Silvana LoFria Blog

Lots of snow can make winter more enjoyable around Long Island. Don't let the snow removal process put a damper on the season. Snow removal is an important part of property maintenance, and knowing the right way to manage it can make life a lot easier. When it comes to snow removal, our real estate agents actually see many locals make mistakes, so we thought we'd compile a quick list of tips to help you make it through the winter:

Click Here to Read More...

Buying your first home is one of life's most exciting moments and a major financial achievement. But it's not always simple. In today's market, buyers are contending with high interest rates and lower inventory, so the house-hunting process can take some time. With a good real estate agent and a little patience, you can be well on your way to experiencing the exciting world of homeownership.

If you're ready to dive head-first into the real estate market, our real estate agents have these tips for you:

1. Get A Pre-Approval Letter
   If you're in the market for one of these Nassau County homes for sale, a pre-approval is the first step. A seller will also need to know you're able to obtain financing before accepting your offer.  Shop around for a reputable lender with the best rates, and then ask for a pre-approval letter. After pulling your credit report and validating your documentation (W2s, pay stubs, and tax returns),  they will tentatively approve financing your mortgage up to a certain amount. Pre-approvals are usually only good for 90 days.
   
   
2. Know Your Budget
   Before you can begin shopping for a home, you need to know how much you can spend. Unfortunately, closing costs and mortgage payments both consist of many different fees, so it can be hard to calculate exactly what you afford on your own. Work with your lender to fill out a cost estimate sheet. These sheets will help you calculate what you'll need upfront and what you'll pay per month based on your target price.
   
   
3. Save For A 20% Down Payment If You Can
   When buying a home, the down payment is often the largest expense. Most lenders will offer mortgages with down payments ranging from 3% to 20%, depending on your credit. While it may be tempting to choose a lower down payment, there can be cons to this approach. For one, a lower downpayment means higher monthly payments. You'll also be required to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI), and it will take longer for you to build up home equity. However, you should only put down 20% if you can afford to do so without draining your savings.
   
   
4. Determine Your Nonnegotiables
   We hope that you're able to find a home that checks every single box; however, this isn't always feasible, especially when buying your first home. Make a list of the five or six things that are nonnegotiable: budget, location, number of bedrooms, and number of bathrooms are usually top on most buyers' lists. Once you're clear about what you can't live without, you can better narrow your home search.
   
   
5. Find The Right Agent For You
   There are tons of real estate agents out there, and not all of them offer the same level of service. When trusting someone to support you through one of life's largest purchases, you want somebody you like and trust. Ask friends and neighbors for agent referrals and always interview candidates before deciding to work with them. Ask about years of experience, how many homes they have sold, and how they prefer to communicate with clients.

Buying your first home can require hard work upfront but living in a place you can call your own is definitely worth the effort. Contact us today to get started with your home search.

The character, culture, and history of Long Island makes it one of the most fascinating places to visit and an enjoyable place to live. Our real estate agents love calling Long Island home. The area has so many benefits you can't find anywhere else in the country. From its convenient location to its great amenities, it's a wonderful place to raise a family, start a career, or even retire.

If you're considering a move to Long Island, here are five things we love about living here:

Click Here to Read More...

It's exciting to receive an offer on your home but deciding whether or not an offer is worth accepting isn't always easy. While offer price is an important factor, there are actually several things sellers should consider when evaluating the strength of an offer. Real estate transactions can be tricky, and many times it's in the seller's best interest to accept offers that are most likely to make it to the finish line. However, every seller's situation is different, so be sure to think about what is most important to you and discuss it with your real estate agent.

When clients want to immediately accept the highest bid, our real estate agents always encourage them to consider these factors:

Click Here to Read More...

Living in a historic area has many benefits. Historic places have character, a unique culture, and plenty of opportunities to learn about and appreciate the past.

Long Island was one of the first European settlements in the 17th century and one of the first modern suburbs in the United States. As a result, the area has a rich history, and it played a critical role in the development of our country and culture. Our real estate agents always enjoy learning by touring historic sites around Long Island. It's tons of fun and a great learning experience. Here are some of our favorite locations:

Click Here to Read More...

Determining the right asking price is one of the biggest challenges when it comes to selling your home. Our real estate agents always recommend the Goldilocks approach: Not too high, not too low. Both can have a negative impact on the outcome of your home sale. There are many misconceptions out there when it comes to pricing a home, and you should always avoid taking advice from someone who isn't a professional.

The truth is every home has a sweet spot when it comes to an asking price, you just have to find it. Be sure and ignore these bad pricing tips along the way:

Click Here to Read More...

Our real estate agents are always looking for fun ways to enjoy the winter around Long Island, and ice skating is always at the top of the list. Ice skating is great exercise and tons of fun. Like any activity, it can help you to relieve stress and develop self-confidence as you master the skill. Plus, it's tons of fun for the kids.

Whether you aspire to be a figure skater or hockey player, or just like to glide around the ice, there are many great indoor ice skating rinks around Long Island. Here are some of our favorites:

Click Here to Read More...

It's the most wonderful time of the year, especially when it comes to local events around Long Island. There is so much to do around the holidays, but our real estate agents enjoy the wonderful light displays the most. Holiday light displays are affordable, fun for the whole family, and can really help you get into the Christmas spirit. Here is a quick list of the light displays we're looking forward to the most:

Click Here to Read More...