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!)

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 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...

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

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.

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

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 presents the distinguished recipients of the 2018 Sales Awards at the firm's gala event held at Carltun on the Park. 

• The Diamond Award is presented to individual Realtors with the highest in total sales and units.  This year's award winner was Janet Berookhim receiving both for sales and units sold. 
• The Shining Star Award honors Associates who have experienced the greatest increase year over year.  Recipients included Peter Koh and Lisa Goodbinder with production 100% greater than the prior year.
• The Rookie Team of the Year Award is given to the newest team of agents and was awarded to Yakshi Carlino and Katherine Sreckovich.
• The Rookie of the Year Award is given to the first year agent who excels in overall sales and units. This year the award winner was Stephanie Lorber.
• The Hall of Fame Award inductees are those Realtors who have exceeded $50 Million in sales.  This year saw the induction of Arpi Candan, Diane Leyden and Kathleen Christie. 
• The Top Producers by Office for the year ending 2018 are as follows: Kay Kwak, Bellerose; Tim Lau & Ira Gross, Brookville; Lynne Jaffe, Corporate Services; Angela Chaman, Great Neck; Michelle N. Cohen, Greenvale; Janet Berookhim, Greenvale 2; Katy Anastasio, Huntington; Jorge Armas, Jackson Heights; Carol Chang, Little Neck; James Gavin, Manhasset; Lori Castoria, New Hyde Park; Linda Michael, Port Washington; Nelly Menendez, Syosset and Kathleen Myers, Westbury. 

"As a brokerage, we put quite a lot of stock in training and marketing education.  This year's group of award recipients is a demonstration that knowledge and dedication is a path to continued success", explains Philip C. Laffey, Principal and Broker/Owner.  "Clients, especially repeat customers, know that our agents work tirelessly and always have their best interests at heart.  We are both proud and grateful." 

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 almost 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 50 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 marketplace. The cutting-edge technology supporting field agents, premium brand identity and industry-leading tools embody best in class standards. Consumers trust in the Laffey Real Estate name to provide tools and resources that help navigate the process of buying and selling residential real estate in any economic environment. Consistently ranked in the top 10% of the brokers locally and as a Top 500 Broker in the US based on the 2017 Real Trends reports, Laffey Real Estate has an exceptional record of success.

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

Laffey Real Estate celebrates the success and accomplishments of Janet Berookhim, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker at the firm's annual year end celebration.  The awards ceremony was followed by a gala Holiday event at Carltun on the Park.

Janet received the 2018 Companywide Top Producer Overall Company Diamond Award for her exceptional business success.   As a consistent top producer in the Laffey Organization, member of the coveted Hall of Fame and a leader in residential new construction home sales industry wide, Berookhim epitomizes the best of the best. 

"Janet exemplifies the Top Producer," commented Philip C. Laffey, Broker Owner of Laffey Real Estate. "From her work ethics to personal integrity, she knows what it takes to succeed and to thrive. We are very proud to present her with this honor." 

Over Ms. Berookhim's real estate career, she has worked closely with buyers and sellers in all price ranges along the North Shore. She has worked tirelessly to cultivate a loyal referral network among the Gold Coast Developers representing luxury new construction in Nassau County.  Her long-standing success is a testament to her local area knowledge.  By year end 2018, Janet has sold close to $500 Million worth of residential real estate over the course of her illustrious career, a feat not easily topped in the highly competitive real estate industry.

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 almost 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 50 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 marketplace. The cutting-edge technology supporting field agents, premium brand identity and industry-leading tools embody best in class standards. Consumers trust in the Laffey Real Estate name to provide tools and resources that help navigate the process of buying and selling residential real estate in any economic environment. Consistently ranked in the top 10% of the brokers locally and as a Top 500 Broker in the US based on the 2017 Real Trends reports, Laffey Real Estate has an exceptional record of success.

Whether you are buying or selling your first home or your fiftieth, it's always a good idea to have an experienced real estate professional by your side. You often hear people use the terms real estate agent and REALTOR® used interchangeably.  While both types of professionals must be licensed to sell real estate, there is a difference. If this is your first time entering the Long Island real estate market, knowing the differences could be a little confusing.  

Our team at Laffey Real Estate is here to explain the difference hiring a REALTOR® during your real estate experience makes.

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