vincent martinez: Learn How To Find Your Dream Home! - 08/20/08 12:06 AM
I'm confident you'll find your dream house at www.AllNYlistings.com .
When we do, I'll put together the purchase offer tailored for your needs including appropriate contingencies (such as obtaining financing, favorable home inspection, clear title, etc.).
The offer is normally presented with "earnest money". This is a cash deposit made … (0 comments)
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vincent martinez: American Gangster - Review - 11/10/07 12:12 AM
Before "Pablo Escobar" there was Frank Lucas. Based on a true story of Frank Lucas, a real-life heroin kingpin from Harlem who smuggled the drugs into the country in American service planes returning from the Vietnam War.
American Gangster, is destined to become a cult classic like "The Godfather" and "Scarface". … (21 comments)
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vincent martinez: Is It Time For A Tabletop Wine Opener? - 11/09/07 01:36 PM
The first time I used this opener I thought, "What a great opener - no more broken corks!" I've tried it only a few times, but so far it works great. Opening wine bottles has become a cinch... it uncorks with just a pull of the handle and the bottle can be … (15 comments)
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vincent martinez: "Jazz King's" Home is Now Museum in Corona Queens - 11/06/07 02:58 PM
Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong was born in one of New Orleans' poorest areas in 1901. At the age of 16 he left New Orleans and joined his first band in search of stardom. Since the 1920s, Queens has seen the arrival of many jazz artists, including Armstrong, Fats Waller, Ella Fitzgerald and … (9 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, Should I re-tile the bathroom before showing it to your buyers? - 11/03/07 08:09 PM
First off they're not my buyers, they're your buyers. While I agree that tile isn't cheap, there may be a way it that showroom shine and add some money to your bottom line.
Whether you're working on your home's seasonal deep clean, or planning to entertain guests, you know the amount … (4 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, Should I Update the Plumbing and Fixtures Before Listing? - 10/13/07 12:45 AM
I would say update depending on the condition of the plumbing and fixtures. It may just need to be polished up with a little bit of Brasso to give it that showroom shine (the fixtures of course).
There are several good reasons to make sure all of your plumbing and fixtures look … (16 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, How do I prepare my house for the sale? - 10/11/07 01:45 AM
After listing you're home with me, I will supply you with a complimentary 20 minute video from David Knox (a real estate superstar). I will also help you prepare your home and if staging is necessary I will be there for you to maximize your homes appeal with the use of … (2 comments)
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vincent martinez: Tips for better gas mileage - 10/09/07 10:39 PM
After having a chat with my mechanic Jerry Rosario, from the Mobil Gas Station on 69th St. and Queens Blvd. (Woodside, Queens), I decided to put these tips together for anyone who might be interested in saving a buck. His first piece of advice... buy a hybrid vehicle!
Unless you drive a hybrid car … (0 comments)
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vincent martinez: "TV Star" hails from Richmond Hill Queens - 10/03/07 10:04 PM
Jack Lord was born in Brooklyn, on December 20, 1920. He grew up at 97-25 125th Street in Morris Park, New York (now known as Richmond Hill, Queens).Most of us know him as Lt. Steve McGarrett on the series "Hawaii Five-O" (which I watched for years as a kid and you … (10 comments)
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vincent martinez: Find the cheapest gas station near you… right here!! - 10/02/07 10:24 PM
Gas prices change on a daily basis. I remember not to long ago (less than 10 years ago) it cost me about $20 to fill up my tank (My Ford Mystique). That's no longer the case, is it?? Today (if I still owned this vehicle) it would cost me anywhere from … (2 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, What questions should I ask when shopping for a mortgage professional? - 10/02/07 09:35 PM
Keep in mind the mortgage loan officer needs to get ALL the facts before giving you a good faith estimate. With all the recent changes in the mortgage industry taking place I would also want to make sure I was asking the right questions. Ask for points to be quoted to … (2 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, I'm a FSBO... What can you do that I can't?? - 10/01/07 11:06 PM
Besides a license to practice real estate, a thorough knowledge of the intricacies of putting the sale together, and the ability to put more money in your pocket than you could on your own (I have a dozen ways to do this, ask me how) I also have:
The right connections needed to … (54 comments)
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vincent martinez: Home Maintenance for the Fall Season (or monthly maintenance you decide) - 10/01/07 10:41 PM
Well, I can't believe another year has come and gone. Fall is here and winter is right around the corner. In New York City that means we need to do everything possible to remain warm and safe in our homes (our investment).
A key to protecting the investment you've made in your … (0 comments)
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vincent martinez: "Legendary Comics” lived in Richmond Hill, Queens N.Y. during the 1920's - 09/17/07 10:41 PM
The Marx Brothers were born in New York City during the late 1880's thru early 1900's.
The brothers finally began to gain popularity with their Broadway show performances after many years of struggling in New York City and traveling in Vaudeville. During this time in the early 1920's, The Marx Brtothers and … (10 comments)
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vincent martinez: The History of Woodhaven - 09/17/07 12:46 AM
Woodhaven was once known as Woodville, and is now home to a wealthy mix of middle to upper-class residents, mostly a middle-income neighborhood. Woodhaven began in the mid-1700s as a small town that revolved around farming. The first European settlements here were by the Suydam, Wyckoff, Ditmar, Lott, and the Snediker … (4 comments)
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vincent martinez: The History of Queens County - 09/16/07 03:06 PM
Originally, Queens County included the adjacent area now called Nassau County. It was one of twelve original counties created in 1683 for New York State. The borough of Queens was originally named after Catherine of Braganza, wife of King Charles II of England.
Queens played a role in the American Revolution, … (6 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, My home was revalued for tax purposes and I think it’s too high… What should I do? - 09/14/07 02:11 PM
Property values are bouncing around nationwide and many homeowners like you are getting stuck with increased property tax bills. But there are ways you can protect yourself if you think you've been overcharged. Establishing your home's true market value and proving that the value of the property is less than the … (2 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, How do I read the inspection report? - 09/13/07 11:32 PM
There are many styles of reports used by property inspectors, including the checklist, computer generated using inspection programs, and the narrative style.
Some reports are delivered on site and some may take as long as 4 - 6 days for delivery. All reporting systems have pros and cons.
The most important issue with … (0 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, I may not have enough for the Down Payment... What should I do? - 09/11/07 11:59 PM
Perhaps you should reconsider the home and choose from some other properties which would fit your budget (this home will be your stepping stone towards the house of your dreams).
The amount you have available for a down payment will affect what types of loans for which you can qualify. Down payments … (5 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, I found the house I like… What next? - 09/10/07 08:32 PM
The next obvious step would be to... buy it.
It is standard practice to make a purchase offer contingent upon obtaining a mortgage. Because of this contingency, the seller will want the details of your financing plan included in the offer.
Down PaymentIn the purchase offer, we will include the down payment … (4 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, What should I know before I look at my first house? - 09/09/07 11:05 PM
Experienced home buyers know that one of the first-steps in beginning a successful search for a new house is taking a hard, objective look at finances. Determining how much money you can dedicate to the purchase of your new house affects almost every aspect of buying a new home - including … (2 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, Can my home be tested for mold? - 09/09/07 12:31 AM
ABSOLUTELY!!!
The first thing to understand about mold is that there is a little mold everywhere - indoors and outdoors. It's in the air and can be found on plants, foods, dry leaves, and other organic materials.
It's very common to find molds in homes and buildings. After all, molds grow naturally indoors. … (4 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, what is PMI? - 09/08/07 12:25 AM
PMI, also known as Private Mortgage Insurance, is a supplemental insurance policy you may pay for to protect your mortgage lender in the event of your default. PMI is provided by private (non-government) companies and is usually required when your loan-to-value ratio (the amount of your mortgage loan divided by the … (0 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, What should I expect from “most agents”? - 09/06/07 11:26 PM
Most agents make it a point to tell you that they're the smartest real estate professional ever. But where is all of the info to back it up? I would rather give you all the information you need to make an informed decision when it comes to buying or selling your … (2 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, What questions should I ask a REALTOR® before I list my property? - 09/06/07 06:33 AM
Let me start by saying... Don't be afraid to ask the questions. It's your right to know. Not every REALTOR® works the same, or has the same level of energy or expertise. Start by asking these simple questions:
How will you market my home? How many people are likely to see the … (3 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, I’m a First-time Homebuyer, what can you do for me? - 09/05/07 10:59 AM
Your decision to buy a home is both a sound financial decision and a commendable achievement. As your real estate agent I will . . .
Work at no cost to you!Lead you through every step of the exciting home buying process.Will help you define your "wish list" of features you want … (0 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, I'm buying and selling and I don't want to get stuck with two mortgages, any advice? - 09/04/07 12:09 AM
In a perfect world, you sell your old home and buy the new one on the same day. Given that things rarely turn out perfectly, here are some things to keep in mind as we negotiate the sale of one house with the purchase of another.Time it right (This step can … (0 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, Which home improvements give the best paybacks? - 09/03/07 12:00 PM
If you're thinking about remodeling your kitchen, or finishing your basement, you probably want to get your investment back when you sell your home. But when it comes to payback value of home improvements, some are definitely more profitable than others. As a general rule, kitchen and bathroom projects usually get a … (2 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, How can I buy a bank owned property? - 09/03/07 12:12 AM
There is a lot of interest in buying bank owned properties these days. A lot of information, some good and some bad, is floating around about the subject. Often the information offered is for sale, with the promise that you can make a lot of money with little effort once you … (2 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, How can I add curb appeal to my home? - 09/01/07 06:20 PM
This is where we could potentially lose prospective buyers (or get to choose from the best ones)... So let's make the home as attractive as possible from the outside so more people want to go inside. Follow these simple suggestions, most of them will cost nothing and bring in a HUGE … (2 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, My ARM is about to adjust... WHAT SHOULD I DO? - 08/29/07 09:41 PM
As home prices started to soar about five years ago, many buyers took advantage of low-rate ARMs just to get a foot in the door. At the same time, mortgage rates were flirting with historic lows, and lenders began offering more interest-only loans and option ARMs, which allow borrowers to make … (3 comments)
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vincent martinez: Tax Deductions and Home Ownership go Hand-in-Hand... - 08/29/07 09:08 AM
If you've purchased, sold or refinanced your home in the past year, tax season is the best time to reap the benefits of being a homeowner! Take advantage of some of these tax breaks today and you could enjoy a bigger return EVERY April!
Mortgage Interest. For most homeowners, the bulk of … (5 comments)
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vincent martinez: Turn Your Lawn into Masterpiece - 08/28/07 06:15 PM
Cultivating lush, green grass can be a challenge for anyone and preparation and maintenance are the keys to success. Below are some secrets to a beautiful, healthy lawn.
Prepare. Rake up any leaves or debris.
Inspect. Check for soil compaction - areas where water stands but doesn't sink in, fertilized grass doesn't … (3 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, How do I set a sales price for my home? - 08/27/07 10:32 PM
Before we set the sales price of your house, I'll run a Highest Price Analysis that will show the listing price of similar houses in the area as well as the prices at which the houses actually sold. Additionally, the analysis will give us information about houses currently on the market … (0 comments)
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vincent martinez: Gardening Tips for Sellers - 08/27/07 12:57 AM
If you're thinking of putting your home on the market you should consider adding a little curb appeal by sprucing up your garden. It's a very easy and very cost effective way to assure that more of those people looking at your house (potential buyers) give you their best offers. Here … (9 comments)
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vincent martinez: Queens Catholic Schools - 08/26/07 11:38 AM
Here's a list of catholic schools throughout Queens, New York. I've highlighted the towns in bold letters to make easier to find a catholic school nearest to you... hope this helps you find the school you're looking for. If I missed any please email me so I could update and include it.
Blessed … (2 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, Does Feng Shui really work? - 08/25/07 04:26 PM
Queens, NY is home to a diverse group of people from the around the world. In fact over 200 languages and dialects from around the globe can be found here in Queens, New York. As a result I've had the opportunity to learn many things about different people from all over the world. One of … (10 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, DO you have advice for buying a 'fixer upper' home? - 08/24/07 10:20 AM
"Buyer Beware" is never more appropriate than when considering the purchase of a fixer-upper.You really need to know exactly what you're getting into before buying.It's commonly believed that fixer-upper properties represent easy money that is ripe for the taking - that you can buy it, do a little work on it … (2 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, Will a home improvement ADD VALUE to my home? - 08/23/07 11:11 PM
Determining whether a home improvement will add value to your home can be tricky. There are many factors to consider. Some factors are tangible like the cost of making the improvement. Other factors are less tangible and harder to quantify, like the improved quality of life the home improvement brings you … (3 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, Do you have any TIPS FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS? - 08/23/07 05:09 PM
Buying a home is such an exciting time in everyone's lives. But it's not always the easiest process. There are several things that you can do in advance of your purchase to make the process flow much more smoothly. Here are just a few of the things I suggest to start … (0 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, How do I get the BEST PRICE for MY HOME? - 08/23/07 04:38 PM
Effective marketing is the key to selling your home quickly and getting the highest price. Aggressive, effective marketing of my Client's homes by every available medium is how I've become a top real estate agent in the Richmond Hill area. It's my job to assure that you get as many qualified … (2 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, How important is it to stage my home? - 08/22/07 09:55 PM
I can't stress this enough, it's VERY important!!
If you have an outdated or worn out red carpet in your livingroom, then get rid of it... remove all your personal items like pictures, refrigerator magnets, clutter. Remember, our mutual goal is to get you the best price for your home in the … (6 comments)
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vincent martinez: Knowing Your Credit is VERY IMPORTANT!! - 08/22/07 11:32 AM
In today's increasingly automated society, it should come as no surprise that when you apply for a mortgage, your ability to pay can be reduced to a single number. All the years you've been paying your mortgage, car payments, and credit card bills can be analyzed, sliced, diced, spindled and mutilated … (2 comments)
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vincent martinez: Vincent, Should I paint my house before selling? - 08/22/07 12:38 AM
Let me start by saying "I would"! There are many factors involved in marketing and selling your home. You can't control most of them. The curb appeal of your home plays a big role in the sales process, and it's one of the things you can have direct control over. You'll … (11 comments)
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vincent martinez: What is the MLS, and how does it work for you? - 08/21/07 08:21 PM
The MLS is a database of properties currently on the market in the area. Brokers participating in the MLS (which includes virtually all Brokers in the area) list all the homes they have for sale and agree to share in the sales commission of the properties. This means that if I … (2 comments)
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vincent martinez: The upside down market... - 08/15/07 04:38 PM
Foreclosures are at an all time high. They've tripled in the past 18 months, leaving a record number of home owners not being able to pay the outrageous mortgages that most banks were approving during the real estate boom of 2002-03.
As a result more and more banks are approving short … (0 comments)
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