Date Archives: April 2021

A short getaway to experience nature can help you feel refreshed while also allowing you to get in a bit of exercise along the way. Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island have several spots that serve as an oasis where you can get away in gardens and nature preserves that are conveniently close by.
  
Our REALTORS® suggest visiting the following destinations to help you enjoy the great outdoors in Long Island.    

1. Centennial Gardens – 251 Floral Pkwy., Floral Park, NY 11001  
   Centennial Gardens contains eight different gardens, allowing you to experience several types within the same location. Situated near Floral Park homes for sale, the gardens range from formal planted settings to individual plantings and gardens in a more natural setting. And since walking paths include ones that are hilly and provide a good workout, and those that can easily be navigated with strollers or wheelchairs, you can choose the ones that best suits you. As you explore the gardens, you can also enjoy a waterfall as well as a beautiful wooden walking bridge.
     
2. Champlin Creek Nature Preserve – 50 Irish Lane, East Islip, NY 11730   
   Champlin Creek Nature Preserve flows between Islip and East Islip and is home to a fish and wildlife habitat that's about 3.5 miles long. Located near East Islip homes for sale, the creek is a free-flowing freshwater stream bordered by wet forest land in some areas. It's known for having conditions favorable to brook trout, and brown and rainbow trout are also stocked in the stream.
     
3. Elderfields – 200 Port Washington Blvd., Manhasset NY 11030  
   Elderfields is not only a nature preserve but also a historic museum and farm, so it has plenty to see and do. It comprises four acres and is located near Manhasset homes for sale. You'll find a walled garden on the property, which is also home to the Hewlett-Munson-Williams House from the 17th century, making it one of the oldest existing homes in the area. Elderfields also houses an arts center with a museum of antique decorative arts, studio space, arts classrooms, and more. Art shows are regularly scheduled at the center.
     
4. Muttontown Preserve – 25A West of Jericho-Oyster Bay Road, Muttontown Lane, East Norwich, NY 11732  
   Nassau County's largest nature preserve, Muttontown Preserve has marked trails that stretch for miles and is located near East Norwich homes for sale. Before you start, pick up a map and brochure that include descriptions of the areas along the trails. You'll be able to see wildflowers, trees, and birds along the way and may also spot some mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
     
5. Islip Meadows County Nature Preserve – 350 Bayview Ave., East Islip, NY 11730  
   If you're looking for a bit of untouched nature, head to Islip Meadows County Nature Preserve, which comprises over 87 acres. It includes tall grasses, wetlands, and a small beach to enjoy. You can also walk 1.75 miles of trails and see wildlife, including waterfowl, along the way at this preserve.

Contact us if you'd like to see Nassau County homes for sale or Suffolk County homes for sale. We can help you find one that's near the destinations you'll most enjoy. 

Moving your home isn't as easy as hiring professional movers, and voila, everything is done. No matter how competent the movers are, there are still several tasks to take care of before the crew makes an appearance on the scheduled moving day. Our REALTORS® know that starting the moving preparations well in advance can give your moving adventure considerable momentum and make for a pleasant experience. Following are the top five things you still need to do before the moving company arrives.

1. Declutter, Clean, and Organize
   Let's not drag dust, dirt, and unused items from your old home to your new one. Before moving day, unplug and clean electrical appliances, remove batteries from devices, empty drawers, bookshelves, and cupboards, wash and dry clothes and linens, throw out garbage and wash trash cans, drain the fuel out of any-fuel powered tools, and wipe surfaces clean. Pre-pack small and valuable items to ensure they don't go missing during the move. Also, go through your things and set aside items you haven't used in the past year. Give some to close friends and family members, have a yard sale, donate to charity organizations, or get rid of worthless stuff. This will lighten the load and cut your moving costs considerably.
   
   
2. Establish a No-Pack Zone
   Before movers arrive, take all the items that you don't want your movers to pack or load on the truck into a separate room. These items include valuables of all kinds, essentials boxes, personal documents, and small electronic devices of crucial importance. Just to be safe, mark that room as a no-pack or no-entry zone and consider locking it. If you can't afford to spare an entire room for such items, cordon off one section of a room and make it identifiable as a no-pack zone. Also, be sure to mark any household items that won't be relocated to your new home.
   
   
3. Plan for Kids and Pets
   As movers march in and out of your house, carrying furniture and heavy boxes, the conditions in your home will be downright dangerous for your pets and kids. They could be trapped, stepped on, injured, or crushed in the commotion. Their routine will be disturbed, and they may get scared or upset by the activities and new faces. Your furry family members could also slip out through an open door. As such, it's important to leave your pets and small kids with a relative, close friend, or a sitter. That way, you won't have to constantly keep an eye on your curious toddler or snoopy dog and will be able to focus on the urgent matters at hand.
   
   
4. Prepare Your Home for the Movers
   You want to make sure the movers can easily maneuver your items around and leave your home in good condition. Cover floors, carpets, stairs, and walls with protective materials, place doormats in front of entrances, take decorations from the wall, add foam padding to your door frames, and use corner guards to prevent denting or chipping. You should also check your rugs and floors for anything that could be hazardous during the move, like slack or bunched carpeting or loose floorboards. Also, measure all doorways and hallways that your appliances, furniture, and other large items will pass through to ensure they will fit. You may have to remove trim or take doors off of their hinges to make spaces wider.
   
   
5. Inventory All Your Possessions
   Keep an itemized checklist of everything you're moving. This will serve as proof of the contents of your household shipment if something goes missing or gets damaged during the move. It's a good idea to take photos of expensive items to prove their condition before they're loaded on the moving truck. After packing, make sure to label each box based on its corresponding room in your new home. This will make unpacking easier.

Ready to put your house on the market among Nassau County homes for sale or Suffolk County homes for sale? We encourage you to contact us and find out how we can help.

You've probably heard this before, but a contractor can make or break your remodeling or home addition project. Finding the right contractor will determine the timeliness and quality of work, and the amount of financial and emotional stress you'll have to deal with. Before paying thousands of dollars for the job, you'll want to carefully screen potential contractors and make sure they know what they're doing. Our REALTORS® have collated a list of questions to ask before you hire a contractor.

• How Long Have You Been Working in This Town?
  When hiring a contractor, you want to know how much experience they have and how long they've been working in your local area. A contractor who has been around the block for a few years is more likely to have a proven track record. They're a safer bet than a contractor planning to commute to your home from 50 miles away.
  
  
• Are You a Licensed Contractor?
  Licensing is an important element in the construction industry. A licensed contractor will have extensive knowledge about local building laws, follow proper safety guidelines, and complete your work on time. If you hire an unlicensed contractor, they may disappear after doing half the work, and you'll be on your own when it comes to resolving the issue. And it's not just important to have a license; you want to make sure it's applicable to the types of project you're looking to have completed.
  
  
• Are You Insured?
  In response to this question, you want to hear that the contractor has general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance. The last thing you need is to pay for repairs when a worker hits a water line and floods your house or pay for the medical expenses of a worker who got injured while working on your property. Ask to see a copy of the contractor's insurance policy to ascertain that they have insurance, and it's enough to cover your home if things go sour.
  
  
• How Long Will the Remodeling Take?
  An experienced contractor should give you a projected timeline for the completion of the project. But it's also worth noting that construction isn't always cut and dry. Behind existing walls or floors might be hidden damage or problems that call for additional work. Ask your contractor about the possibility of delays and how necessary changes to the timeline will be addressed.
  
  
• Would You Itemize Your Bid?
  There are so many things to keep track of during a remodel. Some contractors will give you a bottom-line quote for your project, but this will leave you in the dark about payment breakdown for each aspect of the job. You'll stay saner and more secure if you're given an itemized bid that shows the cost for all elements of the job. Also, make sure you discuss the payment terms before the work begins. Do not pay a large sum of money upfront.
  
  
• Got References?
  Speaking to past clients and gathering their input is one of the best ways to find out about a contractor's work. Call and ask questions about the contractor's quality of work, adherence to budget and timeline, ease of communication, willingness to fix projects after the project is completed, and how they keep the work area clean.
  
  
• Who Will be Doing the Work?
  Ideally, the contractor should handle the entire project with just their own crew. You'll want to know if the same team will be working on your home each day and whether the contractor works with subcontractors. Find out if they've had their background checked and covered by the contractor's workers' comp and liability insurance. Don't forget to ask about site-management and the point of contact between you and the company.

This is not an all-encompassing list, but it will help you get the conversation started. Remodeling your home or building an addition can make your home a more enjoyable place to live. And if you decide to add your home to the pool of Nassau County homes for sale or Suffolk homes for sale, the right improvements can really separate your home in the market. Contact us today to learn more.

What's the best thing to do when you settle into a new house? If you are like our REALTORS®, you will fall into your favorite chair and pick up a book to relax. With National Library Week scheduled for April 4-10, there is plenty of time to browse the local libraries' shelves for the perfect book to read. 

Suffolk County Libraries

• Commack Public Library - 18 Hauppauge Rd., Commack, NY 11725
  Located in the heart of Huntington near Commack homes for sale, the Commack Public Library is a great place to kick up your heels and dig into a delicious book. It's the perfect place to find books about decorating, how-to-repairs, and much more.
  
  
• Huntington Public Library - 338 Main St., Huntington, NY 11743
  Hunting for the perfect book is easy at the Huntington Public Library, conveniently located near these Huntington homes for sale. The library holds a vast selection of children's books, classics, how-to books, and so much more. All you have to do is decide which ones pique your interest the most.
  
  
• Port Jefferson Free Library - 100 Thompson St., Port Jefferson, NY 11777-1897
  After buying any of the fabulous Suffolk County homes for sale, the favorite word of most new homeowners is "free!" At the Port Jefferson Free Library, you'll find plenty of books and other media that won't cost you a dime. Well, unless you bring them back late. 

Nassau County Libraries

• Floral Park Public Library - 17 Caroline Pl., Floral Park, NY 11001
  The Floral Park Library is ideal for finding a book and enjoying some beautiful scenery when you're done looking at Floral Park homes for sale. The library features a broad selection of children's books, how-to books, teen books, and books for every interest and desire.
  
  
• Hewlett - Woodmere Public Library - 1125 Broadway, Hewlett, NY 11557
  The Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library is a regional favorite. Their vast collection of books is one of the best in the region. The library also offers a busy social calendar packed with classes and activities, and it's easy to see why so many families enjoy spending time here after they find the perfect Hewlett homes for sale to move into.
  
  
• Manhasset Public Library - 30 Onderdonk Avenue, Manhasset, NY 11030
  Searching for Nassau County homes for sale can be exhausting. When you want to catch your breath, stop by the stately Manhasset Public Library. You will find friendly service and helpful librarians who can cater to every interest you can imagine. 

Notes About Library Visits

Pandemic protocols are in place at every library in Suffolk and Nassau counties. This means libraries may close, may limit access, and may request visitors limit the duration of their visits. For the time being, it's advisable to call ahead to make sure the library is open. And, what if you don't feel like driving in? No problem, because most are offering home delivery services! 

It is also tax season, and many libraries are offering community tax clinics from now through mid-April. This may increase foot traffic and limit access. However, it's also a great opportunity to ask those last-minute tax questions you may have. 

We invite you to contact us when you are ready to learn more about the homes we have for sale. It's our pleasure to tell you more about the communities we serve and help you find the perfect home for you and your family.