Long Island Real Estate Thoughts

Realtor's Helping to Stop Hunger Here on Long Island.

2011-11-08T11:58:00.000-05:00

You can do your part - with a Non-Perishable Food Item Donation. Check It Out...

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Long Island & Queens
Make a difference for your neighbors in need by supporting your local food pantry. Drop off food donations at one of our open houses or local offices the weekend of November 12-13th!

For a list of all of our November 12-13th open houses and local Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage branch offices, visit http://www.ColdwellBankerMoves.com/today!

Missed Opportunities???

2011-11-06T12:34:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I was out running errands and later that evening attended a 50th Birthday Party. It turned out to be an eye opening day. The first stop was to BJ's Wholesale. While waiting on line to gas my SUV a fellow in the next lane asked me if I was Denise? He then identified himself as Chuck, one of my Grammar School classmates. Although we had posted a couple of times to each other on facebook we hadn't seen each other since 1976............... Wow!!! How did he recognize me? In the few moments we got to chat he had mentioned that he recently bought a home in a bordering neighborhood. I know I had mentioned I was a Licensed Real Estate Agent and had mentioned if he ever needed any help I would of course be happy to assist him - he hadn't thought of me.....

As I shopped inside I then bumped into a Very Successful Agent from my office. I couldn't help but think "what a coincidence".

Later that evening at the 50th Party I saw someone I had worked with in the 90's in Brooklyn. Jim and I had also crossed paths 6 years prior at a different party thrown by our common acquaintance. We then caught up on where our lives had taken us as we did again last evening. In speaking with his wife Debbie she inquired about becoming licensed in Real Estate. I stated I worked in Babylon at which time she mentioned her Mother just bought a home in Babylon and Sold a House in Brooklyn. They wished they had thought of me.................

Jim started telling me about his new career at Republic Airport which is about 3 miles from my home. I quickly asked if he new Liz ( a previous Buyer Client of mine who I knew also worked at Republic Airport). Turns out Liz is his "New Boss" Small World isn't it? As we chatted he told me they had lots in common as Liz had moved up to Long Island from an area of Florida that Jim frequented. He also let me know Liz had just sold her home there...........

What are the odds of having this day filled with these coincidences? One could say it was filled with Lost Opportunities.............. I see it as a reminder of how as a Realtor your business is always around you presenting opportunities. It is up to me to make the most out of putting myself out in front and reminding everyone I know just what I can do for them as a Licensed Sales Person with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. The Opportunities are Limitless!

I am looking forward to next weeks lunch with Jim & Liz and all the other opportunities heading my way!

Dinning Out - Long Island Style

2011-11-01T11:52:00.001-04:00

This Sunday launches the Sixth Annual Fall Long Island Restaurant Week. It is an opportunity to sample Long Island Cuisine whether you are New to Long Island or just looking for a reason to try something different. Take advantage of this opportunity and perhaps you just might find your "New Favorite" place to dine out!

You can also join the fight to end hunger and visit a participating restaurant that has teamed up with Island Harvest, Long Island's leading hunger relief organization.

Eat & Enjoy

http://longislandrestaurantweek.com/suffolk_county.html

http://longislandrestaurantweek.com/

Closing Costs are more than just Bank Fees - Buyers Really Need to Crunch Their Numbers!

2011-10-29T12:15:00.000-04:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/realestate/mortgages-handling-high-closing-costs.html?_r=2

How Unexpected Home Repairs can SPOOK You!!!!

2011-10-28T11:37:00.001-04:00

http://www.houselogic.com/home-advice/home-thoughts/horror-movie-house-damage/

How Home Owners Can Make Preparations For Their Appraisal

2011-10-26T11:39:00.001-04:00

It is Important to do all that we can to keep transactions together from the time of the initial offer to the closing table. Here are some tips from the Wall Street Journal.

http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2011/10/11/ten-tips-for-high-value-home-appraisals/#

Where is The Long Island Real Estate Headed?

2011-10-23T11:23:00.003-04:00

Could Our Market Area Be Leveling Off? Check Out These Charts Courtesy of The long Island Real Estate Guru! Where is Our Market Headed?

The Long Island Home Inspector: Preparing your home for the Home Inspection

2011-10-19T12:20:00.000-04:00

The Long Island Home Inspector: Preparing your home for the Home Inspection: Several times a week, I enter a stranger’s house to perform what’s become an expected part of most real estate deals --- a home inspection...

Where is the bottom

2009-04-21T16:10:00.000-04:00

Long Island Real Estate MarketTom McGiveronColdwell Banker Realtors

Latest Commercial

2009-03-30T12:09:00.002-04:00

Home. Its where we keep our memories and our dreams. Its where we hang our hat. In 1906, Colbert Coldwell and Arthur Banker started Coldwell Banker® with a clear understanding that our homes are the foundation of our lives. ...

Check out our latest commercial!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1cfdUb8BnI

Is Going Green for You???

2009-03-15T09:31:00.004-04:00

GO GREEN Long Island - Help our environment !!! The Town of Babylon is providing it's residents with a path to get it done।

Long Island Green Homes : How It Works
Source: http://www.ligreenhomes.com/
Long Island Green Homes Program is a self-financing residential retrofit program for upgrading the energy efficiency of existing homes in the Town of Babylon. The program will enable residents to make their homes greener and healthier at little or no out-of-pocket cost. ...

Babylon will help middle-income families buy homes

2009-03-06T07:59:00.003-05:00

Babylon will help middle-income families buy homes
Posted: 05 Mar 2009 04:40 AM PST
Trying to jolt a lethargic housing market, the Town of Babylon announced yesterday it will give middle-income families a $15,000 down payment match toward the purchase of their first home.
Those who earn 81 to 120 percent of the area’s median income will qualify for the program. For example, a single buyer can make up to $81,550 and a family of four up to $116,500, Supervisor Steve Bellone said. The home must be purchased within the town, and while the program is open to all of Long Island, priority will be given to those who are already town residents.
“We’re not going to get out of this [economic] crisis without stabilizing and fixing the part that was the source of this crisis and that is our real estate market,” he said. “[This program] is intended for us to do our part in helping to stabilize our housing market here and hopefully help move it into a positive direction.”
The $15,000 payments will come from a revolving fund that uses money from the town’s affordable housing trust fund.
Developers who do not set aside 20 percent of their units for affordable housing pay into this fund. The town initially will use $1.05 million to assist 70 families, Bellone said.
The money must be repaid, he said, when the home is either sold or refinanced. Home buyers must also take part in a one-time mortgage counseling session with the Long Island Housing Partnership so they understand home ownership.
“This is not a handout, this is a help up,” Bellone said. “People will not be put into homes if they’re not able to sustain those homes.”
Purchased homes must undergo an energy audit as part of the town’s Green Long Island Homes program, which updates homes’ energy efficiency.
Peter Elkowitz, president of the Long Island Housing Partnership, called the program unique because most HUD-funded programs only provide housing assistance to families who earn 80 percent or less of the area’s median income. Under such guidelines, a family of four could not exceed an income of $77,700. Elkowitz said several families who came into his office in recent months did not meet the HUD income guidelines but would meet Babylon’s new guidelines.
“This is the first down payment assistance program that goes that high,” he said of the town’s cap of 120 percent of median income. “That’s a real number for a family of four.”
Phil Weiden of the Long Island Board of Realtors said there are 1,336 homes for sale in the town and the median selling price is $359,000. He said he hopes Babylon’s program paves the path “for other towns across Long Island to come up with their own version of what they can do.”
Buyer qualifications
Applicants to Babylon’s housing assistance program for middle-income families must:
Be HUD-defined first-time home buyers.
Have a total household income between 81 and 120 percent of area median income - from $77,701 to $116,500 for a family of four. Occupy purchased home as a principal residence.
Not be in contract to purchase before the start of the program (March 2).
Contribute $15,000 toward the down payment.
Buy a home in Babylon town for up to $396,150.
Participate in the Long Island Green Homes Program, which updates homes’ energy efficiency, within six months of purchase.
Attend a one-time mortgage counseling session with the Long Island Housing Partnership.

Sorce: NEWSDAY.COM BY DENISE M. BONILLAhttp://www.newsday.com/business/ny-lihous056058093mar05,0,3361743.story

BEST TIME TO BUY IN FOUR YEARS!!!!!

2008-03-10T16:39:00.003-04:00

So, we've had some changes that can have a positive impact in todays Real Estate Market. If you've been on the fence and waiting to make a move, now may just be the opportunity you have been waiting for.

"With the government raising the FHA conforming loan limit
from $417,000 to $595,125 in the New York/New Jersey metro
area for all homes bought through the end of this year, much
larger mortgages will qualify for purchase by government housing
authorities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, lowering the
interest rates for borrowers. Buyers can get lower interest rates
on what used to be known as 'jumbo loans' that were costing
up to a full percentage point more than conforming loans.

For more information check out the details at the link below.

It is a GREAT TIME to BUY A HOME!!!!!!!!

http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/06/real_estate/expensive_mortgages_get_cheaper/index.htm

Whose Side Am I On????

2008-02-13T17:21:00.000-05:00

Prior to becoming a Realtor I had been looking to relocate and make a new home purchase outside of the Long Island area. I eventually found myself searching both sides of Lake George. As a “Long Islander” I had to be near some form of water. I began my search working with a local agent. I remember her quite clearly, not by name of course, as though we were going from property to property sharing car rides and stories just yesterday. Feeling like I was out and about with a new found friend. Back then I was the so-called “Deer in the Head Lights”. I was engaging unknown territory - The Purchase Process.

As I entered into the Real Estate Profession and went through the licensing requirements I realized I had been clueless as a buyer. I listened attentively to all of my lectures and attempted to apply them to my previous purchase experience. I was on the other side of the transaction at that time. I quickly saw myself as that "lost sheep" not knowing how to get where I needed to be and having to rely on someone else to get me there!

The Buying Process can and often is very overwhelming. It is one of the largest purchase decisions one makes during our lifetime. Some times more than once.

I believe that the powers that be ie; NAR (National Association of Realtors), NYSAR (NY State Association of Realtors), DOS (Department of State) and LIBOR (Long Island Board of Realtors) are all working to make these transactions better for all parties involved.

Becoming a Realtor made me believe that I can make the transaction easier. Knowledge is power and now that the barn door has been closed (I’m sure there will be more barns in my future) I have it! I want to share it!

These powers that regulate our profession require us (the Agents) to disclose to our Clients and Customers who we represent. When an agent walks into a home with a prospective buyer who does the homeowner think that agent represents? Who does that buyer think that agent is working for? Whose side are we on????? Something which seems so easily defined is so very often clouded. As an Agent I don’t see why this ever has to happen. Maybe some of you can share some of your thoughts and experiences. Positive comments will be welcomed open armed!