showcase of homes - march 2011

Committed to the continued growth, prosperity and quality

of life in Nassau County

FEATURED INSIDE:

• The right timeto buy or sell

• Finding a home: What is a buyer agency and why choose one

• Staging a home for sale

• The inspection process

• Mortgages and what the interest rate means to you

March 17, 201101111

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By KAREN BLOOM

As we spring forward, the local real estate market is springing ahead. After suffering through

the mortgage crisis and the Great Reces-sion, real estate brokers on the south shore are optimistic that better days are ahead in 2011.

Activity is picking up in the area, according to local brokers who express optimism that home sales are rebounding from what was – for most – a difficult 2010.

“I’m seeing a lot more activity since the beginning of the year,” said Liz Wal-lace, broker/owner, along with Judy Hart, at Century 21 Sherlock Holmes in

Rockville Centre. “People have arenewed interest in buying right now. “

Wallace attributes the movement inthe real estate market to a combinationof pricing, low mortgage rates andincreasing consumer confidence. “Theconsumer is feeling a little better now,”she said. Last year people who had jobsstill weren’t sure if they would hang onto their jobs, now they are feeling moresecure.”

Especially those “first-timers,” eagerto latch onto a piece of the Americandream of home ownership. “We are see-ing a real surge in first-time buyers,”Wallace reports. “People are able to gethomes now that they were not able toafford previously.”

And that has a “trickle up” effect.“We see sales move up as people sell to

Home sales ready to rebound

Continued on Showcase Of Homes page 4

Real estate market springs ahead

2

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March 17, 2011 — HERALD COM

MUNITY NEW

SPAPERS — SHOWCASE OF HOM

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those first-time buyers and then in turn buy a more expensive home them-selves,” Wallace said.

There is also an increase in activity for the fine homes, those in the $900,000 to $1,000,000 range, according to Wallace. “Wall Street had a better year, bonuses were good, and people are looking to spend.”

Home prices are holding steady, according to Carol O’Leary, agent and office manager at Coach Real Estate in Rockville Centre. “Prices are stable, they are not dropping as much as in the past two or three years,” she said. “The mar-ket is stabilizing itself.”

That means we are now seeing a “new normal” in terms of home values. “Price will hold steady. We will never see again what we saw before during the housing bubble,” O’Leary said. “What happened was an anomaly, and now we are getting back moderate price increas-es that will be slow and steady.”

For both buyer and seller, this is a reality check. It is the well-priced homes that are currently selling. “Homes that are priced realistically will sell,” said O’Leary. “Those that are not will take longer to sell and have price reductions.”

People are starting to be more realis-tic about pricing on both sides, said Hart, also a broker/owner at Century 21 Sherlock Holmes. “Things have settled to where they probably should be. It was such an inflated market. Now people are more realistic about pricing.”

Like her fellow brokers, Hart express-es confidence that real estate here has turned the corner. “I’m optimistic,” she said. “In 20 years in these business I’ve seen a lot of markets and I think the worst is behind us. It’s been tough but we’re on the right track now.”

Besides price, interest rates are a big lure. “Rates are low and will probably stay where they are, perhaps inch up,” O’Leary said. “These rates are causing people to get off the sidelines and make a move.”

She notes that attendance at open houses has picked up in the past few weeks and expects that to continue. “Now is a great time to buy,” O’Leary said. “Rates are low and inventory is healthy.”

OPENING THE DOOR TO HOME OWNERSHIP: Area brokers report increased activity in many neighborhoods throughout the south shore, citing renewed inter-est among buyers looking for homes.

FIRST-TIME BUYERS can find good value in the current market, according to local brokers.


The rules have changed. Buying and selling real estate right requires a different approach with home val-ues in flux and a complicated mort-gage process.

Here are some keys to maximizing your opportunity in today’s real estate market.

Buyers: ■ Focus on your credit score. “This is extremely important,” advises Judy Hart, with Century 21 Sherlock Holm-es. “If you want to qualify for a good interest rate, you need excellent cred-it. Be aware.”

■ Down payment. Be prepared to come up with a down payment of 10 to 20 per-cent. FHA loans require less, but require-ments are more strin-gent than with conven-tional loans.

■ Find a buyer agent. “When you are there as a buyer, you want someone who will represent you and work for you,” says Liz Wallace, also with Century 21 Sherlock Holm-es. “You want to build a relationship and become close friends with your buyer agent.”

Sellers: ■ Set a realistic price. “If you start at the right price, you will get what the market will bear,” says Coach Real Estate’s Carol O’Leary.

■ Select an agent carefully. “Abso-lutely interview an agent and see how the house will be marketed,” advises Wallace. “You’re a hiring someone to do a job and you need to able to trust that person.”

■ Show your home so it sells. Your home has to sell itself, your agent will not have luck selling a too worn house for what it could be worth. Make your house look good – clean and sparkling.

Continued from Showcase Of Homes page 2

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So your sister just introduced you to her friend Irving, a real estate agent, and now you can’t get rid of

him, right? Wrong! Choosing the right person to guide you through the home buying process is a crucial step in find-ing the right home. Therefore, choose wisely and explore all your options.

With so many agents out there, how can you make an intelligent decision? Do you choose a friend, neighbor or coworker? Should you work with an agent at a large firm, a small firm, a fran-chise, or an independent?

The stress of making such a big financial com-mitment is a struggle for many homebuyers, wheth-er they have purchased a home in the past or are doing so for the first time.

One way to make the process a lot less anxiety-ridden is to work with a real estate agent you can trust. Those who have previously purchased a home might already have a strong relationship with a real estate agent. But for those moving out of their current location or buying for the first time, finding the right real estate agent requires some effort.

Consider A Buyer’s AgentFind a buyer’s agent. Real estate

agents are often affiliated with sellers instead of buyers. This means their pri-mary goal is to help the seller and not the buyer. When shopping around for a real

estate agent, ask companies about their buyer’s agents. Buyers should always have someone with their interests in mind, and not the interests of the sellers.

“Buyer agents are becoming more commonplace,” says Nancy Achstatter, broker/owner of Home and Hearth Real Estate in Oceanside. “You have to under-stand that agents were traditionally about selling, now we have Generation X people coming in who say “I don’t want

to be represented by people working for the other party. Who’s looking out for me?”

That’s where buyer’s agent come in. A buyer’s agent has a f iduciary responsibility to negotiate for the buyer, will focuses on services that benefit you, the buyer, and is knowl-edgeable about the things

that are important to a buyer.It’s not just a matter of deciding to

represent a buyer rather then a seller. A buyer agent is uniquely qualified to act on the purchaser’s behalf. “Agents who specialize in buyer representation are educated in it,” explains Achstatter. “They have spent hours studying and receive one of two certifications, as a CBR (Certified Buyer Representative) or ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative, a national designation). These two desig-nations mean they understand what it means to be a buyer agent. That means they are doing it properly.”

Be sure to inquire about these desig-

nations when choosing a buyer’s agent, Achstatter advises.

Agent First, Then PropertyFind an agent first, then a property.

Many times homes remain listed online or in “home for sale” brochures even if they are under contract or sold. These

homes are often luxurious and appeal-ing to a wide array of prospective buy-ers, and some agencies use them toattract customers. While this isn’t a typ-ical bait and switch, it is a way realestate agencies get customers in the

of

Opening the door

FINDING A TRUSTWORTHY and experienced real estate agent can help make the process of buying a home much less stressful.


Choosing the right agent for a successful outcome

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door. It is important to find a real estate agent before looking through home list-ings. This allows the buyer to choose their agent based on merit and not due to the potentially glitzy houses he or she may have listed previously.

Find someone with a track record. Real estate can be an exciting and

financially rewarding industry in which to work. As a result, lots of people want to be real estate agents, even though few succeed and last a long time. When interview-ing real estate agents, inquire about their his-tory in the business. A more experienced agent will make things far less stressful and easier, and a long career indicates they are good at what they do.

A real estate agent with a long history in the bu s i n e s s w i l l likely be a full-time agent as well. Prospec-t i v e b u y e r s should look for a f u l l - t i m e agent, which is not as common a s s o m e b u ye r s m i g h t t h i n k . Many agents work part-time, and buyers could receive less attention as a result.

Don’t place too much emphasis on

agency size. Real estate agencies comein all shapes and sizes. When it comes toability, the size of the agency should notfactor in. A smaller independent agencycan be just as qualified and reliable asone of the major franchise agencies.Buyers who find someone they trustshould go with that person, regardlessof how big or small their agency is.

Get a referral. Friends and familymembers who have been through thebuying process before might be greatresources. Then conduct interviews.Before your hire an agent to represent

you, interview at least three inperson.

Choosing the right agent for a successful outcomeContinued from Showcase Of Homes page 5

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By KAREN BLOOM

In today’s market, there’s much debate about what type of mortgage to get – a fixed or an adjustable

rate– and the hurdles involved in achiev-ing that approval. With stricter lending standards and rising mortgage costs, home buyers have a lot to think about. “The current process of obtaining mortgage financing has become more detailed and extensive than in recent years,” said Brad Knopf, senior mortgage con-sultant with Lynx Mortgage Bank in Westbury. “Guide-lines are more stringent, including two years complete tax returns, a three month history of all assets, and increased credit score requirements. All income, assets, credit, and appraisal information is reviewed with a fine tooth comb by underwriting before issuing loan approv-als. The need for an experienced mortgage loan originator to guide purchasers and refinance applicants through the process is greater than ever.” So what’s the good news? Mortgage rates, for one thing. “Current prices and interest rates are at or approaching his-toric lows,” Knopf said. “It is the perfect time for young families, first-time buy-ers and the like to find their dream homes this spring and summer.” For now, expect to see rates remain at current levels of 4.5 to 5.25 percent.

“This is due to uncertainty in the Mid-dle East, climbing oil prices and a slowerthan expected housing recovery.” Thelong term outlook, according Knopf, willmean “rates of 6 to 7 percent or higherover the next 12 to 18 months as mortgagegiants FNMA and FHMC are phased outand government looks to play less of arole in insuring future mortgage loans.This will increase risk to lendersleading to increased mortgage rates toconsumers." As a result, the rush is on to take

advantage of the currentrates. But be thorough andmake sure everything is inorder. “My advice to homeownersin the market is to go througha pre-approval process so thatthey know exactly what theyqualify for and what theirmonthly payment will be and

how much money they will need,” saidCristina Hoffman, regional diverse mar-ket manager, with Wells Fargo HomeMortgage. “Wells Fargo Home Mortgageoffers the Priority Pre-Approval at no costto borrowers which will give a customerthe confidence to submit an offer knowingthat their credit application has beenapproved and knowing exactly what theirmonthly payment will be and how muchin assets they will need. This process canbe done without choosing a property first,so it can help work out any kinks or issuesencountered along the way before signinga contract that wil l have t imeconstraints.”

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Ready to buy: Finding your waythrough the mortgage maze

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his mint condition two family house offers a ter-rific investment opportunity, OR, the option to reduce your monthly mortgage payment from rental income. The spacious main floor is

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By G. M. FILISKO

Buying a home can be emotional, but negotiating the price shouldn’t be. The key to saving money when pur-

chasing a home is sticking to a plan during the turbulence of high-stakes negotiations. A real estate agent who represents you can guide you and offer you advice, but you are the one who must make the final decision during each round of offers and counter offers. Here are six tips for negotiating the best price on a home.

1. Get prequalified for a mortgageGetting prequalified for a mortgage

proves to sellers that you’re serious about buying and capable of affording their home. That will push you to the head of the pack when sellers choose among offers; they’ll go with buyers who are a sure financial bet, not those whose financing could flop.

2. Ask questionsAsk your agent for information to help

you understand the sellers’ financial posi-tion and motivation. Are they facing fore-closure or a short sale? Have they already purchased a home or relocated, which may make them eager to accept a lower price to avoid paying two mortgages? Has the home been on the market for a long time, or was it just listed? Have there been other offers? If so, why did they fall through? The more signs that sellers are eager to sell,

the lower your offer can reasonably go.

3. Work back from a final price to determine your initial offer

Know in advance the most you’re will-ing to pay, and with your agent work back from that number to determine your ini-tial offer, which can set the tone for the entire negotiation. A too-low bid may offend sellers emotionally invested in the sales price; a too-high bid may lead you to spend more than necessary to close the sale.

Work with your agent to evaluate the

Negotiate your best house buy


WHEN NEGOTIATING A HOUSE SALE, for every concession you make, ask for something in return.

Keep your emotions in check and your eyes on the goal, and you’ll pay less when purchasing a home

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Safety first.Keep stairways and corridors clear and clean of clutter. In addition to being unattractive, clutter causes accidents. Light the way to savings and energy efficiency.

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ROXBURY REALTY

HARVARD AREA BEAUTYA sundrenched 4 bedroom colonial with 2.5 baths is situated mid-block on a very quiet street. The exterior is in mint condition, an updated EIK with family room overlooks deep property & 2 car garage. A walk up attic

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www.roxburyrealtyrvc.comSheila Lawrence, Broker Regina Hall, Broker516-536-3530 • 322 Sunrise Highway • Rockville Centre

TRADITIONAL COLONIALA sun-filled enclosed porch welcomes you into this immaculate home. This 3 BR, 2 Bth home features

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house faces its own waterfront lot with dock onRandall Bay. Must see. $449,000


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GRACIOUS LADY

43 N. Park Avenue, Rockville Centre • 516-225-0960

tunning Turn of The Century Victorian Lovingly Restored With Impeccable Attention to Detail. This Home Boasts Original Custom Designed Hardwood Floors, French Pocket Doors, Period

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Liz Wallace - Broker/Owner

Cook up sales with a great kitchen.When prospective buyers view your home, they’ll pay special attention to your kitchen’s cleanliness, layout and storage capacity. That makes this the perfect time to reorganize your cupboards and drawers, get rid of unused items and give your kitchen a fresh, clean look.

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RENAISSANCEOCEANFRONT PENTHOUSE

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Give your home “curb appeal.”When you’re trying to land a potential buyer for your home, landscaping can have a powerful impact on your success. Landscaping contributes to “curb appeal,” the first – and lasting – impression prospective buyers have of your home.

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sellers’ motivation and comparable home sales to arrive at an initial offer that engages the sellers yet keeps money in your wallet.

4. Avoid contingenciesSellers favor offers that leave little to

chance. Keep your bid free of complicated contingencies, such as making the pur-chase conditional on the sale of your cur-rent home. Do keep contingencies for mortgage approval, home inspection, and environmental checks.

5. Remain unemotionalBuying a home is a business transac-

tion, and treating it that way helps you save money. Consider any movement by the sellers, however slight, a sign of inter-est, and keep negotiating.

Each time you make a concession, ask for one in return. If the sellers ask you to boost your price, ask them to contribute to closing costs or pay for a home warranty.

If sellers won’t budge, make it clear you’re willing to walk away; they may get ner-vous and accept your offer.

6. Don’t let competition change your planGreat homes and those competitively

priced can draw multiple offers in any market. Don’t let competition propel you to go beyond your predetermined price or agree to concession – such as waiving an inspection – that aren’t in your best interest.

G.M. Filisko is an attorney and award-winning writer who has to remind herself to remain unemotional during negotiations. A frequent contributor to many national publications including Bankrate.com, REALTOR® Magazine, and the American Bar Association Journal, she specializes in real estate, business, personal finance, and legal topics.

Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with per-mission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIA-TION OF REALTORS(r).

Negotiate your best house buyContinued from Showcase Of Homes page 9

On the exterior of the home there are plenty of opportunities to make upgrades that help increase

the curb appeal of your home, but what about the inside of the house? Once you get people in the door, what will be their first impression?

“First views of the interior set the stage for either a positive or negative selling experience with potential buy-ers,” says broker Tania Moore. “In today’s competitive selling marketplace, owners need to use every option avail-able to them to make their homes stand out. There are obvious things all sellers do, such as cleaning up the clutter and vacuuming. However, every home should have a few eye-popping ‘wow’ focus items that make potential buyers feel the home is special.”

Fortunately for homeowners, the “wow factor” is easy to achieve by adding unique features to the home. Investing in some key focal accents in the home can make the difference between |a “cross off our list” experience for homebuyers and a “must have” memorable visit.

“If I were showing a home that had an interior ‘wow factor’ I’m confident the sellers would be impressed,” says Moore. “One trick to selling a home is to add perceived value and style to the house that would bridge over to the buyer. Decorative millwork and accent highlights are a wonderful, yet inexpen-sive way to make both a positive first impression and a memorable, lasting impression.”

Tip #1 - Install lightweight urethane ceiling medallions around ceiling fans and chandeliers to add character and warmth to rooms in the home. Available in more than 25 styles, these decorative two-piece medallions go up in minutes without removing electrical fixtures. Best of all, the medallions come with a white topcoat so that you can faux finish or paint them to accent any room.

Tip #2 - Reduce the amount of ornate artwork and window coverings to create an open, airy environment in each room. Let natural sunlight flow through win-dows to enhance the interior of the home. For a distinctive, yet breezy win-

dow treatment, install decorative corbels or brackets on either side of window tops and drape with lightweight fabrics.

Tip #3 - Add a garden window above the kitchen sink. The window, which extends outside the home by 17 inches, is engineered to resist moisture and air infiltration. Once installed, grow herbs or starter plants in the window to show-case the versatility of this mini-green-house. Simonton Windows offers a gar-den window featuring a fusion-welded frame and sash, snap-in sill cover to resist water penetration and one-inch double-strength insulating glass. The one-piece unit installs quickly and can be used to showcase small collections or as a cozy, sunny spot for the family cat.

Tip #4 - Play up your windows inside the home and turn them into pieces of wall art. To accomplish this, add a ure-thane window panel below a single or double Hung window and then surround the entire window and panel with deco-rative mouldings and a crosshead.

Making the right impressionSelling your home –from the inside out

NATURAL SUNLIGHT pours into this bathroom while white millwork sur-rounding the window adds impact to the room’s design.

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By DIANE SCHLINDWEIN

In today’s housing market, many poten-tial home sellers are wondering whether to update their houses before putting

them on the market or to try to sell them “as is.”“As you have heard, remodeling and/or

updating your home can be a big contributor in getting you the most money in the shortest amount of time when selling your home,” says Lee McClelland, an associate broker and mortgage loan originator. “Just remember not to put so much money into your home that you overprice it for your neighborhood.”

Elizabeth Mendenhall, a sixth-generation Realtor, says home sellers should pay special attention to the exteriors of their homes. “Curb appeal is so important. What they see outside immediately will determine whether they want to go inside,” she says.

“A new door is one of the best things a person can do to improve curb appeal,” says Mendenhall, who is vice president of com-mittees for the National Association of Real-tors. “A door is important – and a new coat of paint if a home doesn’t have siding. You want to make sure the garage doors work. Replacing windows makes a home energy-efficient and is a good investment.”

Mendenhall says exterior replacement projects typically pay off in the end. The same is true for updates to kitchens and bathrooms. “For example, the return on add-ing a sunroom is 48 percent, whereas the return on a minor kitchen remodel is 78 per-cent,” she says.

Fresh paint and nice carpeting can also help sell a home. “Carpet and paint are easy things to do. Be sure to choose a color palette that people can identify with,” Mendenhall says. Historical homes will require different paint colors than modern homes.

If you are trying to sell a home that was built within the past 10 years, you will be competing to grab the attention of buyers who are looking at brand-new homes. That’s when you need to make sure newly painted walls aren’t covered with a lot of framed art-work or family photos.

“When buyers are going to be comparing an existing home with a new home, it is as if your home is being compared with a fresh canvas,” Mendenhall says. “You should know that.”

If you have decided to move forward with a sizable project, be sure you know how best

to pay for it, McClelland says. “If you have the savings to pay for the project, that’s great. But maybe that is not an option,” he says. “One choice is to look at the equity that you have in your home. Dividing the amount that you owe by the appraised value of the home will give you the loan-to-value ratio. Having that ratio at 20 percent or higher keeps you from paying private mortgage insurance. Any amount more than the 20 percent is what you can borrow against.”

McClelland continues: “Once you know the percentage that you have to work with, you can look at taking out a home equity line of credit. This is the second loan on your property, which you will make a second monthly payment on until you sell your home to pay it back. Call your lender to get all of the details, because the requirements have changed in the past couple of years.”

Mendenhall believes that homeowners who are thinking of remodeling and selling their homes should ask a Realtor for an opin-ion before doing a lot of updating.

“Sometimes just changing a few things can increase or maintain the value of a home,” Mendenhall says. “Remember, realtors visit hundreds of homes a year and know what peo-ple in that market are looking for.”

McClelland agrees. “Whatever you decide, look at all the options and talk to the experts so that you can make the best decision in maximizing the sale of your home.”

Projects that pay off

FRONT DOORS add to your home’s curb appeal, which is crucial to selling your house.

Investment in home improvements gets results

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A warm welcome.Take a close look at your front door. If it’s faded or needs repair, clean it, stain it or paint it. While you’re at it, do the same with the back door and garage door.

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By G. M. FILISKO

The first step to getting buyers to make an offer on your home is to impress them with its appearance

so they begin to envision themselves liv-ing there. Here are seven tips for making your home look bigger, brighter, and more desirable.

1. Start with a clean slate Before you can worry about where to place furniture and which wall hanging should go where, each room in your home must be spotless. Do a thorough cleaning right down to the nitpicky details like wiping down light switch covers. Deep clean and deodorize carpets and window coverings.

2. Stow away your clutter It’s harder for buyers to picture them-selves in your home when they’re look-ing at your family photos, collectibles, and knickknacks. Pack up all your per-sonal decorations. However, don’t make spaces like mantles and coffee and end tables barren. Leave three items of vary-ing heights on each surface, suggests Barb Schwarz of www.StagedHomes.com. For example, place a lamp, a small plant, and a book on an end table.

3. Scale back on your furniture When a room is packed with furni-ture, it looks smaller, which will make buyers think your home is less valuable than it is. Make sure buyers appreciate the size of each room by removing one or two pieces of furniture. If you have an eat-in dining area, using a small table and chair set makes the area seem bigger.

4. Rethink your furniture placement Highlight the flow of your rooms by arranging the furniture to guide buyers from one room to another. In each room, create a focal point on the farthest wall from the doorway and arrange the other pieces of furniture in a triangle around the focal point, advises Schwarz. In the bedroom, the bed should be the focal point. In the living room, it may be the fireplace, and your couch and sofa can form the triangle in front of it.

5. Add color to brighten your rooms Brush on a fresh coat of warm, neu-tral-color paint in each room. Ask your real estate agent for help choosing the right shade. Then accessorize. Adding a vibrant afghan, throw, or accent pillows for the couch will jazz up a muted living room, as will a healthy plant or a bright vase on your mantle. High-wattage bulbs in your light fixtures will also brighten up rooms and basements.

6. Set the scene Lay logs in the fireplace, and set your dining room table with dishes and a cen-terpiece of fresh fruit or flowers. Create other vignettes throughout the home –such as a chess game in progress – to help buyers envision living there. Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light.

7. Make the entrance grand Mow your lawn and trim your hedges, and turn on the sprinklers for 30 min-utes before showings to make your lawn sparkle. If flowers or plants don’t sur-round your home’s entrance, add a pot of bright flowers. Top it all off by buying a new doormat and adding a seasonal wreath to your front door.

Staging your home

STAGING is more than just cleaning up, de-cluttering and making sure that appliances, plumbing and electrical service are in working order.

Make your home warm and inviting to boost your home’s value and speed up the sale process

13

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Polish off the basement.Rather than adding an additional room, it is more cost-efficient to remodel your basement. This adds value and usable space.

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If you’re looking for inexpensive ways to freshen your home or smart tweaks to prepare it for sale, looks can be

everything. Landscaping and curb appeal play major roles in making your house stand out and can help home sell quickly and at a good price.

Since your home’s exterior is the first thing visitors see, an occasional face-lift is always welcome. Plus, exterior updates to homes often cost less than interior renova-tions and can yield greater returns on investment.

Here are some ideas to get you started: De-clutter the front yard. Make sure

there aren’t toys, lawn ornaments orsports equipment in the driveway – they’reunsightly and dangerous. Also, a lightedpath makes a home friendlier to visitors.

Refresh that deck and outdoor fur-niture. While a deck or porch may nottechnically be part of your living room, itcan be just as comfortable and welcoming.To increase its appeal, stain your deck andany other woodwork adorning the house.

It’s essential that you first clean thewood to remove all dirt and mildew stainswith a proper deck cleaner. Stick withmore traditional stain colors, such as

Welcome home


SIMPLE TWEAKS can make your home more inviting.

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Love those big closets.We all love closets and you can make them look even bigger by having them clean, neat and well organized. Get rid of old clothes and cartons that take away from the spacious look.

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browns, reds and grays, and choose colors that complement your home’s existing fea-tures.

You can also stain wooden fences and out-door wood furniture, like Adirondack chairs and swing sets. Follow the same steps above - clean the wood before staining – but consid-er a non-traditional stain color to give your home personality.

“Pops of color can enliven a deck or porch area. Think of staining planter boxes, porch swings and picnic tables in fun col-ors,” said Susan Uram of Olympic Exterior Stain. “Many people only think of browns when they think of stain, but there are a vast array of stain colors to choose from that can complement any project.”

Clean the windows from the outside. This helps make your home seem more welcoming and brighter. To cut time and elbow grease, consider using an extension pole cleaning system or specially-designed garden hose attachment.

A well maintained front door can make all the difference. Start by giving it a new coat of stain or paint and replac-ing broken or crooked numbers and worn hardware. Then move on to moldings, wooden supports and window shutters that may be peeling, working your way up to the whole exterior, if necessary. And don’t forget to place a new welcome mat at the front door.

Unique additions can add contrast and character without major costs. Adding colorful shutters, for instance, can make windows appear larger and comple-ment your home’s base color. Potted plants or lanterns on either side of the front door can also add flair.

Pay attention to the details. You may also want to give that old mailbox and garage door a fresh coat of paint. After all, it’s the details that make the difference!

Investing in your home’s eye appeal is always a good idea, whether you’re trying to trying to sell now or settle in for a lifetime.

Give your house an inexpensive faceliftContinued from Showcase Of Homes page 14

MAKE YOUR HOUSE stand out with a well-maintained lawn and pops of color.Plants and flowers add flair and are a cost-effective way to give some pizzazz to your home.

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Outside counts just as much as the inside.An inviting exterior is important because it entices prospective buyers to come into your home. Take a good look at your house. Is the paint peeling or chipping? Are your windows dirty? Is your lawn in need of trimming? The little things that you don’t really notice anymore can cause an otherwise interested buyer to turn away.

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Little things mean a lot.Loose door knobs or cabinet pulls, sticking doors and drawers, wobbly hinges, stuck windows - all are negative factors. Take a few minutes to check and repair all these seemingly minor flaws, since they do detract from the value of your house.

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So your sister just introduced you to her friend Irving, a real estate agent, and now you can’t get rid of

him, right? Wrong! Choosing the right person to guide you through the home buying process is a crucial step in find-ing the right home. Therefore, choose wisely and explore all your options.

With so many agents out there, how can you make an intelligent decision? Do you choose a friend, neighbor or coworker? Should you work with an agent at a large firm, a small firm, a fran-chise, or an independent?

The stress of making such a big financial com-mitment is a struggle for many homebuyers, wheth-er they have purchased a home in the past or are doing so for the first time.

One way to make the process a lot less anxiety-ridden is to work with a real estate agent you can trust. Those who have previously purchased a home might already have a strong relationship with a real estate agent. But for those moving out of their current location or buying for the first time, finding the right real estate agent requires some effort.

Consider A Buyer’s AgentFind a buyer’s agent. Real estate

agents are often affiliated with sellers instead of buyers. This means their pri-mary goal is to help the seller and not the buyer. When shopping around for a real

estate agent, ask companies about their buyer’s agents. Buyers should always have someone with their interests in mind, and not the interests of the sellers.

“Buyer agents are becoming more commonplace,” says Nancy Achstatter, broker/owner of Home and Hearth Real Estate in Oceanside. “You have to under-stand that agents were traditionally about selling, now we have Generation X people coming in who say “I don’t want

to be represented by people working for the other party. Who’s looking out for me?”

That’s where buyer’s agent come in. A buyer’s agent has a f iduciary responsibility to negotiate for the buyer, will focuses on services that benefit you, the buyer, and is knowl-edgeable about the things

that are important to a buyer.It’s not just a matter of deciding to

represent a buyer rather then a seller. A buyer agent is uniquely qualified to act on the purchaser’s behalf. “Agents who specialize in buyer representation are educated in it,” explains Achstatter. “They have spent hours studying and receive one of two certifications, as a CBR (Certified Buyer Representative) or ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative, a national designation). These two desig-nations mean they understand what it means to be a buyer agent. That means they are doing it properly.”

Be sure to inquire about these desig-

nations when choosing a buyer’s agent, Achstatter advises.

Agent First, Then PropertyFind an agent first, then a property.

Many times homes remain listed online or in “home for sale” brochures even if they are under contract or sold. These

homes are often luxurious and appeal-ing to a wide array of prospective buy-ers, and some agencies use them toattract customers. While this isn’t a typ-ical bait and switch, it is a way realestate agencies get customers in the

of

Opening the door

FINDING A TRUSTWORTHY and experienced real estate agent can help make the process of buying a home much less stressful.


Choosing the right agent for a successful outcome

3

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By KAREN BLOOM

As we spring forward, the local real estate market is springing ahead. After suffering through

the mortgage crisis and the Great Reces-sion, real estate brokers on the south shore are optimistic that better days are ahead in 2011.

Activity is picking up in the area, according to local brokers who express optimism that home sales are rebounding from what was – for most – a difficult 2010.

“I’m seeing a lot more activity since the beginning of the year,” said Liz Wal-lace, broker/owner, along with Judy Hart, at Century 21 Sherlock Holmes in

Rockville Centre. “People have arenewed interest in buying right now. “

Wallace attributes the movement inthe real estate market to a combinationof pricing, low mortgage rates andincreasing consumer confidence. “Theconsumer is feeling a little better now,”she said. Last year people who had jobsstill weren’t sure if they would hang onto their jobs, now they are feeling moresecure.”

Especially those “first-timers,” eagerto latch onto a piece of the Americandream of home ownership. “We are see-ing a real surge in first-time buyers,”Wallace reports. “People are able to gethomes now that they were not able toafford previously.”

And that has a “trickle up” effect.“We see sales move up as people sell to



Real estate market springs ahead

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By KAREN BLOOM

In today’s market, there’s much debate about what type of mortgage to get – a fixed or an adjustable

rate– and the hurdles involved in achiev-ing that approval. With stricter lending standards and rising mortgage costs, home buyers have a lot to think about. “The current process of obtaining mortgage financing has become more detailed and extensive than in recent years,” said Brad Knopf, senior mortgage con-sultant with Lynx Mortgage Bank in Westbury. “Guide-lines are more stringent, including two years complete tax returns, a three month history of all assets, and increased credit score requirements. All income, assets, credit, and appraisal information is reviewed with a fine tooth comb by underwriting before issuing loan approv-als. The need for an experienced mortgage loan originator to guide purchasers and refinance applicants through the process is greater than ever.” So what’s the good news? Mortgage rates, for one thing. “Current prices and interest rates are at or approaching his-toric lows,” Knopf said. “It is the perfect time for young families, first-time buy-ers and the like to find their dream homes this spring and summer.” For now, expect to see rates remain at current levels of 4.5 to 5.25 percent.

“This is due to uncertainty in the Mid-dle East, climbing oil prices and a slowerthan expected housing recovery.” Thelong term outlook, according Knopf, willmean “rates of 6 to 7 percent or higherover the next 12 to 18 months as mortgagegiants FNMA and FHMC are phased outand government looks to play less of arole in insuring future mortgage loans.This will increase risk to lendersleading to increased mortgage rates toconsumers." As a result, the rush is on to take

advantage of the currentrates. But be thorough andmake sure everything is inorder. “My advice to homeownersin the market is to go througha pre-approval process so thatthey know exactly what theyqualify for and what theirmonthly payment will be and

how much money they will need,” saidCristina Hoffman, regional diverse mar-ket manager, with Wells Fargo HomeMortgage. “Wells Fargo Home Mortgageoffers the Priority Pre-Approval at no costto borrowers which will give a customerthe confidence to submit an offer knowingthat their credit application has beenapproved and knowing exactly what theirmonthly payment will be and how muchin assets they will need. This process canbe done without choosing a property first,so it can help work out any kinks or issuesencountered along the way before signinga contract that wil l have t imeconstraints.”

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with a new washer and dryer, newer heating system and sheet rocked ceiling, a one car attached garage with a new door and a private driveway, lots of hi-hats, a front porch, SD#13 with your choice of Central or North High Schools, a newer roof, new windows a freshly painted interior and sided exterior and much more! This great home is located on a very quiet tree lined street that is walking distance to the Westwood Park and Westwood LIRR station! The asking price is $439K.

MVILLAGE PLAZA REALTY, INC

Don’t neglect the driveway.Driveways show how much you have cared for your home. It is one of the most used part of your house’s exterior, yet it is often one of the most neglected. Asphalt or blacktop driveways need to be sealed every two to three years depending on surface traffic, climate and wear.

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door. It is important to find a real estate agent before looking through home list-ings. This allows the buyer to choose their agent based on merit and not due to the potentially glitzy houses he or she may have listed previously.

Find someone with a track record. Real estate can be an exciting and finan-cially rewarding industry in which to work. As a result, lots of people want to be real estate agents, even though few succeed and last a long time. When interview-ing real estate agents, inquire about their his-tory in the business. A more experienced agent will make things far less stressful and eas-ier, and a long career indicates they are good at what they do.

A real estate agent with a long histo-ry in the busi-ness will likely be a full-time agent as well. Prospective buy-ers should look for a full-time agent, which is not as common as some buyers might think. Many agents work part-time, and buyers could receive less attention as a result.

Don’t place too much emphasis on

agency size. Real estate agencies comein all shapes and sizes. When it comes toability, the size of the agency should notfactor in. A smaller independent agencycan be just as qualified and reliable asone of the major franchise agencies.Buyers who find someone they trustshould go with that person, regardlessof how big or small their agency is.

Get a referral. Friends and familymembers who have been through thebuying process before might be greatresources. Then conduct interviews.Before your hire an agent to represent

you, interview at least three inperson.

Choosing the right agent for a successful outcomeContinued from Showcase Of Homes page 3

8

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SPACIOUS TWO FAMILY BEAUTY


his mint condition two family house offers a ter-rific investment opportunity, OR, the option to reduce your monthly mortgage payment from rental income. The spacious main floor is

equivalent to a ranch-style home. There is a living room, dining room, and renovated kitchen. The master bed-

room has an adjoining bathroom with jetted tub and separate shower. Two additional bedrooms and bath-room complete the layout. Upstairs features a bright four room apartment. Relax on the mahogany deck and enjoy park-like surroundings. To view this special home, call Pam at 516-536-8100.

TCoach Realtors

Don’t be a drip.Fix leaky faucets; dripping water suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing; discolored, rust-stained sinks are also warning signs, so it all should be properly cleaned.

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those first-time buyers and then in turn buy a more expensive home them-selves,” Wallace said.

There is also an increase in activity for the fine homes, those in the $900,000 to $1,000,000 range, according to Wallace. “Wall Street had a better year, bonuses were good, and people are looking to spend.”

Home prices are holding steady, according to Carol O’Leary, agent and office manager at Coach Real Estate in Rockville Centre. “Prices are stable, they are not dropping as much as in the past two or three years,” she said. “The mar-ket is stabilizing itself.”

That means we are now seeing a “new normal” in terms of home values. “Price will hold steady. We will never see again what we saw before during the housing bubble,” O’Leary said. “What happened was an anomaly, and now we are getting back moderate price increas-es that will be slow and steady.”

For both buyer and seller, this is a reality check. It is the well-priced homes that are currently selling. “Homes that are priced realistically will sell,” said O’Leary. “Those that are not will take longer to sell and have price reductions.”

People are starting to be more realis-tic about pricing on both sides, said Hart, also a broker/owner at Century 21 Sherlock Holmes. “Things have settled to where they probably should be. It was such an inflated market. Now people are more realistic about pricing.”

Like her fellow brokers, Hart express-es confidence that real estate here has turned the corner. “I’m optimistic,” she said. “In 20 years in these business I’ve seen a lot of markets and I think the worst is behind us. It’s been tough but we’re on the right track now.”

Besides price, interest rates are a big lure. “Rates are low and will probably stay where they are, perhaps inch up,” O’Leary said. “These rates are causing people to get off the sidelines and make a move.”

She notes that attendance at open houses has picked up in the past few weeks and expects that to continue. “Now is a great time to buy,” O’Leary said. “Rates are low and inventory is healthy.”

OPENING THE DOOR TO HOME OWNERSHIP: Area brokers report increased activity in many neighborhoods throughout the south shore, citing renewed inter-est among buyers looking for homes.

FIRST-TIME BUYERS can find good value in the current market, according to local brokers.


The rules have changed. Buying and selling real estate right requires a different approach with home val-ues in flux and a complicated mort-gage process.

Here are some keys to maximizing your opportunity in today’s real estate market.

Buyers: ■ Focus on your credit score. “This is extremely important,” advises Judy Hart, with Century 21 Sherlock Holm-es. “If you want to qualify for a good interest rate, you need excellent cred-it. Be aware.”

■ Down payment. Be prepared to come up with a down payment of 10 to 20 per-cent. FHA loans require less, but require-ments are more strin-gent than with conven-tional loans.

■ Find a buyer agent. “When you are there as a buyer, you want someone who will represent you and work for you,” says Liz Wallace, also with Century 21 Sherlock Holm-es. “You want to build a relationship and become close friends with your buyer agent.”

Sellers: ■ Set a realistic price. “If you start at the right price, you will get what the market will bear,” says Coach Real Estate’s Carol O’Leary.

■ Select an agent carefully. “Abso-lutely interview an agent and see how the house will be marketed,” advises Wallace. “You’re a hiring someone to do a job and you need to able to trust that person.”

■ Show your home so it sells. Your home has to sell itself, your agent will not have luck selling a too worn house for what it could be worth. Make your house look good – clean and sparkling.

Continued from Showcase Of Homes page 4

9

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A 55+ community. The complete terms are in offering plans available from the sponsor. File no. CD09-0227, CD10-0058. Beechwood Mill Pond Building Corp.*Prices and availability are subject to change without notice. ** Future Phase. Suffolk County, 24 Hour Gated Community.

Update those bathroom fixtures.A little change can go a long way when it comes to the look of your bathroom. Updating simple fixtures such as your sink and faucet can give any outdated bathroom style.

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By DIANE SCHLINDWEIN

In today’s housing market, many poten-tial home sellers are wondering whether to update their houses before putting

them on the market or to try to sell them “as is.”“As you have heard, remodeling and/or

updating your home can be a big contributor in getting you the most money in the shortest amount of time when selling your home,” says Lee McClelland, an associate broker and mortgage loan originator. “Just remember not to put so much money into your home that you overprice it for your neighborhood.”

Elizabeth Mendenhall, a sixth-generation Realtor, says home sellers should pay special attention to the exteriors of their homes. “Curb appeal is so important. What they see outside immediately will determine whether they want to go inside,” she says.

“A new door is one of the best things a person can do to improve curb appeal,” says Mendenhall, who is vice president of com-mittees for the National Association of Real-tors. “And a new coat of paint if a home doesn’t have siding. You want to make sure the garage doors work. Replacing windows makes a home energy-efficient and is a good investment.”

Mendenhall says exterior replacement projects typically pay off in the end. The same is true for updates to kitchens and bathrooms. “For example, the return on add-

ing a sunroom is 48 percent, whereas thereturn on a minor kitchen remodel is 78 per-cent,” she says.

Fresh paint and nice carpeting can alsohelp sell a home. “Carpet and paint are easythings to do. Be sure to choose a color palettethat people can identify with,” Mendenhallsays. Historical homes will require differentpaint colors than modern homes.

If you are trying to sell a home that wasbuilt within the past 10 years, you will becompeting to grab the attention of buyerswho are looking at brand-new homes. That’swhen you need to make sure newly paintedwalls aren’t covered with a lot of framed art-work or family photos.

If you have decided to move forward witha sizable project, be sure you know how bestto pay for it, McClelland says. “If you havethe savings to pay for the project, that’s great.But maybe that is not an option,” he says.“One choice is to look at the equity that youhave in your home. Dividing the amount thatyou owe by the appraised value of the homewill give you the loan-to-value ratio. Havingthat ratio at 20 percent or higher keeps youfrom paying private mortgage insurance.Any amount more than the 20 percent iswhat you can borrow against.”

Mendenhall believes that homeownerswho are thinking of remodeling and sellingtheir homes should ask a Realtor for an opin-ion before doing a lot of updating.

“Sometimes just changing a few things canincrease or maintain the value of a home,”Mendenhall says. “Remember, Realtors visithundreds of homes a year and know what peo-ple in that market are looking for.”

Projects that pay offInvestment in home improvement

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This Grand Center Hall Colonial beautifully set on a quiet street in the heart of Woodmere, features 3400 square feet of traditional living.House includes 6 BRs, 3.5 Bths and a huge granite EIK with a seperate butler's pantry. It boasts a LR w/ Fpl, FDR, and 2 sets of french doors leading out to a large patio. This house is on an O/S property with skylights, alarm system and full basement. Truly a mint condition gracious home that is priced to sell.

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MEDFORD LANDINGSENIOR APARTMENTS

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pacious senior apartments available with One Bedroom units renting from $943, Two bed-room/1 Bath units renting from $1,125, and Two Bedroom/2 Bath units renting from

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Love those big closets.We all love closets and you can make them look even bigger by having them clean, neat and well organized. Get rid of old clothes and cartons that take away from the spacious look.

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COLONIAL CHARMER


rick center hall colonial blends contemporary comfort with yesterday’s charm. Experience for yourself this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home, which boasts a complete surround sound system,

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and dining room with butler’s pantry. There are sliding glass doors which open to a large travertine patio, per-fect for outdoor entertaining. This home is convenient to the village and train to Manhattan, making it an ideal location for the discerning buyer. To view this special home, call Ann or Pat at 516-536-8100.

BCoach Realtors

A warm welcome.Take a close look at your front door. If it’s faded or needs repair, clean it, stain it or paint it. While you’re at it, do the same with the back door and garage door.

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GRIDS OPTIONAL IN ALL WINDOWS

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•100's Colors and Styles CertainTeed Any Brand...Completely Installed with Insulation Board!

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SI ID NGFully Installed Including:

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BBB Memeber Metro NY Long Island. Some items not available in all areas. As of 11/01/05 $25 fuel surcharge will apply to each contract.Westchester Lic#WC-22934-H10 • Yonkers Lic#5208 • Putnam County Home Improvement Lic#PC5709 • NYConsumer Affairs#0856560 • Nassau#1761650000 • Suffolk#19279

UNIFIEDWINDOWSYSTEMS, INC.

WINDOWS, DOORS, SIDING AND ROOFING

(888) 631-2131•(516) 481-3000•(914) 358-9650•(631) 612-2510

HUNTINGTON373 West Jericho Tpke.Huntington, NY 11743

299 Peninsula Blvd.Hempstead, NY 11550

PATCHOGUE298 Medford Ave. (rt.112)

Patchogue, NY 11772www.uwds.com

BROOKLYN•QUEENSBRONX

N. WHITE PLAINS768 North Broadway (rt. 22)N White Plains, NY 10603

HEMPSTEAD

4527

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