Expert Guidance Always
Passionate about Real Estate and the community she serves, Gitelle ‘Gitti’ is a Realtor known for her deep local expertise and personalized, concierge-style service. She specializes in commercial and residential properties across Long Island. Whether buying or selling, she ensures a seamless experience with keen market insights, strong negotiation skills, and unwavering client support- because to find the perfect home is more than a transaction, it’s a journey.
One of many satisfied clients;”Gitti was a pleasure to work with. Wonderful experience. Very accessible, returning phone calls and updating information. Gitti guided us through the process with professionalism. Our home was quickly sold without any difficulties. I would definitely recommend Gitti if you are considering selling your home. Very pleased!!!”
222 Rockaway TuRnpike, SuiTe 5, cedaRhuRST , ny 11516 (516) 984-4933 gitelle@weissmanrealty.com
woodmeRe - SOLD 7 Bedrooms, 4 Baths
GitEllE StEinfEld
Licensed Real Estate Agent ‘ ‘
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By Sharon Naylor
Your home's landscaping can be a big selling point for your on-the-market home, and even if you're not selling right away, the trees, bushes and bulbs you plant now can make your home more valuable months or years from now.
According to the Appraisal Institute, attractive landscaping all around a home can increase curb appeal and entice buyers to attend your open house or schedule a tour. (Buyers' mindsets may be that if you, as the homeowner, take such great care of the outside of your home, you may be likelier to do upkeep and design the inside of your home, as well.)
The Appraisal Institute also found that proper landscaping will make your home stand out among others in your neighborhood, and low-maintenance plants are also desirable among buyers. Lovely landscaping in your backyard lets buyers envision the entertaining they'll do in that space, a big selling point, as well.
What Buyers Like To See In Landscaping
In addition to plant diversity, as well as a range of plant and flower sizes, there are particularly appealing aspects of landscape design you could incorporate into your yard.
Easy on the eyes Can your landscaping improve the value of your home?
Landscaping all around. If your front yard is bursting with plants and a bright green manicured lawn, but your side and backyards are unfinished or even devoid of plantings, the effect is less impressive. Plant all around your property to add extra pops of color and texture.
Healthy trees. A half-dead tree will hurt your home's value when potential buyers predict pricy tree-trimming service work ahead. Healthy trees boost home value, and you can add more value by having your
agent attach a description of your trees — and their values — to your home listing.
Plants that provide foliage and color in all seasons. Those spring flowers have an expiration date, but evergreens will provide beauty all year long. A smart mix of trees, bushes and flowers creates an attractive overlapping of landscape effects throughout all seasons.
Well-maintained gardens. Trim trees and shape bushes. Deadhead roses and pull weeds to enhance your curb appeal.
Modern hardscaping. Your plants will look even better with a modern stone or paver terrace and walkways throughout your property. Old, cracked stones from decades ago will hurt the look of your pretty plants. Rock walls, retaining walls, stone garden benches and well-placed lighting effects add even more beauty and value to your home's appearance.
While it is possible to do your own landscaping to improve the value of your home, hiring a professional is most advised, since an expert will be able to advise you on the best tree and plant choices for your home's layout native plants that bring the most value to your home, proper pruning of your existing trees and bushes to make them look newer and more valuable, lawn seeding and weed treatment, and more.
What Should You Spend?
The American Society of Landscape Architects recommends that homeowners invest 10 percent of the home's value in landscaping, including hardscaping, lighting, fire pits, ponds and even swimming pools, all to boost their home's appearance and value.
Photo: Landscaping adds curb appeal and other value improvement to your home.
2025 is going to be a big year for real estate on Long Island and #SaraSellsLI is full steam ahead. We’re kicking off this report with some exciting news. We are celebrating Sara Abikzer marking over 25 years as a licensed real estate salesperson and 5 years at Signature Premier Properties . Sara said, “When I started out, I went all in and dedicated myself to being the best I could be. I was a people person who was hungry and determined to make a living by serving and building the community. Over 25 years and hundreds of houses, I’m still me, I just keep thinking bigger and working harder. Many clients who were with me at the beginning have stayed with me through every move they have made since. Each transaction brings special value to my heart and business.”
2025 marks Sara’s 5th year at Signature Premier Properties known as “The fastest growing real estate company on Long Island”. Signature has expanded to Roslyn, The Hamptons and The East and West Coast of Florida . Signature has 22 offices and over 1800 agents company wide.
Sara ranked in the Top 500 Realtors in the Long Island market for 2024—an incredible achievement, considering there are approximately 24,000 Realtors in the area. That puts her in the top 2% in LONG ISLAND!
2024, Sara Abikzer received #2 Company Wide in GCI and Volume. For the first time in 2023, Sara Abikzer was named the #1 agent in the entire company. Year to date, #SaraSellsLI has handled over 40 million dollars worth of real estate which made her number #2 in volume & GCI company-wide and the number 1 agent in her office for the fourth time. Sara is a 5 time recipient of Signature Premier Properties’ Diamond Circle of Excellence Award. She continues to be known for her 24/7 accessibility, discretion, professionalism and for her personal touch that makes working with her feel non-transactional.
So, this is what 25 plus years looks like. Sara says, “I’m thankful for my beautiful career due to hard work and the ever growing group of loyal clients, colleagues, friends and family who helped me get here. Getting recognized with awards is nice, but I’m just getting started”
Phyllis is definitely the best...she is truthful, reliable & extremely experienced. She’s a hard worker & responds to emails, calls & texts immediately. My friends & I have used her services for many sales, purchases & rentals. She is professional, cordial and patient. I highly recommend she be contacted for any and all real estate needs you may have. –J.H.
worker & responds to emails, calls & texts immediately. My friends & I have used her services for many sales, purchases & rentals. She is professional, cordial and patient. I highly recommend she be contacted for any and all real estate needs you may have. –J.H.
Phyllis
Phyllis is excellent. We have used her for
and finding tenants. She is extremely knowledgeable not only about the real estate market but about the community. She works for you from the search to closing & even afterward. She’s never too busy to answer questions. She goes above & beyond. We have recommended her to family & friends & she is the only real estate agent we would ever use. We’ve been working with her since 2007. She just recently worked with & son-in-law to find their first home. –A.K.
Phyllis is a true professional & expert in the real estate field. Phyllis was my agent for two purchases and the sale of one home. Her determination to convert, no matter the obstacle, was exceptional. Two of the above transactions were during the pandemic. –L.R.
Phyllis is a true professional & expert in the real estate field. Phyllis was my agent for two purchases and the sale of one home. Her determination to convert, no matter the obstacle, was exceptional. Two of the above transactions were during the pandemic. –L.R.
her clients, whether buyers or sellers. I have
Phyllis helped my husband & I buy our first home! finish. Phyllis was always available, whether it was to show us a home, get us info or answer any questions. She’s extremely knowledgeable in all things real estate, as well as the areas she works in. In the past Phyllis has also found us rental properties. When it came time to purchase our first home there was no one else we wanted to help us on this journey!
Phyllis helped my husband & I buy our first home! She took us through the entire process from start to Phyllis was always whether it was to show us a home, get us info or answer any questions. She’s extremely knowledgeable in all things real estate, as as the areas she works in. In the past Phyllis has also found us rental properties. When it came time to purchase our first home there was no one else we wanted to help us on this journey! –K.K.
Phyllis is an excellent, caring & thorough realtor! She goes above & beyond to satisfy used her several times, & would not hesitate to do so again. –B.A.
Phyllis is an excellent, caring & thorough realtor! She goes above & beyond to satisfy her clients, whether buyers or sellers. I have used her several times, & would not hesitate to again. –B.A. She took us through the entire process from start to
