SALT Cap Lifted — Here’s How Much You Could Save

After years of debate, Congress has finally raised the long-standing limit on state and local tax (SALT) deductions — a move that could shift the financial picture for homeowners in high-tax areas, such as Westchester. The change, part of the recently passed “Big Beautiful Bill,” increases the SALT cap from $10,000 to as much as $40,000, but not without strings attached.

  • Pre-2017: Homeowners could deduct all state and local property, income, and sales taxes with no federal cap.

  • 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA): Introduced a $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions for both individuals and married couples.

  • 2025 Update: Raises…

38 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Nearly 60% of Renters Plan to Buy a Home

The Realtor.com August 2025 Rental Report shows that U.S. rents have fallen for 25 consecutive months, with the median asking rent across the 50 largest metros at $1,713, down 2.2% year-over-year. While rents remain 17% higher than pre-pandemic levels, they are still 2.6% below their August 2022 peak. Nearly 60% of renters still plan to buy homes, with half expecting to purchase within one to two years.

  • Rent growth is below the 2017–2019 average of 3.3%, showing a cooling market.

  • Rents declined across all unit sizes:

    • Studios: $1,430, ↓ 1.7%

    • 1-bedrooms $1,593, ↓ 2.1%

    • 2-bedrooms $1,897, ↓ 2.2%

  • …

28 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Catch It Early: Open House Invitation

OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, September 27th: 1:00 - 3:00pm

ADDRESS: 1504 Fox Glen Drive, Hartsdale

Enjoy the ease of townhouse-style living in this bright and beautifully updated two-story condo with oversized windows throughout. With its own private front entrance, covered porch, and upper-level balcony, this home provides both indoor style and outdoor enjoyment. Residents of The Colony enjoy ample parking, beautifully maintained grounds, a large in-ground pool with sundeck, and a fenced-in playground. A rare opportunity for low maintenance living with space, style, and amenities!

Watch Our Video Tour Here!

37 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Fed Rates DOWN - Mortgage Rates UP??

2025 Mortgage Rates Since April High

The day after the Fed trimmed short-term rates by 25 basis points, mortgage rates did the opposite of what many expected. The 30-year fixed rate, which had been on a steady decline since hitting 7.08% in May and dropping to 6.13% on Tuesday, suddenly reversed course climbing back up to 6.37% yesterday, reported by Mortgage News Daily. Even with the bump, rates are still hovering near their lowest levels of the year. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association:

  • Mortgage rates have held steady or fallen for 10 weeks.

  • Mortgage applications increased 6 of the last 7 weeks.

  • Mortgage applications jumped 29.7% last week compared to the week prior.

  • …

34 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Post-Pandemic Shift: Rates Now Drive Buyer Behavior

In recent months, mortgage rates have slipped from 7.04% in January to around 6.30%, sparking renewed discussion about whether lower borrowing costs will unlock more demand. ResiClub’s 25-year analysis reveals wide swings in buyer sensitivity to mortgage rates, depending on the housing cycle. In some periods, demographics and credit standards mattered more. In others, rates barely moved the needle. But in the current post-pandemic cycle, mortgage rates have emerged as the dominant force shaping demand.

  • Early 2000s (2000–2004): Falling rates fueled the housing bubble

  • Housing bust (2005–2009): Demand collapsed despite lower rates

  • …

26 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

The Sleepover Strategy

When it comes to selling a home, first impressions matter, but what if buyers could sleep on it, literally? A growing trend in real estate, especially in luxury markets and planned communities, is allowing serious buyers to spend the night in a property before making an offer. The extended showing gives them a true sense of the home’s features, potential nighttime noise, and the vibe of the surrounding neighborhood. 33% of buyers who spend the night end up buying — that's three times the conversion rate of a traditional showing. Why it’s interesting:

  • Sleepover showings convert at 33%, compared to 11% for standard tours.

  • Sellers gain leverage: no buyer’s remorse, fewer surprises,…

28 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

The $1 House: Real Estate’s Latest Bidding War Trigger

In today’s overheated housing market, desperate buyers aren’t the only ones making bold moves, some homeowners are flipping the script with a striking tactic: listing their homes for just $1. While no one expects to walk away with a property for less than the cost of a pack of gum, this marketing move is igniting exactly what it’s designed to create: buzz, bidding wars, and viral attention.

Ralph’s Take

Why does the $1 strategy work? Because everyone clicks. A house listed for a dollar is clickbait, engineered for attention. An agent in New Jersey just turned a $1 listing into a $550,000 sale — they were hoping for $500,000. Another pulled in 47 offers. In the…

28 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post