How Buying My First Home in Lindenhurst NY Taught Me to Be A Better Real Estate Agent Bought my first home with my ex in November 1993. It was a seller's market. We were looking for months and didn't find "the one". It wasn't because we were picky and we weren't. There wasn't a lot of homes to choose from in our price range. Needless to say, we did find the perfect house, so we thought. In 1992, buyer agency was born. At the time were were buying, most real estate agents weren't representing buyers. The mentality was all about seller representation. Now it is more acceptable. Location of our home - Busy street. The street we bought on was and still is a busy one. Cars flying down the street as if it were the Autobahn. We did not notice this at the time because the street wasn't busy dur... 08/15/2012

Lindenhurst NY Short Sale Market Update for July 2012 41 Lindenhurst NY short sale homes were listed and 22 have sold.  There are 58 short sale homes for sale in Lindenhurst NY currently. Some were listed in 2011 and 2010 and have not sold yet. Why? Your guess is as good as mine. It has been my experience that some of these homes are difficult to show. Some of these Lindenhurst NY short sales are on the market to try and stave off foreclosure to give the homeowner a chance to save money. People do what they have to in order to make ends meet which is difficult for some of these homeowners. 2012 so far is the last year where a homeowner will not have to pay income tax for completing a short sale. This income taxed is based on what is owed on the home versus what it sells for also known a... 08/14/2012

Homes For Sale in Lindenhurst NY for under $300,000Yesterday I wrote a blog about what homes are for sale for under $200,000. Today I am covering what homes are for sale in Lindenhurst NY for under $300,000. As of 8/15/12, there are 76 homes for sale in Lindenhurst NY for under $300,000. 31 of them are short sales, two are REO properties and the other 43 are regular resales. So, if you are not wanting to buy a short sale or REO, your choices are now down to 43 homes. Buying a Lindenhurst NY short sale is fine as long as the listing agent knows what they are doing. Please hire an experienced short sale buyer's agent when buying a short sale. These agents know what questions to ask the listing agent to find out if that home will make it to the closing table or not.   There are 23 homes pr... 08/14/2012

Another Lindenhurst NY Home Under Contract! 100 Kramer Drive in Lindenhurst NY went under contract on 7/25/12. This is a four bedroom Cape with 15,400 square feet of property, 1 car detached garage, 1.5 baths and no basement. Listed for $329,000. This home was completely redone inside and out including a new roof and heating system. It is always a pleasure to tell my seller's, "we have a buyer!" All we do now is wait for a closing date! Other Sold & Under Contract Homes:Short Sale Sold in Lindenhurst NY Short Sale Sold in Lindenhurst NY Oakdale NY Short Sale Sold Short Sale Sold in Lindenhurst NYSold Lindenhurst NY Home (not a short sale) 08/14/2012

Homes For Sale in Lindenhurst NY for under $200,000As of 8/14/12, there are 13 homes for sale in Lindenhurst NY for under $200,000. Nine of them are short sales and the other four are regular resales. Prices start at $120,000 for a three bedroom, seven room and 3 bath Cape with a full basement. The highest at $199,900 is a four bedroom, six room Cape with a crawl space basement and one bathroom. When looking at homes in Lindenhurst NY for under $200,000, they will need more work than just removing wallpaper. Some of these homes need a cash buyer or a 203K rehabilitation mortgage. No matter what home you buy, always, and I mean always, get a home inspection by a licensed Engineer or Home Inspector. You need to know what you are getting yourself into.Use the interactive map below to find ... 08/13/2012

Some Buyers are a Needle in the Haystack Not too long ago, in a land far, far away, banks gave mortgages out like candy. If you had a heartbeat, you got a mortgage. It was pretty much that simple but look where it got us. These days, unless you have seriously excellent credit, income and little debt, you have to put 20% down for a conventional mortgage. So, what happens when a buyer has a six-figure income, credit scores of over 800, a stable job, preapproved for up to $400,000 with a well-known Long Island credit union, and only has to put 3% down? Punishment for being a responsible person. When submitting good offers, we were met with resistance. "No one can put down 3% these days!" "Your buyer will have to go to our mortgage broker". Give me a break. When you have this type of buyer,... 08/09/2012

Lindenhurst NY High School Varsity Football Schedule for Fall 2012You know school is starting soon when you see me writing about the Lindenhurst High School Varsity Football Schedule for Fall 2012! Directions, map and searches you can access here. Date      Time      Away Team/Home Team       Level/Sport     NL/S8/29      8 am       Lindenhurst @ E. Islip            V Football             S9/1      10 am       Islip @ Lindenhurst MS           V Football            S9/7       6 pm       Sachem North @ Lindy MS      V Football             -9/14     6 pm       Central Islip @ Lindy MS          V Football             -9/22     2 pm       Lindenhurst @ Bay Shore        V Football             -9/28     6 pm       Lindy @ Patchogue-Medford     V Football             -10/6     3 pm       Ward M... 08/08/2012

Lindenhurst NY Home Buying - Sitting on the Fence Hurts I am finding the majority of buyers are preapproved for a mortgage from $200,000 to $300,000. With only 30 homes on the market in Lindenhurst NY in that price range, sitting on the fence hurts. I hear buyers saying that the good ones are going fast and they are! Why? 30 homes is not a lot to choose from especially if you are not handy or you do not know anyone who is. And, all of those 30 homes are short sales. A lot of them need work. Short sales are nothing to be afraid of. You just have to hire the right agent that truly knows the right questions to ask the short sale listing agent. Out of these 30 homes, 19 are South of Montauk Highway which means you have to get flood insurance which adds $1,500 to your yearly homeowners insur... 08/01/2012

Open House Lindenhurst NY in the Heart of Meridale Park Lindenhurst NY Date: Sunday, August 5th, 2012Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pmWhere: 408 S. 1st Street Lindenhurst NYThis is a Lindenhurst NY home that you have to see to appreciate. A Victorian home built in 1891 boasting so much character and has been taken care of and well-loved by the current owners. Spacious eat-in kitchen measures 19.9' x 15.1 with cherry wood cabinets, dramatic ceiling constructed with 200 year old barn beams, Stainless Steel Frigidaire stove that is six months new, Bosch dishwasher, a 30 bottle wine cooler and French doors leading to a gracious and spacious Victorian Conservatory room complete with heat and A/C!     Master Bedroom measures 11.9' x 15.3' with a master closet that measures 10 feet across. Three window... 07/29/2012

West Nile Spraying for Town of Babylon - July 30th 2012*** Please Note: The spraying has been changed to Thursday, August 2nd 2012***On Monday, July 30th 2012, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services will be conducting an aerial spraying of pesticides from Amityville to West Babylon. It is an Ultra Low Volume Aerosol.The spraying will start at 7:30 pm and last until 11:30 pm. There have been positive test samples found in Lindenhurst NY and West Babylon NY quite a few times. Areas being treated: Starting at Montauk Highway, on the west by Broadway and Route 110, on the north by Southern State Parkway, and on the east by Little East Neck Rd. What You Should Do: Pregnant women and children should remain inside to avoid exposure when practical. Close windows and doors and close th... 07/27/2012

Have You Ever Flown 25 Kites? Get A Kite Train! Talk about different. This kite train has 25 small, lightweight kites on one line. Only needs light wind at 3 mph or more. Getting them up is easy. Getting them down takes two people because you have to bring in one kite at a time while keeping each one neatly behind the others. While doing this, you have to make sure the strings do not get tangled. Took about 5 minutes to get the kites down. It was a lot of fun. We took the kite train to the Venetian Shores Beach in Lindenhurst NY tonight. If this seems like something you would like to do, go order one and have fun!: Kite Train   Be prepared. These kites are not cheap.    07/10/2012

Beautiful Sunset on the 4th of July by Feng Shui LI I hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July enjoying it with friends or/and family.  Long Island had some beautiful weather.  In the beginning of the day it started off a bit soggy but eventually cleared up to be a great day for the beach. Thank you to all those who have and continue to serve this beautiful country that offers us so much. admiring the silent flow of the ocean during the sunset, so peaceful.      Feng Shui LI *Carole Provenzale was a Certified Feng Shui Consultant who graduated from the Country's very first School for Feng Shui Studies that was licensed and accredited in 1997. Her Daugher, the second generation of Certified feng Shui consultants provides on site Feng Shui Consultations Long Island NY, Queens New York an... 07/04/2012

Lindenhurst NY Sold Homes June 2012 23 homes sold/closed in Lindenhurst NY in June 2012. The median sold price is $265,000 with an average of 104 days on the market and the list price to sold price ratio is 4.53% The lowest price sold is $125,000 and the highest price sold is $390,000 Two of these Lindenhurst NY homes were short sales. 25 homes sold/closed in Lindenhurst NY in June 2011. The median sold price was $270,000 with an average of 112 days on the market and the list price to sold price ratio was 6.9%. The lowest price sold was $125,000 and the highest price sold was $392,000 Four of these Lindenhurst NY homes were short sales. The Lindenhurst NY real estate market is fairing very well so far for 2012 and see no reason why that wouldn't continue. Call me today (631) 703-0201 to... 07/04/2012

Farmers Markets on Long Island 2012 Nothing like fresh produce from local farmers right here on Long Island! Islip Farmers Market Location: Town Hall parking lot on Montauk Highway, Route 27A Season: July through Mid November Hours: Saturday, 7 a.m. to 12 Noon Contact: Ethel Terry Phone: 631-323-3653This market offers vegetables, fruit, cider, flowers, organic produce, plants, baked goods, breads, jams and jellies. There is also a petting zoo, goats and milking demonstrations. Deer Park Tanger Outlet Farmers MarketLocation: Deer Park Farmers Market - at the ArchesSeason: June through December 18, 2012Hours: Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.Contact: Elsie CollinsPhone: 631-288-1559Join over 30 local vendors for the Farmers Market at the Arches. Featuring Long Island's local farms... 07/03/2012

Waterfront Homes for Sale in Lindenhurst NY There are a few different types of waterfront living: Bayfront and canals with dockspace. Bayfront is when the home is on the bay with gorgeous panoramic views of the Great South Bay. Lindenhurst NY homes on the canal usually have a minimum of 25 ft. of bulkhead and climbs to 200 ft. depending upon the layout of the property. Lindenhurst NY waterfront homes come in all shapes and sizes. Currently, there are 31 waterfront homes for sale in Lindenhurst NY. Prices start at $229,990 for a two bedroom Ranch with property taxes of $9,834 to $775,000 for a four bedroom Colonial with property taxes of $17,284. The majority of these homes are in the $300,000+ price range. Lindenhurst NY waterfront homeowners enjoy waterfront living. A lot of them own b... 07/02/2012

Lindenhurst NY Short Sale Activity 2008-201236 Lindenhurst NY short sale homes have been listed in 2012 and 18 have sold. There are 61 short sale homes for sale in Lindenhurst NY currently. There are short sale homes that are still on the market after being listed in 2010 and 2011. Why? Your guess is as good as mine. I have listed short sale homes in Lindenhurst NY that have successfully closed. I am finding based on my experience banks are cooperating. So far, 2012 is the last year where you do not have to claim the defiency on your income taxes. Other requirements are in place to qualify for this. If you are considering a short sale for your Lindenhurst NY home, do it now. The home has to sell as a short sale this year. Keep in mind that a short sale is better on your credit than a fo... 07/01/2012

Lindenhurst NY Sold Homes Pricing History & Trends - 2nd Quarter 2012 The 2nd quarter is slightly down compared to the first quarter. 58 homes sold during the 2nd quarter with the average days on the market being 112. Ten homes sold in the price range of $120,000 to $193,000. 34 homes sold in the price range of $200,000 to $299,000. This says that the majority of buyers are prequalified for mortgages in that price range currently. 14 homes sold in the price range of $310,000 to $395,000. No homes have sold from $400,000 and over. 54 homes sold during the 2nd quarter of 2011 with the average days on the market being 130. Eight homes sold in the $100,000 to the $199,000 price range. 28 homes sold in the $200,000 to the $299,000 price range. 18 homes sold in the $300,000 to the $399,000. C... 07/01/2012

Another Lindenhurst NY Home Sold - June 2012 My first time home buyers closed on this Lindenhurst NY home this past Thursday. They couldn't be happier. This home has the potential for a legal 2 family by permit if they choose to do so which makes this home's future resale value high. The only thing this expanded cape needs is aesthetics. No major work and my buyers really did get a good deal. This transaction was not flawless by any means. They originally were getting their FHA mortgage through Chase. Three months into it, Chase decides the buyers have to remove the legal 2nd kitchen before they close. Their loan officer says it is a prerequisite of Chase. It didn't matter to him that the permit was transferrable for 30 days after the deal closes. So, my buyers removed the kitchen by hi... 06/30/2012

The Long Island Real Estate Market Is In The Eye of The Beholder Lately, I keep hearing the Long Island real estate market, for lack of a better word, sucks. Here is my take on why they feel this way. Buyers - buyers that are in a lower price range, can't find their dream home. Some expect the homes to be all updated instead of outdated. The avocado kitchen from the 70's doesn't work and they do not have the money to remodel right away. They could have that dream home but they are in areas the buyers do not want to live in. I say, save more money and try next year. Sellers - on the market for 120+ days with not one offer. Some want the 2005 prices and that is not happening now. Reduce the price, get offers and now the market is great. If they need all of the proceeds to buy their next h... 06/23/2012

Another Lindenhurst NY Short Sale Sold June 2012 My job as a Lindenhurst Short Sale agent is to get as much money for my sellers in order to close in on the deficiency gap. Cash buyer #1, and our only buyer at the time, wouldn't come up. The agent for the buyer I know did his best to have them come up. There was no budging. My negotiator said let's get the file to management and see what happens. As I'm preparing the documents that Chase sent me, another offer comes in. A much better offer. I made Chase aware of it and of course they took it. The attorney for buyer #1 was not happy. This was his first short sale and couldn't understand what was taking place. He was saying banks have no right to do auctions. Trying to explain to him that this isn't an auction was like pulling teeth. My s... 06/22/2012