Selling Your Town of Babylon Home During The Summer I know not everyone can afford to have central air conditioning or other types of air conditioning. Electric bills can soar! And some homeowners can't even have the units that go through a window due to the type of windows they have. We do not live in the South but it's been hot as blazes here on Long Island this July. When I show homes to buyers where there is no air conditioning, they leave sooner. If you do not have air conditioning, you can try to keep your home cooler by keeping the blinds and curtains drawn to block out the sun better. You would be amazed at how well this can work. I know this seems logical but homeowners do forget about doing this. For homeowners that have brick homes, you can hose-down your home when the sun g... 07/20/2010

Lindenhurst NY Real Estate Market Report For W/E 7-18-2010 Every week I'll be posting Lindenhurst homes for sale, under contract and sold for the previous week.   Newly Listed Homes:   Under Contract:   Sold Homes:   If you are looking to sell your home and want a competitive market analysis, which of course is free, call me anytime at (631) 703-0201 or end_of_the_skype_highlightingEmail me. Enjoy your week! 07/19/2010

West Babylon NY Coops - The Steps Taken Before Getting To The Closing Table You do not own a co-op. You own shares. You are responsible for the interior. There are rules to follow that have been set up by the co-op board. Some are stringent, others are more flexible. Some close in 90 days. Some in 60. It really depends upon how fast the management company and the co-op board move. Before making an offer on a co-op, make sure your Real Estate Agent knows co-ops and also your Real Estate Attorney. If not, the process could take longer. Here are the steps that lead you to the closing table: Once your offer is accepted, get a home inspection especially if the co-op had been recently updated. It's better to be safe than sorry. After the home inspection, start the mortgage process. Whatever ... 07/14/2010

Long Island & New York Mortgage Fraud - Not All Homeowners And Banks Knew About The Snakes In The Grass I've been following these stories for a couple of years now and to see how many more snakes have been found. These snakes falsified buyer's income, paystubs, employment length and other information on their mortgage applications after the buyers signed off on them. July 8th, 2009 - 13 Real Estate Professionals Indicted For Mortgage Fraud Scheme The 13 includes, lawyers, real estate agents, appraisers and bank workers. They were accused of 19 fraud real estate transactions. This occurred over a four-year period. They tricked lenders into issuing loans for homes whose values were artificially inflated and then had the lawyers pocket some of the money and that would show losses of more ... 07/13/2010

Lindenhurst NY Real Estate Market Report Homes For Sale, Under Contract & Closed Week Ending 7/11/10 Out of the 14 homes listed last week there are 2 REO properties and 3 short sales. Average Listing Price is $357,000 The 1 home that is under contract is not a short sale or REO. Listing price is $329,000 with 62 days on the market. The 1 home that closed is an REO and the other is a regular resale. The REO property sold for $247,000 in 131 days and the regular resale sold for $255,000 in 38 days. Pricing your Lindenhurst, NY home at market value will get it sold in 90 days or under providing upon condition and location. If you are looking to sell your Lindenhurst NY home and want a competitive market analysis, which of course is free, call me anytime (631) 703-0201 or end_of_the_skype_h... 07/12/2010

Fireman's Park Larry Troiano Memorial Annual Steak Fry Date: August 05, 2010 @ 12:00 P.M. Details: The Annual Larry Troiano Memorial Steak Fry The annual Steak Fry, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Lindenhurst, raises thousands of dollars each year for scholarships for Lindenhurst High School students. 07/10/2010

Town Of Babylon Going Green Program - They Will Finance Home Improvements! You must own a home in the Town of Babylon to qualify. They will finance the following home improvements: Reinforce attic and basement insulation. Replace, improve or install high energy efficient heating systems. Install ventilation to exhaust moisture. Improve air duct and sealing to ensure that cooled or heated air does not escape. This program so far has saved the average participant over $1,000 a year on their energy bills. To get started, you must complete the self-check home inventory form or call the LIGH Hotline: (631) 422-4411 For the rest of the steps you need to take, visit their How It Works page. Make sure to read everything on this page. You do have to pay $250.00 for the audit they will conduct. ... 07/10/2010

LIPA Rebates & Promotions - Saving Energy, Money and Protecting The EnvironmentLIPA has on their website rebates you can download and they have instant rebates. The following products that apply for the rebates are: CFL's Cold Cathode Lightbulbs Dehumidifiers Furnace Fan Motor Pool Pump - 2 speed Pool Pump - variable Refrigerators Refrigerator Recycling Room Air Conditioners Also visit their energy efficient program page. 07/10/2010

Jones Beach Fun Day - Sometimes You Just Need A Break! My son, Mom and myself headed to Jones Beach this past Wednesday. I knew I needed a break but didn't realize how much until we got there. It was so relaxing and fun! I haven't felt that relaxed in a very long time and I'm still feeling it 2 days later.  I was able to capture some nice wave action.                 My son also needed a break and going to the beach did the trick! He worked so hard in 9th grade and did very well and I'm so proud of him! He's a great kid and beats to his own drum. Doesn't give in to peer pressure ever.   This critter found his way on Mom's arm and did she ever scream, lol!   This is the Jones Beach Tower. They have been "fixing" it for years. Is is soup yet?                               Then this helico... 07/09/2010

07/03/2010

George Carlin Airplane Safety For those of us who fly, we can certainly appreciate George's humor about airplane safety. I've always loved George Carlin. He always had guts and always pushed the envelope. There is some "language" in this one but it is George Carlin ya know! Have a great July 4th weekend! 07/01/2010

CONGRESS PASSES HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT CLOSING DEADLINE.   BREAKING NEWS…   CONGRESS PASSES HOMEBUYER TAX CREDIT CLOSING DEADLINE   PRESIDENT OBAMA WILL SIGN INTO LAW   After a close brush with the deadline, Congress has passed an extension of the Homebuyer Tax Credit closing deadline, the Homebuyer Assistance and Improvement Act (H.R. 5623).   The extension applies only to transactions that have ratified contracts in place as of April 30th, 2010 that have not yet closed.    The legislation is designed to create a seamless extension. The new closing deadline for eligible transactions is now September 30th, 2010.    There will be no gap between June 30th and the date the President signs the bill into law.   07/01/2010

Lindenhurst Short Sale Real Estate Market 2008 Through June 30th, 2010 Short Sale Homes in Lindenhurst that were listed in 2009, increase by 450% compared to 2008. As of May 31st, 2010, 36 homes in Lindenhurst were listed as short sales. 3 short sale homes were listed in June 2010. There were 26 new short sales listings as of April 30th, 2010 33 short sale homes were listed in 2009. Lindenhurst in May 2010 has surpassed the number of short sale listings compared to 2009. The short sale real estate market is not over by a long shot. Each month I'm going to update this chart for 2010 so we can see how the short sale real estate market is doing in Lindenhurst. Short sales are a foreclosure alternative. It's better on your credit. With a short sale, you will not be able to get another mortg... 07/01/2010

Lindenhurst NY Real Estate Market Report For W/E 6-27-2010 Every week I'll be posting Lindenhurst homes for sale, under contract and sold for the previous week. The chart below represents 7 newly listed Single Family homes in Lindenhurst last week. There was only 1 REO.         The chart below represents homes Under Contract in Lindenhurst.   The chart below represents homes that Sold/Closed in Lindenhurst. For the most part, the days on the market looks great!   If you are looking to sell your home and want a competitive market analysis, which of course is free, call me anytime (631) 703-0201Email me. 06/30/2010

Brookhaven Star Spangled Blast Enjoy the Grucci Fireworks display at the Brookhaven Amphitheater, 1 Bicycle Path (just off Country Road 83) in Farmingville, NY.  For time and more information, please go to Brookhaven Amphitheateror call (631) 732-4011 Old Fashioned Independence Day at Sagamore Hill Bring the whole family to FREE day-long events at Sagamore Hill, once famed as Theodore Roosevelt's "Summer White House" in OysterBay. Celebrate from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. by watching a thrilling Rough Riders reenactment on horseback riding techniques used by mounted soldiers in the Spanish American War, listen to a band, hear President Theodore Roosevelt (portrayed by James Foote) speak and more for FREE. From 2 to 4 p.m., storyteller Jonathan Kruk will delight the kids. Bring blankets or lawn ... 06/30/2010

Lindehurst Short Sale Real Estate Market 2008 Through May 31st, 2010 Short Sale Homes in Lindenhurst that were listed in 2009, increase by 450% compared to 2008. As of May 31st, 2010, 36 homes in Lindenhurst were listed as short sales. There were 26 new short sales listings as of April 30th, 2010 33 short sale homes were listed in 2009. Lindenhurst in May 2010 has surpassed the number of short sale listings compared to 2009. The short sale real estate market is not over by a long shot. Each month I'm going to update this chart for 2010 so we can see how the short sale real estate market is doing in Lindenhurst. Short sales are a foreclosure alternative. It's better on your credit. With a short sale, you will not be able to get another mortgage between 3 to 5 years. With a foreclosure, y... 06/28/2010

Computer History: IBM Disk Drive From 1956 The IBM 350 Disk Drive came out in 1956. It held 5MB of data. That is the equivalent of 2 MP files today. It was to help businesses with Accounting. Can you imagine how innovative this disk drive was then? We have come a long way in technology baby! IBM Archives 06/26/2010

John Thiessen Back To School Program John Thiessen started his organization here on Long Island years ago. It started as a Toy Drive to provide sick and needy children with toys and even clothes. He also has a Back To School program in order to provide children with school supplies and clothes. This will help underprivileged children from low-income families. It starts at Kindergarten through High School. Items always needed are socks, underwear, shirts, pants and new shoe and sneakers. Children have the right to attend school and to also feel good about themselves. John says that statistics show many children to not attend the first day of school because they are embarrassed that they do not have new clothes and school supplies. Distribution takes place in late August right through ear... 06/26/2010

Jones Beach July 4th: Not Going To Happen This is sad. We go every year and it's not going to happen this year. I guess we shouldn't be surprised considering New York State supposedly came close to shutting down. It's been a tradition for many Long Islanders and as I was searching on Google for other July 4th events, there were hardly any. Gov. David A. Paterson tried to revive the show on Monday 6/14/10, a month after its cancellation for money and staffing problems. Here is what was said and the reasons why the show has been canceled. Understaffing is one problem: State parks officials even told business owners around Jones Beach that the show could return, and soon after many believed the show was back on, said Kathy Heinlein-Risi, president of the Captree Fleet, which was organizin... 06/24/2010

Not So Wordless Wednesday: George Carlin What's My Line?Look how young everyone is! The clothes and hairstyles are a hoot! I was 4 years old back then, lol. I never saw George Carlin that young. I never would have known it was him. I've always seen him with his gray hair. He even mentions Long Island Jewish Hospital. Too bad he's gone. Gotta love George! 06/22/2010