Real estate is a well known to be competitive. We try to help you be a step ahead of everyone else in selling your home, and investing in another.

Floors are a very important decision when it comes to your living space. Based on your budget and preferences it may be hard to choose which flooring is the best for you and your family. Here are some positives and negatives of both carpet and hardwood flooring to help you make a decision.

Carpet

Pros:  The number one pro of installing carpet is the price. Carpet is the most cost-effective.  Along with it being the cheapest alternative, it can also save you money on your heating bill because carpet is a great insulator. If you have children in the house you might want to opt for carpet because it is soft enough to have your child roll around and play on the carpet and also is a great buffer when someone falls. Carpet can also act as a noise…

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Whether you have a second property that you're going to move into or you're planning on being away from your home for a while, you may be considering renting your home in order to boost your financial outlook. While students may not be your first choice, they comprise a large demographic of active renters. Here are some pros and cons you may to consider before deciding on a younger renter.

Will Your Home Be Rented Consistently?

Cons: Many students will require a place to rent out since most of them don't have the money savings or stable income to purchase a home, but if you're doing this to make ends meet on your properties, renting to student may not be the best way. While some students may plan on hanging out over the summer, there are those who…

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What is curb appeal and why is it necessary?

It's exactly what it sounds like - curb appeal is how appealing or aesthetic the exterior of your property looks from the curb of the street. It's a very important aspect of buying and selling a property, considering the outside of the home is what first catches a prospective buyer's attention.  If the exterior is unpleasant looking or foul then the chances of a possible buyer decreases immensely. 

Ways to improve your curb appeal:

There are several easy and affordable ways to improve your curb appeal.

  1. Add some finishing touches: painting the door, or even adding something small like a welcome mat, can boost your home's curb appeal.
  2. Planting a garden: planting a garden or just adding potted…

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What is the HOA?

The Homeowners' Association (HOA), is an organization that is common among many developments such as gated communities, or housing subdivisions. The association is generally comprised of homeowners who have volunteered to serve as members of the HOA board. Therefore, they are responsible for providing regulations for the maintenance of the community, that residents within the community adhere to. With these regulations also come HOA fees, which pay for the upkeep of common areas around the neighborhood. According to the Community Associations Institute, about 20% of Americans live in a community that is regulated by a homeowners, condo associations, or co-op board.

What Exactly Do HOA Fees Cover?

The HOA fees can range from about…

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With the cost of rent going up across the board and becoming even less affordable in metropolitan centers, it's never been a better time to seriously consider home ownership. While the price of a home and all the associated costs can certainly seem like a tight squeeze after years of renting, here are some reasons you may want to consider giving up your rental and springing for a home instead.

It's An Automatic Savings

It's a sure bet that the money you spend on rent isn't going down the drain as soon as the month is over, but investing your money into a home each month means that you're actually putting it into something tangible that you can profit from later on. While there are no certainties that the price of your home will improve, there's a…

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Are you considering selling your home in fall or winter? Here are some tips to ensure your chances:

1. Advertise Snow and Leaf-Free Photos

If you are looking to sell you home in the fall or winter, the ideal time to take photos is now, while the summer weather is still here. During the winter there can be snow, ice, leaves and many other things that cover the beautiful features of the home such as the garden/landscaping. So, by taking them when these factors are non-existent, you are showing what the home really has to offer.

2. Amplify Curb Appeal

Next thing you always want is "curb appeal"—the attractiveness of the exterior of a home that is apparent as viewed from the street. Since potential home buyers will obviously be seeing the exterior…

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Most people that have embarked on selling their home know a lot about how to showcase the inside of it, but one of the most important parts of showing a home can be forgotten as a result. Since the outside of your home is the first thing a potential home buyer will see, here are a few simple ways you can quickly boost its appeal.

Re-Consider The Front Door

If your door is both welcoming and majestic, you may be able to skip this step, but if you have chipped paint or disintegrating steps, it's definitely going to be worth a minor renovation so you can make a positive impression. It's just a fact that if the front door isn't up to snuff, any potential home buyer is going to have a bad feeling about your house right from the start.

Languish Over…

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With the excitement involved in moving into a new home and all of the things that need to be done, it can be easy to forget a few important things before you load up the moving van. If the day of departure is drawing closer and you're mulling over the final details, here are some items you may want to check off the list first.

Install A New Lock

One of the most important aspects of home ownership is the feeling of security it automatically provides, so you'll want to change out the locks on the doors before you embark on the big move. As soon as you've received the keys to your new home, contact a locksmith who will be able to do the dirty work for you or, if time permits, you may want to take on this task on your own and save a little bit of money…

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One of the most common questions homeowners have before listing their Staten Island home for sale relates to the selling price. Understanding the value of the home is not 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, there is a reason why listing descriptions say "location, location, location." The location of your home for sale can bring it home for buyers and here is why:

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 Westerleigh Park or another beautifully maintained home may have more appeal than a home…

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Home inspections are a tense time for everyone. Sellers are fervently hoping that nothing major is wrong with their home that could hold up the transaction. Buyers are eager to hear that their new Staten Island house is in prime condition. Whatever the wishes, one thing is for sure; any news from an inspector is usually bad news.

Home inspectors are trained to spot hundreds of potential issues with a home and be knowledgeable of local codes, community restrictions and residential permit parameters. Stay one step ahead of your home inspector by reading the list of common home inspection issues below. Then hopefully your inspection won’t reveal any unwelcome surprises.

Electrical Wiring

This is a common bubble-busting issue, especially in older…

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