10 Ways to prepare for HOMEOWNERSHIP:

1. Decide what you can afford: Generally,you can afford a home equal in value to between two and three times your gross income.

2. Develop your home wish list. Then, prioritize the features on your list.

3. Select where you want to live: Compile a list of three of four neighborhoods you'd like to live in, taking into account items such as schools, recreational facilities, area expansion plans. and safety.

4. Start saving Do you have enough money saved to qualify for a mortgage and cover the down payment? Ideally,you should have 20 percent to the purchase price saved as a down payment. Also, don't forget to factor in closing costs. Closing costs-including taxes,attorney's fee,and transfer fees-average between 2 to 7 percent of the home price.

5. Get your credit in order: Obtain a copy of your credit report to make sure it is accurate and to correct any errors immediately. A credit report provides a history of your credit, bad debts, and late payments.

6. Determine your mortgage qualifications: How large of mortgage do you quality for? Also,explore different loan options-such as 30 year or 15 year- fixed mortgages or ARMs- and decide what's best for your.

7 Get Pre-approved: Organize all the documentation a lender will need to pre-approve you for a loan.

8. Weigh other sources of help with a down payment: Do you qualify for any special mortgage or down payment assistance programs?

9. Calculate the costs of homeownership: this should include property taxes,insurance, maintenance and utilities. if needed.

10 Contact a REALTOR : Who can guide you through the process of buying that home.

When your ready to buy your home, I can help you along each step and make your experience awesome. Just give me a call or email me. 

Tell us why your Neighborhood is a GREAT PLACE to live:

What makes your neighborhood the best place to live.Well this is your time to make your neighborhood shine just tell the whole country what makes your hometown a great place to visit. The White House Twitter account is seeking tweets from residents across the country that answers the question: What makes your city or town a great place to visit? Tell the@WhiteHouse account why your town is so fantastic and end your tweet with #VisitUS.

I can’t wait to read all your tweets and please make sure you tweet me too.

Let me tell you about Half Hollow Hills Neighborhood: What makes this place so special?

 We are only 45 minutes from NY city and we have the best of both worlds, the city and also the suburbs. Many people love Half Hollow Hills- the schools, friendly neighbors, and all great restaurants for a night out. It's the place to be if your looking for affordable homes and award winning schools for the family. We'll have so much to do while your here. Whenever, your ready to take a look around the neighborhood just give me a call or email me.

I'm at your services.

10 Ways to make YOUR home SELL FASTER

If your looking to sell your home now just take a look at these TIPS on HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME FASTER. 

1. Create the feeling of a a spacious entry area by using decorative accents and removing unnecessary furniture.

2. Putty over and paint any nail holes or other mishaps in the walls.

3. Paint all interior walls a neutral color to brighten the home and make it look bigger.

4. Repair or replace any loose or damaged wallpaper.

5 Clean all light bulbs and light fixtures to brighten the home.

6. Wash all windows inside and out.

7. Use plants in transitional area of your home.

8. make the most of your attic's potential.

9. Remove and/or hide excess extension cords and exposed wires.

10. Open doors to area you want potential buyers to see such as walk-in closets, pantries,attics,etc.

when your ready to sell your home, just give me a call or email me so that I can help you get the most money for your home. 10 Ways to make YOUR home SELL FASTER



Donna Paul

What does 2012 has in store for you? HAPPY NEW YEAR>>>>

All about the community at UpperRoom Church in Dix Hills New York: After making the Turkey and the Ham,I had the opportunity to help today with preparing meals for the community. Every Thanksgiving and Christmas we gather together to help others who are in need of a hot meal . It was an awesome experience to give back to others.  We serve about 700 hot meals but it could never be done with out the voluteers from Wilson Tech and local Youth program and memebrs of Upper Room church that gave their time to make it happen.

Take a look at a few of the pictures  

Market Report for December 2011: Dix Hills/ Melville, New York

December 2011

Dix Hills, New York: 8 homes sold at an average price of $525,063 and sold in 99 days
Melville, New York in Half Hollow School District:  1 homes sold at an average price of $500,000 and sold in 50  days
Melville, New York in South Huntington School District: No homes sold during this month.

Compare November 2011:
Dix Hills, New York: 11 home sold at an average price of $817,482. and sold in 162 days.
Melville, New York in Half Hollow School District: 4 homes Sold $ 511,125 and sold in 181 days
Melville, New York in South Huntington School District: 2 homes sold $407,500 and sold







As you could see in December that less homes were sold at a lower average price because in the winter we have less inventory and everyone is getting ready for the Holiday season.
Info: MLSLI

Market Report for Dix Hills/ Melville New York:

November 2011:

Dix Hills, New York: 11 home sold at an average price of $817,482. and sold in 162 days.

Melville, New York in Half Hollow School District: 4 homes Sold $ 511,125 and sold in 181 days

Melville, New York in South Huntington School District: 2 homes sold $407,500 and sold in 23 days

Compare October 2011:

Dix Hills, New York: 15 homes sold at an average price of $607,767 and sold in 73 days

Melville, New York in Half Hollow School District:  4 homes sold at an average price of $491,000 and sold in 118 days

Melville, New York in South Huntington School District: 4 homes at an average price of $401,125 and sold in 70 days.

Summary: In Dix Hills: Less homes sold in November in comparison to October at a higher price but it took longer to sell these homes in November.

Melville in Half Hollow School District: Same amount of home sold at a higher price in November  but it took longer days on the Market in November too. 

Melville in South Huntington School District: less homes sold in November at a little higher price and it took less days to be sold in November 2011.

If your considering selling and want to know how much you could get for your home just give me call or email me.

One TOOL that is a must . It takes a lot to build a business but we can't build a business with out this tool. It needs to be created and updated often. This tool is a must not only for the new Realtor but for every Realtor. I think that you can't do business without it. It helps your to generate more leads and also helps you to keep track of your business.

You guess it. Its a Database. This tool is a must for all Realtors but If you're just starting out and you want to know what tool you need to build your business it's a DATABASE. Building your Database will help you to keep control of your business. This is a great way for you to know what and when your client needs your services . Once you have a client's name and information and what they are looking for, its best to put  them in your DATABASE . Not everyone you meet now has a Real Estate need NOW but you still need somewhere to keep their information.

 One person may be on your A, B or C list.  A list:  Are clients who are ready to buy or sell within a month. B list: Clients who are looking or considering to buy or sell within 3 to 6 months. C list: clients who not sure what they want to do yet but don't forget them, still keep in contact with them now and then. During the Holidays(Easter, Summer, Christmas) is a great time to give them a call.  So build your DATABASE and then you will see your Business grow. One tool that is a MUST... a DATABASE.

Photo courtesy of : gnizr

10 east ways to MAKE your home sell FASTER- part 1:

1. Open the draperies, pull up the SHADES, and the let in the SUNLIGHT.

2. Create a positive moon. Turn on all lights, day or night, and install higher wattage light bulbs to show your home brightly.

3 Remove clutter from each room to visually enlarge them.

4. If you have a fireplace, highlight it in your decorating.

5. Keep your home dusted and vacummed at all times.

6. Replace the carpet if it does not clean up well.

7. Have a family " game Plan' to get the home in order quickly if necessary.

8. Air it out your home for one-half hour before showing, if possible.

9. Put FAMILY Photos in storage.

10. Improve traffic flow through every room by removing unnecessary furniture.

These suggestions are ideas are here to help you to improve the apperance and help your to SELL your HOME faster!!!

When you are ready to sell your HOME just give me a call 516 343 0728 or email me at dpaul@kw.com