Many people make the decision to move from the country or the suburbs into the heart of the downtown area for a number of reasons, such as to enjoy proximity to work or to enjoy the urban lifestyle. With the higher cost of real estate in central urban areas and with real estate space at a premium, many who make the decision to relocate will need to downsize from a larger house to a smaller condo or apartment. While this can be challenging, it can be accomplished by following a few steps.

Choose The Right Pieces To Keep

When downsizing from a larger house to a smaller apartment or condo, it is often necessary to get rid of some furnishings. It is important to select furnishings that are best suited for the size of the new space as well as the…

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Finding the perfect home to purchase is easier said than done, and savvy home buyers understand the importance of researching the neighborhood as well as the home. All home buyers have unique things that they are looking for in an ideal neighborhood, and these factors will play a major role in how enjoyable a homeowner's living experience is. Those who are shopping for a new home this summer may focus on a few points to find the perfect neighborhood to live in before deciding which home to purchase in that community.

Get A Feel For The Ambiance And Energy Of the Neighborhood

Some home buyers want to find a lovely home in a quiet, mature community. Others may be searching for an active community with kids playing freely in their yards and people…

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When you apply for a new mortgage, your lender may ask if you want to set up monthly payments or bi-weekly payments. At one time, monthly payments were common, but bi-weekly payments are increasing in popularity. This is because they break a large expense up into two smaller and seemingly more manageable payments. In addition, you can also make what equates to a full extra payment on the mortgage each year with a bi-weekly payment structure. Before you decide which is best for you, consider a few factors.

Your Personal Budget

Many people may believe that if they get paid every two weeks, a bi-weekly mortgage payment is a better option than a monthly mortgage payment. This is not always the case. You should consider other sources of income and how…

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The Staten Island Ferry transports about 75,000 people between Staten Island and Manhattan every day. The 8 ferry boats are known by their distinct orange color. The ferry ride offers passengers an excellent view of the Statue of Liberty, and of downtown Manhattan; very attractive to tourists and residents of the city alike.

History of Staten Island Ferry

In the 1700s, several wealthy residents of New York City used their private boats to move around the New York harbor. These boats had 2 masts and a shallow bottom. In the early 19th century, Captain John De Forest commanded the first motorized ferry between the two boroughs. In the mid-1900s, several newer boats were added to the Staten Island Ferry fleet. In July of 1871, one of the ships was…

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One of the most common questions homeowners have before listing their home for sale relates to the selling price. Understanding the value of the home is about far more than just comparing the square footage of the space with other homes that have recently sold in the area. While there are many factors that will play a part in a selling price, location is an important factor for several different reasons.

Neighboring Properties

The properties that are located next to the home for sale are critical to the property value. For example, a home that is located next to a park or a beautifully maintained home may have more appeal than a home located next to a strip center or a gas station. Even with homes that are located just a block or two apart, this…

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The island's first public high school, Curtis, was founded in February of 1904, as part of the city-wide plan to institute a public high school in each outlying borough. The school was named after well-known writer George William Curtis, who had moved to the neighborhood right before the start of the Civil War.

Architecture

Curtis High School, located in New Brighton, is an architectural feat! The century-old building with its massive square tower, made entirely of brick and limestone, resembles the Neo-Gothic style of architecture, present in Medieval Europe. The building was designated as one of the landmarks of New York City in 1982.

Education

Curtis has 10 specialized programs. It offers a wide array of both humanitarian and technical…

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The warmer summer months provide homeowners with the ideal conditions for making improvements to their property, and many will want to put installing an in-ground swimming pool at the top of their list of improvement ideas. While a swimming pool may seem like a pure luxury to some, there are actually considerable benefits that homeowners can enjoy by making this improvement. With closer consideration, homeowners may decide that this is the perfect improvement to make to their property.

The Perfect Place For Relaxation And Entertainment

Many homes provide ample space for basic living, but they often lack an extra space that is well-suited for personal relaxation and for entertaining family and friends. An in-ground swimming pool can enhance a…

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House fires can break out for a wide range of reasons, and these include everything from grease fires while cooking in the kitchen to lightning striking the home. They can cause a significant amount of property damage as well as personal injury or even loss of life, so preventing them and knowing how to properly respond if a fire does break out are important. Whether buying a new home or residing in an existing home, everyone can benefit from learning more about fire safety rules.

Have An Exit Strategy

Fires can break out whether residents are awake in the living room or kitchen, taking a bath or sleeping in the bedrooms. It is important to have a fire exit strategy for every floor of the home and every room of the home. In addition, it is equally…

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Our committee of over 12 people read and shared each essay. We could have easily chosen any of our top fifty essays. Because of our tough decisions, we opted to award six children instead of the promised four. Our 5th and 6th place winners received Kindle Fires.

The winners and parents were invited to attend our awards ceremony dinner at the Pepper Jack Grill on Tuesday June 23rd, 2015 to read their essay and receive their well deserved awards.

The winners are as follows:

  • Platinum - Kayla Burkley of Blessed Sacrament (Laptop)
  • Gold - Olivia Simmons of St. Rita's (iPad Mini Tablet)
  • Silver - Avery Dixon of PS 53 (Kindle Tablet)
  • Bronze - Ariane Miceli of PS 1 (Kindle Tablet)
  • Honorable Mention - Andrew Barbera of OLGC (Kindle Tablet)
    • …

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Who:     Staten Island Community

What:   Relay Team ---American Cancer Association--- Toms Top Picks

Where: Michael J Petrides School, 715 Ocean Terrace    Staten Island New York

When:  SATURDAY

Why:    CELEBRATE the lives of people who have battled cancer, REMEMBER loved ones lost and FIGHT back against the disease.  Saving lives from cancer starts with one team, one participant and one dollar at a time.

Please join us this Saturday with your family and ours! The following is the itinerary for the events of the day.  Food and refreshments+ will be provided by The Tom Crimmins  Realty family. 

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