The simple things get over looked sometimes. Some of my listings come from just walking around on the same block that a new listing goes up. I like to follow the top agents in my market, when knocking on doors. Because it seems that one person buts there house for sale most likely someone else is going to as well.   Best of all is when the agents in my own office put up a sign in someones front  yard and a few days maybe a week later my sign goes up right next to there's on the same block. I must tell you that I hear wise comments like are you following me or were did you come from. Confession yes I am but, the resolutes so far are great.We need to have some fun to. I still love the people I work with. 01/24/2009

Why Do You Have to De-Clutter?   When I take a new listing I go through the house and make a note on everything that I need to speak to the homeowner about. In today's age with the popular HGTV channel homeowners are more aware of what it take to sell a home. Sometime they tell me use we promise to de-personalize the space and we know we have to get rid of the clutter! I want to clarify some things because I have been told its cruel to ask a proud family to remove all of their children's artwork off of the fridge. I also ask sellers to get rid of almost all family photos. I love family photos just as much as my sellers do. I have them displayed all through out my home! The reason why? It distracts buyers. That's it. Its quite simple. I will give an example. I was working with a couple a... 01/22/2009

Located in Huntington Long Island, Nathan Hale Co-op is a garden style co-op on The North Shore of Long Island. Built as apartments in 1950 and converted to co-ops Nathan Hale is located off West Neck Road in Huntington in Long Island's Suffolk County. Nathan Hale co-ops is served by the Huntington School District #3.Lawrence & Sheila Agranoff know the Long Island Condo and Co-op communities. Call our Cell: 631-805-4400 for current condos for sale on Long Island.  SEARCH HERE FOR LONG ISLAND CONDOS AND CO-OPS  All information is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed.  01/12/2009

I was not an official member of the "certified" relo team in my company.  My branch manager was on vacation.  "Joan," an office-mate agent was given the responsibility as serving as substitute Mama while our manager was on vacation. Joan called to give me a relo that happened to be close to my home.  I visited the couple (over 82) who were both survivors of the holocaust.  Sadly enough, they had voluntarily encased their home property (an enchanted ½ acre) in barbed wire. They were delightful.  He had lost 75% use of his right arm/hand from experiments in Auschwitz, but had become an awesome artist...oils, wire sculptures...you name it.  Some of his artwork (donations) are in the Holocaust Museum in DC and he spends his time as a volunteer lecturer at the local schools and universities.... 12/14/2008

I DON'T want another "Satisfied" Feng Shui Client in Huntington Long Island. We are always happy leaving a job where we've done a good job-another satisfied client we think. I had a WOW moment the other day from customer service I received.  And it made me think that I don't want a satisfied client-or even a happy one.  I want one that I've WOWED. We ALL believe we take the very best care of our clients at all times.  We all believe we go way above average in our approach to the way we deal with them. We are there for them 24/7 in most cases, even worrying when we take a rare vacation.  Some of us never leave home without a way we can stay connected:  cell phones, blackberry's and our traveling notebooks make it easy. I had recently signed onto a new site (for me) that has been highly r... 11/29/2008

In the Long Island Town of Huntington on the famous North Shore of Long Island is a small and very private treasure trove of  beauty called Bay Hills Long Island New York.  Feng Shui Consultants often find their own reflections in Nature and arriving early one morning for a Feng Shui Consultation in Huntington, Laura Cerrano and I had a few minutes to spare. Just up the road from our clients home was a lovely little beach, private for the residents of Bay Village.  It was a warm, sunny day, the night after an awful storm but we were blessed with sunshine and enough time to stop and capture the beauty. You might know about Huntington Long Island.  One of it's most famous residents is none other then Billy Joel (who I am CONVINCED will one day be persuaded to sing a song for ActiveRain :)... 09/20/2008

Purchasing a home is one of the largest financial investments most Americans ever make. Though traditionally the REALTOR® was hired by the seller and acted in the seller's interest, a Certified Buyer Representative (CBR®) is specially trained to represent the buyers, helping them get the best possible price for the home they desire. How Can a Buyer Agent Help Me Buy a Home? A buyer agent works to protect your best interests by providing complete and professional guidance to you. To buy property, you need to     * locate and evaluate properties in your price range,     * exercise a level of diligence on the proposed purchase,     * determine an offering price,     * document the contingencies you will need,     * and develop a negotiating strategy based on the competition.     * You will... 09/19/2008

9 Buyer Traps and How to Avoid Them "A systemized approach to the home buying process can help you steer clear of these common traps, allowing you to not only cut costs, but also secure the home that's best for you." No matter which way you look at it, buying a home is a major investment.  But for many homebuyers, it can be an even more expensive process than it needs to be since they fall prey to at least a few of the many common and costly mistakes which trap them into either:     * paying too much for the home they want, or     * losing their dream home to another buyer or,     * (worse) buying the wrong home for their needs.  A systemized approach to the home buying process can help you steer clear of these common traps, allowing you to not only cut costs, but also secure the home t... 09/17/2008

FICO, FICO, FICO - Know Your Score. Improve Your Score, Monitor Your Score... My focus is working with first time home buyers and I always take the time to thoroughly discuss and review the steps a client needs to implement in order to build a successful home buying plan. The first step you need to take towards home-ownership is getting pre-approved for a home mortgage. Which lender to choose is an important decision, and like most big (financial) decisions you should seek out advice from trusted sources. No matter the lending institution you work with, your FICO score speaks volumes about you and your credit risk. Most people have heard the term FICO - what does it stand for and how did it get started, let's ask Wikipedia - Hey Wiki What's a FICO? First time buyers are inundated with l... 09/10/2008

I absolutely believe in SPONTENAITY!  I DO NOT, however, believe in "Coincidences."  I know I wouldn't "come across" some of the wonderful finds if I wasn't spontaneous.  As a Feng Shui Consultant in Long Island and New York City, I am often able after a Feng Shui consultation to enjoy MORE of the day in whatever area I happen to find myself in.  I have passed this quality on to my daughter and fellow Feng Shui Consultant Laura Cerrano--in short, we work well together and "play" well together! After a Feng Shui Consultation on Sunday in the gorgeous town of Huntington Harbor in Oyster Bay Long Island, we decided to stop in Huntington first and then on to the camp where Laura had been to as a child and now is a counselor.  It is West Hills Day Camp that both she and my son Adam attended ... 09/09/2008

On a recent Feng Shui Consultation on Long Island I was asked a question by my clients that I have been asked over and over in the past....Most people that call me in for a consultation are particularly sensitive to ENERGY.  The FEEL it and it causes great distress.  They feel it in their co-workers, their "friends" and even their own family. This Feng Shui Consultation was in the lovely town of Huntington Long Island New York where the couple has purchased a lovely, small home that they adored.  They had brought the furniture and accessories from their previous home and had decided for now to keep it while eventually incorporating new pieces when they could afford it. I liked the way they had temporarily set it up...it allowed a good flow of Energy into the space, kept their health are... 08/29/2008

Hello Friends   The Long Island Board of Realtors (LIBOR) recently released the 2nd Quarter sales summary. I thought I would share the info about the towns I service. While sales price and volume is down in many markets, I am encouraged by some of these numbers that show price is actually up over last year in Greenlawn, Northport and East Northport. Also total home sales is up in Centerport.   I am also encouraged to hear some good news about the housing market starting to trickle through the media wires.   Let's keep the good news and momentum building.      If you're looking to buy or sell in Huntington, Northport, Greenlawn, Centerport, East Northport, I'm standing by to help.                Paul DoughertyRealty Executives North Shore631-697-5777paul@callpaulhome4sale.comhttp://www.C... 08/28/2008

http://www.rockyou.com/show_my_gallery.php?source=ppsl&instanceid=117856861   07/30/2008

New York Feng Shui Art?  What's 650 HOURS of your Time Worth? I have always grown up with a love of ART.  All different art in all different medias.  Recently on a Feng Shui Consultation in the lovely town of Huntington, Long Island, New York I came across some amazing artwork I wanted to share with you. As you probably already know, artwork in Feng Shui is very important.  We use art to address the elements or to "back yourself up in life."  We can add what's missing or simply signify something significant in Feng Shui with the use of artwork.  Oftentimes during a space clearing in a home, we will use feathers along with the Sage to help clear the energy.  Some of us use Peacock Feathers because we feel the Peacock is a significant animal---and while I have seen photography of Peacock ... 06/30/2008

Feng Shui New York Renovations My Feng Shui Consultation today was on Long Island's wonderful town of Huntington, New York.  If you are familiar with Long Island at all, you're probably aware of this town and it's special qualities.  It's almost like a little piece of New York City on Long Island:  quaint little shops, wonderful places to eat. At night, the town is still "hopping."  There are bars and restaurants and wonderful older theaters-and it's bookstores.  I am Books and The Book Revue are two favorites with something always going on. My client's today were fantastic, completely in touch with Feng Shui and well read on the subject but....you guessed it, perhaps, they were confused.  I explained about the different schools of Feng Shui, the different methods we use and the differe... 06/29/2008

It is very exciting to note that John Hill, known for his Trade Show Coaching Program will be appearing at the Book Revue, Long Island's largest independent book store, on Wednesday, June 23rd at 7:00 pm for a signing for his new book "Tips and Tales from the Booth."With over 30 years of experience developing and managing businesses, John's roles have included National Sales Manager, VP of Sales, Director of Marketing, EVP and COO. He was also elected and served as President & CEO of three public companies. John provides his expertise in addressing and solving management and marketing issues to organizations worldwide. He is a recognized expert in the area of strategic management, specializing in the maximization of trade show use as a vital element of marketing strategy. Come on down t... 05/07/2008

Long Island Artist Jo-Ann is a wonderful artist.  She did a house portrait for one of my sellers that I presented to them at the closing.  They were so taken back by the thought.  They loved it.  The painting itself had captured every detail of the home that the owners were in amazement.  Here is a link to Jo-Ann's Website and alittle bit about her:Started My Career Painting Scenic Northport, The Northport VIllage Park, Northport Harbor Dock, Northport Village, etc. Then I spread to neighboring towns such as Smithtown, & Port Jeff...Now I paint almost everywhere.          I have been featured on News 12, Plum TV, & Hamptons TV.  President of the Southampton Artist Assoc., and my Paintings are in many Galleries                                              across Long Island.http://joannc... 02/27/2008

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