Real Estate Blog

There are many articles and discussions on the internet that argue over the value a Realtor when the time comes to selling your largest financial asset which is usually your home, or other real estate holdings.  When it comes to selling, many homeowners feel that they should try to sell on their own thus “saving” the commission.

Many articles and blogs will argue that a Realtor is not worth their commission because the homeowner can do the same if not a better job at selling their home.  After all, they know their home more intimately and can pitch its virtues better than any Realtor they will hire.  In today’s internet world with homeowner’s access and ability to post their home for sale on numerous websites it seems so easy to sell without

The spring selling season is underway and with the warm weather we have been experiencing on Staten Island the home buyers are ready to move in before the full blown summer heat is upon us.  With that in mind, many sellers are eager to know what would get their home sold as fast as possible so they can move on to their next dream home.

The number one rule in selling is if you think about it a no brainer...and that is to SHOW THE HOME.  Now you may read this and think that I must be kidding with you.  Of course sellers show their home, why wouldn't they.  They know they have to show to sell.  You would be correct in thinking that sellers show their home.  However, as a full time agent working with both sellers and buyers I can tell you first hand

I have been working with both buyers and sellers of real estate in Staten Island and everyone has felt a little confused lately.  The sellers are still hoping for higher prices than they are realistically going to get in this market.  At the same time the buyers are expecting miracles in that they think that the sellers will sell for a lot less than the listed sales price.   Well of course somewhere in the middle is where most deals are struck.

In my opinion, when a Staten Island seller is presented with a solid offer from a well qualified buyer they should really try to strike a deal and sell their home.  If they are move up buyers, the home that they will be purchasing will be less today than it would have been at the height of the market.  So

Staten Island home sellers are always asking … Are homes selling?  The answer to that question is short and sweet but maybe a little bittersweet.  This past weekend as a Realtor I hosted three open houses on my homes listed for sale.  The weather was cooperative as it was a beautiful weekend on Staten Island so the buyers were out.  After this weekend I can answer with confidence that yes homebuyers are out looking to buy and are purchasing homes.

To give you the buyers’ profile, almost all the buyers were first time buyers, and just starting to search for a home.  It seems to me that there are many buyers who may have been on the fence, or just waiting for the right time to buy.  The home buyers might have decided that the right time may

Manhattan is New York City's hotspot for culture, commerce and entertainment.  Many people in Staten Island commute to Manhattan to work, and others may want to frequent the borough for its many attractions.  There are several ways to reach Manhattan from Staten Island, and some may be more convenient than others, depending on where you live.  

The Staten Island Railway

Staten Island is the only borough in New York that is not connected to the New York subway system.  However, the Staten Island Railway is included on official New York City subway maps, and riders can get a free transfer from the railway to the subway lines. 

The railway is not connected directly to the subway; rather it runs from the southwestern tip of the island in

Guest post written by Joanna Kielkucki

“Thank you for calling CVS Pharmacy, this is Joanna speaking. Flu Shots are Available. How May I Help You?” 

Since I started working at the CVS/Pharmacy in the Old Town neighborhood of Staten Island, I’ve said the above statement at least a couple hundred times.

Expected since the pharmacy is open 24/7, and winter calls for more illnesses, such as the flu.  Having a pharmacy that never closes is a really great thing for Staten Island, especially considering the tragedy that many fellow Islanders have faced post- Sandy.  This location at the intersection of Old Town Road and Hylan Boulevard is also easily accessible to the neighborhoods of South Beach, Arrochar, Grasmere, Emerson Hill and Dongan

The following is a guest post by Richard Capuozzo, the first in a new series highlighting Staten Island business leaders and entrepreneurs:

Calling all aspiring photographers, or art enthusiasts on Staten Island.  Did you know that in the historic Snug Harbor neighborhood of Staten Island, there is a gallery which is a great venue for you to show off your talent, or stop by to see what other photographers are producing from behind their lens!  

Creative Photographers Guild is the only Art Gallery on Staten Island dedicated solely to Photography. We've been in existence for more than 5 years and were started by George Roos, a professional photographer based on Staten Island. George wanted to create a space where photographers could show their work

Living in one of the 5 boroughs of New York City means there is no shortage of things to do during the holiday season. But if you’re not in the mood for a big trip into the city, there are plenty of things to do right here in Staten Island, not the least of which is a trip over to Historic Richmond Town. 

Decker Farm

This last remaining family style farm in New York City supplies area residents with fresh produce and home-baked goodies all year long. It’s also the perfect place to come for anything from mouth-watering appetizers to tasty deserts to really make your holiday table stand out. 

The hors d’oeuvres offered include artichoke baked clams, mushrooms stuffed with sausage and fresh mozzarella, mini lentil cakes and mini crab cakes,

Another holiday season and another incredible party, this time at our new address, 60 Sand Lane. Every year we welcome clients, partners and fellow agents to the office for a big holiday party and this year's was not only the first in our new space, but it was one of the best we've had to date. 

Keep your eyes peeled for the video - we'll be posting it very soon so you can see the festivities in living color.

For many reasons, rentals are in high demand in and around Staten Island these days.  And that means potential home sellers may have another option - renting out. If you think you’d like to rent out your home once you’ve moved into a new one, there are many factors to consider. This may well be the best option for your, but you need to make sure you know all the facts before you jump into this type of financial and legal arrangements. 

Understanding the Tax Implications 

When you rent out your home, you’ll enter a whole new arena of tax deductions and exemptions. You can, of course, still deduct the mortgage interest you pay each year (assuming you still have a mortgage) and the property tax payments you make. And you can also deduct just