Sam’s North Shore Blog

The SCA fair is one of my family’s favorite Manhasset events.  It is almost hear!  It will be held at the Munsey Park School on May 3^rd.  I would strongly recommend that all new residents attend.  It will be a great time and it is a great way to meet people.

In addition to many games, activities and rides, the fair has an exotic food tent, arts and crafts.  There will be raffles with great prizes.  I have found it is a good idea to purchase tickets in advance.  For more information visit the SCA web site

Have Fun!

There is a proposal to develop the Gothic inspired Christ Church on Northern Blvd. in Manhasset by Jobco Realty and Construction.  Read the Manhasset Press article, Christ Church Property Proposed Development, for more details.

There have been public hearings regarding the proposed development and will be more in the future.  I plan on attending the future hearings.  The basic plan is to build a 4 story condo complex that will have a maximum of 61 units.

Many concerns have been raised and some proposed solutions. I see both sides of the issue and am looking forward to hearing how many concerns will be managed.

I have always been under the impression that the reason Manhasset was built with septic systems as opposed to public sewers is to prevent multiple dwellings from being built.  I thought this was done in an effort to keep the small town and community flavor.  Is this changing?

Will the existing sewer system be sufficient?  Will this construction set a precedent for future multiple dwelling constructions? (Pave the way?)  How will it affect pedestrian and street traffic?

I wonder who might purchase in the condo.  Will it be existing empty nester residents down sizing from a 4 bedroom house?  The purchasers for their homes may be families with school age children.  Are the schools prepared to handle an increase in students?

There seems to be many tax benefits for the community and an increased number of residents will help local businesses.  I am curious to see how these issues unfold.  What are your thoughts?

For all of your real estate needs in Manhasset please visit www.CoopsToCastles.com

46 Terrace Circle, Great Neck, NY 11021 is our newest 1 bedroom listing in Great Neck Terrace.  The prices keep getting better and better.  This apartment is bright, has beautiful French doors, faces the courtyard and is a fantastic pet friendly garden community.

For more information, a slide show and virtual tours, visit us at http://www.CoopsToCastles.com/46TerraceCircle2A.asp

For all of your real estate needs on the North Shore of Long Island please visit us at http://www.CoopsToCastles.com

Great Neck Terrace

10 Terrace Circle, 2C is a fantastic new listing aggressively priced at $299,000.  The kitchen has been updated with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.  The bathroom has also been completely renovated.  The apartment has been impeccably maintained.  In addition it comes with a storage unit and a parking space.

Great Neck Terrace is a pet friendly community.  There is a pool, playground, parks, community room and drive around security.  It is located in Great Neck and residents are part of the Great Neck school district, park district and library system.  However, it is walking distance to the Little Neck train station which is not only one stop closer to Manhattan but also one zone closer making the monthly train pass substantially more affordable.

For more information including virtual tours, please visit http://www.CoopsToCastles.com/10Terrace.asp

Sam and Janet Marcus

Licensed Associate Brokers

C21 Laffey Associates

(516)456-1664

http://www.coopstocastles.com/

Great Neck Terrace

46 Terrace Circle, 2H is a one bedroom apartment that is priced for a fast sale asking $207,900.  The apartment faces the courtyard and has recently been painted.  There are new appliances which include a stove, refrigerator, stove and 2 air conditioner units.  The apartment also comes with a parking space.

Great Neck Terrace is a pet friendly community.  There is a pool, playground, parks, community room and drive around security.  It is located in Great Neck and residents are part of the Great Neck school district, park district and library system.  However, it is walking distance to the Little Neck train station which is not only one stop closer to Manhattan but also one zone closer making the monthly train pass substantially more affordable.

For more information including virtual tours, please visit http://www.CoopsToCastles.com/46Terrace.asp

Sam and Janet Marcus

Licensed Associate Brokers

C21 Laffey Associates

(516)456-1664

http://www.coopstocastles.com

16 Stoner Avenue, Apt. 1D

Great Neck, NY 11021

This 1 bedroom apartment is one of the best values on the market today.  Asking only $205,000, it has an eat-in kitchen, a spacious living room, ample closet space and beautiful parquet floors.  It is in absolute move in condition!

This co-op accepts 10% down payment with strong credit and income.  Small pets such as cats (not dogs) are permitted.  The co-op also currently permits subletting after a full year of owner occupancy.

There is a short waiting list for an indoor garage space in the building.  In the mean time there is a municipal garage down the block which offers quarterly indoor parking spaces for approximately $30 per month.  The building is located in a phenomenal location.  It is close to the Grace Ave. Park, the heart of town and the Great Neck train station.

Take advantage of today’s market and low interest rates.  Call Janet or Sam to schedule an appointment to see this apartment in person today!

For additional information about this apartment including a slide show, virtual tours, community information and financial information, please visit http://www.CoopsToCastles.com/Stoner.asp

For information about other properties in Great Neck and on the North Shore of Long Island visit http://www.CoopsToCastles.com

Many residents of Manhasset are interested in the Board of Education’s budget.  The Manhasset Board of Education will be providing budget information to the public at regularly scheduled board meetings.  Residents are encouraged to attend these meetings and respond to the preliminary budget information.  Final decisions regarding the budget will not be made until the board listens to the community’s concerns and comments.  Budget information will be available at the meetings and on the district’s website http://www.manhasset.k-12.ny.us/.  The scheduled board meetings are as follows;

Thursday, March 13^th at 8:00 PM - Informal hearing at the Shelter Rock School

Thursday, March 27^th at 8:00 PM - Informal hearing at the Munsey Park School

Thursday, April 10^th at 8:00 PM - The Board will approve proposed 2008-2009 budget at the high school

The annual school budget vote is Tuesday, May 20^th at 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM at the Manhasset High School gymnasium.  Remember, residents must be registered to vote.

For all your real estate needs in Manhasset please visit our site http://www.CoopsToCastles.com

Marketing a property in today’s market takes more than a sign and a balloon.  It is not new news that the vast majority of buyers start their search on the internet.  Pictures and virtual tours are essential in capturing the buyer’s attention.  “No Photo Available” is the kiss of death.  If a property has one picture a buyer may click on it and click right off.  If a property has 10 plus pictures and a lengthy description a buyer is likely to spend some time looking at it.  If a property also has a virtual tour they are more likely to spend even more time looking at it on line and schedule an appointment to see it in person.

Janet and I have always had virtual tours for large apartments and houses.  However, we sometimes had to wait to coordinate with the photographer’s schedule taking away from some of our prime initial marketing time.  Janet and I now have our own camera and lens to take our very own panorama pictures for virtual tours.  We will now post virtual tours of ALL of our listings and will be able to post them on the first day of the listing.  Technology is constantly progressing and it is important that we remain on the cutting edge offering our clients the best service possible.

http://www.CoopsToCastles.com

Introducing our newest listing, 8 Barstow Road, 3E Great Neck, NY 11021.  The Wychwood is a gorgeous pre-war building.  It is in the heart of town right across from the train station.  This apartment is perfect for the Manhattanite that is ready to come out to the suburbs.  It is totally renovated and has a working wood burning fireplace.  Residents also have use of a fantastic private garden court yard.  This is a highly desired apartment and building.  Please call us today 516-319-6543 to schedule an appointment.  Don’t miss out! 

For a complete list of available Co-ops, Condos and Houses in Nassau County visit our website www.CoopsToCastles.com

I recently wrote a blog about the importance of pricing well, Price Well and Sell.  This is somewhat a continuation of that blog.

I have recently been on several listing presentations where I had done my due diligence, prepared a comparative market analysis and given my professional opinion on where to set the asking price.  As I have stated in several of my blogs, accurately pricing is essential in getting a property sold! 

However, recently I have heard the objection from many sellers that the asking price I have suggested is lower than what they purchased their property for.  I understand that this is an emotional hurdle that is difficult for many sellers to surpass but an important one to address prior to taking the listing.  Otherwise, we know we will be having an uncomfortable conversation about reducing the price every 30 days.  Sellers should realize that what they want or need to sell their property for has nothing to do with its actual value.  As Realtors we embrace that concept and preach it over and over although I understand it is difficult for many sellers to swallow.  Sellers that are moving to a larger more expensive property should also understand that they should make up for any loss and then some on the property they are purchasing.

We hear seller objections to why their property should be priced higher all the time.  The objections are packaged differently and sometimes work on our emotional soft spots but the results are the same.  It is our responsibility to let them know the current market value of their property and the ramifications of over pricing.  Everyone is happy when their expectations are reasonable and the property sells allowing the seller to move on to the next phase of their life.

http://www.CoopsToCastles.com