Popularized in the 1950s, ranch homes gave us "cheap land and sprawling suburbs, with a horizontal footprint that turned its back on the streetscape to focus on backyard living."

There has been an increase in the sale of Staten Island ranch homes and here are some of the reasons why:

  • "People who want to have a one-story house are looking for [ranches] and buying, including boomers but also young families who don't want to be running up and down the stairs," said Alan Hess, author of the book "The Ranch House," who said there is a growing market for the homes in the resale market, even though their heyday was in the 1950s and 1960s. (x) Families with young children are drawn more to a one-level home to avoid the extra proofing of child-safety.

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On March 18th, 2016 Tom Crimmins Realty will be sponsoring "Finish The Fight Against Cancer" Fundraiser at the Stone House Restaurant at Clove Lakes. 

According to the CDC, cancer is the second most common cause of death in the US, accounting for nearly 1 of every 4 deaths. Fortunately, over the past 2 decades, there has been a steady decline in the cancer death rate "as a result of fewer Americans smoking and advances in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment."

Come support with us and continue to end the fight against cancer.

There will be food, open bar, music & raffles and from 7pm to 11pm. Tickets are $100 per person; please make checks payable to:

“American Cancer Society” and send them to: Tom Crimmins Realty at 304…

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A good roof should last you between ten and twenty years. A new one can be an expensive investment so you'll want to make sure you get the most out of the one you have. There are several ways a roof can be damaged, but lucky for you, most of them are completely preventable. Here are a few tips that will extend your roof's life.

Prune The Trees

Trees that brush up against the shingles are bad news. The branches blow in the wind and can scrape your shingles to pieces; it creates an open door for water to get in and cause damage.

Keep limbs about a dozen feet away. This ensures they won’t scrape, and makes it less likely, squirrels and birds will be on your roof. Critters can scrape holes in your roof as well.

It's best to leave tree trimming to…

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Every owner of condominium properties automatically becomes a member of a homeowners association, otherwise referred to a "HOA." With that membership come certain rights and responsibilities. The primary right that the owner has: to vote at HOA meetings and elect board members. Responsibilities include payment of condo fees and assessments, compliance with association by-laws and rules, and maintaining a condo unit in conformity with those by-laws and rules. Below are various other terms you may hear about from your new HOA.

Declaration of Condominium and By-Laws

The declaration of condominium establishes the existence of a condominium property. It gives the precise location of the property through a legal description and describes each individual…

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While the mall is being redone, and Tottenville is getting more shopping store, NYC Parks has added The Ocean Breeze Track and Field Athletic Complex to its roster. Located at 625 Father Capodanno Boulevard, is a two-story, $93 million, 135,000 square-foot, indoor track and field facility. 

"The facility will become a premier destination for athletic events, drawing competitors from around the region....The facility boasts commanding views of the nearby Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and  the Freedom Tower in lower Manhattan." (nycgovparks.com) Seating is equipped for 

There is a 200-meter hydraulic track with the fastest running surface. If you're training for the future Olympics, Ocean Breeze has an elite facility featuring lifting platforms for…

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Tired of the "new year, new you" cliche? If you're looking to change things up this year, why not try making some adjustments to your home. Bring out that can-do attitude and get yourself organized and on a schedule. 

  1. Help your house lose weight by cutting back on energy. According to Energy Star, "sealing and insulating your ductwork can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20%." By doing this, you'll extend the life of your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump.
  2. Reduce your home's debt by learning to budget. Prevent overspending by creating a yearly budget for home improvement and maintenance. By budgeting and managing spending there will be money set aside for roof & appliance replacements.
  3. Get organized…

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Putting your home on the market during the holiday season might seem stressful and frustration in theory. If you haven't read already, December is a great time to sell because there are few homes on the market and buyers are serious for the new year. Here are a few tips to make it through the holidays while you consider selling. 

Hire A Real Estate Agent

It seems cliche, yes; but employing a professional will allow you to unload the worries that come along with selling a home. Your real estate agent will burden the pressure — and work — of finding the perfect buyer for your home. Real estate agents also have access to the MLS system where they can provide you more exposure for your home. This will free up your time to enjoy the season with your…

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Douglas Patterson and Elizabeth Habeeb are all smiles after engagement at Westerleigh Park.

On Saturday, December 19th, Westerleigh Park held its Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The night was filled with carolers, hot chocolate and the big man himself, Santa. Santa came into Westerleigh Park in style on a firetruck and distributed presents to all children. There was a good turn out and fun was had by all.

PS 29 Chorus sang beautifully and Port Richmond High School Band played wonderfully, Tom Crimmins Realty sponsored with events and gave out gift bags for the holidays. 

A very special congratulations to Douglas Patterson and Elizabeth Habeeb on their Christmas engagement! We wish you the best of luck in your future together. 

Event…

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As a real estate agent, or any other professional, you probably have come across the struggle of achieving a work-life balance. The concept of working towards success is the clear goal, but having a successful personal life is key to having a healthy life too. Real estate agents have the opportunity for a flexible work schedule, yet some agents don't know how to manage their time accordingly. Below is a short list that corresponds with Juanita McDowell's article in this month's New York State REALTOR.

  1. Like most first steps, you need to realize the problem. So here, ask yourself - where is most of my time being spent? Break down your time into whether you are spending it on: work, family, health or a hobby. 
  2. Regardless of your profession, time is…

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Staten Island Cystic FibrosisCystic Fibrosis is a life-threatening illness where more than 75 percent of people with CF are diagnosed by age 2. (x)

On Friday, November 27, at the Looney Bin Comedy Club, US Mortgage sponsored the event and joined forces with agents from Tom Crimmins Realty to raise money for this great cause. The packed sold out show is proof of people's care and support.

Sincere thanks to Steve Milner CEO, Tim Kennedy and Elli Kalamaras of US Mortgage and many agents from Tom Crimmins Realty for all their support. A special thanks to Marion Alameda and Suzanne Crimmins for spearheading the event.

The heartfelt night brought a true smile to 12 year old Kamryn Rose Fasano, Marion's cousin, who suffers from Cystic Fibroisis.

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