Tom Crimmins Realty Blog

Don't Forget to Factor in these Extra Costs of Owning a Staten Island Home

Paying for the mortgage isn’t the only expense that you will need to consider when you are buying a Staten Island home. There are many other costs that you will have to think about and these can come as a shock if you haven’t planned ahead for them. Some very enthusiastic first-time homeowners will gloss over these costs and later find out that their budget is overwhelmed.

Here are a few of the costs that you should consider when you are becoming a homeowner for the first time.

Moving Costs

Once the home purchase is complete, you will have a whole new wave of additional costs concerned with moving into your new home. You might be able to ask your friends for a favor, but usually you will have to spend some money on a moving company to transport…

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Clever But Simple Ways to Get Your Staten Island Home Mortgage Paid Faster

Paying off the mortgage on your [City] Home faster means that you will not only have the satisfaction of owning your own home sooner, you will also have the benefit of paying much less in interest over the years. The faster you pay off your mortgage, the more money you can save, so here are some tips to accelerate your payment.

Pay Bi-Weekly

Did you know that if you take your monthly mortgage payment and divide it into two bi-weekly payments; you will end up making a full extra month of payments every year? You won’t notice the difference, but over the years this will end up saving you thousands in interest.

Put Any Windfall Toward the Mortgage

Was your tax rebate larger than you expected? Have you received an inheritance from your great lost…

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6 Ceiling Solutions To Update Your Home

If you’re absolutely sick of looking at the popcorn ceiling of your 1980’s home — it’s time for a change. However, behind the façade of a ceiling is a mess of plumbing, wiring, joists and structural beams, so you have to be careful and creative when updating your home.

Whether you’re dealing with an older home, a tricky duct system or an unfinished basement, below are several ceiling solutions to brighten up the space above your head.

Bring back wood paneling.

The 70’s are making a comeback. If you have a flat or slanted ceiling, wood paneling is easy to affix and can create a cozy cabin-like feel. This works well in living rooms, bedrooms and basements where you want generate a warm, comfortable atmosphere. 

Create an industrial vibe.

If…

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5 Energy Efficient Home Upgrades To Save You Money

Making a commitment to go green in your home not only helps the environment, but also your wallet. The federal government and New York are offering tax breaks for upgrades made in 2013. So, take an interest in Mother Nature and advantage of the tax incentives by making your home more energy efficient.

 1. Invest in a tankless water heater.

On-demand water heaters heat your shower or washing machine water as needed, so they are not constantly working to keep a large amount of water continually hot. Electric tankless water heaters can sometimes be twice as energy efficient as standard water tank heaters.

 2. Install ceiling fans.

Ceiling fans help circulate the air in a room to make it feel cooler. This reduces the need to turn on appliances…

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Relay For Life for American Cancer Society

Just 2 days to go!

Each year Tom Crimmins Realty participates in the Relay for Life for American Cancer Society. Tom and his staff solicit sponsors as well dig as deep into their own pockets to raise as much money as possible for cancer research. Each year they raise more money than the previous year for this great cause.

Looking to donate or help out. Feel free to contact Tom Crimmins Realty at 718-370-3200 or donate directly at the Tom Crimmins Realty Relay For Life page. It’s a great feeling to give!

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Selling a Home? Here’s a great idea!

People love garage sales!  If you are selling your home you most likely have personal belongings and furniture you no longer need. 

Combine a garage sale with an open house.  Works great. Be sure to check the weather and advertise it in both the open house section and garage sales section.  Distribute flyers spreading word about both.  It’s an all win situation.  Just make sure your realtor has ample coverage to handle the large expected traffic through your home.  Hey you never know, people that patronize garage sales buy homes too!  Call us to strategically sell your home.  We have both state of the art marketing tools as well as “old school” approaches.

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Should I allow my Real estate broker to put a sign on my lawn?

Absolutely. A real estate for sale sign should be on every house on the market. At least 20% of all buyer calls come from for sale signs. Allow your broker to display a sign. Sometimes the old school way works. As a seller you want every edge.

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Do I sell My Home Myself or Use A Realtor?

People fail to realize that a real estate agent is an experienced , trained, licensed and often seasoned professional. Yes you have to “interview” and hand pick your real estate agent but it is important to have one to guide you and work for you when you are selling your home.

Providing you find a knowledgeable and reputable agent that you feel comfortable with there is no better way to sell your home.

Aside from having all the necessary tools, contacts and needed internet access a realtor knows how to properly market your home to get a seller the best possible price.

Realtors are also savy negotiators. Strong negotiators usually bring much more in the way of final agreed sale price to substantially cover a seller commission and beyond to put…

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What Can a Seller Expect In The Way of Closing Costs?

A seller can expect to pay approximately 1.4% for home sales $500,000 or under and 1.825% for home sales over $500,000. From here a seller needs to add realtor commission and loan payoffs. It is a safe bet to additionally add $1500 for misc. legal and title fees.

Always choose a reputable real estate attorney for what may be the biggest sale of your life! Contact us for some great attorney referrals or for more information for selling your home. Or stop by our comprehensive home seller's guide.

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Crime - A Common Real Estate Question

Crime is a strong concern among buyers. It is human nature to want to know how safe an area is. A real estate agent is under no circumstances allowed to give his/her opinion or advice on crime. It is common practice for a professional real estate agent to refer a potential buyer to the local precinct for advice on the safety of certain areas. I can tell you as a native Staten Islander and retired New York City Police Sgt. that Staten Island is a nice place to live!

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