All Blog Entries by Larry Jensen 
Lawrence "Larry" Jensen is the Founder and Principal Broker of St. Lawrence Properties, LLC. His unique perspective takes more than 10 years of Real Estate and Property Management experience and couples it with 20 years of Construction Experience.
Buyers, Sellers, Landlords, Investors even fellow Agents and Brokers have been turning to Larry every day for help with real estate matters. Now you too can follow him as he talks candidly about the local real estate market throughout New York and Connecticut.
Have a question you would like answered on the blog? Just e-mail Larry at http://www.slpnyct.com/mailto:asklarry@slpnyct.com?subject=Blog Question Submission
There are currently 31 blog entries published by Larry Jensen.
Realtors® Applaud Congress for Reinstating FHA Loan Limits
Friday, November 18th, 2011 at 12:54pm. 1891 Views, 4 Comments.
Washington, DC, November 18, 2011
WASHINGTON (November 17, 2011) – The National Association of Realtors® commends Congress for reinstating the loan limit formula and maximum cap for Federal Housing Administration-insured loans for two years.
“As the nation’s leading advocate for homeownership, we applaud members of Congress for restoring FHA’s previous loan limits, which will help reduce consumer cost burdens, stabilize local housing markets and allow qualified, creditworthy borrowers to access affordable mortgage financing,” said NAR President Moe Veissi, broker-owner of Veissi & Associates Inc., in Miami. “The reinstated loan limits will help provide much needed liquidity and stability to…
Buyer SCAM
Monday, August 15th, 2011 at 8:37pm. 32343 Views, 0 Comments.
There doesn’t seem to be a day that goes by where another SCAM does not rear its ugly head.
A few days ago I was contacted by an out of country buyer. Not unusual as I deal with a number of overseas clients. This one happened to be from Canada though.
So it starts off easy enough:
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I Need a 3 To 5 Bed Room Single Family Home and Its a Cash Buy, With a Garage and 2 Bath, Price Should Range $700,000 To $800,000 Please Send Me Some Listing/mls To Choose Regards”
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It raises a flag for me because 1) it does not mention a location. 2) It’s all cash and 3) 3-5…
Craigslist SCAM strikes again in the Hudson Valley
Monday, August 15th, 2011 at 7:37pm. 31982 Views, 1 Comments.
Dutchess County Brokers and Agents have once again been put on notice that a SCAM Artist is attacking out listings. This scam has been played out in the real estate industry across the country, but thanks to some smart renters who decided to do some research and make some phone calls, the scam was brought to light quickly.
How does it work? It’s quite simple actually. Someone sees a house for sale or rent on line or in person and then pretends to be the listing agent and or owner and posts a Craigslist ad offering to rent the house – usually at quite a discount. If they see it in person, they will usually leave a door or window unlocked so they can sneak back in and change the lock on the back door.
The SCAM Artist posts…
Greenwich, CT Market Snapshot 8-10-2011
Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 at 10:52pm. 29867 Views, 0 Comments.
| CITY | COUNTY | STATE | NATIONAL | |
|
Median Home Value |
$1,077,200 | $427.000 | $265,700 | $175,100 |
| Home Appreciation |
-2.0% | -2.0% | -2.3% |
-3.2% |
Greenwich, CT Real Estate Market Summary
Average price per square foot for Greenwich CT was $553, an increase of 0.7% compared to the same period last year. The median sales price for homes in Greenwich CT for Apr 11 to Jun 11 was $1,950,000 based on 59 home sales. Compared to the same period one year ago, the median home sales price increased 41.8%, or $575,000, and the number of home sales decreased 46.8%. There are currently 775 resale and new homes in Greenwich, CT There are 9 homes in the pre-foreclosure, auction, or bank-owned stages of the…
Westport, CT Market Snapshot 8-10-2011
Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 at 10:36pm. 105 Views, 0 Comments.
| CITY | COUNTY | STATE | NATIONAL | |
|
Median Home Value |
$984.900 | $427.000 | $265,700 | $175,100 |
| Home Appreciation |
-1.8% | -2.0% | -2.3% |
-3.2% |
Westport, CT Real Estate Market Summary
Average price per square foot for Westport CT was $457, an increase of 2.2% compared to the same period last year. The median sales price for homes in Westport CT for Apr 11 to Jun 11 was $972,500 based on 92 home sales. Compared to the same period one year ago, the median home sales price decreased 1.9%, or $19,250, and the number of home sales decreased 17.9%. There are currently 368 resale and new homes in Westport, CT. There are 5 homes in the pre-foreclosure, auction, or bank-owned stages of the foreclosure process. The…
New grant available for military first-time homebuyers!
Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 at 9:45am. 28601 Views, 0 Comments.
8/10/11
A new program is offering financial assistance to first-time homebuyers who are veterans or active-duty military members. The Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation, a nonprofit national organization, is offering the assistance through its Dream Makers program.
Active duty personnel, veterans, retired members of the military and employees of the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security may be eligible for a grant up to $5,000 to use on down payments and closing costs when buying their first home. The grants can be applied to a mortgage from any financial institution.
For more information on the Dream Makers program, click here.
New York Passes 2% Property Tax Cap
Saturday, June 25th, 2011 at 7:57am. 28961 Views, 0 Comments.
June 25, 2011
Albany, NY
Overshadowed by the Same Sex Marriage Bill that legalized
Same Sex Marriage in New York was another huge Bill - Property Tax Cap that
will cap property taxes at 2 percent or the rate of inflation, revamp the
state's rent laws, and provide about $125 million in mandate relief to local
governments and school districts.
New York is among the highest taxed states in the country, and Cuomo made a tax cap a hallmark of his administration.
"Finally, taxpayers around the state of New York will
get the relief they deserve," said Sen. Jeff Klein, D-Bronx, who
represents parts of Westchester County, which has the highest property taxes in
the country.
The state's largest cities, including Rochester, Yonkers…
Following Directions - That's all it takes!
Friday, June 24th, 2011 at 1:48pm. 239 Views, 0 Comments.
I was recently working with a Rental Client, that is where I represent the Renter, not the Landlord. Yes, this situation does come up, but not too often as most renters I meet will rent one of our Managed Properties.
I like doing this because it gives me a chance to see things for the Renters perspective. Then again, I get frightened doing this as I see exactly what other agents are – or rather – Are Not doing.
Some of the things I have come across are as complex as Gross Violation of Fair Housing Laws. You know those applications that ask your age, marital status or sex. Then we have the leases that would never hold up in court if the landlord ever had to try to enforce one of the clauses in it either because of how it was…
Who is watching your property?
Tuesday, June 14th, 2011 at 10:00pm. 287 Views, 0 Comments.
So you’ve decided to become a landlord. Was it by choice or due to the current housing crisis? In many cases, a landlord, especially one that is forced into becoming a landlord will seek out the help of a Professional Property Manager. In years past, you would have simply opened up the phone book and today you can just perform a quick internet search for a property manager. Not too bad, but with the housing market being what it is today, we seem to have an influx of “property managers” readily available to manage your property. Who are these property managers and where are they coming from? Well as it turns out, the majority of them are failing real estate agents trying to find another way to supplement their income. What does this mean for you, the…
New York...Support the Tax Cap!
Wednesday, May 25th, 2011 at 10:11am. 252 Views, 0 Comments.
A record number of REALTORS come to Albany to advocate for tax cap; Governor announces cap deal
More than 320 REALTORS traveled from across the state to participate in NYSAR's annual Lobby Day on Tuesday, May 24. These REALTORS spent the day urging their legislators to approve a two-percent property tax cap, along with directing their attention to other REALTOR legislative priorities. REALTORS were encouraged by Lt. Governor Robert Duffy and Assemblyman Joe Morrelle to continue their support of a 2-percent property tax cap. Later in the afternoon, NYSAR President Nick Gigante and NYSAR CEO Duncan MacKenzie participated in a press conference where Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced he and legislative leaders had reached a deal on the tax cap.
But our work is…
Realtors® Applaud Congress for Reinstating FHA Loan Limits
Washington, DC, November 18, 2011 WASHINGTON (November 17, 2011) – The National Association of Realtors... 4Comments Read MoreBuyer SCAM
There doesn’t seem to be a day that goes by where another SCAM does not rear its ugly head. A few days a... Add Comment Read MoreCraigslist SCAM strikes again in the Hudson Valley
Dutchess County Brokers and Agents have once again been put on notice that a SCAM Artist is attacking out listings. This... 1Comments Read MoreWe're always on the lookout for talented full time real estate agents to join our growing team. For a confidential interview click on Contact Us
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