Welcome to the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter. This eNewsletter is specially designed for you, with national and local housing information that you may find useful whether you’re in the market for a home, thinking about selling your home, or just interested in homeowner issues in general.Please click on this link to view the Housing Trends SEPTEMBER - 2012 Newsletter http://deborahbracco.housingtrendsenewsletter.comThe Housing Trends eNewsletter contains the latest information from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau, Realtor.org reports and other sources.Housing Trends eNewsletter is filled with local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by MLSs and the National Association of Realtors, U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, c... 10/17/2012

Robert DeFalco Realty Merges With Vitale Sunshine Realtors   I was extraordinarily proud to announce earlier today that my firm, Robert DeFalco Realty, merged with one of our long term competitors on Staten Island, Vitale - Sunshine Realtors. After many years of competing in the marketplace with John Saraceno, the Broker/Owner of Vitale-Sunshine Realtors, I am quite proud to bring him and his entire staff on board.  Over time we've developed a deep, mutual respect for one another that has not only been forged through competition for agents, listings and market share but also through collaborating on events at the Staten Island Board of Realtors. Vitale Sunshine has built a wonderful presence on Staten Island, they've distinguished themselves and their status as excellent corporate citiz... 10/03/2012

       At 2,200 acres, Freshkills Park will be almost three times the size of Central Park and the largest park developed in New York City in over 100 years. The transformation of what was formerly the world’s largest garbage dump landfill into a productive and beautiful cultural destination will make the park a symbol of renewal and an expression of how our society can restore balance to its landscape. In addition to providing a wide range of recreational opportunities, including many uncommon in the city, the park’s design, ecological restoration and cultural and educational programming will emphasize environmental sustainability and a renewed public concern for our human impact on the earth. While the full build–out will continue in phases for the next 30 years, development over the... 09/28/2012

Eltingville Ranch, Extra large property, coming soon. If you're looking for a unique house and property, one family detached, in the heart of Eltingville, 3 bedrooms, 2 beautiful baths, one full and one 3/4,  walking distance to X-bus and or train, shopping, parks, has large backyard, off street parking,  please call me because once this is listed, I know it will sell FAST. We'll price it right.  Call or email me and I promise I'll call you as soon as the papers are signed. Kenneth Cole 917-696-0275     09/19/2012

If you are currently in the market for your first home, you probably have lots of questions. You are about to be making an important decision for your future, a great investment of both money and time. I have a wealth of experience helping first time buyers like you make sound, informed decisions. Here are some tips that can help make your home buying process successful: Tip #1: Do Your Homework The perfect home won’t find you by itself. The key step in buying a home is doing the proper research. Educate yourself on local schools, neighborhoods, and the kinds of homes available. By reading available materials and talking with experts, you can start to put together your idea of the perfect home. Tip #2: Start Planning Most decisions benefit greatly from proper planning, and home buying i... 08/28/2012

Quality photography is an important part of marketing your Staten Island home for sale. We have a listing in our office that's been on the market for just over 6 months without an offer.  It's a lovely home and it's priced properly but the right buyer hadn't come along.  We recently updated all of the photos using a DSLR camera with a wide angle lens and proper lighting to produce some really beautiful images of the home.  We uploaded the new photos and 2 weeks later the home has an accepted offer on it. Before & After Coincidence?  Maybe. But I believe that those quality photos helped procure this buyer.  Quality photos of your home and a well written description are what's going to attract buyers to look at your home. I happen to love photography and I enjoy shooting my listings.  Thi... 08/22/2012

Looking to sell your home in Staten Island, NY? I can help. The first thing you'll want to do is hire the right REALTOR in Staten Island.  How do you do that?  Well I'm hoping that this  blog will help you decide. At HERMAN & CO REALTORS® we offer the following services to sellers. A complete market analysis to determine an accurate target price for your home.  We do this by looking at all homes currently on the market, in contract and sold homes in the last 12 months in your area.  We also look at the expired homes to see where they went wrong and why they didn't sell.  Pricing a home properly is vital to selling your home.  Enter your property on the Staten Island MLS so that other REALTORS can see your home for sale. We order custom signage to properly expose your home.  Why?  Becaus... 08/12/2012

Welcome to the most current Housing Trends eNewsletter. This eNewsletter is specially designed for you, with national and local housing information that you may find useful whether you’re in the market for a home, thinking about selling your home, or just interested in homeowner issues in general. Please click on this link to view the Housing Trends JUL-2012 Newsletter http://deborahbracco.housingtrendsenewsletter.com The Housing Trends eNewsletter contains the latest information from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau, Realtor.org reports and other sources. Housing Trends eNewsletter is filled with local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by MLSs and the National Association of Realtors, U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, consum... 07/29/2012

 I'm getting tired of people happy with  just emailing or texting and never bothering to call and TALK!! I want to help you but there's just so much you can convey through modern technology. I like to hear and get to know the person who possibly wants my assistance. After 6 or 7 emails or texts, and then they say, "Can I see this house?" I have to actually ask them to please call me so we can discuss making an appt and their availability etc! And then, it takes days before I get the phone call or not at all! IS IT JUST ME OR DOES THIS BOTHER YOU TOO?? I know I am a  human being but sometimes I feel like one of those automated response lines that some companies give you as an option if the live reps are busy! Technology has taken over human interaction and I'm not so sure I like it!!! 07/28/2012

The New York City Economic Development Corporation today announced that it has selected Guido Passarelli & Sons to develop a 10-acre retail site on Staten Island. The site, located in Staten Island’s Charleston neighborhood, has approximately 130,000 square feet of retail space, according to a statement from EDC. If the proposal successfully navigates the public approval process, Passarelli will pay $7.1 million for the site and spend an additional $25 million on construction, EDC said. Staten Island-based Passarelli, was selected after responding to a January 2011 Request for Proposal. The retail development is meant to “jumpstart” a larger, 58-acre project in Staten Island, at what has been called the “Charleston Municipal Site,” EDC said. Once complete, that project will include a 2... 07/26/2012

The first recorded European contact with Staten Island was in 1524 by Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, who in the employ of the French crown, sailed through The Narrows on the French ship La Dauphine and anchored for one night. In 1609, the English explorer Henry Hudson sailing for the Dutch sailed into Upper New York Bay on his ship the Half Moon. Staaten Eylandt (literally "States Island") was named in honor of the Dutch parliament known as the Staten-Generaal. In 1687 and 1688, the English divided the island into four administrative divisions based on natural features: the 5,100-acre manorial estate of colonial governor Thomas Dongan in the central hills known as the "Lordship or Manner of Cassiltown," along with the North, South, and West divisions. These divisions would la... 07/26/2012

In April of 1926 the mega-developer Commonwealth Associates, Inc. announced the latest of their Grand Plans for Staten Island. One can only wonder what the Island would look like today…           In the 1860's, John J. Crooke, businessman and naturalist bought the peninsula that now bears his name. He lived in a log cabin and took photographs of the beautiful landscapes of nature and collected plant and animal specimens. By 1916 erosion took its toll on the narrow spit of land that lead from Staten Island proper to the Point, that it became an island to itself -- the only way off besides a boat, was to wait until low tide when one could once again walk across through the muck. But what a perfectly isolated spot! Soon, a thriving bungalow community took hold of the island, and in the sp... 07/18/2012

Most Expensive Staten Island Homes Sold in 2011   The most expensive Staten Island Homes sold in 2011 all sold in Todt Hill, one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Staten Island.   Todt Hill is the most secluded, rural, and expensive residential neighborhoods in New York City.  Located just 7 miles from mid town Manhattan, it has no stores, restaurants, apartments, town houses or bus stops. The building lots are large by New York City standards, with a minimum zoning requirement of 10,000 square feet.  Houses in the one-and-a-half-square-mile neighborhood are expensive with some selling for as much as $6 million.  The most expensive section is on the grounds of the 135-acre Richmond County Country Club, the only privately owned golf course in New York City.  Most Todt Hill residents... 07/09/2012

July 4th, 2012, Travis Staten Island Parade. See my video of the 102nd Travis 4th of July parade 07/04/2012

How would I spend $500 per month on marketing and tech? If you asked me this question just 5 years ago, I would have a completely different answer.  Today, $500 can go very far in a well thought out marketing campaign.  Here's how I'd spend $500 per month on marketing and tech... 1.  Showcase account with REALTOR.com.  Cost $66 per month for my entire office (11 agents) to have their own accounts.  A showcase account is basically a listing enhancement feature on the most searched real estate website in the country.  I don't do Zillow or Trulia because of the inaccuracies.  I don't have time to babysit each listing on every website.  REALTOR.com is directly linked with every MLS in the country so it's usually accurate. 2.  Rainmaker account with Active Rain.  Cost $32.42 per month ($389 ... 07/04/2012

  Happy Birthday America!   Special thank you and a sincere prayer to all of our troops serving right now.  We are so grateful for you and for your service!     And thank you to my fellow veterans who fought and served our country proudly!     Have a happy and safe 4th of July everyone! 07/03/2012

Side Hall Colonials in Prince's Bay (Staten Island) NY There are several Side Hall Colonials for sale in Prince's Bay (Staten Island) NY.  The most common side hall colonial is approximately 2,200 sq ft and has 4 bedrooms, formal living room, formal dining room, family room, large eat in kitchen, 1 car garage, and spacious backyards, built on approximately 4,000 sq ft lots.  They can be either a 1 family or a 2 family style side hall colonial.  Average sale price is between $575,000 and $800,000.   Click here if you want to start looking for a Side Hall Colonial in Prince's Bay, NY.   Prince's Bay is the name of a neighborhood located on the South Shore of New York City's borough of Staten Island and of an arm of Raritan Bay (which in turn is part of the Atlantic Ocean), on which the ea... 06/27/2012

Luxury Homes In Todt Hill (Staten Island) NY Todt Hill is the most secluded, rural, and expensive residential neighborhoods in New York City.  Located just 7 miles from mid town Manhattan, it has no stores, restaurants, apartments, town houses or bus stops. The building lots are large by New York City standards, with a minimum zoning requirement of 10,000 square feet.  Houses in the one-and-a-half-square-mile neighborhood are expensive with some selling for as much as $6 million.  The most expensive section is on the grounds of the 135-acre Richmond County Country Club, the only privately owned golf course in New York City.  Most Todt Hill residents never meet there neighbors because of their desire for privacy.  It's an area where people keep to themselves but are still very active in ... 06/25/2012

Homes in High Rock (Staten Island) NY Nestled in Staten Island's Greenbelt is a small enclave of very secluded homes in High Rock.  Lots start at around 10,000 sq ft and go up to around an acre.  Homes range in size from a 1,500 square foot cottage to a 10,000 square foot center hall colonial.  The medium home sale price in High Rock, Staten Island is $573,529 in 2012.  If you are looking for seclusion and complete privacy within commuting distance to Manhattan, NY, than you may want to consider a home in High Rock, Staten Island, NY Click here to begin your search for homes in High Rock (Staten Island) NY. High Rock Park is the cornerstone of the Greenbelt and one of the area’s most popular “Forever Wild” parks. High Rock was designated a National Environmental Education Landmark by th... 06/25/2012

Staten Island house for sale, South Shore, Coming to you this week, a beautiful 3 bedroom, Ranch style house on an over sized lot in the middle of this sleepy bedroom community of Eltingville. But it's near shopping, parks and transportation. Just a short walk to all.  No need to get a second car.  Walk to the Staten Island Rapid Transit, take the express train to the Staten Island Ferry in the AM and you can also take the express home again in the PM. I'll be posting pictures and other important information just as soon as I can, so if you're in the market for a nice one family detached house in a great area of Staten Island, email me to be among the first to get a chance to see this or, you might just miss out. kennethcolesiny55@yahoo.com, or telephone me at 917-696-0275   06/24/2012