Ellis Sotheby's International Realty -

Monthly Archives

2 Articles

Curb Appeal: Creating the Best First Impression

_DSC2533

694 Oak Tree Road Palisades, New York

Today there is a great deal of focus on home staging to prepare for potential buyers. However, before those buyers can see a beautifully set home, they need to get past the front door.

If a home is not welcoming from the moment of arrival, sellers are at an automatic disadvantage. According to HGTV’s “10 Curb Appeal Tips From the Pros,” curb appeal can make or break a sale: “First impressions are everything – at least when it comes to selling your home. According to the National Association of Realtors, 63 percent of homebuyers will drop by after viewing a home they like online.”

Sellers should focus on a checklist of items to ensure they are creating a great first impression. “Give the front door and trim a fresh coat of paint,” said Richard Ellis owner of Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty in Nyack, New York. “Then look at the walkway and consider planting hearty and in-season flowers to add color.”

Ellis also suggests investing in a powerwash of the exterior, cleaning both sides of the widows and painting the shutters. The gutters and garage should be cleaned and driveways in disrepair should be replaced or re-sealed.

For those considering repainting their home either for their own enjoyment or in advance of putting it on the market, choice of color is important. According to Homedit.com’s “The Best 10 Colors To Paint The Outside of Your House With,” brown is timeless while blue is known for its calming effect and a creamy white is better than a bright one.

 

 

 

5 views

Hickory Hill: A Special Place to Live

hickory-hill-coopNestled in the historic hamlet of Tappan, New York is a unique enclave called, Hickory Hill Cooperative. Built in 1950 by a group of 32 families, this development is steeped with American history.

Built on the philosophies of friendship and community, the founding residents were pioneers of the “cooperative” lifestyle. Innovative for their time, they created one of America’s earliest car pools as well as a babysitting exchange, shared garden equipment and a chain call system to communicate important announcements.

In 1956, American writer and feminist, Betty Friedan solidified Hickory Hill’s place in history when she wrote an article for the February issue of Redbook titled The Happy Families of Hickory Hill, which chronicled the lifestyle of the residents.

hickory-hill

35 Hickory Hill Road, Tappan, New York

 

 

Today, the founding members’ cooperative values endure. Community amenities include a swimming pool, a kiddie pool, a tennis court, picnic grounds and playing fields, community garden and bocce court. Social events, which were core to the founders, continue today with potluck dinners, bonfires, barbeques and holiday caroling.

When residents purchase a home in Hickory Hill, they buy more than a piece of property—they are welcomed into a neighborhood that fosters friendship, community and the cooperative tradition. Hickory Hill is truly a special place to live.

Ready to move to Hickory Hill? Here’s a rare opportunity to join the community—35 Hickory Hill Road, Tappan, New York is currently on the market for $650,000.

527 views