CONGERS ELEMENTARY UPDATE
THIS IS A MUST-READ!
IT'S ABOUT YOUR HOME VALUE!
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CONGERS BOND VOTE
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Dear Clarkstown Residents,
Attached is a recent letter that the Clarkstown Residents for Education received from Mr. Joseph W. Rand, Managing Partner & General Counsel of Better Homes & Gardens Rand Realty in New City, NY. Mr. Rand's letter describes his concerns of the negative effects on the real estate market in Clarkstown should the Congers Bond not pass and the reasons why we should all VOTE YES on February 4th! Please click on this link below to read Mr. Rand's Letter.
http://gallery.mailchimp.com/2821e2e5833f002a361caa802/files/BH_G_Rand_Realty_Letter_Support_of_Congers_Bond_VOTE_YES_on_FEBRUARY_4.pdf
At this juncture, we would like to share a bit about Better Homes & Gardens Rand Realty. If you live in Clarkstown or the surrounding area, it is highly likely that you know exactly who they are, or at the very least, recognize the Better Homes & Gardens Rand Realty brand name. They are headquartered in New City, NY and are revered as one of the most, if not the most, prominent and experienced real estate firms in the Hudson Valley, Clarkstown specifically. On an annual basis, they handle approximately 50% of all real estate transactions in Clarkstown representing both buyers and sellers. Founded in New City more than 30 years ago, Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty has now grown to become the premier real estate broker in New York City's Northern Suburbs, comprising of 24 offices, over 800 agents, and closing over $1.5 billion in real estate sales every year in Rockland, Westchester, the Hudson Valley and Northern New Jersey.
Mr. Rand’s letter clearly describes his concerns as it relates to Clarkstown's home values, should the Congers Bond not pass, hence, his recommendation to the community to VOTE YES on February 4th. Mr. Rand and his firm are not members or affiliated with Clarkstown Residents for Education. Mr. Rand is giving his professional real estate opinion on a matter that he believes is in the best interest of Clarkstown. Given his experience and credentials, it’s awfully hard to argue Mr. Rand’s points. For those of you who were wondering if there would be any negative effects on your home values, even if you don’t live in Congers, Mr. Rand’s message is very clear … there will be!
Clarkstown home values, not just in Congers, will be negatively affected if the Congers Bond fails. Congers home values will obviously take the first and hardest hit, but all of Clarkstown will ultimately experience a backlash on their home values if we as community don’t pass the Congers Bond. With the housing market starting to tick upwards, this is the worst time to consider closing a neighborhood elementary school as a solution or strategy to cut costs, when we have proven there are better ways to balance the budget. For clarification, Clarkstown Residents for Education’s position is that ALL of Clarkstown's neighborhood elementary schools should remain open as elementary schools, and budget cuts can and should be implemented elsewhere within the budget.
As homeowners in Clarkstown, we agree with Mr. Rand and feel that for less than $30.00 a year (to be exact, $26.00 a year without State Aid, and $10.00 a year once State Aid is approved) it is far less risky and considerably much more cost-effective than taking an additional depreciation hit on our home values. Mr. Rand has not only described why we need to VOTE YES on February 4th, he has given a very clear side-by-side value per square foot analysis of why a Congers home may hold a higher per square foot value than a similar home in Valley Cottage, its neighboring town.
Mr. Rand’s letter describes in detail and is supported by some very poignant facts (which we highlighted in the attachment) that explain why it’s so important to VOTE YES on February 4th. Again, as one of the most credible real estate sources in Clarkstown and the Hudson Valley, it is comforting that we have this opportunity to see what the experts are saying.
To that end, we strongly encourage everyone who reads this letter to not only READ IT IN ITS ENTIRETY, but please, share it with as many of your Clarkstown neighbors as possible, as they too should be fully aware of the potential financial backlash on what could be their single largest financial investment ... their homes!
Please mark your calendars to come out and VOTE YES on February 4th! Thank you for your time!
Kindest Regards,
CRforE
Clarkstown Residents for Education
P.O. Box 511
New City, NY 10956
Clarkstown Residents for Education is a community organization formed and operated by Clarkstown Residents. Our mission is to preserve Clarkstown's Educational System & Buildings for all of the children and residents of Clarkstown, both now and in the future. Our belief is that a child's education, in its highest form, is achieved through the teachings in both the classroom and in the respective neighborhoods where our children are raised. For more information, please email ClarkstownResidentsForEducation@yahoo.com or write to: Clarkstown Residents for Education, P.O. Box 511, New City, NY 10956.
