Tom Crimmins Realty Blog - Real estate

The Neighborhood of South Beach

South Beach is a neighborhood on the East Shore of Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City, USA. It is situated immediately to the south of the Staten Island side of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and directly east of the beach are the two land masses of Hoffman Island and Swinburne Island.

History

Once referred to as Graham Beach, the area was originally a summer beach colony consisting of many  bungalows and tents. In fact, in the early 20th century, summer homes used to be the dominant type of real estate in South Beach, even with an organized and developed series of homes known as Bungalowtown,

Located nearby was Warren Manor, a residential development that was demolished in the 1950s. It was destroyed because the government…

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What is RESPA?

What is RESPA?

RESPA, or the Federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, is a federal act passed by congress in 1974. After being controlled under U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), responsibility for the act was assumed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in 2011.

The act regulates the real estate settlement process by requiring lenders, mortgage brokers or servicers of home loans to provide disclosures to borrowers that will inform them about real estate transactions, settlement services, relevant consumer protection laws and any other important and relevant information connected to the cost of the real estate settlement process. Any business relationships between closing service providers and other parties…

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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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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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Cheap Home Renovations

Your home is your sanctuary, your personal space. It should be a place that is welcoming to both you and others. When you buy a home from Tom Crimmins Realty, you are buying not just a house, but a place of potential: of memories, growth, and comfort for years to come. For our eager buyers, there is nothing more exciting than decorating their new home to their personal style. But often, as we get busy and caught up in our lives, years pass by, and our home decor falls to the wayside. Professional renovations can be complicated and costly, not to mention the weeks spent dealing with strangers in your home. But fret not, here are a few do-it-yourself tips to bring the life back into your home.

Paint, Paint, Paint

Do you feel like your house is dull…

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SI Live's Home of The Week! " Country Living in the City!"

Definitely a Home You Won't Want to Miss!

We've mentioned this gorgeous home and here it is again, this time on SI Live! Welcome to 465 Henderson Avenue located in peaceful Randall Manor. When you arrive at this stunning home, you'll soon find it to be a slice of country living hidden away in the city. Huge amounts of land included in this property, the backyard sprawls out with room for your hearts desires. But let's not focus on just the yard, as the home itself is stunning in of itself. The article found on SI Live showcases all of the photos of the property and highlights some of the lovely features which you can read about on their website, and you can also read more on our page about 465 Henderson Here. When you enter this house, it'll feel…

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117 Wood Avenue | Staten Island, NY | 10307

This beautiful 1,730 sqft, 3 bedroom home is filled with old world charm. It is located in Tottenville on an over-sized park-like lot, making for a great view all year round. The large backyard also offers a lot of potential for entertaining or even relaxing on a nice day.

The first floor includes the formal living and dining room, the eat-in kitchen, and a full bathroom. The first floor also features gorgeous hardwood flooring throughout and access to the backyard. The second floor has the master bedroom, 2 additional bedrooms, and a full bathroom. Another lovely feature of this home is the 3rd floor which can be used as a 4th bedroom, a large playroom, family room, or anything else you desire.

For more information, please contact:

Joseph…

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Dogs: The Benefits and Drawbacks

Dogs can be a wonderful addition to any family! Between the many different breeds and mixes there are, there is surely a brilliant companion out there for you. According to Julien Martinez, a spokesman for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, "Staten Island has the highest estimated percentage of the population owning one or more dogs - 32 percent." So, in New York City's least populate borough, there are actually more dogs. Officials believe this could be due to the type of housing on Staten Island, which provides more yard space for pets.

While this abundance of dogs can be a positive thing, there are also downsides to having a dog such as the possibility of the dog becoming violent as well as the insurance aspect of being a pet owner. In a…

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Top Producers 2016

The Real Estate profession might be one of the toughest careers around. However, with a lot of hard work, honesty, knowledge, and determination, it can be one of the most rewarding. Those who survive in this commission based profession have to love their job and persevere. Suzanne and I recently told our agents that our policy of surrounding ourselves with good people allow great things to happen. We are very proud of each and every agent and staff member because of these amazing people, Tom Crimmins Realty sold 532 homes in 2016 and opened a third location in the Tottenville area. We now have a presence in the North Shore, Mid-Island, and the South Shore. This past Thursday, March 23rd, SIBOR recognized Top Producers islandwide. These Top Producers…

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195 Cleveland Ave | Staten Island, NY | 10308

This rare find of a Tudor-styled home, located in the heart of Great Kills is perfect and conveniently located near Dent Road, where there is access to different means of transportation, shopping centers, schools, and churches.

The first level consists of a gorgeous formal living room, formal dining room, an eat-in kitchen that features full corian counter-tops and stainless steel appliances, and a family room. The second floor consists of three large bedrooms (master bedroom and two regular bedrooms) and two full updated bathrooms. The bottom level is a full basement. 

From the kitchen and den, there is access to the backyard pool deck and built-in garage which leads to the full-sized basement. 

The house has been redone with both internal…

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