Tom Crimmins Realty Blog

New Addition to the "NY Biggest Little Zoo"

The Staten Island Zoo unveiled its new $3,545,000 million Amur Leopard Exhibit last November after 12 years of planning. The exhibit is now the home to leopards - Valeri, Kolya and Fitty. Capital funds were allocated by former Mayor Bloomberg through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

The Zoo revealed it's plans back in the fall of 2012 when the Zoo celebrated its 75th anniversary. The exhibit is 4,500-square feet and three-stories tall, replicating the leopards' natural habitat. Their new home consists of: real and fake trees for climbing, heated rocks for relaxing, and a pond. The zoo now has one of the largest exhibits for Amur leopards in the country.

The Amur Leopard is the world's rarest cat and is also known as the Far…

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Why A Pre-Approved Buyer Is The Best Buyer

By: Daniel Boxman of United Northern, NMLS ID# 1077102

Get Preapproved

After you've gotten yourself prepared and feel ready to move forward with your home purchase, the next step is to get pre-approved with your mortgage lender. A pre-approval is based on your financial situation and includes a loan amount agreed upon between you and your lender that they believe you will be able to repay. 

A pre-approval letter is not necessarily a commitment to the loan, but it is a huge asset to have when you are searching for your home, as it shows any realtor and/or seller you are working with that you are serious about this purchase and ready to qualify. This gives you an advantage over other buyers who have not pre-approved through a bank yet. Also, many…

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The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist

While most homeowners are vigilant about regularly wiping down surfaces, disinfecting bathrooms, dusting furniture and mopping floors, there are many nooks and crannies that don’t receive as much attention. That’s why April is the perfect month to do an annual overhaul on your home.

Below is a spring cleaning checklist to help you knock it out:

Living Room

• Wash curtains and throw pillows.
• Take rugs outside and beat them.
• Vacuum and spot clean sofas.
• Dust lampshades.
• Wipe down the television and all other electronics. 

Kitchen

• Organize and clean cabinets.
• Sort pantry and discard items past their due date
• Go through your refrigerator. Take everything out, wipe down shelves and throw out anything that has expired.
…

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Sound Stages Coming to Staten Island - Speculation of Job Opportunities

Staten Island will now have something else to be proud of: home of the second largest film and tv production complex in the country - outside of Hollywood. Staten Island is no stranger to movie productions or being a backdrop in numerous films and shows. The Godfather house is located on Emerson Hill, Jim Carrey filmed Mr. Popper's Penguins in the Staten Island Zoo, and you might spot local landmarks in countless episodes of Law & Order. 

It is confirmed that the former Arthur Kill Correctional Facility will be converted to a film lot. This will be the fourth lot that the Island has seen. Fred Scott's Movie Ranch was located on Sand Land in South Beach by in the 1890s to 1914. New Brighton and Stapleton hosted Biograph Company from 1906 to 1922.…

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Nov. 24, 1903 — St. Vincent’s Hospital in West Brighton opens

St. Vincent Catholic Medical Centers, West Brighton

Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers was founded and directed by the Sisters of Charity of New York from 1903 to 1999. The hospital built its foundation from St. Vincent's Hospital Manhattan; it operated as a 74-bed facility, as well as a soup kitchen. A New York Times article, that was published when St. Vincent's Hospital Manhattan first opened, said what distinguishes the hospital from others in the city is its care for those who were unable to meet fees.

The hospital in West Brighton originally opened to tend to tuberculosis patients and later became a Level 1 Trauma Center. St. Vincent's Hospital was renowned for its care of women and children, delivering over 3,000 babies each year. (x)

…

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Preparing Yourself for a Home Purchase

By: Daniel Boxman of United Northern, NMLS ID# 1077102

Preparing yourself for a home purchase is very important. When you are investing in one of the biggest purchases of your life, you want to make sure you are ready. Here are things to consider that may help:

Look over your Financial Situation:

1. Check your credit. Run your credit (if you haven’t in the last 3 months); you are entitled to a free credit report once a year. There are online sites such Credit Karma who do this for free, or you can even look into creating an account with one of the three big credit Bureaus (Experian, TransUnion, Equifax). Knowing your credit score will give you an idea if you are in good standing to buy a home. You will also be able to see if there are any issues…

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What To Consider When Buying A Fixer-Upper

It seems like a wise investment to purchase an older, tad run-down property and you have the chance to fix it up and turn it into the home of your dreams or for resell. However, the renovation project that appears a quick montage in your imagination will actually take several months or years and thousands of dollars in real life. How can you make sure that you are making the right choice for you?

One of the main advantages of buying a fixer-upper property is that you will usually be able to get the property for a much cheaper price. But is it worth the time and money you will need to invest in the property?

Here Are Some Questions You Should Be Asking Yourself When Making Your Decision:

• Do you (or your friends and family members) have the…

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Events for March 21st Weekend

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South Shore Golf Course

South Shore Golf Course, now called Grand Oaks Country Club, is located in Rossville. Once known as Blazing Star, the property was renamed Rossville in 1836 in honor of Colonel William E. Ross, a wealthy local landowner. This neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Founded privately in 1930 as the Mayflower Country Club, South Shore Golf Course property was acquired by the City throughout 1966 until 1982. Until 1984, Parks managed the course and the adjoining restaurant. At that time, the American Golf Corporation took over the management of - the course, the ‘grill room’ snack bar, and the pro shop. 

In 1994, American Golf Corporation used $100,000 to…

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Tom Delese Receives First Rising Star Award, Other Tom Crimmins Realty Honorees Receive Top Producer

(l. to r.) Tom Delese, Tom Crimmins, Kawing Chiu

Yesterday, March 13, 2014, SIBOR hosted a recognition breakfast for top producers. Our very own Tom Delese received the first Rising Star Award, as well as Top Producer Bronze, for his accomplishments in the real estate community.

Delese, who has hosted the Halloween family photobooth on behalf of Tom Crimmins the past 3 years at the Staten Island Zoo, started his career as an Industrial Designer working as an educational toy and display designer. Delese then worked as a retail advertising account executive at Staten Island Advance for 34 years. In December 2011, Delese started working at Tom Crimmins Realty and continues at performing excellently as a NYS Licensed Real Estate…

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