Monthly Archives: July 2009

Edgar Martins is back at The NYT (briefly)

Readers may remember when the NYT Magazine ran an article on failed housing developments and used the services of one Edgar Martins to illustrate it. Well, once he admitted digitally altering the photos, including one of Patriot Bank’s 14 Baldwin … Continue reading

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Correlation is not causation

I’m extremely skeptical of any theory that events of the past foretell the future, and I don’t give a fig for astrology but nonetheless, this chart reprinted in BusinessInsider is kind of cool, in a “gee, what if…” sense.

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But the debate is over!

From Archaeology daily news Carbon dioxide (CO2) gets a bad rep for contributing to global warming, and deservedly so. But scientists say they can’t entirely blame the greenhouse gas for a curious spike in Earth’s temperature 55 million years ago. … Continue reading

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This will help the price average

25 Sherwood Avenue sold today for $19,000,000. It was never listed for sale so I wasn’t aware of its presence, but it looks like 15 acres with a couple of buildings all renovated in 2004. In fact, from the areal, … Continue reading

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Andres Piedrahita: We’re so sorry, we’ll give it all back!

So he says now. Walt Noel, however, has already emailed us to say that his dumb son-in-law is high on horse flatulence and no money is going to be returned, ever. I’ll bet Walt is right on this, and that … Continue reading

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Has Riverside waterfront really gone up this much?

This nice old (1888) house sits on over 1.6 acres and was beautifully renovated in 2000 – it’s come a long way since the Crossman boys were antiquing it in their own special way back in the 60s. It sold … Continue reading

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Old chestnuts back on the open fire

Like Winston Churchill, some builders never give up, never surrender. Case in point is this aging spec house at 1 Butternut Hollow Road (ML#74012). Built on land purchased for $2 million in 2004, it has been for sale since April, … Continue reading

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Cash for clunkers

The House has voted to put another $2 billion of borrowed money into the deal. I’d love to read an economist’s take on this program. On the one hand, I resent having $4,500 taken from me so someone else can buy … Continue reading

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12 Ledge Road sells

Bank owned, this post and beam started at $3.795 (ha ha ha) and was sold by the bank today for $2.640 million, a lot more than I might have suggested but it’s a nice street and a good neighborhood so … Continue reading

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Chris Dodd has prostate cancer

I wish him well. Fortunately, this seems to be one of the cancers medicine has gotten the better of and he should be fine. He says it won’t stop him from running for reelection and judging from the experience of friends … Continue reading

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Stanwich sale price reported

I missed this property’s reported sale last week. $2.450 million, which seems a lot better than its asking price a year ago of $3.685. Next time you’re insulted by what you consider to be a low offer, understand that it’s … Continue reading

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Contemporary houses

I like (a few) contemporary houses and if I were building new and didn’t care about getting my money back, I’d have one designed for me, just as I’d prefer a trimaran sailboat, if resale weren’t an issue. But often, … Continue reading

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Soak the Rich! Oh, we’re already doing that

Top 1% of taxpayers now paying more than bottom 95%. That’s 1.4 million taxpayers paying more than 134 million and of course, there are millions more who aren’t taxpayers at all. The problem with this, aside from the fact that we’re … Continue reading

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Here’s a price cut of note

This new construction was listed for $3.6 million at the end of April. It was put up by an excellent builder and is of very high quality. But, it’s right on the road, and that doesn’t help its chances of … Continue reading

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Ct. budget deficit solved: they’ll just surtax Brad Hvolbeck

Two sales for Bradley yesterday that should keep him around and available for a quick loan, if you’re short on pocket change these days: 24 Conyers Farm, $18.7 million, 98 Round Hill Road, full price, 4 days, $8.995.

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Their first blunder was picking a Chickahomony house to rob

Two burglers arrested after bungled robbery attempt in Chickahomony. Ah, fellas? Ya want high-end stuff to pawn, may I suggest the Back Country? The Merritt provides easy-on/easy-off shopping and you’ll be back in the Bronx in no time.

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Long term expertise

Cleveland, Duble & Arnold, Greenwich’s oldest real estate company, celebrates its centenary. I’ve always been grateful to the firm: it’s provided gainful employment to my little brother Gideon for more than twenty years and Tom Gorin, its co-owner, years ago … Continue reading

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Whack-a-mole in the House

No sooner does Nancy Pelosi cut a deal with Blue Dog Democrats on limiting (a little) her version of ObamaCare than black and hispanic representatives say they won’t go along. What’s Nancy to do? If she gives away the country, … Continue reading

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Draining the moral swamp that is D.C.

Democrats refuse to issue subpoenas that would reveal Friends of Angelo in their ranks. The Chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee says he’s “too busy” for such nonsense and he’s right; these poor folks are just snowed under … Continue reading

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Housing sales jump – the Mother of all head fakes?

Some people think so – I’m inclined to agree with them. We are certainly seeing more activity than last winter, but there’s no robust recovery here yet. Here are some statistics for single family house contracts:                 2007          2008                2009 May        … Continue reading

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