climbing pyramid, jungle gym, kids’ basketball courts, and pathways with Cozy Coupes.

Find out more about the city of Bronxville by visiting this page.

The best hiking trails in Westchester

Westchester County may be known to most people as a hub of arts and culture as well as great food, but outdoor enthusiasts are taking note of the area’s hiking trails. Although you can’t find any towering mountain in Westchester County, these hiking trails will take you to panoramic vistas that will be etched in your mind forever.

1. Mianus River Gorge Preserve

Located in Bedford, the Mianus River Gorge Preserve is great for children and beginners. It’s not so high – it’s just approximately 40 feet above the river, but the height is sufficient to give you splendid views of the Mianus River. In addition to its friendliness to hiking beginners, the Mianus River Gorge Preserve trail is one of the oldest Nature Conservancy preserves in the country.

2. Westmoreland Sanctuary

Described by expert outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen as a secluded spot where you can enjoy the sights and smells of nature, Westmoreland is indeed a sanctuary. The forest, which can rise up to 730 feet, is home to quartz rock outcroppings, stone walls, gushing streams, as well as ponds. This beautiful forest is also located near Mount Kisco.

3. Arthur W. Butler Memorial Sanctuary

Another hiking trail located near Mount Kisco, Butler Sanctuary is actually situated right across the Westmoreland Sanctuary. The climb starts off right of Interstate 684 and can take you up to 753 feet. Bird watchers flock here in the autumn in hopes of a hawk sighting, which is frequent about 750 feet from the trailhead. Butler Sanctuary also hides a gem – a swampland in the lower part of the trail that looks like it came straight out of the pages of Alice in Wonderland.

4. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

Recognized as one of the best parks in Westchester County, the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation features the five-mile Star Loop, which can go up to 860 feet. Broad and well-maintained by dedicated park ranges, this trail offers scenic vistas of the Cross River Reservoir and numerous wildlife sightings. To top it all off, the trail will also pass by the cave of the Leatherman, a popular 19th-century figure in Westchester lore.

5. Anthony’s Nose

Supposedly named after a pre-Revolutionary War captain that can river Cyrano de Bergerac’s famous sniffer, the Anthony’s Nose trail begins off Route 6 and will take you up to 900 feet, where you can catch your breath and take in the gorgeous views of the Hudson River and the Bear Mountain Bridge. The trail is also part of the famous Appalachian Trail.

Hiking alone or with friends and family is great, but hiking with dogs is also a memorable adventure. Check out this page for information on dog-friendly hiking trails in Westchester County

Where to enjoy a great breakfast in Westchester County

Some experts agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. To make it count, do drop by these breakfast spots to start the day right and fill you with enough energy to keep you going until lunchtime.

1. Goldberg’s Rock’n Bagel Café
379 Halstead Ave, Harrison

Serving rockin’ bagels that will fuel you up in the morning (or whenever you choose to eat this delectably pastry), Goldberg’s Rock’n Bagel Café should definitely be on your list. Bagel lovers all line up to get some of their bestsellers, including the French toast bagel, an egg bagel coated with egg wash, brown sugar, cinnamon, and powdered sugar. We suggest you have it served grilled with butter.

2. Lilly’s
169 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains

For a morning fare that is anything but ordinary, head to Lilly’s in White Plains and order pizza for breakfast. After all, everybody loves a good pizza pie. Do try out Morning Lilly Pizza, a bestseller from the brunch menu. It’s got corned beef hash, fontina, mozzarella, truffle oil, and fried egg.

3. Garden Catering
315A Mamaroneck Ave, Mamaroneck
140 Midland Ave, Port Chester

If you’re craving some bacon, egg, and cheese all stacked in a nice sandwich, head to the nearest Garden Catering branch and try out their Hotsy. The beloved Hotsy is a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich that represents all the good in the world. Add a dash for chili and some home fries or potato cones and your stomach will thank you.

4. The Beehive
30 Old Rte 22, Armonk

Another highly recommended spot in Westchester County is The Beehive in Armonk – their breakfast menu will satisfy all five senses. Breakfast offerings include Challah French toast, traditional eggs Benedict, house-made granola with Greek yogurt, and crumb cake. It’s one of the best places in Westchester County where you can get New American breakfast food with a Greek twist.

5. Equus Restaurant
Castle Hotel & Spa, 400 Benedict Ave, Tarrytown

If you’re looking for a breakfast spot with plenty of choices, the best bet would be to go to Equus, which offers one of the two best breakfast buffets in Westchester County (according to Westchester Magazine). Breakfast offerings include house-smoked salmon, Hudson Valley yogurt and seasonal berries, eggs, and ricotta griddle cakes with your favorite add-ons.

Westchester County is a great destination and place to live for food lovers. To check out the county’s dining scene, log on to this page.

What the TRID Means for Newbies and Veteran Real Estate Buyers and Sellers

Last October, a new set of closing disclosures came into effect. Here, we’ll discuss its purpose and how it affects you as a home buyer or a home seller.

TRID stands for TILA (Truth in Lending Act) RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) Integrated Disclosure. It basically means the TILA and the RESPA were joined into one form that can help home buyers like you understand all the costs and risks of mortgage.

A change in timelines

The new TRID form’s main effect on home buyers and sellers is that it can dramatically affect their timeline. If you’re a buyer purchasing a home from Person B, you can’t close the sale without having the Closing Disclosure delivered to you by the lender three days before the closing date.

Who is affected?

If you’re a buyer or a seller who borrowed from a lender not considered a creditor by the governing body, you’re exempted from the new rules. The same goes for any buyer or seller with less than 5 loans in a year, or those with HELOCs, reverse mortgages, and loans that aren’t attached to any real property.

You will be greatly affected by the new TRID form if you’re a retail buyer or you’re a real estate flipper. The additional disclosures (the Loan Estimate and the Closing Disclosure) can throw your schedule in disarray. As mentioned a few paragraphs earlier, the Closing Disclosure is given after a 3-day review period. If there are any specific changes to the loan terms, you’ll need to push back your closing date to have a new Closing Disclosure reviewed and delivered again.

Bottom line: if you don’t want to get your deal thrown under the bus, it’s best to take care of all the specifics of your loan more than 3 days before the closing date. Should there be any changes to your loan terms, there will still be enough time for another 3-day review for your new Closing Disclosure.

For more details about the new TRID, contact me at 914-946-1067. Check out our Resources page for more real estate buyer and seller information.

10 interior design apps and sites you should try

You don’t need to set up an appointment with a professional just to check out the latest in interior design. To help you look for inspiration, here are 10 interior design apps and sites you need to try.

1. House of Turquoise– If you’re a fan of the color turquoise, you’ll find yourself visiting this website a lot. The blog regularly posts design ideas featuring this lively color, but if you’re not a fan, you’ll still find this blog to be a treasure trove of home design ideas.

2. Color Snap– Ever spotted a color you’d like for your walls? Color Snap will help you find the paint color that matches the hue you’ve been eyeing. Through the app, snap a photo of the color you like (whether it’s a coffee mug or a tree bark) and the app will find its exact copy. All you need to do now is head to the nearest paint store!

3. Nous Décor– Nous Décor is great for budding interior designers and home owners looking for different kinds of design inspiration. The website collates content from different bloggers, giving you access to a ton of design information. The best part, however, is that you can hire one of the Nous Décor designers to work for you.

4. Floor Planner– Will this gorgeous hardwood match your walls? How about the measurements? Floor Planner is a website that helps you create floor plans – an assistant you’d love to have come renovation day.

5. Design*Sponge– Design*Sponge is well-known among interior design enthusiasts. Although they have expanded their content over the years, their interior design features are still some of the best out there. Design*Sponge mostly does pieces on eclectic design, but you’ll also find a variety of styles on the site.

6. Like That Décor and Furniture– Snap a photo of your favorite furniture and décor finds, and this app will save your photos for you so you can buy them at a later date. The app also allows you to look and purchase décor and furniture from popular stores such as Restoration Hardware, Etsy, and Serena & Lily.

7. Young House Love– Young House Love is perfect for homeowners who want to decorate their homes with the family in mind. The website contains approximately 3,000 projects that will help transform your home into a stylish, comfortable, and family-friendly abode.

8. Coco + Kelley– Coco + Kelly is a favorite among practical home owners as they categorize their design tips and ideas by room. After all, that’s how most homeowners really decorate.

9. Decor8– Decor8 is a design website most known for their topnotch DIY projects. The website also contains designer and stylists sections where you can get great tips from both established and up-and-coming interior designers.

10. Décor Happy– Curated by designer Vanessa Francis, Décor Happy regularly features room design challenges, styling tips, and input from fellow designers.

Design trends come and go. For additional reading, check out our post about home design styles you should avoid.

Biking trails in Westchester

Westchester County boasts miles of scenic biking trails perfect for enthusiasts, adrenaline junkies, or beginners looking for a new outdoor activity to enjoy.

In case you have no idea where to start, here’s a list of some of the best biking trails in Westchester:

Graham Hills Mountain Bike Trail

5 miles, dirt and paved paths

The bike trail in Graham Hills is mostly single track, and is more suited for experienced bikers as it goes through different types of habitats, thus requiring some versatility. The trail is located in Mount Pleasant, and is open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.

Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

30 miles, dirt and paved paths (biking is restricted only on paved paths)

The Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is Westchester County’s largest park, encompassing more than 4,300 acres. Due to its expansive space, the park features multiple loops of rugged trails excellent for bikers of any skill level. Biking trails in Ward Pound Ridge Reservation are open from 8am to dusk, seven days a week, all year round. An entrance fee of $8 is required.

North County Trailway

22 miles, paved

North County Trailway is perfect for beginners and casual bikers as it features gentle and easy-to-navigate trails. The trail is located off-road, but intersects with several public roads and driveways. The trail can be accessed using two entry points: the southern end is on Eastway park-and-ride and the northern end is on Baldwin Place, on the Westchester-Putnam County border. The trail is open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.

Bronx River Pathway

13.2 miles, paved

The Bronx River Pathway runs along the Bronx River parkway, and features three paved sections: A 5-mile segment from Green Acres Avenue, Hartsdale to Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla, a 3.6-mile segment from Palmer Road to Harney Road in Scarsdale, and a short one-mile loop close to Oak Street in Mount Vernon. The trail is open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.

For more fun activities to try in Westchester, visit this page.

11 tips to remember when going to seasonal Farmers’ Markets

Going to Westchester County’s farmers’ markets has a number of benefits. Aside from getting fresh seasonal produce, you also get to meet new people and make connections with local farmers, artisans and more. To make the most out of your trip to this week’s Sunday morning market, here are a few tips to remember.

1. Do your research. Farmers’ markets are loaded with the freshest batch of seasonal fruit, vegetable, and other produce. If you really want to be in the know of what’s in season and what isn’t, research ahead of time. This is especially important if you’re planning on whipping up a dish that requires seasonal ingredients.

2. Stop by the information tent. Every farmer’s market has a market tent where you can ask for specific information, like the schedule of special vendors! By having this useful bit of information, you can head to the market while they are there and purchase the goods you’ve been looking for.

3. Do a reconnaissance tour. Fresh rhubarb? Honey? Before you purchase, it’s best to explore the market first. Who knows, there might be another vendor selling the same quality honey or rhubarb for a better price, saving yourself some money.

4. Bring cash. Farmers’ markets don’t often accept credit cards, and there is no guarantee you’ll find an ATM nearby. Come prepared and bring cash, particularly small bills.

5. Bring your own bags.Reusable bags are popular nowadays, so why not bring one? If you’re going to be in the market for a while and if you’re planning to buy meat and dairy, it’s also wise to bring a cooler bag with you.

6. Get to know the vendors, especially the ones you keep coming back to. These farmers, once you’ve gotten to know them, may give you special items or prices. They might also become your friends for life, giving you tips on how to make perfect eggplant Parmesan.

7. Don’t haggle. A farmer’s market is not a flea market, and all the food and produce being sold are the product of hard labor. Besides, plenty of markets do collections to deliver to food pantries, while some sustainable farms feed the leftovers to the animals.

8. Be adventurous.A farmer’s market is a great place to introduce yourself to an ingredient you’re not familiar with. Just ask the vendor for tips on how to prepare a certain item.

9. Be present. Log off your social media accounts, or turn off your phone. Pay attention to the sights, sounds, and smells of a farmer’s market. It’s an experience that can be memorable even if you’re not looking for anything in particular.

10. Converse with other shoppers. Farmers aren’t the only people you should befriend in farmers’ markets. Talk to other shoppers, as well! Exchange tips and recipes. Frequent shoppers of farmers’ markets include amateur and professional cooks, so you might get expert advice from industry people.

11. Stay connected. Some farmers’ markets are active on social media, so do take time to follow your favorite market. It’s one way to keep up to date with their offerings and special events.

Are you a newbie to the world of farmers’ markets? Check out this blog for a list of must-visit markets in Westchester County

Fun summer events and activities in Westchester

Every summer, Westchester locals and visitors from neighboring communities take part in a wide variety of activities and events that make the season more memorable.

Want to know what fun events are in store for Westchester residents this summer? Here’s a short list of activities and events we’re all excited to experience:

Blue Door Art Center’s Putting It All Together

Drop by the Blue Door Art Center in Yonkers for “Putting It All Together,” an exhibition featuring collages and assemblage work created by over 50 talented artists from the tri-state area. The event is open to the public, and admission is free. Putting it All Together will run from June 18 up to July 23, 2016.

Kykuit Tours

Although Kykuit Tours are available throughout the year, many say the best time to enjoy them is during the summer, when the gardens of Rockefeller Estate are more verdant and the view of the Hudson River is simply spectacular. The best type of tour is the “Selected Highlights” tour, which gives visitors more time to explore the estate’s lush gardens. You’ll also be able to see the secret grotto, the Italian garden, and the Rockefeller family’s impressive collection of contemporary sculptures.

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival

Photo courtesy of http://hvshakespeare.org/

This year’s Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival features plays such as The 39 Steps, Love’s Labour’s Lost, and Romeo and Juliet. Longtime attendees of the festival will personally tell you that every play during this event is top-notch, with spectacular performances from each member of the company. The festival is also a great opportunity to enjoy a nice, alfresco dinner on the grounds of the gorgeous Boscobel, which boasts unforgettable views of the Hudson River.

Looking for more incredible activities in Westchester County? Take a look at this page.

Grow your own herb garden with these tips

Herbs are great additions to any meal – not only does it enhance flavor aroma, it can also add much-needed zing that will take your meal to a whole new level. To save yourself a trip from the grocery, grow your own herb garden. Here are a few tips to guide you.

1. Herbs are highly adaptable. Aside from being very pleasing to look at, herbs can adapt in a variety of gardens. As long as they get the sunlight they crave, they can survive anywhere. An exception to this rule however are mints, which you should keep under partial shade.

2. Plant herbs in problem areas. According to experts, herbs are known to thrive where most perennials fail. In addition, you don’t need to spend on plant food to keep them thriving – they’ll survive well without it.

3. Herbs prefer sweet soil. Although herbs like plenty of sun and can thrive in problem areas, their preferred type of soil is sweet and not at all acidic. You can treat the planting bed with lime to help it transform into more favorable conditions.

4. Take note of the climate. Some herbs fare well in the winter better than others. These hardy herbs include oregano, cooking sage, winter savory, English lavender, peppermint, tarragon, lemon balm, lovage, and spearmint. Herbs that prefer warmer temperatures include sweet bay, parsley, summer savory, sweet basil, rosemary, stevia, and knotted marjoram.

5. Keep the herbs in one area. It will look much better if you plant your herbs in one area of the garden. Better yet, devote your entire outdoor space to herbs. Not only will your garden look particularly dashing, it will smell amazing as well. If you already have an existing garden, you can sprinkle some herbs into vegetable gardens and let them cohabitate.

6. Take your garden a few steps from the kitchen. If you’re in love with cooking and would like your favorite fresh herbs within reach, consider planting herbs in containers and placing them just a few steps away from your kitchen door. You can also place these containers on the table or the counter top – perfect for when you need some freshly plucked tarragon in your pasta.

Plenty of herbs fare well in pots. Candidates include marjoram, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and sage. Just be sure to pick a container with the right depth.

For more tips on how to grow your own herb garden, check out this article by Westchester Magazine. As for other DIY home projects, our blog has plenty of suggestions.