Siderow Kennedy Really Recognizes 'Potential'
Chappaqua, NY • August 13, 2003
You like the schools, you like the neighborhood, but the house you like requires a little work.
So how do you fix up a fix-it-upper?
Kathleen Cohen of Siderow Kennedy Real Estate has more than a few ideas. Once married to a contractor, Ms. Cohen has bought and sold four homes after completely renovating them. She knows what an ugly duckling needs to turn into a swan, and she readily shares her vision with clients.
"I can look at a house and see what it can become," says Ms. Cohen, who lives in Chappaqua. "If my clients are interested in a place that needs modernization, I can suggest where to start. I tell them, You could break down two walls and have a magnificent master bedroom,' or add open bookshelves to this corner of the living room and you'll create a private home office that still has plenty of light.'"
Ms. Cohen, a licensed realtor, joined Siderow Kennedy in March after a real estate career in Manhattan and managing cosmetics retail operations. About three years ago, she and her three children moved from Long Island to Chappaqua when she opened the Sephora store in The Westchester for Sephora USA.
As a single parent who has been through a divorce, she shares what she's learned with clients who are going through a similar experience.
"I tell them to think ahead," Ms. Cohen says. "Your child support won't seem so generous in a few years when your child wears 11 ˝ size sneakers. I urge them not to give into the pressure that's put on them to accept a low settlement or sell their home."
Ms. Cohen also assists Sheila Siderow, president of Siderow Kennedy, in the firm's participation in the Woman-to-Woman Network, a free service to help the "suddenly single" woman to make educated decisions about her financial future after a separation, divorce, or loss of a spouse. "She knows what suddenly single women need," Ms. Siderow says. "For example, she knows they miss companionship, so she is arranging several outings where women can socialize with each other."
Ms. Cohen's children are frequent visitors to their mom's new office. "My 13-year-old daughter regularly drops in after school so we can see each other in the middle of the day," she says. "Siderow Kennedy is the type of place where everyone is welcome."
Siderow Kennedy
Siderow Kennedy Real Estate opened its doors at 65 King Street in Chappaqua in 1994, specializing in residential real estate sales in Chappaqua and the nearby communities of Pleasantville, Briarcliff, Bedford, and Bedford Corners. Recently, the firm has begun to expand its services in commercial properties, new construction, and development. To learn more about Siderow Kennedy and to visit homes on the MLS, please visit its Web site at www.houseswestchester.com or call 914-238-6600.
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Media Contact: Jeannie Mandelker
Harrison Edwards PR 914/242-0010