from page 2 Damage from superstorm Sandy Superstorm Sandy’s flood waters ruined much of the restoration performed after Hurricane Irene, Ms. Immordino said. The approximately five feet of water also ruined thousands of dollars worth of food, clothing, antiques and appliances on the first floor. The debris in and around Ms. Immordino’s house included cement, mud, fertilizer, leaves and even worms, she said. There was also wind damage on the third floor balconies. Although there has been much cleanup, she said the damage is still evident, including plaster falling off the walls and the crumbling of one of the chimneys. In fact, walls have only recently started coming down as part of the demolition. Although she has received a small advance from her flood insurance, she said that the federal government is questioning the repeat claims from last year, holding up the process. “A lot of people are resorting to attorneys to send letters out to the insurance company,” she said. Ms. Immordino’s son, James, is a landscaper and contractor, and he is leading the restoration effort. He is the only person still living in the house with her, and she said he lost over $30,000 worth of equipment that he had stored in the garage. So far, she said, he has found little recourse to recover the money, save the possibility of small business loans. Instead, he is down-sizing his business. “It’s been like a nightmare…I went through this last year, but this time it’s
three times worse,” Ms. Immordino said. “Hurricane Irene mostly had rain water, but Sandy had salt water.” Ms. Immordino’s family is no stranger to tragedy. Her husband died in 2010, and her “adopted daughter” died from lung cancer in 2011. Ms. Immordino remained in the house for much of the approximately 20 days after the storm with no electricity or drinking water. A generator and space heaters helped, along with restaurant food and the “wonderful” camaraderie of neighbors and business associates, she said. When hot water was restored, she replaced the water heater without awaiting the insurance company’s decisions. The boiler, though replaced a few years ago, needs to be replaced again, she said. Future changes The first floor will need demolition, but the rest of the house will survive, Ms. Immordino said. She hopes to have the house restored by the spring and plans to sell the home when she can. Although the home was on the market last year, and there was a buyer who showed great interest, Hurricane Irene interrupted the process, she said. “I love this home, and it’s going to be a sad time to pass it,” she said. She spoke of holding many parties in the home and cooking for all the people herself. Yet, she also said that the home is too large for her as a 75-year-old woman without her family. Perhaps a large extended family will move in, and perhaps someone will love the home as
much as she does, she said.
than they did before.” Overall, she said she feels encouraged in her business, with interest rates under 4%, a rate not seen since World War II. “In the last year, I’ve noticed a slight increase in the prices of the homes,” she said. “As soon as we get a listing, you might as well consider it sold.” Because of the storm, she also said that people have been calling Century 21 in search of rental homes.
Home restoration advice Ms. Immordino contacted a structural engineer to check her home. She said that a structural engineer can “give assurance to a potential buyer that there is really nothing to be concerned about. They will know that [the house] is structurally sound and will not have any future surprises.” Last year, Ms. Immordino said she did not take enough photos of the repairs. Now that she has to make the same claims again this year, her lack of photos made things harder. Luckily, the bank had copies of photos taken of the completed work. Photos at all stages of restoration are very important, she said. Other advice Ms. Immordino offered includes adding green energy features, strong glass to protect against wind damage, and heating units in areas less prone to flooding. The real estate industry Ms. Immordino has been in the real estate business since 1982. She started working with Century 21 Dallow Realty, 2473 Jerusalem Avenue in North Bellmore, in 1992. She primarily serves the areas of Bellmore, Merrick, Seaford, Massapequa, Levittown and East Meadow. “I think that most people in general are going to be viewing waterfront [property] as a negative situation right now,” Ms. Immordino said. However, she added, “Because of the restoration, “The homes that have been redone will actually have better value
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Page 5 Thursday, February 14, 2013 The Leader
Sandy forces restoration of a Baldwin home – again!