Date Archives: April 2019

5 reasons why you should love earth

Credit: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/e...

1. The planet is one big party. Earth is the only planet in our galaxy that can support life. Scientists estimate that Earth is home to about 300,000 plant species, over 600,000 species of fungi, and about ten million animal species. Guess you could say we're the life of the party.
2. Earth has a superpower—it sports an invisible shield. Earth is surrounded by a cloud of gas called the plasmasphere. This cloud interacts with rings of particles that also surround the planet to create an invisible shield. The "armor" deflects superfast electrons that zip through space and could harm Earth if they were able to enter the atmosphere.
3. This planet is into recycling. The ground you walk on is recycled. It starts off as sizzling-hot magma deep within the planet's core. This is pushed up to the surface, where it cools and becomes hard rock. Winds erode the rock, shaving off tiny fragments that get buried back into the earth, where they're reheated into magma. Then the cycle starts again. Good to know Earth is so green.
4. Earth is in the perfect position. Earth spins around a tilted axis, or an imaginary line that runs through the planet from the South Pole to the North Pole. If the planet were angled any differently, or if Earth were even just a little closer to or farther from the sun, temperatures would shift drastically. And that would make life here impossible.
5. Our planet is a mystery. About 95 percent of the Earth's oceans (which make up more than 70 percent of the planet) remain unexplored. Scientists estimate almost a million undiscovered species could live in these unseen seas. Some lands, like parts of the rain forests in New Guinea, are also uncharted. This means that many things on Earth have yet to be discovered. ---- http://www.laffey.com/blog -- Homes for sale #followtheorange #earthday2019 #laffeycares

Our real estate agents love to help home buyers find fantastic bargains.

Of course, finding the perfect deal in the real estate market can be a challenge. To get there, you need a real estate agent with an understanding of the local area. But nothing can beat the satisfaction you get from knowing you've found the perfect home at a price you love.

Still, you can whet your whistle with that best deal feeling without buying a home!

While you're visiting Long Island, you should take time to enjoy some of the best shopping on the eastern seaboard. In addition to high-end boutiques, Long Island is full of wonderful thrift stores, antique shops, and secondhand bazaars that will scratch your itch for quality at a terrific price.

Here are our five top picks for die-hard bargain hunters around lovely Long Island:

1. Junior League of Long Island Thrift Shop - 1395 Old Northern Boulevard, Roslyn, NY 11576
   Roslyn homes for sale are right in the neighborhood of the Junior League of Long Island Thrift Shop. It features shoes and housewares, but it's known for a huge assortment of discount clothing for men, women, and children. Seasonal sales liven things up throughout the year.

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The much anticipated 2019 Real Trends 500 and T3 Sixty's Mega 1000 annual real estate industry rankings reports has been released online. Laffey Real Estate, once again, has ranked among the nation's leading residential brokerages nationwide.  Both firm's are trusted sources for ranking the performance of residential real estate companies. 

REAL Trends, in its 32^nd year, showed that the nation's leading realty firms outperformed the market with data from 1,757 firms, a record number, who qualified this year.  All data requires independent verification and REAL Trends is considered The Trusted Source for information about performance of the firms in the report. 

T3 Sixty, a newcomer to the industry ranking platform, released their second annual comprehensive brokerage and franchise report with the Mega 1000. T3 Sixty uses sales volume as its lead ranking criteria as a benchmark of a company's overall strength.  Placing in the top 50% of the list, Laffey Real Estate ranks among the region's best residential real estate independent brokerages. 

"Without the best data available, assumptions and decisions are flawed before they're even made," said T3 Sixty CEO Stefan Swanepoel. "The Mega 1000 is committed to provide the most accurate and complete information possible," Swanepoel added.

Among Top Leading Real Estate Companies of the World affiliates, Laffey Real Estate placed an impressive 111^th with 13 offices in three counties.  Supporting the independent brokerage model, the firm placed at 186^th among the nation's Largest Independent Brokerages and also placed in the top 500 in Total Sales Volume with $632 Million in residential home sales transactions. 

 "Statistically speaking, we are exceeding pleased with our placement in the rankings", explained Philip C. Laffey, Principal, Broker/Owner.  "However, we are more cognizant of the fact that every one of these closed transactions represents real people who have put their faith in our firm to represent them during one of the most important decisions they will ever make."

About REAL Trends
REAL Trends has been The Trusted Source of news, analysis, and information on the residential brokerage industry since 1987. We are a privately-held publishing, consulting and communications company based in Castle Rock, Colorado. Residential real estate leaders look to us for timely and trusted information and analysis through our monthly newsletter, news updates, conferences and publications.

About T3 Sixty
Exclusively serving the residential real estate brokerage industry, T3 Sixty provides real estate CEOs, business leaders, association and MLS executives, brokers and high-performance teams the knowledge, best practices and support to grow their businesses. The company does this through management consulting, training and in-depth research and quality publications, such as its hallmark Swanepoel Trends Report, an annual analysis of the top trends shaping the industry for the next 18 to 24 months. The firm's consulting divisions include brokerage, technology, mergers and acquisitions, and associations and MLSs. Find out more here.

About Laffey Real Estate
Laffey Real Estate is one of the largest privately held independent family-owned residential real estate firms on Long Island with a network of over 500 agents in 13 offices throughout Nassau, Western Suffolk and Queens Counties. Their global partnership with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^®, Luxury Portfolio^® and Who's Who In Luxury Real Estate^® extends their reach to more than 70 countries worldwide. The firm is a full-service provider offering expertise in sales, rentals, relocation, mortgage, new development marketing, mortgage and title insurance to the Long Island marketplace. Their pioneering sales management platforms, worldwide brand identity and industry-leading training curriculum embody best in class standards throughout the industry. Consumers trust in Laffey Real Estate name to represent their home buying and selling interests locally and globally.  Consistently ranked by the two of the industry's leading consulting and research firms, Laffey Real Estate has an exceptional record of success.  With over $645 Million in Sales in 2018 and 936 total transactions, REALTrends 500 placed the firm at #186 among the largest independent brokerages, #475 in total sales volume and # 111 among Leading RE affiliates nationwide.  T3 Sixty's Mega 1000 Report placed the firm at #504 among the nation's largest brokerages in the country.  

LeadingRE recognizes firm for Outstanding Marketing Designs

Greenvale, NY - Laffey Real Estate, Long Island's premier family owned residential real estate brokerage, is proud to accept the recognition of their marketing team's creative talent at the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World.  The invitation-only global community of more than 565 independent real estate firms gala event took place in late February at the Wynn Las Vegas.  

Award-winning entries were chosen based on excellence in creativity, quality and overall presentation and effectiveness.  The firm was proud to accept their Honorable Mention in a field packed with talented successful brokerages.  Laffey Real Estate received the Honorable Mention recognition for Consumer Materials Category, based on originality in consumer materials, interactive media and video.

 "Our creative marketing team does an outstanding job of promoting the corporate brand seamlessly into the agent's personal advertising strategy without overshadowing the realtor's individuality," said Mark T. Laffey, Broker/Owner, Laffey Real Estate.  "In a world full of apples, we are outstanding oranges."

"Successful marketing combines compelling content, creative design and strategic delivery," said LeadingRE President/CEO Paul Boomsma.  "The winners of our marketing contest understand how to blend these elements to deliver materials and campaigns that engage consumers, while highlighting the distinctive character of their companies." 

Laffey Real Estate is pleased to announce that Irene Sarraf, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker in the Great Neck Office, represented the buyer of acclaimed 'Villa Verdi',  the 8,600 sq ft waterfront estate on Gatsby Lane for a record $9.6 million.  This represents the highest priced residential home sale in Nassau County for all of the year 2018 as per MLS data. 

Situated on the northeast side of the Kings Point peninsula, Villa Verdi's captivating views of the Long Island Sound remains nature's opulent canvas.   This prominent estate surrounded by a copse of lush landscaped greenery and architectural excellence sits atop the raised bluff showcasing the expanse of outdoor entertaining and luxurious lifestyle.  With 14 rooms including a Grand Ballroom, Formal Dining Room and Master Suite, the craftsmanship is evident in the superb millwork and finest masonry. 

Most notable, this sale represents the highest priced residential property sold in Nassau County in 2018.  Alone this is perhaps not as remarkable as it sounds  But consider that Kings Point, a mainstay for luxury large property estates, is located on the legendary shoreline of the Gold Coast of Nassau County, Long Island.  Therefore, the record sale is most notable as the Gatsby Lane estate sits amongst the sprawling privet hedged homes of Sands Point, Old Westbury, Muttontown, Mill Neck and a host of distinguished private enclaves.  These are all similar types of exclusive residences with comparable acreage, square footage, amenities and price points.

For the year ending 2018, there were 12 properties that sold for $5 Million or greater.  For the 12 months ending 2017, there were 11 properties that sold for over $5 Million.  In fact, at the time of this writing, the Kings Point residence remains the top sale residential property sold through January 2019. 

Sarraf, a veteran in the Gold Coast real estate market, closed 27 transactions totaling over $23 Million in 2018.  As a consistent top producer at Laffey Real Estate, Sarraf continues to embody the best in her peer group. 

Our real estate agents know that all Long Island City homes for sale have their own story, and each community helps to write that store. Take Long Island, for example. It is known for its colorful neighborhoods.

That's not surprising when you consider the unique part of Long Island in the history of New York. Some of the most significant cultural, artistic, and even scientific contributions to come out of the Empire State have been born right here. And amazing things are continuing to happen every single day.

And then there's Long Island City, one of the fastest-growing areas of New York.

Incorporated 1870, Long Island City now boasts a population of 68,000. It's known for gorgeous waterfront parks and its vibrant art community. Hunters Point is one of the most sought-after local neighborhoods, putting everything the city has to offer at your fingertips.

Hunters Point is a Historic Neighborhood You'll Love to Make Your Own

Found on the south side of Long Island City, Hunters Point is famous for its national historic district. The district includes more than a dozen preserved buildings, principally townhouses built in the 19th century. Their significance has been recognized since 1973.

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Spend National Make Lunch Count Day at a Long Island Restaurant Near You

Our real estate agents want to remind you to stop for lunch!

Much has been said about breakfast being the most important meal of the day. Still, it's just as important not to overlook lunch – and a quick lunch crammed in at the desk doesn't count.

Here on Long Island, a good lunch is one of the most enjoyable parts of the day. In any Long Island community, you'll find plenty of places dedicated to giving you a good meal.

New England is known for seafood like lobster and clam chowder, but you'll also find a wide range of selections with flavor influences from throughout America.

With National Make Lunch Count Day coming up on April 13, it's high time you treat yourself to a bite at some of the best Long Island lunch spots.

Let's visit five of our favorites right now:

1. Rustic Root - 7927 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury, NY 11797
   Rustic Root is where to be for lunch after a fun morning looking at Woodbury homes for sale. Focused on a chef-driven menu of local, simple, honest cuisine, it serves up an array of craft foods and signature cocktails. Brunch features everything from lemon ricotta pancakes to the famous mushroom tacos or flatbread and an assortment of juicy burgers.

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Our real estate agents know that nothing makes a new home complete like welcoming a four-legged friend. Thankfully, there are plenty of places throughout Long Island where you can meet a cat or dog who will love to have yours as a forever family.

National Pet Day is April 11. It's a wonderful time for those who have pets to spend time with them and those who don't to look for the perfect companion. Shelters in Long Island alone protect thousands of animals. Many of them are "no-kill" facilities held to the very highest standards.

Let's look at some of the best options around:

1. Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center - 33 Warner Road, Huntington, New York 11743
   Huntington homes for sale are right around the corner from Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center, a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter that has been serving the community since 1927. It rescues from kill facilities and helps to socialize animals in need from all backgrounds.

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