Tom Crimmins Realty Blog

Sept. 3, 1609 — Henry Hudson sights island, naming it Staaten Eylandt

Born in 1565 and the grandson to the founder of the Muscovy Company, Henry Hudson became famous for discovering Staten Island. From a very young age, Henry Hudson studied navigation, mathematics and seamanship. Like da Verazzano, Hudson was funded money to make voyages to discover a passage to Japan and China.

The Discovery

The Dutch East India Company provided Hudson with a ship, The Half Moon, to carry him and his small crew on their voyage. The original plan was to sail towards Russia. However, due to freezing weather and ice blockage, Hudson refused orders to return to Amsterdam. He decided to change route and travel west, leading him towards the New World. There was no other European before Hudson that decided to travel as far west and north…

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Willowbrook Park

WIllowbrook Park is a part of Greenbelt parks and is the most recognizable and popular in the sub-system. The park has been documented back to 1683. It had an industrialists attraction because of its waterways. However, due to a decrease in water level, the factories in the park that produced metal tools were forced to close down.

After 1964, Willowbrook Park developed in landscape and appeal after the opening of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Willowbrook Lake is also known as the first man-made pond on Staten Island.

Although the area of…

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How to Remove Pests Forever With These 4 Simple Tips

Ants and gnats are annoying and a hassle to get rid of in homes; but before you start using harsh chemicals to finish the job, here are a few alternative methods for eliminating those pests.

Exclusion

The best pest control is exclusion. That means sealing all nooks and crannies in your home where insects and other pests may enter.

Another way to block bugs from entering your home is a screen mesh.  If you don’t have them installed in your windows or doors, consider adding them.  The installation is easy and quick; it is also easy to change mesh screens to glass later on in the cold seasons.

Reduce Moisture

Wet and damp environments around your home attract many insects; this explains why ants find their way into your homes when it rains. So…

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Events for October 4th Weekend

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Benefits of Going Green

All homes have a lifespan so there is a clear desire to live in a home with renewable energy systems. As advancements in renewable energy systems increase, prices are decreasing which makes it a smart move to invest! 

Go Green!

"Going green" does not only mean turning off the lights when no one's in the room or installing solar panels all over the yard. There is more to becoming eco-friendly.

Green homes are clean homes. Having air filtration and central vac systems will contain two-thirds of dust in homes. You can avoid dirt and dust particles from building up in your home through easy-to-clean surfaces.

Creating a smaller carbon footprint will make a less impact in your wallet long-term. In addition, a few more benefits are: lower…

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April 1524 - Discovery of the Verrazano - Narrows

Giovanni da Verrazano was born in Greve in Chianti, Italy.  In the early 1500s, Verrazano gained an interest in the navy's mission and tactics; he began sailing as a pirate and became determined to find a passage to the Orient.  Verrazano took part of France's Francis I's naval service. 

The Voyage

In the 1520s, Verrazano prepared his ship, Delfina which is named after the King's firstborn daughter, to partake with three other ships on an eight month voyage to discover a quicker route to the Orient. Only La Dauphine had surpassed the voyage, managing to have enough supplies and avoid becoming shipwrecked. Cape Fear, North Carolina was the first sight of land Verrazano came across; but Verrazano continued traveling north of the coast. 

In the…

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Events for September 27th Weekend

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Going Against Cash Buyers? Here Are Some Tips to Compete

Going head to head to cash buyers is always competitive. Cash buyers are seen as desirable because there are no banks involved and they’re almost always a guaranteed quick close. But don’t freight; there is still hope of getting your dream home!

Here are some ideas to help beat out those cash buyers:

20 Percent Down Payment

Save up a higher down payment for the price range. If you can come up with 20 percent or more, then you’re in a position to wave the appraisal contingency for financing with the bank. In simpler terms - the more cash you have saved, the better.

Take-It-or-Leave-It Home Inspection

This means that based on the home inspection, you’ll take the property with all its issues, but you still have the option walk away. What you…

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Upside about the Commotion of St. George

Islanders surrounded by tourists seem to be the biggest fear since the unveiling of St. George’s new plans. What is it about tourists that put such a taste of disdain in our mouths? I bet the memory of walking with a huff under your breath behind a tourist with a camera popped into your mind. There are some contributions for Staten Island from these picture happy tourists:

Expansion

The hope of having 4 million visitors per year to St. George provides an idea of a vast increase in value for the area. Tourists and even locals visiting the newly revitalization area, which includes The Wheel and Empire Outlets, will generate $480 million private investment, and create over 1,200 construction jobs and 1,250 permanent jobs. Plans also include a…

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Late 1400s - The Iroquois Impact on Present Staten Island

Before Staten Island was known as the Forgotten Borough, it was actually named 'Monacnong,' by the original Indian inhabitants, which means Enchanted Woods. The main groups that lived along the outskirts, rivers and lakes, and mountains of Staten Island and New York were the Algonquians, Iroquois, and the Lenape people. Staten Island had mountains? Yes, the last ice age created landforms like mountains and valleys when glaciers had covered the land.  

The tribes traded and grew plants among the Hudson RIver, Delaware River, and the Long Island RIver. Their famous crops were called the "The Three Sisters." "The Three Sisters" were the corn, bean and squash.

The Algonquians and the Iroquois have made many contributions to the Staten Island and New…

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