The New York Times recently posted an article listing the top 10 most cost effective ways to renovate your home and get the most out of it. A costly renovation won't always mean a dramatic increase in the value of your home when you're looking to sell. These 10 cost effective renovations will increase the aesthetics in the home while bringing it up in value.

Something like adding a new wooden deck to the backyard can be a cost-effective investment with a high return in property value!

This is the NY Times top 10 Cost-Effective Renovations list:

For Apartments and Houses:


1. Refinishing hardwood floors.

2. Painting walls.

3. Replacing kitchen counter tops. 

4. Installing new kitchen appliances.

5. Replacing kitchen cabinet…

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With Halloween just around the corner the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum on Tompkins Avenue is ready to get Islanders into the spirit (in more ways than one)! This Friday October 2nd and Saturday October 3rd,  two renowned ghost hunters, Brian Cano and Chris Mancuso, will be taking all who dare on a paranormal tour of the museum and it's surroundings. They'll tell tales of previous paranormal findings on the grounds and take you on an active hunt using the latest technologies in ghost-hunting. Plus, all proceeds from the event will go towards the museum and it's programs. What better way to get into the Halloween spirit?

Call (718) 442-1608 to make your reservation today! 

Tickets are $50 in advance, $60 at the door. 

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The Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the Staten Island Museum took place on Saturday. The Museum, situated in Building A, is grand with plenty of room to meander throughout the exhibits.  The Mastodon exhibit was a hit as well as the fossils on the first floor!  I loved the art, science and history exhibits.  The Autumn Moon Festival was entertaining with music performances, martial arts demos, dragons in the midst of the audience and a fashion show by the New York Chinese Qipao Association.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over 200 people attended the POW-MIA Recognition Day Ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park on Sunday.  The Thomas J. Tori Chapter 421 hosted the event with membership and Honor Guard remembering POW-MIA’s…

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Did you dispose of harmful household products at the DSNY SAFE Disposal Event?  I don’t know about you, my gentle readers, but I have the best intentions when I say I’m going to do Spring Cleaning.  I clean windows, curtains and the usual a few days at a time.  I become lackadaisical when Summer arrives and hang out in my garden.  I try to have a garage sale but visit other garage sales instead. When Fall arrives, I again promise to do major cleaning.  Yesterday, I began going through drawers, closets and discarding what I have not used or needed in many years.  It felt like a burden was lifted.  As a real estate broker, I see houses being sold every day where my clients are forced to deal with a lifetime of clothes, jewelry, furniture and unwanted…

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Did you take that first step toward improving your public speaking skills at the New Day Toastmasters group?  My readers told me the Staten Island Philharmonic Winds were spectacular at Snug Harbor.  Check out the pictures that were taken at the Richmond County Fair this weekend!  It was nice to meet some of my gentle readers as well as making new friends and meeting new customers/ clients.

You still have time to experience New York City Honey Week.  This week-long festival (which began 9/8 and ends on Sunday, 9/13) is designed to educate the public on the importance of the honeybee, beekeeping and to enjoy and purchase local honey products.  The honey-producing bee population is on the decline.  Activities feting honey will take place…

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Were you an attendee at the “Silent Disco” at Snug Harbor?  One of my gentle readers told me he had a blast—it was like nothing he had every experienced.  Did you catch “Ghost Busters” under the stars on Saturday?   I am embarrassed to say I have not attended even one Yoga class this summer, but that doesn’t mean it’s not therapeutic, relaxing and fun.  Try one of the Yoga classes I listed in past blogs.  Everything becomes clearer in your life; you will not be disappointed.  Maybe I’ll see you there soon.

Today is the day to join New Day Toastmasters, which meets the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at Regina McGinn Education Center, 475 Seaview Ave.  It’s never too late to learn new skills—namely public speaking.  Guests and new members are…

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CHECK OUT MY NEW LISTING IN NEW DORP--41 CENTER PLACE!

This lovely, one family Colonial on the East Shore of Staten Island is situated on a 40' x 60' lot, has three bedrooms (the master large enough to convert into another bedroom), a formal dining room, large living room with working fireplace, eat-in kitchen, washer/dryer, two new bathrooms, hardwood floors throughout, a closed-in sun porch to relax in throughout the seasons, huge unfinished working basement (great for you D.I.Y.ers--set up your work bench!) with egress to side yard and a parking pad that can accommodate two cars.

 

 

 

With two means of egress from the first floor--front entrance as well as side entrance--it is perfect for entertaining in the spring and summer.  The…

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