The Latest on Supply and Demand in Housing

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!)

Laffey Real Estate Welcomes Gavilla to Huntington Office

Greenvale, NY – Laffey Real Estate recently announced the hiring of veteran real estate broker, Hector Gavilla to the position of Branch Manager of the Huntington Office, Laffey Real Estate's easternmost location.  Gavilla is a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker.  He is responsible for the office's recruitment, productivity, and daily management of agent success and staff workload. 

Gavilla comes to the firm with an extensive background in real estate.  As a training instructor and realtor, Hector brings a valuable combination of mentor and agent into his management skill set.  His hands-on coaching style and experience in the field has already produced results in the office he leads. 

Upon introducing Gavilla to the management team, Donnamarie Chaimanis, President offered this about the appointment, "Hector is a great find and perfect fit for the team in Huntington.  His almost two decades of real estate experience, local knowledge and marketing savvy is the trifecta of traits we are looking for in our branch leaders."  She added, "We know Hector will be a valuable part of our team." 

Gavilla owned and managed his own brokerage for nine years until selling to a competitor in 2019, where he stayed until making the leap to head up the Huntington Branch for Laffey Real Estate.

A resident of Huntington, Gavilla is active in Huntington politics.  He serves on the Town of Huntington Affordable Housing Advisory Board, a committee of non-paid Huntington Residents appointed by the Huntington Town Board to make recommendations with respect to the administration of the Affordable Housing Trust and Agency Fund.

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. 

Iconic Melville Estate Rich in History and Design Excellence

Greenvale, NY – Laffey Real Estate is proud to represent the sellers of this mid-century modern masterpiece by the famed Architect of Rockefeller Center, the United Nations Headquarters, the master plan for Lincoln Center, the Perisphere and Trylon at the 1939 World's Fair and many other high profile historically significant structures in New York City. 

Located in Melville at a very desirable address, the Harrison House imbues architectural excellence.  This 3.6 acre private and masterfully restored estate is just as much a home as it is a work of art that celebrates form, material and the architect's penchant for circular spaces. 

Harrison House was the place for the lively social and artistic "who's who of the time" hosting everyone from Alvar Aalto and Marc Chagall to Robert Moses and French Painter Fernand Leger. 

In 1975 the house was sold to art dealer Harold Diamond and his wife. If the name doesn't spark a memory, the Diamonds are parents to Mike D of Beastie Boys fame.  During their ownership, the Diamonds were instrumental in getting the house designated on the National Register of Historic Places though it offered no protection from demolition. 

Fast forward, the current owners, while admittedly knowing very little about modernist architecture, recognized that the house was special and vowed to restore to its original luster.  Together with the guidance of Steve Schappacher and his partner Renee White, SchappacherWhite DPC and the new owners embarked on a 2-year odyssey to restore, rework and repair the once magnificent estate where it remains today as a testament to the memory of Harrison's remarkable vision. 

Three original circular rooms are the center design elements of this mid-century modern home. The circular living room with the original terrazzo/wood dance floor was the model for NYCs Rainbow Room. Grand rooms include the Gourmet kitchen with clerestory windows, upper and lower family rooms and library. Design features include 5 fireplaces, custom millwork and cabinetry throughout the house by Dune, walnut flooring and walls of glass which allows abundant light and landscaped grounds into the fabric of the home. An expanded lower level boats a multimedia theatre, wine cellar and gym and a convenient walkout to the rear grounds.

The grounds are a private resort with a stunning circular saltwater pool, new Turf Tek surface tennis court, slate patio, 8 hole mini-golf, waterfall and rolling hills of lush mature landscaping complete this architectural showcase.

Offered at $5,999,000 by Broker Owner Philip C. Laffey  516.359.1489 plaffey@laffeyre.com

About
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 575 agents in 11 offices throughout Nassau, Western Suffolk and Queens Counties. Their global partnership with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® and Luxury Portfolio^® 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. 

Laffey Real Estate announced the appointment of Donnamarie Chaimanis, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker, to the position of President of the brokerage effective immediately. 

In this newly created role, Chaimanis is tasked with maximizing branch productivity; supervise the daily sales operations, branch services, recruiting platforms and growth strategies in the markets served including Long Island and the five boroughs.  She will continue in the role of overseeing the team of branch managers and career leaders.

The announcement was made by Philip C. Laffey, Broker Owner via a senior management Zoom meeting.  "We are very pleased to have Donnamarie work alongside us.  Since joining the firm in 2005, she has been a proven leader, innovator and team player," explained Laffey.  "This offers both Mark and me the opportunity to continue to focus on more strategic initiatives while ensuring that our company is moving forward as we have envisioned." 

Chaimanis, a 15-year residential real estate veteran, has previously served in leadership positions including Branch Manager Brookville Office, Regional Vice President and Luxury Marketing Division Manager.  Before her promotion, she led the company's Luxury Marketing Division instituting training strategy, marketing initiatives and agent mentoring. 

Donnamarie has a real penchant for luxury real estate, as the market on the Gold Coast certainly warrants.  Overall, these legacy sales include the $36.5 Million Searingtown Road, Manhasset land; $20 Million Easton Estate, Muttontown; $19.88 Million Alan King Waterfront Estate, Kings Point; the $9.035 Million, Oyster Bay Cove Cassini residence and many other notable estates.  

In commenting on Donnamarie's appointment, Mark T. Laffey, Broker Owner added that "we've been grooming her for this position for a few years.  She stepped up naturally and efficiently. With her professionalism and knowledge, we are confident that Donnamarie will be an integral part of the strategic growth of Laffey Real Estate for years to come."

With her extensive experience and background in residential real estate, she will continue to work closely with the Broker Owners.  As the firm enters another chapter in their storied and well-regarded history, the vision for expansion will be well served under her guidance.  

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...

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. 

New Realtors Are Welcomed

Greenvale, NY – Laffey Real Estate, a leading residential real estate broker on Long Island recognized the last class of 2019 with a formal graduation ceremony and luncheon at their corporate headquarters. 

The Laffey Training Academy is the firm's flagship educational resource for real estate agents joining the firm.  There is an extensive syllabus ranging from how to properly present offers, identifying personality types, utilizing the agent based lead management system, personal branding techniques, marketing tools and much more. 

On hand to present the certificates was Philip Laffey, Broker Owner, and Bettie Meinel, Director of Career Development.  In addressing the group, Philip commended the newest graduates on the completion of the immersive training program.  "All of you in this room today have the opportunity to succeed.  It takes perseverance and hard work but the rewards are quite substantial."  He added that "this class was one of our most impressive.  In doing a quick review, we found that there was already some very encouraging listing activity including a new to market, under contracts and a few offers.  That is truly stellar." 

Combined with the award winning Leading Real Estate Companies of the World^® Certificate programs and the vast knowledge of the course instructors and corporate trainers, Laffey Realtors enter the market fully prepared.  

Academy attendees benefit greatly from the collective knowledge of the energetic trainers comprised of senior leaders in the firm.  These mentoring and coaching relationships extend past graduation day and into the daily lives of manager and agent. 

The management team wishes all 2019 Training Academy graduates a successful 2020. 

Pictured from left to right:

Back Row: Philip Laffey, Manny Rodriquez, Eliott Willis, John Bekiaris, Serge Siena, Sandeep Kumar, Jesse Raspler, Josh Kerben, Robert Strohl, Richard Weiss

Middle Row:  Bettie Meinel, Regina Williams, Alyssa Bonilla, Paula Kyriacos, Melissa Roger, Melody Richman, Jacqueline Clancy, Mohammed Khan, Frank Castelli, Pauline Conti, Linda Michael

Third row:  Cathy M. Poturny, Neshrita Shrestha, KumKum Majumdar, Diane Leyden

Guest Speakers Address Benefits of Merger with Hudson Gateway & MLSLI

Brookville, NY  (October xx, 2019)  –The 2019 Laffey Real Estate Summit celebrated their top producers with a Halloween-themed conference at the popular event venue, deSeversky Mansion.  Over 150 of the firm's Realtors joined in the spirit of the celebration by coming in costume.  Prizes were awarded for best costume and most creative centerpiece.

The Summit is a companywide awards event recognizing individual agent success.  The ceremony acknowledged realtors in six separate categories including the top producer in an Office, Luxury Sale, and within the County in addition to Rookie (under one year in business) and Shining Star.  The award winners are as follows:

Top Producers Second Quarter & Third Quarter award winners are:Kerri Potestio, Kay Kwak, Ira Gross, Tim Lau, Michelle Cohen, Louie Remigo, Vivi Rosen, Janet Kashani, Janet Berookhim, Katy Anastasio, Somnath Ghosh, Eugene Gong, Carol Chang, James Gavin, Ann Marie Macdonald, Michael Maloney, Hemant Shah, Marcella Zack, Nelly Menendez, Christina Carter, Kathleen Myers, Wesley Shands

Top Luxury Sales recognized:
Rosemary Barrett and Brian Barrett, 26 The Terrace, Manhasset
Paula Handler,  42 Central Drive, Manhasset
Angela Chaman, 35 Longfellow, Great Neck
James Gavin, 16A Forest Drive, Sands Point
Janet Berookhim, 31 Rock Hollow Road, Manhasset
Irene Sarraf and Maria Dilmanian, 36 Martin Ct, Kings Point

Top County Sales recognized:
Yanko Pena, Elizabeth Rizzo, Diurny Rizzo (Queens), 96-04 Northern Blvd., Corona
Frank Foronjy (Suffolk), 10 Mallard Lane, Remsenberg
Neil Gortler (Nassau) 252-42 Brattle Avenue, Little Neck

Shining Star Award:  Michael Maloney, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson in the New Hyde Park Office has been a rising star in the firm.  His grasp of social media, technology, and more important, the unique ability to connect with his audience both on line and in person has skyrocketed his sales. 

Rookie of the Year Award: Louie Remigio, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson in the Little Neck Office has been with the company for under a year.  He has adopted many of the tools and resources needed to become a top producing realtor and the firm applauds his drive and determination. 

The Quarterly Summit is also a forum to provide an enhanced education platform for all agents at the firm.  The company regularly brings in renowned experts and trainers from all parts of the country to share their knowledge.  The firm acknowledges and appreciates their attendance and participation at our event.

Dana Nowick, Marketing Manager MLS was back to reacquaint the audience with powerful marketing tools and data mining from Remine, RPR and Homesnap.  In addition, Realtors were especially honored to hear from Tessa Hultz, newly appointed CEO Long Island Board of Realtors.  Hultz spoke enthusiastically about the importance of the realtors' voice as members of the community and as homeowners.

The firm congratulates all award winners, costumed agents and guest speakers.  Pictured L to R:  Costume Contest Winners; Centerpiece Winner; #FollowTheOrange Socks;  Dana Nowick; Tessa Hultz

Agents Challenged to Raise 500 lbs of Donations

Greenvale, NY – Laffey Real Estate, a leading residential real estate broker and  Island Harvest, Long Island's largest hunger relief organization, have partnered to help combat hunger in our communities.  Through Food drives, local outreach and the support of community leaders and business owners, Island Harvest will once again spearhead efforts to help supply Thanksgiving meals to more than 300,000 of our neighbors, young children and elderly persons. 

Food banks are by far the single most important source of food for agencies with emergency food providers, accounting for 69% of the food distributed by pantries, 39% of the food distributed by kitchens and 45% of the food distributed by shelters.

According to the national study, Hunger in America 2010, approximately 283,700 people on Long Island receive emergency food each year – that's 64,900 people every week; 39 percent of Long Islanders who receive emergency food are children under 18 years old; The elderly make up 4 percent of Long Island's hungry; 6 percent of Long Islanders receiving food assistance are homeless and are made up of individuals who are the victims of abuse or have been forced out of closed institutions.

Laffey Real Estate is committed to making this Thanksgiving holiday a memorable and pleasant time for food insecure families.  The company goal is 500+ lbs of food.  With 13 locations, the benchmark is easily attainable at almost 40 lbs per branch.  Every office has a donation container marked Island Harvest.  Donors are encouraged to drop of non-perishable food items liked canned beans, whole grain pastas, peanut butter, rolled oats and dried fruits.  For a more comprehensive list, click on the link here àHealth Food Drive Items.  In addition, non food items such as soap, detergent and other cleaning items are also appreciated.  The deadline for food and monetary donations is Saturday, November 30, 2019.  

Here are three ways to help Long Island Families:

• Food Drive: Non-perishable items such as canned beans, dried beans, peanut butter or other nut butters, low sodium soups, dried fruits, etc.
• Monetary donations: cash or check - made payable to Island Harvest.
• Turkey Drive. $25 purchases a turkey for a family.

Visit any of our locations to make your donation today!  Go to Office Locations on Laffey.com

About Island Harvest
Island Harvest Food Bank has been leading hunger relief on Long Island since 1992.
Founded in 1992, the Island Harvest Food Bank is a certified member of Feeding America, the nation's food bank network, with a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. We distribute fresh produce, meat and non-perishables throughout Long Island and assist thousands of Long Islanders daily through our innovative programming and network of community partners.

Realtors and Brokers Employ Humor to Standout

Greenvale, NY  (October xx, 2019)  –Laffey Real Estate, a leading residential broker on Long Island, recognized the winners of the their annual Video Contest at the firm's Company Summit.  Entrants were judged based on creativity, use of the #FollowTheOrange hashtag and incorporating the orange ball in a self-directed video.  Receiving an overwhelming number of video submissions, the judges were impressed with the originality and humor of agents and network partner outside brokers within the Leading RE network. 

After extensive deliberation and many views, the panel comprised of Allison Mulhall, Executive Director Corporate Services and Relocation Division, Philip C. Laffey, Broker Owner Laffey Real Estate, Ronald Lopez, EVP Digital Marketing and Cathy M Poturny SVP Marketing Director, chose the contest winners.

Agent based Video Winner
Rita O'Leary, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson, Port Washington Office won based on the resourceful combination of integrating Port Washington's local attractions, rhyming verses and a touch of humor.  View Rita's video by clicking on the link here à  Rita O'Leary's Winning Video.

Network Partner Winner
Curasi Realty, Inc.,  a Montgomery NY brokerage and network partner with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World won the 2019 Broker Video Contest #FollowTheOrange.  The Curasi team took the term 'follow the bouncing ball' quite literally with their rendition of #FollowTheOrange to Orange County.  Kudos to the crew at Curasi Realty for their ingenious and witty video.  Watch it here à  Curasi Real Estate Winning Video

Allison and the rest of the Laffey Real Estate management team thank all of the agents and outside brokers who submitted videos for consideration.  

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. 

Laffey Real Estate, Long Island's premier family owned residential real estate brokerage, is pleased to announce the promotion of Christos Tsouratakis to the role of Branch Manager of the Little Neck office.  The announcement was made jointly by principals, Mark T. Laffey and Philip C. Laffey, the Broker-Owners of the old firm. 

In 2015, Christos came to the firm as a licensed real estate sales person in our Jackson Heights office.  For more than four years, he maintained consistent top producer status. With his knowledge of real estate and coaching abilities, he stepped into the role of mentor for new agents joining the firm.  Mr. Tsouratakis took the helm of Little Neck Branch Manager from Arpi Candan, who stepped down from the management team after 18 successful years. 

Christos' extensive entrepreneurial background combined with his residential and commercial real estate experience brings a wealth of knowledge to the manager's position.  A 2007 recipient of The Queens Chamber of Commerce Business "Person of the Year Award",  Christos' customer-focused energy and attention to detail that led to his success in his prior 25 years of business.   

"We know that Christos will be an invaluable asset to the Little Neck office and the firm.  His strong presence in our Jackson Heights Office is an example of his professionalism and leadership capabilities," offered Shaheen Abdin, Branch Manager and Western Queens Board Director.  "I look forward to working closely with him in his new role."

Christos is Treasurer for the Long Island Board of Realtor's Western Queens Chapter and the President Elect for 2020.  He is a member of the Jamaica Rotary Club and a former member of the Flushing Rotary Club and the Community Advisory Board for New York Hospital Queens in Flushing. Christos is also fluent in Greek.

Pictured from L to R:  Mark T. Laffey/Broker Owner, Christos Tsouratakis/Licensed Associate RE Broker, Philip C. Laffey/Broker Owner

Laffey Real Estate #followstheorange but October is Pink in support of breast cancer awareness.  The firm recognizes Edith E. Katz, Nurse Educator and Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker, and the Lani Hopp Hadassah in this year's drive to encourage early detection and prevention. 

"We encourage family members and friends to unite in the fight against breast cancer not just now but all throughout the year", explained Katz.  "This event stresses the importance of good personal health through knowledge and action."  The event is for all women 18 years of age and older.  Share this information with your female contemporaries – daughters, wives, aunts, moms, sisters, friends, and co-workers.  . 

Breast cancer continues to be one of the leading health crises for women in the United States. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.  Laffey Real Estate supports the efforts of Edie and the many volunteers who are helping spread the word about early detection.  Knowing that cancer touches the lives of all Americans, the focus on supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. to advocate attention both men's and women's breast cancer awareness is the firm's goal.

For more than 25 years, Mrs. Katz has shared her knowledge with school aged girls and young women, instructing them on how to self examine, recognize the early warning signs and learn about how to get help.  Come down to the Port Washington Library tonight and learn how you can help save a life. 

Tonight's program for Breast Cancer Awareness begins at 7:30 pm at the Port Washington Library, 1 Library Drive in Port Washington.  Join nurse educator Edie Katz and two Hadassah volunteers for a short film screening and presentation.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month.  Laffey Real Estate stands with the country to encourage schools, communities and organizations to work together to stop bullying and cyberbullying. The goal is end to hatred and racism by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of all forms of bullying on all children and adults of all ages.  Show your support with your Orange!!

Bullying doesn't only happen in the classroom.  It is a social issue with many different guises.  In particular, the rise of online or cyberbullying is becoming more prevalent.  The National Center for Education Statistics, a research center with the U.S. Education Department states that "twenty percent of students between the ages of 12 and 18 were bullied during the 2016-2017 school year."  While The Washington Post found that "Among those students who faced bullying, 15 percent said they were bullied online or by text, a 3.5 percentage point jump from the 2014-2015 school year."  Even more disturbing, the study found that, "In 2017, of students ages 12–18 who reported being bullied, about 41 percent reported that they thought the bullying would happen again."

Talk to children about the ways to diffuse aggression and resolve volatile situations.  Recognize and understand how this type of harassment affects children.  It is vitally important to determine what kinds of interventions are necessary.  Encourage dialogues and start with these five ideas. 

1. Teach them safe, kind ways to intervene
2. Have them comfort the child being bullied
3. Tell them to report the bullying incident
4. Practice empathy at home
5. Let your child know that you support them unconditionally

For more details on how to put an end to bullying and protecting your children, visit www.StompOutBullying.org.  Get involved in your school and community. 

Make a difference with Laffey Real Estate.  Show your support on October 22nd.  Wear your brightest orange!  Share your support on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter!  Use the #NoBullysHere 

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. 

If you love riding and all things equestrian, then there are few better places than Long Island to call home. It's a welcoming place for riders of all ages and experience levels, kids included! There are facilities throughout Long Island that offer riding lessons for kids, and so much more. Whether your child wants to learn the ropes of riding for fun or train to participate in competitions, you'll find a training facility in the area that suits your needs. Our real estate agents have all the details on the best spots for riding lessons to introduce your kids to the robust equestrian scene on Long Island.

• Thomas School of Horsemanship – 250 Round Swamp Rd., Melville, NY 11747
  Located close to Melville homes for sale, the Thomas School of Horsemanship is one of the top-ranked learning facilities on Long Island. The Thomas School offers lessons year-round, with a comprehensive training program at the Riding School. In addition to teaching riding skills, the Thomas School stresses riding safety for all ages. Kids will learn in a safe, encouraging setting that offers everything they need to learn the ropes.

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With so many current military members and veterans living on Long Island, it's no surprise that Memorial Day holds a special place in the hearts of our residents. Our real estate agents are humbled by the sacrifices the brave women and men of our armed forces have made and plan on honoring their bravery throughout the weekend. You and your family can celebrate this important annual holiday as well by attending one of these Memorial Day events.

1. Memorial Day Flag Placement at Long Island National Cemetery – Wellwood Ave, Farmingdale, NY 11735
   What better way to honor those who have died for our country than at the Memorial Day Flag Placement Ceremony at Long Island National Cemetery? Beginning at 6:00 am on May 26th, volunteers will place flags at the headstones of our beloved veterans who have defended our freedom. At 2:00 pm, a ceremony will take place at the Memorial Garden. If you would like to show your respect and appreciation for our fallen soldiers, donate your time and make sure each headstone is not without a proud American flag. Just down the road from Farmingdale homes for sale, the ceremonial events at the Long Island National Cemetery offer an admirable way to spend your Memorial Day Weekend.
   
   

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National Wine Day is May 25.  Our real estate agents are here with seven wineries throughout Long Island that we think that you will love.

1. Vinizzo - 343 Sea Cliff Ave., Sea Cliff, NY11579
   The Izzo family combines modern science with old-world knowledge at Vinizzo to produce some of the finest wines found in the Long Island area. Each wine is aged to perfection and tells its own unique story as you uncork for a quiet dinner at home or a celebration with friends. While you're searching for the perfect Sea Cliff homes for sale, visit Vinizzo, and taste what makes this winery an essential part of the Sea Cliff community.
   
   

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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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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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There's nothing like a walk in the park to clear your mind and enjoy the beauty of nature. Our real estate agents along with many clients want to live near the outdoor spaces Long Island real estate offers.

Although Long Island is renowned for its breathtaking shoreline, there are many different types of parks. You'll see them situated around hilly plains, forested areas, and, yes, seaside cliffs from one end of the Island to the other. There's always something to see and do.

National Take a Walk in the Park Day is celebrated on Saturday, March 30 this year. There has never been a better time to get outside and appreciate all that makes Long Island unique.

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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.

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Long Island is an amazing place to live and if you're looking for creative ideas to pamper or surprise the one you love On Valentine's Day there are plenty of options to choose from. Our real estate agents have created this handy guide to help you make this special day a hit with your honey.

Romantic Eats

Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to explore some of the exciting culinary options Long Island has to offer. Who knows, you may even end up finding a new favorite:

• 2 Spring - 2 Spring St., Oyster Bay
  This farm-to-table American Brasserie has a sophisticated feel without being stuffy. The menu at 2 Spring features fresh seafood, a raw bar, premium farm meats, small plates and seasonal produce sourced from Long Island's very own North Fork. Enjoy beautiful views of the town square and take in the eclectic design and décor that features a modern ambiance with mid-century flair. Reservations are a must for this Oyster Bay hot spot.

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There is a beautiful kitchen in your new home that our real estate agents know you are eager to put through its paces. You may even want to prepare some new recipes to celebrate. As you ponder the possibilities, you will be delighted to discover that Long Island is home to some of the finest cooking classes on the East Coast. Each of the following five locales can help you braise, bake, brew, and stew a meal that your family and friends will praise.    

1. Sur La Table - 1468 Northern Blvd, Manhasset
   Sur La Table offers a wide selection of culinary tools that chefs crave. If it whisks, whirls, or cuts, you will find it stocked on their shelves. Everything they offer will fit easily within the Manhasset homes for sale you have your eye on. The premier classes offered at Sur La Table are designed to show you how to combine tools and techniques to achieve culinary perfection with every meal.

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Are you thinking about buying your first home? This is one of the biggest steps you'll ever take.

If you haven't yet found your dream home, our real estate agents can help you along the way. Before you can call that home your own, however, you'll have to pay for it. If you're like most people, that means working with a lender to take out a mortgage.

Although applying for a mortgage requires some effort, it's really not that difficult. These seven steps will help keep you organized and increase your chances of a fast approval.

1. Do Your Research
   Taking out a mortgage is a huge commitment, so you'll want to do your research before you make any moves. Begin by checking your credit score and reviewing your credit report to make sure it's accurate. If you notice any problems, you'll want to start working on fixing those right away.
   
   Decide what type of mortgage you want to apply for and begin researching lenders. Use an online calculator or contact a few lenders for pre-qualification so you have an idea of how much you can afford to borrow.

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There's no doubt Long Island is an exciting place to live. If you're a wine enthusiast moving to one of our communities, all the better. Throughout the Long Island real estate area, you'll find plenty of places to relax with a glass of your favorite Bordeaux or chardonnay. Our real estate agents compiled a list of five favorite vineyards and wineries so you can get a "taste" of what it means to live here.

1. Vinizzo - 343 Sea Cliff Ave., Sea Cliff
   Producing quality wine is part of the Izzo family tradition, and at Vinizzo, you'll experience the results of generations-old knowledge of winemaking perfected through modern techniques. Each vintage is a unique presentation of flavor and history, delighting the palate and warming the heart. While you're looking at Sea Cliff homes for sale, make some time to visit Vinizzo, and taste what makes this winery so unique.

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Thanksgiving foodies have a great reason to love living on Long Island. Some of Long Island's favorite restaurants will be open on Thanksgiving Day serving traditional turkey dinners, while others allow you to order off an a la carte menu.

This year, instead of cooking and cleaning for days, why don't you let someone else do the hard work? Our real estate agents recommend dining at one of these six Long Island restaurants on Thanksgiving Day.

1. Brasserie Americana Bar, Lounge & Restaurant - 30 Cutter Mill Road, Great Neck, New York 11021
   The Brasserie Americana Bar, Lounge & Restaurant hosts a Thanksgiving buffet beginning at noon.  The meal includes a carving station and sides, such as pumpkin ravioli, candied sweet potatoes, and cornbread stuffing. It also features desserts including a chocolate fondue station. It costs $42.95, with children 10 and under half price. 

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Many of us wait eagerly for the holidays and all of its festivities. From endless Christmas shopping to holiday parties or an extended vacation, you are on the go and having fun. Unfortunately, burglars have a better chance of robbing your house during the holiday season if it's left unoccupied. 

Our real estate agents have created this list of seven smart tips to outsmart the bad guys:

1. Stay Off Social Media
   It may be tempting to post that you booked a two-week getaway to Maui for the holidays all over Facebook or Twitter, but remember you just posted that info for anyone to see. This also applies to posting pictures of your decorated house as it gives potential burglars clues of where you live.
   
   

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Whether your Long Island home listing is new or a continuation from the summer selling rush, fall gives you a seasonal do-over. It's a time when many home sellers step away from marketing mode, but that doesn't mean you should give up too.  

Our real estate agents have a better idea. Why not push for a year-end sale? We market homes all year long, so we know that fall is a great time to seal a deal. 

Here are five reasons why:

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Long Island's Rockville Centre is a close-knit, family-friendly community sure to top your list of possible new hometowns when you're searching for homes for sale in Rockville Centre.

As our real estate agents will attest, there are plenty of things going on in this community for everyone from seniors to young families with children. One of the most popular of these is happening soon: Rockville Centre's Spooky Fest.

About Spooky Fest: An Annual Rockville Centre Halloween Celebration

Spooky Fest is an annual tradition in Rockville Centre, presented each October by the Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL), a non-profit organization based in the community. The event takes place for seven days in October, during which the Tanglewood Preserve becomes 16 acres of family-friendly, spooky Halloween fun – complete with wooded paths, special effects, eerie lighting and plenty of characters and creatures.

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When you're searching for a new home, there are plenty of things to consider. You want a house with all the amenities you need, is affordable, and is located in a great Long Island community. If you think you've found the ideal home, but your commute to work will be less than perfect, should it be a deal-breaker? The answer is "it depends." 

It's no secret that your lifestyle has a significant influence on whether a home will make you happy. If the house you're considering has everything you need, including an otherwise great location, you may find that a long drive to work is acceptable. However, if a long commute will put a serious damper on your day-to-day life, it's likely that the sacrifice won't be worth it. We have gathered a few important points to consider when making your final decision. 

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For those seeking affluent, exclusive, and gorgeous places to reside in New York and Nassau County, Old Westbury homes for sale sit at the absolute pinnacle. With accolades like New York's most expensive suburb, awarded by Business Week, and having one of the three best public gardens in the world according to Four Seasons Magazine, Old Westbury earns its place as one of the most iconic and luxurious places to live in the nation.

At Laffey Real Estate our real estate agents put a focus on helping locals and prospective homebuyers to stay up to date with all of the great reasons to buy a home in Old Westbury and the surrounding areas. With art, excellent dining, and events on the regular, there's a lot to love! In keeping with the upcoming season, our spotlight now turns to RISE of the Jack O' Lanterns—an iconic staple among local Nassau County fall event lovers.

RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns - 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, NY

RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns has been entertaining visitors for seven years running now, offering an exciting range of attractions that has evolved and grown exponentially throughout the years. The event's mainstay includes an impressive array of multi-pumpkin structures—literally dozens upon dozens of jack o'lanterns configured into sculptures of fire trucks, spooky beasts, and the ever-impressive 40-foot jack o'lantern dragon. And new and exclusive to this year, you'll be able to enjoy moving, talking lantern sculptures along the path!

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Our real estate agents are proud to introduce new clients to Uniondale homes for sale and all our community has to offer.  

The quintessential suburban community, Uniondale is known for its diversity, business, entertainment, charitable events, and community spirit.  Charitable events are an integral part of any strong community, and Uniondale sits at the very heart of one of Long Island's iconic fundraisers: Canstruction Long Island.

For decades, competitors have gathered from all over to participate in this inspiring food drive, and the cost for admission is hardly steep -- a single can of food.

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One of the best parts of autumn is the opportunity to see beautiful fall foliage. It's just one of the many reasons our real estate agents and clients love to live here on Long Island.

The brilliant yellows, reds, and oranges of fall are a wonderful sign of the turning of the seasons. It might surprise you just how many opportunities Long Island offers to see colors up close.

Of course, many communities maintain a rich assortment of beautiful trees that you can visit any time of year. Public parks are especially precious here on Long Island.

However, there are fall sights to see far beyond your local picnic ground.

Let's look at six of our favorite places to see Long Island's fall colors:

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When you start your search for Huntington homes for sale, you'll soon understand why Money Magazine named our town to its 50 Best Places to Live in America list.  

Our real estate agents work hard to share information with clients about everything that makes buying a home in Huntington great from our art, culture, recreation, and plenty of spots for fun, relaxation, and entertainment. We recommend that you make time in your schedule for an exciting evening at The Paramount. It's one of the city's landmark locations, and it's a great place to let your hair down.

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If you're making a move to Long Island, spend some time in Babylon Village. It's a culturally rich community with a strong sense of history and warm family friendly feel. Fall is a great time to tour Babylon homes for sale. While you're here, our real estate agents suggest you try breakfast at Glen's Dinette. It's a local institution that's always crowded and a great place to meet your new neighbors when you move to the community.

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Merrick homes for sale are fast becoming some of the most desirable in Long Island – not only as an amazing place to live but as an investment for the future. 

Our real estate agents have helped introduce hundreds of clients to Merrick, and we're proud to say so many of them are now living happily with an authentic Long Island lifestyle.

Senior executives, retirees, and rising professionals have all been attracted to the Merrick area for its amenities and unique charm. And one of the most popular ways to spend time outdoors in and around Merrick is the great pastime of golf.

Golfers of all skill levels will find courses ranging in difficulty from an enjoyable and relaxed outing to a tough, strategic challenge – sometimes, all of the above in the same nine or eighteen holes.

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Huntington homes for sale are attracting plenty of acclaim these days, and our real estate agents are ready to handle the increased demand. But, naturally, even the most dedicated house-hunters don't spend all of their time looking for homes – they also want to get acclimated to Long Island's Gold Coast and all its amenities and sights. And what sights they are!

The Gold Coast is known for both its natural and man-made wonders.  In addition to the Gold Coast's beach and historic lighthouses, it has a collection of gorgeous mansions. Some modern, some historical, all of these fabulous constructions are impressive in their own way. There are even mansion tours so you can see all of them in a whirlwind tour that will leave you breathless.

If you only have time to see one magnificent mansion, though, we have the pick for you.  It's the Oheka Castle, also known as the Otto Kahn Estate.

And it stands out as truly unique in an area that's replete with architectural wonders. 

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Forest Hills homes for sale are some of the most attractive and comfortable that you can find in the area of Queens. Our real estate agents love having the opportunity to show people all of the things they may never have expected from this historic borough.

There are many terrific Queens residential neighborhoods you could choose, no matter if you're buying your first home, downsizing, or trading up for a growing family.  One of the very best of these--and certainly one of our favorites--is Forest Hills.

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Our real estate agents are forever on the lookout for the very best properties throughout Long Island. Not surprisingly, it's the place to find some of the most striking modern homes anywhere in the region – and many of them even find their way on the market. 

Naturally, living in an older historic property has some interesting challenges. Maintenance and even cleaning can be more complex. But there's simply nothing like knowing that your very own home is a part of the Long Island story. Laffey Real Estate can help you get there.

The most unforgettable historic estate to hit the market in ages is the Old Westbury Estate.

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When it comes to the best Flushing homes for sale, you can bet our real estate agents are here to play ball. We're ready to go extra innings for you in the big game of buying a home in Flushing – and we've helped plenty of clients just like you reach the "home run" of home ownership. 

Not surprisingly, many new Flushing homeowners are big fans of the game of baseball.

The New York Mets are a local institution who've been gladdening the hearts of baseball fans for generations. Some of the greatest players to ever step on the diamond have played for the Mets, and the team's storied rivalry with the Boston Red Sox is the stuff of sports mythology.

So, if you want to see the very best baseball has to offer, Flushing is the perfect place for you to be. You'll never miss a moment of the action right within driving distance of the phenomenal Citi Field.

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Great Neck homes for sale are some of the top real estate opportunities that our real estate agents work with every day. Great Neck has long been considered one of the best places to live in New York, with the neighborhoods of Kensington and University Gardens standing out in multiple annual surveys.

In fact, these two neighborhoods achieved top honors in the state 2016 Best Places to Live rankings served up by Niche.com. The two communities stood head and shoulders over the rest in terms of school quality, crime rates, housing, employment, and the best amenities.

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Our real estate agents are moving into a busy and exciting summer season. There are some amazing opportunities for home buyers like you throughout Long Island. No matter whether this is your first home, you want to trade up, or it's time to downsize, we can help you. 

We meet many visitors to Long Island who've been to the area a few times and found that it's simply right for them. There's always something more to discover, and that's especially true when major holidays roll around. Long Islanders really know how to celebrate!

In fact, Long Island is known for some of the best Fourth of July events anywhere in the United States.

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Planning to sell a luxury property on Long Island in the near future? Then it's important to understand exactly what luxury buyers are looking for in their next home. While every buyer is unique, there are certain things that every luxury buyer wants to see. Marketing a luxury home comes down to traditional factors like location and amenities, along with an understanding of the latest trends in the world of luxury real estate. Our real estate agents are here to help, with a guide to what luxury shoppers are looking for on Long Island.

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Our real estate agents at Laffey Real Estate are always looking for ways to introduce more home buyers to everything Long Island has to offer. Our local area has a character all its own that you won't want to miss. Even if you're familiar with Manhattan, Long Island is an experience! 

One amazing aspect of Long Island is all the history you can still find standing side by side with beautiful, modern homes and amenities. It's impossible to overlook all the wonderful ways its past and environment has shaped all Long Island offers its residents.

One of the centerpieces of Long Island's unique beauty is the Montauk Point Lighthouse.

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Life is just a little sweeter when you live on Long Island, and there are so many reasons to love calling the island home. Whether you're searching for outdoor fun, waterfront views, spectacular real estate, or excellent entertainment, you'll find it close to home on Long Island. Our real estate agents are here to help you get acquainted, with our guide to ten things you need to know about living on Long Island.

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