Get Lost: Long Island Corn Mazes
There are so many things happening on Long Island this time of year. If the weather cooperates you can find yourself with something to do every weekend between now and the beginning of November! I've written about apple picking, pumpkin picking, fall festivals, and haunted houses. And now, here's one more thing to do this fall: corn mazes. Corn mazes have become very popular over the last few years. It seems people love to get lost. Find out where you can visit a corn maze on Long Island
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Friday, August 04, 2006
Helping Young People Buy Homes
At 22, a home of his own
Publication The News-Review
Date July 19, 2006
Section(s) Business - Real Estate
Page
Byline
Brief Photo:27316,left,;One young man's quest for ownership
By Mike Giglio
With high housing costs driving an alarming number of would-be residents away from the East End, the area has undergone a noticeable change in demographics. A well-establish
One young man's quest for ownership
By Mike Giglio
With high housing costs driving an alarming number of would-be residents away from the East End, the area has undergone a noticeable change in demographics. A well-established career, deep savings account and, in many cases, multiple incomes have become the standard starting credentials for prospective homeowners. Young professionals are increasingly forced to choose between living with parents; renting, without an adequate chance to save for the future; or moving away. Many have chosen the latter.
Stephanie Galka, an associate realtor with Century 21, has seen an exodus of potential homeowners unable to keep up with escalating living costs. "A lot of it has to do with the younger generation not staying here, having to get out because they can't afford to be here," she says. For the majority of her clients, the age group ranges from buyers in their 30s upwards. In fact, her youngest buyer had been 29, married, with a child on the way.
One new Riverhead resident, however, has shown that being young and owning a home are not necessarily incompatible. Mike Densieski moved into his new place on Feb. 7, at the age of 22. "It was one of the best feelings I've ever had," he says of signing the mortgage and settling in. "I always wanted to buy a house, and I just kept saving until I actually had enough money to do something
with it."
Mr. Densieski, who graduated from Riverhead High School in 2002, never intended to rent -- "it's the same as throwing money away" -- so he lived at home with his father while working 60 to 70 hours a week for Nu Green Landscaping, a company owned by his brother Joe, for the past three years. "He started out as a laborer, and now he's grown up and taken the first step toward being a man," his brother says. Mr. Densieski is currently a masonry foreman in charge of landscape construction.
It takes more than hard work and saving to prepare for that step, however. Mr. Densieski slowly built his credit with the hope of securing a mortgage. "I got a couple credit cards and would use them, then pay the balance right away," he says. He then took out a small loan on a dirt bike to boost his credit score.
Mr. Densieski also "beat the pavement," according to Ms. Galka, spending time in search of the right house at the right price. "He had the drive to get a house," says Antone Densieski, Mike's father. "He'd been looking for the past two years, had his interests in the right place as far as working to buy a home instead of wasting money." Mr. Densieski eventually found a newly renovated house that fit his price range: "I was always looking in real estate books, and when I finally thought I had saved enough money, I decided to go for it." Mr. Densieski contacted Ms. Galka, who put him in touch with a mortgage broker.
"I didn't like him moving out," his father says. "I would have liked for him to stay here until he's 60. But at a certain time you have to move on. It's good to see that he's moving up, not just on."
"A lot of it is maturity level," Ms. Galka says of the generation gap between Mr. Densieski and her other clients. "Mike's unique for his age. A lot of people aren't capable of doing it on their own at 21 or 22. For a single guy without having two incomes, it's damn near impossible." Even those in their late 20s who buy, Ms. Galka notes, usually rely on two incomes to make payments. Mr. Densieski continues to work long hours, and he has rented out an extra bedroom to a friend to help with the bills. "The mortgage payment is a big chunk out of my check," he says, "so I'm not really saving right now. But I'm building equity and the house is gaining value."
Mr. Densieski plans to fix the house up and eventually sell it. He has already made landscape and lighting improvements and plans to renovate the kitchen and further improve the yard. "Then, hopefully, I can do the same with the next one," he says.
Ms. Galka hopes to see more buyers Mr. Densieski's age come her way. "I'd like to see more young people being able to afford to stay here," she says. Recent changes in the market have given her some cause for optimism: "From the time I started to right now, I've really seen the normal prices starting to come back. There are a lot more houses now that you can get. I have two right now in Reeves Park that are under $250,000. You couldn't get that a year and a half ago."
For those, like him, who aspire to own a house on the East End, Mr. Densieski has this advice: "Get a job and work hard." An increase in affordable housing opportunities might make that hard work go a long way toward keeping those who grew up in the area from moving away.
"I plan to live here as long as I can. It's a good location, and it's close to my job and my family," Mr. Densieski says. "Plus, you know, it's affordable."
Publication The News-Review
Date July 19, 2006
Section(s) Business - Real Estate
Page
Byline
Brief Photo:27316,left,;One young man's quest for ownership
By Mike Giglio
With high housing costs driving an alarming number of would-be residents away from the East End, the area has undergone a noticeable change in demographics. A well-establish
One young man's quest for ownership
By Mike Giglio
With high housing costs driving an alarming number of would-be residents away from the East End, the area has undergone a noticeable change in demographics. A well-established career, deep savings account and, in many cases, multiple incomes have become the standard starting credentials for prospective homeowners. Young professionals are increasingly forced to choose between living with parents; renting, without an adequate chance to save for the future; or moving away. Many have chosen the latter.
Stephanie Galka, an associate realtor with Century 21, has seen an exodus of potential homeowners unable to keep up with escalating living costs. "A lot of it has to do with the younger generation not staying here, having to get out because they can't afford to be here," she says. For the majority of her clients, the age group ranges from buyers in their 30s upwards. In fact, her youngest buyer had been 29, married, with a child on the way.
One new Riverhead resident, however, has shown that being young and owning a home are not necessarily incompatible. Mike Densieski moved into his new place on Feb. 7, at the age of 22. "It was one of the best feelings I've ever had," he says of signing the mortgage and settling in. "I always wanted to buy a house, and I just kept saving until I actually had enough money to do something
with it."
Mr. Densieski, who graduated from Riverhead High School in 2002, never intended to rent -- "it's the same as throwing money away" -- so he lived at home with his father while working 60 to 70 hours a week for Nu Green Landscaping, a company owned by his brother Joe, for the past three years. "He started out as a laborer, and now he's grown up and taken the first step toward being a man," his brother says. Mr. Densieski is currently a masonry foreman in charge of landscape construction.
It takes more than hard work and saving to prepare for that step, however. Mr. Densieski slowly built his credit with the hope of securing a mortgage. "I got a couple credit cards and would use them, then pay the balance right away," he says. He then took out a small loan on a dirt bike to boost his credit score.
Mr. Densieski also "beat the pavement," according to Ms. Galka, spending time in search of the right house at the right price. "He had the drive to get a house," says Antone Densieski, Mike's father. "He'd been looking for the past two years, had his interests in the right place as far as working to buy a home instead of wasting money." Mr. Densieski eventually found a newly renovated house that fit his price range: "I was always looking in real estate books, and when I finally thought I had saved enough money, I decided to go for it." Mr. Densieski contacted Ms. Galka, who put him in touch with a mortgage broker.
"I didn't like him moving out," his father says. "I would have liked for him to stay here until he's 60. But at a certain time you have to move on. It's good to see that he's moving up, not just on."
"A lot of it is maturity level," Ms. Galka says of the generation gap between Mr. Densieski and her other clients. "Mike's unique for his age. A lot of people aren't capable of doing it on their own at 21 or 22. For a single guy without having two incomes, it's damn near impossible." Even those in their late 20s who buy, Ms. Galka notes, usually rely on two incomes to make payments. Mr. Densieski continues to work long hours, and he has rented out an extra bedroom to a friend to help with the bills. "The mortgage payment is a big chunk out of my check," he says, "so I'm not really saving right now. But I'm building equity and the house is gaining value."
Mr. Densieski plans to fix the house up and eventually sell it. He has already made landscape and lighting improvements and plans to renovate the kitchen and further improve the yard. "Then, hopefully, I can do the same with the next one," he says.
Ms. Galka hopes to see more buyers Mr. Densieski's age come her way. "I'd like to see more young people being able to afford to stay here," she says. Recent changes in the market have given her some cause for optimism: "From the time I started to right now, I've really seen the normal prices starting to come back. There are a lot more houses now that you can get. I have two right now in Reeves Park that are under $250,000. You couldn't get that a year and a half ago."
For those, like him, who aspire to own a house on the East End, Mr. Densieski has this advice: "Get a job and work hard." An increase in affordable housing opportunities might make that hard work go a long way toward keeping those who grew up in the area from moving away.
"I plan to live here as long as I can. It's a good location, and it's close to my job and my family," Mr. Densieski says. "Plus, you know, it's affordable."
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Stephaniegalka.com
This month my website has seen many updates. I've added the Talking House audio clips, so you can listen from home. I've also added the Talking House four minute video so you can get a better understanding of how it works. Finally I've started to add pages for each town here on the east end, starting with Riverhead and Southold town. The pages contain links to public services and local merchants. Look for more links and town pages to be added in the future. So come on over and take a peek at what is new at www.stephaniegalka.com.
<a title="StephanieGalka.com" href="http://www.stephaniegalka.com">Stephaniegalka.com</a>
www.stephaniegalka.com
<a title="StephanieGalka.com" href="http://www.stephaniegalka.com">Stephaniegalka.com</a>
www.stephaniegalka.com
Friday, June 23, 2006
From the Riverhead News Review
When a house speaks out
Publication The News-Review
Date June 07, 2006
Section(s) Business - Real Estate
Page
Byline
Brief Photo:25343,left,;Brokers now use airwaves to lure buyers
By Carolyn Thorenz
If these walls could talk ... they just might sell a house. New technology now allows homes on the market to do just that, providing instant information for house-hu
Brokers now use airwaves to lure buyers
By Carolyn Thorenz
If these walls could talk ... they just might sell a house. New technology now allows homes on the market to do just that, providing instant information for house-hunters.
Dubbed "Talking House," the latest innovation in real estate marketing is a small radio transmitter, about the size of an average VCR, that's programmed to broadcast information about a home's features to prospective buyers driving by. A sign posted in the front yard directs people to a specific AM frequency on their car radios for an instant audio virtual tour of the house and property. The FCC-approved system transmits from inside the house and doesn't interfere with TV or other radio reception.
People often shop for homes by driving around neighborhoods they'd like to live in, brokers say. The yard sign tells people how to "tune in" 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to providing instant information, Talking House helps prospective buyers remember which houses they are interested in.
When a homeowner decides to list with a realtor, certain services are offered as part of the commission package. Print ads, virtual Internet tours, mailings and open houses are customary approaches to putting a house "out there" for potential buyers to see. Some brokers have chosen to offer clients the additional service of Talking House, which gives potential buyers the opportunity to learn what's inside before they even contact an agent. Brokers purchase the transmitter themselves and include the service as part of the commission package.
With the pace of real estate slowing down, homes are staying on the market longer. Talking House is an additional option to help sellers generate interest in their property.
Adam Heller of Old Orchard Realty in Rocky Point has used the system in 30 homes over the past two years and says it's working well. He currently has clients using Talking House in Mattituck, Sound Beach and Rocky Point.
"The transmitter is non-intrusive and works within a one-block radius," Mr. Heller said.
Mr. Heller records three minutes' worth of information about each property, including the price, taxes, school district and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
"It's an audio virtual tour with highlights that add another dimension for prospective buyers," he said. "It's an added benefit to make a property memorable, but not a replacement for other ads."
Mr. Heller feels this type of service is a step in the right direction and helps generate phone calls from interested clients. "It's another tool to bring information to interested buyers," he said.
Stephanie Galka, a broker for Century 21 Agawam Albertson in Jamesport, agrees. She has been offering Talking House for the past three months and has never had anyone turn down the added service. "It piques the interest of buyers and sellers," she said.
Currently Ms. Galka is using the transmitter at 10 listings and has had an increase in inquiries about it. In fact, she has had clients list with her because the system was part of the package.
"People want instant gratification and the transmitter provides the service of giving information without wasting time," she said. "If someone is looking for a certain number of bedrooms or a home in a particular price range, the transmitter will offer that information allowing them to inquire further with a broker.
"It's a tool that gives instant information to potential buyers who would ordinarily drive by a 'for sale' sign without inquiring," she said.
Ms. Galka has set up a download feature on her website, www.stephaniegalka.com, that also enables Internet shoppers to hear a message about homes with the Talking House feature.
Janice Hillman of Reeves Park in Baiting Hollow recently listed her home for sale with Ms. Galka and Talking House.
Ms. Hillman and Ms. Galka reviewed what would be put on the message, which can be changed as needed, to give potential buyers the most information.
"With the transmitter giving the important house features to a possible buyer, they find out what they need to know right away." Ms. Hillman said.
Publication The News-Review
Date June 07, 2006
Section(s) Business - Real Estate
Page
Byline
Brief Photo:25343,left,;Brokers now use airwaves to lure buyers
By Carolyn Thorenz
If these walls could talk ... they just might sell a house. New technology now allows homes on the market to do just that, providing instant information for house-hu
Brokers now use airwaves to lure buyers
By Carolyn Thorenz
If these walls could talk ... they just might sell a house. New technology now allows homes on the market to do just that, providing instant information for house-hunters.
Dubbed "Talking House," the latest innovation in real estate marketing is a small radio transmitter, about the size of an average VCR, that's programmed to broadcast information about a home's features to prospective buyers driving by. A sign posted in the front yard directs people to a specific AM frequency on their car radios for an instant audio virtual tour of the house and property. The FCC-approved system transmits from inside the house and doesn't interfere with TV or other radio reception.
People often shop for homes by driving around neighborhoods they'd like to live in, brokers say. The yard sign tells people how to "tune in" 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to providing instant information, Talking House helps prospective buyers remember which houses they are interested in.
When a homeowner decides to list with a realtor, certain services are offered as part of the commission package. Print ads, virtual Internet tours, mailings and open houses are customary approaches to putting a house "out there" for potential buyers to see. Some brokers have chosen to offer clients the additional service of Talking House, which gives potential buyers the opportunity to learn what's inside before they even contact an agent. Brokers purchase the transmitter themselves and include the service as part of the commission package.
With the pace of real estate slowing down, homes are staying on the market longer. Talking House is an additional option to help sellers generate interest in their property.
Adam Heller of Old Orchard Realty in Rocky Point has used the system in 30 homes over the past two years and says it's working well. He currently has clients using Talking House in Mattituck, Sound Beach and Rocky Point.
"The transmitter is non-intrusive and works within a one-block radius," Mr. Heller said.
Mr. Heller records three minutes' worth of information about each property, including the price, taxes, school district and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
"It's an audio virtual tour with highlights that add another dimension for prospective buyers," he said. "It's an added benefit to make a property memorable, but not a replacement for other ads."
Mr. Heller feels this type of service is a step in the right direction and helps generate phone calls from interested clients. "It's another tool to bring information to interested buyers," he said.
Stephanie Galka, a broker for Century 21 Agawam Albertson in Jamesport, agrees. She has been offering Talking House for the past three months and has never had anyone turn down the added service. "It piques the interest of buyers and sellers," she said.
Currently Ms. Galka is using the transmitter at 10 listings and has had an increase in inquiries about it. In fact, she has had clients list with her because the system was part of the package.
"People want instant gratification and the transmitter provides the service of giving information without wasting time," she said. "If someone is looking for a certain number of bedrooms or a home in a particular price range, the transmitter will offer that information allowing them to inquire further with a broker.
"It's a tool that gives instant information to potential buyers who would ordinarily drive by a 'for sale' sign without inquiring," she said.
Ms. Galka has set up a download feature on her website, www.stephaniegalka.com, that also enables Internet shoppers to hear a message about homes with the Talking House feature.
Janice Hillman of Reeves Park in Baiting Hollow recently listed her home for sale with Ms. Galka and Talking House.
Ms. Hillman and Ms. Galka reviewed what would be put on the message, which can be changed as needed, to give potential buyers the most information.
"With the transmitter giving the important house features to a possible buyer, they find out what they need to know right away." Ms. Hillman said.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Thursday, June 08, 2006
New Content
It has been a few days since my last post. I have been busy though. This time of year the Real Estate market really picks up. Plus, I have been busy trying to add new content to my web site, and on top of all that I was interviewed this week by our local newspaper. The story centers on my use of the Talking House. Which brings me to the new content on my web site. First you will notice my husband has officially joined me. Second I have started to add audio clips (mp3 files) to enhance both the listings and other informational pages. For example you can now listen to the Talking House from your computer. Look for other informations clips to begin popping up all over my web site.
Monday, May 29, 2006
Thing to do in June on Long Island
We continue to dry out in June, with an average of 3.59 inches of rain. The average temperature in June on Long Island is 66 degrees.
Pick Strawberries: June is strawberry season on Long Island. Many Long Island farms invite you to pick your own strawberries. Do you really love strawberries? Attend a strawberry festival and celebrate this yummy berry.
Get Married: Well, do it only for the right reasons of course, not just because June is the most popular wedding month. If you are planning to get married this month, make sure you get your marriage license at least 24 hours before your wedding ceremony. FirmJackanthony.com Both applicants (doesn't that sound romantic) must appear in person at any town or city clerk in New York State.
Visit Atlantis Marine World: June is Aquarium Month. Celebrate with a trip to Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead, Long Island. See the sea lion show, learn about sharks, touch sting rays, sea stars, and horseshoe crabs.
Honor Your Dad: We celebrate Father's Day on the third Sunday of June. About.com's Fatherhood Guide, Wayne Parker, has all the resources and information you need.
Get Grilling: I love grilling and at the end of each Summer I vow that the cooler weather won't mean the end of grilling season for my family. However, the thought of standing outside turning over pieces of chicken on a freezing day is so unappealing that the grill doesn't get turned on again until Spring. Get tips and recipes from About.com's Barbecue Guide, Derrick Riches.
Adopt a Cat : June is National Adopt-a-Cat Month. Many animal shelters on Long Island have cats that need homes. Never had a cat before? About.com's Cats Guide, Franny Syufy, has answers to all your questions.
Make Your Pool Safe: Many Long Islanders have swimming pools. Unfortunately pools and kids can sometimes be a dangerous combination. That is why it's so important to make your pool as safe as can be. About.com's Pediatrics Guide, Vincent Iannelli, M.D., provides pool safety tips for parents.
Pick Strawberries: June is strawberry season on Long Island. Many Long Island farms invite you to pick your own strawberries. Do you really love strawberries? Attend a strawberry festival and celebrate this yummy berry.
Get Married: Well, do it only for the right reasons of course, not just because June is the most popular wedding month. If you are planning to get married this month, make sure you get your marriage license at least 24 hours before your wedding ceremony. FirmJackanthony.com Both applicants (doesn't that sound romantic) must appear in person at any town or city clerk in New York State.
Visit Atlantis Marine World: June is Aquarium Month. Celebrate with a trip to Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead, Long Island. See the sea lion show, learn about sharks, touch sting rays, sea stars, and horseshoe crabs.
Honor Your Dad: We celebrate Father's Day on the third Sunday of June. About.com's Fatherhood Guide, Wayne Parker, has all the resources and information you need.
Get Grilling: I love grilling and at the end of each Summer I vow that the cooler weather won't mean the end of grilling season for my family. However, the thought of standing outside turning over pieces of chicken on a freezing day is so unappealing that the grill doesn't get turned on again until Spring. Get tips and recipes from About.com's Barbecue Guide, Derrick Riches.
Adopt a Cat : June is National Adopt-a-Cat Month. Many animal shelters on Long Island have cats that need homes. Never had a cat before? About.com's Cats Guide, Franny Syufy, has answers to all your questions.
Make Your Pool Safe: Many Long Islanders have swimming pools. Unfortunately pools and kids can sometimes be a dangerous combination. That is why it's so important to make your pool as safe as can be. About.com's Pediatrics Guide, Vincent Iannelli, M.D., provides pool safety tips for parents.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
My Web Site
It occurs to me today that I have never given an overview of my website, www.EastEndAgent.com. On my site like most others you will find properties from all over Long Island New York with an emphasis on the East End and the North Fork. A feature on my site that you will not find almost anywhere else are my "Daily Updates". Here you will find the newest and most recently updated properties in eastern Suffolk County. This list includes properties from every Real Estate company that participates in MLS. I also post my Open House schedule and you will find most other standard tools a Real Estate web site should have. Though I am constantly trying to improve my site's content. I am always open to comments. If there is information you would like to see on my website just e-mail me your request.
Friday, May 19, 2006
Boom May Be Over, But Landing Will Be Soft
(May 19, 2006) -- WASHINGTON – The five-year boom in home sales may be over, but strong demographics and job growth promise only a short-term slowdown in most U.S. markets, NAR’s Chief Economist David Lereah told REALTORS® at Thursday’s Economic Issues & Residential Real Estate Business Trends Forum. His presentation took place during the 2006 REALTORS® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. Speculators and rising interest rates have ended the largest acceleration ever in existing-home prices, but the process is “a needed cleansing” that will help restore balance, said Lereah. Nationally, homes appreciated a remarkable 12.5 percent on average in 2005. Appreciation for 2006 will cool to 5.7 percent. But even with the slowdown, 2006 will be the fourth best year ever for residential real estate sales with an estimated 6.62 million existing homes sold, Lereah noted.In 2007, Lereah expects to see existing-home sales rise slightly to 6.7 million units but appreciation to slow to 4.2 percent. To help the industry track performance, NAR’s Research Department is working to develop a real-time pricing tool, “a real estate ticker,” that will update national average home prices every 15 minutes based on data from MLSs, Lereah told the crowd. To some degree, the next year or two will be “a tale of two cities,” said Lereah. Cities such as San Diego, Miami, and Naples, Fla., that have seen high price appreciation will see sharp drops in sales. Already, between first quarter 2005 and first quarter 2006, existing-home sales declined by 15 percent to 20 percent in Florida, California, and Arizona, he said. On the other hand, markets that didn’t see exuberant appreciation during the boom are actually experiencing shorter days on market. Lereah pointed to Charlotte, Dallas, and St. Louis as examples of this trend. Even declining markets should remain healthy as long as they have diversified economies and strong job growth, he said. “As long as days on the market don’t extend beyond six months, there’s no need to be concerned,” he said. The possible exception might be California, where a high number of adjustable-rate and interest-only mortgage loans might combine with a price downturn to create problems. Other possible clouds on the real estate horizon: inflation, high oil prices, and rising interest rates. Yet, Lereah said he doesn’t expect a recession. Strong business spending and a sound economy that should grow 3.5 percent in 2006 promise a positive outlook for real estate. And mortgage interest rates should stay low; Lereah said he expects two more rate hikes from the Federal Reserve in 2006, but rates won’t rise above 7 percent for the year. “The real estate market got ahead of itself, but now we’re going back to fundamentals and a more balanced market,” he concluded. — By Mariwyn Evans for REALTOR® Magazine Online
Montauk: The End
A Vacation Close to Home. Sometimes you want to take a vacation, but you don't want to spend a whole day traveling. Have you considered Montauk? It's close to home, but feels far away. My family vacations there every summer and we always enjoy it. As I said to my husband before our last trip, "I can't decide what I'm looking forward to more -- the beach, the food, or just lounging around."
Don't get me wrong. There's lots to do in Montauk if you want to do more than relax. There's a championship golf course at Montauk Downs State Park. Those who love fishing can charter a fishing boat or, if you're looking for something less expensive, you can reserve a spot on an open boat.
You can take a tour of the Montauk Point Lighthouse. It's the oldest lighthouse in the state. You can climb up to the top if you're not afraid of heights. I did it a few years ago and I'm glad I did -- once!
Now, let's get back to the relaxing stuff. First the beaches. Montauk's beaches are incredible, and plentiful. Many hotels are on, or adjacent to, private beaches. There are also several public beaches. Remember that during the summer, parking permits are required at all beaches except Kirk Park Beach. Most hotels provide permits to guests. The ocean beaches include Kirk Park Beach and Ditch Plains Beach. If you surf, you'll love Ditch Plains. Gin Beach is on Block Island Sound. The water is clean and gentle, so it's great for kids.
There's a variety of accommodations, ranging from very fancy to very simple. If you don't live too far away, you may even want to take a day trip to check out different accommodations before you make a reservation. Rates vary by season. They are highest in August. Remember to book your room early. On Montauk offers a complete list of hotels and motels. Many of them have efficiencies, so if you want to eat in sometimes, you can. But you may not want to. The food is too good to miss.
My favorite place to eat is Gosman's Dock, home to Gosman's Restaurant. Get there before you're really hungry. You'll have a long wait for a table. While the food is great at Gosman's Restaurant, I prefer Gosman's Clam Bar. All seating is on the dock. Sit right by the water at your own risk -- the sea gulls are very aggressive. Gosman's isn't the only show in town. There are many good restaurants around.
If the sea air has you hungry for a big breakfast, you'll want to try John's Pancake House on Main Street. Be prepared to wait, but it's worth it. If you want a snack, there are several places to get ice cream. John's Drive-In (no relation to the Pancake House) on Main Street has delicious homemade ice cream.
Don't get me wrong. There's lots to do in Montauk if you want to do more than relax. There's a championship golf course at Montauk Downs State Park. Those who love fishing can charter a fishing boat or, if you're looking for something less expensive, you can reserve a spot on an open boat.
You can take a tour of the Montauk Point Lighthouse. It's the oldest lighthouse in the state. You can climb up to the top if you're not afraid of heights. I did it a few years ago and I'm glad I did -- once!
Now, let's get back to the relaxing stuff. First the beaches. Montauk's beaches are incredible, and plentiful. Many hotels are on, or adjacent to, private beaches. There are also several public beaches. Remember that during the summer, parking permits are required at all beaches except Kirk Park Beach. Most hotels provide permits to guests. The ocean beaches include Kirk Park Beach and Ditch Plains Beach. If you surf, you'll love Ditch Plains. Gin Beach is on Block Island Sound. The water is clean and gentle, so it's great for kids.
There's a variety of accommodations, ranging from very fancy to very simple. If you don't live too far away, you may even want to take a day trip to check out different accommodations before you make a reservation. Rates vary by season. They are highest in August. Remember to book your room early. On Montauk offers a complete list of hotels and motels. Many of them have efficiencies, so if you want to eat in sometimes, you can. But you may not want to. The food is too good to miss.
My favorite place to eat is Gosman's Dock, home to Gosman's Restaurant. Get there before you're really hungry. You'll have a long wait for a table. While the food is great at Gosman's Restaurant, I prefer Gosman's Clam Bar. All seating is on the dock. Sit right by the water at your own risk -- the sea gulls are very aggressive. Gosman's isn't the only show in town. There are many good restaurants around.
If the sea air has you hungry for a big breakfast, you'll want to try John's Pancake House on Main Street. Be prepared to wait, but it's worth it. If you want a snack, there are several places to get ice cream. John's Drive-In (no relation to the Pancake House) on Main Street has delicious homemade ice cream.
Friday, May 12, 2006
Shoreside estate of Shaker simplicity
Saved from a wrecking ball, this 1680 Shaker meeting house was moved to Shelter Island from Mystic, Conn., in 1985.It had become dilapidated and was about to be destroyed when it was salvaged by preservationists. They persuaded an heiress to buy it and move it across Long Island Sound. Each piece of the three-story house was numbered before it was transported to Shelter Island by barge.
The house was reassembled by shipbuilders on a foundation set on a knoll in the waterfront estate section along Peconic Bay. "You can see the water from just about every room," Moore said, noting two rooms overlook a grove of mature specimen trees.An original barn was brought over as well and is now a two-car garage with a loft. The restored home is built around a massive stone chimney, which opens to six fireplaces, Moore said, three on the first floor and three on the second. The largest - about 8 feet wide with a baking oven inside - is in the dining room. Other original details include double front doors, hand-blown 12-by-12-inch sash windows, hand-hewn beams, extra wide plank floors, built-in cabinets, front and rear staircases, and iron door latches.Current owner André Balazs, a hotelier whose properties include The Mercer in SoHo, the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood and the Sunset Beach Hotel on Shelter Island, had the home furnished with Japanese appointments, including handmade rice-paper lanterns. "André wanted to keep it simple, because the beauty of the house is the simplicity of it," Moore said.The kitchen, which has a wall of windows and open floor plan, is dressed with black cabinets and a maple butcher block.The second floor has a master suite and two large bedrooms, and the third floor has two large bedrooms. There are four bathrooms in the house: one on the first floor, another on the third, and two on the second floor.The unfinished basement has a wine cellar, laundry room, computer room and storage area.The shared dog-leg dock, reinforced by a sea wall, is one of the largest on the island.Location: Shelter IslandPrice: $6.999 million Taxes: $16,727Lot size: 1.80 acresSquare feet: 3,050Number of rooms: 9 Amenities: Waterfront with docking rights, central air conditioning, two-car garage with loft.
The house was reassembled by shipbuilders on a foundation set on a knoll in the waterfront estate section along Peconic Bay. "You can see the water from just about every room," Moore said, noting two rooms overlook a grove of mature specimen trees.An original barn was brought over as well and is now a two-car garage with a loft. The restored home is built around a massive stone chimney, which opens to six fireplaces, Moore said, three on the first floor and three on the second. The largest - about 8 feet wide with a baking oven inside - is in the dining room. Other original details include double front doors, hand-blown 12-by-12-inch sash windows, hand-hewn beams, extra wide plank floors, built-in cabinets, front and rear staircases, and iron door latches.Current owner André Balazs, a hotelier whose properties include The Mercer in SoHo, the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood and the Sunset Beach Hotel on Shelter Island, had the home furnished with Japanese appointments, including handmade rice-paper lanterns. "André wanted to keep it simple, because the beauty of the house is the simplicity of it," Moore said.The kitchen, which has a wall of windows and open floor plan, is dressed with black cabinets and a maple butcher block.The second floor has a master suite and two large bedrooms, and the third floor has two large bedrooms. There are four bathrooms in the house: one on the first floor, another on the third, and two on the second floor.The unfinished basement has a wine cellar, laundry room, computer room and storage area.The shared dog-leg dock, reinforced by a sea wall, is one of the largest on the island.Location: Shelter IslandPrice: $6.999 million Taxes: $16,727Lot size: 1.80 acresSquare feet: 3,050Number of rooms: 9 Amenities: Waterfront with docking rights, central air conditioning, two-car garage with loft.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Wineries on the North Fork: A Photo Tour
Wineries on the North Fork: A Photo Tour Many wineries dot Route 25 on the North Fork of Long Island. Find out when you can tour them and taste the different wines each produces.
Sellers Earn 16% More by Using an Agent
Technology is transforming how Americans buy and sell homes in unexpected ways, including how they work with real estate agents and brokers, according to one of the largest surveys of real estate consumers ever conducted. The study was released by the National Association of Realtors®.Nine out of 10 home buyers use a real estate agent in the search process, but use of the Internet to search for a home has risen dramatically over time, increasing from only 2 percent of buyers in 1995 to 77 percent in 2005; it was 74 percent in 2004. The next largest source of information for buyers is a yard sign, mentioned by 71 percent of buyers.When asked where they first learned about the home purchased, 24 percent of buyers identified the Internet, up strongly from 15 percent in 2004 and only 2 percent in 1997. Although most buyers use an agent to complete the transaction, 36 first learn about the home they buy from a real estate agent and 15 percent from yard signs; five other categories were 7 percent or less.The 2005 National Association of Realtors® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, based on more than 7,800 responses to a questionnaire mailed to a large national sample of consumers located through county deed records, is the latest in a series of surveys evaluating demographics, marketing and other characteristics of home buyers and sellers. NAR President Thomas M. Stevens from Vienna, Va., said the findings underscore the complexity of the home-buying process. “Buyers who use the Internet in searching for a home are more likely to use a real estate agent than non-Internet users, and consumers rely on professionals to provide context, negotiate the transaction and help with the paperwork,” said Stevens, senior vice president of NRT Inc. “The real estate industry today bears little resemblance to the way we did business 10 years ago. It is hard to find another industry that has adopted technology so readily to its customers,” Stevens said. “Realtors® have invested a lot of time and money in building information technology, and because of these efforts, more consumers than ever are using the Internet in their home search.”The survey shows 81 percent of buyers who use the Internet to search for a home purchase through a real estate agent, while 63 percent of non-Internet users buy through an agent; non-Internet users are more likely to purchase directly from a builder or an owner they knew in advance of the transaction.“We find that the level of for-sale-by-owners is on a sustained decline and is now at a record low. In addition, a growing share of FSBO properties are not placed on the open market – they’re private transactions,” Stevens said.
A clear downtrend in FSBOs has been seen since that market share experienced a cyclical peak of 18 percent in 1997. Only 13 percent of sellers conducted transactions without the assistance of a real estate professional in 2005, and 39 percent of those FSBO transactions were “closely held” between parties who knew each other in advance, up from 32 percent in 2004. The FSBO market share was at 14 percent in both 2003 and 2004. NAR began tracking the FSBO market in 1981; the record was 20 percent in 1987.“In reality, the term ‘FSBO’ is a misnomer when used to broadly describe homes sold directly by owners. Since two out of five of these transactions are between related parties, and those properties are not placed on the open market, we believe that ‘unrepresented sellers’ would be a much more accurate term to describe this segment,” Stevens said. The median home price for sellers who use an agent is 16.0 percent higher than a home sold directly by an owner; $230,000 vs. $198,200; there were no significant differences between the types of homes sold. “While many unrepresented sellers are motivated to save on paying a commission, we think the price difference speaks for itself,” Stevens said. “Owners without professional assistance also have problems in understanding and completing paperwork, prepping the home for sale, getting the right price and selling within the time planned.”Survey data don’t explain the price difference, but Stevens offered some context. “Agents know best how to prepare a home and maximize value, agents provide broader exposure to the market and are more likely to generate multiple bids, and the portion of sales that are between private parties are likely to be at a lower price than those on the open market.”“The housing market today contrasts sharply with predictions a decade ago that the Internet would ‘disintermediate’ real estate agents, including speculation that NAR membership would fall in half. In reality, it’s grown dramatically – selling real estate is not like selling a book or buying an airline ticket,” he said. Realtor.com was the most popular Internet resource, used by 54 percent of buyers, followed by multiple listing service (MLS) Web sites, 50 percent, real estate company sites, 38 percent, real estate agent Web sites, 31 percent, and local newspaper sites, 15 percent; other categories were smaller.
Married couples make up the largest share of the housing market, accounting for 61 percent of transactions. Single women purchase 21 percent of homes while single men account for 9 percent. Unmarried couples were 7 percent of the market, and 2 percent were listed as other. In 2004, single women were 18 percent of buyers and single men were 8 percent.The typical buyer walked through nine properties, searched eight weeks to buy a home and moved 12 miles from their previous residence. The typical seller placed their home on the market for four weeks, had lived in it for six years, moved 15 miles to their new residence and previously owned three homes, including the one just sold.NAR’s senior economist Paul Bishop said both buyers and sellers use traditional methods to choose a real estate agent. “Word-of-mouth recommendation is the most common way to learn about real estate professionals,” Bishop said. “The most important criteria, whether you’re buying or selling, are the individual agent’s reputation and their knowledge of the local market.”In finding a real estate professional, 44 percent of buyers were referred by a friend, neighbor or relative, 11 percent used an agent from a previous transaction, 7 percent found an agent on the Internet, 7 percent met at an open house and 6 percent saw contact information on a “for sale” sign. Six other categories accounted for smaller shares each.The most important factor in choosing an agent was reputation, according to 41 percent of home buyers, followed by an agent’s knowledge of the neighborhood, 24 percent. In terms of desired qualities in an agent, three categories were rated as very important by more than nine out of 10 buyers: knowledge of the purchase process, responsiveness and knowledge of the market. Of buyers who use an agent, 63 percent choose a buyer representative. Satisfaction with real estate agents is very high, with 85 percent of buyers saying they were likely to use the agent again.Seller responses are comparable: 43 percent chose agents based on a referral by a friend, neighbor or relative, and 28 percent used their agent previously; 10 other categories were 5 percent or less. Fifty-seven percent of sellers said reputation was the most important factor in selecting an agent, followed by their knowledge of the neighborhood, 17 percent. Eighty-two percent said they were likely to use the same agent again or recommend to others.Four out of ten respondents are first-time buyers, a finding that is consistent for more than a decade. The median age of entry-level buyers is 32 years, also typical over time, and the household income was $57,200. They made a downpayment of 2 percent on a home costing $150,000, but 43 percent purchased with no money down. Of first-time buyers who made a downpayment, 23 percent received a gift from a friend or relative.
The typical repeat buyer is 46 years old and had a household income of $83,200. They placed a downpayment of 21 percent on a home costing $235,000, but 11 percent of repeat buyers paid cash for their home. In all, 94 percent of buyers and sellers believe their home purchase is a good financial investment.“To underscore the value of housing as an investment, all you have to do is look at the difference in how repeat buyers purchase their next home – the wealth effect of homeownership provides the greatest source for their downpayment, which is significantly larger,” Bishop said. Aside from sellers who pay cash for their new home, 66 use the equity from their previous home for a downpayment.The most important factors in choosing a location to purchase a home are neighborhood quality, cited by 68 percent, close to a job or school, 43 percent, close to family or friends, 36 percent, and the school district itself, 23 percent; seven other categories were under 20 percent.NAR mailed an eight-page questionnaire to a national sample of 145,000 home buyers and sellers, based on county records, who purchased their homes between August 2004 and July 2005. It generated 7,813 usable responses; the response rate was 5.4 percent.
A clear downtrend in FSBOs has been seen since that market share experienced a cyclical peak of 18 percent in 1997. Only 13 percent of sellers conducted transactions without the assistance of a real estate professional in 2005, and 39 percent of those FSBO transactions were “closely held” between parties who knew each other in advance, up from 32 percent in 2004. The FSBO market share was at 14 percent in both 2003 and 2004. NAR began tracking the FSBO market in 1981; the record was 20 percent in 1987.“In reality, the term ‘FSBO’ is a misnomer when used to broadly describe homes sold directly by owners. Since two out of five of these transactions are between related parties, and those properties are not placed on the open market, we believe that ‘unrepresented sellers’ would be a much more accurate term to describe this segment,” Stevens said. The median home price for sellers who use an agent is 16.0 percent higher than a home sold directly by an owner; $230,000 vs. $198,200; there were no significant differences between the types of homes sold. “While many unrepresented sellers are motivated to save on paying a commission, we think the price difference speaks for itself,” Stevens said. “Owners without professional assistance also have problems in understanding and completing paperwork, prepping the home for sale, getting the right price and selling within the time planned.”Survey data don’t explain the price difference, but Stevens offered some context. “Agents know best how to prepare a home and maximize value, agents provide broader exposure to the market and are more likely to generate multiple bids, and the portion of sales that are between private parties are likely to be at a lower price than those on the open market.”“The housing market today contrasts sharply with predictions a decade ago that the Internet would ‘disintermediate’ real estate agents, including speculation that NAR membership would fall in half. In reality, it’s grown dramatically – selling real estate is not like selling a book or buying an airline ticket,” he said. Realtor.com was the most popular Internet resource, used by 54 percent of buyers, followed by multiple listing service (MLS) Web sites, 50 percent, real estate company sites, 38 percent, real estate agent Web sites, 31 percent, and local newspaper sites, 15 percent; other categories were smaller.
Married couples make up the largest share of the housing market, accounting for 61 percent of transactions. Single women purchase 21 percent of homes while single men account for 9 percent. Unmarried couples were 7 percent of the market, and 2 percent were listed as other. In 2004, single women were 18 percent of buyers and single men were 8 percent.The typical buyer walked through nine properties, searched eight weeks to buy a home and moved 12 miles from their previous residence. The typical seller placed their home on the market for four weeks, had lived in it for six years, moved 15 miles to their new residence and previously owned three homes, including the one just sold.NAR’s senior economist Paul Bishop said both buyers and sellers use traditional methods to choose a real estate agent. “Word-of-mouth recommendation is the most common way to learn about real estate professionals,” Bishop said. “The most important criteria, whether you’re buying or selling, are the individual agent’s reputation and their knowledge of the local market.”In finding a real estate professional, 44 percent of buyers were referred by a friend, neighbor or relative, 11 percent used an agent from a previous transaction, 7 percent found an agent on the Internet, 7 percent met at an open house and 6 percent saw contact information on a “for sale” sign. Six other categories accounted for smaller shares each.The most important factor in choosing an agent was reputation, according to 41 percent of home buyers, followed by an agent’s knowledge of the neighborhood, 24 percent. In terms of desired qualities in an agent, three categories were rated as very important by more than nine out of 10 buyers: knowledge of the purchase process, responsiveness and knowledge of the market. Of buyers who use an agent, 63 percent choose a buyer representative. Satisfaction with real estate agents is very high, with 85 percent of buyers saying they were likely to use the agent again.Seller responses are comparable: 43 percent chose agents based on a referral by a friend, neighbor or relative, and 28 percent used their agent previously; 10 other categories were 5 percent or less. Fifty-seven percent of sellers said reputation was the most important factor in selecting an agent, followed by their knowledge of the neighborhood, 17 percent. Eighty-two percent said they were likely to use the same agent again or recommend to others.Four out of ten respondents are first-time buyers, a finding that is consistent for more than a decade. The median age of entry-level buyers is 32 years, also typical over time, and the household income was $57,200. They made a downpayment of 2 percent on a home costing $150,000, but 43 percent purchased with no money down. Of first-time buyers who made a downpayment, 23 percent received a gift from a friend or relative.
The typical repeat buyer is 46 years old and had a household income of $83,200. They placed a downpayment of 21 percent on a home costing $235,000, but 11 percent of repeat buyers paid cash for their home. In all, 94 percent of buyers and sellers believe their home purchase is a good financial investment.“To underscore the value of housing as an investment, all you have to do is look at the difference in how repeat buyers purchase their next home – the wealth effect of homeownership provides the greatest source for their downpayment, which is significantly larger,” Bishop said. Aside from sellers who pay cash for their new home, 66 use the equity from their previous home for a downpayment.The most important factors in choosing a location to purchase a home are neighborhood quality, cited by 68 percent, close to a job or school, 43 percent, close to family or friends, 36 percent, and the school district itself, 23 percent; seven other categories were under 20 percent.NAR mailed an eight-page questionnaire to a national sample of 145,000 home buyers and sellers, based on county records, who purchased their homes between August 2004 and July 2005. It generated 7,813 usable responses; the response rate was 5.4 percent.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Things to do on Long Island
Parks, and Beaches;
Cupsogue Beach County ParkLocated in Westhampton Beach. Swim in the Atlantic Ocean. Also available: scuba diving, fishing, diving, and camping. You'll find directions and a phone number to call for more information.
Fire Island National SeashoreThere are 32 miles of ocean beaches, all open to the public. General swimming areas include: Robert Moses State Park, Lighthouse Beach, Sailors Haven, Barrett Beach/Talisman, Watch Hill, and Smith Point County Park. Learn about available facilities.
Jones Beach State ParkLocated in Wantagh and open year round. Six and a half miles of ocean beach and a half mile of bay beach. Also, two swimming pools. Available activities include deck games and miniature golf. Get directions and additional information here.
Meschutt Beach County ParkLocated in Hampton Bays. Swim in the Great Peconic Bay. Activities include: camping, windsurfing, and sailing. You'll find directions and a phone number you can call for more information.
North Hempstead Parks and PoolsFind parks and pools located in the Town of North Hempstead.
Orient Beach State ParkLocated in Orient. Open all year. Swimming season runs from late June through early September. Rent a bike and take an environmental tour at this State Park. Find out more on the NYS Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Web site.
Smith Point County ParkLocated on Fire Island. This is the largest oceanfront park in Suffolk. Activities include: camping, scuba diving, surfing, and saltwater fishing. Find directions, and more information about facilities and activities. A hotline provides more info.
Sunken Meadow State ParkLocated in Kings Park, on the Long Island Sound. Open year round. Available activities include swimming, hiking, horseback riding. You'll also find three nine-hole golf courses and a driving range. Find out about other facilities.
Wildwood State ParkLocated in Wading River. Open year-round. Swim in the Long Island Sound. Activities include fishing, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Trailers and tent sites are available for campers.
Cupsogue Beach County ParkLocated in Westhampton Beach. Swim in the Atlantic Ocean. Also available: scuba diving, fishing, diving, and camping. You'll find directions and a phone number to call for more information.
Fire Island National SeashoreThere are 32 miles of ocean beaches, all open to the public. General swimming areas include: Robert Moses State Park, Lighthouse Beach, Sailors Haven, Barrett Beach/Talisman, Watch Hill, and Smith Point County Park. Learn about available facilities.
Jones Beach State ParkLocated in Wantagh and open year round. Six and a half miles of ocean beach and a half mile of bay beach. Also, two swimming pools. Available activities include deck games and miniature golf. Get directions and additional information here.
Meschutt Beach County ParkLocated in Hampton Bays. Swim in the Great Peconic Bay. Activities include: camping, windsurfing, and sailing. You'll find directions and a phone number you can call for more information.
North Hempstead Parks and PoolsFind parks and pools located in the Town of North Hempstead.
Orient Beach State ParkLocated in Orient. Open all year. Swimming season runs from late June through early September. Rent a bike and take an environmental tour at this State Park. Find out more on the NYS Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Web site.
Smith Point County ParkLocated on Fire Island. This is the largest oceanfront park in Suffolk. Activities include: camping, scuba diving, surfing, and saltwater fishing. Find directions, and more information about facilities and activities. A hotline provides more info.
Sunken Meadow State ParkLocated in Kings Park, on the Long Island Sound. Open year round. Available activities include swimming, hiking, horseback riding. You'll also find three nine-hole golf courses and a driving range. Find out about other facilities.
Wildwood State ParkLocated in Wading River. Open year-round. Swim in the Long Island Sound. Activities include fishing, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Trailers and tent sites are available for campers.
Monday, May 01, 2006
New York State Housing Statistics
New York housing sales gain strength in March
Albany – April 25, 2006 – Sales of existing single-family homes in New York gained strength in March compared to the previous month, according to preliminary single-family sales data accumulated by the New York State Association of REALTORS. While sales were up, the preliminary data showed a decline in the median sales price from February 2006.
The March 2006 sales total of 6,766 increased 24 percent compared to the February 2006 sales total of 5,456. The March 2006 sales total fell 3.4 percent from the March 2005 sales total of 7,007.
The statewide median selling price of $260,000 decreased by 6.5 percent compared to February 2006, which recorded a median sales price of $278,000. The median remained unchanged in March 2006 compared to the same period a year earlier.
Sales gains were reported in 24 counties in March 2006 compared to the same period a year earlier, while 43 counties reported growth from the previous month. Montgomery County led the state in sales growth percentage compared to March 2005 with a 240-percent increase. Both Lewis and Schuyler counties recorded an increase of 100 percent from February 2006.
Forty-seven counties reported gains in median selling price in March 2006 compared to the same period a year earlier and 28 counties reported gains from February 2006. Franklin County led the state in median sales price growth compared to March 2005. Schuyler County recorded the largest growth in median sales price from February 2006.
“The March data support our statewide market forecast, which projects a slowing down from the historically high sales levels of 2005 and 2004,” said Charles M. Staro, NYSAR chief executive officer. “The New York housing market will maintain strong sales levels with price appreciation returning to single-digit growth.”
Albany – April 25, 2006 – Sales of existing single-family homes in New York gained strength in March compared to the previous month, according to preliminary single-family sales data accumulated by the New York State Association of REALTORS. While sales were up, the preliminary data showed a decline in the median sales price from February 2006.
The March 2006 sales total of 6,766 increased 24 percent compared to the February 2006 sales total of 5,456. The March 2006 sales total fell 3.4 percent from the March 2005 sales total of 7,007.
The statewide median selling price of $260,000 decreased by 6.5 percent compared to February 2006, which recorded a median sales price of $278,000. The median remained unchanged in March 2006 compared to the same period a year earlier.
Sales gains were reported in 24 counties in March 2006 compared to the same period a year earlier, while 43 counties reported growth from the previous month. Montgomery County led the state in sales growth percentage compared to March 2005 with a 240-percent increase. Both Lewis and Schuyler counties recorded an increase of 100 percent from February 2006.
Forty-seven counties reported gains in median selling price in March 2006 compared to the same period a year earlier and 28 counties reported gains from February 2006. Franklin County led the state in median sales price growth compared to March 2005. Schuyler County recorded the largest growth in median sales price from February 2006.
“The March data support our statewide market forecast, which projects a slowing down from the historically high sales levels of 2005 and 2004,” said Charles M. Staro, NYSAR chief executive officer. “The New York housing market will maintain strong sales levels with price appreciation returning to single-digit growth.”
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Saga of a house from lot to finish
Saga of a house from lot to finish
Two years and counting, a diary follows a builder's struggle to build and sell a house that started with an imperfect lot with wetlands and a propensity for cave-ins. In hindsight, it was an
omen. Cliff Fetner planned to clear trees from the 2-acre lot in Lattingtown where he was starting work on what would be a 5,500-square-foot cedar-sided home. A tree-clearing company was hired, and all was set to go. Then it snowed several inches. It wasn't until a week later in January 2004 that the trees could be removed. But this would be only one of the problems - including hitting water - that he'd face in building the house. As large tracts of undeveloped land have become scarce on Long Island, builders have increasingly been doing in-fill development: building on the scattered lots left in fully developed areas, said Robert A. Wieboldt, executive vice president of the Long Island Builders Institute, an Islandia trade group. Some lots never attracted developers because of apparent problems, such as slopes. Even experienced builders' costs can escalate in overcoming such challenges, Wieboldt said. But as vacant land becomes scarcer, "the difficult site is becoming more common," he added. For Fetner, president of Jaco Custom Builders in Hauppauge, the Lattingtown lot's challenge was that nearly half of the 2-acre lot sits on wetlands. There was the potential of striking water when holes were dug. Plus, in addition to the usual building approvals required from government agencies, he would need approval from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.The lot hit the market in 2001. Fetner made an offer "in the 6's" based on an appraisal of $900,000. "For me," he explained, "it was worth buying at a discount." The contract, signed in April 2002, came with the proviso that the sale wouldn't close until the approval process ended and a building permit was in hand. That process took a year and a half and cost $36,275, "all on property that I may not have purchased," Fetner said. Nearly an acre was "flagged" as wetlands that had to be left untouched. Finally, in October 2003, Fetner had his building permit and closed on the purchase.He started the project without a buyer, building "on spec" because most people can't envision from plans what a home will look like when it's finished. In addition, construction moves faster when there's no buyer making changes.But because real estate markets can change overnight, Fetner wanted to find a buyer while the market was still hot in 2004. He listed the not-yet-begun home with associate broker Debra Quinn Petkanas of Daniel Gale Associates in Locust Valley for $2.3 million.Fetner, a third-generation builder who has completed more than 30 custom homes in the past 12 years, said he hoped his experience and the research he did on the land would limit problems.He said the home should be sold and completed within six to seven months, barring more inclement weather than usual. But experience taught him to base his asking price on taking a year to complete the home because of unforeseen problems and costs.In reality, it took Fetner more than two years to finish the home. What follows is a diary of what occurred.2004March: "We've struck water!" The excavating contractor begins digging the foundation. When he returns the next day, 4 inches of water are in the 500-square-foot hole. He continues digging in another location, but still finds water. He and Fetner decide to go 1 1/2 feet below where the structure's footings will rest and fill the space with stone.The footings will sit on a stone bed instead of in a hole that could fill with water. Because a rainstorm leaves the site muddy, dry soil is carted in so a dump truck can get to the foundation hole and drop the stones.April: The cruelest month, weatherwise. It rains every day for 2 1/2 weeks. Fetner needs one sunny day for the site to dry out before he can bring in cement trucks to pour the footings. "I'm about a month behind schedule," Fetner says. Finally, on April 21 trucks bring in the concrete.May: Waiting, wondering. The foundation is in, waterproofed and backfilled. Because April's rains delayed work into May, the framing contractor is backlogged. He promises to come soon. Fetner calculates that striking water while digging the foundation added $65,936 in unexpected costs.June-July: Cesspool problems. With the framing company still not in sight, Fetner instead brings in a firm to install the cesspool. A hole is begun, but it caves in an hour into the digging. Fetner tries another spot 15 feet away. Water is struck 24 feet down, and the hole caves in again. The cesspool can't be installed the traditional way.Instead, he must use heavy-duty support rings to prevent cave-ins. These are wider and stronger than the cesspool rings and are stacked one on top of the other as the hole is dug, keeping the hole from caving in. Then the standard concrete cesspool rings are placed inside and the heavy-duty rings removed.The revised method takes longer and costs $40,000 more. It also requires a week to get the materials. In mid-July the framer arrives. By month's end, the foundation is finished and most of the first floor framing is done.August: Uneventful with one exception. The weather is cooperating, and the framing is done. Fetner also meets with Petkanas, the real estate agent. Once the shell is complete and windows, roof and trim are on, Petkanas will hold an open house because buyers will have something to see.One new problem, however: Due to a Long Island Power Authority policy change, Fetner must now get a DEC permit before utility lines can be brought onto the property. The permit will take time to get, and because of the wetlands it will cost thousands of dollars more than usual to bring in lines, he says.September-October: Initial interest. The roof, plywood sheathing and trim work are done. Plumbing and window installation is under way. As October ends, Petkanas brings the first interested buyer to Fetner. No sale.November: A weather-tight house. The DEC finally amends Fetner's permit so electricity can be brought in. But he's told it will be months before the lines can be run.Meanwhile, as the window installation wraps up, work begins on the exterior cedar shakes. The home is now weather-tight, and Fetner is four months behind schedule. Petkanas holds an open house, which "is unsuccessful," Fetner says. But a strong market and rising prices let him increase the home's price tag to $2.495 million.December: Steady progress. The plumbing and insulation are completed, and the village building inspector looks the work over and declares everything up to code. The wallboard contractor can begin.2005January: A new year, a new problem. The contractor installing the cedar shakes is not showing up, and his completed work is poor. Fetner fires him and hires someone else.A Jan. 22 blizzard delays things two days. In addition, the house is still without electricity. Fetner wants to place the meter away from the structure. But because of the wetlands and a change in village code, it must be attached to the house.February: Progress slows. The wallboard is spackled and the cedar shakes are 99 percent done. But Fetner procrastinates on picking kitchen cabinets and counters because, he says, "I hate doing that myself." He says he's hoping a buyer is found to make those decisions.March: Still no electricity. The electrical lines are in, but the power isn't turned on because of the long and complicated process of installation and approval. Fetner can't start the wood trim because it would crack in an unheated space. Little work is done as he begins negotiating with two potential buyers.April-June: Hold, please, for the next available buyer. The electricity is finally on, allowing the plumber to install the boiler, but everything else remains on hold. One set of buyers falls through, but Kathy Wallach, an associate broker from Daniel Gale's Locust Valley office, finds another interested couple in June.Fetner is giving the couple until the 30th to sign a contract. If it isn't signed by then, he decides, he'll select the kitchen himself to avoid further delays.July: Houston, we have a buyer. Three weeks into the month, Wallach's buyers sign a contract for the $2.495 million asking price. They will pick the kitchen and other finishing touches. "It's great to have a buyer," Fetner says. The home should be done in the fall, he adds.August: Waiting again. The buyer leaves for vacation, returning at month's end.September: Progress. Ceramic tile, vanities and other items are selected and installed. By month's end, the only thing left to choose is the kitchen cabinetry which takes six to eight weeks to arrive, Fetner says.October: Moving along. The heat is turned on and interior doors, trim, crown molding and wood floors installed. The buyer still hasn't finished picking the kitchen components. Fetner also finds that despite record rains, no water comes in the basement. The extra money spent on the foundation and cesspool has paid off.December: Decisions made. The buyer's choices are ordered. "Now I'm crossing my fingers and hoping everything comes in correctly," Fetner says.2006January: "It's not the blue I picked." The tile contractor begins and is 90 percent done throughout the house when the buyer says the blue stone tile chosen for the master bathroom - and not yet up - is the wrong color.Everything stops while the contractor looks into getting the right tile.February: Kitchen cabinets, tile and paint, oh my! The kitchen cabinets arrive and are installed in a day. The painter is still not finished, however, because the buyer has not finalized color choices.As for the master bath tile, the supplier maintains the right color was sent. Six boxes are opened and spread around the floor. Because they are a blue stone, the color fluctuates.Once the buyers see this, they agree the color is in "an acceptable range of the sample they saw in the showroom," Fetner says.March: Toward the end. The last bits of plumbing and painting are finished, and the building department issues a certificate of occupancy.A closing date can be scheduled. There will undoubtedly be things the buyer wants corrected after moving in, but for the most part, Fetner's days at the house are ending.And how did Fetner fare? Although a builder's profits vary, many typically net in the 10- to 15-percent range, said Wieboldt, of the Builders Institute.Although a final accounting hasn't been done on Fetner's project, his profit should fall within that range, he said."I was fortunate that the market was still going up [throughout construction], so I was able to raise the price and cover all the extra costs."
Two years and counting, a diary follows a builder's struggle to build and sell a house that started with an imperfect lot with wetlands and a propensity for cave-ins. In hindsight, it was an
omen. Cliff Fetner planned to clear trees from the 2-acre lot in Lattingtown where he was starting work on what would be a 5,500-square-foot cedar-sided home. A tree-clearing company was hired, and all was set to go. Then it snowed several inches. It wasn't until a week later in January 2004 that the trees could be removed. But this would be only one of the problems - including hitting water - that he'd face in building the house. As large tracts of undeveloped land have become scarce on Long Island, builders have increasingly been doing in-fill development: building on the scattered lots left in fully developed areas, said Robert A. Wieboldt, executive vice president of the Long Island Builders Institute, an Islandia trade group. Some lots never attracted developers because of apparent problems, such as slopes. Even experienced builders' costs can escalate in overcoming such challenges, Wieboldt said. But as vacant land becomes scarcer, "the difficult site is becoming more common," he added. For Fetner, president of Jaco Custom Builders in Hauppauge, the Lattingtown lot's challenge was that nearly half of the 2-acre lot sits on wetlands. There was the potential of striking water when holes were dug. Plus, in addition to the usual building approvals required from government agencies, he would need approval from the state Department of Environmental Conservation.The lot hit the market in 2001. Fetner made an offer "in the 6's" based on an appraisal of $900,000. "For me," he explained, "it was worth buying at a discount." The contract, signed in April 2002, came with the proviso that the sale wouldn't close until the approval process ended and a building permit was in hand. That process took a year and a half and cost $36,275, "all on property that I may not have purchased," Fetner said. Nearly an acre was "flagged" as wetlands that had to be left untouched. Finally, in October 2003, Fetner had his building permit and closed on the purchase.He started the project without a buyer, building "on spec" because most people can't envision from plans what a home will look like when it's finished. In addition, construction moves faster when there's no buyer making changes.But because real estate markets can change overnight, Fetner wanted to find a buyer while the market was still hot in 2004. He listed the not-yet-begun home with associate broker Debra Quinn Petkanas of Daniel Gale Associates in Locust Valley for $2.3 million.Fetner, a third-generation builder who has completed more than 30 custom homes in the past 12 years, said he hoped his experience and the research he did on the land would limit problems.He said the home should be sold and completed within six to seven months, barring more inclement weather than usual. But experience taught him to base his asking price on taking a year to complete the home because of unforeseen problems and costs.In reality, it took Fetner more than two years to finish the home. What follows is a diary of what occurred.2004March: "We've struck water!" The excavating contractor begins digging the foundation. When he returns the next day, 4 inches of water are in the 500-square-foot hole. He continues digging in another location, but still finds water. He and Fetner decide to go 1 1/2 feet below where the structure's footings will rest and fill the space with stone.The footings will sit on a stone bed instead of in a hole that could fill with water. Because a rainstorm leaves the site muddy, dry soil is carted in so a dump truck can get to the foundation hole and drop the stones.April: The cruelest month, weatherwise. It rains every day for 2 1/2 weeks. Fetner needs one sunny day for the site to dry out before he can bring in cement trucks to pour the footings. "I'm about a month behind schedule," Fetner says. Finally, on April 21 trucks bring in the concrete.May: Waiting, wondering. The foundation is in, waterproofed and backfilled. Because April's rains delayed work into May, the framing contractor is backlogged. He promises to come soon. Fetner calculates that striking water while digging the foundation added $65,936 in unexpected costs.June-July: Cesspool problems. With the framing company still not in sight, Fetner instead brings in a firm to install the cesspool. A hole is begun, but it caves in an hour into the digging. Fetner tries another spot 15 feet away. Water is struck 24 feet down, and the hole caves in again. The cesspool can't be installed the traditional way.Instead, he must use heavy-duty support rings to prevent cave-ins. These are wider and stronger than the cesspool rings and are stacked one on top of the other as the hole is dug, keeping the hole from caving in. Then the standard concrete cesspool rings are placed inside and the heavy-duty rings removed.The revised method takes longer and costs $40,000 more. It also requires a week to get the materials. In mid-July the framer arrives. By month's end, the foundation is finished and most of the first floor framing is done.August: Uneventful with one exception. The weather is cooperating, and the framing is done. Fetner also meets with Petkanas, the real estate agent. Once the shell is complete and windows, roof and trim are on, Petkanas will hold an open house because buyers will have something to see.One new problem, however: Due to a Long Island Power Authority policy change, Fetner must now get a DEC permit before utility lines can be brought onto the property. The permit will take time to get, and because of the wetlands it will cost thousands of dollars more than usual to bring in lines, he says.September-October: Initial interest. The roof, plywood sheathing and trim work are done. Plumbing and window installation is under way. As October ends, Petkanas brings the first interested buyer to Fetner. No sale.November: A weather-tight house. The DEC finally amends Fetner's permit so electricity can be brought in. But he's told it will be months before the lines can be run.Meanwhile, as the window installation wraps up, work begins on the exterior cedar shakes. The home is now weather-tight, and Fetner is four months behind schedule. Petkanas holds an open house, which "is unsuccessful," Fetner says. But a strong market and rising prices let him increase the home's price tag to $2.495 million.December: Steady progress. The plumbing and insulation are completed, and the village building inspector looks the work over and declares everything up to code. The wallboard contractor can begin.2005January: A new year, a new problem. The contractor installing the cedar shakes is not showing up, and his completed work is poor. Fetner fires him and hires someone else.A Jan. 22 blizzard delays things two days. In addition, the house is still without electricity. Fetner wants to place the meter away from the structure. But because of the wetlands and a change in village code, it must be attached to the house.February: Progress slows. The wallboard is spackled and the cedar shakes are 99 percent done. But Fetner procrastinates on picking kitchen cabinets and counters because, he says, "I hate doing that myself." He says he's hoping a buyer is found to make those decisions.March: Still no electricity. The electrical lines are in, but the power isn't turned on because of the long and complicated process of installation and approval. Fetner can't start the wood trim because it would crack in an unheated space. Little work is done as he begins negotiating with two potential buyers.April-June: Hold, please, for the next available buyer. The electricity is finally on, allowing the plumber to install the boiler, but everything else remains on hold. One set of buyers falls through, but Kathy Wallach, an associate broker from Daniel Gale's Locust Valley office, finds another interested couple in June.Fetner is giving the couple until the 30th to sign a contract. If it isn't signed by then, he decides, he'll select the kitchen himself to avoid further delays.July: Houston, we have a buyer. Three weeks into the month, Wallach's buyers sign a contract for the $2.495 million asking price. They will pick the kitchen and other finishing touches. "It's great to have a buyer," Fetner says. The home should be done in the fall, he adds.August: Waiting again. The buyer leaves for vacation, returning at month's end.September: Progress. Ceramic tile, vanities and other items are selected and installed. By month's end, the only thing left to choose is the kitchen cabinetry which takes six to eight weeks to arrive, Fetner says.October: Moving along. The heat is turned on and interior doors, trim, crown molding and wood floors installed. The buyer still hasn't finished picking the kitchen components. Fetner also finds that despite record rains, no water comes in the basement. The extra money spent on the foundation and cesspool has paid off.December: Decisions made. The buyer's choices are ordered. "Now I'm crossing my fingers and hoping everything comes in correctly," Fetner says.2006January: "It's not the blue I picked." The tile contractor begins and is 90 percent done throughout the house when the buyer says the blue stone tile chosen for the master bathroom - and not yet up - is the wrong color.Everything stops while the contractor looks into getting the right tile.February: Kitchen cabinets, tile and paint, oh my! The kitchen cabinets arrive and are installed in a day. The painter is still not finished, however, because the buyer has not finalized color choices.As for the master bath tile, the supplier maintains the right color was sent. Six boxes are opened and spread around the floor. Because they are a blue stone, the color fluctuates.Once the buyers see this, they agree the color is in "an acceptable range of the sample they saw in the showroom," Fetner says.March: Toward the end. The last bits of plumbing and painting are finished, and the building department issues a certificate of occupancy.A closing date can be scheduled. There will undoubtedly be things the buyer wants corrected after moving in, but for the most part, Fetner's days at the house are ending.And how did Fetner fare? Although a builder's profits vary, many typically net in the 10- to 15-percent range, said Wieboldt, of the Builders Institute.Although a final accounting hasn't been done on Fetner's project, his profit should fall within that range, he said."I was fortunate that the market was still going up [throughout construction], so I was able to raise the price and cover all the extra costs."
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Buyer emotions
Buying or selling a house -- or at least the decision to do so -- is fraught with emotional bombshells. As you approach the prospects of buying your next home or investment property or selling either, for that matter, keep in mind that you're about to go through a Grand Canyon of emotional ups and downs.
One sales training website I came across says, "People buy products to gain emotional rewards and justify buying with logical reasons. Your ad copy must trigger emotion(s) that will persuade your prospects to buy your product."
Having spent a few years in various sales positions, I can tell you the above is very true. The reason people buy a lot of products is because of the emotional factor. A University of Florida study on emotions and their effects on the buying process, headlined that "Americans More Likely to Let Their Emotions Do the Buying." The study contends that "emotions were nearly twice as important as knowledge in buying decisions."
In fact, sales training courses have techniques, such as the Embarrassment Close, where the sales person makes the consumer feel embarrassed for not buying. The Emotion Close is designed to trigger identified emotions that push consumers into signing the bottom line. Sales Training University even has a course entitled: "Emotional Response Marketing - The Key To Producing Results."
Where do you stand with your emotions in the process?
It's not that emotions have no place in the real estate purchase process. I'm as guilty as any other American consumer of buying because I liked the way a product appealed to my pride, sense of image, or even covetous desires to just have more than the Joneses. So don't think you're going to be able to buy a house with an emotionless stoicism to ensure your decision is only logical. In fact, it shouldn't be just logical.
If we all purchased homes based on what was logical -- we would be living in the most basic property that met our basic needs. Besides, the 1,200 square foot, $200,000 condo protects me from the elements as much as the 8,500 square foot, $2 million estate. Thus, there's somewhere in the middle where you should aim your buying arrow.
The UF study pointed out "marketers should focus more on understanding how to connect with their audiences on emotional as well as intellectual levels," and encouraged buyers to understand what is going on with themselves emotionally as they make a decision -- especially on big-ticket items.
Frankly, part of the real estate frenzy of the last several years was purely emotional driven. Yes, a lot of money was to be made in the hottest of markets, however, it was the emotional high from believing in the instant riches that would follow the purchase that got more people into real estate than the fact that it is a good investment. Real estate investing has always been a great investment. What's interesting is that any investment expert will tell you to buy low and sell high on your assets -- not buy high and sell higher. But the emotional exuberance of buying a house with a $25,000 deposit and flipping it in 6 months to the tune of a $100,000 profit, continued driving prices up and markets hotter.
Now that the markets have returned to normal -- the commonsense investor and home buyer can really profit from approaching the transaction from a left-brain, number-crunching approach, balanced with the emotional joy of owning a really nice house.
As you walk through houses for sale, the old hand agents will still tell you, "You'll just know when you've walked into 'your' house." And they are exactly right. The commonsense side of the decision is: can I afford it, does it meet within our financial limitations? (The logical approach.) Meanwhile, there should be the balance of: "Wow … this is the place because I feel at home." (The emotional response.)
And with that, I'll leave you with a totally emotional greeting: Good luck and happy buying.
One sales training website I came across says, "People buy products to gain emotional rewards and justify buying with logical reasons. Your ad copy must trigger emotion(s) that will persuade your prospects to buy your product."
Having spent a few years in various sales positions, I can tell you the above is very true. The reason people buy a lot of products is because of the emotional factor. A University of Florida study on emotions and their effects on the buying process, headlined that "Americans More Likely to Let Their Emotions Do the Buying." The study contends that "emotions were nearly twice as important as knowledge in buying decisions."
In fact, sales training courses have techniques, such as the Embarrassment Close, where the sales person makes the consumer feel embarrassed for not buying. The Emotion Close is designed to trigger identified emotions that push consumers into signing the bottom line. Sales Training University even has a course entitled: "Emotional Response Marketing - The Key To Producing Results."
Where do you stand with your emotions in the process?
It's not that emotions have no place in the real estate purchase process. I'm as guilty as any other American consumer of buying because I liked the way a product appealed to my pride, sense of image, or even covetous desires to just have more than the Joneses. So don't think you're going to be able to buy a house with an emotionless stoicism to ensure your decision is only logical. In fact, it shouldn't be just logical.
If we all purchased homes based on what was logical -- we would be living in the most basic property that met our basic needs. Besides, the 1,200 square foot, $200,000 condo protects me from the elements as much as the 8,500 square foot, $2 million estate. Thus, there's somewhere in the middle where you should aim your buying arrow.
The UF study pointed out "marketers should focus more on understanding how to connect with their audiences on emotional as well as intellectual levels," and encouraged buyers to understand what is going on with themselves emotionally as they make a decision -- especially on big-ticket items.
Frankly, part of the real estate frenzy of the last several years was purely emotional driven. Yes, a lot of money was to be made in the hottest of markets, however, it was the emotional high from believing in the instant riches that would follow the purchase that got more people into real estate than the fact that it is a good investment. Real estate investing has always been a great investment. What's interesting is that any investment expert will tell you to buy low and sell high on your assets -- not buy high and sell higher. But the emotional exuberance of buying a house with a $25,000 deposit and flipping it in 6 months to the tune of a $100,000 profit, continued driving prices up and markets hotter.
Now that the markets have returned to normal -- the commonsense investor and home buyer can really profit from approaching the transaction from a left-brain, number-crunching approach, balanced with the emotional joy of owning a really nice house.
As you walk through houses for sale, the old hand agents will still tell you, "You'll just know when you've walked into 'your' house." And they are exactly right. The commonsense side of the decision is: can I afford it, does it meet within our financial limitations? (The logical approach.) Meanwhile, there should be the balance of: "Wow … this is the place because I feel at home." (The emotional response.)
And with that, I'll leave you with a totally emotional greeting: Good luck and happy buying.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Talking House in the news.
Up for sale and on the airA radio transmits a sales pitch from a property on the market to house hunters who can hear it in a car at the curb; now we're talkin' house
BY JONATHAN McCARTHYSpecial to NewsdayApril 7, 2006
Pat Sullivan needed to sell her house. Her five-bedroom cape in New Hyde Park, listed at $584,500, had been on the market with an agency for months.So she decided it was time to find a new agent - one who would do whatever it took to sell her house.
"We wanted the agent with the most to offer," said Sullivan, whose house is now in contract with prospective buyers.Little did she know that her house would become one of a small percentage of homes on Long Island to use a new service that - so to speak - lets the house do the talking.The technology is called Talking House, and Sullivan's agent, Laurie Miner of ERA Caputo Realty in New Hyde Park, is one of a growing number of agents using the system in the area as another way to sell a home as the market softens.To make it work, the agent records a message onto a VCR-size transmitter that gets placed in the house. The transmitter then broadcasts the message on an AM radio frequency in digital format. The broadcast can be heard for 300 feet.A sign is placed in front of the house referring potential buyers to the radio frequency - and the house, in theory, should sell itself."It is very successful," Miner said of the technology, which has brought her more inquiries on properties she has listed. "It makes your house stand out, and I've gotten more inquiries just based on curiosity alone."Tuning into potential buyersFor Sullivan's cape, Miner said she used two separate recordings. The first one touted the house - how many bedrooms and bathrooms, and the decor. The second message talked about the neighborhood, the school district, nearby parks and some of the services other than real estate that Miner provides."Your family will love this beautiful brick cape here at 507 North 11th Street," the bubbly cheerleaderlike spokeswoman said in the first recording on 1670 AM. "Parents, how would you like to have your kids attend the award-winning New Hyde Park schools?" she asked on the second.As soon as the transmitter was installed in February, Sullivan said, traffic to her house picked up. And now she's living in Tampa, Fla., hoping the extra advertising will have netted her a final sale.The transmitters cost roughly $300, and the service is provided as part of a contract that sellers sign with a registered Talking House agent. Homeowners cannot buy the transmitters themselves.For Miner, Talking House gives her an edge with both buyers and sellers in an industry that has been racing to keep up with competition on the Internet. Miner says that 60 percent of her clients are currently using the Talking House service. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Realtors, 77 percent of buyers used the Internet to search for a home in 2005. That's up from 2 percent just 10 years ago.It is the uniqueness of the Talking House service that seems to attract most agents."Almost 80 percent of new agents fail in the first year because they don't get enough listings," said Scott Hagerman, who is a Talking House "success coach," which means he markets the product. "This makes them stand out."That was true for Sullivan, she said."For me, ERA came up with stuff that other agencies weren't doing," Sullivan said. "I wanted to get the most for my money."Broadcasting ingenuityStanding out from the crowd and offering value to his clients is part of the reason that Mark Anthony LoCorriere said he began using the Talking House product. An associate broker with Coldwell Banker in Port Jefferson Station for the past 12 years, he first started using Talking House after it was mentioned in a real estate magazine
"It is great for the seller of any specific house," LoCorriere said. "People are intrigued by it, and it causes a commotion in the neighborhood."The Talking House product is designed for use by agents and by homeowners selling their houses themselves. Each transmitter comes with a marketing plan. Agents are instructed to use the device not only on their listing, but on their own house as well.
Miner has a sign in her own front yard in New Hyde Park, where the message speaks about the services she provides as an agent and explains that although her house isn't for sale, she can help you get into the neighborhood."If it helps with one house or one client, it pays for itself," Miner said. In hopes they may tell their friends or neighbors about her service, she also rents the transmitter boxes for $60 a month to sellers who are not using an agent.Talking House is in just 1 percent of the nationwide real estate market, with some 12,000 agents registered to use the product. There are roughly 20 such agents on Long Island to offer the package, according to TalkingHouse.com.The company started in Fond du Lac, Wis., and has been offering the product for 20 years. It switched from analog radio to digital radio four years ago and went national five years ago when it was sold to Broadcast Marketing Llc of Illinois.Its marketing plan is considered key to the company's success. Representatives claim a 95 percent satisfaction rating with agents who have used the product for at least three months.Each transmitter comes with tips on how to make better recordings and provides agents with a presentation to help close the deal with potential customers."Most of the time, I don't have to say a word," said LoCorriere, who has used the product on more than 10 listings this year and offers it to all his clients. "I get more comments on that than anything else I offer. People are impressed."Real estate agents "often run into problems with training," explained Hagerman. This is often because they are all independent agents working for themselves. Other agents in their broke`rage are also the competition. "We help give them a plan and a strategy," he said.Sending the right messageIt is a strategy that not every agent thinks will work."The Talking House allows people to eliminate a house before they should," said Kathy Martin, an agent with Century 21 Northern Shores in Northport. "Sometimes [the recordings] don't do the house justice."Martin has specialized on the North Shore, specifically eastern Nassau, Huntington and Smithtown, for 25 years. "You have to weigh the benefit of technology before utilizing it," she said. "Buyers and sellers are more sophisticated and much more knowledgeable."LoCorriere said he has similar concerns."My job is to get buyers into a house, and you don't always know what will turn a buyer off," he said. To combat that, LoCorriere said he tries not to oversell in his recorded messages. "People want to hear about the house, not me," he said.For Martin, the best way to get an edge on the competition is to know the inventory. "Most clients have already started their search on the Internet," she said. "I go to as many broker open houses as possible so that I can speak intelligently about the houses in my area."The thing that may hurt the product most in the long run, however, is popularity, LoCorriere said. "It is a novelty. If it were more prominent in the market, it ... wouldn't be so special."Talk about your homeTalking House transmitters are offered by registered agents. There are more than 20 agents registered on Long Island. You can find one by visiting www.talkinghouse.com.The cost of the service is normally part of the commission deal arranged with each real estate agent, and prices can vary.If you are selling your home by yourself, you can rent a Talking House transmitter from a registered agent. Agents charge between $60 and $70 per month for use.Talking House transmitters are not for sale to the general public. - JONATHANMcCARTHYThe Talking House transmitter weighs only 4 pounds, but its "high-tech look will impress," says the company. It will record a message of up to five minutes on its inner computer chip and program it to repeat immediately with no dead air time. You can set it to play on any AM station, but 1610 is the most popular, the company says, because it's available everywhere.
BY JONATHAN McCARTHYSpecial to NewsdayApril 7, 2006
Pat Sullivan needed to sell her house. Her five-bedroom cape in New Hyde Park, listed at $584,500, had been on the market with an agency for months.So she decided it was time to find a new agent - one who would do whatever it took to sell her house.
"We wanted the agent with the most to offer," said Sullivan, whose house is now in contract with prospective buyers.Little did she know that her house would become one of a small percentage of homes on Long Island to use a new service that - so to speak - lets the house do the talking.The technology is called Talking House, and Sullivan's agent, Laurie Miner of ERA Caputo Realty in New Hyde Park, is one of a growing number of agents using the system in the area as another way to sell a home as the market softens.To make it work, the agent records a message onto a VCR-size transmitter that gets placed in the house. The transmitter then broadcasts the message on an AM radio frequency in digital format. The broadcast can be heard for 300 feet.A sign is placed in front of the house referring potential buyers to the radio frequency - and the house, in theory, should sell itself."It is very successful," Miner said of the technology, which has brought her more inquiries on properties she has listed. "It makes your house stand out, and I've gotten more inquiries just based on curiosity alone."Tuning into potential buyersFor Sullivan's cape, Miner said she used two separate recordings. The first one touted the house - how many bedrooms and bathrooms, and the decor. The second message talked about the neighborhood, the school district, nearby parks and some of the services other than real estate that Miner provides."Your family will love this beautiful brick cape here at 507 North 11th Street," the bubbly cheerleaderlike spokeswoman said in the first recording on 1670 AM. "Parents, how would you like to have your kids attend the award-winning New Hyde Park schools?" she asked on the second.As soon as the transmitter was installed in February, Sullivan said, traffic to her house picked up. And now she's living in Tampa, Fla., hoping the extra advertising will have netted her a final sale.The transmitters cost roughly $300, and the service is provided as part of a contract that sellers sign with a registered Talking House agent. Homeowners cannot buy the transmitters themselves.For Miner, Talking House gives her an edge with both buyers and sellers in an industry that has been racing to keep up with competition on the Internet. Miner says that 60 percent of her clients are currently using the Talking House service. According to a recent survey by the National Association of Realtors, 77 percent of buyers used the Internet to search for a home in 2005. That's up from 2 percent just 10 years ago.It is the uniqueness of the Talking House service that seems to attract most agents."Almost 80 percent of new agents fail in the first year because they don't get enough listings," said Scott Hagerman, who is a Talking House "success coach," which means he markets the product. "This makes them stand out."That was true for Sullivan, she said."For me, ERA came up with stuff that other agencies weren't doing," Sullivan said. "I wanted to get the most for my money."Broadcasting ingenuityStanding out from the crowd and offering value to his clients is part of the reason that Mark Anthony LoCorriere said he began using the Talking House product. An associate broker with Coldwell Banker in Port Jefferson Station for the past 12 years, he first started using Talking House after it was mentioned in a real estate magazine
"It is great for the seller of any specific house," LoCorriere said. "People are intrigued by it, and it causes a commotion in the neighborhood."The Talking House product is designed for use by agents and by homeowners selling their houses themselves. Each transmitter comes with a marketing plan. Agents are instructed to use the device not only on their listing, but on their own house as well.
Miner has a sign in her own front yard in New Hyde Park, where the message speaks about the services she provides as an agent and explains that although her house isn't for sale, she can help you get into the neighborhood."If it helps with one house or one client, it pays for itself," Miner said. In hopes they may tell their friends or neighbors about her service, she also rents the transmitter boxes for $60 a month to sellers who are not using an agent.Talking House is in just 1 percent of the nationwide real estate market, with some 12,000 agents registered to use the product. There are roughly 20 such agents on Long Island to offer the package, according to TalkingHouse.com.The company started in Fond du Lac, Wis., and has been offering the product for 20 years. It switched from analog radio to digital radio four years ago and went national five years ago when it was sold to Broadcast Marketing Llc of Illinois.Its marketing plan is considered key to the company's success. Representatives claim a 95 percent satisfaction rating with agents who have used the product for at least three months.Each transmitter comes with tips on how to make better recordings and provides agents with a presentation to help close the deal with potential customers."Most of the time, I don't have to say a word," said LoCorriere, who has used the product on more than 10 listings this year and offers it to all his clients. "I get more comments on that than anything else I offer. People are impressed."Real estate agents "often run into problems with training," explained Hagerman. This is often because they are all independent agents working for themselves. Other agents in their broke`rage are also the competition. "We help give them a plan and a strategy," he said.Sending the right messageIt is a strategy that not every agent thinks will work."The Talking House allows people to eliminate a house before they should," said Kathy Martin, an agent with Century 21 Northern Shores in Northport. "Sometimes [the recordings] don't do the house justice."Martin has specialized on the North Shore, specifically eastern Nassau, Huntington and Smithtown, for 25 years. "You have to weigh the benefit of technology before utilizing it," she said. "Buyers and sellers are more sophisticated and much more knowledgeable."LoCorriere said he has similar concerns."My job is to get buyers into a house, and you don't always know what will turn a buyer off," he said. To combat that, LoCorriere said he tries not to oversell in his recorded messages. "People want to hear about the house, not me," he said.For Martin, the best way to get an edge on the competition is to know the inventory. "Most clients have already started their search on the Internet," she said. "I go to as many broker open houses as possible so that I can speak intelligently about the houses in my area."The thing that may hurt the product most in the long run, however, is popularity, LoCorriere said. "It is a novelty. If it were more prominent in the market, it ... wouldn't be so special."Talk about your homeTalking House transmitters are offered by registered agents. There are more than 20 agents registered on Long Island. You can find one by visiting www.talkinghouse.com.The cost of the service is normally part of the commission deal arranged with each real estate agent, and prices can vary.If you are selling your home by yourself, you can rent a Talking House transmitter from a registered agent. Agents charge between $60 and $70 per month for use.Talking House transmitters are not for sale to the general public. - JONATHANMcCARTHYThe Talking House transmitter weighs only 4 pounds, but its "high-tech look will impress," says the company. It will record a message of up to five minutes on its inner computer chip and program it to repeat immediately with no dead air time. You can set it to play on any AM station, but 1610 is the most popular, the company says, because it's available everywhere.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Responding to the Bubble
Bankrate.com
Pop goes the market: Responding to the bubble
Wednesday March 1, 6:00 am ET
Holden Lewis
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a family in possession of a suddenly valuable house is in want of advice.
The same goes for renters who have been warily watching home prices zoom into the stratosphere. They want to know what to do, too.
Whether you already own a house or want to own one, you're probably wondering:
whether your real estate market is in a bubble;
whether it was in a bubble that has burst;
whether a bubble is about to start inflating in your area;
or why the bubble passed your town by.
Furthermore, being a practical person, you're asking yourself (regardless of the strength or weakness of your neighborhood real-estate market): What's in it for me? How can I work things to my advantage?
You have come to the right place for the answers to these deceptively complex questions. The articles in this real estate guide will advise you what to do in a changing market, whether you're a seller or a buyer.
This guide is informative, but not dull. First comes a look at what $400,000 will buy in 24 cities. Wait till you compare the house 400 grand buys in Fort Wayne, Ind., versus the condo it buys in Miami, Fla.
Dealing with a changing market Maybe you've lived in your home for a few years and its value has zoomed. Congratulations. You've made money on paper. But if you sell, you might not be able to afford another house in the same market. Has your home become a prison?
What if you want to sell your home, but sales have cooled and it's turning into a buyer's market? There are ways to make your home stand out from the crowd.
A real pro can make money whether home prices are going up or down. Here are ways to profit in a changing real estate environment.
Which direction are interest rates headed this year? Greg McBride makes predictions.
Moves to make It might be time to re-think your mortgage. A lot of homeowners will bail out of their adjustable-rate mortgages over the next two years.
Whether you're buying or selling a home, Bankrate real-estate advice columnist Steve McLinden has a list of 10 mistakes to avoid.
A lot of agents will tell you that you shouldn't make insultingly low offers. Yeah, well, the market is shifting in favor of buyers in some places, and that means it's time to brush up on the old negotiating tactic of making a lowball offer. Or, better, yet, making several lowball offers, as Joanna Glasner explains.
Don't want to be on the bad side of a lowball offer? Protect yourself from a housing bubble: Be careful about how deeply you go into debt, and don't buy your residence primarily as an investment.
Some homeowners decide to get out while the getting is good. They cash out and collect their money before home prices fall.
But what do you do after you sell your house near what you hope is the top of the market? Go west -- Midwest, that is.
And we give you guidelines of what to do, depending whether your area is about to pop, still inflating, or not in a bubble at all.
Like a balloon What, exactly, is a housing bubble? It's a rapid increase in home prices that is followed by a steep decline. By that imprecise definition, housing bubbles are uncommon. Most booms end when home prices plateau for a few years. Those aren't bubbles. A minority of booms -- one-fifth, according to an FDIC study -- are followed within five years by busts. Those are bubbles.
Are you living in a housing bubble? You can't know for sure until it bursts. A bubble could pop, throwing home values down a flight of steep stairs. But it's more likely that prices eventually will stagnate for years while rents and wages catch up.
By the way, the aforementioned research paper by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.? It defined a bubble as a 30-percent rise in home prices in three years, adjusting for inflation, followed by a 15-percent drop in home prices in five years. The researchers counted 54 booms in 46 metro areas from 1978 to 1998, followed by nine busts that began within five years. The researchers spotted nine more booms that began after 1998, but none of those markets had popped as of the end of 2003, the latest data the scholars had. Since they haven't had time to pop, it's too early to know if those markets were bubbles.
Assigning blame Economists, builders, real estate agents and others have attributed the steep rise in home prices to an array of factors, depending on the market.
Builders point the finger at laws that impose restrictions on land use and building density, and they complain that protecting endangered species puts prime home-building sites out of bounds. Recently the National Association of Home Builders encouraged the federal government to take the bald eagle off the endangered species list to "help landowners and others understand how to protect the bald eagle while continuing to keep housing affordable."
In other places, the bald eagle isn't the designated culprit, geography is. When prices were zooming in San Diego, real estate professionals pointed out that the city is bounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the south by Mexico, on the north by military installations, and on the east by desert mountains. There aren't many places to expand.
Immigration is a widely cited factor in California, especially the southern part of the state. In South Florida, experts blame rampant speculation, as short-term investors buy condominium units and even houses long before they're built, on the assumption that they'll be worth a lot more after completion.
Speculation also seems to be the culprit in other markets that have boomed in the last few years -- Phoenix, Las Vegas, Boston, and New York City and Long Island, most prominently.
In their heads The roots of housing bubbles grow in people's brains. When you bid up the price of something because you're sure the next buyer will pay even more, you have enlisted into bubble psychology. If most of the local market's home buyers join the ranks, prices spiral upward. Then, at some point, prices slow down or stop rising or even fall. In the latter case, a bubble pops. Sometimes there's an external factor -- a recession or a big layoff -- and other times there's no discernible reason other than people stop believing that prices will continue to skyrocket, just as they stopped believing in the tooth fairy when they were kids.
Pop goes the market: Responding to the bubble
Wednesday March 1, 6:00 am ET
Holden Lewis
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a family in possession of a suddenly valuable house is in want of advice.
The same goes for renters who have been warily watching home prices zoom into the stratosphere. They want to know what to do, too.
Whether you already own a house or want to own one, you're probably wondering:
whether your real estate market is in a bubble;
whether it was in a bubble that has burst;
whether a bubble is about to start inflating in your area;
or why the bubble passed your town by.
Furthermore, being a practical person, you're asking yourself (regardless of the strength or weakness of your neighborhood real-estate market): What's in it for me? How can I work things to my advantage?
You have come to the right place for the answers to these deceptively complex questions. The articles in this real estate guide will advise you what to do in a changing market, whether you're a seller or a buyer.
This guide is informative, but not dull. First comes a look at what $400,000 will buy in 24 cities. Wait till you compare the house 400 grand buys in Fort Wayne, Ind., versus the condo it buys in Miami, Fla.
Dealing with a changing market Maybe you've lived in your home for a few years and its value has zoomed. Congratulations. You've made money on paper. But if you sell, you might not be able to afford another house in the same market. Has your home become a prison?
What if you want to sell your home, but sales have cooled and it's turning into a buyer's market? There are ways to make your home stand out from the crowd.
A real pro can make money whether home prices are going up or down. Here are ways to profit in a changing real estate environment.
Which direction are interest rates headed this year? Greg McBride makes predictions.
Moves to make It might be time to re-think your mortgage. A lot of homeowners will bail out of their adjustable-rate mortgages over the next two years.
Whether you're buying or selling a home, Bankrate real-estate advice columnist Steve McLinden has a list of 10 mistakes to avoid.
A lot of agents will tell you that you shouldn't make insultingly low offers. Yeah, well, the market is shifting in favor of buyers in some places, and that means it's time to brush up on the old negotiating tactic of making a lowball offer. Or, better, yet, making several lowball offers, as Joanna Glasner explains.
Don't want to be on the bad side of a lowball offer? Protect yourself from a housing bubble: Be careful about how deeply you go into debt, and don't buy your residence primarily as an investment.
Some homeowners decide to get out while the getting is good. They cash out and collect their money before home prices fall.
But what do you do after you sell your house near what you hope is the top of the market? Go west -- Midwest, that is.
And we give you guidelines of what to do, depending whether your area is about to pop, still inflating, or not in a bubble at all.
Like a balloon What, exactly, is a housing bubble? It's a rapid increase in home prices that is followed by a steep decline. By that imprecise definition, housing bubbles are uncommon. Most booms end when home prices plateau for a few years. Those aren't bubbles. A minority of booms -- one-fifth, according to an FDIC study -- are followed within five years by busts. Those are bubbles.
Are you living in a housing bubble? You can't know for sure until it bursts. A bubble could pop, throwing home values down a flight of steep stairs. But it's more likely that prices eventually will stagnate for years while rents and wages catch up.
By the way, the aforementioned research paper by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.? It defined a bubble as a 30-percent rise in home prices in three years, adjusting for inflation, followed by a 15-percent drop in home prices in five years. The researchers counted 54 booms in 46 metro areas from 1978 to 1998, followed by nine busts that began within five years. The researchers spotted nine more booms that began after 1998, but none of those markets had popped as of the end of 2003, the latest data the scholars had. Since they haven't had time to pop, it's too early to know if those markets were bubbles.
Assigning blame Economists, builders, real estate agents and others have attributed the steep rise in home prices to an array of factors, depending on the market.
Builders point the finger at laws that impose restrictions on land use and building density, and they complain that protecting endangered species puts prime home-building sites out of bounds. Recently the National Association of Home Builders encouraged the federal government to take the bald eagle off the endangered species list to "help landowners and others understand how to protect the bald eagle while continuing to keep housing affordable."
In other places, the bald eagle isn't the designated culprit, geography is. When prices were zooming in San Diego, real estate professionals pointed out that the city is bounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the south by Mexico, on the north by military installations, and on the east by desert mountains. There aren't many places to expand.
Immigration is a widely cited factor in California, especially the southern part of the state. In South Florida, experts blame rampant speculation, as short-term investors buy condominium units and even houses long before they're built, on the assumption that they'll be worth a lot more after completion.
Speculation also seems to be the culprit in other markets that have boomed in the last few years -- Phoenix, Las Vegas, Boston, and New York City and Long Island, most prominently.
In their heads The roots of housing bubbles grow in people's brains. When you bid up the price of something because you're sure the next buyer will pay even more, you have enlisted into bubble psychology. If most of the local market's home buyers join the ranks, prices spiral upward. Then, at some point, prices slow down or stop rising or even fall. In the latter case, a bubble pops. Sometimes there's an external factor -- a recession or a big layoff -- and other times there's no discernible reason other than people stop believing that prices will continue to skyrocket, just as they stopped believing in the tooth fairy when they were kids.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Wow it's been a long time since I was here, sorry about that! My family and I went away to Florida in mid February and we had a BLAST! My son was in his glory. He is 3 and really got it this year. We went when he was 13 months old and he had fun but not anything like this time. He really new who the characters were and wanted to see them. My daughter on the other hand who is only 13 months old was not so excited about the large furry visitors! She was OK as long as they didn't come right up to her. Thankfully we were able to miss the big snow storm and it was all melted by the time we returned home!
My daughter decided to start walking while we were away which was so exciting! She is getting better and better everyday. She is so excited about it, she is sometimes distracted by her clapping and giggling and falls on her bottom. She just laughs more when that happens. I was finally able to get her ears pierced, I was so scared about doing it. They look so adorable and she doesn't even notice that they are there! She cried for a minute or two and that was it, I was more upset about it than she was. Isn't that always the way!
Until next time have a great day!
My daughter decided to start walking while we were away which was so exciting! She is getting better and better everyday. She is so excited about it, she is sometimes distracted by her clapping and giggling and falls on her bottom. She just laughs more when that happens. I was finally able to get her ears pierced, I was so scared about doing it. They look so adorable and she doesn't even notice that they are there! She cried for a minute or two and that was it, I was more upset about it than she was. Isn't that always the way!
Until next time have a great day!
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Hello there, I am sorry that it has been so long since my last post!! I have been very busy planning our upcoming vacation. We are going to Disney World and are we ever excited. Thomas who is 3 just cannot wait to get on the plane!! Everyday we have a countdown for how many days till we leave. A large group of the family is going which is so great for the kids and us. All of our lives are busy and this will give us the chance to just "chill". The baby doesn't get it yet of course but Thomas is excited for the both of them! I have not flown with the kids yet so I am a little nervous about how the kids will do. I figure either way it will be better than driving with the kids in a car for 2 days, ugg.... There is so much that needs to be done to get ready for a trip with two small kids, oh my gosh. I am trying to pack for any possible situation that might arise. I think that is impossible. I am thankful that I can buy most of the things we need there so we don't need to carry so much. I am surprised at how early the stores bring out the summer clothing. It's is still February for goodness sake, why are there bathing suits in the store?? I know people go on vacations but come on!! I never really paid attention to the time frame that the seasons switched at the store. Am I alone on this?? What if I wanted to by some nice winter clothes, how does one go about that now?? I just can't get over it!!
Anyway, thanks for reading and I will be back very soon.
Anyway, thanks for reading and I will be back very soon.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Hello Again! It has been a few days since I lasted posted here. I just wanted to give you a few more suggestions on how to prepare your home for selling.
Repair & Cleaning Checklist
Front Door:
Newly painted
Doorbell operating
Door brass polished
Hinges oiled
Exterior of House:
House recently painted
Gutters recently cleaned
Exterior lights operating
Missing shingles replaced
Moss removed from roof
Windows:
Window trims painted
Windows operating freely
Cracked windowpanes replaced
Windows washed
Driveway:
Resurfaced
Potholes patched
Recently sealed
Patios:
Wood stained or painted
Fencing secure
Lawn:
Lawn in good condition
Grass mowed
Edges trimmed
Trees/Shrubs:
Dead branches pruned
Dead shrubs replaced
Overgrown shrubs pruned
Entry:
Entry lights operating
Floors cleaned
Closet cleaned
Closet light operating
Living Room:
Recently painted
Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
Leaks repaired & watermarks covered
Wallpaper secured
Woodwork repainted
Curtains/drapes/blinds cleaned
Drapes/blinds opened
Carpets cleaned
Furniture positioned to show space
Kitchen:
Sink free of stains
No dripping faucets
Appliances in good working order
Walls, cabinets free of stains
Countertops cleared and cleaned
Pantry neatly arranged
Pantry hardware replaced
Refrigerator defrosted
Family Room:
Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
Leaks repaired & watermarks covered
Wallpaper secured
Woodwork repainted
Windows washed
Curtains/drapes/blinds cleaned
Windows operating freely
Drapes/blinds opened
Carpets cleaned
Hobby supplies put away
Bedrooms:
Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
Leaks repaired & watermarks covered
Wallpaper secured
Woodwork repaired
Windows washed
Curtains/drapes/blinds cleaned
Floor waxed/refinished
Carpets cleaned
Beds made
Laundry put away
Floor free from clutter
Basement:
Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
No evidence of water penetration
Dampness removed
Cold water pipes covered
Dehumidifier installed
Sump pump installed
No musty odors
Drains cleared
Furnace cleaned
Storage neatly arranged
Excess storage removed
Floor swept
Light fixtures operating
Handrail secure
Stairway runner secure
Dining Room:
Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
Leaks repaired & watermarks covered
Wallpaper secured
Woodwork repaired
Windows washed
Drapes/blinds open to view
Floor waxed/refinished
Carpets cleaned
Bathrooms:
Sink stains removed
Leaky faucets repaired
Grouting stains removed
All joints caulked
Missing tiles replaced
All fixtures operating
Floors cleaned
New shower curtain
All supplies stored
Guest towels
I hope that you find some of these suggestions helpful in the preparation of your home for being sold!
Repair & Cleaning Checklist
Front Door:
Newly painted
Doorbell operating
Door brass polished
Hinges oiled
Exterior of House:
House recently painted
Gutters recently cleaned
Exterior lights operating
Missing shingles replaced
Moss removed from roof
Windows:
Window trims painted
Windows operating freely
Cracked windowpanes replaced
Windows washed
Driveway:
Resurfaced
Potholes patched
Recently sealed
Patios:
Wood stained or painted
Fencing secure
Lawn:
Lawn in good condition
Grass mowed
Edges trimmed
Trees/Shrubs:
Dead branches pruned
Dead shrubs replaced
Overgrown shrubs pruned
Entry:
Entry lights operating
Floors cleaned
Closet cleaned
Closet light operating
Living Room:
Recently painted
Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
Leaks repaired & watermarks covered
Wallpaper secured
Woodwork repainted
Curtains/drapes/blinds cleaned
Drapes/blinds opened
Carpets cleaned
Furniture positioned to show space
Kitchen:
Sink free of stains
No dripping faucets
Appliances in good working order
Walls, cabinets free of stains
Countertops cleared and cleaned
Pantry neatly arranged
Pantry hardware replaced
Refrigerator defrosted
Family Room:
Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
Leaks repaired & watermarks covered
Wallpaper secured
Woodwork repainted
Windows washed
Curtains/drapes/blinds cleaned
Windows operating freely
Drapes/blinds opened
Carpets cleaned
Hobby supplies put away
Bedrooms:
Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
Leaks repaired & watermarks covered
Wallpaper secured
Woodwork repaired
Windows washed
Curtains/drapes/blinds cleaned
Floor waxed/refinished
Carpets cleaned
Beds made
Laundry put away
Floor free from clutter
Basement:
Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
No evidence of water penetration
Dampness removed
Cold water pipes covered
Dehumidifier installed
Sump pump installed
No musty odors
Drains cleared
Furnace cleaned
Storage neatly arranged
Excess storage removed
Floor swept
Light fixtures operating
Handrail secure
Stairway runner secure
Dining Room:
Cracks in ceiling/walls repaired
Leaks repaired & watermarks covered
Wallpaper secured
Woodwork repaired
Windows washed
Drapes/blinds open to view
Floor waxed/refinished
Carpets cleaned
Bathrooms:
Sink stains removed
Leaky faucets repaired
Grouting stains removed
All joints caulked
Missing tiles replaced
All fixtures operating
Floors cleaned
New shower curtain
All supplies stored
Guest towels
I hope that you find some of these suggestions helpful in the preparation of your home for being sold!
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Hello All! Here is another bit of personal advise from me to you!
Dress For Success Before you put your house on the market, its best to put a shine to it.The way you present your property to prospective buyers can make all the difference.Without investing in expensive and time-consuming renovation and redecoration,it's still possible to show your home to its very best advantage.
Curb Appeal That first impression when prospective buyers drive up is very important.If they don't find the outside appealing, they won't be interested in seeing what's inside.
The Yard Mowed lawns, trimmed shrubbery and clean windows are a start.Planting a few flowers or plants can do a lot to a front yard.Fertilize and water the lawn and plants thoroughly 2-3 weeks before putting the house on the market.Clean up oil spots on the driveway. Make sure the garage door opens easily.Swimming pools should be clean along with the pump and filters.Clean up and throw away any junk or items laying around the yard.Now is a good time to have a yard sale, get rid of those items that you don't planto take with you. Do this before you put your house on the market to greatly reduce the "detrimental clutter look". Start packing away little things that you don't use everyday.Recycle magazines, newspapers, bottles, cans and so on.Pet droppings can easily turn the buyer back to the front door.
The Exterior If your house could use a paint job and you don't have the time or money, some times hosing it off(from the bottom up) and repainting the trim will update the entire facade.At least paint the side facing the street.A clean front porch with a fresh looking front door that opens smoothly is a must .Any broken windows should be fixed now as they will most likely be before closing.A few gallons of stain or paint can add real impact to a fence.
The InteriorInside, everything should be spotless.Spending $100 to have someone do heavy "spring cleaning" if needed can bring a return many times over in the sales price and time on the market.A fresh coat of light colored paint on the walls is always recommended.Painting only the trim and the doors will add a lot.Check to see that all doors open and close freely. Oil any squeaky doors.Replace any burned out light bulbs. Brighter lights enhance many rooms.Steam clean the carpets if new carpeting is not possible and to help eliminate any pet odors. Wash and wax linolium floors. Repair or replace damaged or missing tiles.Bathrooms should sparkle. Remove soap scum and mildew. Replace old looking toilet seats. Kitchens should be clean and bright. Clean oven and stove top. Exhaust fans should be free of grease and dust. Clear all unnecessary objects from the countertops.Keep curtains and blinds open and interior lights on for a bright warm cozy feeling.Store stuff and clutter under beds, not in closets.
Focus RoomsBuyers react most strongly to kitchens, bathrooms and closets, so it pays to concentrate your efforts here.Sometimes just switching door handles, knobs, and light switch plates is a dramatic improvement. Replacing new shower curtains and sink faucets can pay off.
Tip Preview the competition's open houses to see what you are up against in both pricingand condition. Potential buyers will be previewing these and more.
In General Try to look at your house "through the buyer's eyes" as though you've never seen it before.
Dress For Success Before you put your house on the market, its best to put a shine to it.The way you present your property to prospective buyers can make all the difference.Without investing in expensive and time-consuming renovation and redecoration,it's still possible to show your home to its very best advantage.
Curb Appeal That first impression when prospective buyers drive up is very important.If they don't find the outside appealing, they won't be interested in seeing what's inside.
The Yard Mowed lawns, trimmed shrubbery and clean windows are a start.Planting a few flowers or plants can do a lot to a front yard.Fertilize and water the lawn and plants thoroughly 2-3 weeks before putting the house on the market.Clean up oil spots on the driveway. Make sure the garage door opens easily.Swimming pools should be clean along with the pump and filters.Clean up and throw away any junk or items laying around the yard.Now is a good time to have a yard sale, get rid of those items that you don't planto take with you. Do this before you put your house on the market to greatly reduce the "detrimental clutter look". Start packing away little things that you don't use everyday.Recycle magazines, newspapers, bottles, cans and so on.Pet droppings can easily turn the buyer back to the front door.
The Exterior If your house could use a paint job and you don't have the time or money, some times hosing it off(from the bottom up) and repainting the trim will update the entire facade.At least paint the side facing the street.A clean front porch with a fresh looking front door that opens smoothly is a must .Any broken windows should be fixed now as they will most likely be before closing.A few gallons of stain or paint can add real impact to a fence.
The InteriorInside, everything should be spotless.Spending $100 to have someone do heavy "spring cleaning" if needed can bring a return many times over in the sales price and time on the market.A fresh coat of light colored paint on the walls is always recommended.Painting only the trim and the doors will add a lot.Check to see that all doors open and close freely. Oil any squeaky doors.Replace any burned out light bulbs. Brighter lights enhance many rooms.Steam clean the carpets if new carpeting is not possible and to help eliminate any pet odors. Wash and wax linolium floors. Repair or replace damaged or missing tiles.Bathrooms should sparkle. Remove soap scum and mildew. Replace old looking toilet seats. Kitchens should be clean and bright. Clean oven and stove top. Exhaust fans should be free of grease and dust. Clear all unnecessary objects from the countertops.Keep curtains and blinds open and interior lights on for a bright warm cozy feeling.Store stuff and clutter under beds, not in closets.
Focus RoomsBuyers react most strongly to kitchens, bathrooms and closets, so it pays to concentrate your efforts here.Sometimes just switching door handles, knobs, and light switch plates is a dramatic improvement. Replacing new shower curtains and sink faucets can pay off.
Tip Preview the competition's open houses to see what you are up against in both pricingand condition. Potential buyers will be previewing these and more.
In General Try to look at your house "through the buyer's eyes" as though you've never seen it before.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
More than 20,000 Americans die every year after accidents in their homes. And, each year, 3 million more children and adults become disabled because of accidents at home. These are alarming numbers. But, what’s more alarming is that thousands of these deaths and injuries may be prevented. Easter Seals and the CENTURY 21® System are working together to make everyone aware of some easy and important home safety tips. Take a few moments to check
out your own home. This family checklist identifies some of the most common hazards, which will help you find and correct them. For almost 30 years, the CENTURY 21 System has supported Easter Seals’ work to help children and adults with disabilities live fuller lives. But, whenever we can, we’d like to help families know how to prevent disabilities from happening in the home.
CHECK FOR THE BASICS
THROUGHOUT YOUR HOME
■ Do you have emergency numbers next to the phone?
■ Is there a stepladder handy?
■ Are electrical outlets exposed? They can be covered
if unused.
■ Are extension cords frayed? Replace them.
■ Do you check electrical outlets to be sure they’re
not overloaded?
■ Do you know where the circuit breaker or fuse box
is? Do you have spares?
■ Do you know how to turn off the electricity and gas
in an emergency?
■ Is your hot water heater set at 120° F or below?
■ Do you have fresh batteries in the smoke detector
and the carbon monoxide detector?
■ Is your fire extinguisher ready to use?
■ Are your floors non-skid?
■ Are your floor coverings and rugs secure?
■ Do you have protective screens in front of fireplaces?
■ Are candles kept away from walls and curtains?
■ Do interior doors have safety release locks so they
can open from either side?
■ If there are small children in your home, are
windows and screens secure?
■ Is lead-free paint used on all surfaces?
■ Are furnaces and flues regularly inspected and
cleaned?
■ Are guns unloaded and locked up?
■ Does everyone know two ways to exit your home?
Congratulations for every “yes.” For every “no,” please correct the problem quickly. You’ll be making your home sweet home a home safe home.
For more information on making your home safe,
visit www.easterseals.com/easyaccess
out your own home. This family checklist identifies some of the most common hazards, which will help you find and correct them. For almost 30 years, the CENTURY 21 System has supported Easter Seals’ work to help children and adults with disabilities live fuller lives. But, whenever we can, we’d like to help families know how to prevent disabilities from happening in the home.
CHECK FOR THE BASICS
THROUGHOUT YOUR HOME
■ Do you have emergency numbers next to the phone?
■ Is there a stepladder handy?
■ Are electrical outlets exposed? They can be covered
if unused.
■ Are extension cords frayed? Replace them.
■ Do you check electrical outlets to be sure they’re
not overloaded?
■ Do you know where the circuit breaker or fuse box
is? Do you have spares?
■ Do you know how to turn off the electricity and gas
in an emergency?
■ Is your hot water heater set at 120° F or below?
■ Do you have fresh batteries in the smoke detector
and the carbon monoxide detector?
■ Is your fire extinguisher ready to use?
■ Are your floors non-skid?
■ Are your floor coverings and rugs secure?
■ Do you have protective screens in front of fireplaces?
■ Are candles kept away from walls and curtains?
■ Do interior doors have safety release locks so they
can open from either side?
■ If there are small children in your home, are
windows and screens secure?
■ Is lead-free paint used on all surfaces?
■ Are furnaces and flues regularly inspected and
cleaned?
■ Are guns unloaded and locked up?
■ Does everyone know two ways to exit your home?
Congratulations for every “yes.” For every “no,” please correct the problem quickly. You’ll be making your home sweet home a home safe home.
For more information on making your home safe,
visit www.easterseals.com/easyaccess
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Today is Tuesday, however, I have it stuck in my head that it is Wednesday. I used to take off on Tuesday to be home with the kids. We have changed that day to friday now, so I am still trying to get used to working on Tuesdays. Anyway, I want to make some comments about this time of the year regarding people wanting to put there houses on the market in the spring. I had a client contact me yesturday to start the preparation of there home for potential sale in the early spring. THAT was the best thing that they could have done. NOW is the time to start making the little updates or repairs that your home might need to make it the most desirable in order to get the highest possible selling price. I know a lot of people think that if they put there house up on the market in the spring it will look better since things will be blooming etc.. This may be true however, most peoples home need a little shall we say "touch up" work to look it's best. Things like paint, inside and out makes a world of difference. Cleaning out the "clutter" that we all have, and fixing the small little things like a leaky faucet or something along those lines. If you don't start working on those things now ans wait until the spring, your house is not going to be the first and best out there! The early bird gets the worm as they say. Let me know if you need any help along these lines, I would be happy to help! Have a GREAT day!
Friday, January 06, 2006
Hello Again! Again another day of excitement, today is my daughters 1st birthday!! We have a few days of parties to come. My father in laws birthday is next week as well. Thankfully my friend who had brain surgery yesterday seems to be doing well, as well as can be expected anyway. What a relief for her family, she has a long road of recovery ahead of her though. I have to admit that I freaking hate paper cuts! I got one on the top of my ring finger last night and it is stinging like crazy today!!!! Take care and have a great day!
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Hello! Today is my sons 3rd birthday. I am so excited for him, I remember how special birthdays used to be for me when I was younger, now, only a little exciting. He is really getting itthis year, he knows it is a special day and he is singing happy birthday to himself, it's so cute. We will be having a party weekend. Tomorrow is my daughters first birthday so we have lots of celebrating to do! Have a great day!!
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Today is cold but sunny, unlike yesterday, it was pouring! I took a ride to visit a friend who is in the hospital waiting to have brain surgery. I have to admit that I have never been to North Shore L.I.J. hospital before. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in, everyone was so helpful and kind. Making sure that no one was lost or needed some assistance. I must have heard at least 5 people that work with the hospital give directions to people, and happily at that. I am so used to small townsville here in Riverhead where the hospital is sooooo small. I know my way around it in my sleep. LIJ is huge in comparison to Riverheads Central Suffolk. I don't really like going to the hospital since usually it is not for a good reason. I must admit that the visit was as pleasant as it could be.
Hello and welcome to my new Blog! I am so excited to get this started for a few reasons! First I get the opportunity to say what I want with this open space, the other I get the chance to let everyone know a bit more about myself. I am in Real Estate and have a family so I must of course learn to balance both. I hope to make you laugh or even just smile through out this. Please enjoy and give me feedback and post comments!
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