Thoughts on Last Week

 I was tired.  I had stayed up to watch the Georgia returns, so about 1:30 I built a fire in the fireplace, got my book and a cup of tea (a cookie too, I am sure), a blanket and turned on the overhead light which simulates sunshine to me.  Soon Boss had snuggled in, the book was closed and I slept.

I awakened around 4:00 and checked my phone for the time.  It had blown up with cryptic texts - "He should be arrested."  "I can't believe this is happening."  There were others.  I turned on Jake Tapper - but got the videos of the Capitol being stormed.  

I responded to everyone who had texted and watched, unbelieving.  Only later did I start to think how much worse it could have gotten, how we had watched "Designated Survivor" the first season and realized the possibilities.  I was shaken.

It reminded me of a time in Norway, my second trip to Europe.  I was so young, so idealistic.  I hitched by myself, going where and when I wanted.  I followed my own "rules" - never hitch at night, say no to a ride if I caught weird vibes, drink only with friends. For the most part - unlike my first trip - I was alone.  Hey - I knew what I was doing.

I had come across on the ferry to Norway, and was hitching with a young man from Victoria, B.C.  Hitching with Canadians bought a sense of protection.  America was not the most loved country then; Canadians were revered.  We were picked up by a couple who invited us to spend the night at their camp high in the mountains.  We had a marvelous time - they loved showing us around and then dropped us off the next day on our way east.

Somehow we were let off at a store later in the afternoon.  A group of older boys were hanging around.  My friend was asked to look at something inside the store and I was left with the group.  They knew by then that I was American.  They surrounded me and taunted me, saying I supported Nixon if I was American.  I looked for escape and there was none, just waited it out.  They grabbed at my backpack containing everything I owned - clothes, money, passport.  At that point my hitching partner came out and I pulled him back into the store for my safety and to tell him what had happened.  He shrugged it off, the small crowd of boys dissipated, and we hitched a ride somehow out of there.  I had never felt so American as I did then.  And so surprised that I could be targeted.  Especially for something a President I had never supported had done.  But I felt I needed to defend him, somehow.  Weird.

So what will it be like for other Americans traveling abroad after last week.  I can't imagine.  I know I am happy to be here in Central New York, fairly removed from conflict, "safe."  But I am very saddened that the innocence I had they will never know.

Skaneateles Real Estate Update - Now and Then

 I hadn't done a review of the listings and sales of single family homes in months.  I knew that homes were going fast and for higher prices than in the past.  Was this a bubble?  Could Skaneateles sustain these prices?  What would happen when the pandemic was over and people started returning to the cities?  Or would they return?  I already miss NYC - but will it be the same?  Such a stark time.

But what we do know is that there are currently only 20 active listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service.  Of these, 6 are in the Village and 9 are considered waterfront.  List prices range from $170,000 to 7.5 million dollars.  Of the 20 active listings, 10 are over a million.

If you look at the Skaneateles School district which includes parts of other towns, there is only one additional listing.  Overall, there are 3 single family homes under contract.

These numbers are historic lows.  A house goes on the market and a bidding war ensues.  This holds true not only for Skaneateles but also the surrounding communities, to a lesser degree.  Prices reflect this - one home sold for well over $100,000 after multiple offers. 

In 2020, in the Town of Skaneateles, 113 single family homes closed.  Of these, 48 were in the Village.  There were 14 true waterfront homes (not shared lakefront) that closed.  Prices ranged from $91,000 to over 6 million.  Ten of the 113 homes were over one million; 9 were under $200,000.  

In the Skaneateles School District there were 141 sold and closed properties.  Of these, 25 were waterfront homes.

I looked at other years, years that did not have a pandemic or ridiculously low interest rates, and found that overall 2020 was not all that different.  

• In 2019, there were 108 sales of which 32 were in the Village.  The median price was $340,000.  
• In 2018, there were 94 sales of which 38 were in the Village.  The median price was $322,000.
• In 2020, there were 113 sales of which 48 were in the Village.  The median price was $415,000.

The trend in the past few years has been towards Village living, and why not?  Skaneateles is a truly beautiful place to live, pandemic or not.  People are willing to pay for this privilege, and with the rates so low this was the year to buy - if you found the home.  That's the difference - so few homes are on the market.  This year will be very interesting - but I can't imagine it will be as wild as 2020.

The Start of a New Year

 How amazing...after years and years of writing this blog I gave it up during the height (I hope it was) of the Covid-19 pandemic.  I had time, supposedly, to write.  We had the kids a lot - Alex, Rachel and the boys had rented a home in the Village to escape Manhattan.  We served as "recess" and then summer camp when school was out.  They moved to Connecticut in July, giving up their apartment and city-living after almost 14 years.  They needed a full, 3 bedroom home with a yard and basketball hoop.  You couldn't squeeze them into their Upper East side home after they had lived the good life in Skaneateles.

They were gone, I had time to write.  My computer didn't cooperate, the office was not as enticing when I was trying to be safe and hunker.  I was busy - very busy - with real estate.  It was a good, if chaotic, year.

Moreover, I didn't really miss writing.  I read instead, enjoyed my neighbors at the lake.  It was a year like no other and frankly, I hope it stays that way.  As an only child I knew how to be alone without being lonely.  It was time for many deep breaths and long walks.

This past weekend it hit me.  A friend, past and possibly future client who I hadn't seen in years, called and asked to see a house.  I was thrilled that she had remembered me, and tracked me from RE/MAX to Berkshire Hathaway.  

As we walked the property she noted "Your blog is down." 

I agreed.  Yup, it was.  And why?

I keep a Pearls Before Swine cartoon by my computer.  Pig writes:  

            Dear World, 

           You've done lots to try to bring me down this year.

           But I'm still standing.

           IN YOUR FACE, WORLD.

     (He comments to Mouse:)  "Sometimes you gotta let the world know who's boss."

So in an odd, only child way I think I was letting the world know I could make choices - to write or not to write.  To come out of my hunkering and see people (or not).  To be a Grandma playing with her grandsons, walking the dog, watching the tree house be built - and loving it even while the world fell apart elsewhere.  

Sara Green Carmichael wrote a column on New Year resolutions.  I paraphrase:

       1.  Make only one resolution.

       2.  Small goals are better than big ones.

       3.  Frame the resolution as positive.

       4.  Give yourself a time limit.

       5.   Aim for progress.

Years ago I was very successful with one resolution, which wouldn't meet her standards.  I resolved not to rush (a negative as I phrased it.)   I learned to be un-rushed.  I got to appointments early, amused myself with Words with Friends or opening, seeing the property.   Enjoyed the time I had earned by not rushing.  It changed a lot.

So this year my one resolution is to connect with people.  Over the holidays two clients I had known for years passed away.  I spent time putting up bags of goodies for my in-laws, which meant I baked a lot.  There are no measurable goals - the time limit is open-ended, hopefully a lifetime.  Progress is in my eye.  I will not burden myself with a blogging demand as I used to do years ago.  But blogging is part of connecting.

Next blog (sometime) will be about Skaneateles Real Estate (I think).

  

    

Skaneateles Real Estate - The Second Coronavirus Update

We are getting close to opening.  One last metric and we will be into Phase One of NYS's plan, hopefully by this weekend.  We've earned it!  Masks are everywhere now and they weren't a month ago when the last update was written.  More casual.  The boys were still playing basketball in Austin Park; I think by then the playground had closed, but tennis and the hoops remained.  I went to BJ's without a mask but with a planned quick shopping list.  Now I search for masks online and have bought a few to give away with proceeds going to charity.

Houses have been listed, "shown," and sold.  Doors are opened and buyers go in - masked, gloved - then report to their agents.  A vacant house is easier to show, but homes are sold with sellers leaving the house for a period of time.  So there is progress to update.

Currently there are only 37 single family homes for sale in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service.  Of these, 13 are in the Village and 11 are waterfront (as in on the lake, not a creek or with a pond.)  Seven of these listings are new in the past month, with one being a re-list.  In the Skaneateles School district there are 47 active listings, with 8 new in the past four weeks.

Four others have come on and been placed under contract since April 14th.  If you hit the "right" price (whatever that is) there are buyers out there.  Multiple offers have become commonplace.
Overall, under contract there are 14 in the Skaneateles area.  Three are in the Village and four are waterfront homes.

Sold and closed: 23 single family homes so far this year in Skaneateles.  Twelve of these are in the Village, and one is waterfront.  The range is under $150,000 to under one million.  The median is $389,000.

Last year sold and closed:  24 single family homes.  Only 5 were in the Village but four were waterfront.  The price range was $45,000 to $850,000.  The median then was $310,000.

There is no question that Village homes are in demand.  I hear weekly from parents whose children have moved back from or want to move back from urban areas to the relative safety of Central New York.  We are blessed with lower numbers of cases, a governor and county executive who want to keep us safe, and a population that recognizes that we must do what is right for ourselves and our neighbors.

But yes - you can buy a home, for yourself or family members.  I can assure you that the mortgages you find here are a lot less expensive than the rents in the cities.  Buying a home here ensures that you will have a place to get away - a beautiful place! - if you need it in the future.

New Listing - 82 Lakewood Lane

This photo, taken by Kate Ibanez, is one of my favorites.  She was standing in the front (lakeside) lawn of 82 Lakewood Lane and no, she did not position the boat for the picture.  It simply captures the tranquility of this property on the west side of Skaneateles Lake.

The side deck is where I enjoy sitting when I wait for people to arrive.  I can see the lake as well as the driveway.  The afternoon or morning sun comes in.  Peace and serenity.

 
This drone photo shows the home the best, I think.  On the left corner is the side deck and my favorite sitting place.  There are two stories, both with plenty of room to sit and admire the lake.  The deck up and the patio down extend the living space in the good weather.  To the right are bedrooms with double windows.  The downstairs window and door open into a family room.  Above is the living room/kitchen.  With the double door thrown open it feels as if you are outside.

Just a few representative interior photos...The one on the far right is of the family room downstairs.  There are 3 bedrooms in this solidly built home - 100 feet of waterfront - and a light and bright interior with views outside every window.

                                                               82 Lakewood Lane
                                                                 Town of Niles
                                                               Skaneateles Lake
                                                                ML#S1270705
                                                                    $410,000

Note:  Kate Ibanez is the owner of Skan Drone - Aerial Photography  Facebook.com/SkanDrone

A Walk Through the Village

I walked through the Village yesterday intent on getting some focused exercise.   I've been good about getting my 10,000 steps per day, but a lot of it has been casual.  Yesterday I needed to go and go...I started up near St. James and went literally through the Village on Genesee and up the other side to the Red Apple, then back down to the car.

And there were these signs.  The Press-Observer which serves Skaneateles, Jordan-Elbridge, Marcellus and Camillus had a great article on the front page this week about the signs.  They were started by a group of friends who wanted to honor healthcare workers.  They've placed 100 so far and another 100 are on order.  There's a Facebook page and fundraiser:  facebook.com/HealthCareHeroProject/  

The Village was quiet, eerily so it felt at first.  I had come through a snowstorm - literally whiteout conditions on 321 near WelchAllyn - and continued because the weather can change drastically.  And it had - by the time I parked and got Boss attached to his lead, the sun was out over the lake.  Honestly - I kid you not!  It was still 29 degrees but the sun was quite welcome.

I crossed to avoid a couple coming up the street with their goldie; of course, they had crossed also to avoid us but proceeded much faster than we did.  Boss had to smell every plant along the way, especially some greenery in front of a house by the Presbyterian Church.  By the time we reached Chestnut Cottage the Village felt much better to me.  Years ago I used to walk our little dog, Koko, at 6:00 AM, and it had that feel.  Lots of dogs being walked, stores closed, only the smell of donuts from the Bakery missing.

I crossed over to walk by the park and the lake.  We saw no one to avoid once we were past Hannum.  The houses were so familiar, the Krebs porch so inviting. 

I could look across and see the home I had sold, then re-listed and sold again.  This photo is from early spring in 2011.  What great memories emerged, of people and places, and extended contacts and new friends because of this home! 

We continued on, past the place where a house used to stand near the firehouse which used to be a gas station.  On up towards the cemetery, crossing as the sidewalk ran out.  There's an open pit now, but in the back on a hill I could see Mirbeau as I had never seen it.  We could be in France!  It was lovely - amazing - and would I get back to France some day?

The gates at Mirbeau were open, but I could see only one car.  At Rosalie's music played.  We had held a mini-reunion in the courtyard one year, old girlfriends gathered together.  (I will spare you the photos.)  Later Alex and Rachel had their rehearsal dinner upstairs.

I plopped Boss's poop bag in the trash at the gas pumps, avoiding cars, and walked back down the hill on the new curving sidewalks.  We ran into one group, then a couple men working on the light post.  I put my mask up and went out onto the lawn to pass.  It was really the first time I'd worn it, at least properly. 

We went back by the stores, window-shopping.  Each one had a sign that they were closed because of the virus, but still reachable.  Roland's added "Sadly..."  Very sadly. 

We had our exercise - maybe two miles?  And Skaneateles - virus or not - is still a wonderful and beautiful place to be at any time.

New Village Listing Continued....

This is 32 Onondaga Street.  Yesterday I shared exterior photos and a brief description.  Today I will take you inside. 

On the other side of the open door is a small foyer - enough room to sit and take off your shoes or boots.  On the wall you see hooks.  Perfect for coats and dog leashes.

Notice throughout these photos how many windows there are - and therefore how much light comes inside.  Currently lightly furnished, if you needed a place immediately the possibility exists that you could rent until closing.  Just a thought!

The den is off the living room, and those windows on the right are what you see when looking at the front of the house.  It's been used as an office, a real den, a dining room, a child's play area... how would you use it?

There are many more photos on the actual listing, but this one combines the kitchen with a glimpse of the slider leading to the deck.

Nooks and crannies define the 3 bedrooms...the lower photo has two closed doors.  The door on the left leads to a great attic which could be - possibly - refinished for additional living space.   

Look at those hardwoods!  They must be duly noted, as they run throughout the home.  Lovely!

                                                                *   *   *

I hope you've enjoyed this introduction to 32 Onondaga Street....the full listing with another 20-some photos is ML#S1259721.  The price of the home is $325,000 and fully available at this time.

Come sit on your deck, in the sunshine, and enjoy your new home!

And as always, stay safe.