Tom Crimmins Realty Blog - Tom Crimmins Realty

SI Celebrity: Elissa Montanti

Hailing from none other than Arrochar, local celebrity Elissa Montanti is working hard to improve the lives of children all around the world.

It all started in 1997, after reading the poignant words of Kenan Malkic, a child who lost both arms and one leg in the Bosnian civil war. “God and all merciful people to help me getting prosthetics," he pleaded, and Elissa could not ignore. Elissa faced a period of depression following the loss of her relatives, that left her confused and lost. However, she was inspired by the struggle of children in Bosnia-Herzegovina, a province of former Yugoslavia, during their bloody civil war. She initially appealed to the United Nations ambassador to Bosnia asking to send supplies to children of the region, a province of…

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Beach Cleanups And Why They Are So Important

Why are Beach Cleanups Important? 

Have you ever wondered what happens to the trash that is left on the beach? Sometimes it stays there for a while, but most of the time it is harming animals living in the oceans and beaches. When the trash that we leave behind on the beach gets into our oceans, animals can easily mistake the vast amount of trash as their certain food source. An example of this action is with sea turtles because when a sea turtle sees a plastic bag floating around in the ocean, they might mistake it for a jellyfish and then swallowing it as a whole. This can be extremely harmful to the sea turtles because eating that plastic bag is bad for their health. The plastic bag can prevent the sea turtles from eating anymore, thus, cause it to…

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Preserving Culture in the Face of Redevelopment

New York City is known for its bustling art and culture scene. In any of the five boroughs, one can be greeted by a mish-mosh of creative expression unique to its residents.  However, this city is also known for staying chic and contemporary; So how do you maintain this balance of redevelopment and preservation of culture, especially in the ever-changing Staten Island? Nationally recognized project incubator, Design Trust has a plan. 

About Design Trust 

Since 1995, Design Trust has been working to re-purpose and revitalize New York City's public shared spaces with art. According to their website, their mission is to "bring together city agencies, community groups, and private sector experts to make a lasting impact–through design–on how New Yorkers…

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Surf, Sun, Sand: A Staten Island Summer

These blistering July days call for sun, surf, and sand! Fortunately, Staten Island doesn't get its name for no reason. Richmond County, completely surrounded by water, is home to these stunning, yet different beaches:

South Beach

South Beach is the perfect mix of chill beach vibes, and boardwalk fun. It is located in the Eastern shore of the island, very accessible via car, bus (s51 or s52) or walking. The beach is around 2 miles long, which mean there's always a place to lay your towel! The boardwalk, officially the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk, stretches 2.5 miles, from Fort Wadsworth to Miller's Field. It was built in 1935, under the guidance of the Works Progress Administration, and once boasted the bustling Happy Land Amusement. With this…

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Organize Your Move!

The homebuying process is filled with so many emotions. Excitement, anxiety, hope, concern. One thing task that can be a huge source of stress about when acquiring a new home is the move-in. You have shift your entire life from one space to another, arranging things to fit your new living area. Take the stress off your shoulders by keeping your move efficient and organized. How? Marked crates! Marking and organizing boxes of your household item can be a huge help in assuring that things end up where they belong when you need them.

Before you being, you need your supplies:

SUPPLIES

Markers: Buy quality marker to label boxes. It may be tempting to steer away from markers on the pricier side, but you want to make sure your writing is clear, dark,…

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Protect Your Family: Lead Paint Law

When looking to buy a new home, there are so many factors to consider. As a vigilant new homeowner, you want to make sure that your house or apartment is a safe and comfortable place. One thing that is of the utmost importance for your families safety is an absence of lead paint. Lead is an extremely toxic metal that was once a popular base in the paint. This material can be seriously detrimental to the health of you and your family. Luckily, the state and the federal government have taken steps to outlaw the use of lead paint, with various Lead Paint Laws.

What is the Lead Paint Law?

In 1978, the federal government officially outlawed the use of lead-based paint in residential buildings. This was after many state governments had independently…

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Forest Avenue: The North Shore's Business Epicenter

Looking for a quick bite to eat? Sit down dinner? Want to take a fun exercise class or catch the latest feature film? Look no further than the North Shore’s own gem, Forest Avenue.

Forest Avenue has humble beginnings, formerly used at Route 439, connecting the Staten Island Ferry to Elizabeth, New Jersey. Today, it still extends almost completely across the northern island, with Gulf Avenue in Mariners Harbor as the western border and Victory Boulevard, near Tompkinsville to the east. Known as the “business district,” this winding road is home to 165 businesses, big and small, and features a variety of eateries, as well as professional services.

Places to Eat:

There are dozens of unique, tasty eateries along this strip. Feeling exotic? Try …

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The Best Kept Secret on The North Shore: Lower Todt Hill

Lower Todt Hill in Staten Island is a residential neighborhood located just south of the Staten Island Expressway between Todt Hill Road to the east and Manor Road to the west. Lower Todt Hill is surrounded by beautiful areas like Todt Hill, Emerson Hill, and Castleton Corners. I am going to take you for a walk through this lovely neighborhood and tell you a little bit about what we have here and why we are so proud of it. A lot of the houses in this area have been family owned for many years, and as time goes on, they get passed on or sold to newer generations. I happen to be one of those people who live in a home that was built by my in-laws. My husband and I owned it and now my daughter and her family own it. If you take a walk down the streets of …

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Credit 101: What You Need to Know

We here at Tom Crimmins Realty can attest to the importance of a good credit score. When it comes to buying a home, big or small, all credit-collecting companies look at one thing before offering a loan: your credit report. This might be a breeze for some and nerve-wracking for others. Here’s a crash course on all things credit and how to break the coveted 850.

What is a Credit Score?

A credit score is a three-digit number ranging from 300-850 that expresses how likely you are to repay your debts. This number is created by the three main credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, using algorithm models created by companies like FICO. Lenders use this number to determine approval for loans, credit limits, interest rates, and other financial…

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The Willowbrook Carousel

Tucked away in the heart of our borough, lie 164 acres of grassy, scenic land, known as Willowbrook Park. This park is one of Richmond County’s many Greenbelt Conservation lands, containing protected space for wildlife, along with various recreational areas and activities. It is located in New Springville, only minutes away from the Staten Island Mall. Yet, this park still manages to feel miles away from the hustle and bustle of Richmond Avenue, giving Staten Islanders and visitors a chance to escape into nature.

More on New Springville

Almost 4 centuries later, New Springville has remained a highly sought after neighborhood. In addition to Willowbrook Park, other small greenlands, give the area a quaint, calm feel. It offers a wide array of retail,…

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