MARKET REPORT MERRICK, NY 11566 NOVEMBER, 2012 RESIDENTIAL/CO-OP This chart depicts residential and condo/co-op sales for the month of November in years 2010, 2011 and 2012. There were almost the same number of homes sold in November, 2012 as in November, 2010. There was one co-op sold in November, 2012. The current available inventory is 171 (down seasonally) and the current median list price is $549,721. We'll revisit each month to see how Merrick is faring. 12/11/2012

Annual Car Parade & Menorah Lighting in Merrick, NY 11566 Fire trucks and a limousine led the procession as we traveled from the Merrick Golf Course at 2550 Clubhouse Road to the gazebo at the Merrick LIRR to kindle a grand 12 foot menorah. Hot latkes, Coffee, Music, Dancing, Jelly Donuts, Chanukah treats and Dignitary Greetings were enjoyed by everyone. The Chanukah spirit lives on when we bring light to our modern lives. This year, we saw that light when New Yorkers banded together to do whatever was necessary to help themselves, family, friends, and neighbors recover from the wreckage left behind by superstorm Sandy. Happy Chanukah to all who celebrate!      12/09/2012

This is Merrick, New York - a vibrant community found in Nassau County on Long Island's South Shore. Manhattan is an easy 45 minute commute on the L.I.R.R. Nearby, we have water, greenery, bike trails, dog parks, shopping, houses of worship and award-winning schools. If you're interested in learning more about Merrick, give me a call and I'll be happy to act as your guide. 11/20/2012

MARKET REPORT  MERRICK, NY 11566 OCTOBER 2012 RESIDENTIAL This chart depicts residential and condo/co-op sales for the month of October in years 2010, 2011 and 2012. There were almost the same number of homes sold in October, 2012 as in October, 2010.  There was one co-op sold in October, 2012. The current available inventory is 183 (down by about 20 homes) and the median list price is $559,000 (up $10,000). We'll revisit each month to see how Merrick is faring. 11/17/2012

  Helpful Winterization Tips Have underground sprinklers blown out - one zone at a time to clear of moisture that can split/crack hoses and sprinkler heads Have fireplace flue cleaned Get annual furnace inspection Inspect roof for missing/broken shingles where water can enter Clean out leaves and debris from gutters Make sure downspouts are not blocked and drain far enough away from base of the house Remove screens and put up storm windowsCheck the caulking Fall cleanup of landscape Routine maintenance of seasonal equipment:    Store gardening tools Drain lawnmowers Replace old rakes and snow shovels Service snow blowers      Winterize car - check antifreeze, wiper blades, tire tread, windshield wiper fluid, Have dry gas, ice scrapers, sand on hand 11/10/2012

Election Day Polling Place Mishap 2012   Today, I cast my vote for President in the time-honored tradition of voting in the dark. Elections are routinely conducted this way, in Merrick, so we don't actually have to know who we've voted for. Seriously - while I was waiting on line, my polling place blew a fuse. Everyone stayed calm, remained in place and, immediately, reached for cell phones and flashlights to illuminate the room. Ten minutes later, it was business, as usual.     11/06/2012

MOTIVATING THE UNMOTIVATED - IS IT POSSIBLE? A gentleman called into Charles Rutenberg Realty and asked for the help of a sales agent to find a rental property. As I was next on the referral list, I was given the information. I promptly called the gentleman and we spoke about his search criteria. When I called again to discuss some residences that could potentially meet his needs and which we should arrange to visit, the call went to voice mail. That happened over and over again and, to this day, I have never received a call back from him. Two weeks later, however, we connected on the phone, once more, and I took the opportunity to ask this tenant if he was serious about this move or would he prefer that I abandon the search. "Perhaps, he had changed his mind or had decided to pursue th... 10/18/2012

MARKET REPORT  MERRICK, NY 11566 SEPTEMBER 2012 RESIDENTIAL This chart depicts residential and condo/co-op sales for the months of September in 2010, 2011 and 2012, There were more than twice as many homes sold in September, 2012 than in September, 2010.  There were no condo/co-ops sold in September 2012. The current available inventory is 201 and the median list price is $549,000. We'll revisit each month to see how Merrick is faring.     10/05/2012

MUSIC MONDAYS -  Edith Piaf - Non, je ne regrette rien (lyrics) Edith Piaf, 1915 - 1963 was a French icon and international superstar. Her difficult early years were lived on the streets and she later wrote ballads that reflected this period. At first, she was not welcomed in the U.S. but, later on, she appeared on the Ed Sullivan show numerous times as well as in Carnegie Hall. She led a tumultuous life and, unfortunately, had several near-fatal car crashes which led her to become addicted to drugs and alcohol as she tried to ease the pain. She died of liver cancer at age 47. This morning I woke up with Edith Piaf on my mind. Perhaps, as a source of inspiration, I couldn't wait to listen to this song. Here it is with the French lyrics and an approximate English translation   No, nothin... 09/23/2012

MARKET REPORT  MERRICK, NY 11566  AUGUST 2012 RESIDENTIAL CONDO/CO-OP   This chart depicts residential & condo/co-op sales for the months of August in 2010, 2011 and 2012, There were  twice as many homes sold in August, 2012 than in August, 2010.  There was one co-op sold in August 2012. The current available inventory is 210 and the median list price is $550,000. We'll revisit each month to see how Merrick is faring. 09/14/2012

Merrick, NY 11566 Norman J Levy Preserve - Same Time Next Year? About a year ago, I went out on a tour of the Norman J Levy Preserve with my newfound friends from the Atria Senior Living Community. Yesterday, we were out and about once more, enjoying a really beautiful, and not overly hot or humid, summer day. Check out the link below for last year's park and group pictures. Norman-J-Levy-Park-and-Preserve-Merrick-NY Along with the usual environmental sights that "Merrick Mountain" offers, we were treated to to the company of a wonderful guide, Ranger Bob, who is truly making the most of his retirement. The-Silver-Lining-Chronicles-Retirement-May-Translate-into-a-New-Beginning A while back, I wrote about how the senior years can translate into a new beginning. This is the time to turn y... 08/20/2012

"READING IN THE RAIN" - ACTIVERAIN BOOK CLUB - August 15, 2012 Where is it written that Brunch is best reserved for Sundays? How about a cup of Mocha (a cross between chocolate and coffee) to begin your day?   I'll have that refreshing glass of fresh squeezed orange juice, please.   Bagel with a schmear, anyone? Or is a spinach and mushroom omelet more your speed? an assortment of cheese... a fruit and chocolate platter...   Satiated? C'mon, just try a teeny bit of that scrumptious fruit danish.   Not another bite? Good!  so now, "Can we taWk "?  The Next Right Thing by Dan Barden Below are ten questions for you to think about. No need to answer all - just the one or two that have meaning for you. Even if you haven't read the book, we look forward to hearing what you think and benefitti... 08/14/2012

MARKET REPORT - MERRICK, NY 11566 - JULY 2012 RESIDENTIAL CONDO/CO-OP This chart depicts residential & condo/co-op sales for the months of July in 2010, 2011 and 2012, There were almost twice as many homes sold in July, 2012 than in July, 2010.  There were no condos/co-ops sold in July 2012. The current available inventory is 207 and the median list price is $549,000. We'll revisit each month to see how Merrick is faring. 08/13/2012

JUST LISTED: 2728 BEACH DRIVE, MERRICK, NY 11566 2728 Beach Drive Merrick, NY 11566 Affordable Split in Desirable South Merrick Home   Photo Gallery   Virtual Tour   Property Map   Payment Info   Request Showing     Jill Sackler   Office: 516-224-4696 Mobile: 516-395-8376 Price : $399,000 Bedrooms : 4 Bathrooms : 2 Lot Size : 6,500 Community : S. Merrick County : USA Property Type : Detached Year Built : 1953 MLS Number : 2516678 click for more information and pictures Property Description Desirable S. Merrick Address, Mid-block location, Fenced property, Large 2 level deck, Tremendous opportunity to own an affordable Merrick Split, Close to parks beaches & convenient to shopping &worship. Highly acclaimed Merrick-Bellmore SD: Lakeside Elem, Mams, Kennedy H.S. Equal Housing Opportunity.... 08/07/2012

ADORABLE CAT BEHAVIOR - video   If you follow my blog, you know that I'm really more of a dog than cat lover. I, never before, had the opportunity to bond with these quirky little felines. But for the next 10 days, my daughter and son-in-law are off on vacation, and guess who's minding the kitties? They're cute, in their own way, but very different as pets. You can't play with them in the same manner and their behavior is sometimes hard to interpret. Nevertheless, we're having a grand ole time getting to know each other. Even my Chloe, who's never met a person or animal that she doesn't love, is getting in on the fun. The only real work involved seems to be in aiming for an unsoiled litter box. I've been sifting three times a day and, still, it's never perfectly clean. Now, that's regul... 08/03/2012

MARKET REPORT - MERRICK, NY 11566 - JUNE 2012 RESIDENTIAL CONDO/CO-OP This chart depicts residential & condo/co-op sales for the months of June in 2010, 2011 and 2012,   There were 20 less properties sold in June, 2012 than in June, 2010. However, only 2 homes less in June, 2012 than June, 2011. The current available inventory is 213 and the median list price is $549,000. We'll revisit each month to see how Merrick is faring.             07/30/2012

CAN THE USE OF POETIC LICENSE HELP SELL REAL ESTATE? Wikipedia states:  Artistic license (also known as dramatic license, historical license, poetic license, narrative license, licentia poetica, or simply license) is a colloquial term, sometimes euphemism, used to denote the distortion of fact, alteration of the conventions of grammar or language, or rewording of pre-existing text made by an artist to improve a piece of art.   My phone rang while I was in the midst of running a personal errand. The word was out. The local agents had heard that I was looking for a particular style home to accommodate a multi-generational family. One such agent just wanted to let me know about the fabulous apartment that came as part of the home she had listed. "I had not yet seen it and would I be intere... 07/12/2012

Does ActiveRain Have a Shelf Life? We come to ActiveRain to build relationships, to learn from the best real estate professionals nationwide (and in Canada) and to get referrals. More and more, I've been reading that one or another of our dear friends has already left this platform or is considering doing so. I know, at some point, each one of us will ponder whether we want to continue blogging. My time to quit has not come yet. Does ActiveRain have a shelf life?  Is it even possible to go on posting about our chosen profession forever? Maybe, this is a good thing. Maybe abandoning one's ActiveRain blog means you have finally reached your goals. Maybe, your departure from ActiveRain means their SEO power has worked so well, you've taken over your little corner of the world and you're bu... 07/03/2012

MARKET REPORT - MERRICK, NY 11566 - MAY 2012 RESIDENTIAL As you can see from this chart depicting residential sales for the month of May in 2010, 2011 and 2012, prices for Merrick homes have continued to bounce around.  There were twice as many houses sold in May 2012 than in May of 2010. The current available inventory is 161 and the median list price is $565,000. We'll revisit each month to see how Merrick is faring. 06/29/2012

Multi-Generational Living's Comeback Cottages, capes, colonials and contemporaries - there are many different styles of homes and everyone has their favorite. When making a choice for our family, we may be attracted to a particular facade or interior feature and we're likely to spend a considerable amount of time pondering the layout that would best suit our purposes.  The Hi-Ranch - A style of home with its heydey around the 1970's. Recently, less popular among consumers because this style home requires climbing a flight of stairs to reach the front door and, once at the entry, going up or down another flight of stairs to arrive at living space. The many steps can pose a problem for the very young, the elderly or the disabled. They can also be difficult to maneuver if you are carrying ... 06/17/2012