Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Buy into Plainview for under $330,000

Attention Handy Man & Investors Plainview Expanded Cape


Make it yours! Large fully dormored cape on quite mid block location. 5 Bedrooms,

2 Bathrooms, 60x100 property, school district #4, Plainview- Old Bethpage.

Call for more info 516 263-9094

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Home Projects To Complete Before You Put Your House On The Market

The goal of every home seller is to sell his or her home as efficiently as possible for the highest price. Every seller should clean and stage their home for potential buyers, the following are projects that should be completed before you put your home on the market.
If it’s broke, fix it - This is crucial in the selling process. Repair the broken cabinet or loose railing before buyers view your home. Damage detracts from your home and may make buyers question what else you have not maintained.
Shades of grey - Interior paint is inexpensive and revitalizes a space. Covering scratches or wear and tear with fresh neutral paint is aesthetically pleasing and even creates that ‘new home’ look and smell!
Floored! - Transform your space by refinishing wood floors, updating tile or professionally cleaning any carpeting.
First impressions - Consider replacing your front door, as this is an investment that often pays for itself in the final price of your home.
Subtle accents - Fixtures and hardware, such as cabinet knobs, faucets, light fixtures and door handles can be relatively inexpensive and done without a professional.
Clear view - Upgrading old windows throughout a home makes a big difference both inside and out.
Keep up the façade - Garage doors often account for a large percentage of a home’s front façade. Similar to the front door, homeowners who upgrade or update their garage doors, may see a good return on their investment.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

The benefits of buying a home in the winter

Typically, home sales are strongest in the spring and summer months; however, there are several advantages to shopping for homes in the fall and winter. Sellers are often more motivated in the winter and may be willing to negotiate terms such as price, repairs, and even a closing date. The rule of thumb is that anyone braving the elements (or taking the time during the busy holiday season) to view a home is a serious buyer, and the same can be said for those who leave their homes on the market during this time and continue to have viewings.
Fewer buyers in the marketplace during these months mean less competition and a better chance of getting a home at a lower price. Also, potential buyers in the winter months have the luxury of spending more time researching homes without as much concern of losing a house to another party. When viewing a home in the cooler months buyers get a realistic idea of a home’s energy efficiency. Pay attention to the thermostat temperature and take note of any drafts in the home. Trees without leaves give potential buyers an accurate picture of the privacy (or lack thereof) from neighbors or the street.
Because the majority of moves take place in the warmer months, moving companies may be readily available when it comes to your desired move date and even flexible on their rates.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Will a local short sale have an impact on the sale-ability of my house???

Will a local short sale have an impact on the sale-ability of my house??? I was asked this question recently by a prospective client. There is no absolute answer to this question. The bottom line is the sale price of any house is determined when the buyer and seller reach an agreement. Once that transaction is made that price now becomes an active comparable for ~60 - 90days after contract date. Some agents argue that a short sale has a third party (the bank) in the equation. The bank has different motivation than the homeowner, thus these sales should not be considered as comps. There is also argument that banks price their short sales by securing BPO's Broker Price Opinions and that these opinions are made with active comps with possible short sales included to determine market price and adjustments made to account for money owed and property condition. When pricing a property I must look not only at active and closed short sale contract price but the number of short sells in the area. If there are only a limited number and I have many active two party comps with higher contract prices we might exclude these sales. Property condition, number of short sales and foreclosures (REO's), and 2 party active comps all have to be considered when determining marketability. Other factors to consider is the sellers motivation and time frame that the house needs to be sold by. We must also remember that if we secure a higher selling price from a buyer that is using bank financing we could have problems making it through the appraisal process.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Home Projects To Complete Before You Put Your House On The Market

The goal of every home seller is to sell his or her home as efficiently as possible for the highest price. Every seller should clean and stage their home for potential buyers, but see below for what projects should be completed before you put your home on the market.
If it’s broke, fix it - This is crucial in the selling process. Repair the broken cabinet or loose railing before buyers view your home. Damage detracts from your home and may make buyers question what else you have not maintained.
Shades of grey - Interior paint is inexpensive and revitalizes a space. Covering scratches or wear and tear with fresh neutral paint is aesthetically pleasing and even creates that ‘new home’ look and smell!
Floored! - Transform your space by refinishing wood floors, updating tile or professionally cleaning any carpeting.
First impressions - Consider replacing your front door, as this is an investment that often pays for itself in the final price of your home.
Subtle accents - Fixtures and hardware, such as cabinet knobs, faucets, light fixtures and door handles can be relatively inexpensive and done without a professional.
Clear view - Upgrading old windows throughout a home makes a big difference both inside and out.
Keep up the façade - Garage doors often account for a large percentage of a home’s front façade. Similar to the front door, homeowners who upgrade or update their garage doors, may see a good return on their investment.

How To Sell Your Home In A Buyers Market

In today’s buyer’s market it is crucial for sellers to make their home as appealing as possible. Here are ideas that may put your house above the competition in this market.
Don’t forget the outdoors when it comes to staging. Remember, curb appeal goes a long way and creates a lasting first impression. Refresh your landscaping, entryways and even outdoor décor to maximize the space. The warmer seasons really let you showcase the outdoor potential of your home.
Be realistic and flexible. It is a buyer’s market, so you may need to price your property aggressively. Weigh offers with an open mind and be willing to negotiate.
Get a pre-sale inspection. Any necessary repairs will be brought to your attention and if there are none, a clean home inspection report is a selling advantage. Also, this eliminates the possibility of delays in the closing process once you’ve accepted an offer.
Sweat the small stuff. De-clutter the garage, repaint the doorframes, caulk the tub, replace burnt out light bulbs, fix leaky faucets or creaky doors-don’t let these small, inexpensive repairs detract from the overall value of your home.
Add value to your property with incentives. Offer to pay for inspections, or even offer allowances such as flooring, (if the carpet is worn or wood needs to be refinished) paint allowance, or some other upgrade that would be enticing to buyers.

Monday, January 2, 2012


Happy New Year!!!


Welcome to 2012


Plainview Old-Bethpage Year in Review




The Plainview Old-Bethpage real estate statistics for 2011.




There were 228 sales this year with the average home selling for $497,563 .


The low was $260k and the high was 1,275,000.


The average days on market a little over 3 months 100 to be exact.




192 of these real estate sales were in the town of Plainview, NY and 36 were in Old-Bethpage.


Compared to the last years closings which showed 217 transactions. 189 in Plainview and the remaining 28 real estate sales in Old-Bethpage.


The average closing price for 2010 was $502,950, the low recorded at $275k and the high at $1,275,000



*data from Stratus