Is Your Long Island Realtor® Breaking The Law?Please keep in mind that most Long Island Realtors® do not break the law. The few that do, make the rest of us look bad and I am so done with it!Over the past few weeks, I'm being told from other Long Island Realtors® that pursue expired listings that the homeowners have told them they re-listed with their "current" agent. The Realtors® show the homeowner the expired listing and in our MLS and it doesn't state the home is back on the market. What form did they sign in order to put the home back on the market?NOTHING the homeowners are telling my fellow Realtors®These homeowners have not signed any paperwork stating that they wanted the home back on the market with their "current" Realtor®.So, how is the home being placed back on the market i... 01/17/2012

Women, Men and DownsizingLast year I listed a 55 & Over condo in Lindenhurst NY. The couples that came to my open houses and called to preview the home taught me one thing: Men and Women feel differently about downsizing. Men: They could have moved last week.Women: On the fence about moving.Why? Men: They are tired of mowing the lawn and shoveling snow.Women: They raised their kids in their home, there are special memories in every room of the house, more closet space, larger kitchen for food prep and cooking, love their flower and vegetable gardens, more privacy from neighbors, no stairs (most owned a one-level ranch), overall living space. Being a woman, I understand how the women feel. The "man" side of me sees the men's point of view. My husband and I moved from a 2 bedroom co-op ap... 01/11/2012

Lindenhurst NY Kindergarten Registration 2012-2013 School Year Kindergarten registration for Lindenhurst NY Kindergarten students starts on February 1st, 2012 through February 16th, 2012Children must turn 5 years old on or before December 1st, 2012 in order to be enrolled for this coming school year.You need to pick up a registration packet at the McKenna Administration Building at 350 Daniel Street, Lindenhurst NY. Or you can pick up a packet at any of the elementary schools in Lindenhurst NY. All information in the packet must be 100% completed along with the proper documentation or you will have to go back a second time.Lindenhurst NY Kindergarten Registration Dates & Time: Albany Avenue Elementary - 2/1 & 2/8 - 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Alleghany Avenue Elementary - 2/2 & 2/9 - 8 a.m. to... 01/10/2012

Lindenhurst NY REO Homes For Sale There are 7 REO properties for sale in Lindenhurst NY. Prices range from $139,900 to $269,900. When buying an REO property in Lindenhurst NY or anywhere else on Long Island, expect to do work to the home. Never expect move in condition especially at these low prices. You may have to completely overhaul the home meaning replacing windows, roof, heating & A/C system, new kitchen, new baths, flooring, etc. I have found that the bank who owns the home may redo the hardwood floors but don't count on that either. You may be eligible for a 203K/Rehab Mortgage or a 203K Streamline mortgage. Consult with your mortgage broker about these two mortgage products. I had 2 buyers close on an REO property in Lindenhurst NY with a 203K Streamline Mortgage and the other... 01/07/2012

Lindenhurst NY 2011 Housing Market - What A Year It's Been! Overall, the Lindenhurst NY housing market saw a 4.14% decrease in the median sales price since January 2011. Let's look at the Lindenhurst NY housing market since January 2007: 2007 - 0.67% decrease2008 - 8.38% decrease2009 - 1.27% decrease2010 - 5.67% increase2011 - 4.14% decrease Since January 2007 to December 2011, the Lindenhurst NY housing market decreased by 22.23%. The Lindenhurst NY housing market saw the worst in 2008 and saw the best in 2010. Since the quarterly median sales prices of 2011 stayed fairly tight, I'm hoping that 2012 will be the year for stabilization for the Lindenhurt NY housing market. When stabilization occurs, it will stay that way for a while. Do not expect a full blown sellers market in 2012. Lin... 01/06/2012

***SOLD*** June of 2012 Lindenhurst NY Short Sale For Sale - 29 Knoll Street Lindenhurst NY 11757 - $225,000 This Lindenhurst NY short sale is an 11 room, 4 bedroom Colonial with only 1 mortgage! The bank wants a buyer asap! The initial paperwork to start this short sale has been completed. 1st Floor Layout:Large Eat-In Kitchen, Dining Room, Living Room, Family Room, Master Bedroom with a huge closet, and a full bath. 2nd Floor Layout:Three bedrooms, 2 full baths, Eat-In Kitchen and Living Room.There is a pull down attic and a 1 car attached garage. Property size is 75 x 100 (7500 square feet). There is a free-standing screen house in the backyard. Town Taxes with Star Program: $10,968.97 Village Taxes: $1,930.72The town taxes should have no problem being grieved since they have the mar... 12/31/2011

Lessons Learned In Real Estate - 2011: A Year In Review2011 ends my 2nd year in real estate. Still so much more to learn but have learned so much this year. I've learned............ It's ok not to take overpriced listings. They don't sell and preserving the relationship before it starts is more important. It's ok to take a guilt-free day off as long as I've earned it. To only take continuing education courses that benefit my buyers and sellers and not just for myself. It's ok to not have all the answers and to seek help when I need it. Swallow my pride! To get out of my comfort zone. I love door knocking! Never to take no for an answer because my clients and customers have benefited from it. To take better photos for my listings. To help newer agents not make the same prospecting mistak... 12/28/2011

Lindenhurst NY REO Properties For Sale There are six REO properties for sale in Lindenhurst NY. Prices range from $139,900 to $235,900. When buying an REO property in Lindenhurst NY or anywhere else on Long Island, expect to do work to the home. Never expect move in condition especially at these low prices. You may have to completely overhaul the home meaning replacing windows, roof, heating & A/C system, new kitchen, new baths, flooring, etc. I have found that the bank who owns the home may redo the hardwood floors but don't count on that either. You may be eligible for a 203K/Rehab Mortgage or a 203K Streamline mortgage. Consult with your mortgage broker about these two mortgage products. I had 2 buyers close on an REO property in Lindenhurst NY with a 203K Streamline Mortgage and the... 12/19/2011

Lindenhurst NY Short Sale Market Report - November 2011 Currently, there are 67 short sale homes on the market in Lindenhurst NY. Prices range from $165,375 to $499,990. So far, 30 homes have sold as a short sale. As of December 2010, 30 homes sold. Here it is December 2011 and we are at last years sold numbers. I was really hoping we would see the sold numbers increase, not remain the same. But, it is better to be the same then a decrease. There are 163 regular resale homes on the market in Lindenhurst NY.  Right now, 28% of the homes on the market in Lindenhurst NY are short sales. In September 2011 we were at 24%. Nothing to panic over. Some towns on Long Island are experiencing 60% of the homes in their market are short sales. So, forget about being able to list and sell a regular ... 12/17/2011

Lindenhurst NY Homes For Sale for Under $200,000 Currently, there are 11 homes on the market in Lindenhurst NY for under $200,000. Two of them are REO properties. Eight of them are short sales. One is a regular resale. Keep in mind when your buying power is under $200,000 and you want to buy a home in Lindenhurst NY, expect to do work to the house. This includes putting in a new kitchen, baths, sheetrock, windows, heating and A/C system, and maybe even a roof. If you are not experienced with how much certain improvements cost, bring a licensed home improvement contractor with you if you are interested in a particular house. You will also still need to get a home inspection. Never, ever not get one of those! No matter what your price point is, hire me as your Lindenhurst NY Buyer's Agent... 12/17/2011

Lindenhurst NY Short Sales - Handle With Care!Last week I overheard a conversation between a new agent and a seller. This new agent is very zealous which in my book is a good thing but to a point.Short sales in the Lindenhurst NY area have been steadily around since 2005. I am finding that some are closing in 90 days or less but that is not the norm here. I figured out what the questions were by hearing the answers this agent was giving:"Short sales take anywhere from 2 months to 4 months to close". Really? My short sale listing has had a buyer on it for six months and counting and that is with everything going smoothly. Check the sold Lindenhurst NY short sale homes in the MLS for the past year. You will find that most take six months to 9 months to close. Some have taken a year!"The h... 12/09/2011

Lindenhurst NY REO Property Sold!I sold this home to my buyer and we closed on it yesterday and it took only six weeks thanks to Walter Villalta of Mid Island Mortgage!This was also my first REO property on the selling end. I have to say, it's been an education. I also have another buyer buying an REO property in a different town.My buyer took out an FHA 203K streamline mortgage to buy his first home. This home needs a new heating system so the bank is giving him money for a new one. With this type of mortgage, he has to install the new heating system within a certain period of time. Then it has to be inspected to make sure the work was actually done.We put an offer on this home back in August but someone else had a higher offer so my buyer was bummed. I still kept an eye on it just in ... 11/30/2011

Weekly Prospecting Journal - Week Ending November 27th, 2011I decided to do this journal for two reasons: 1. Maybe it will help and/or inspire someone to motivate them more which will increase their business.2. Hold myself more accountable on a regular basis. I am stepping up my prospecting now for 2012. I can't rely solely on blogging and my website. So, here is to an awesome 2012!November 21st 2011Prospected around a sold listing:Doors Knocked: 26People Spoke With: 4New Contact for Future: 4New Buyer: 1November 22nd, 2011 Prospected around a new listing:Doors Knocked: 38People Spoke With: 2New Contact for Future: 2New Buyer: 1November 23rd, 2011Handed out 200 flyers for Santa Day at our officeGave out 18 business cards to people who asked for them.November 24th, 2011Prospected around... 11/28/2011

New Year's Eve on Long Island 2012 Lily Flanagan's Pub345 Deer Park AvenueBabylon, NY 11702(631) 539-0816Lily Flanagan's will be having their annual New Year's Eve extravaganza! Prix Fixe menu, open bar, buffet and champagne toast. Call them for details! Long Island/Huntington Hilton598 Broadhollow RoadMelville, NY 11747(631) 845-1000 - Ask for VictoriaNew Year's Eve 2012Hornblower Cruises & EventsWhy not treat yourselves to a lavish New Year's Eve?!?! What a great way to spend New Year's Eve to ring in 2012! For reservations call: 1-888-467-6256The Snapper Inn500 Shore DriveOakdale, NY 11769(631) 589-0248They do not have a lot of info yet about New Year's Eve 2012 so give them a call!No matter what you are doing for New Year's Eve 2012, just have a great time. And please, no drinking a... 11/27/2011

Lindenhurst NY Real Estate Market Activity Report - Week Ending 11-27-11 The Lindenhurst NY real estate market activity has been a little slow this week due to Thanksgiving. I hope you all enjoyed it! One home sold in Lindenhurst NY: 620 N. Fulton Avenue Lindenhurst NY 11757 - This is a 3 bedroom, 7 room Expanded Cape. Listed for $369,000 and sold for $350,000. On the market for 71 days. List price to sold price ratio: 5.2% Currently, there are 245 homes on the market in Lindenhurst NY. Prices range from $165,375 (that is my short sale listing!) to $999,000. 236 homes have sold in Lindenhurst NY since January 1st, 2011.   The chart to the left is for the Median Sold Prices by quarter for 2011. 2011 has been fluctuating so there are no signs of stabilization just yet. And looking at the... 11/27/2011

Santa Day at Century 21 AA Realty 2011 - Free Photo With Santa!Come join us at Century 21 AA Realty and get your kid(s) a free photo with Santa in a nice holiday frame! We are celebrating our 28th year with Santa! Everyone keeps asking if we are doing the Santa photos again this year and of course we are! A professional photographer will be there taking the photos. Then, when you photo is ready, it will be hand-delivered to you. This is one of the ways we give back to our wonderful community year after year. When: December 3rd, 2011Time: 11:00 a.m.to 3:00 p.m.Where: Century 21 AA Realty - 1596 Straight Path (Corner of Straight Path & Wellwood Avenue, North of Sunrise Highway)Please print the mini-flyer below to bring with you. See you there and Happy Holidays!!!! Santa Day - 12-3-11 - PDF 11/25/2011

Our World Is Smaller Than You Think A few months ago, I'm speaking with a close friend of mine. She was asking me about REO properties for sale in Lindenhurst NY so we chit-chatted about that for a while. I told her I have two buyers under contract and each of them is buying an REO property. Hardly any issues and that is a good thing! She happens to mention her friend's boyfriend is buying an REO property in the area and he is under contract. As it turns out, she is talking about my buyer-customer! No, I didn't tell her he is my buyer but could you imagine if I did? What goes on with my clients and customers, is between them and myself, no one else. Today, I'm out door knocking. Spoke with some very nice homeowners. I was making them aware of a home that is for sale on their block. The... 11/21/2011

Feedback - Be Careful What You Ask For As agents, it's our job to get feedback for our homeowners. When I get a call or email asking for feedback from another agent, I am going to be honest. No sugar coating. And I'm nice about it. But, when I get blasted for being honest, I have to scratch my head. YOU asked for feedback. That is YOUR job. It will help your homeowner to know what other agents and buyers think. Isn't that the whole point to getting and giving feedback? Some homeowners are unrealistic about the price of their home in relation to other comparable homes that are on the market and homes that recently sold. Getting feedback from agents and buyers can help greatly. In fact, it may save you from losing the listing. Be grateful I was honest, nice and kept my cool. You did blast... 11/06/2011

Attention LIPA Customers - Want to Earn $50 Bucks with Just A Few Keystrokes?  LIPA has extended their refrigerator recycling program to November 30th, 2011. It's going to be the easiest $50 bucks you've ever earned! Here are the details: You must be a LIPA residential customer and own the appliance. Appliance must be picked up from the residential address listed on your billing account. Refrigerator must be 10-30 cu. ft., plugged in and operating at the time of scheduled pick up. Refrigerator must be manufactured prior to 2001. You can check the date of manufacture by finding the sticker on the inside of the door. It's usually located on the side of the door. Limit of 2 refrigerators per year. Your $50 bucks will be mailed approximately 4 weeks after they pick it up. For more informat... 11/04/2011

Lindenhurst NY Short Sale Housing Market - October 2011 Six Lindenhurst NY short sale homes came onto the market in October 2011 bringing that total to 60 for the year. Not one short sale home under contract in Lindenhurst NY sold in October.View Lindenhurst NY Short Sales For SaleCurrently, there are 256 homes for sale in Lindenhurst NY. 66 of them are short sales. 26% of the homes on the market in Lindenhurst NY are short sales. In August 2011 it was at 21% so the Lindenhurst NY short sale activity has increased by 5% in two months time. Lindenhurst NY Sold Short Sales For 201128 Sold Homes:Median Sold Price - $242,500Median Listing Price - $242,595List Price to Sold Price Ratio - 5.65%Average Property Taxes - $8,402Average Days on the Market - 191We have the last quarter of 2011 to ... 11/03/2011