Fairway Market Thanksgiving Food Drive

Fairway Market , Mark Schreier, & Century 21 Prevete Real Estate have teamed up to collect food for the Long Island Cares Harry Chapin Food Bank. A collection bin has been placed in the front exit hallway. Please donate any non-perisable food item as well as roasting pans, aluminum foil, and can openers.

To donate a turkey,
Please call Mark Schreier @ 516 263-9094 to arrange for a pick-up.

A Few Ways To Take The Headach Out Of Moving

Moving from one house to another is always a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Here are some simple tips on how to get it done with minimal stress and strain.
· Look at all the alternatives: hiring a moving company, for example, versus renting a truck and doing it yourself. Whichever alternative makes most sense for you, get bids from more than one vendor.
· A few days before the moving company is scheduled to arrive or you’re supposed to pick up your rental truck, call to confirm that everything is on track to happen when it’s supposed to .
· Prepare your change of address cards in advance and send them out as soon as it’s appropriate to do so. The post office, utilities, companies and people you do business with, city hall, friends, relatives – all should be notified of your move.
· Get an early start on packing by concentrating on seldom-used items first. Each box should have its contents and the room those contents belong in written on it clearly.
· Take a hard look at things you seldom or never use and throw away as many of them as you can. The more you throw away, the less you’ll have to move. Every item you throw away is one less item to clutter up you new home.
· Use your extra towels and linens to protect breakables. When your supply of these things is exhausted, crumpled newspaper makes an excellent substitute. Write “Fragile” on all appropriate boxes.
· Put your valuables (such as jewelry) and important documents (birth certificates, car titles, etc.) aside in some safe place where they won’t be misplaced.
· When the house is empty, go back for a thorough final inspection. Check closets, crawl spaces, basement, attic, out-of-the-way nooks and crannies of all kinds. Have a second person make the same inspection separately.
· Clean your new home thoroughly before moving in. It’s infinitely easier that way.
· Decide in advance where you want the heavy furniture. Changing your mind after the movers have departed is no fun – especially for your back!
· Locate all fuses, circuit breakers, and water/gas and electrical valves. Record the meter readings and check the smoke detectors.
· List the phone numbers of the local police and fire stations, doctors, nearby hospitals, etc. Put a copy of your list near each phone.

Above all, plan, plan, plan and plan some more. Make a schedule you can live with, and then stick to it. Preparation and forethought will help you to keep everything under control and finish the move with your sanity and your nervous system intact.

Plainview House Closings For October 2008

Listed below are the closings for the month of October 2008*

46 Jamaica Ave., Exp Cape, $365,000
14 Wendell St., Exp Ranch, $340,000
10 Nassau Ave., Exp Cape $400,000
39 Charlotte Pl., Ranch, $420,000
4 Bayberry Dr., Cape, $425,000
5 Alan Ct., Split, $470,000
15 Pasadena, Dr., Split, $500,000
24 Kenneth St., Ranch, $518,000
85 Lincoln Rd., Split, $565,000
46 Stauber Dr., Split, $575,000
13 Melony Ave., Colonial, $577,500
101 Plymouth Rd., Split, $565,000
1 Meredith Ct., Hi Ranch, $622,000
76 Richfield St., Ranch, $622,500
31 Southwick Ct., Ranch $700,000
8 Salem Ct., Colonial, $690,000

*source Long Island MLS

**First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit**

On July 30th 2008 The Housing and Economic Recovery Act was passed which includes a new temporary tax credit of up to $7,500 as an incentive for first time home buyers.

Log onto the National Association of Realtors info link below for all the details:


http://www.realtor.org/GAPublic.nsf/files/chart_homebuyer_tax_credit_.pdf/$FILE/chart_homebuyer_tax_credit_.pdf

How To Spot A Good Buy

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, particularly when it comes to buying a home. Features that attract one home-buyer may repel another.
However, the one feature of interest to every home-buyer is price. Getting the most home for your money is paramount. The real problem is figuring out whether that fixer-upper on one street is a better buy than the home in next-to-new condition two blocks away. That’s why knowing what to look for before you buy can save you time, energy and money down the line.
The first step is figuring out what kind of house you need. A good buy is only a good buy if it meets your current and future living requirements. Before shopping for a home, decide how much space you and your family require. How many bedrooms, bathrooms? Is a family room necessary? Do you need a layout that will accommodate a lot of entertaining? Do you prefer a spacious or compact work space in the kitchen? If you have small children, can the house easily be childproofed?
Evaluate the front and back yards. Is there enough space to accommodate your children? Do you want a park-like or garden setting? Do you enjoy yard work and gardening, or do you want a low-maintenance yard? Take into consideration the cost of extensive landscaping and upkeep.
Next, determine how much work is required to make the house you are considering livable. Make an honest assessment of your fix-it abilities. How much work are you willing to do or pay someone else to do? Do you have basic decorating, carpentry and plumbing skills? If you plan to learn as you go, make sure you have accurately determined what you are getting into. Ask an experienced friend, family member or your real estate agent for their opinion, and be sure to consider how much remodeling inconvenience the rest of the family can handle.
Unless you are ready and able to tackle a major remodel, look for a house or condominium that needs only cosmetic improvements. These include painting, wallpapering and replacing items like flooring, window treatments, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, light fixtures, cabinet and interior door hardware and appliances. Remember that even these simple changes can be costly if you have to make many of them.
Beware of improvements that seem easy enough at first glance buy may turn into major headaches and require a lot of money once you’ve moved in. Remodeled kitchens and bathrooms, changes to the floor plan, room additions and redesigned landscaping are examples of seemingly minor changes that can easily eat away the money you thought you saved by selecting a so-called “bargain priced” home. Of course, you may be perfectly willing to spend whatever money is needed to customize the house to match your tastes and needs.
Make sure major systems in the house are in good working condition. The furnace, air-conditioning and plumbing should be up to date, since repairs can be costly. Your agent can arrange to have a professional inspector determine whether the electrical wiring and any room additions are to code. Local utilities often offer free or low-cost inspections to tell you if the house is energy-efficient.
Look for a house with universally popular selling points. If you’re impressed, the next buyer down the line is bound to be, too. For example, a roomy, modern easy-to-clean kitchen is the best selling point a home can have. A house with only one bathroom is less desirable than a house with two or more. Many buyers expect at least three bedrooms, with a master bedroom that offers a feeling of privacy. Lots of storage space and closets, especially walk-in closets, will be a real selling point. Family rooms or “great rooms” also are desirable. On closer examination, a house that looks like a bargain may lack some of these key features.
Don’t forget the old adage: location, location, location. Unless you’re looking for a fixer-upper, the house should be in a condition that is comparable to other homes in the neighborhood. Avoid buying the biggest or fanciest home on the block. Consider the amount of traffic or noise. Homes located in a quiet area away from a busy street will command a higher price. Make sure the schools in your district have a reputation for quality education and safety. Nearby supermarkets, gas stations, restaurants and theaters also will make a location more desirable.
Good community facilities also add appeal; pools, athletic fields, community centers, libraries and hospitals all add to a neighborhood’s value and desirability. Transportation needs also should be considered. Is local public transit available? How long are typical commutes to places of current and potential employment? Are there several alternate route? How close is a major airport? All of these can affect a home’s pricing.
Consider the cost of living in a home. It’s important to consider not only purchase price but the monthly cost of living in a home. Estimate your utility and maintenance costs. For example, will the house need to be painted on a regular basis and will you need to spend money maintaining a swimming pool? Ask your agent about the property tax rate and whether increases are anticipated. Will you have to pay special assessments for a homeowner’s association? Consider the point in the life cycle of major household systems, such as the furnace, air conditioning, roof and kitchen appliances.
You can find a bargain! Your first step should be to seek out a knowledgeable real estate agent with experience in the market areas where you wish to purchase a home. Your agent can help you locate those properties that truly are “bargains” and help find the home that most closely matches your desires and needs.

Plainview House Closings For September 2008

Plainview Closings For September 2008

1) 5 Amby Ave Cape $390,000
2) 56 Briarwood Ln Split $445,000
3) 10 S Oaks Blvd Split $402,000
4) 48 Stratford Rd Split $468,500
5) 16 Nautilus Ave Split $460,000
6) 103 Farmers Ave Split $430,000
7) 36 Audley Cir Split $490,000
8)108 Grace St Ranch $465,000
9)29 Meryll Pl Split $500,000
10)15 Beaument Dr Ranch $533,000
11)14 Gilbert Ln Split $535,000
12)73 Richfeld St Ranch $550,000
13)10 Dartmouth Dr. Split $584,000
14)16 Netto Ln. Hi Ranch $565,000
15)163 Morton Blvd Colonial $580,000
16)67 Winthrop Rd Split $604,000
17)16 Sunnyside Blvd Colonial $750,000

Century 21 Prevete Has Added Two New Locations,

Steve Prevete owner of Century 21 Prevete Real Estate announced that he will soon be opening the doors to a new office in Elmont during the Syosset grand opening celebration this past Friday. When the market gets tough, the strong get stronger and the weak sell or go under. Our aggressive agents, and powerful leadership team are the key to Prevete's success

WE DON'T JUST LIST HOUSES WE SELL THEM!!