Belly Comes to Pelham

Bellycard's Matt Meyers spoke at Pelham, New York's Chamber of Commerce's February 28 meeting at Rockwells American Restaurant.

Belly

Belly is a universal loyalty program that delivers "exceptional rewards at businesses you love, giving boring loyalty campaigns a good kick in the pants! Belly offers one customer loyalty card (and iPhone & Android App) to replace the rest," according to Crunchbase.

Kravitz, REALTORS, Ltd. became Pelham's first Belly store and has the Belly iPad tablet running the Belly App and a limited supply of customer loyalty cards at 89 Wolfs Lane, Pelham NY 10803. Lester Kravitz said his Belly loyalty program saves VIP Customers $2500 on closing costs (terms and conditions apply).

The Belly mobile App for customers runs on iPhone and Android platforms. Belly also uses traditional loyalty keytags and cards like the ones used at CVS and other stores. "Belly replaces old-fashioned customer punch cards and liberates merchants because customers self-scan their QR images from their cell phones or cards directly into my store's Belly tablet, instead of presenting a bar-coded tag for a shopkeeper to scan with a bulky laser," explained Kravitz.

Short video on how to Belly here.

Smart Growth in Pelham

Right for Pelham? Yesterday's Newsday New York's Business article "Metro-North Looks to Cash in on Real Estate Near Stations, Fuel Rider Growth" echoes Ray Beeler's January 18th page 2 Pelham Weekly piece "Architect/Resident Comments on Density Issues Regarding Downtown Zoning in Pelham Village" [sorry about Maggie's paywall].
"Pelham can thrive in the future if we develop our vacant lots and underutilized properties as per Smart Growth policy . . . that we would be wise to follow," writes Beeler.
Smart Growth for Pelham is something to consider.

Signs of The Times

 

No, not The New York Times . . .

Rosalie Kravitz served on the board of Pelham Chamber of Commerce Inc in 2011 and one of her concerns was that shoppers driving through Pelham had no clue where to park other than at metered spots on Wolfs Lane and Fifth Avenue which usually were full.

She met with Pelham Village Administrator Robert Yamuder who put things in motion and voilà: Up went the signs.

Thanks to Rob, DPW's Michael Shriman and his team and to Rosalie for getting it up in Pelham.

New York Times: "Hidden Buys in Premier Places"

“For smart buyers on limited budgets, there are definitely super values out there.”

Quoted in New York Times article Sunday, February 12, 2012 (page RE7 of the New York Edition).

Elsa Brenner's article reported, “Increasingly we are seeing hidden buys in premier places, not just in what I call ‘locationally challenged’ communities,” according to Lester Kravitz, an owner of Kravitz, Realtors in Pelham NY, Westchester County 10803.

As an example, Elsa reported on Rosalie's listing, Pelham Manor's 660 Timpson Street.

There were 72 homes for sale in Pelham this morning. Interest rates are at an all-time low. For more information, call me at 914.738.7777 or try my new mobile search http://www.hgmls.net/.

Thanks, Lester

Rosalie Kravitz Named Pelham Manor's Only 5-Star Real Estate Agent

          Rosalie Kravitz, Principal Broker of KRAVITZ, REALTORS®, LTD., and ANN DeSANTIS REAL ESTATE, Licensed New York State Real Estate Brokers, was selected as the only “Five Star Real Estate Agent” in Pelham Manor.

          Five Star Professional contracts a third party research firm, QMI Research, to conduct the Five Star Real Estate Agent research methodology.

          As part of the research process, real estate agents are evaluated by their customers and real estate industry professionals based on customer service, integrity, market knowledge, communication and negotiation skills, closing preparation, helping you find the right home, marketing the home being sold, and overall satisfaction.

          Real estate agents do not pay a fee to be included in the evaluation process or to be named as a Five Star Real Estate Agent.

2012 Pelham NY 10803 Kravitz REALTORS Realty Report

As 2012 begins, only 44 single-family homes are for sale in Pelham. Prices range from $355,000 to $3,850,000.

14 Homes sold during the 4th quarter of 2011, priced from $325,000 to $1.400,000. They had been on the marked for an average of 192 days and brought an average price of $297 per square foot.

Lester Kravitz, Licensed New York State Real Estate Associate Broker at Kravitz, REALTORS, Ltd., said brokers from outside Pelham were involved in more than half of the 4th quarter sales. His family-owned company sold more than 20% of the Pelham homes.

Kravitz's mobile web search, which runs on all phone, tablet, desktop and Apple platforms, lists all homes and commercial properties for sale or rent that are listed with the regional MLS in Westchester, Manhattan, Bronx, Putnam, Dutchess and Connecticut.

His mobile site is http://www.hgmls.net/

At a December Gala, Licensed NY State Real Estate Salespersons Cathy P. Taylor (left) and Louise E. Pedretti (standing, right) listened as Associate Broker Linda J. Cortez explained that buyers have an outstanding chance to own in Pelham due to market conditions. Robert Cortez, Linda's husband, also listened to his wife.





Meet Kravitz REALTORS' next generation professionals. At the Gala were Licensed NYS Real Estate Salespersons Lisa H. Kravitz (left) and Jaclyn Klein Walker (right). Between them is college student Mara Kravitz and below the women are their men.





Orange and Purple on Another Gray Day

When the sun peeked out over the weekend, we took this shot of Orange Rhododendrons growing on the west side of the Ann DeSantis Real Estate office at 4550 Boston Post Road, Pelham Manor. I have never seen orange rhododendrons before. Ann must have planted them before she passed away in early 2006.

Rosalie said the Purple Tulips inside the office looked like a sculpture, so I took a photo of them, too.

Think the sun ever will come out over 10803?

Let's hope so . . .

Vote for Pajama Day (and the School Budget and Board of Elections)

Lennon/McCartney said it best back in April 1966.

Should we question the Pelham School Board's "ethics" when it comes to getting out the vote for the school budget? The elementary school kids are encouraged to bring mom and dad to the High School because the kids get to vote on whether to have "Pajama Day," "Inside-Out Day," "Ice Cream Day" or another "fun" day at school.

Today is the vote, from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm in the Pelham Memorial High School Gym. And the weather is torrential, with a Flood Watch posted for Town.

So don't be surprised if voter turnout is exceptionally light.

For a last-minute look at the Board of Education candidates, watch the Candidates' Forum at http://pelham.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=180

Bring your umbrella. Sorry, a smile won't be enough to keep you dry today.

Pelham Manor - Looking Good in the Neighborhood

The steps to the Police Station at Pelham Manor Village Hall, 4 Penfield Place, Pelham Manor, New York 10803 were rebuilt last week by a local contractor.

The iconic building is home to the police, fire department and Village Administration.

Penfield Place was named for Edward Penfield of Pelham Manor, "one of the most notable artists ever to have lived in Pelham Manor," according to Blake Bell, Pelham Town Clerk and Pelham Town Historian.

Bell publishes the Historic Pelham Web Site
http://www.historicpelham.com/ and according to his blog http://historicpelham.blogspot.com/, Penfield served as Pelham Manor Village Street Commissioner for many years.
 

As such, Penfield gained fame in Westchester County "for his successful efforts at mosquito extermination,"according to an article published in The New York Times:

 

"For several years he annually drained the marshes about the village, filled in small ponds and oiled swampy places until there is no natural spot for a mosquito to raise a family." Source: Edward Penfield Rids Town of Mosquitos -- Illustrator Destroys Swamps and Other Breeding Places in Pelham Manor, N.Y. Times, Jul. 21, 1923, p. 22.

So next time you visit Pelham Manor Village Hall on Penfield Place, notice the new steps leading to the Police Department and thank Edward Penfield for his service to the Village.

Thanks in part to his efforts, Pelham Manor is a great place to raise a family.

Unless, of course, you're a mosquito.

New at Kravitz, REALTORS®, Ltd. - Pelham NY 10803 - 3D Video - Awards - Achievements

Kravitz, REALTORS® Announces New 3D Home Videos, Awards, Achievements and "Man in the Hat"

On its YouTube channel USAnyRelocation, Kravitz is posting 3D home video tours Watch in 3D or 2D. Broker Lester Kravitz said, “I believe we are the only firm using YouTube’s 3D platform to showcase our homes.” The videos can be viewed with or without special hardware by following the 3D instructions on YouTube.

■Rosalie Kravitz received a 2010 “Excellence In Sales” award from Westchester-Putnam Association of REALTORS. Each year during the past decade, the White Plains-based trade group has recognized and honored her.

■Elaine S. Moshe was top sales associate at the ANN DeSANTIS Pelham Manor office in 2010. She also is a licensed attorney and successfully sold and rented properties in New York City, Pelham, New Rochelle and the region.

■Linda J. Cortez, who earned her broker’s license, ran the rental desks over the winter and found homes for locals and relocatees. Her clients include apartment building and property owners who prefer to rent outside of the MLS framework as well as multi-listed apartments.

■Georgette Pacia also earned her broker’s license.

■Amy Scarangella began her 35th year selling homes in Pelham.

■Louise E. Pedretti was elected to the Board of Directors of The Pelham Biltmore and serves as Treasurer of the cooperative corporation.

■Jackie Klein Walker completed her job as NY’s First Lady Michelle Paterson’s aide and now attends law school. Jackie, who has an MPA from Cornell, lives in White Plains and specializes in luxury condo sales and rentals at the Trump and Ritz Carlton and other premier properties.

■Mr. Kravitz was elected president of The Guild of Independent Real Estate Professionals, a regional network of 20 offices.

The firm’s Facebook ad was viewed more than 6 million times during the winter and had an exceptional click-through rate. The firm’s new campaign “Ask The Man in The Hat” went live this week on news, real estate and social media sites across the web (www.AskTheManInTheHat.com).

Kravitz, REALTORS®, Ltd. was established in 1989 and is located at 89 Wolfs Lane, Pelham. Five years ago, the firm bought ANN DeSANTIS REAL ESTATE at 4550 Boston Post Road, Pelham Manor. New and experienced sales associates may call Lester at 914-738-7777 to find out more about opportunities with the company.