Greater Binghamton, New York

COME TO AN OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY, JULY 11TH AT THIS CUTE RANCH HOME IN CONKLIN, NY!
I'll be waiting for you between 2:00 and 3:00. EXIT Realty Front and Center is giving away a TomTom GPS!

Take a look at this very affordable ranch home for sale in Conklin, New York. Conveniently located just off Conklin Road with easy access to I81. Everything is new---roof, vinyl replacement windows, vinyl siding. New oak kitchen, ceramic tile floor, six-panel doors.

A nice deck overlooks the large fenced yard. With three bedrooms and one bath, this home is ready to move into. The laundry is located in the bathroom so there is no need to walk downstairs to do the laundry. The large closets and large eat-in kitchen make this home desirable. The list price of only $86,000 make this house
affordable!

For more pictures and information check out this Virtual Tour of 11 MacGeorge Ave.

For more listings in the Greater Binghamton Area check out my website www.HouseBMine.com.

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Mark your calendars now for the Owego, NY Strawberry Festival! This year marks the 30th anniversary of the event which began back in 1981.

From the official website: 'This year's theme is "30th Berry Birthday Bash!" The festivities begin on Friday Night, June 18 and Saturday, June 19, for Strawberry Festival 2010! This will be a BERRY special 30th year of the Strawberry Festival, the Southern Tier's grandaddy signature festival, an event filled with entertainment, food, artisans, parade, strawberry shortcakes, wine tasting and everything else strawberries! The Festival grows each year and manages to keep its small town country flavor boasting approximately 30,000 visitors each year. It's an outdoor event held rain or shine in downtown Owego, New York, last year's "coolest small town in America!"

The Festival kicks off Friday night at 5:30 pm till 10:30 pm and on Saturday runs from 9 am - 6 pm.

Now is the time to get your tickets for the Preservation Association of the Southern Tier's annual Garden Tour. This is P.A.S.T.'s twenty-first year holding this community tradition and this year promises to be just as wonderful as in years past!

This year's garden tour focuses on gardens in the wonderful neighborhoods of Sunrise Terrace and Morningside Heights both just off Upper Front Street in Binghamton. It will be held, Saturday, June 19, rain or shine, from 1:00 until 4:00.

Advanced Reservations can be made online by credit card at www.pastny.org or by mailing a check to:
                                 89 Court Street
                                 Binghamton, NY 13901

Tickets are $12 for MEMBERS and $15 for NON-MEMBERS if purchase by June 11. All tickets are then picked up the day of the GARDEN TOUR between 11:30 and 1:00 at the 
                                 Dickinson Town Hall
                                                                                                    531 Old Front Street
                                                                                                    Binghmton, NY 13905

Ticket prices to up to $18.00 and $15.00 the day of the Tour. There are no phone reservations. Buy your tickets now!

I was fortunate to have participated in last year's TOUR. Unfortunately, it literally poured all day! But rain or shine is the rule and in spite of the dismal weather, 138 hardy souls came out to view my Victorian garden.

I am now a member of the Historic Homes Prgram under the National Trust, let me help you sell your historic home!

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I thought I knew where every great Italian restaurant was until I found Frank's Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant which is a hidden gem of the Greater Binghamton Area! My husband, the sweetheart that he is, took me out to dinner on Saturday night to celebrate Mothers Day. His sister had recommended a place called "Frank's" in the tiny hamlet of Maine, NY. Well, it seems like everyone knew about Frank's except us! The place was packed and it was reservations only. Fortunately we had called ahead.

     When I think Italian food, I usually think Cortese or Little Venice in Binghamton or Consol's or Oak's Inn in the Little Italy section of Endicott. These restaurants have great local reputations and have held their own for many years.

     But once in awhile you just want to try something new and there it was, under our noses since 2008. Actually, I have passed Frank's
Pizzeria and Italian Resturant dozens of times but it is so unassuming that I never noticed it before!

    Our waitress, Cathy, told us that the building used to be a former IGA grocery store back in the 40's and had been owned by her grandfather. She used to live next door, so she laughed when she told us that she came with the building! Photos of her family from long, long ago graced the walls of the eatery telling the history of a time gone by.

     We were very pleased with Frank's food. My husband and I shared the bruschetta appetizer and each had a salad which came with our respective entree. Rick ordered the Veal Parmesan and I had the homemade gnocchi. The tomato sauce was absolutely delicious! The portions were just right and neither one of us left  feeling bloated after finishing everything on our dishes as well as the basket of garlic toast that came with our meal. No doggy bags needed!               

       We were amazed when one of the waitresses passed our table with desserts for a neighboring group. The slices of cake were massive! We resisted though, knowing that I had made chocolate cheescake which was waiting for us at home. Our check totalled less that $30 but did not include wine or beer as Frank's Pizzeria and Italian Resaturant does not have their liquor license. So be sure to bring your own bottle. They will provide a cork screw and wine glasses.

     They don't have a website but you can find them on Facebook.

The Preservation Association of the Southern Tier is hosting yet another one of its wonderful Historic Homes Tours this Saturday on Binghamton's West Side. Featured this year are five of the area's lovliest historic homes that are treasured as part of Binghamton's rich history. Tickets may still be purchased from PAST with prices at $25 for members and $30 for non-members. You may charge your ticket purchase at www.pastny.org and pick up your tickets the day of the event on the front porch of the Roberson Museum on Front Street.

Before the 'show' why not stop by another one of Binghamton's Historic Homes, 139 West End Avenue which is currently for sale? An OPEN HOUSE is being held from 12:00 noon to 1:30 in the afternoon. Stop by and enter to win a prize from another one of EXIT Realty's monthly give-aways. This month, we are giving away a GAS GRILL! Just for stopping by.

        Take the Virtual Tour for 139 West End Avenue,         Binghamton, NY, call 888-303-6405 Code #6096, or visit my website www.HouseBMine.com for more photos and information.

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Here is another very affordable new listing in the Greater Binghamton Area, this time in Johnson City. Located on the North Side of Johnson City, this 3 bedroom, 1 bath home is cute as a button and clean as a whistle! Cliches aside, this is a nice little home.

Lots to offer:
First floor bedroom                                                   
Hardwood floors
Enclosed Front Porch
Breakfast Bar
Very clean and dry walk-out basement
Tons of Storage
Triple Lot
2 Car Garage 
Trees, perennials, blackberry bushes 

Plenty of room to plant a garden or throw a BBQ!
Close to shopping, the Oakdale Mall and the almost-
completed Wal-Mart. Johnson City Schools.

Offered at $92,900 this 3 BR, 1 BA home is a little Johnson City gem!
MLS#174893

For more information visit my website www.HouseBMine.com     
Or call or TEXT me at 607-237-4526

37 — Car-Dependent

Look what's going on in Johnson City, New York! It is so encouraging to see so much activity, growth and renewal going on in and around town. While the downtown area has lost a few businesses in recent years, there are pockets of growth and excitement is in the air.

 The Carousel on Lester Avenue is getting a face lift including this new roof. The playground has been upgraded recently and a new "water park" is almost done.

The new Wal-Mart is nearing completion and a new Visions Credit Union has been open for several months. Of course the best story of growth to come to the downtown Johnson City area was the move of the Greater Binghatmon Association of REALTORS from Binghamton to its present location on Jennison Avenue!

FACTS:

*With the median price of a home in Johnson City at $79,000 (sold since the first of the year) it is great walkable neighborhood and a great place to live.

*The Johnson City School District has received numerous awards in regards to their music program. They are a multiple Grammy recipient as well as being named one of the Top 100 Music Education Communities in the Country!

Take a deeper look in to Johnson City by visitng my website www.HouseBMine.com and clicking on "Area Information".

On April 27th, Apalachin, NY voters will have another chance to approve the building and renovation of thier fire house on Pennsylvania Avenue. Last month, by a margin of only 42 votes, residents dismissed the idea of the project. Talk about every vote counting!

The current Apalachin Fire Department facility is antiquated, too small for current needs and lacks the proper exhaust fume extraction system to prevent exposure to toxic fumes by our volunteers. Built in 1952, the current facility is too small to accomodate today's larger fire trucks. This in itself provides a hazard as the men prepare for an emergency exit. It is impossible for them to operate safely. This and other risks are also a risk to the taxpayers should a tragedy occur.

  Apalachin, a small hamlet located in Upstate New York in Tioga County, is a low-income area with an average home assessment of only $99,000. One can certainly understand the bitter taste that any tax increase would leave on some of the residents there. Many are on fixed incomes or out of work. However, these are also the same people that wouldn't hesitate to dial 911 knowing that the response time and service is excellent.

  After the failure to appove the project on March 16th, the Board of Fire Commissioners has looked hard at ways to reduce spending on this endeavor. They are seeking to eliminate some of the proposed bays, eliminated the bunks and shrink the rest of everything else.

The annual tax increase will now be only $62 per year for 25 years. This is down fron the original $77 per year. At only $1.19 per week per household, how can we say no to this project? The time to build is now before building costs go up. Contractors are eager to work so bids are expected to be low. Grant money is also being pursued adding to the savings for the taxpayer.

   There will be 4 voting stations available to
acommodate the heavy turnout that is once again
expected.   

  For more information on Apalachin and other beautiful towns in the Greater Binghamton Area, visit my website www.HouseBMine.com             

This cute ranch is affordable living in the Susquehanna Valley School District. This home has three bedrooms and one full bath. This cozy ranch home boasts everything new-the vinyl siding, the roof, oak kitchen cabinets and ceramic tile flooring. The furnace has been replaced and so has the hot water heater. There aren't too many places you will find a move-in ready home at this price.

Priced at only $86,000, this ranch home in Conklin, New York, has a large deck overlooking the large fenced lot of a quarter of an acre. The windows are vinyl windows and the doors are solid wood six panel doors. The laundry is located in the full bathroom. 

The Conklin home has an unfinished full basement.

For more information and photos please visit my website www.HouseBMine.com

Call 888-303-6405 and enter Code #6094 to hear an
AUDIO TOUR sent to your cell phone or more photos
sent to your smartphone! 

I will be hosting an Open House this Sunday, April 11th at this Historic Westside Binghamton home from 12-1:30. This Open House is part of the National Open House Weekend sponsored by the National Association of REALTORS. The TAX CREDIT for both first-time homebuyers and all other buyers as well, is coming to an end on April 30th. You must have entered into a contract by then in order to claim your TAX CREDIT.

  If you love older, historic homes, especially ones that are in move-in condition, then you must come and see this beautiful home. The home as been updated to modern standards but retains all the charm you would expect in a period home.

  Upgrades to this Westside home include newer aluminum siding, vinyl replacement windows and roof. The elctrical service has been upgraded to 200 amps and is brand new. This homes measures over 2500 square feet and was built around the turn of the century.

  The homeowners have taken great care of this lovely home and that pride of ownership shows in every room. The home boasts four bedrooms and two full baths. While there is no 
                                                                garage, there is parking for two vehicles on the newer
                                                                concrete driveway
.                                                                

                                                                     Other features include 
                             * wide plank floors
                                * 2 staircases
                                     * built-in shelving
                                         * claw foot tub
                                              * first floor den or 5th
                                                                     bedroom
                                                 * first floor laundry
                                                     * dentil moldings
                                                         * cherry kitchen 
                                                             * first floor full bath
                                                            
                                                                                                                             
  This Westside home in Binghamton also has a lovely fenced yard enclosing perennials, a vegetable bed and a small goldfish pond. This Italianate home is in excellent condition proven by the recent home inspection. Be sure to visdit me at he Open House this Sunday. The address is 139 West End Avenue in the heart of Binghamton. It is offered for sale at $184500.

EXIT Realty is giving away a $250 gift card to Lowe's so be sure to visit our Open Houses this month and fill out an entry blank! 

Contact me today at 607-237-4526 for more details or dial 888-303-6405 and punch in the Code #6096 to have a multi media tour sent to your smartphone!
You can also email me at JenArbach@HouseBMine.com 
or visit my website www.HouseBMine.com