Long Island, NY Real Estate and Homes For Sale

Just a few years ago, making a commitment to help the environment meant recycling your plastic bags and glass bottles. But today that concept can be taken much further, to the products we buy, the cars we drive, and even the homes we live in.

Now builders have the know-how to make your home healthier, more energy-efficient and more cost-effective by using green materials and technologies. Here are some questions you may want to ask if you are interested in hiring a professional who is also committed to the cause.

• Have you completed any special education or training courses on this topic? Some states and local agencies offer training and even certificate programs for builders who are serious about putting green technologies to work for their clients.

• How can we use the latest technology to reduce costs and boost comfort? This could include using specific kinds of insulation, a special ventilation system, or even solar panels to supplement traditional energy sources.

• What kinds of appliances and home systems should we use? When you think green about all parts of the home, from the toilet (water conservation) to the windows (are they energy efficient?), is when you can make the most difference. An experienced green builder should be able to recommend the products and fixtures that are best.

• How do you reduce, re-use, and recycle? Find out if the builder uses materials made from recycled materials when they are available and recommended. Also, inquire how he disposes of waste materials from the construction site.

Empire State housing sales up from February

Albany - April 23, 2008 - Sales of existing single-family homes in New York State in March increased by more than 10 percent compared to February, but lagged behind March 2007, according to preliminary single-family sales data accumulated by the New York State Association of REALTORS.

New York REALTORS sold 5,035 existing single-family homes in March 2008, a 10.1-percent increase compared to the 4,575 sales recorded in February. The March sales total represents a 29-percent decrease compared to the March 2007 total of 7,094.

The March 2008 median selling price of $210,000 represents a 6.7-percent decrease from the February median of $225,000. The March 2008 median selling price represents a 14.7-percent decrease compared to the March 2007 median of $246,150.

In March 2008 sales gains were reported in 31 counties compared to February, while just four experienced growth compared to March 2007.

Thirty-one counties reported gains in median selling price in March 2008 compared to February 2008, while 20 posted gains compared to March 2007.

"With a more than 10 percent increase in sales of existing single-family homes in March compared to February, the New York State housing market is performing better than the national housing market," said Duncan R. MacKenzie, NYSAR chief executive officer. "While changes in the median selling price fared better on a national level, New York's median price continues to remain above the national median." 

The New York State Association of REALTORS is a not-for-profit trade organization representing more than 61,000 of New York state's real estate professionals. The term REALTOR is a registered trademark, which identifies real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics as members of the National Association of REALTORS. These REALTORS are also members of the New York State Association of REALTORS as well as their local board or association of REALTORS.

Improving Affordability = Buying Opportunity

Here's an all-points bulletin to prospective homebuyers: The protracted decline in home prices has made many houses more affordable than they've been in years. You know what this means? Housing could shift from a buyer's market to a seller's market before you know it.  Remember, incomes are still rising, so home prices don't have to fall as much as you think before buyers decide that they can once more afford the home of their dreams. Sooner or later, the fact that housing is more affordable will sink in. That's when the market will turn.

-- "Housing Market May Turn More Quickly Than You Expect," by Dr. Irwin Kellner, MarketWatch,June 3, 2008.

Declining home prices across the nation are bringing valuations - the difference between what a home should cost and its actual price - back to pre-bubble levels, according to a survey conducted for financial research firm Global Insight and banking company National City Corp. "We've covered a lot of territory in terms of restoring balance in the housing market. The froth has been completely blown away."

-- Richard DeKaser, National City's chief economist, "Housing Affordability Back to Pre-bubble Levels," by Ben Rooney, CNNMoney.com, June 2, 2008.

The reason sales are slowly turning around is that smart homebuyers recognize that prices will recover. They'd rather benefit from the next boom than see the current seller get it. When have you ever seen housing retest previous lows? This past year is the first in decades in which housing prices went lower. Typically, housing prices beat inflation by one or two percent. The 2007-2008 housing recession is an anomaly. You've seen housing prices retreat as far back as 2004 in some locales, but you don't see them retreating to 2000.

-- Richard DeKaser, National City's chief economist, "Realty Viewpoint: Guess What? Equity Recovers," by Blanche Evans, Realty Times, May 30, 2008.

Foreign Buyers Have Confidence in U.S. Housing Market

Declining prices and a weak dollar have made U.S. property more appealing to overseas buyers, while a weak U.S. economy has forced real estate agents to look farther afield for buyers.  Last year one-third of American agents worked with at least one international buyer, according to the National Association of Realtors. The top five countries supplying international customers were Mexico, Britain, Canada, India and China.

-- "They're getting away from it all, to the U.S.," by Jane Hodges, MSNBC.com, June 4, 2008.

While Americans are discouraged by images of neighborhoods blighted by "For Sale" signs and taped-off properties, foreign buyers are much more optimistic, especially about the long-term health of the U.S. market. "The foreign buyer has an unbridled confidence in the U.S. market that is lacking in the domestic purchaser today. They view this as the bargain of a lifetime and are terribly excited about it."

-- David Michonski, a certified international property specialist, "Foreign Buyers Flock to U.S. Housing Market," by Aleksandra Todorova, SmartMoney.com, May 23, 2008.

Your Home At Center Stage

In Hollywood they are called stylists. They are fashion professionals who help celebrities shine by outfitting them in the right clothes and accessories. In the world of home buying and selling, real estate professionals fill the same role, but in this case the "star" is your home. Here are five things you can do to stage your home for sale.

Staging is an important part of the home sale process.Staging is presenting your home in its best and most appealing light to the majority of buyers. In the end, it may even lead to less time on the market and a better sales price.
1. De-clutter and de-personalize: Remove all clutter and reduce the number of personal pictures and mementos. You do not have to purge everything, but packing away items at a friend's house or in storage might be a good idea.

2. Go for an updated look: If you have well-worn, wall-to-wall carpet, rip it up and replace it. If your kitchen cabinets are dated, spruce them up with new paint. Making your home look its best may take some money and some elbow grease.

3. Create a warm and cozy environment: You want your home to have a welcoming feel. Rearrange seating to create conversation areas. You want buyers to want to stay and relax.

4. Lighten up: Use table lamps to create a warm glow and mirrors to reflect the light around the room. Open up blinds and shades to let the sunshine in. A fresh coat of paint in an inviting, neutral tone will play up the sense of light and warmth.

5. Use accessories: Accent pillows, throw blankets, fresh cut flowers, bowls of polished fruit and artfully arranged books, can help you complete the sophisticated and inviting scene. Remember, you want buyers to imagine themselves living in this setting.

Your real estate professional is your greatest resource when it comes to preparing your home for sale. Work with them to create the home of your buyer's dreams.

Oceanside is a hamlet in the Town of Hempstead with a population of app. 32,733 residents.  There are currently 277 homes on the market in Oceanside.

The Wedgewood section of Oceanside NY 11572is a quiet neighborhood, which is bordered on the north by the Waukena Avenue, on the east by Middle Bay Golf Course and Country Club, on the south by a Nature Preserve and the on the west by canals leading out to Middle Bay.  Most of the homes in this area are Split levels or Hi Ranches. There are a few ranches as well. Some homes have basements and two car garages.  All the homes are three to five bedrooms, 1.5 to 3.5 baths.  The lot sizes range from app. 60x100 to 80x220. Some of these homes have lovely backyards and bulkheads on Bedell Creek offering easy access to Jones Inlet and the ocean.  Others homes border and have lovely views of the golf course, the Nature Preserve or the bay. Children attend Boardman elementary school #9, Oceanside Middle School and Oceanside High School.  There are currently five homes on the market. They range in price from $549,000 for a three bedroom, two bath split level with taxes of approximately $10,000 to a diamond condition 4 bedroom 3.5 bath split asking $849,000with taxes of $15,700. One of the homes currently on the market is a splitlevel with waterfront property at the end of one of the canals with an asking price of $679,000. It has been on the market for almost six months.  In the last six months there have been two sales- a large waterfront split level with 4 bedrooms, 3.5baths and an in ground pool which sold for $850,000 after 62 days on the market.  Taxes were approximately 15,000 per year.  The other home was also a large Split on 82x114 property with taxes of $12,599.  The house asked $675,000 sold for $635,000 and was on the market for 79 days until full contract. 

Source Debbie Rabinovici  Licensed RE Broker Associate