Long Island Real Estate Blog

Susan Boyle - From Anonymity To Stardom In The Blink Of An Eye

2009-04-16T07:47:00.014-04:00

Just who is Susan Boyle? That's a question on the minds of many just days after she rose like a phoenix on Britain's Got Talent. A more unlikely star in the making would be hard to find. A middle aged woman, with no great style or distintive look, yet dressed in her Sunday best, she walked onto the stage and ultimately into the hearts of millions on that fateful Saturday April 11, 2009.

It was painful to watch the early moments of her interview with Simon Cowell as snickers and rolled eyes greeted her, from the judges and audience alike. I cringed as she stood bravely, facing the disbelief etched in the faces of the as yet uninitiated. The last time I felt this intensity of emotion was when Paul Potts metaphorically slipped out of his cell phone salesman persona and into the regalia of the anointed on his fateful night just two short years ago. I wanted her to be good. I wanted us all to be bigger than we are and not judge by appearances alone. Then the music began to swell.

As the richness of sound filled the suddenly quiet auditorium, the mellifluous tones emanating from this unlikely source at once turned a jeering crowd into wildly applauding fans and insured Susan Boyle's rise to exalted heights. There were tears in my eyes as she masterfully performed "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables. It was a defining moment, both for her and for me, though I'm not alone in this. Standing before us was "Rocky." We wanted to cheer her on. This was one of us, just an ordinary person getting a chance to live her dream . . . a one in a million chance.

But who is this person? Bits and pieces of her life begin to emerge as we search for background. She's an almost 48 year old woman from West Lothian, Scotland, who to date has lived a totally unspectacular, if sometimes painful life. She is unmarried, cared for her mother until her death and lives with a cat named Pebbles. We see the makings of a Cinderella story. There's no doubt we want more. Her YouTube video has been watched over an unbelievable 11 million times in a few short days. She's being interviewed on both sides of the Atlantic, giving an a capella rendition of I Dreamed A Dream on CBS early this morning. Without benefit of musical accompaniment one could appreciate it was no fluke, her rising to sudden fame.

I for one eagerly await her next performance as this very talented lady emerges from her chrysalis into the bright star she is destined to become.

If New Construction on Long Island Is For You . . .

2009-02-10T11:38:00.010-05:00

You've picked a great time to be shopping for a new home on Long Island. Builders, finding themselves in the same crunch as the rest of the market in much of the country have not only reduced prices to make their offerings very desirable, but the savvy ones are offering incentives to prospective buyers.

Case in point. We have a truly beautiful home currently on the market in which the contractor's attention to detail is visible at every turn. It's unlike any of the other newly built homes in the area. What makes it different? Where do I begin? Let's start at the driveway. The common treatment is blacktop, an inexpensive alternative, which looks fine at the start but begins needing maintenance before much time has passed. On this one you'll see a paver driveway framed by two pillars with lights that come on at dusk. The facade speaks volumes as well, with a stucco finish, embellished with quoined corners and framing long and elegant Pella windows and a double door entry with sidelights.

Other points of difference: 9' ceilings on both levels, a gourmet cherry kitchen w/top of the line Bosch appliances, a huge center island w/granite counters, stainless and glass adjustable hood, custom moldings, designer door handles, 2 panel solid wood doors. Typically, in new homes you'll find basic inexpensive door knobs, hollow core doors, a single door entrance, eight foot ceilings, if not on both floors, on the second level, baths with tile only in tub and shower areas, average appliances. As you approach many new homes you'll find a front porch of varying sizes, constructed of wood or engineered wood, with steps to match. The paver porch on this home, designed with pergola and custom railing is a far cry from the average.

My point here is, you'll be faced with more options than you've had in the past several years. When you look, compare apples to apples. Though two or more homes may be in a similar price range, make sure you're getting filet mignon for your money, not hamburger. And remember, you're in the envious position of being in the driver's seat, a situation not always in the purview of the buyer. So, if you find the new construction you want, at a price you can afford, try to negotiate something extra for yourself. You just might get your first year's taxes paid or alternatively an appliance package you'd be happy with.

December Doldrums -- Not This Year!

2006-12-13T22:00:00.000-05:00

It's the middle of December, with the holidays looming large on the horizon. The business of real estate is supposed to be in the doldrums by now, just ask anyone. Surprisingly, in my world it's exactly the opposite. If it were not for television shopping channels and the Internet, my family would have been unhappily searching for some indication that the holidays had not completely passed me by.

With a new listing in tow and a surprising number of offers coming in on another property I represent, I'd have to say the local market, like the weather on Long Island is uncharacteristically warm for this time of year. It's a boon for homeowners who've done everything right, only to be forced into a state of limbo, their future plans on hold while their houses vie for attention as the market sorts itself out. As the year comes to a close I'm happy to see more of a balance, with buyers in increasing numbers inviting sellers to dance. Whichever side of the transaction you find yourself on, enjoy this moment of sanity.

Staging Hits The News

2006-12-05T18:20:00.000-05:00

The mass media is finally picking up the "news" that staging can help homes sell faster . . . especially in slower markets. To those of us in the trenches, there's nothing new about it. In most of the country staging is a viable marketing tool and one that's been used successfully for years. Admittedly, New York is often late to the party when it comes to innovation in real estate sales.

For years, long before it had a name, I've been "staging" homes to get my sellers top dollar in any given market. For most people, walking into a warm and lovely space excites their emotions and keeps that property top of mind. Builders have known this all along. That's why most developments have model homes, beautifully decorated, maximizing the space and characteristics of that particular architectural design.

Let me show you a recent, yet modified update I did to a space to make it competitive in today's market. Without changing the homeowner's furniture, I removed 40 year old flocked wallpaper, old carpet, worn down to the floor in the high traffic areas and replaced the equally worn kitchen floor. We painted the walls Linen White (not usually my first choice), had the floors scraped and polyurethaned and I brought in accessories to bring the house into the twenty-first century. Does it make a difference? You bet it does! Though this home is not yet sold, we've had two offers on it and positive feedback from buyers and Realtors alike.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-22T21:46:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, probably my favorite holiday of the year. My early memories play like an 8 millimeter movie with my mother in the lead role as she valiantly carried the enormous turkey to an overcrowded table. The cast remained the same over the years, revealing style changes and age as it crept up on mom and all the supporting players.

For me it was a gift since time couldn't pass fast enough to make me believable as I lied about my age. In those days I could often get away with adding four or five years if I sported the right clothes and hairstyle. Needless to say, I'd willingly give those back now, but without benefit of a plastic surgeon's knife, the only person I'd be likely to fool these days would be me.

My mother, weary from the burden of producing a huge meal for extended family and friends without any help, was exhausted and it showed on her face as she placed and replaced serving dishes to make room for the mountain of food we consumed as a group. My father stood at the head of the table sharpening his carving knife and grinning from ear to ear as he prepared to perform surgery of his own on the poor departed turkey.

I remember animated conversation, laughter and the clanking of glasses as toasts were made, one after the other. And though it's been many years since the family gathered, disappearing one by one, they remain with me today in the theater of my mind. I warm in the glow of the love shared at that table and I'm grateful for the many gifts in my life.

Tomorrow, when I join my own family at an overcrowded table I'll smile and I'm sure my mother will be there to see us, even if just for a moment. For those of you spending this special day with your loved ones, enjoy it all, and for all of you who are less fortunate, I'll hold you in my thoughts.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Gift From The Blogosphere

2006-11-21T20:07:00.000-05:00

Even though Thanksgiving looms large on the horizon, I suddenly find myself busier in my real estate practice than I have been for awhile. Buyers and sellers are picking up the phone and calling, or emailing me to get information and begin the process. This at a time when I'm doing my best to gear up for the holiday. So imagine my surprise when I sat down tonight to do a quick check on my stats for this blog. Lo and behold, the numbers are way up. Why?

Never one to accept a gift horse without staring it straight in the face I found, to my great surprise, a link from Hanan Levin's famed Grow-A-Brain blog. I'm honored by the notice and hope this is one of the "unique and mostly intelligent sites" to which he refers.

I thank you sir for the nod. The ripples created by your significant presence in the blogosphere have been felt in my little corner of the universe.

How Fitting Just Before Thanksgiving!

2006-11-17T18:19:00.000-05:00

There's a lot of love to go around today and the lucky recipients are two three week old mixed breed puppies rescued from a New York City shelter by a worker at Little Shelter Animal Adoption Center on Long Island. About to be euthanized, these miracle pups, Magic & Merlin have many benefactors in their corner, from Plastic Surgeons to Veterinarians to folk just like you or me offering help to give them a chance at life. Read the story in Newsday.

We tend to forget in our every day lives how willing we are as a society to step up and lend a helping hand. No one can convince me that there wasn't some divine guidance in this one.

Another of Life's Lessons

2006-11-09T22:38:00.000-05:00

Just as I was about to log off last night I took one last quick glance at my email, just in case there was anything needing my immediate attention. One of my favorite colleagues sent a video with a strong suggestion to watch it and to have tissues handy. Every instinct told me to just go to bed, yet something made me click on the link. He was right, of course. He always is.

So I offer it to you too. It just might make you see someone in your life in a different light, maybe even yourself. Enjoy!

Modern Design, Or Is It?

2006-11-08T19:30:00.000-05:00

In the category of everything old is new again is the resurgence of "contemporary furniture," once again finding favor in the Long Island market. The last incarnation of this style came at an early and impressionable time in my life, somewhere in the 1960s. Offering an option at the time that was a far cry from the traditional furnishings in our parents' homes, the straight lined minimalistic approach to design was a natural choice for many.

The problem with the style, at least for me, was it just didn't stand the test of time. I tired quickly of the unadorned pieces that decorated my home, garnering admiring glances from everyone else. They wound up within a few years in my mother's house while I searched for something that better expressed my developing taste. As I look at the furnishings now, adorning the pages of stylish magazines and this issue of Newsday, I am as unmoved as I was back then.

Alzheimer's -- The Journey

2006-11-02T23:10:00.000-05:00

Every now and then something I read has such a profound effect on me that I feel a need to share it. Although I missed the piece written in the Times, while out in the blogosphere this morning I came across this touching article, "Self-Portraits Chronicle a Descent Into Alzheimer’s."

Upon his discovery that he was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, an American artist, William Utermohlen, did what he knew best. He painted self portraits that clearly show the deterioration he experienced as the disease progressed, forcing him ever deeper into dementia. These poignant paintings were exhibited at the New York Academy of Medicine in Manhattan, by the Alzheimer’s Association.

In the early stages of the disease the most obvious symptom is short term memory loss, which can be attributed to so many other things -- absent mindedness or simple forgetfulness. But a more pervasive loss of short term memory follows, with an eventual inability to complete even the most familiar tasks, along with disorientation and often behavioral changes. The average duration of the disease is 7-10 years during which both patient and loved ones watch as the person they knew slips into a nether world from which they cannot escape.

Stages and symptoms

Mild — At the early stage of the disease, patients have a tendency to become less energetic or spontaneous, though changes in their behaviour often goes unnoticed even by the patients' immediate family.
Moderate — As the disease progresses to the middle stage, the patient might still be able to perform tasks independently, but may need assistance with more complicated activities.
Severe — As the disease progresses from the middle to late stage, the patient will undoubtedly not be able to perform even the simplest of tasks on their own and will need constant supervision. They may even lose the ability to walk or eat without assistance.

If you think someone in your life might be headed down this road, here are some resources:

http://www.alzheimer.ca/english/society/intro.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimers
http://www.healingwell.com/alzheimers/
http://www.alzheimersdisease.com/index.jsp
http://www.ahaf.org/alzdis/about/adabout.htm

And just remember you're not alone in this fight.

It Worked For Bill Clinton, K.I.S.S. -- Just Price It Right!

2006-10-28T10:39:00.000-04:00

This is a topic I've been meaning to address for a long time, but reading Bonnie Erickson's take on it this morning made me decide to put it off no longer. In the real estate industry, as in many others, when the tried and true is no longer working we look for a new road to travel. Value range marketing is not new. It's been around for years, but with waning sales and unhappy sellers this marketing device, unnecessary in our area of Long Island during the boon years, has been taken out, dusted off and is in reruns in your local real estate theater.

The theory, flawed at best, was if you couldn't get homeowners to come down to a price at which their home would actually sell, you could cajole them into what seemed like a more minor adjustment, hence the "range." An example: home was listed at $699,000, going nowhere. You make the adjustment to $599,000-$659,000 -- believing the lower end is where it's more likely to go, but making it more palatable to owner. If you truly believe it might sell at the high end of the range, why not just price it there. The problem as I see it is that any buyers (or their agents) seeing the range is looking at the low end, while sellers are anticipating offers at the high end. I think this one is a lose/lose for everyone.

Long Island's Town of Southampton Gambling on Court Decision

2006-10-26T21:16:00.000-04:00

At odds are the Shinnecock Indian nation and several state agencies joined by the Town of Southampton. The focus of their fight, now in federal court is a 79 acre parcel of land in Hampton Bays known as Westwood. Although there is no question the Shinnecock tribe inhabited the land, at issue is whether or not they sold it in the 1600s to pay a fine for allegedly burning settlers' homes.

The greater battle, however, is over the proposed use of the land if the Shinnecocks win. The lawsuit is an attempt to block the construction of a casino on the site. For more information, read Newsday's article.

Botox -- The Latest Selling Incentive

2006-10-23T20:47:00.000-04:00

Talk about creative marketing. It's one thing to offer cars, vacations or diamonds to get your home sold in a sluggish market, but one plastic surgeon offered free Botox injections to the Realtor who sold his property. Though ingenious, it begs the question, "what if the selling agent doesn't need it . . . yet? Is it bankable . . . or giftable? "Hi mom, happy birthday!" Perhaps one could trade it in for a down payment on a tummy tuck.

The trend of setting one's home apart from all the competition has taken on a whole new dimension and I suspect, before this market turns we'll see a whole lot more ingenuity out there.

Fake Stone -- A Very Real Alternative

2006-10-22T22:14:00.000-04:00

Stone faced homes are nothing new to the Long Island landscape. They populate towns from the north to the south shores, conjuring up life as it was in this developing area earlier in the twentieth century. Except for a very few newly constructed houses in recent history going against popular style choices, stone as a facade has long been out of favor in this part of New York.

With choices very limited for manufactured stone, and unacceptably high prices for the real thing, the few properties that chose "stone" of a sort often looked remarkably like the Flintstones were moving into town. You know the kind, they stick out like a sore thumb, much like a six carat synthetic diamond. Well, happily there are impressive alternatives now. According to The Washington Post, with prices in the area running from $15 to $35 a square foot, it comes in mid point between vinyl siding and natural stone, making it a viable alternative.

One of the newly constructed homes I'm representing right now has stone as an alternative to the brick face on the other. It makes for an very attractive look.

Dealing With The Tough Ones

2006-10-20T22:29:00.000-04:00

I find myself faced with a dilemma. I'm preparing a house for sale that in the end has to hurt someone. There is valid reason for the decision to put this property on the market and I'm bound by my fiduciary responsibility and my wish to ease the latter years of the owner who is no longer able to function completely on her own. By selling the house we can create the cushion she requires to enjoy comfortable surroundings and give her family the peace of mind to accommodate her changing needs.

The other side of the coin unfortunately involves one of her children still living in the home who has to be uprooted by the process. If life were perfect, I'd split the house down the middle and sell the part that would ease her burden and keep the part that would make her child's life easier at a time when life has thrown him a few curves. It's never easy in these circumstances. As the days go by and the home takes on new life I see his sadness ever increasing. We're inching closer to presenting a desirable property to a diminished buying population and possibly rendering him, temporarily homeless.

I'd Like A House And . . .

2006-10-19T19:09:00.000-04:00

In the Long Island real estate market, with buyers playing hide and seek and new sellers joining the fray every week, builders, sellers and real estate agents alike are getting very creative in their marketing of homes. The boom years for building, recent enough in our memory to almost reach out and touch, have given way to unsold homes in significant numbers, prodding developers to come up with ingenious ways to set their properties apart. As reported by Newsday, Steven Klar is offering a $52,000 Mercedes as an inducement to buyers, hoping they'll choose one of his model homes in Locust Valley, Manorville or Huntington.

Homeowners have offered to pay for one year's mortgage payments, or vacations, or even package deals. Buy the house and get . . . In the last major downturn we often had sellers contributing to closing costs or absorbing points to pay down the purchaser's mortgage but more aggressive tactics are called for in these times.

Agents, accustomed to providing lunch, lottery tickets or theater tickets to their peers at Broker Open Houses before the market went crazy, are now having to come up with far more exciting fare, especially if they represent higher priced houses. The events they sponsor are costly, but the hoped for reward of a viable buyer spurs them on.

In Nassau County, as of August 2006 there were 10,041 homes for sale, up almost 67% from the same time last year. Suffolk County's statistics are similar with 13,999 homes on the market, up over 59%. So if you want it sold this year, you'd better get your creative juices flowing.

MetLife Sale of Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village

2006-10-17T19:41:00.000-04:00

Stuyvesant Town along with it's sister complex, Peter Cooper Village were sold by MetLife to Tishman Speyer and the real estate arm of Black Rock for $5.4 billion dollars, more than the highest estimates would have suggested. A mega residential real estate deal, involving over 11,000 units on the East Side of Manhattan, this is the third largest transaction of it's kind for New York City, and affects over 25,000 residents in 110 buildings.

Originally constructed to provide affordable housing for returning veterans of World War II, in the sixty years of it's existence, Stuvesant Town has always been an easy choice for young families wanting to make Manhattan home. With spacious layouts, reasonable rents and 12 neighborhood parks, residents have the best of two worlds. They're a short ride from everything New York is famous for, at the same time allowing them to live within an enclave that brings a little bit of the country to them.

As it changes over time, and you can be sure it will, the old Peter Cooper Village/Stuyvesant Town will be missed.

The Carnival Challenge

2006-10-16T22:47:00.000-04:00

In a challenge to the real estate blogging community, Greg Swann, host of the 13th Edition of The Carnival of Real Estate dared future hosts to demand the best from entrants. In an unprecedented move he suggested poor writing or worse, plagiarized text warranted no serious consideration in what should be "a celebration of weblogging excellence."

Taking up the cause in this week's contest, Inman Blog challenged "our industry bloggers to write consistently compelling copy," and limited exposure to the ten top posts in a week in which he stated there were "a ton of good submissions." His criteria for the competition was the ability to find "a compelling subject appealing to a wide audience, clarity of writing" and in some cases reader discussion. The top three blogs honored this week were Greg's discussion of Buyer Brokerage, Mike Simonsen of Altos Research and his observations of Yahoo Losing Online Real Estate Market Share and The Matrix (Jonathan Miller's) thoughtful piece on The Law of Thirds.

With the competition heating up from week to week and entries increasing exponentially, the gauntlet has indeed been thrown down. If you want to compete in this arena, your post had better be well thought out, irresistibly written and original, because in this venue good just isn't good enough.

Giving It Away? I Don't Think So.

2006-10-15T20:25:00.000-04:00

With all the talk about a declining market and a glut of inventory it's a wonder that some homeowners simply haven't gotten the message. Sitting defiantly at prices well above the average and hoping for a miracle, they spend many months, sometimes longer in a market that is passing them by. There is nothing more important than straight talk when taking a listing or explaining to sellers why their property is not getting the attention they think it should. It's not magic. There are two places to be when prices are coming down, at or below recent sales to generate a lot of interest and to sell in a timely fashion or above them playing catch-up, which is tantamount to chasing a snowball down a hill. You can't run fast enough.

Buyers are not plentiful. You no longer have the luxury of sitting back and waiting for the one person who might recognize the intrinsic value in your home. Buyers are out there doing their homework. They're using sites like Zillow and PropertyShark to put them on a level playing field. Though Zillow's numbers are way off in many areas, buyers believe them because they see it in print.

With inventory presenting buyers lots of options, if you have one interested in your home, you would be wise to take them seriously. The days of bidding wars are over and if you think you're giving your house away this year, just wait for 2007. You might find yourself pining for the one that got away.

Author: Geri Sonkin
www.LongIslandsBestHomes.com
http://BloggingLongIsland.wordpress.com

Friday The Thirteenth -- Unlucky, Why?

2006-10-13T22:38:00.000-04:00

In Western culture Friday the thirteen strikes fear in the hearts of many, and Hollywood has done its fair share to exploit it. But have you ever wondered where the superstition began? What is it about this particular combination of day and date that causes us to expect trouble? If one is to go back in history there are many factors that feed into the fear, especially those deeply rooted in Christian theology.

There were 12 in attendance at the last supper until Judas appeared as the 13th.
Jesus was crucified on a Friday
Some believe that the great flood started on a Friday
It is also said by some that Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden fruit on a Friday.
Sailors, subject to the superstition would never ship out on a Friday, feeling it could only end badly. There is a legend, likely untrue, that a British ship called the H.M.S. Friday, with a captain named Friday set out on it's maiden voyage on . . . you guessed it . . .Friday only to be lost forever.
In Norse mythology, Balder was attending a dinner party with 12 guests when the mischievous god Loki appeared as a 13th and killed the beloved hero.
Then there was the flight of Apollo 13.

Interestingly Egyptians, believing that life on earth evolved in twelve stages with the happy journey into the afterlife being the thirteenth, thought of the number 13 as lucky.

Whatever bred the superstition, it has taken on a life of it's own.

A Sad Day For New York

2006-10-11T22:47:00.000-04:00

The fact that it's October 11th played no small part in the sudden fear gripping the hearts of many New Yorkers today as the first word got out about a plane striking a high rise building on the upper east side. "Not again," we gasped, almost in unison. It was sometime between 2:30 and 3:00 when one of the girls in my office got the call from her husband, an EMT in the area. "It can't be," was my first reaction. "There has to be some mistake." Much the same reaction, now that I think about it, as I had on the morning of September 11, 2001 when the first tower was hit.

We scrambled to get more information, turning on the television only to be frustrated by our inability to get any channel on the dish network other than the one explaining their service. Running back upstairs I went to the computer looking for a report, anything that would get rid of the feeling of dread, contemplating a cruel replay of 9/11. As the decibel level of her voice increased, my co worker's terror washed over us like a wave.

The facts of the case turned out to be less sinister but a tragedy indeed, albeit one of a personal nature. It was determined that a Cirrus SR 20 single engine plane owned and piloted by Yankee pitcher Cory Lidle slammed into the north side of the Belaire apartment house at 524 E. 72nd Street. Miraculously nobody in the building or on the ground below where the wreckage came to rest was killed.

Left in the wake of this tragedy, are all those who loved Cory Lidle, his wife and son, his family, team mates and all his adoring fans. To all of them I say my prayers are with you.

Author: Geri Sonkin

A Miracle In The Making on Long Island

2006-10-10T23:43:00.000-04:00

They came from everywhere, far and near to bear witness to the miracle of the undecayed heart of a parish priest who would become St. John Vianney. Born into the family of a poor farmer in 1786, he became a priest at the age of 30 after first failing the examinations necessary prior to ordination twice. In the early days he seemed destined for mediocrity as his competency came into question, requiring he be placed under the tutelage of a priest in a neighboring village.

What he lacked in book learning, he more than made up for with the many spiritual gifts he unstintingly shared with all who came to him. Best known for a gift of healing and seeing into the hearts of worshipers, his fame spread through France and crowds sought him out for his advice. He began hearing confessions in the earliest hours of the morning, sometimes spending up to 13 to 17 hours within the confines of the confessional.

In a remarkable and unprecedented act, the heart and chalice of St. John Vianney was brought to an 80 year old church in Merrick, the first of many named in his honor. For five days believers arrived in staggering numbers to experience this once in a lifetime event. They stood in long lines for the chance to pray before the relic, some in the hope of witnessing a miracle. The miracle just might be the tremendous outpouring of faith at a time when the church can use all the positive reinforcement it can get.

As the patron saint of priests, St. John Vianney would appear to be continuing in the service of mankind.

The ABCs Of Buying That First Home

2006-10-08T23:44:00.000-04:00

I'm working with a young couple excitedly looking for their first home. We've been exploring the options in their price range while they try to get a handle on the process and find out about the towns they're considering. Like most of their contemporaries, they're very computer literate and on a quest to learn as much as they can before they put their hard earned dollars into an iffy real estate market on Long Island.

There are so many things we, as professionals, take for granted. The terminology of real estate, which we speak every day is as confusing to the uninitiated as learning a foreign language, and consumers have to pick it up in record time to effectively participate in their purchase or sale. With information the key to the kingdom, I have to remind myself on a daily basis to address their concerns and answer the questions I've heard so many times before, hopefully even before they ask. It occurs to me that I should probably write a primer to give them the tools they need to be partners in the process.

Today we discussed the steps they'll take to home ownership. "What happens," they asked, "if we decide to make an offer?" I explained the paperwork involved and the monetary implications. They also seemed surprised that they'll get an inspection done before going to contract. It's important to note here that real estate is area specific, and the way it works in New York is not necessarily how things are done anywhere else in the country.

Feeling a little more comfortable by the time they left, they went home to break down their information overload and determine whether or not they're ready to step up to the plate. Only they know the answer to that one.

The Sky Is Falling -- Not!

2006-10-05T22:39:00.000-04:00

I'm so tired of the media, playing catch-up in the real estate timeline, engendering fear in the heart's of a wary consumer about just what is happening in the Long Island real estate market. They were late to the party a year ago when they kept insisting prices were continuing to escalate, when even the greenest real estate agent recognized they were coming down and inventory was increasing. It was a long anticipated correction in a market that had taken prices to historic highs.

As I sat having lunch today, I heard a blurb on the news stating that prices in Nassau and Suffolk County were going to be the hardest hit in all of New York, and to expect the end of the free fall no sooner than January of 2008. Since my crystal ball is at the dry cleaner's I could neither confirm nor deny the prognostication. My experience tells me prices have indeed come down, an expected adjustment after years of an ultimately unhealthy climb to astronomical levels.

Sellers need to be realistic and they'd be wise to put their trust in a competent professional to get their homes sold in a timely fashion. They have to accede to the changing market by pricing their properties aggressively and then stepping aside to allow their representatives to market their homes in a way that sets them apart. With homes in no short supply, owners who want to make a move must, more than ever, listen to the voice of the market and make price adjustments if necessary.

Contrary to public perception and the lament of real estate agents who sit and wait for the phone to ring, there are buyers out there searching for and buying homes. Their numbers have dwindled somewhat but there are enough of them to keep our economy moving right along. Unlike the frenzy of the past several years, shoppers have a new found power and they're enjoying the view from the driver's seat. But this too comes with a warning. Enjoy it while it lasts, for the one sure thing about all of this is "this too shall pass."

Author: Geri Sonkin
http://BloggingLongIsland.wordpress.com

When The Truth Hurts

2006-10-02T21:48:00.000-04:00

Sometimes the hardest thing I have to do is tell the truth. People don't always want to hear it and I don't blame them -- often it can be painful. But I don't know any other way to be. In the world of real estate on Long Island so much has changed over the past year. The long lines of ready, willing and able buyers no longer stand, checkbook in hand, ready to outbid each other just to get their piece of the American dream. They're out there, by all means, but in smaller numbers and are much more wary about trading their security for the uncertainty of a lower market.

How do you answer "What is my house worth today," when you sold it to them at the top of the market a few short years ago and the current owner unexpectedly has to make a move? Though it pains me, I tell them the truth. They paid a fair price at the time, but conditions have changed and they're going to take a loss. Hopefully they're moving to another market in which prices have leveled off. Then at least they come out the winner on the buy side.

Probably even harder than that is walking in to a home when you don't know the sellers. They've found me on the internet, or heard of me locally. Many owners haven't caught up with the lower prices even with the media blitz, they focus instead on what their neighbor or friend got last year and have an unrealistic expectation. If I play to their belief, I'll probably get the listing, but then I would have to convince them to reduce the price I agreed was realistic, in order to get the house sold. Not fair . . . and it's a game I won't play.

Do Yourself A Favor

2006-09-30T21:25:00.000-04:00

The market on Long Island has taken a hit over the past year and it has been a painful lesson for professionals and homeowners alike. If you're planning to sell to purchase another home please do yourself a favor and sell first. We're not in the secure marketplace that spoiled us for the past several years. Many homes are languishing, sitting unsold for months at a time, lost in an ever increasing inventory.

You'll sleep much better at night if you fight the impulse to buy the perfect home you found on the internet or saw at an Open House. A very dear couple I recently represented chose to take a chance and risked this unsettling market even though I cautioned them to do otherwise. The outcome could have been disastrous. It was frought with tension and was costly in nature. My guess is they'll think twice before doing it again.

The problem most people face in this situation is the disturbing possibility of paying two mortgages for a period of time till the old house sells. Even worse perhaps is the very real probability of having to sell your old home at a discounted price just to get out from under.

Don't put yourself at risk. Better still, don't even look until your house is sold.

Author: Geri Sonkin
www.LongIslandsBestHomes.com
http://BloggingLongIsland.wordpress.com
http://www.ActiveRain.com/perfectjewel

Market Changes & Swelling Inventory

2006-07-29T21:59:00.000-04:00

What a difference a year makes! Even though there were signs of a changing market last year at this time, there was little indication of the severity of the downturn and the number of homes languishing on the market. For the first time in six or seven years on Long Island, properties listed for six months are expiring only to be relisted, usually with some other office to begin the marketing process again.

No matter how good your agent, homes in our area are just too often these days not selling in less than nine months to a year. I know the natural inclination is to believe that someone else can do it better, but it has far less to do with the specifics of your experience than the factors governing the market as a whole. The one good thing to remember is there are no empty houses. At the right price, everything sells. But therein lies the rub. We've all been spoiled by the astronomical numbers properties were selling for, affording sellers a tidy nest egg to bring to life's next venture.

The one thing we all have to recognize is that you can't price your home based upon what your neighbor, friend, relative got for their home two years ago. You can't price it based upon your improvements and what you believe they add to the value, and you can't price it based upon what you need to move to your next place. No matter how experienced and talented your Realtor(R) is, we don't make the market. We interpret all the factors that go into properly positioning homes to sell, but buyers determine what they're willing to pay for homes, basing that determination on their perceived value of your property compared to other available properties. If you come across an agent who promises you much more than anyone else has told you, don't be seduced by hopes of winning the housing lottery. It is likely that the person who told you that is "buying the listing," only to ask for price breaks once you're locked into a contract with them. Like so many other things in life, if it seems to good to be true, it probably is.

Author: Geri Sonkin www.YourLongIslandHome.com

When Your Parents Need Your Help

2006-05-26T23:35:00.000-04:00

For the past several months as I've watched a client struggle with trying to keep his world together as it was clearly falling apart, the sadness I felt was acute. He's a proud man and has not only spent his years taking care of himself, but he's put himself out there, giving in abundance to others whose needs he felt were greater. The great irony is that he made it through the challenges of raising a family on a limited budget, of finding space for everyone (including the dogs) in a place that was ready to burst at the seams, of standing by and nursing his wife through the years of her decline, only to find himself in his later years unable to handle the increasing costs of living on Long Island.

This man, as so many others like him, lives on a fixed income. He stretches his dollars as far as they'll possibly go. When I first met him it was in the dead of winter. Sitting in his perfectly maintained kitchen, talking about his plans for the future, the time just passed. I was suddenly aware of how cold I felt. He wore a sweater over his shirt, I had on a heavy winter coat . . . and I was freezing. It was later that I found out he had to make choices and heating his house comfortably wasn't an option.

As I got to know him better, I realized that he wouldn't ask for help for himself. He suffered in silence. This man who had raised four children couldn't bring himself to tell them just how bad his world had gotten. When at long last there was no other choice, he called upon them. They must have seen the signs, I was a stranger and I did. Take a long look at your own parents. Have they changed, become more remote, do you talk to them less? Pay attention, they may never tell you they're in need.

This story has what I hope is a happy ending. He finally got out from under the burden of a home he no longer needed and couldn't afford. The rising taxes and escalating costs drove him out, but he's off to start a new adventure with some money in his pocket and an onerous burden lifted. I pray for his future.

Author: Geri Sonkin

Living in Merrick -- It Started As A Script For A Video

2006-03-12T21:47:00.000-05:00

But I thought why not share it here, so . . .

On the south shore of Long Island, within minutes of the miles of sand and surf that make up the famed Jones Beach, lies a not so sleepy hamlet known as Merrick. For those who make the daily commute to Manhattan, there is a distinct benefit to this being the third and final local stop before the Long Island Railroad heads purposefully toward the city. At 41 scheduled minutes to midtown, the ride is easy and pleasant.

A picturesque community, with a recently revitalized business district, Merrick provides a family friendly atmosphere and an excellent school district for the children. With seven elementary schools, two middle and three high schools offering a myriad of special programs, the youth of Merrick are well prepared for the world they graduate into. Many parents who were, themselves students here choose to raise their families in an atmosphere they so lovingly remember.

The neighborhoods of Merrick are many and varied, both in price range and community feeling. Cape cods sit prettily on manicured lots in Briarcliff and Wenshaw Park, while tudors, colonials, ranger ranches and a fair share of new homes dot the landscape on the tree lined streets of Merrick Woods. With styles accommodating the tastes of many, buyers are likely to find just the right place to suit their lifestyle after a short search. This is a town that attracts the children it spawned as well as the uninitiated, longing for a piece of the American dream in a safe and comfortable environment.

Years ago there was a movie theater in town, but as businesses came and went, it vanished from the landscape only to reappear just a few short years ago. Merrick is also fortunate to host a live theater, a nice cultural addition in the heart of town. For those who enjoy eating out, the options are many. Nick D’Angelo’s on Sunrise Highway offers a comprehensive menu and tasty quisine. Santorini on Merrick Avenue serves up authentic Greek fare and caters to a loyal following. There are many choices throughout the town for italian food, from the pizza parlors serving a colorful and expansive menu of slices to the stylized restaurants that feel more like Manhattan. One of my personal favorites for a quick bite in a comfortable atmosphere is a little place called Milo’s that grew from a five table, largely take-out pizza place to a spacious and attractive venue for a quick and quiet dinner. And one can’t leave the topic of eating out without mentioning the wildly successful Outback that continues to draw crowds in numbers that astonish me. If you choose to go there for dinner, and you prefer to eat after five or five-thirty, you’ll mill about with all the other die hard fans as the dancing lights on their plastic pagers tell hungry patrons that it’s finally their turn to be seated. Is it worth the wait? If you ask me, it certainly is.

Author: Geri Sonkin

Staging Your Home

2006-02-13T23:26:00.000-05:00

If you've been reading this blog or any other having to do with real estate you know by now that many markets across America are experiencing a cooling off period. With more inventory coming to the market it is more important than ever to set your place apart from the rest. From the moment you make the decision to sell your home, you need to stop thinking of it emotionally and start looking at it as your "product."

Have you ever walked into a new home development? One glance at the model homes and we're often sold. The marketers of these properties determine the demographic they're playing to and then designers come in to translate that vision into a dynamic theater of the art of the sale. In the same way, your home when staged properly will create a "feeling," of space, design, care and warmth. It will speak to your buying audience in a way that nothing else can and will definitely impact on your bottom line.

Sellers often say, when the subject of staging is broached, that they have no intention of putting any more money into a house they intend to leave. This thinking, though understandable, is short sighted. A small investment in time and money can add thousands to the homeowners pocket and make the process of selling faster and less stressful.

If you've lived in your home for any extended period of time you may need the trained eye of a professional or a good enough friend who can risk telling you a truth you may not want to hear about what your home says about you. Remember, you have only one chance to make a good first impression. Buyers often know within moments of entering your home whether they want to buy it. Clearly, the more potential purchasers for your home, the higher the price you'll likely receive.

Some basics to consider are:

Removing all clutter from every room in the house. If you don't use it on a regular basis put it away or store it until your move.
If you have too much furniture in a room, it looks smaller. Furnishings can be stored if they don't add to the ambiance.
Make sure there is a natural flow to a room. You don't want anything blocking the path or the view.
Keep it clean! Probably the most important thing you can do to help your agent get your home sold for the best price in the shortest time is to keep it in pristine condition. Homes that are dirty or sloppy suggest to buyers that they haven't been well maintained and it makes them question the major systems of the home as well.
Many people who have animals don't recognize the odors that permeate the space. At the very least, some well placed, nicely scented candles can help.

Staging is a rapidly growing aspect of marketing homes. It's popularity is crossing the nation and is routinely done in many markets. On Long Island it's a relatively new phenomenon, although I've been doing it for years. I still remember a home I had on the market years ago at a time when houses weren't selling fast and the competition was fierce. Having a few issues over which I had no control, I recommended to the homeowners that they replace some aging shag carpeting throughout the first floor and onto the second level. They resisted for months and the search for the right buyer was ongoing and frustrating for us all. Finally they gave me the go ahead and we ordered off white carpet to be installed over a quality padding. The installation took place on a Tuesday. With that very distinctive new carpet smell very much present, we held the house open on Sunday, as we had many times before. A buyer who had seen it several weeks before and said at the time it was $60,000 overpriced came in, toured the home quickly and made an immediate offer. He happily told his wife that the new lower price now made it a value. There had been no price adjustment at all. Total cost for this happy ending -- under $2,000.

If you're a fan of HGTV as I am, you've seen the wonderful staging done for $2,000 and some sweat equity on a program called "Designed To Sell." The dramatic results of these makeovers always net the sellers many thousands over the cost of the project.

Dyslexia - Educating The Educators

2006-02-05T18:42:00.000-05:00

So much of what I do is dictated by my experiences in the world of real estate and in my life as an evolving human being. Just yesterday I had an in depth conversation with a client about her frustration with a system that failed to see what she as a mother innately knew. Early in her son's schooling, she began to notice that something was not quite right. This was not her first child and although all her interactions with the educators indicated that her son was doing "just fine," she knew it simply wasn't so.

Advocating for her son led her on a journey that I hope may help another family on Long Island, or anywhere else in the world. The diagnosis of dyslexia can be a relief for a parent, or a fear for the future of their child. Importantly, dyslexia is not a disease and there is no cure. Neither is it an indication of low intelligence or a behavioral problem. It is a learning disability and affects the way the brain processes language. Interestingly, many people with the disorder are very creative and adept at the visual arts.

One of the significant problems though is that learning is predicated on reading. Therefore, the child suffering from undiagosed dyslexia is often frustrated by the inability to keep up and the isolating emotions that come with "not fitting in." Mainstream education, because of the very structure of it, many times fails these children because teachers either lack the training or resources to accommodate this segment of the population. In researching this, I read a statement that perhaps says it best, "learning disabilities should be replaced by teaching disabilities."

Research studies have suggested that phonics is the best way to teach students to read. When I was a child, it was the only way. Have we come so far that we've regressed to a point where our children and our children's children receive less of the basic reading tools than we did so long ago. For children with learning disabilities phonics is critical and multisensory presentation of language (sight, speech, touch, hearing and writing) allows them to absorb it on a level that works.

If your child is experiencing difficulties in school that can't be attributed to anything else, dyslexia could be the cause. Here are some of the resources you can access:
www.Dyslexia.com
www.audiblox2000.com
www.dyslexiamylife.org
www.dyslexia-parent.com
www.dyslexia-test.com
www.incrediblehorizons.com/dyslexia.htm
www.iser.com/northportadvo-NY.html - for help on Long Island

Don't let "the experts" tell you nothing's wrong, if everything in you is screaming there is. Trust your instincts and look for help. Children have a right to self esteem and feeling "less than" and different can rob them of it. Good luck in your quest.

Author: Geri Sonkin
www.LongislandsBestHomes.com

Long Island . . . A Culture of It's Own

2006-02-02T22:06:00.000-05:00

Ask most people about New York and they'll talk about Manhattan - "The Big Apple." With some 40 million visitors a year descending on the city, it's no surprise. The theater district, Central Park - an 843 acre oasis in the middle of the city - surrounded by steel and concrete; world renowned restaurants, museums and top notch hotels attract a steady stream of tourists from all over the world. Visitor spending in 2004 exceeded a staggering 21 billlion dollars. Add to this the entertainment industry with 40,000 location shoots and you have a thriving metropolis, known the world over.

But, and I'm reminded of George M. Cohan's song, "only 45 minutes from Broadway," there exists another culture, one as diverse and stimulating as it's towering sibling across the river. Long Island, home to world class beaches, golf courses, sports arenas and venues to excite the staunchest enthusiast, and a wine country growing in world prominence is also home to an impressive array of museums to excite the mind and memory. One of those is the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Even before Charles Lindbergh taxied down the runway at Roosevelt Field on May 20, 1927, for the flight that was a defining moment in aviation history, Long Island was a natural choice for fledgling aviators. Hempstead Plains as it was then called, with its proximity to the city and flat terrain made an ideal airfield.

Eleven years after Lindbergh's daring flight to Paris, a young man named Douglas Corrigan piloted his rickety nine year old plane to Dublin, Ireland from the same Roosevelt Field, telling one and all he was returning to California, from whence he'd come the week before. That trip earned him a lot of notoriety and the nickname, "wrong way Corrigan."

Long Islanders have had a long time love affair with aviation that continues to this day. A visit to the museum is an adventure. It takes you back to the earliest days of the contemplation of flight, to the jet age and space exploration.

Author: Geri Sonkin
www.LongIslandsBestHomes.com

Are Taxes Forcing Long Island Seniors Out?

2006-01-31T23:15:00.000-05:00

A phone call from a senior citizen yesterday made me stop and think about the effect escalating property taxes are having on an already overburdened, aging population on Long Island. He sadly, and with some bitterness, told me that he might be forced to give up his long time home and leave for a place where he could afford to live. What a sad commentary when the people who helped support our towns, schools, merchants and the officials who turn a deaf ear to their plight, have no option but to abandon everything they know for the uncertainty of a future somewhere else. In this writer's humble opinion they have earned the right to be here and to live out their lives in the home of their choice, not one dictated by happenstance. After all they bought into the dream, and sometimes risked everything to achieve it.

Long Island, with some of the highest property taxes in the nation, needs to take a long hard look at the house of cards they're building and find another way to fill the coffers. Otherwise not only will the seniors be leaving town in droves, so too will the young as they search for greener pastures.

Author: Geri Sonkin
www.LongIslandsBestHomes.com

It Continues To Change

2006-01-31T17:38:00.000-05:00

If you had asked me a few short weeks ago, I would have told you that the market here was stuck in the winter/holiday doldrums. The phones weren't ringing. The silence was deafening. Then all of a sudden, as if buyers and sellers were responding to a cosmic voice, the market on Long Island awoke with a vengeance.

Since the days of instant gratification for sellers are relegated to a distancing memory, they are once again listing their homes with brokers, hoping to realize the incredibly inflated prices of a short time ago. Unfortunately for them, it's not happening. Though we try to explain that markets change and we have to adapt to the rhythms created by external factors, it is a hard lesson to learn. Even those of us in the market long enough to have ridden the waves and survived, tend to have selective memory when confronted with the beginning stages of a downturn.

In some towns, the numbers of available homes has quadrupled in the past year and a half. The old saying, "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it," certainly applies here. How many of us lamented the lack of inventory for our buyers. Well, we certainly have that now. The buyers on the other hand, can finally take a deep breath and leave their cash at home when looking at a property for the first time. They have choices, putting them a little bit closer to the driver's seat. The problem is that seller's, stuck in the "but my house is worth. . ." syndrome too often walk away from a really good offer, only wishing for it weeks later. There is a frustration level on everybody's part, perhaps teaching us all there is no perfect market.

Fortunately for me, I can always count on my mother's comforting reminder that "this too shall pass."

Author: Geri Sonkin
www.LongIslandsBestHomes.com

Once Upon A Time On the North Shore of Long Island . . .

2006-01-29T19:24:00.001-05:00

was as I recall, the opening line of one of my favorite movies -- Sabrina. I was reminded of it when I read an article in the New York Times about the attempt to preserve what remains of the Northwood estate in Oyster Bay Cove. Once an incredible 865 acres, reduced by time and circumstance to a paltry 60 now, it is one of the fading reminders of the splendor of Long Island's Gold Coast in the early 20th century.

Mansions proliferated, from the turn of the century through the 1920's as leaders and scions of industry, the who's who of high society, bought up huge parcels of land for summer retreats and built massive structures, fashioned after the architecture and castles of Europe. Often occupying hundreds of acres of prime real estate, with some of the the most magnificent views the island has to offer, the intricately designed homes, formal gardens, paths and outbuildings were, and still are a sight to behold.

If you visit, you have but to close your eyes and you can almost sense the excitement as guests arrived for the grand soirees hosted for the glitterati of the era. What wonderful relics they are of an age long gone. Whether or not you've ever been here and seen them first hand, you've likely been exposed to some of these mansions at one time or another. The backdrop of many a motion picture over the years, we've seen Old Westbury Gardens in Alfred Hitchcock's North By Northwest, in Love Story, The Age of Innocence and many others. Citizen Kane featured Oheka Castle, and the Vanderbilt Estate (Eagle's Nest) was seen in Crocodile Dundee II and a film my son made that has yet to be released. There are many others -- and a great site to visit to experience the magnificence of the time is Long Islands Gold Coast website.

Author: Geri Sonkin

Making It Make Sense In A Changing Market

2005-11-21T15:12:00.000-05:00

How often have we heard that history repeats itself, and that nothing is new under the sun. Yet, every time we find ourselves in a changing real estate market, the harbingers of doom and gloom gather on the horizon to predict that the sky is falling.

Housing trends, often parabolic in nature respond to external forces that are sometimes global, more often local. Let me say, as of this moment in time the oft touted "housing bubble" has not burst -- at least not on Long Island. It has definitely sprung a leak and pricing is reluctantly coming down off historic highs. Dare I say it's about time. Markets take time outs, and we're certainly in one of those.

This is not a time for panic, nor one for jubilation by a buying public searching for that steal of a deal. It is a time to take a deep breath and reflect on your personal needs. If you're making a move and need to sell your home, listen to the advice of a competent real estate broker. Price your home within a realistic range, take a dispassionate look at it as your buyers surely will and then get out of the way and let your broker determine the best marketing plan to bring you top dollar today. Sometimes that means getting rid of years of clutter and depersonalizing the space so your buyers can picture themselves living there. Other times a few simple fixes can mean the difference of thousands of dollars in your pocket.

If you're a buyer in today's market, do your homework. Research homes in the area on the internet or via local publications. When you find a REALTOR(r) you're comfortable with, take a look at available inventory in your price range and (this is the hard part) when you see a house you love make an offer. The biggest mistake buyers make is to feel that they found the right home too soon and that they might be missing something better out there. It doesn't matter if your palace of choice is the first property you've seen or the twelfth. You'll know when it's right. I can't tell you how many times in the past 19 years I've had people say they wished they'd bought the one that got away. Don't think if you wait, the price will come down. If you love it, chances are someone else will too.

Author: Geri Sonkin
www.LongIslandsBestHomes.com

Wanted To Give You A Place to Post Your Thoughts

2005-02-12T22:31:00.000-05:00

Although I've had a real estate presence on the internet for the past eight years, I'm always looking for ways to make my visitor's experience better. This Blog was created for you. I'll be adding content that I think might be of interest to you. Consider this is a place where you can ask real estate related questions or post your thoughts about what would make my web site work better for you.

This is also the place where you'll find updated information about the trends in the Long Island real estate market and how they might affect you. So let's begin . . .