Cathedral Gardens- West Hempstead schools

May 7, 2017

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1158585980918176&id=118285934948191

Home for Sale in Cathedral Gardens, Hempstead

May 5, 2017

http://peterowen.betteragents.com/listing/mlsid/668/propertyid/2934611/source/crm/

Current Home Buying and Selling in Western Nassau County April 2017

March 24, 2017

                                             

Peter Owen

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

Better Homes & Gardens Atlantic Shores

55 Hilton Ave, Garden City, NY 11530.

(516) 317-.2860 Email:Peter.Owen@BHGliving.com. Website:https://www.BHGREhomes.com/agent/peter.owen@bhgrealestate.com

 

Garden City, Malverne, Garden City South, New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Lynbrook, Stewart Manor, West Hempstead, East Meadow, Rockville Centre, East Rockaway, Manhasset Hills, Roslyn Heights, and all of Nassau County

April, 2017

Hi Everyone, Listings have picked up a bit but still well short of Normal. High end houses ie over $1.5 million continue to be very slow and homes are not getting many offers. Below $1.5 million, good homes - fairly priced are getting Accepted Offers within 1 week, some times within 24 hours. The buyers are still waiting out there, know value, and are jumping as soon as a house comes on the market. We are now smack in the middle of the Spring Rush and hopefully more houses will enter the market in the next 2 weeks. If not, a lot of buyers may be looking for house rentals just so they can move into their new village and get their kids enrolled in the new school system prior to September. It is really gut wrenching right now for Buyers as the prices keep rising as they watch. Good luck. Eventually, this cold weather will subside and allow us to enjoy Spring.

Peter Owen

Note:I make a constant effort to improve the level of service I provide to you because, in my business, the most profound assets I possess are your respect and trust. Please feel free to call me if you need anything at all; I am always here to help.

Oh, by the way…if you know of someone who would appreciate the kind of service I provide to my clients, please call me with their name and business number. I’ll be happy to follow up and take great care of them.

Articles

1) Building Code, Permit Issues That Derail Deals http://realtormag.realtor.org/home-and-design/feature/article/2017/03/building-code-permit-issues-derail-deals

2)These Doors Can Modernize Your Listing’s Look http://realtormag.realtor.org/home-and-design/feature/article/2017/01/these-doors-can-modernize-your-listing-s-look

3)How Screened Porches Bring the Outdoors In http://realtormag.realtor.org/home-and-design/architecture-coach/article/2016/06/how-screened-porches-bring-outdoors-in

Local Stats:

Garden City

Malverne      New Hyde Park

Floral  Park  East Meadow

Stewart Manor

Rockville Centre

Great Neck

Manhasset Hills

Carle Place

If you would like a free Personal Comparative Market Report for your home ie what range would your home be priced at currently, please just email me – no obligation, no pressure, no hassle – HONESTLY!

Peter Owen. Licensed Real Estate Salesperson. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Atlantic Shores.  55 Hilton Avenue, Suite 100. Garden City, NY 11530. Office: (516)444-3939. Cell: (516)317-2860. Fax: (516)444-3940. Email: peter.owen@bhgliving.com. Website: http://www.nassaucountynyhomes.com/

Best, top, most trusted and dedicated agent covering  Garden City, Malverne, Garden City South, New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Lynbrook, Stewart Manor, West Hempstead, East Meadow, Rockville Centre, East Rockaway, Manhasset Hills, Roslyn Heights, All of Nassau County  displaying a high degree of integrity,

Western Nassau County Real Estate Update February Mid Month 2017

February 12, 2017

Peter Owen
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
Better Homes & Gardens Atlantic Shores.
55 Hilton Ave, Garden City, NY 11530.
(516) 317-.2860
Email:Peter.Owen@BHGliving.com. Website:https://www.BHGREhomes.com/agent/peter.owen@bhgrealestate.com
Garden City, Malverne, Garden City South, New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Lynbrook, Stewart Manor, West Hempstead, East Meadow, Rockville Centre, East Rockaway, Manhasset Hills, Roslyn Heights, All of Nassau County       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Mid Month  February, 2017   
Hi Everyone,
I received some questions from readers on the data in my last newsletter. Primarily, readers want to know if my comments about decline in housing inventory applies to only certain villages or is it more widespread. Answer: there is a  Widespread decline in houses on the market on all of Long Island, and NY State.
For All of Nassau County January 2017 vs. January 2016 (source is Multiple Listing Service of Long Island)
“New Listings were down 14.4 percent to 2,562. Pending Sales decreased 4.2 percent to 2,647. Inventory shrank 12.2 percent to 18,903 units. Prices moved higher as the Median Sales Price was up 6.9 percent to $409,000. Average Sales Price increased 6.4 percent to $497,096. Months Supply of Inventory was down 18.3 percent to 5.8 months, indicating that demand increased relative to supply.”
I cannot really comment on what is causing this phenomenon. I have some theories but no data to back them up. But the point remains, this is a Sellers Market and looks to continue for a while. As I keep saying, Buyers need to be well informed, know the value (vs. price) of homes on the market, have a solid mortgage pre-approval in place, and be ready to look, Offer, then get to contract quickly.
Personal Note
I make a constant effort to improve the level of service I provide to you because, in my business, the most profound assets I possess are your respect and trust. Please feel free to call me if you need anything at all; I am always here to help.
Oh, by the way…if you know of someone who would appreciate the kind of service I provide to my clients, please call me with their name and business number. I’ll be happy to follow up and take great care of them.
Not a bad winter so far, Spring will eventually come.
Peter Owen
Articles
1)10 Things to Toss from Your Garage http://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/10-things-to-toss-from-your-garage/?iid=rdc_news_hp_carousel_theLatest
2)How to Insulate an Attic and Slash Your Heating Bill to Boot http://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/how-to-insulate-an-attic/
3) Put Your Best Features Forward: Simple Staging Solutions (An Oldie but still good)
http://realtormag.realtor.org/home-and-design/feature/article/2012/01/put-your-best-features-forward-simple-staging-solutions
Local Stats:
Garden City
Picture

 
Malverne
Picture

 
East Meadow
Picture

 
East Rockaway
Picture

 
Franklin Square
Picture

 
Stewart Manor
Picture

 
Mineola
Picture

 
Floral Park
Picture

 
Garden City Park
Picture

 
Garden City South
Picture

 
Manhasset Hills
Picture

 
If you would like a free Personal Comparative Market Report for your home ie what range would your home be priced at currently, please just email me – no obligation, no pressure, no hassle – HONESTLY!
Peter Owen.
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson.
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Atlantic Shores.
 55 Hilton Avenue, Suite 100.
Garden City, NY 11530.
Office: (516)444-3939.
Cell: (516)317-2860.
Fax: (516)444-3940.
Email: peter.owen@bhgliving.com.
Website: http://www.nassaucountynyhomes.com/
Best, top, most trusted and dedicated agent covering
 
Garden City, Malverne, Garden City South, New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Lynbrook, Stewart Manor, West Hempstead, East Meadow, Rockville Centre, East Rockaway, Manhasset Hills, Roslyn Heights, All of Nassau County  displaying a high degree of integrity, service 24/7, professional attitude and actions.

Peter Owen Realtor

January 20, 2017

 

Peter Owen Realtor

http://https://www.facebook.com/nassaucountynyhomes/posts/1057794124330696

Better Homes and Gardens Now in Garden City

October 5, 2016

Better Homes and Gardens Video

October 2015 Nassau County Real Estate News – Peter Owen

September 30, 2015

 

Long Island Real Estate Nassau County, NY Homes Floral Park, Garden City, Manhasset Peter Owen Licensed Real Estate Salesperson                                              The Donnelly Group                                                                                                                                     730 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530 (516)317-2860                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Email:  petero@TheDonnellyGroup.com
October, 2015
Hi Everyone The Fall real estate season finally started two weeks ago with a number of new houses coming on the market. If you are planning on selling, remember the outside curb appeal should reflect the season. That does not mean decorate right now for Halloween. It does mean take in all the summer type items, have appropriate flowers in the garden, and maybe put some pumpkins on the stoop. This is a great season to sell, but sellers have to remember that you are not going to get a high premium over fair market value. You can still get a good price, but price the house correctly instead of trying to get an extra 10% – because it will not work this time of year. Let me know if you need assistance with any real estate question, concern or transaction.
Peter Owen

Build or Buy?

New homes have an array of advantages over existing ones, but buyers who want to contract a build have a lot of pros and cons to weigh.
Sometimes you just can’t find the perfect house. With inventory as tight as it is, options are slim, and buyers often must settle for a home that isn’t their best match if they’re determined to purchase now. But there’s still a way to get exactly what they want, even if it’s not on the market. They could build the house of their dreams — though the process may be grueling.
Building comes with many more details to keep track of than buying an existing home. You have to get construction permits, work with an architect, worry about staying within zoning regulations. It’s a daunting task that not every home buyer should take on. But for clients who want what they want and can’t find it anywhere, new-home construction could be their best option.
So should you advise your clients to build instead of buy? You have to feel them out first to determine what their goals are. “It’s important to know whether [building a home] is something your client will actually enjoy, or if it will become a job to them,” says Christine Lutz, residential sales director at Kinzie Real Estate Group in Chicago. “Why do they want a custom home? Are they excited to bring their vision to life?”
The most obvious attraction to building a home is the opportunity it provides for customization. Buyers can make their new home whatever they want it to be when they’re creating it from scratch. But there are other advantages and disadvantages to building that your clients may not always be thinking about. Here are some key points to consider.

Cost of Building vs. Renovating

Existing homes commonly are outdated and require renovation. Though buyers will pay less at the closing table to purchase such a home, the additional renovation costs can quickly add up — possibly sending their total expenses higher than if they had built a new home.
According to the 2015 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, the following common mid-range remodeling projects can be steep in price (based on national averages).

  • Two-story addition: $161,925
  • Master suite addition: $111,245
  • Basement remodel: $65,442
  • Major kitchen remodel: $56,768
  • Bathroom addition: $39,578
  • Roofing replacement: $19,528
  • Minor kitchen remodel: $19,226
  • Bathroom remodel: $16,724
  • Window replacement (wood): $11,341
  • Window replacement (vinyl): $11,198

It might be a helpful exercise to add any of those costs to March’s median existing-home price of $212,100, and see how close it comes to the median price of a new home, which was $277,400 also in March. (Both figures come from the National Association of REALTORS®.)
“When I meet with a customer to remodel after they already made the purchase, many times they find out that it would have been more economical to just buy a lot and build a new home,” says Michael Dembinski, senior vice president of sales at Rinehimer Construction Inc. in Poconos Pines, Pa. “It’s important to always consider the cost to remodel an existing home versus the cost to build new. Many times, I will meet with the real estate agent and their potential buyer to assist them in their decision process.”
However, there are some additional upfront costs associated with building, including the cost to buy the land as well as fees for architects and construction permits.

Difference in Value

Homes built today are likely to command higher values than existing homes, primarily because improved building standards have led to better-quality housing products, says Brett McIntyre, GRI, an agent with John Greene REALTOR® in Naperville, Ill. “The energy-efficiency standards and local building codes that are in place today far exceed those that were in place in prior years,” he says.
The greening of new homes is an important value added that most existing homes don’t have. Many markets now require certain energy-efficient features in new construction, such as a higher grade of insulation and Energy Star windows and doors, that aren’t found in older homes. For people who build rather than buy, their homes will be ahead of the green curve — and that will fetch a better price when it comes time to sell. Demand for green homes is soaring, with more than 80 percent of home buyers across ethnic groups indicating they want energy-efficient features, according to a study last year by the National Home Builders Association. And the median sales price of a home with green features can be as high as $47,600 above homes without them, according to a Redfin study.
On top of that, builders often exceed local and state building codes for quality control, and most new construction comes with a builder’s warranty for up to five years in addition to manufacturers’ warranties. “We all have said at one point, ‘Things aren’t made like they used to be.’ And in the case of new construction, this is a good thing,” McIntyre says.

Convenience and Budget

The transaction timeline is a major plus for existing homes. Buyers can move into a home immediately after closing, which typically takes place 14 to 60 days after a seller accepts a buyer’s offer. Even if the home needs renovations, the work usually won’t displace the new owner. But with building, the timeline to move in extends months — or even years.
“It’s not all peaches and cream,” says Rob Jensen, broker-owner and president of the Rob Jensen Company in Las Vegas. “The building process is not easy. It can take well over a year and requires constant attention. Even when working with some of the best builders your town has to offer, it’s important to plan on making regular trips to the job site — almost daily. Plan on bringing the construction crew lunch once a week as well.”
Buyers who build have to live elsewhere while construction is underway. For most, that means paying two mortgages or a mortgage and rent for a year or more. And if construction delays occur because of bad weather or contractor and inspection issues, the extra costs can eat into their budget quickly.

Financing

Another reason buying an existing home may be more attractive than building is because it’s often harder to obtain a construction loan than a traditional mortgage. Construction loans are more complex and involve more risk, and lenders will typically not approve them until building permits are secured. This means buyers need to have more money available upfront.
Traditional mortgages can also be cheaper. They come with the option of a fixed interest rate, whereas construction loans, which are short-term, most often have variable rates. Construction loans are also more difficult to qualify for because they cover a smaller percentage of a purchase than traditional mortgages, says James Roche, CEO of HousePlans.com. Construction loans will finance up to 65 percent of a project while traditional mortgages cover up to 80 percent of a home purchase, Roche says. So buyers will have to bring a much heftier down payment to the table if they’re going to build. That’s a high standard to meet on top of credit score and ability-to-pay qualifiers, which make it hard enough for many people to get any kind of loan at all.
When the build is complete, lenders tend to offer limited options for the repayment of the construction loan: refinance into a traditional mortgage or roll the construction loan over to a five-year ARM. Buyers most commonly refinance into a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, but that will involve going through a completely new underwriting process.

Location

If location is important to a buyer who wants to build, it may be difficult to find land in the neighborhood of their choice. New subdivisions are the best bet for finding lots, but that means taking a chance on a location that hasn’t been established yet. Existing city lots or unbuilt lots in older subdivisions are rarer to come across. If the buyer places a high importance on living in a location with a lot of amenities, it would probably be better for them to buy an existing home in an established neighborhood.
Here’s the bottom line: If your buyer’s ultimate goal is to have a perfect home that meets every desire — and they have time and cash to see the project through — then you should advise them to build. If the ideal residence is not as important to them and time is of the essence, tell them to buy.
Garden City

Garden City median sales prices

Floral Park
Floral Park median sales prices

Malverne
Malverne median sales prices

Manhasset
Manhasset median sales prices

If you would like a free Comparative Listing Report to see what price you  can expect in this market, just call or email me. Absolutely no  obligation or pressure.
Peter Owen Licensed Real Estate Salesperson The Donnelly Group 730 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530 (516)317-2860 Email:  petero@TheDonnellyGroup.com Website: http://www.nassaucountynyhomes.com/

May 2015 Garden City Real Estate News – Peter Owen

May 4, 2015


Long Island Real Estate Nassau County, NY Homes Floral Park, Garden City, Manhasset Peter Owen Licensed Real Estate Salesperson   The Donnelly Group                                                                                           730 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530 (516)317-2860 Email:  petero@TheDonnellyGroup.com                                                                                                                                                                                                      May, 2015
Hi Everyone We are now coming into May and the housing inventory is still not great. The Sellers continue to be in control and multiple bids are the norm on any new good house coming on the market. Asking Prices are up, but as I have stated repeatedly, the Selling Prices are up as much. The buyers are very well educated and know value when they see it. Realistic sellers will sell their house in days. Greedy sellers will sit in their homes wondering why no new buyers are walking in. From the Buyer viewpoint, you cannot fight the situation. If you find the right house, you can expect to be up against 3-5 other bids. You have to decide if you truely want the house. Worse yet, we are about to come into Panic Time when buyers with kids need to buy a house in order to get their kids into the new school system in September. It is not fun to go thru this and many buyers who are waiting for the perfect house end up settling for the wrong house.
If you are diligent and realistic, you will find the right house for you. Enjoy the coming warm weather. Peter Owen

Primer: Don’t Be in the Dark

Good lighting can make a room look more attractive, larger, more romantic — even safer. Help home owners make smart decisions that turn buyers on.  

Don’t struggle with what type of lamps to buy or how many lights to use inside and outside their home. Get up to speed on illumination options — bulbs, fixtures, terminology, and more — so no one’s left in the dark.
Design experts have provided REALTOR® Magazine with answers to common lighting questions, which will help you better serve your clients:
Q. How much light does a room need? A. It depends on a room’s size, color palette, and natural light and the function it serves, says Joseph A. Rey-Barreau, consulting director of education for the American Institute of Architects and associate professor at the University of Kentucky. He says most rooms should have three different layers: ambient or general lighting that gives a room its overall light, task lighting that sheds light on an area so users can perform a function such as reading at a computer, and accent lighting that focuses on a specific architectural detail, like a coffered ceiling.
Q. How do home owners achieve specific effects in each room? A. They can use a mix of fixtures and lamps, depending on the room’s size and furnishings, as well as the desired brightness and color quality of the lighting, say Rey-Barreau.
Home owner Suzanne Alfieri wanted different lighting than the ceiling high hats and two pendants she had before she and her husband redid their dated 1990s kitchen. John Starck, president and CEO of Showcase Kitchens in Manhasset, N.Y., added new cans with more energy-efficient bulbs that worked better with the room’s different ceiling heights and skylight. He also installed sconces with shades on either side of a 60-inch range to add a soft glow.
Q: What about the type of lamps or bulbs? A: Due to the need to cut energy use, the federal government has required that certain bulbs be phased out over time, and states have instituted regulations, too. This has led to the increased use of LEDs, which are much more efficient and give off less heat than traditional incandescents. One area where they have helped greatly is in the ceiling, eliminating the “Swiss-cheese effect” caused by many cans. Though they used to cost much more than incandescents, prices for LEDs have come down – and they don’t have to be replaced as often, which helps in hard-to-reach places such as high ceilings and closets, says Ryan Ramaker, product marketing manager at Acuity Brands. Colors have also been improved to match warmer incandescents, and they work in almost all applications, both outdoors and indoors, says Michael Murphy, interior design and trends producer of Lamps Plus, a lighting retailer.
Another good option is compact fluorescent lamps, which are slightly less efficient than LEDs, yet more efficient than standard incandescents. Incandescents are still useful as halogen incandescents, particularly for table lamps and recessed lamps. Other fluorescent lights are seldom used any more, says Rey-Barreau.
Q: What should home owners look for on packaging to buy the best light? A: Thanks to the Federal Trade Commission’s Energy Labeling Rule, lightbulb packages must be labeled with “Lighting Facts” to help make choices, similar to how food packages are labeled with “Nutrition Facts.”
Here are three key definitions:
Lumens: Measures the amount of light produced (rather than the old method of watts, which indicated how much energy was used). A 100-watt incandescent bulb produces about 1750 lumens.
Kelvins: The color of the bulb’s light. A warm, white LED usually is rated below 3000 Kelvin, while a cooler blue is typically above 3500, says Rey-Barreau.
Color Rendering Index (CRI): Measures the accuracy of color from a lamp on a scale of 0 to 100. Higher numbers provide better color rendering. Many choices today are dimmable, which helps vary effects and avoid having a shopping mall ambience in a home, says Kelly Daiberl, design coordinator and real estate salesperson at Kinzie Real Estate Group’s custom homes division in Vernon Hills, Ill.
Q: What about cost? A: Rey-Barreau estimates that yearly costs are based on three hours of use daily for a year. A 13-watt CFL might cost $1.57 a year while an 18-watt CFL might run $2.17 a year for the same daily amount of light. LED bulbs cost about $15 apiece now, but might have been double two years ago. LED tape that’s one-quarter-inch is only $7 to $10 a foot and works well underneath cabinets since it’s barely visible. A 60-watt incandescent might last 1,000 hours, a typical CFL might last 10,000 hours, and a LED 50,000 hours.
Q: When should lighting choices be made in the decorating or remodeling process? A: Early on, and preferably before rooms are painted, patched, or wallpapered in case wiring or outlets have to be installed or holes cut for cans, chandeliers, swing-arm wall lamps, or sconces. A good example would be cove lighting, a ceiling addition that requires concealing low-voltage strips for a nice glow, says Daiberl. Choices should also be made in conjunction with furnishing plans since it’s wise to have some type of lighting close to a sofa, chair, or bed. Too often cans are installed in a ceiling willy-nilly rather than with a purpose in the room design. Usually, 5-inch-diameter cans should be spaced 6 to 8 feet apart in a 9-foot high ceiling. Many room lighting systems allow home owners to alter moods from their computer, phone, or tablet without great cost.
Q: What are some helpful tips for sellers? A: Be sure your electrical panel is updated to a minimum of 200 amps. Also, play up positive features such as exterior specimen trees and walkways and interior features such as furnishings, architectural structures, or artwork. Every lamp or fixture should be in good working order with the right lumens and bulbs, and fixtures should be squeaky clean. The biggest mistake home owners make is using inappropriate lighting in a room. Remember, lighting needs to change over the course of a day.
Q: Finally, any trends home owners should know about? A: When it comes to fixtures, Lamps Plus’ Murphy notes a trend for antique bronze, blue hues, exaggerated sizes, floor lamps, and the continued appeal of Mid-Century Modern designs.
Garden  City Garden City median sales prices Floral Park
Floral Park median sales prices Malverne
Malverne median sales prices Lynbrook Lynbrook median sales prices
If you would like a free Comparative Listing Report to see what price you  can expect in this market, just call or email me. Absolutely no  obligation or pressure. Peter Owen Licensed Real Estate Salesperson The Donnelly Group 730 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530 (516)317-2860 Email:  petero@TheDonnellyGroup.com Website: http://www.nassaucountynyhomes.com/ http://peterowen.thedonnellygroup.com/
Best, top, most trusted and dedicated agent covering Garden City, Stewart Manor, Floral Park, Malverne, Lynbrook, Roslyn Estates, and Roslyn Heights displaying a high degree of integrity, service 24/7, professional attitude and actions.

April 2015 Garden City, NY Real Estate News – Peter Owen

April 8, 2015


Long Island Real Estate Nassau County, NY Homes

Floral Park, Garden City, Manhasset

Peter Owen Licensed Real Estate Salesperson

The Donnelly Group

730 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530

(516)317-2860

Email: petero@TheDonnellyGroup.com
April, 2015
Hi Everyone The Spring season is well under way. The situation I have been talking about since September stays in tact, mainly, there are a lot more Buyers than Sellers out there. It is a Seller’s Market and the Asking Prices have risen from last year to test how far buyers are willing to go for a good house. Interesting that the actual selling prices are up, but not as much as one might thing given the rise in Asking Prices. This is an absolutely fabulous time to bring your house onto the market if you considering moving. Waiting for further increases in prices is not the way to go, as you will lost all the Spring buyers who want to ensure they are in their new house by the start of the Fall school term. Enjoy the warming weather (eventually). Peter Owen

Front Entry Tips and Trends for Every Home

Despite the increased prominence of back doors, mudrooms, and other alternative entryways, most visitors still enter a home through its front door. Here’s how you can help buyers and sellers set the stage for a gracious point of arrival.

With pressure to justify every square foot of real estate and conserve energy, the larger-than-life front hall is undergoing a metamorphosis. It’s not disappearing, though—rather, it’s doing its job of welcoming in a more compact, efficient way.
Design experts may use different terms to describe the space beyond a front door—vestibule, hallway, entryway, foyer. The terms are quite interchangeable with slight variations. A vestibule is generally a small, separate air-lock that stops cold and hot air from entering the rest of the house. A hallway provides entry but also links spaces and rooms—at the front or anywhere in the home, says design guru Marianne Cusato, author of The Just Right Home (Workman Publishing). Of course there are dozens of other words you can use to describe this space. And whether you pronounce the foyer as foy-yay with a French spin or foy-er (rhymes with lawyer) really depends on how grand you or your home owners want the space to sound.
Whatever you call it, it’s important to understand the potential impact the entrance to a home can have on a visitor’s first impressions, says Stephanie Mallios, e-PRO, salesperson with Towne Realty in Short Hill, N.J. “If there are too many shoes and coats strewn about and no place to put keys or gloves, many buyers will have a tough time imagining how they’ll live there,” she says.
Study these eight design details to help your clients create a welcoming space that does its job well, both aesthetically and functionally—no matter what it’s called.
Size, scale, sequence. Due to energy-efficiency concerns,an entry with a soaring ceiling and sweeping staircase is far less popular than it once was. Still, a modest entryway as small as 4 feet to 5 feet wide can convey a proper sense of arrival, says Cusato. More important than size is the scale (the space should be in proportion with the rest of the house) and the sequence (the rest of the home should flow out in a logical way), says architect Duo Dickinson, author of Staying Put (Taunton Press). Upon entering, people should be able to see other spaces and rooms and know where to go next, says architect Julie Hacker of Cohen-Hacker Architects in Evanston, Ill. In the best layouts, there may even be a view straight through to a backyard.
Height. The number of levels or floors in the structure often determines this factor, though even two- and three-story homes are moving away from entries with soaring ceilings. The location of a stairway will hinge in part on square footage and what role an architect or builder wants the stairs to play. In smaller homes, it’s often part of the foyer but off to the side, and goes straight up—being purely functional. In larger homes, the staircase might occupy its own separate hall and curve gracefully to a landing, past a window or window bank, and up to the next level. To carpet or not is a personal preference, though bare treads can be noisy; a good compromise is a runner covering painted or hardwood treads.
Millwork. To fashion a gracious entry, most design pros recommend a door that is at least three feet wide and 72 inches tall. The trend of pricey double doors is disappearing, according to Chicago-area builder Orren Pickell. Whether a door includes a glazed transom or sidelights should depend on how home owners feel about privacy and bringing natural light into the interior. The size of the glazing should be proportional to the door’s width and height. For baseboard and crown molding, simplification is the overriding trend, which keeps fussiness and costs down, except for the most traditional houses, says Cusato. Wainscoting is another way to add visual detail. Columns are helpful to screen off adjoining rooms without completely walling them off. Hacker uses two columns with space for books cut out on the back side of each on the living room side to separate areas in her home.
Lighting. Good lighting is essential for safety, but it also sets a welcoming mood. A chandelier or large pendant is the obvious choice, while ceiling cans or sconces also work well. Whatever fixture home owners prefer, advise them to install dimmers. Not only will this allow them to save energy, but options for differing lighting intensity and color can also help set a dramatic mood for a party, a bright feel for an open house, and a low-light one for romance.
Flooring. A visually rich, substantial looking floor will reward visitors, says Dickinson. But due to the wear and tear common for front entryways, it should also be practical. Slate, stone, and porcelain meet that criteria, though they can be cold on bare feet in winter. Avoid soft woods that may dent and scratch; don’t use carpeting since it will become too dirty with traffic; and avoid vinyl unless it’s one of the more expensive, newer-looking versions. Home owners may wish to set off the area in a different material than adjacent rooms and hallways. But choosing one common material for several rooms produces a feeling of continuous flow and makes smaller rooms appear larger.
Furnishings. Depending on the entry’s size, home owners might consider adding a table to place mail, gloves, hats, and keys. Also, a mat or rug to wipe off feet and a chair or bench to put on and take off footwear can be helpful for maintaining tidiness. Finally, a mirror to check one’s appearance before heading out the door—or joining a group when entering—can be a welcome sight.
Wallpaper vs. paint. This choice is highly personal. If home owners love color, they should go for the paintbrush, with the knowledge that darker palettes can add drama and romance. Of course, not all future buyers will have the same taste, but repainting is an easy home repair in smaller areas. If your clients are into patterns, the same rule applies, though today many wallpapers are quite easy to hang and remove. The key is for surfaces to appear clean and not look dated, which may mean banishing that old-school floral style.
Bells and whistles. A coat closet is a nice extra, as is a powder room, though newer construction may feature such conveniences at the back of a domicile where they’ll be used most frequently. An umbrella stand can hold a variety of other items—canes, tennis racquets—neatly, and niches or shelves can display collectibles. A doorknocker outside, even if rarely used, is a classy touch akin to wearing one great piece of statement jewelry. It can really give the front door a Downton Abbey feel.
Garden City Garden City median sales prices Floral Park Floral Park median sales prices New Hyde Park New Hyde Park median sales prices Malverne Malverne median sales prices If you would like a free Comparative Listing Report to see what price you can expect in this market, just call or email me. Absolutely no obligation or pressure. Peter Owen Licensed Real Estate Salesperson The Donnelly Group 730 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530 (516)317-2860 Email: petero@TheDonnellyGroup.com Website: http://www.nassaucountynyhomes.com/
http://peterowen.thedonnellygroup.com/
Best, top, most trusted and dedicated agent covering Garden City, Stewart Manor, Floral Park, Malverne, Lynbrook, Roslyn Estates, and Roslyn Heights displaying a high degree of integrity, service 24/7, professional attitude and actions.


Your privacy and email preferences are very important to us. If you no longer wish to receive e-mails like this you can unsubscribe by clicking here. If you would like to change your email address, please click here. To ensure delivery, add petero@thedonnellygroup.com to your address book. Peter Owen, West Hempstead, NY

Best Top real estate agent in Garden City and Nassau County, NY

March 15, 2015

http://www.nassaucountynyhomes.com/peters-blog/march-mid-month-2015-nassau-county-real-estate-news-peter-owen

Next Page »