A short sale is a real estate sale by a party in financial distress, who owes the bank more than the property is worth.  The sale is for an amount lower than that owed to the bank, and the terms and conditions of the transaction muxt meet with the banks approval before the sale can take place.  With that being said, if you your homeowner has been barely making the mortgage payments and are hanging on by a thread a short sale may be a option for them.  Homeowners do not have to be behind in their payments.  Most bank will accept the short sale even if homeowners are keeping up with payments.  Some sellers owe more than what their home is worth.  It just doesn't make sense to them anymore.  I feel bad because each month they are so stressed with making the mortgage payments knowing they w... 02/27/2008

melaniemazzeo.listingbook.comListing Book is a powerful and resourceful tool used by my sellers and buyers to stay on top of the current market conditions in their neighborhood.  By using Lisitngbook they can see what homes are selling for in their neighborhood, keep on top of the price reductions, and view comprehensive marketing reports!   For Buyers:  They can search properties, edit their own criteria, look for Open houses, pick their favorites, exclude homes they do not like...We are able to view what they choose as their favorites and if they choose other towns to look in.  If they change the type of home, for example we as agents are notified. As an agent this enables us to give outstanding customer service and we are able to stay on top of what they want in their dream home.  I ... 02/27/2008

I use the personal Video tours on my listing presentations and have had a great response.  Sellers always ask to see them.  They ask how it is done and they see how it can show case their property so much better than the mundane 360 virtual tours.  This listing I have has beach and mooring rights.  There is now a way for us as Realtors to get the same effect as we do with the personal video tour.  The company films the beach and water with the sounds of the water rippling and seagulls in the background.  I have had Realtors call me for information on the personal tour wanting to know how they can do it to.  Its a great marketing piece when going on listing presentations, and buyers love it too!  I was one of the fist Realtors in my area to introduce this to the market and my college has... 01/21/2008

Okay, I drove a top model Lexus for 3 years...went on to an S Type Jag for a year and a half, but am now the proud Mom of 40 MPG!!!!!  Check out this 6 on the floor little dynamo that buzzes down the streets like the other cars are standing still!   Aside from the phenominal gas mileage and great handling (and adorableness) once the license plates go vain and the door wraps are on...my marketing visibility should skyrocket!!!! If you are not having fun...you aren't doing it right!    01/19/2008

My Husband, kids and I moved to Huntington in April of 1995 from Syosset NY (Nassau County) and as muc has we loved Syosset, we have found a real home in Huntington.Huntington Village is like being in Manhattan; fine restaurants, ethnic eating, cultural and arts centers, classy shopping, fantastic park and very family oriented.  We are along the Long Island Sound and I love to hop a fishing boat on Friday mornings and catch our dinner.  There are biking and hiking trails and activities going on at all times.  If you get a chance, get out to the Huntington Fall Festival early October every year...it's amazing!Huntington is a town located off the North Shore of Long Island, just east of the county line. The Town was settled in 1653 and is located in northwestern Suffolk County, New York. ... 11/16/2007

Jo-Ann Corretti is a very talented local Long Island artist.  Her work is creative and detail oriented.  She paints house portraits and Long Island Landscapes.  They make wonderful closing gifts and homeowners are touched when they receive an original painting of a home they are emotional attached to.  For Information on Jo-Ann's work and her showings please visit her web site  http://www.joanncorretti.com  11/01/2007

 It invariably comes up, it is only a matter of time. When I sit my clients down to do the initial interview during a Feng Shui Consultation, I often use some of the same questions. I want to know the history of the house or business, if known (for predecessor energy). I like to know how long they’ve lived there, if any major life events have happened there (illness, children) and whether they are experiencing any health issues. I always ask what areas in particular do they wish to focus on: it might be Career, Relationships, Wealth or a combination of issues they are experiencing. And then the question: Do you SEE, HEAR or FEEL anything in the house? I always hold my breath for a second and hope for a “no.” And don’t always get it. Not long after I graduated my Feng Shui studies in 199... 10/31/2007

Wondering what the "Middle Class Star Program"  Is?  How Can You Apply?  Do I qualify?  I have all of your answers! Click This Link For Info: http://www7.nystax.gov/SRLU/srluHome 10/18/2007

Home Inspections Long Island New York by Certified Home Inspector In Long Island NY,Farmingdale,long island ny.MY FULL HOME INSPECTION INCLUDES:* -Roof, chimney, flashing and trim-Skylights and other roof penetrations-Gutters, downspouts and vents-Siding, trim, windows and doors-Driveways, walkways, porches-Decks, patios, stoops and railings-Proper grading and drainage-Air conditioner compressors (temp. permitting)-Electrical service, exterior wires and meter box-Outdoor power receptacles-Basement, interior foundation and crawlspace-Exterior foundation and water penetration -Other structural components, columns, beams, posts-Heating systems-Cooling systems -Electrical systems and distribution panels-Grounding and bonding -Water heating systems -Plumbing fixtures and faucets-All visible ... 10/17/2007

All of my posts are about actual events with my clients.  This one is difficult to tell; it is long and it was a powerful lesson to me of something I had never seen or heard of before.  I have been thinking recently and reading  A New Blog: Haunted Real Estate   a post by Mary Pope_Handy       and have visited her website many times in the past http://www.hauntedhouses.com/ when I was researching something or trying to find information about a particular type of haunting.  I didn't know it was hers until recently and didn't know she was on Activerain.I did a Feng Shui consultation last year on a client who had a profound story to tell and the consultation has always left a very strong impact on me.  I tried to write an article about it, thinking it might help others but it never came ou... 07/10/2007

It's interesting to me that when client's think about the Feng Shui in their "Space," too often they forget about the outside and it's relationship to the things that are going on in their lives.  They immediately think about furniture placement, perhaps colors and other things indoors they may have heard or read about but rarely access their yards.  I was reminded of this during a recent Feng Shui Consultation in Huntington, Long Island, New York.A quick word about Huntington in Long Island.  It's a wonderful little town that is considered both quaint and progressive at the same time.  It is home to all forms of wholistic health, has wonderful bookstores (you can bring your dogs inside!), the best restaurants to eat and the streets are lively, even at night.  People are out and about a... 06/30/2007

I received a call today which got me thinking.  There is a common thread between all people on Activerain and that is the obvious; we are in and out of people's homes.  Over and over again, year after year.  The call was from a client I had done last summer and he didn't remember or have in his notes the color I had suggested for the office he was going to convert from a bedroom that was no longer needed.I wondered how I could possibly remember that and stopped and thought.  When I am in homes, I study them.  For different reasons then most of you, but we ALL study them:  for Real Estate Agents to help determine a price and the condition of the home, for home Stagers what would need to be done to have the home staged properly.  It's funny to me that I can often pass a client and not rec... 06/05/2007

Are we rushing too much?  Or is it just a bad attitude?Some things I don't understand and never will.  I have lived in this town for 30 years, shop and the same places, see the same people and no one greets me.  A simple "Hi, how are you today" would be such a nice thing to hear.  It's not just on occasion that they might be having a bad day, it's NEVER.  I don't know if they're unhappy with their jobs, having problems at home or just rushing too much but it seems to me to be more negativity then anything.A recent example is that about a year ago they opened a new restaurant on Main Street.  It had a great menu and wonderful food!  When I like a place, I'm a familiar face.  Several months ago they hired someone new and she is always there.  With a frown on.  She is barely polite, NEVER ... 06/01/2007

Every morning I have a habit of stopping into my neighborhood Deli for a 20 oz. Green Tea and 2 Hard-Boiled Eggs.  The last few mornings, I have noticed that a gentleman always comes in around the same time as I, and yesterday we shared a discussion about the virtues of bi-focal contact lenses vs. having reading glasses all over the house and in the car.This morning he arrived a few minutes after I, and we exchanged a ‘hello'.  He immediately asked me for a business card.  I guess that my surprised expression led him to quickly explain that he is a columnist for "Long Island Business News" and that he writes about Real Estate.  He said that he would like to contact me to discuss Home Staging with relation to the Real Estate market of today.  We agreed to talk more and went our separate ... 05/30/2007

I rarely have an interaction with Scientists--or Chemists.  Ok, I've actually NEVER had an interaction with them in any way.  My beliefs and theirs, I thought were VERY different.  If it can't be Proven by some scientific theory, then it is just fiction to them, a "new age" thought process that doesn't mean a thing.  And in many ways, I see their point.  I often have people say "PROVE it to me" and want things backed up with evidence; evidence I am unable to produce.  Would the testimonials PROVE anything to them?  Not a thing.About two months ago I was called to do a Feng Shui Consultation for a large company on Long Island.  I am keeping their name private.  They called because of several reasons but one of the owners had recently taken up Reiki; if you are familiar with it, a method ... 04/27/2007

Anyone who has gone onto http://www.classmates.com/ and reads the Message Boards, knows that "The Dinosaur", located on Spring Road in Huntington, is the subject of many posts.  Alumni who have moved away, quite frequently ask if the "Huntington Dinosaur" is still here.I began my research for this article at the Huntington Public Library.  I spoke to a Research Librarian over the phone a few weeks ago, who was excited to see what information they might have, and promised to call me back in a day or two.  When she reached me the following day, she was sorry to advise that the Library did not have any information on the subject and suggested that I contact the "Long Islander".  I decided to try the Town Historian and the Huntington Historical Society before calling the town newspaper. Nei... 04/10/2007