Tom Crimmins Realty Blog

Useful Apps to Download Before Your Home Renovation

Technology is constantly changing, new apps are being created daily, and there's always a new update on your phone's software.  

Here are some up-to-date apps you can download that will get you through your next home renovation project:

ColorSnap: Remember those websites and games that used to show you what you would look like when different hairstyles? Well this app shows what your room will look like with a different paint job. "Capture color inspiration whenever—and wherever—it strikes. With ColorSnap®Visualizer from Sherwin-Williams, you have the power to take real-world colors and turn them into paint-color swatches—all on your smartphone." You can also upload a picture and the app will pick up on color schemes so you can match your living room…

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Know When to Flip and When to Walk Away

Whether you are buying a new house, or currently the homeowner and looking for a new take, it's always good to look at the bigger picture before you lay down the cash. There are buyers who will purchase a house to flip and sell again at a higher value, and then there are homeowners who renovate to list with a bigger number. Before you become either one of these, ask yourself: Is it worth it? If yes, what is the best financial way to?

Step 1: Research. Look into the pricing and benefits of renovating the room in mind. If you are a buyer looking to flip, research the neighborhood. Although you can have a great price in a least favorite neighborhood, doesn't mean it's the best investment. You may have difficulty reselling quickly despite your thousands of…

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Staten Island Finally Gets the Dine-In Experience...and More

Are you tired of having to pay the toll to New Jersey to go to Menlo's AMC Dine-In Theater? Well, hopefully you won't have to anymore! Staten Island is on the up and up with new attractions from studio lots, to the Empire Outlets, and now - crossing fingers - AMC Dine-In Theater. Back in May 2013, silive reported an online survey of Staten Islanders expressing the interest in having our very own dine-in. 

Staten Island's Continuing Expansion

Ken Paulsen wrote, "although the survey references only AMC's unique dine-in offerings and brandings, the AMC spokesman, Ryan Noonan, said his company is not behind it. He did allow that the company is exploring setting up a dine-in movie house here, but nothing beyond that."

Remember, that this is back in…

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July 2015 Staten Island Real Estate Market Recap

It has been another year of big changes in Staten Island's real estate market. Here are the statistics that prove this!

In 2014, 324 properties were sold in the month of July. This year, homes sold in July increased to 349.

This chart shows that the average sale price of a house in Staten Island also had a healthy increase: from $447,357 in July of 2014 to $452,568 in July of 2015.

In conclusion, the real estate market has grown since July of…

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Selling Your Home? 3 Reasons Why You May Need to Accept a Bid That's Below Your Asking Price

When a homeowner makes the decision to sell his or her property, it is most common for a skilled real estate professional to provide valuation services so that a reasonable asking price can be established. While the asking price may seem fair to the homeowner, the fact is that not all properties will sell at the original asking price. There are several instances when a homeowner may need to consider accepting a bid that is below the asking price.

When The Property Has Been On The Market For A While

Most homeowners will learn about the average listing time for similar properties in the market through their real estate agent, but some homes will remain on the market for longer than average. When this happens, a homeowner may begin to get concerned,…

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Family Matters: How to Choose the Perfect Home for a Large or Growing Family

Selecting the right home to purchase for a family is a monumental task, and this process can seem even more challenging for those with a large or growing family. A common goal may be to give everyone ample space to stretch out and feel relaxed, but some home buyers may also be focused on other factors like location, cost and even the general style of the home. While choosing the perfect home for a large or growing family is not easy, the process can be simplified by focusing on a few points.

Focus On Storage Space

There are few things that can make home life more miserable in the coming years than a lack of storage space. When a large family does not have adequate storage space in closets, the attic, the garage and your cabinets, their items will…

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Niche Marketing: How to Market Your Home as the Perfect Rental or Investment Property

When a homeowner is preparing to sell a home, it can be beneficial to determine the target audience that is most likely to be interested in the property as an important initial step. In some cases, it is advantageous for a homeowner to position a home as a great rental property or investment property, but this requires the right strategy. By adopting a few niche marketing steps, homeowners can work with their real estate agents to market a property appropriately. 

Create A Cash Flow Sheet

Buyers who are searching for a rental or investment property are looking for a return on their investment in most cases, and they also may want to see how large of a down payment is needed in order for the property to realistically turn a profit. A real estate…

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Suffering from Credit Problems? Three Ways You Can Patch Up Your Credit to Get a Mortgage Approved

Credit problems are unfortunately common, and they can make it difficult for you to obtain a mortgage. Even if you are able to obtain a mortgage with your credit issues, the rate may be rather high in comparison to what you may qualify for if you obtain a mortgage without fixing your credit problems. While some issues may take a while to fix, you may be able to see a decent increase in your credit rating when you follow a few easy steps.

Pay Off Outstanding Derogatory Credit Items

When you review a copy of your credit report, you may notice that some items have an outstanding balance due. If the account is in good standing, the outstanding balance is not a primary issue unless you have an excessive amount of debt. If the account is not in good…

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Summer Staging: How to Stage Your Home to Appeal to Young Families

Young families often look for many different things in a home than older couples with teenagers or those with an empty nest may look at. Many real estate agents will tell their clients to stage a home so that it appeals to those who are most likely going to be interested in buying it. For sellers who have a family home in a safe, kid-friendly community, staging a home to appeal to young families is a great idea and can be accomplished with a few easy steps.

Clean Up The Back And Front Yards

Young families may spend as much time focusing on the interior of the home as the exterior of the home. While a real estate agent may have made suggestions for sprucing up curb appeal in general, making the area kid-safe and friendly is also a smart idea. Remove…

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June 2015 Staten Island Real Estate Market Recap

It has been another year, and much has changed in Staten Island's real estate market. Here are a few charts that show the changes that occurred between June of 2014 and June of this year.

The chart above shows that there has been a healthy increase in monthly sales. Last year, 307 properties were sold in the month of the July, compared to 340 this year.

This chart shows that there was a slight increase in the average sale price in Staten Island over the last year.

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