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Trust Is Everything

I've always been a trusting person. Unless my instincts kick in telling me not to trust someone, I trust until I'm given a reason not to. I also trust and listen to that inner voice that is there to protect me.

But, when someone betrays my trust, it will be a very long time for me to trust them again if ever.

When someone hires me to help them sell and/or buy a home, they obviously trust me. It's a blessing to be trusted by a stranger. I mean, I'm handling their largest assets and here I am, a stranger to them, and they trust me from the get-go 100%. How amazing is that?!?! My job is to take great care of my clients and customers and I would never break that trust we have between each other.

I trust every agent that is in my office. I have never been given a reason not to. Are there any agents outside my office that I do not trust? Yes and only one. That is pretty good considering there are a lot of agents in my area so not trusting one says a lot about the other agents that I do trust. The majority of agents are good, kind, caring, very hardworking and can be trusted.

Six years ago, a friend of mine was identity thieved by a long time mutual friend. $25,000 was stolen by credit cards my friend never opened. I had to help her file police reports on four cards and in about a year, it was all cleared up and off of her credit report with all three credit bureaus. Her and I were both devastated that this other friend could do this! This other "friend" denied, denied, denied. So heartbreaking to say the least. We both felt "cheated" on. Cried every day for months. Never getting an answer to "why" was frustrating. Needless to say, this friend is gone from both of our lives. Even if this person wasn't out of the picture, I could never trust them again. Not being able to trust someone and feeling on guard is not a good feeling at all.

At the end of the day, as long as I am trusted and I can trust back, it's all good.

This post is a submission to the ActiveRain / Adobe EchoSign Trust Contest. I could possibly win a prize. You can find out about the contest by clicking here

Elephants Are People Too - Lola The Baby Elephant

Lola the baby elephant helped me learn something: Elephants grieve just like we do.

Lola passed away from a blood clot embolism in her heart. She was supposed to have surgery but obviously didn't make it that far. Lola was three months old.

When you look at the photo to the right, you can see the grief in the elephants' eyes. The mood is one of somber and loss. Elephants normally look like they are happy but in this photo you know the sadness is there.

When us humans lose someone we love and care deeply about, it shows in our eyes and faces. Grieving is a long process and I wonder if it's the same with elephants? Lola's Mom is 22 years old. Will she feel the effects of losing her baby for as long as she lives like we would? I guess time will tell.

Thank you Lola for teaching me that elephants are people too! Rest In Peace little girl.

***Photo Courtesy of The Huffington Post***

What Is The Average 2 Family Home Worth In Babylon NY?

This was a question asked of me today via email. It is a great question but the answer isn't cut and dry.

Babylon NY has an eclectic mix of homes. There are new construction, historic, waterfront, bay front, etc. Location and condition also matter as always.

I did a search of sold 2 family homes in Babylon NY in the Babylon Village School District since January, 2011 and here are the results:

Four, 2 family homes closed in 2011. The average sold price: $615,500 that number is skewed because this home is in the mix: 55 The Crescent - Babylon NY

What a beauty!

But, million dollar homes do not sell regularly in Babylon NY. So, when I take that home out, the average 2 family home in Babylon NY sold for: $395,667 with an average of 67 days on the market.

Again, it all depends upon the home's condition, location, type of home, bedroom and room count, property size, basement or no basement. The list is almost endless.

The best way to find out what your Babylon NY 2 family home is worth, you need a Market Analysis from a Realtor(R). In case you haven't figured it out, that would be me!

Is Your Long Island Realtor® Breaking The Law?

Please keep in mind that most Long Island Realtors® do not break the law. The few that do, make the rest of us look bad and I am so done with it!

Over the past few weeks, I'm being told from other Long Island Realtors® that pursue expired listings that the homeowners have told them they re-listed with their "current" agent. The Realtors® show the homeowner the expired listing and in our MLS and it doesn't state the home is back on the market. What form did they sign in order to put the home back on the market?

NOTHING the homeowners are telling my fellow Realtors®

These homeowners have not signed any paperwork stating that they wanted the home back on the market with their "current" Realtor®.

So, how is the home being placed back on the market in our MLS without the homeowner's permission you ask? It's simple. These Realtors® are breaking the law.

In order to extend the listing before it expires, the form below has to be signed as per the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island:

Take a look at #2: Expiration Date of Listing Agreement is amended to: the date the listing will expire will be placed on the line to the right. Then at the bottom it states you are entitled to a copy of said Listing Agreement Amendment.

Report of Change for Listings for Long Island Realtors

If the listing expired, a new Listing Agreement and corresponding paperwork needs to be completed.

If you discover your home is back on the market and you didn't want it to be, call the Realtors® Broker. Some homeowners feel there is nothing they can do but there is. The choice to do something about it is yours.

West Babylon NY Housing Market 2011

Overall, the West Babylon NY housing market saw a 0.34% increase in the median sales price since January 2011. Let's look at the West Babylon NY housing market since January 2007:

2007 - 12.63% decrease
2008 - 16.04% decrease
2009 - 1.67% increase
2010 - 4.67% decrease
2011 - 0.35% increase

Since January 2007 to December 2011, the West Babylon NY housing market decreased by 31.06%.

The West Babylon NY housing market saw the worst in 2008 with a 16.04% decrease and saw the best in 2010 with a 4.67% increase.

Since the quarterly median sales prices of 2011 stayed fairly tight, I'm hoping that 2012 will be the year for stabilization for the West Babylon NY housing market. When stabilization occurs, it will stay that way for a while. Do not expect a sellers market in 2012.

West Babylon NY Buyer Activity:
2011: 107 homes sold. 16 of them were short sales.
2010: 119 homes sold. 13 of them were short sales.
2009: 133 homes sold. 8 of them were short sales.
2008: 101 homes sold. No short sale homes sold in 2008.
2007: 131 homes sold. No short sale homes sold in 2007.

When I show homeowners this data, they realize the West Babylon NY housing market isn't "bad". When you watch the news, they report about the real estate market nationally. Real estate is local and always will be.

Women, Men and Downsizing

Last year I listed a 55 & Over condo in Lindenhurst NY. The couples that came to my open houses and called to preview the home taught me one thing: Men and Women feel differently about downsizing.

Men: They could have moved last week.
Women: On the fence about moving.

Why?

Men: They are tired of mowing the lawn and shoveling snow.
Women: They raised their kids in their home, there are special memories in every room of the house, more closet space, larger kitchen for food prep and cooking, love their flower and vegetable gardens, more privacy from neighbors, no stairs (most owned a one-level ranch), overall living space.

Being a woman, I understand how the women feel. The "man" side of me sees the men's point of view. My husband and I moved from a 2 bedroom co-op apartment to a 2 bedroom townhouse almost 5 years ago. We needed more room and a full basement. Both of us didn't want to spend our time mowing a lawn and shoveling snow. I wanted a larger kitchen and closet space. Not too big and not too small living space-wise. Since it's a HOA, we have landscaping service and snow removal service. We got lucky and found our "perfect" home. For us it was a move-up with downsizing elements.

But, not all buyers who are looking to downsize will not be as lucky as us. It will be a wait to get the kind of space we have unless they want to go at least 30 minutes East on Long Island. Or, Nassau County where condos/townhomes are more expensive and not as much space.

The advice I give to the men: Be patient, she will come around. It's going to take time. Downsizing is very emotional to women.

My advice to the women: No matter where you go, your memories are a part of you. When you move, the memories go with you. Nothing can take that away. As far as living and closet space, either wait it out for "the one" or learn to downsize your home now to get you emotionally & mentally prepared. Whatever you do not use, donate or give things away to family and friends.

Lindenhurst NY Kindergarten Registration 2012-2013 School Year

Kindergarten registration for Lindenhurst NY Kindergarten students starts on February 1st, 2012 through February 16th, 2012

Children must turn 5 years old on or before December 1st, 2012 in order to be enrolled for this coming school year.

You need to pick up a registration packet at the McKenna Administration Building at 350 Daniel Street, Lindenhurst NY. Or you can pick up a packet at any of the elementary schools in Lindenhurst NY. All information in the packet must be 100% completed along with the proper documentation or you will have to go back a second time.

Lindenhurst NY Kindergarten Registration Dates & Time:

Albany Avenue Elementary - 2/1 & 2/8 - 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Alleghany Avenue Elementary - 2/2 & 2/9 - 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Daniel Street Elementary - 2/3 & 2/10 - 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Harding Avenue Elementary - 2/6 & 2/13 - 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
West Gates Elementary - 2/7 & 2/14 - 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Will Rall Elementary - 2/9 & 2/16 - 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

If you are unsure which school your child will go to, call the Central Registration Office: (631) 867-3055

There will also be two evenings that are for "Appointment Only":
Wednesday, February 8th and February 15th from 4:00 to 8 p.m.
To schedule an appointment for one of these evenings, call the Central Registration Office: (631) 867-3055
These time slots are limited and do fill up quickly.

Good Luck!

Babylon Village Housing Market For 2011 - Median Sales Price History Since 2007

Overall, the Babylon Village housing market is up 4.65% since the first quarter of 2007.

From January 2011 to December 2011, the Babylon Village housing market is down 3.01%. That is not bad at all. Some towns within the Town of Babylon are down by 6% and higher.

2011 didn't fluctuate all that much for Babylon Village. If the quarterly numbers stay fairly tight, then maybe 2012 will be the year for stability for the Babylon Village housing market. Babylon Village will see a seller's market quicker than other towns within the Town of Babylon. That probably won't happen for a few years though.

56 homes sold in 2011 in Babylon Village. Sold prices range from $200,000 to $1,275,000. The median sold price: $459,000. List price to sold price ratio average: 5.49%. Average property taxes: $12,879. Average days on the market: 109

Every quarter I update the chart so come back in the beginning of April to get the first quarter stats for the Babylon Village housing market!

Lindenhurst NY 2011 Housing Market - What A Year It's Been!

Overall, the Lindenhurst NY housing market saw a 4.14% decrease in the median sales price since January 2011. Let's look at the Lindenhurst NY housing market since January 2007:

2007 - 0.67% decrease
2008 - 8.38% decrease
2009 - 1.27% decrease
2010 - 5.67% increase
2011 - 4.14% decrease

Since January 2007 to December 2011, the Lindenhurst NY housing market decreased by 22.23%.

The Lindenhurst NY housing market saw the worst in 2008 and saw the best in 2010.

Since the quarterly median sales prices of 2011 stayed fairly tight, I'm hoping that 2012 will be the year for stabilization for the Lindenhurt NY housing market. When stabilization occurs, it will stay that way for a while. Do not expect a full blown sellers market in 2012.

Lindenhurst NY Buyer Activity History:

The chart below represents how many buyers bought homes since 1992. 2004 and 2005 had more homes sold than any other year. That was the market boom. 2008 through 2011 has been fairly steady since 2007.

As you can see, buyers are buying and they should. Mortgage rates are at historic lows as well as housing prices. If you have the money, buy now is all I can say because mortgage rates will go up again and so will housing prices. Long Island is not in economic ruins like some part of the United States and we do not rely on one particular industry or anyother industry for that matter. All I know is the stores were crowded as usual this past holiday season!

As you can see from the chart below we are at 1992 buying activity. I bought my first house in 1993 for $129,990. It was a 3 bedroom ranch and had 7 rooms with a full, half finished basement and no garage.

Here is a kick in the pants for ya: Back then it took 5 months to close on a home and that was having no major issues. Now it's around 2 months. It's amazing how real estate has changed over the years!

Lindenhurst NY Short Sale For Sale - 29 Knoll Street Lindenhurst NY 11757 - $225,000

This Lindenhurst NY short sale is an 11 room, 4 bedroom Colonial with only 1 mortgage! The bank wants a buyer asap! The initial paperwork to start this short sale has been completed.

1st Floor Layout:
Large Eat-In Kitchen, Dining Room, Living Room, Family Room, Master Bedroom with a huge closet, and a full bath.

2nd Floor Layout:
Three bedrooms, 2 full baths, Eat-In Kitchen and Living Room.

There is a pull down attic and a 1 car attached garage. Property size is
75 x 100 (7500 square feet).

There is a free-standing screen house in the backyard.

Town Taxes with Star Program: $10,968.97
Village Taxes: $1,930.72
The town taxes should have no problem being grieved since they have the market value a lot higher then it should be.

*****Home Needs Work!***** Being Sold As-Is! - 203K loan or cash!

Call me today to see this home! (631) 703-0201

View Lindenhurst NY Short Sale For Sale 29 Knoll Street Lindenhurst NY 11757 in a larger map