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The MarkeT

July 23, 2020

The MarkeT The Ultimate Local home Showcase

S2 - Herald Community Newspapers - THE MARKET - July 23, 2020

RICHARD MCQUILLAN Licensed Associate RE Broker

Cell: 516.860.7993 mcquillanhomes@gmail.com ROCKVILLE CENTRE’S #1 SALES AGENT

RICH’S AVAILABLE LISTINGS

141 CEDAR AVE, RVC $599,000

332 LAKEVIEW AVE, RVC $675,000

22 VARICK CT, RVC $699,000

3 bdrm, 1.5 bath Colonial in the heart of RVC w/ updated kitchen.

Charming 3 bdrm, 1.5 bath Colonial set on oversized park-like property.

4 bdrm, 2 bath craftsman Colonial located in the beautiful Harvard section of RVC.

25 GREYSTONE RD, RVC $749,000

418 MCDERMOTT RD, RVC $825,000

83 MUIRFIELD RD, RVC $879,000

Beautiful, traditional 3 bdrm, 1.5 bath CH Colonial in the Greystone Section.

Sprawling 4-6 bdrm expanded Ranch w/ fine craftsmanship & hwd floors.

3 bdrm, 2.5 bath Colonial offers many updates & fine details throughout!

219 LAKEVIEW AVE, RVC $899,000

144 S. CENTRE AVE, RVC $965,000

34 S. LEWIS PL, RVC $1,249,000

6 bdrm, 3 bath Colonial in the heart of RVC and is close to all!

Charming CH Colonial located in the Riverside Section of RVC.

Beautiful, old world CH Colonial in S. RVC is a unique blend of elegance & practicality.

7 ADDISON PL, RVC $1,549,000

2481 ROCKVILLE CENTRE PKWY, OCEANSIDE | $525,000

85 S. CENTRE AVE, RVC $245,000

Stately Fieldstone Colonial-style Tudor in the Strathmore Section of RVC.

Stunning 3 bdrm, 1 bath Cape-style Tudor w/ a great mid-block location

Spacious 1 bdrm,1 bath Co-Op with an elevator bldg. Close to all!

CALL TODAY FOR A FREE MARKET EVALUATION OF YOUR HOME! 75 SEAMAN AVENUE | ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY 11570 | 516.766.7900 *If your property is currently listed with another broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the listings of other brokers.

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WHAT IS YOUR HOME WORTH?

Herald Community Newspapers - THE MARKET - July 23, 2020 - S3

QUICK DELIVERY HOMES AVAILABLE

Space, Luxury & Convenience

The Madison Home†

Experience unparalleled resort style living at our premier luxury gated community in Plainview. Located in the heart of Nassau County | Priced from the upper $600,000’s* Condominium suites, villas and townhomes | Unparalleled resort-like experience | Easy commute to NYC Nestled against green walking trails | Walking distance to Country Pointe Plaza shops Close to friends and family | High ceilings, oversized windows, luxury finishes | Impeccable craftsmanship Chef style kitchens | Expansive light filled spaces | 29,000+ sq.ft. waterfront clubhouse Two outdoor heated pools | Fitness center | Bocce & Tennis courts | Concierge service

BeechwoodHomes.com Open 7 days a week for virtual or in person appointments 1427 Old Country Road, Plainview, NY

1096411

516.619.8135

*Prices, taxes and availability subject to change without notice. The complete terms are in offering plans available from the Sponsors. File No. CD16-0218, CD16-0219, CD16-0342, CD16-0343, CD16-0348 and CD17-0106. †Actual onsite photos. Equal housing opportunity.

S4 - Herald Community Newspapers - THE MARKET - July 23, 2020

harms real estate, inC L SO

127 Cedar avenue, rvC sold $940,000

122 raymond street, rvC sold $479,000

LD FO

L SA

174 windsor avenue, rvC 24 virginia avenue, rvC sold $979,000 sold $1,200,000

E FO

355 n. long beaCh road, rvC 101 andover road, rvC lP $1,199,000 sold $625,000

L SA

VE SI G U N CL TI EX LIS

31 oxford road, rvC lP $1,769,000

14 stonewell road, rvC lP $1,850,000

elizabeth byrne

Proudly Serving Rockville Centre Residents With Their Real Estate Needs For 61 Years

associate broker

516 -521-3 634 lizcook31@yahoo.com

43 Clinton avenue, rockville Centre

1096399

WE ARE OPEN, BUSY, AND READY To Safely Serve Our Community With Their Real Estate Needs

TURNING VISION INTO OPPORTUNITY

You see the opportunity. We see the potential. Turn to Ridgewood’s commercial real estate team for the competitive options and local expertise you need to support a smooth, fast process and long-term success.

Multi-family, mixed-use, office and retail properties

Up to 75% financing available

Acquisition and refinancing

Connect with a local real estate pro at www.ridgewoodbank.com/team.

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Herald Community Newspapers - THE MARKET - July 23, 2020 - S5

Scott Wallace – Results That Will Move You! Baldwin High School Alumni ’85 | Lifetime Baldwin Resident

1997 Oakmere Drive, Baldwin, NY

86 Fountain Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY

59 Allen Road, Rockville Centre, NY

SD #10. MLS# 3232337. $498,000.

SD #21. MLS# 3203869. $1,370,000.

SD #21. MLS# 3205390. $1,325,000.

411 DeMott Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY

2 Bridge Plaza, Unit #5, Atlantic Beach, NY

32 Kent Street, New Hyde Park, NY

SD #21. MLS# 3192300. $798,000.

SD #27. MLS# 3226335. $649,000.

SD #9. MLS# 3199304. $988,000. PENDING

320 E. Pine Street, Long Beach, NY

395 S. Long Beach Avenue, Freeport, NY

123 Poplar Street, Garden City, NY

SD #28. MLS# 3228150. $498,000.

SD #9. MLS# 3213650. $488,000.

SD #18. MLS# 3217303. $928,000.

PENDING

84 Fonda Road, Rockville Centre, NY

344 Princeton Road, Rockville Centre, NY

56 Voorhis Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY

SD #21. MLS# 3228283. $748,000.

SD #21. MLS# 3208726. $765,000.

SD #21. MLS# 3215868. $769,000.

SOLD

167 Hendrickson Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 30 Roxbury Road, Rockville Centre, NY

26 Revere Street, Rockville Centre, NY

SD #21. MLS# 3192351. $1,635,000.

SD #21. MLS# 3190255. $840,000.

SD #21. MLS# 3158077. $950,000.

SOLD

99 S Park Avenue, Unit 32, Rockville Centre, NY 140 Atlantic Avenue, Unit 402, Oceanside, NY 147 Cecilia Place, Oceanside, NY SD #11. MLS# 3175626. $620,000. SOLD

SD #11. MLS# 3118218. $598,000.

SOLD

775 Bonnie Drive, Baldwin, NY

2615 Fortesque Avenue, Oceanside, NY

609 Stowe Avenue, Baldwin, NY

SD #10. MLS# 3196974. $548,000.

SD #11. MLS# 3181794. $520,000.

SD #10. MLS# 3159879. $479,000.

Scott Wallace, CBR Real Estate Salesperson Gold Circle of Excellence c.516.521.4065 scottwallace@danielgale.com

Getting It Done Safely and Virtually. Call Scott Wallace for all of your Real Estate Needs! c.516.521.4065

danielgale.com Each office is independently owned and operated. We are pledged to provide equal opportunity for housing to any prospective customer or client, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.

1094130

SD #21. $515,000.

S6 - Herald Community Newspapers - THE MARKET - July 23, 2020

Leah Tozer Lic. Real Estate Broker Just Listed•Just Sold•Just Leah

Buying · Selling · Renting Before making a decision with your biggest asset, bring in the expert! CT A R

R D YE L U SO D B T S TE JU EN ES R EP

E ND

N CO

98 Harmon Street, Long Beach NY $1,140,000 5 Beds / 3 Baths

28 Forester Street, Long Beach NY $964,000 3 Beds / 3 Baths

T US

T IS

E ST

228 Greenway Road, Lido Beach NY $858,000 4 Beds / 3 Baths

135 Greenway Road, Lido Beach NY $849,888 5 Beds / 4 Baths

E ST

T US

106 Morris Ave #4, Rockville Centre NY $789,000 4 Beds / 4 Baths

2761 Harbor Road, Merrick NY $938,000 4 Beds / 3 Baths

Cell:

58 West Park Avenue · Long Beach · NY ·11561

T IS

516-860-5784

See me on Season 15 & 16 of HGTV’s Island Life

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www.leahtozer.evrealestate.com

© 2020 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY. 110 WALT WHITMAN ROAD, HUNTINGTON STATION, NY 11746. 631.549.7401. *ALL INFORMATION DERIVED FROM MLSLI FOR RESIDENTIAL, CONDO/CO-OP, LAND, COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE IN NASSAU COUNTY – JUNE 30, 2020 YTD.

Herald Community Newspapers - THE MARKET - July 23, 2020 - S7

Our Numbers Speak Results

Douglas Elliman’s Closed and Under Contract Listings Nassau County | January 1 – June 30, 2020

1,269

Closed Listings

1,418

Under Contract

If you don’t think homes are selling in the current market, you may not be working with the right real estate broker.

Merrick Office

1095781

516.623.4500 2300 Merrick Road

elliman.com

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Comparative advantage Using similar properties to determine the sale price of your house

By Kristen Castillo uying or selling a house relies on comparable sales, known as “comps.” The premise is simple: How does the “subject house” that’s being bought or sold compare to similar properties in the area? Agent Regina Sitterley, who buys, fixes and resells homes for a living, runs comps every day and knows what matters. “Determining what a house could sell for and what finishes it will need is a vital part of my decision to buy a house,” she says. “Comps dictate how I make an offer, set the budget for renovation and affect my negotiations when selling.” She looks for comps of properties within the same subdivision or neighborhood that have been sold within the past 180 days, as well as similar square footage, give or take 10 percent, and similar style. “I wouldn’t compare a brick ranch with a contemporary,” says Sitterley. A big consideration is whether or not the home has been upgraded. That helps her determine what updates need to be made to get a comparable sale price when she relists the home. Determining Comps Comps tell a story of what’s been happening in the neighborhood. “Looking at comps is a fine art,” says agent Jim Esposito, explaining when reviewing comps you need to factor in variables including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and the condition of the property. “It is often quite difficult to find a very good comp.” The comps are based on purchase prices for properties with similar characteristic, including details like granite countertops, a fireplace and hardwood floors. The comp property is typically within close proximity to the subject home. “It is within a one mile radius and sold within three to six months,” says agent Tracey Hampson, noting that timeline is fairly standard.

LandsCaping Can your landscaping improve the value of your home?

By Sharon Naylor

“If you go back any further you are going into a different market,” she says. “A home listed in Christmas is going to be priced differently than a home listed in the peak selling season.” If there’s no sufficient comp because the subject property is different in many ways from existing sales, agents have ways to come up with a comp. “One approach is to break the most recent sales down into a per-square-foot price, then average them out,” says Esposito. Pros and Cons Depending on the ups and downs of the real estate market, buyers or sellers can benefit from comps under different conditions. The seller of a home being placed for sale based on great comps will be thrilled to set a high asking price. But comps from a changing market can often put a damper on pricing. Closing the Deal No matter what the comp is, it’s often just a starting point for buyers and sellers. “Sellers will always expect to get that price or more, while buyers are looking for a bargain and will try to get the property for less than ‘fair market,’” says Esposito. Still other buyers are driven by more than price. “Ultimately a home is worth whatever a buyer is willing to pay,” says Hampson. “Comps or no comps!” Above photo: Comps are based on purchase prices for nearby homes with similar characteristics, including square footage, style and upgrades. Photo to the right: Landscaping adds curb appeal and other value improvement to your home.

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 of your home. (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 other homes in your neighborhood, and low-maintenance plants are also desirable among buyers. Lovely landscaping in your backyard lets buyers envision the entertaining (socially-distanced these days) they’ll do in that space, a big selling point, as well. What Buyers Like to See in Your Landscaping In addition to plant diversity, as well as a range of plant and flower sizes, here are some particularly appealing aspects of landscape design you could incorporate into your yard: Landscaping all around your home. 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, including the front corners of your property, to add extra pops of color and texture there. A variety of healthy trees. A halfdead tree will hurt your home’s value when potential buyers predict pricy treetrimming service work ahead. Healthy trees boost home value, and you can add more value to your home by having your real estate agent attach a description of your trees — and their values — to your home listing. Did you know that the different trees on your property create increased value for your home? Use the National Tree Benefit Calculator to assess your tree types’ benefits to carbon reduction, energy savings, storm water runoff and property values. A list of these benefits on your home listing can

impress potential buyers tremendously. And just three properly placed trees could save you between $100 and $250 a year in energy costs, says the U.S. Department of Energy. Planting windbreaks and shade trees can reduce winter heating bills by 15 percent and air conditioning bills by 75 percent. 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 in your landscaping 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 and potential energy savings, 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.

Saltwater Realty’s Most Recent Properties For Sale Saltwater Realty, the fresh face of real estate in Point Lookout, is proud to represent the owners of these properties. We provide professional, knowledgeable, and ethical real estate services to sellers, buyers, owners seeking to rent their homes seasonally or annually, and to renters looking for short or longer term rentals in Point Lookout, Lido Beach, Long Beach, throughout the barrier island and in neighboring communities. It would be our privilege to work with you on the sale, rental, or purchase of your Great Home.

17 Garden City Avenue Meticulously maintained, absolutely turnkey home MLS #3229200

$869,000

171 W Walnut Street, Long Beach Legal two family, UNDER CONTRACT MLS #3210689 $739,950

6 Inwood Avenue Sunny and bright, with space for friends and family MLS #3215258 $849,000

Peggy Pogue Steiner

Licensed Real Estate Broker/Owner P.O. Box 2003 Point Lookout, New York 11569 516.447.6600 peggy@saltwater-realty.com

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89 Bayside Drive Over 120’ of frontage with direct views of the bay and ever-changing marshes. MLS #3210052 $1,275,000

Herald Community Newspapers - THE MARKET - July 23, 2020 - S9

Come inside

Real estate responds to the pandemic

By Karen Bloom s the local market emerges from the pandemic, it’s clear that old strategies of dealing with homebuyers and sellers have undergone a sea change. A technology-based transformation has occurred as the industry was required to adapt they showed and closed on homes while the pandemic stifled business during lockdown. With health and safety front and center in our “new normal,” these practices — reliant on technology more than ever before — will have a lasting for everyone involved in the real estate market. “The pandemic has changed how we all do business in the real estate industry,” said Cory Knopf, broker/owner at Hal Knopf Realty in Oceanside. “Virtual tours are now a must when listing a property. Making sure that buyers are 100 percent qualified before allowing them to view a home is also in place with almost every agency.” “Most homeowners are not allowing open houses and the need for them is honestly gone. My last seven listings had less than 10 in-person showings before contracts were signed.” “Marketing homes has become half virtual,” Knopf explained. “I try to tour every home with the buyer either via virtual tour or Facetime prior to having them get an in-person showing. This is to protect both my homeowner and myself. Creating a safe environment for everyone involved is at the forefront of every transaction. “Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty and I take Covid-19 concerns very seriously,” said Scott Wallace, CBR, of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty in Garden City. “We are continuously trained and updated on all the COVID-19 protocols and procedures and adhere to them.” “Gone are the days when an agent or a buyer calls the listing agent and requests an appointment and the appointment is scheduled with no questions asked or a couple pictures on a listing is enough marketing for a property,” Wallace said. “As far as requesting showings, as the listing agent, I ask that the agent or the buyer to look at the listing thoroughly. Most of my listings are

marketed with professional pictures, floor plan, amenity sheets and 3D virtual tours. This way I can ask the buyer and agent to take a look at the marketing materials to make sure the house makes sense for them.” “I also ask the buyers or agents to take a ride by the house (if possible) to acquaint themselves with the house and the area so that I don’t get a buyer in a house that may not make sense for them. At this point, if the house is right for the the buyer, I require proof of funds or pre-approval to make an appointment. In my opinion, this procedure helps cut down on unnecessary showings while keeping people safe.” Safety protocols are strictly adhered to, once the agent and client are the point in the process where for an in-person visit. “The homeowner cannot be in the home when the buyer is present, buyers and agents must wear masks,” explained Knopf. “I personally give every buyer fresh gloves before entering every home and the agent must wipe down all common areas before and after showings — hand rails, door knobs. Most agents ask buyers to keep their hands in their pockets and the agent opens any door requested.” The use of technology has transformed the real estate market and accelerated the pace of business. “The biggest positive that has come out of the pandemic is the increased use of video and 3D tours,” said Dawn Costello, licensed real estate salesperson, with Branch Real Estate Group in Sea Cliff. “At Branch Real Estate Group, we pride ourselves on the advanced technology we bring to marketing our listings, so we were fortunately ahead of the game. Virtual tours give buyers the ability to walk through a home and either cement their desire to see it, or save time (and travel) for homes that are not a fit. For instance, one buyer initially had about 20 homes on the shortlist, but we were able to narrow that list down to about five based on the virtual tours (or Zoom/Facetime walkthroughs). Doing that enabled us to move faster when real estate reopened and we could do a physical tour.” “The other benefit — from a seller’s perspective — is that it limits the number of people in your home to those that are motivated buyers.”

Above photo: Virtual tours, video conferencing and other tools that enable remote home shopping are now essential tools for agents and their clients.

We are open for business While the State has been on “Pause” for over 3 months, Coach Realtors has been working virtually. Since March 16th Coach Realtors has listed 26 properties, put 32 properties under contract, and closed on 29. We have many active buyers out looking for the home of their dreams, please contact us for a free market analysis.

Work with us 516.536.8100 Here are a few of our current available listings.

it’s a virtual world Step on in — but online

Work with your agent to capture your home digitally Video and photography are seller’s friend at this time. If you’ve come to the conclusion that your family is safer if nobody comes into your home (not even your agent or a photographer), then you need to be able to DIY your listing materials, and work with your agent to send it out to where the buyers can view it. Start by whipping your home into presentable shape. Deep clean, declutter, and tidy up your home. Remove most items from the countertops,

save a few decorative and intentional pieces. Your home can look lived in, but you should be presenting a style buyers are aspiring to have. Increase your visible floor space by removing extraneous furniture like side tables, boxes, and toy baskets for the kids. Put these items in closets, basement storage, or in the garage in an organized fashion. Add some color with throw pillows, green plants like ferns (you can order faux varieties online for staging purposes), colorful flowers in vibrant vases, and pretty bowls filled with real fruit. Take your own listing photos (which can work for video slideshows, too). Here are a few basic tips to up your DIY photography game: √ Use a tripod to provide a stable platform and reduce camera shake. √ Avoid reflections and glare in mirrors, windows, and shower doors. Retake any photos with these issues. √ Turn on all the lights and open all blinds or curtains for your photo shoot. Pick a time of day where there’s enough sunlight to illuminate areas around windows while avoiding the long shadows that appear in the early morning or late afternoon. √ Use props to show the scale of unused spaces. For example, get out your deck furniture to demonstrate the size of your patio. √ Take several pictures of each room and get different angles. Your agent can help select your best shots. √ Also consider recording your own video walkthrough.

Updated Greystone Cape with 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Asking $629,000 MLS# 3229644

Updated Colonial with 3 Bedrooms and deep property. Asking $719,000 MLS# 3227683

3 bedroom Ranch on Oversized property in the Heart of RVC Asking $739,900 MLS# 3229887

Start building memories in this classic 4300 square foot home. Asking $1,200,000 MLS # 3229542

Rockville Centre Office 314 Sunrise Highway, Rockville Centre, NY 11570 | 516.536.8100 coachrealtors.com H E R E YO U C A N

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Curb appeal used to mean a great front yard that people admired as they walked by. That’s changed in recent years — now even more so since the pandemic upended our world. Today it means a captivating online profile, complete with professional photography and a video tour. Covid-19 has only made photos and videos even more important in the buying and selling process. People who know how to use today’s technology to sell their home (or view homes for sale) are at an advantage. They can present their home in a way that resonates with customers and all but eliminates the physical distance between them. Video-conferencing technology like Zoom and FaceTime have quickly become the standard method for showing homes, especially if people are still living in them. The good news is that these tools are readily available and usually free to anyone with a smartphone or computer and internet access.

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Opening the dOOr

The local real estate market remerges from the pandemic

By Karen Bloom he residential real estate industry here was surging ahead in early 2020, benefiting from both low unemployment and low interest rates, with strong demand for the limited supply. Then along came the Covid-19 pandemic and upended everything. Now real estate professionals and their clients have regrouped, making the needed adjustments to get the business of buying and selling homes back on track. The “real” is now back in real estate, according to local brokers who report that that the market is surging ahead with pent-up demand from buyers who were on the sidelines at the height of the pandemic. When everything came to a halt in March, sales were put on hold for the most part and some sellers removed their listings from the market. Now, the buyers are back with enthusiasm, spurred on by the affordable interest rates. “Emerging from the pandemic had caused a lot of questions out there regarding the housing market,” said Scott Wallace, CBR, of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty in Garden City. “However, the market is strong and I believe it will stay that way. Houses are coming on and back on the market everyday. The good news is that there are many qualified buyers out there.” Many of those buyers are folks fleeing the city, from Manhattan as well as Brooklyn and Queens. “The market is on fire right now,” said Leah Tozer, CBR, SRES, a broker with Engel & Völkers in Long Beach. “People that were in the city and the boroughs are flooding the suburbs, from Long island all the way up to Connecticut. People are looking for more space. And since the banks took out the risky buyers it’s a much more solid pool of buyers who are out there right now. That together with low inventory is making for a very crazy market. Properties that are under $650,000 are going extremely quickly especially since the rates are so low.” Another Long Beach broker, Thomas Tripodi, co-owner of the Tripodi/Shemtov Team at Douglas Elliman Real Estate, is equally enthusiastic. “Forty percent of my clients are from New York City,” he said. “The market has come back strong. And in the last

Branch Real Estate Group in Sea Cliff. “The spring peak home-selling season was all pushed back, so we are very busy helping buyers see the homes they’ve been coveting online for months. We also see an uptick in families coming from Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens who are seeking a change in lifestyle after Covid.” One important rule of real estate remains a constant, even now: Homes that are priced correctly are the ones that sell. “Houses that are priced correctly in the $600,00-$850,000 range are literally flying off the shelf,” said Wallace. “I recently listed a house in the mid-700s in Rockville Centre; by the evening of the first day on the market I had received over 30 calls to see the house. After arranging socially distanced, safe showings by appointment for the next day, I ended up getting 12 offers and am now proceeding to contract.”

three weeks, I’ve never seen it as good as it is right now. All the homes that we have right now have many showings, with multiple offers.” Tripodi’s business was off to a strong start in January and February. That all changed when the calendar turned to March. “When the pandemic hit, the market dropped and everything completely fell apart. It was scary,” he said. “We didn’t know what to expect after that.” Now, according to Tripodi, “the market is the best I’ve seen it in my [professional] life. I’ve never seen it better than these past few weeks.” Cory Knopf, broker-owner at Hal Knopf Realty in Oceanside, is also encouraged. “The market on the south shore has never been stronger, with low inventory and low interest rates driving the prices higher. The influx of buyers from the Brooklyn and Queens area has brought multiple offers on homes very close or over the asking price,” she said. And that’s certainly good news for sellers as we navigate the “new normal.” “If a home does not have a good offer within the first four weeks on the market, it is not priced properly,” Knopf said. Both first-timers and those looking for high-end are driving the postpandemic market. “The strongest demand is two-fold,” Knopf said. “First are the first time buyers looking for homes under $500,000 and second is the high-end buyers that want large homes that are totally renovated. There are so many buyers looking for $800,000-1.5m homes but they want over 3,500 square feet and all new.” Overall it’s a changed landscape for everyone. “Since the pandemic consumed the spring market, we are seeing homeowners starting to get their houses ready to sell in the summer months, which is not typically the busiest of times to list one’s house,” stated Wallace. “While unfortunately, Covid-19 took spring, agents feel they can still maximize July and August to find a home for the many buyers out there to still be able to get in for the school year.” As buyers emerge, industry professionals fully expect the market to continue to heat up throughout the summer. “We are seeing pent-up demand from buyers who haven’t been able to get inside homes until late June,” said Dawn Costello, licensed real estate salesperson, with

Buyers: Be on the mark and ready to make your move In a market on the uptick, with multiple offers being submitted, buyers must prepared to act quickly. “I tell my buyers to be ready, with your attorney, your pre-approval. Know what you want,” said Tripodi. All agents stress the importance of having everything in order, or else buyers will miss out. “Get pre-qualified, so you are ready to go if you find something you love,” Costello said. “Narrow down your search to a few areas you enjoy and can see yourself living. The more you focus that search, the better you’ll learn what you can get for your money in that area,” she advised. “Have an open mind as to what can be done with a house. Not every house will be like what you see when HGTV reveals a makeover. You can find a lovely house with good bones and make it your own. With a tight inventory marketplace, be ready to move quickly and make an offer, or you may risk missing out on the home you just fell in love with.” Tozer stressed the importance of going with the right agent. “You should have a buyer’s agent and make sure you do your due diligence on any property that you purchase. Do your research and be prepared to move quickly in this market. Knowledge is power and working with the right people will get you to your real estate goals,” she said. Sellers: It’s all about the price For sellers, excited by the prospect of bidding wars, pricing correctly is essential. “Don’t be greedy,” Tripodi said. “As a good listing agent, it’s our job to give great guidance. You can get more dollars if it is set to sell, decluttered and ready to go. I’m finding that people are willing to overpay just to get a good house.” And be sure your home presents well. “Staging your home has never been more important,” said Knopf. “Every buyer is looking online before calling or seriously considering a home to purchase. Landscaping and fresh paint are all important.” Adds Tozer: “Sellers must do everything they can to show that their house is well organized and take care of small repairs and do as much staging as possible. This will enable any HD pictures or videos to look their best.” And, again, a successful sale goes back to price. “Most important is pricing your home properly,” Knopf advised. “Do not put in “cushion” or negotiating room. Buyers expect to pay very close to the asking price and if you are not priced right they will either walk away or worse, never come to view the property at all.”

Above photo: Long Island real estate is seeing a resurgence after a stalled spring. Home sales are rebounding.

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Herald Community Newspapers - THE MARKET - July 23, 2020 - S13

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S14 - Herald Community Newspapers - THE MARKET - July 23, 2020