Market Report: April 16, 2013

Friend on Facebook Follow on Twitter Forward to a Friend Better to Buy? You've heard it a million times: it's always better to buy! But when does renting make more sense? Is it truly ALWAYS better—cash-wise—to buy, or does renting make sense for some? Mortgage101 does the heavy lifting for you, taking into account your zip code, property value and info on your mortgage—interest, amount, term and more—along with your basic taxpayer status and expenses to give you a side-by-side that answers YOUR buy vs. rent debate. You'll see what makes sense today, and when making the move to home ownership will pay off. Click here to start your free analysis. This Time Next Year... You finally submitted your 2012 tax return—but it's never too early to think about 2013! There are tons of new and long-standing deductions for home owners, many you might not even know about. Start racking up the write-offs now—and keep everything documented along the way—and you'll be one step ahead at this time next year! Click here for more on the top 10 most common deductions for home owners. Move over Manhattan!  Rents in Brooklyn rising twice as fast  While Brooklyn may have seemed like the perfect go-to for New Yorkers looking for lower rents, more space and a suburban-esque spot to raise a family, this sought- after borough is now following in the footsteps of Manhattan. Skyrocketing rents and significant increases year after year have left many wondering how much higher it all can go—in March 2013 the median rental price in Brooklyn grew 11.3%, versus just over 6% in Manhattan. Read more... Ready to stop paying rent and start investing in your future? Don't know where to start? Suburban Jungle Realty Group is here to help! Click here to visit the SJ site where you can browse the latest homes to hit the market in Westchester, Rockland, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut or chat with a local expert who can help you find the perfect spot for you!  Check Out... Chappaqua!  Chappaqua is equal parts affluent NYC suburb—it ranks #5 on the top-earning towns list—and turn-of-the-century Americana. With the arrival of the Clintons in '99, Chappaqua became a household name. But the town deserves all of the acclaim and then some—less than an hour from midtown Manhattan, left relatively untouched by the suburban sprawl, and home to some of the best schools in the country.  SJ's Home of the Week! Looking in Chappaqua? Don't miss this sophisticated 4BR, 4.1BA Colonial, offering more than 4,500 sq' of living space. From its cedar clapboard siding to its raised paneling, detailed moldings, gourmet chef-inspired kitchen and more, this sweeping suburban estate has it all, and then some! Click hereto view SJ's Home of the Week.  What's the Buzz in YOUR Neighborhood? There's A LOT going on this week! Here's some great happenings in your current—or future—neighborhood.  Mamaroneck Go Green!Mamaroneck's Winter Indoor Farmers Market is still going on, and you've got to check it out before the warm weather pushes this delicious event out! The market's got everything and anything from fresh produce and local foods to wine, artisan spices, desserts, ready-to-eat snacks and much more, all at down-to-earth prices.Click here for more. Darien, CT Natural Beauty: The Geary Gallery in Darien has a new exhibit from Bronx fine artist, John Folchi. Use of Shadow and Light runs through April 27 and residents can view the works Wednesdays through Saturdays from 9:30AM until 5:00PM. Throughout the year the gallery hosts several exhibits, typically one every 5 weeks. Click here for more. (Photo credit: Anne Geary) Orange, NJ Get Jazzed! On the heels of their latest album Afropean Affair, Oscar Perez Nuevo Comienzo is hitting the road and, on April 20, he'll be appearing at Hat City Kitchen in Orange. Renowned as one of the most talented musicians on the NYC jazz scene today, Oscar Perez leverages a unique blend of Latin and American jazz to make truly innovative music.Click here for more.