Make Your House Market Ready

By: Matthew Hyde

Just like meeting a person for the first time, first impressions are everything. The initial presentation of your home at sale can be the make or break and drastically effect the sale price. Below is some advice to get your house ready for the market.

 

Fix the imperfections

The majority of the homes you walk into have minor to major defects and that is normal. Whether it be the nicks and dings on the walls from the kids, dog scratches on the trim, wobbly doorknobs from years of use, or handprints all over the door, these are the little things that should be tended to. It isn’t something you would think would be of much concern, but homeowners are very critical these days and want “perfection”. Think back to when you were getting ready to buy your first home or apartment, what would you want to see or not want to see when you walked in the door?

Power Wash

Whether it be the snow, rain or leaves falling, your house is bound to take a beating from mother nature. Year after year, you will begin to notice that your patio, deck, siding, and front walkway will begin to accumulate heaps of dirt and other natural growths. Your once shining patio begins to look gloomy and uninviting. Do yourself a favor and have it power washed. It's almost guaranteed to give the potential buyers a better idea of the entertainment possibilities and simply give the home a cleaner more inviting look.

Paint

Painting can ultimately be a game changer in selling your home. Paint your front door! Remember when I said first impressions are everything? This is where it applies. This is the first thing the potential buyer is going to see when they walk up the front steps before entering. Try revamping the door with a fresh pop of color, or add a fresh coat of the same existing color to give it a clean cut feel. However, I am not saying it is a must to paint every interior wall in your house, but be observant and notice where it is needed.  Lighter colors statistically are more appealing to the potential buyer because it gives them room for imagination. It is hard to picture moving into a house that's  living room walls are bright pink. Instead, before you list the home, choose a lighter more basic color such as a light blue grey, or off-white. Simplicity sells.

Prep the floors

There are several ways to go about this depending on your situation. In the bedrooms, leaving carpets isn’t a sin, but make sure you have them professionally cleaned. But, if you have old carpeting that is beyond saving, rip them up immediately and expose the hardwood. These days, hardwood floors can be a hidden gem and by exposing them will add immediate guaranteed value while making the room look bigger. Take the scuffs up and have the floors refinished. It will be well worth it when your house sells in 1 month rather than 6.

You may be thinking, this seems like a lot of time and money. I can promise giving your home the best first impression will lead to saving a lot of time while making more money at closing.

If you have any questions, you may reach me at:
Matthew@ChiltonAndChadwick.com

Interview with Mariana Castro

Mariana Castro is the head of marketing for Greenwich Polo Club. During her tenure she has increased average attendance over 50%. We had the pleasure of sitting down with her to learn more about the game, and herself.

Q: Your background hasn't always been in polo. Tell us about what you did prior to joining the Greenwich Polo Club?

A: I worked with ultra-­luxury hospitality, developing luxury properties, turning them into vacation homes, with revolutionary holistic spa therapies and 7 star services. We focused on personalized service helping our guests find new ways to let go, to enjoy life, relationships and mostly learn how to live a healthier more fulfilling life. We used environmentally safe practices in locations with some of the largest solar powered properties in the world. I also had the chance to remodel and design the properties and spa rooms, we had many amazing projects. It was through my clients (owners) that I discovered polo, I took Mrs. Klein to the only place I knew had horses. I got to stick & ball (hit the ball around while riding a horse) when she took riding lessons.

Q: What brought you from Hawaii to here? What made you want to work with the club?

A: After working on these developments, I started helping a friend with his polo media company he was trying to develop. I started with social media and ended up creating a print magazine, an magazine, a nonprofit, great video and photo productions as well as incredible polo events. My friend Chris Dawson was the visionary, I organized the logistics and planned the details to make his ideas a reality. I had an amazing editorial partner Brian Berusch who curated the content, so it was a great team. We got a lot done with a very small crew. While working on this project I moved to NYC with my partner who was a horse trainer, we met playing polo. We missed the outdoors so we moved a bit North to Westchester. A month later, I got a call from Greenwich Polo Club, they were looking for someone with my profile to help them move the club forward, especially because they were partnering with USPA to broadcast the East Coast Open. I didn’t think twice, although I am still in regular contact with my HI crew. Greenwich is a gem and I saw many ways I could contribute to highlight the venue.

Q: Do you play yourself? What is it that makes people so attracted to the sport?

A: Yes, I do when I can. I went to Argentina in February and practiced a bit more. During the season, there are no horses around for my beginner level as in Greenwich we focus on professional polo. People get hooked on the adrenaline, I think it is one of the only activities where you are so mentally and physically engaged that it takes your mind away from everything. It gives your mind a break and a pump to your heart. You can always get better, the difference between a beginner and a great player is so big that you have a lifetime of entertainment.

Q: Please tell me about White Birch Farm....

A: White Birch Farm was the only thing I knew about Greenwich Polo Club before I moved East. White Birch Farm is the ultimate polo farm, hosting the longest standing and most successful polo team in American history. I watched a documentary called The Polo Kid where a polo player is groomed by White Birch, they take him to Argentina to play in the highest level. White Birch is about the highest level of polo and horsemanship. The fact that they are actively bringing up new kids, giving them the opportunity to learn from the best, that is just music to my ears.
Q: How many players are on the White Birch team, where are most of them from?

A: There are 4 players to a team, right now it’s Santino Magrini, Hilario Ulloa, Mariano Aguerre and Peter Brant. It depends on the tournament level they play, White Birch is one of the most consistent with players, this team is exactly the team that played at Greenwich last years’ three tournaments as well as for 2016. For a 26­ goal tournament (in Florida) they have to change a player to make up for the handicap. I’d say 70% of the high goal players are from Argentina, but don’t take my word for that. There are some great American and Argentine players who have developed their careers in the US and now have children playing competitively. At Greenwich Polo Club, we have some great Australian, Brazilian, Canadian and Mexican players, as well.

Article By: Kayla Scinto

25th Annual Monaco Yacht Show

By Joseph DeJesus

Picture Credit: www.xoprivate.com

Since 1991, Port Hercules in Monaco has been the home to the Monaco Yacht Show. The show is one of  the world's most exclusive destinations; to not only admire and visit, but also purchase any of the 125 showcased extraordinary one-off super-yachts built by the world’s most respectful shipyards. MYS has the privilege of benefiting from the recognition and the support of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Picture Credit: www.yfsol.com

Every year, 40 new launches are unveiled in their respective world premieres. The late September show promises to be bigger and better than ever before with more super yachts, designers, and shipyards exhibiting than past years. This year's 580 companies and participating partners are among the world leaders in super yacht builders, designers and luxury manufacturers. In addition, the top yacht brokerage houses will round out the extensive list of partners to make sure guests have an enjoyable as well as knowledgeable time and have access to direct points of contact for purchase information.

One of this year's major happenings is surely to be Gulf Crafts debut of their Majesty 155 (M/Y Escape) as well as their Majesty 110 for the first time in Europe.

In addition, this years show will feature the first MYS Car Deck. The Car Deck will allow visitors to test drive cars as well as access to a bar lounge. The Italian car brand, Lamborghini has already announced it will be exhibiting its Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder, one of the most desirable cabriolets in the world. Rolls Royce will exhibit their RR Dawn with the aesthetics and features to seduce a younger clientele. Other names to look for include: McLaren, Tesla, Ferrari, Bentley, and more.

Picture Credit: www.seemonaco.com

The show runs from September 28th through October 1st. More information on the show, including best travel routes, ticketing plans, and a full list of partners and exhibitors can be found at http://www.monacoyachtshow.com.

The US Open 2016 Tennis Tournament – What You Should Know

By Christine Finch Oleynick

The 2016 US Open, which is the last Grand Slam event of the year, gets under way with 128 men and women competing for bragging rights at the final Grand Slam of the year.  The tournament will run through September 11^th.  The top seeds in the men’s draw are #1 Novak Djokovic and #2 Andy Murray.  The women’s draw has #1 seed Serena Williams and #2 seed Angelique Kerber. 

Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer is an epic 4 set match last year.  Roger Federer announced recently that he will miss the rest of the 2016 season to rehabilitate his injured left knee. With it, his streak of 16 consecutive US Open appearances comes to an end.

Serena Williams last won the U.S. Open in 2014, when she tied Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert with her 18th Grand Slam singles title.   Currently, she has a total of 22 Grand Slam singles titles, tied with Steffi Graf, marks the joint record for the most Major wins by a tennis player (male or female) in the Open Era.

Fans will notice a range of changes and upgrades to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center from the moment they step onto the grounds, from the new retractable roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium to the opening of a new Grandstand Stadium and the renovation of the fields courts and South Plaza.

With all the changes taking place, we know you’ve got plenty of questions. Fortunately, we’ve got answers to your most common queries courtesy of Ashley Marshall of USOpen.com Sunday, August 28, 2016

Q: Will the roof be ready this year?

A: Yes, the retractable roof is in place and operational. It will provide fans with uninterrupted match play – save for the six or seven minutes it takes to close the roof – regardless of weather conditions. Players have already practiced in Arthur Ashe stadium, both with the roof open and closed, and extensive testing has been carried out to ensure works smoothly.

Q: Will the roof be closed to provide shade for fans on hot days?

A: No, the roof will only be closed for inclement weather or the threat of inclement weather. It will not be used to keep fans out of the sun or heat. Also, the roof will either be fully open or fully closed; there is no in-between option like at some other tournaments that use a retractable roof.

Q: How will this affect capacity in Arthur Ashe Stadium this year?

A: There will be no effect on capacity in Arthur Ashe Stadium. It will remain at 23,771 seats. There will be a 15-foot gap between the top row of seats and the roof structure, but no seats have been added or removed.

Q: Will the roof block the views from any seats inside Arthur Ashe Stadium this year? Or will this take away the New York City skyline view from the top of the stadium?

A: The construction will have no effect on sight lines in Arthur Ashe Stadium, and the Manhattan skyline will still be visible from the top of the stadium when the shutter doors are open. If the roof is closed and the shutter doors are closed, the skyline will not be visible.

Q: When the roof is open, what will the wind be like inside? And when the roof is closed, will there be air conditioning on?

A: The roof will not change weather conditions inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. While it will not provide air conditioning like you would be accustomed to in your home, cold air will run through a duct system at the top of the stadium when the roof is closed to help manage humidity throughout the stadium seating area and on the court.

Q: Will the new Grandstand be ready this year?

A: A new 8,125-seat Grandstand stadium has been built in the southwest corner of the grounds, near the practice courts and Courts 4-6, and it is ready for play. It's sunken into the ground, like Court 17, and its asymmetrical design and sun canopy roof means the majority of spectators will be able to stay in the shade throughout the day.

Q: What other features does the new Grandstand have?

A: A raised walkway around the upper bowl will allow fans to walk around the entire 360 degrees of the stadium. A patio viewing area with outdoor lawn furniture at the upper bowl will give fans the chance to watch the action inside the Grandstand and on the neighboring Courts 8-10, and eight new concession stands inside the stadium will give spectators more food and drink choices than before. There will also be a picnic area for fans to relax between matches.

Q: Is seating in the new Grandstand on a first-come, first-served basis like before?

A: The new Grandstand will consist of a mixture of reserved courtside seats and general admission seats. You can purchase a ticket for a reserved seat for the first eight days of the tournament, or you can access the other seats on a first-come, first-served basis.

Q: What about the old Grandstand? Has that been demolished?

A: No, the physical structure of the stadium is still there. The old Grandstand will be used for a limited number of matches during the first week of the tournament and it will then serve as another practice court, letting fans get up close to their favorite players. The old Grandstand and Louis Armstrong Stadium structure will be knocked down after the 2016 US Open and a bigger, roof-ready Louis Armstrong Stadium will take its place in 2018.

Q: Are there any changes to the outer field courts?

A: Yes, with the exception of Courts 4-6, every field court has been demolished and rebuilt from scratch. A new 450-feet long, 40-feet wide walkway has been built connecting Court 17 to the new Grandstand stadium. All of the outer field courts have been realigned to create more space for fans to watch the action and move between courts.

Courts 8-10 will hold 20 percent more fans following the introduction of raised seating behind the baseline. Another walkway will connect Courts 13-16, where 600 more seats have been created by adding baseline bleachers and larger sideline benches. Court 7 and Court 11 have been rebuilt to provide more food options and twice as many restrooms as before, and Court 12 has been expanded from around 200 seats to almost 1,400 seats.

In total, that’s an increase of 36 percent more seats on the outside field courts compared to 2015.

Q: With more people on the grounds, won’t it be more congested than before?

A: No, movement will be greatly improved by drawing some of the spectators from the old Grandstand to the other corner of the site. In addition, more seats on the field courts will keep fewer people walking around the grounds, and expanded food courts will keep lines smaller at the concession stands.

Q: What additions have been made to the Food Village?

A: The existing food court will be expanded to include six more booths by Court 17, and there will be eight kiosks and a new mini Food Village near the new Grandstand. In addition, a new 36-foot-long oyster bar will anchor the back of Court 7, and the previous food offerings at Courts 11 will be bigger than in previous years. Angry Taco, BLT Fish Shack, Fuku, Jacob's Creek Bar, Korilla BBQ and Neapolitan Express are new to the food village.

Q: Are there other new food options this year?

A; Yes. In the new Grandstand, Ben & Jerry;s, BLT Fish Shack, Farm 2 Fork, Franks & Fries, Hill Country BBQ, Neapolitan Express and Prime Burger will serve hungry fans. Grey Goose will also debut a new bar which features the Grey Goose Le Grand Fizz cocktail. Pat LaFrieda Meat Co. is at Court 7 and Wine Bar Food moves into the new Court 11. Vegetarian concession stand Soomsoom headlines new food options at Court 16 along with Morris Grilled Cheese, which was a popular food truck in 2015.

Q: Are there any other construction projects planned?

A: Yes, a temporary court will be erected in 2017 while the new Louis Armstrong Stadium is being built. The new, 14,000-seat stadium is the final phase of the transformation project and is scheduled to be complete and ready for play for the 2018 US Open. When finished, 85 percent of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center will have been renovated as part of the US Open’s strategic transformation.

Q: Will these changes impact ticket prices?

A: The strategic transformation will have no impact on ticket prices. The USTA is self-financing the entire cost of the improvements through a combination of bonds and USTA revenue generation. No public funds will be utilized.

For Tickets: http://www.usopen.org/en_US/tickets/individual_tickets.html