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CJ DelVecchio

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619 West State Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 272-4777
ext. 139
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JUNE 2009
6-24-09: Summertime finally here - officially

Oh the weather this week has been delightful! Sunshine and 80's middday. This is always the time that us long-time Ithacans appreciate living here in the Finger Lakes. So many things to do, so little time!

There are loads of things coming up for the 4th including the Fireworks show at Ithaca College on July 2nd. There is the IRL race at Watkins Glen from the 3rd to the 5th. Dock parties, barbeques and picnics...I am not sure how I can fit work into my busy play schedule!

6-4-09: Ithaca is A Buzz with Activities

Wow I have been lax in updating the blog page on my website! May was a blur with the real estate market heating up and IC graduation weekend, Cornell graduation weekend and then the Ithaca Festival!

This weeked is Cornell Reunion weekend - class of 1989 having their 20-year reunion. My friend Ellen is coming into town and it will be a blast hanging out doing the Cornell memory lane tour! Friday night starts with Cornell Alumni Association gathering at Collegetown Bagels in Collegetown. Be there!

Also this weekend is the Six Hours at the Glen - if you're a Dr. McDreamy fan - you can get in line at Watkins Glen racetrack to get his autograph!

Also this weekend is First Night downtown at the local art galleries, the Hangar Theatre has it's first season show running and Saturday in Groton at the Main Street Gallery is an opening for their latest art show. Loads of fun stuff to do - that's why I love Ithaca!

APRIL 2009
4-27-09: Ithaca Temps Reach the 90's???

What a glorious weekend we just had - temperatures in the 80's and the spring foliage now starting to bloom. The real estate market has really gone full-tilt the past few weeks with new listings and more buyers entering the market. It has been a hectic few weeks!

I think my favorite sight over the weekend was the first sailboats out on the lake. The wind was wonderful although I am sure the water is still pretty darn cold!

Also seeing the diners out on restaurant row on Aurora Street...Ithaca sprung alive!

FEBRUARY 2009
2-18-09: Winter Recess and Ithaca Chili-fest this weekend

Ithaca welcomes teachers this week during the winter recess...this event brings teachers from all across NYS to enjoy Ithaca's scenery, shopping and restaurants. Check out the events online at ithacalovesteachers.com

Also this weekend is the Chili-fest - held on the Commons and featuring an Iron Chef competition, this event may be cold but that's what chili is all about - warm you from head to toe! Check it out online

Are you on Facebook? You can join the open group of Coldwell Banker Shaw Real Estate...we are posting some good info about the new economic stimulus act just signed by President Obama and more info to come!
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2-10-09: Spring like Weather hits Ithaca this week!

We are enjoying a break in the cold weather this week in Ithaca. Over 50 degrees today - with all the snow melting, now is a great time to house hunt! New listings are coming on the market daily and more will be available in the next 30-45 days.

I added a new feature on my main page - an instant chat box at the top near my picture. Want to send me a quick message? Just type in the area indicated in the box and I will get your message. If I am online, it will say that on the top of the box and we can chat in real time. You will be anonymous so you don't even have to tell me your name if I don't know you. But of course that would be polite!

I also just returned from the business meetings for the New York State Association of REALTORS at Turning Stone Casino. I am now the Regional Vice President for the Southern Tier region which includes Ithaca, Cortland, Elmira-Corning, Binghamton and Otsego-Delaware board of REALTORS. I will act as a liaison between the local boards and the state association.

JANUARY 2009
1-28-09: More snow

Schools are closed today due to the snowstorm we are getting at the moment. It sure is pretty when you're inside looking out! Did you know that most of our water for rural wells comes from snow melt? In years past when we didn't have a lot of snowfall, water wells would run dry. So I think snow is good even though inconvenient.

I just posted a couple of upcoming listings on my "too new for photos" webpage. Check it out if you are in the market but not quite ready to buy!

1-15-09: It's Cold in Ithaca!

Ok I often joke that because I used to live in Buffalo NY, I could live in the artic! But the cold snap that has come to Ithaca this week is really not very funny. I would love it to be just a 'scootch' warmer, like in the teens is OK.

I have recently ended my 3-year run as Chair of Better Housing for Tompkins County. I am still on the Board of Directors as Immediate Past President, but I am enjoying the break from responsibility that being Chair of a Board presents.

So I have taken on a couple of new projects - one in the hockey world and one professionally. Hockey world - I am assistant coaching the Tompkins Girl's Hockey Association House league with Becky Cameron (one of my Sirens teammates and good friend). It has been interesting working with the young girls (ages 7-11) and I have enjoyed it thus far. We practice on Mondays and Thursdays nights.

Professionally I was nominated to be Regional Vice President for the Southern Tier area (Ithaca, Cortland, Elmira/Corning, Binghamton and Ostego/Delaware) for the NYS Association of Realtors. I will be installed on February 2, 2009 at Turning Stone Casino. This position is a liaison between the state association and the local board associations. We are in discussions about a database revolution and I am excited to be involved as a conduit for what is happening with our area MLS systems.

In the meantime, I am back in action, helping buyers and sellers with their real estate needs this year. If you are thinking of buying or selling but are not quite ready, give me a call! I can help you through the process from beginning to end!

DECEMBER 2008

12-22-08: Ithaca Receives More KUDOS

Two recent articles online have highlighted the Ithaca area once again.

This one talks about Ithaca being the best Middle Class Housing Market in the US!
http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/best-middle-class-housing-markets.html

This NYTimes article focuses on Ithaca as a "Great Homes and Destinations" location:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/14/greathomesanddestinations/14havens.html

See lots of Ithaca Kudos online at my link: http://www.cjhomes.com/ithacakudos.html

NOVEMBER 2008

11-22-08: Cornell vs Harvard - on the ice tonight!

One of the most anticipated hockey matches is happening tonight at Lynah Rink...Cornell plays rivals Harvard at 7pm!
This is undisputedly the hardest ticket to get in town.
Something smells fishy in Lynah - oh, it must be the Crimson uniforms!

Go Big Red!

11-11-08: Remembering our Veterans

On Veteran's Day, I am remembering those who have fought for our rights. Am thankful for my Marine nephews, Austin and Stuart, who are home safe. Thank you young men for your service to our great country!

This view of Taughannock Falls was taken by REALTOR Susan Lewis last week. While there isn't a lot of water coming down the Falls right now, the rock face is quite striking. This is from the overlook. Just a 15 minutes drive from downtown Ithaca on Route 89...worth the trip!

11-4-08: Election Day is Here!
Headed down to the Rotary Pancake breakfast...although I will vote in the afternoon this year. It's a picture perfect Fall day in Ithaca today - 50 degrees at 8am.

Check out this lovely video of the Finger Lakes that was on ABCnews last week...it's pretty cool!

Also, you can check me out on Facebook!

OCTOBER 2008
10-6-08: Fall leaves are turning...
The nights are definitely cooler and the leaves are turning red, orange and yellow! With the news of the recent 'bailout' or 'rescue' many are wondering how the real estate market here in Ithaca has reacted. As this is a slower time in the cycle of home sales, it's hard to tell how much is related to buyer confidence vs. low buyer activity as typical for October. Certainly the interest rates are still good and there are some good choices for homes out there. With the election about a month away, it will be interesting to watch how this all affects us in our little real estate 'bubble.'

Congrats to my friends Becky and Brian - they got married yesterday! Wish you guys the best, you deserve it! Here's a pic from the North shore of Taughannock Park, where they had the reception.

SEPTEMBER 2008
9-28-08: Entertaining weekend
Caught both football and Bill Maher this weekend past. It rained on the tailgating parties but enjoyed the food and drinks at the Tompkins Trust and Chemung Canal tents. Also played mini golf at Cayuga Radio Group tent and won more football tickets for an October game.
Bill Maher was incredibly funny - no matter what your political persuasion, he tells it like it is. He claimed we were a very tame crowd but I think it's just because it was a Sunday night show. We had a full weekend, us CU alums!

9-26-08: Cornell Homecoming Weekend
This weekend Cornell football hosts Yale for homecoming weekend. There promises to be fun tailgating parties before the game and Sunday night CU alum Bill Maher will be at Barton Hall. I hope to catch both events!

AUGUST 2008
8-19-08: Welcome back Cornell students this weekend
Summer can't almost be over! With the return of the Cornell students this weekend, it seems like the summer has flown by! This weekend will find me in Washington DC visiting my niece who just relocated there after graduating from Vassar. We are planning a visit to the American Indian museum at the Smithsonian. And hopefully dinner at Filomena's in Georgetown.

On the real estate front, there are still good listings out there for buyers to choose. The interest rates are still holding steady - between 6% and 6.5% for residential rates. No closing cost mortgage options at CFCU and Elmira Savings Bank.

This is also closing season - this week through Labor Day. With the students coming, newcomers should call utilities for their electric and cable asap - there is a long wait this time of year!

8-7-08: What to do in Ithaca? Everything!
Summer is in full swing here in Ithaca and if you can't find anything interesting and fun to do, you aren't trying hard enough! This week the Hangar Theatre is offering "The Playboy of the Western World" which is an Irish play set in the 1920's. There is NASCAR racing this weekend at Watkins Glen, the Women Swimmin' for Hospicare at the Yacht Club, and so much more!