Real Estate Update January 2008

Single Family Homes (week ending 1/6/08)

-On the Market 54

-In Contract  13

Shop Talk

Seventy five homes have sold in Rye City in the past six months, compared to eighty eight during the same time period last year. Seventeen or 22.66% were under $1,000,000 with an average price of $815,829.00.  Fifty eight or 77.33% of the homes were in the $1,000,000+ category, with an average selling price of $2,192,026.00.

* Data per WPMLS 7/6/07-1/6/08 RCSD & RNSD only.

Is There a Singles Scene in Rye?

Everyone knows Rye is a great community for families, but what about singles?  Partly in response to the December 9th comment on the site by Adam to my November article, I decided to do some research.  In general, it seems that professional people are marrying later, and as a result, there is an increasing number of affluent singles, many of whom are working in White Plains or Stamford, Connecticut. These singles, as well as divorced parents with children settled in the Rye School System who want to stay local, are stepping up form renting and looking to buy single family homes, co-ops or condos in the area.

(PHOTO: The community table at Ruby’s Oyster Bar fills up on most nights) The upscale bars and restaurants on Purchase Street are a draw, according to my single sources.  Ruby’s Oyster Bar and Frankie and Johnnie’s Steakhouse are well known for having a happening bar scene, but a lot of the local singles told me that they also like the smaller bar areas at Aurora and Water Moon. Seaside Johnnies in the summer is a casual and fun meeting spot.  And if you are willing to drive ten minutes down the road, nearly every single I spoke with mentioned Chat 19 and Globe in Larchmont as some of the best known gathering spots for singles over 30.

Having been involved with several athletic events in the community, both as a participant and volunteer, there are several opportunities to connect without dealing with the bar scene. Our very own Jarden Westchester Triathlon, sponsored by Rye-based Jarden Corporation (NYSE: JAH), is held at Rye Town Park every September, and is a great event to participate in as an athlete or volunteer.  The Sound Shore Runners and Multisport Club is a group of nearly 300 people from New Rochelle to Greenwich, and organizes group rides, trail runs, and social activities such as monthly brunches and barbecues.  The Sound Shore Cyclists and Westchester Cycle Club coordinate biking events.  Rye based Altheus organizes Sunday group rides as well. I even know of a few couples who met on the links at Rye Golf Club shortly after becoming residents!

The Rye YMCA is hosting a single parent gym event on Friday night, January 18th from 5:30 to 8 p.m. for swimming, gym time and dinner with other single parents and their children (call the Rye Y at 967-6363 for more information).

If all else fails, go shopping!  I sold a co-op on Theodore Fremd Avenue this fall to a single friend of mine who came up from New York City.  She recently told me that she loves living in this area because of the convenient shopping and entertainment.  Last week she discovered the AMC Loews Port Chester Movie Theaters and shops and Kohl’s Shopping Center, and couldn’t believe how quick it is to get from Rye to White Plains for even more shopping!

Please feel free to post comments and /or ideas for future articles.

January Market Update and Article written by Judy Croughan, Licensed Realtor, Coldwell Banker, Rye.