With home values at historic highs, many homeowners are rushing to put their houses on the market to take advantage of the increase in their equity. But our real estate agents want to caution sellers that hasty decisions can mean necessary repairs can go unidentified and delay closing the sale. A pre-inspection can be a worthwhile investment and reveal issues that can be resolved before listing.

Click Here to Read More...

Our real estate agents know that financing is one of a homebuyer's biggest worries. It continues to be a concern even on your second or third home. In fact, homeowners have unique challenges when it comes to selling their existing home and buying a new one!

When there's a gap between the time you close on a new home and closing day on your existing one, it can introduce real financial peril. In many cases, this can stretch your budget to the breaking point. But even if the timing doesn't line up perfectly, you still have options you can pursue.

One of those is the bridge loan.

Click Here to Read More...

The purpose of showing your home is to hook a buyer. You want the buyers to come through your house and be impressed - so impressed in fact, that they're ready to make an offer! You'll have one chance to make a great first impression on the potential buyers, so make sure to follow these five helpful tips to really make it count!

1. Focus on the outside. Make sure that you don't neglect the outside of your home. Curb appeal can make or break the odds of someone even bothering to get out of the car to come in. If they pull up and see a home with a lawn that obviously needs edging and has an unkempt flower bed, they're going to wonder what else hasn't been cared for properly. You want the outside of your home to be spotless. Clean the siding, the windows, and the doors. Make sure there are no dirt smudges, no cobwebs and that anything that needs painting has been spiffed up. 

1. Take yourself out of the house. That means that you want to take out all the personal stuff. Remove the family photos from the wall or tables. You want the home to look neutral so that the potential buyers can look at your house and picture it as themselves living there. Everything should be as neutral as possible in terms of personal items. 

1. Remove all the extra clutter you see at first glance. If you look around, it'll amaze you at how much stuff you've accumulated over the years. Some of it might very well be important, but that doesn't mean that your potential buyers should see it. When you have a lot of clutter, it shrinks the living space of the house. It makes it look and feel cramped and smaller. Many homeowners get something called house blindness. They've lived in the home for so long with the same clutter that they don't even really see it anymore. But a stranger will always notice. So clean out your house and make the space as big as possible.

1. If you have a pet, no one that walks through your house should be able to notice it exists. That means no cat litter box, no dog to jump on anyone, no food sitting around in a dish. Your home should not have any pet odors. Having a clean house that's odor free is a big selling point. You don't want to lose a possible deal just because they can smell your pet's presence or your pet makes a bad impression.

1. Stage your home! You can hire a professional or you can do it yourself. Stage your living areas in a way that shows off your home. You can rent furniture to make your home furnishings look good if you don't use a stager. Someone who knows how to stage a house knows how to play up the best features of your home and knows what to bring in or get rid of to make the entire house appeal to a buyer. 

First impressions are HUGE when showing you home to potential buyers, but by following the simple tips above you will be well on your way to making a great impression and, hopefully, receiving multiple offers!  (And if you are at all anxious about this important step, just reach out to a trusted real estate agent in your area who can help guide you through this process!)

Closing day is a big deal! It's a culmination of all your hard work: getting your house ready to sell, going through the work of keeping it clean and staged for showings, and negotiating with your buyer. It's normal to be both excited and nervous about closing day, especially if you haven't closed on a property as the seller before.

Fortunately, things rarely go wrong on closing day, especially when you have our real estate agents guiding you through the process. Here is a rundown of everything you need to know about the big day.

Click Here to Read More...

Our real estate agents know that deciding precisely when to sell your house can be a real challenge.

Whether it's a buyer's or seller's market, conditions never stay the same for very long. It's up to sellers to time their transaction for the greatest advantage, then get the right help from a real estate agent. However, there can be a lot of conflicting information to sort through.

With interest rates rising, many sellers have concluded that they "missed the boat."

Click Here to Read More...

Home decorating trends are constantly changing, and staying up to date with home designs is essential for anyone looking to sell. The last two years have brought substantial changes to how we live. As life eases back to normalcy, new home trends are popping up while designers retire other designs. Our real estate agents have the exclusive scoop on the hottest trends to refresh your decorating style below.

What's In?

2022 is an exciting year for home designs, thanks to trends like the following.

Click Here to Read More...

A lush lawn can be a real booster when it comes to your home's selling price, as our real estate agents will tell you. That's good news, but attaining a beautiful lawn requires some work and commitment. Here are some tips that will guide you toward creating the lawn of your dreams.

1. Improve the soil
   Lawns need good soil to look healthy. Be sure that your soil's pH (the measure of the acidity or basicity of the soil) is right for the kind of grass you want to grow. Soil test kits can yield the pH, and you can use amendments to fix it. You may need to till the soil if it is exceptionally hard, and perhaps adding some good quality soil.

   Click Here to Read More...

At Laffey Real Estate, our real estate agents work hard to get you to closing quickly and easily. If you're getting ready to sell your home, one of the most important parts of that process is also one of the earliest: Setting an asking price. What does it really mean if a home is "priced to sell?" It means you are getting the best deal possible aligned with your local market – and thus, attracting highly qualified buyers.

Ideally, a home is on the market for 30 days or less. Warning lights flash as it climbs toward 60 days. Pricing a property correctly is essential to that timeframe. It protects you against leaving money on the table but also against the wasted time and aggravation of a listing that lingers. If a home cannot be sold in 90 days, it often has to be relisted later. This spells disaster for sellers!

It's fair to ask: How does a real estate agent price a home?

Click Here to Read More...

Sometimes yesterday's design trends just don't seem to fit with today's lifestyles. If you're selling your home, you'll want to appeal to as many buyers as possible, and that may seem difficult if there are spaces that might go unused or just aren't very functional. The good news is you don't have to keep the space for its intended use.

Staging your Long Island home for sale is a good idea, and it can help you use that tricky space as a plus that will add a little extra appeal for buyers.  One space you might want to look at changing is a formal dining room. If there is eating space in the kitchen, why not showcase the dining room as extra space buyers will use every day. Of course, you'll want to consider your space and the types of buyers you'll see, but our real estate agents recommend considering one of these spaces that will catch their attention.

Click Here to Read More...

If you've got a home inspection coming up, it's completely normal to feel a bit nervous. After all, nobody enjoys having strangers poke and prod around their home, looking for problems. Even if you think you know your home inside and out, you never know what they might find. 

Our real estate agents talk to nervous sellers about this all the time. The best advice they give is to remain calm and make sure you're prepared. This will give you the best chance of having a successful inspection. Here are a few things you'll want to consider doing.

1. Decide How to Deal with Known Issues
   If you're aware of your home's problems, you cannot conceal them from the potential buyer. You'll need to decide whether you want to fix them before your inspection or disclose them. Your real estate agent can help you weigh the pros and cons and make a decision. It's also a good idea to have a game plan for how you'll handle any additional issues that may come up during your inspection.

   Click Here to Read More...

While it's true that two offers are better than none, that doesn't make it any easier to make the right decision. There are many factors to consider, and you will want to weigh each offer carefully as you decide which one to accept. Our real estate agents understand the challenges in front of you and recommend the following to help guide you to the right choice.

Price Vs Terms

This is only part of the equation you need to consider. If it's an all-cash offer that comes in at or above your asking price, it's an easy decision to make. In fact, most sellers will accept this offer without a second thought. While a generous offer is certain to catch your attention, the bottom line is that you should always pay close attention to the offer's terms and conditions. For example, suppose a high bid is contingent on the buyer selling another property or securing financing. In that case, it can be riskier than accepting a lower offer with no strings attached from a buyer with secured financing.

Click Here to Read More...

Of all the home design trends that can shape your effort to buy or sell a home, house size is one of the most inflexible. You can remove crown molding or install a kitchen island, but adding or removing square footage is a serious undertaking. However, if you have a larger home, our real estate agents would like to talk with you, as after the tiny home trend, big homes are back in a big way. 

Home trends can lean toward greater square footage for a number of reasons, including suburban areas increasing in popularity and technological advances making large homes easier to maintain. But in 2020, the lockdowns and quarantines have left some homebuyers feeling cramped in homes that now must be ready to accommodate multiple functions. Millennials have expressed significant interest in larger homes and are moving out of apartments and starter homes for something ready to accommodate their next steps. Help potential homebuyers see their future in your home by staging and showing the best uses for the space you have.

Click Here to Read More...

Need some motivation for deep cleaning? According to Psychology Today, household clutter causes stress, lack of focus, and poor quality of sleep.

Sept. 17 is designated as Professional House Cleaners Day, and our real estate agents suggest getting a helping hand from these great Nassau County cleaning services.

• Tri-County Carpet Cleaning - 55 Hawk Lane, Levittown, NY 11756
  Dirty carpets look and smell bad, but cleaning them yourself is such a hassle. Tri-County Carpet Cleaning earns high marks from clients for their quality service and reasonable prices. Staff members use eco-friendly, pet-safe products with a pleasant hint of citrus aroma. Have a leaky basement? Tri-County specializes in flood damage restoration. While the company is headquartered near Levittown homes for sale, as the name implies, they serve an extensive part of the NY area. Hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

  Click Here to Read More...

Laffey Real Estate, a leading residential real estate broker on Long Island, launched their Virtual Showing Platform in early April to much acclaim.  The demand for virtual viewings is still strong.  Visit Laffey.com/OpenHouse page to participate.  Interested buyers can find homes to preview every Wednesday from noon to 1:00 pm via Facebook Premier and Laffey.com. 

This is simple and safe home showings.  Go to Laffey.com/OpenHouse page.  Choose the property.  Click on the Facebook Live button under the listing address.  The open houses are scheduled in advance so the date and time is shown on the listing page as well.  Visitors will be notified when they are registered and will receive a notification that their Virtual Open House is beginning.  It is easy to explore open houses from a desktop, laptop and smart device.   

The market is very robust.  Nationwide, there was a 20.7 percent increase in existing-home sales — which includes single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops — between May and June of this year, according to the National Association of Realtors. 

On Long Island, the number of pending sales spiked by 60.6% in Nassau County and by 55.6% in Suffolk last month, compared with a year earlier, OneKey MLS, the multiple listing service that includes Long Island, reported Thursday.

Prices increased in both counties. In Nassau, closed sale prices ticked up 1.1% annually, to a median $551,250, and pending sale prices rose by 6.4%, to a median $580,000. Suffolk County median closed sale prices jumped by 5.8% to $439,000 and pending sale prices rose by 8.4% to $450,000, the listing service reported.

In July 2020, the median list price of single family homes in Queens County, NY was $750K, and media sale price was $650,000; condos median list price was $638,000 and media sold was $530,000. Homes in Queens County, NY sold for 3.5% below asking price on average in July 2020

Combined with record-low interest rates and high rents, City dwellers are adding another element to the frenzied pace of available home buyers. The average interest rate was 2.96% last week, down 0.64 percentage points from a year ago, mortgage giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday.

"This method of engaging our customers have proven fruitful for everyone", explained Donnamarie Chaimanis, President Laffey Real Estate.  "With Zoom, WhatsApp, Google Meets live streaming and showing appointments, the overwhelming number of buyers coming to our website requesting virtual showings and meetings has been awe-inspiring." 

Since mid-April, during the height of the pandemic and beyond, Laffey Real Estate débuted more than 500 Virtual Open Houses reaching thousands of potential buyers across Laffey.com, Agent Websites and Facebook. 

Who Are Long Island's Top Realtors?

Laffey Real Estate's James Gavin!!!

Long Island Press recently named Manhasset's own James Gavin to the 2020 Top Realtors of Long Island.  We are proud to recognize James Gavin, a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, as a true professional in the Residential Real Estate industry.  He is a Luxury Home Marketing Expert with a very successful and impressive portfolio of representing notable and distinct North Shore homes.   

Gavin's accolades include being named "Rookie of the Year" at his Manhasset firm in 2015, earning the title of "Rising Star Residential Agent Of The Year" by Long Island Business News in 2017, and being named to Zillow's Best of the Best list in 2019. He sells homes all along the North Shore Corridor from Great Neck to Cutchogue with a specialty in the Manhasset-Port Washington-Sands Point Markets. 

To preview his historic legacy transactions and read more about his beginnings, visit his website Jamesgavin.laffey.com.  A lifelong resident of the North Shore, Jim resides with his wife and daughters in Manhasset.  

Laffey Real Estate congratulates all of the recipients named to the 2020 Long Island Press Top Realtors List. 

Laffey Real Estate is proud to be featured in the July 2020 Delta Media Group's industry publication, Real Estate Marketing and Technology Magazine, titled In A Town Full of Apples, Be the Orange. How Long Island's Laffey Real Estate Stands Out from the Competition. 

An orange you might say?  Well, frankly, yes!  In terms of standing out, the metaphor works.  Laffey Real Estate has made it their mission to be unique in both brand and business model.  

if this pandemic has taught us anything, as a brokerage and as a society, it is that we have to learn to adapt.  And, adapt quickly!  Once the senior management team realized that the world as they knew it was coming to a screeching halt, they jumped in and, using Delta's Virtual Business Platform, began the training program that gave agents the tools to keep focused and help buyers and sellers once the world reset.

Laffey Real Estate is proud of the team that orchestrated the single most daunting responsibility in recent memory.  How could they maintain a safe environment for the agents and employees while keeping the doors open for the clients and customers?  Embracing the virtual platform was the answer.  Using Facebook Premiere, Zoom, Google Meet and a great technology partner, the months following the shutdown were certainly difficult but the Laffey Real Estate agents didn't miss out on being able to 'get in front of' their sellers and work with buyers and renters alike.

Kudos Team Laffey!  

Read the full article here -->  In a Town Full of Apples...

When that "For Sale" sign goes up in your back yard, you may be ready to say farewell to your house. You may have already begun packing. So it may seem a little odd to consider remodeling at such a time. Why go through the process of hiring contractors and paying for repairs that you may never enjoy? But when you sell your home, you aren't just saying goodbye to your house. You're hoping to convince someone else to call it home for the first time. Here are the remodeling projects our real estate agents recommend considering when preparing your home for sale:

• Fix It, Don't Forget It 
  Materials in poor condition should be at the top of your list for repairs or replacements. If surfaces are chipped, peeling, or cracked, it doesn't matter if they're in a style that's currently en vogue. Surfaces that show signs of water or mold damage, even if the underlying cause has been addressed, will prompt buyers to be wary of problems beneath. If you have a material that is rare or old, have an expert examine it to determine the best course of action. Some original materials might need to be preserved or restored by specialists.

  Click Here to Read More...

Warmer weather is here, and we're entering the height of landscaping season. We're also in the midst of the biggest real estate season of the year, and our REALTORS® have learned that those two things go hand in hand. 

Now is the time to get your landscaping in shape, especially if you're selling your house. When you're getting ready to sell, you need every advantage you can get, and preparing your landscape is just as important as staging the inside of your home. For anyone out there who's listing their Long Island home this season, use these tips to edge your landscaping like a pro!

Click Here to Read More...

Our real estate agents are here to help sellers in New York adapt to a challenging and uncertain time. The real estate market is just one of countless things changing fast as a result of COVID-19—but that doesn't mean you need to put off your sale.

Many buyers are still moving forward with their plans. Online open houses, digital home tours, and easier closings are just a few of the methods keeping sellers and buyers safer. That said, the amenities that buyers are looking for now have changed almost overnight.

Click Here to Read More...

Deciding to place your home on the market is a major decision. Many people downsize once children leave home. Others look for a larger home to accommodate growing families. In today's high-tech world, setting your home up for a virtual tour increases the potential number of buyers.  

When you get your home ready for a virtual tour, enticing the buyer is the primary goal. You want to show the potential new homeowner the possibilities of owning your home. If you need help, our real estate agents can provide suggestions. Here are general areas to consider when preparing your home for a virtual tour.

Click Here to Read More...

Online listings have long been a crucial element in selling a home since most buyers start their search for a property online, and your listing is the first chance to make them fall in love. With so many communities sheltering in place due to the COVID-19 outbreak, online listings have taken on even greater importance. Buyers are forced to shop from a distance, but that hasn't stopped them from wanting to find the right home! As our real estate agents can tell you, there are many reasons why your online house listing is even more important than ever before.

• More Buyers Than Ever Start Their Search Online
  Even before COVID-19, buyers from nearly every age and demographic flocked to online listings when trying to find their dream home. Whether shopping from across town or across the country, online listings provide an easy way to form a solid first impression of a home ... and maybe even fall in love. Buyers can easily filter search results to hone in on exactly the type of home they want, making it even more likely that your home catches their eye if it matches their needs. If you want to maximize the market for your home and reach the largest number of potential buyers, then an online listing is a must.

  Click Here to Read More...

The world health community continues to monitor closely the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the disease it causes, named "coronavirus disease 2019" (COVID-19). At this time, no one knows how severe this outbreak will be. Given this uncertainty, and the fact that the seasonal influenza (flu) virus is also widespread, we are taking proactive steps to address a number of business concerns.

First and foremost, we want to continue to maintain a safe workplace, encourage our valued community residents to utilize practices that protect the health of family members and friends. We also want to ensure the continuity of business operations.  To that end, the company has contracted with a professional cleaning service to perform an extensive two step deep cleaning.  Within the last 24 hours, all Laffey Real Estate offices have undergone this essential service.  While we cannot eradicate every germ, we are confident that this activity will help reduce the unintentional spread of the virus. 

We ask that everyone cooperate in taking steps to reduce the transmission of communicable diseases. 

We are reminding you of the following:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Wash your hands frequently with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your mouth with tissues whenever you sneeze, and discard used tissues in the trash.
• Avoid people who are sick with respiratory symptoms.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces.

Of note, our senior management team has made a collective, albeit difficult, decision to temporarily close our branch locations in an effort to protect our employees, agents and of course the members of the communities we serve.  To that end, we have instructed our IT department to install remote software on all essential office personnel computers so as to continue with the business at hand. 

Currently, Open Houses are being scheduled at the behest of the Seller.  However, company initiated meetings where close proximity may put someone in danger of contracting the virus have been postponed. 

We are moving to a virtual platform to remotely schedule Closings, Lease Signings and other events deemed time sensitive or essential.  We are heeding the instructions from the CDC and other health care experts, taking every step possible to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

We know this is a difficult time.  Be mindful of the elderly and those with pulmonary or compromised health situations.  Check in (by phone) on older neighbors, family members and friends.  Use your common sense and discretion as you go about your everyday life. 

Laffey Real Estates wishes you safety and health. 

With homebuyers placing a high premium on space and flexibility, a bonus room can be a definite advantage if you're selling your home. But rather than leaving them virtually empty or using them for storage, sellers should stage bonus rooms to show them off to their maximum advantage.

Our real estate agents suggest the following ways to help prospective buyers feel inspired when they see your bonus room:

• Consider your likely buyer
  Tailor your bonus room to the type of buyer who is likely to be interested in your home. If it's likely to appeal to a family with young children, consider making your bonus room into a nursery, playroom, or extra bedroom. But if your neighborhood attracts a lot of young professionals, your bonus room may be more appealing if it's transformed into a home office.

  Click Here to Read More...

Springtime is almost here and that means prime real estate season is right around the corner. If you're thinking about selling your home, you're in good company. Our real estate agents are already working with many sellers who are preparing to list their homes in the coming months.

Want to make sure your house stands out from the crowd? You'll need to put in a bit of extra effort. Start with these six tips. 

1. Update Your Curb Appeal
   After a long, hard winter the outside of your home is sure to need a bit of TLC. Make sure you put your best foot forward by sprucing up your landscaping and adding some extra touches to make your outdoor space more appealing. This includes:

   Click Here to Read More...

Will an open house sell my home? This question is one of the most common that our real estate agents field from clients. As with many questions, the answer isn't always "yes" or "no." Often, the value of an open house depends on market conditions and location. Thus, it is essential to work closely with your real estate agent to determine the best way to leverage an open house to achieve the sale you desire.

Open Houses Generate Interest (& Potentially Higher Profit)

The primary benefit of an open house is that it generates interest in your home. Like a beacon in the night, it attracts prospective buyers and real estate agents. It is a quick way to grow the pool of interested buyers and spread the word that your home is available for sale. While it may not seem beneficial on the surface, the fact is that real estate agents who attend open houses are doing so in the search for the perfect property for their clients. For each real estate agent who visits your home, they may recommend your home to 5, 10, or 20 clients eager to make an offer on your property.

Click Here to Read More...

Preparing your home for an open house can be overwhelming, but with a little planning and a lot of elbow grease, it's not so bad. Our real estate agents have helped many clients successfully stage their homes for viewing. Here they share some tips about prepping some often overlooked spaces that will wow buyers with the right look.

• Laundry Room
  It's easy to forget about one of the most utilitarian rooms in the house. After all, who loves spending time doing laundry? Believe it or not, lots of people. A clean, organized laundry room with space to stash products and fold clothing is a major draw for buyers. Putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls, giving it a thorough cleaning, and placing detergent and clothes on shelves and in bins will make your laundry room shine.

  Click Here to Read More...

Our real estate agents often get asked for their best tips to help sell a home. Staging a home to sell is an important step, and one that will pay off in the end. If you have to stage one room in your home make that your living room. It's normally one of the first things people see when they enter the home, so it's your chance to make a great first impression.

• Get rid of the extra stuff. This should be going on throughout your home. In the living room remove extra, unmatching, or furniture that is the wrong size for the room. Rearrange what's left or replace with something more appropriate. Remove and store collectibles, family photos, and any extreme décor choices. Reducing the amount of stuff in a room immediately looks better, allows more light to shine, and helps buyers imagine how their own stuff will look in the room.
  
  
• Patch and Paint. You should already have been at least thinking about repainting everywhere, but if not, do the living room before you stage it.  Fresh paint will make the room cleaner and brighter, a must for staging success.

  Click Here to Read More...

Agents Take Their Role in Helping Senior Community Very Seriously

Oyster Bay, NY   – Marianne Conroy and Regina Ciardullo, North Shore Realtors with the Laffey Real Estate Brookville Office were recognized for their contributions at the 2019 Senior Expo Event held on October 11, 2019 at the Glen Cove YMCA. 

Both Realtors were part of a discussion panel of professionals offering their guidance and expertise on subjects like downsizing, living alternatives, healthy living, and financial planning.  The theme at their booth was Senior Concierge Moving in Today's Real Estate market. 

In the past ten years, the number of New Yorkers ages 65 and over increased by 26 percent, making up a larger share of the state's population than ever before.  There are now more residents aged 65 and older in New York State—3.2 million—than the entire population of 21 states. Today, nearly one in six New Yorkers is 65 and above (16 percent).   These statistics make a solid case for focusing on the needs of the 65+ community as they remain a significant part of the fabric of the North Shore with solid purchasing power and influence on household decisions in today's multi-generational households.

"We found that this expo gave us the opportunity to provide a solid frame of reference for community members to learn more about their own personal moving options," explained Regina Ciardullo.  "We were encouraged when many of the visitors we spoke to were eagerly engaged upon hearing the ways Regina and I are able to easily orchestrate the entire home selling process", offered Marianne Conroy.  "Most visitors wanted to know if we could provide assistance in how to handle minor repairs, prepping for sale, determining their home's market value and alternative living arrangements", added Ciardullo. With more than 200 people in attendance, the opportunity to meet and greet members of the North Shore community was most gratifying for both experienced real estate professionals.

Visitors were treated to good bags filled with coupon books for local deals.  Guest speakers included a who's who of notable public figures including Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Glen Cove May Timothy Tenke and Assemblyman Charles D. Lavine. 

Greenvale, NY  (August 29, 2019)  – Laffey Real Estate is pleased to announce the sale of the late Oleg Cassini's sprawling 43 acre estate in Oyster Bay Cove.  This is the highest recorded price for a home in Nassau County year to date 2019. Located at 313 McCouns in Oyster Bay Cove, the estate sold for $9,035,000 million in less than 260 days.  Philip C. Laffey and Mark T. Laffey, Broker Owners, handled both sides of the transaction.  . 

"We have listed some amazing properties but this one was truly remarkable," explained Philip Laffey.  "The history and celebrity of Cassini and his impact on the fashion world was found throughout the estate.  Of course, the property itself really captivated the uniqueness and opulence of the Gold Coast age."  According to a 1918 piece in Architecture Magazine, John Chandler Moore, Chairman of Tiffany & Company c. 1915 built the Oyster Bay Cove property that bears his name.  'Moorelands' was designed by architect, Charles Berg, in the Italian Renaissance style of the day. 

Purchased by Oleg Cassini, the late designer lived there until his death in 2006.  The estate remains a pristine reminder of early 1900s affluence and social standing. A testament to superb construction standards, the main residence was one of the few remaining inhabited Gold Coast estates. 

Surrounded by private estates, the natural deciduous and coniferous plantings that border the hilly property provide ample sound and privacy buffers.  Year round views of Oyster Bay Harbor add to the tranquility of the visual landscape.  The winding tree-lined drive, flanked by canopy of mature deciduous trees and multi-hued hydrangeas, opens to the massive (appx) 12,000 sq ft. brick 14-bedroom, 8.5 Bath three level main house.  In addition to the resort like pool and cabana on the grounds, the property has a pond, tennis court, two barns, and a large Carriage House with 4 apartments encompassing 8 bedrooms, 5 baths and 4 kitchens.

Philip and Mark, co-owners of Laffey Real Estate, have a history of working with the affluent and celebrated sellers including the late Alan King's Estate on the bluff in Kings Point.  Their curated brand of marketing homes pales in comparison to the vast network of affluent buyers and investors of premier homes on the North Shore and beyond.

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, REALTrends and T3 Sixty, Laffey Real Estate has an exceptional record of success proudly recognized in the largest independent brokers, total sales volume, largest brokers nationwide and network partner Leading RE affiliates. 

Media Contact:  Cathy M. Poturny  Laffey Real Estate  516.626.1500 x390  cpoturny@laffeyre.com

It's a worst-case scenario for a home seller. You put your home up for sale and then…nothing. It's frustrating to need to sell your home and not get the kind of offers you want. Or worse yet there's no real interest from buyers at all. You don't have to leave things to chance. Our real estate agents have helped lots of sellers and seen a lot. Here are some of the reasons your home might not be selling.

1. The price isn't right. There are several reasons the price might be too high. Your home may be priced similarly to others on your street, but if it is smaller, has fewer amenities or needs some work you won't close the sale for the same price your neighbors did. Unfortunately, some agents will use artificially high prices to entice sellers to list with them.

   Click Here to Read More...

Are you thinking about selling your home? Our real estate agents talk to people every day who have made the decision to list, and their reasons are always varied. Sometimes they're financial, personal, or job-related. Other times it's just a matter of preference.

If you've ever wondered why people sell their homes, you're in the right place! Here are the top ten reasons we hear most often. 

1. A Growing Family
   Many first-time homebuyers start out with a small "starter home." As their families grow and children get older, they often find that they need more space. 

   Click Here to Read More...

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.  

When it's time to sell your Long Island home, you know you need to get it shaped up and ready to shine. Your first concern should be curb appeal, or how appealing your home is to a potential buyer driving by. Some experts even say good curb appeal can help you get 10% more in the final price.

You might think of asking a friend to give you an assessment of how your home looks. Make sure you get the honest friend; not the one who tells says you look great after that awful haircut.

Our REALTORS® offer these six tips of where to start to make your curb appeal pop:

1. Mailbox
   Start at the curb and take a good look at your mailbox. Is it scuffed and dinghy, looking as though it is apathetic about holding the mail? Give it a good cleaning, or if it is too far gone, consider replacing it. At least re-paint the post and replace the house numbers with a style that matches your overall house.

   Click Here to Read More...

Staging your home properly when you're ready to list it on the Long Island real estate market can mean the difference between selling it quickly or having it languish for months. Our real estate agents compiled this checklist of ten tips to make your home shine and stand out from the crowd.

1. Clean the Clutter
   Although your wedding photos may be a source of enjoyment for you, potential buyers want to envision themselves living there. You're moving anyway, so why not purge, right? Take all unnecessary knick-knacks, toys, photographs, and books and box them up or get rid of them. It's also a good idea to stow away countertop appliances like toasters, blenders and hair dryers.

   Click Here to Read More...

Your home reflects the love and attention you have poured into it over the years. Colors and furnishings that make you feel at home may not be as attractive to a prospective buyer. When you prepare for an open house, consider how it looks from a buyer's perspective. You can easily augment what you have or make minor adjustments to improve its marketability.

Our real estate agents have compiled a list of six straightforward steps to spruce up your Long Island home for an open house.

1. Clear away the clutter
   This can be an excellent opportunity to begin purging in anticipation of a move. Pack up your personal trinkets, photos, and other items that you don't use on a daily basis. Clear off the countertops and coffee table. You want buyers to see the home, not the stuff. Store the boxes neatly in a closet or the garage.
   
   

Click Here to Read More...