Thursday, September 9, 2010

HEARTLAND VILLAGE, STATEN ISLAND







HEARTLAND VILLAGE is located within the New Springville area. Before the opening of the Verrazano Bridge in 1964 much of New Springville was a rural and wooded area. One of the largest communities to develop was the HEARTLAND VILLAGE community. It is conveniently located close to the mall along with many other smaller shopping centers. Most of the homes in HEARTLAND VILLAGE consists of 2 family homes, but in recent years with lots of new construction the focus has been on larger homes or condominiums.
With the increasing population the need for more schools arose and since 1976 schools from grammar school thru high school have been built.
HEARTLAND VILLAGE is one of the most attractive residential communities because of the convenience to stores, malls and transportation.

JUST LISTED: SPACIOUS 3 BEDROOM,2 BATH TOWNHOUSE.
LOT SIZE 18 X 100
HOME FEATURES HARDWOOD & TILED FLOORS, FAMILY ROOM WITH GAS FIREPLACE WITH ACCESS TO PAVED YARD. NEW PELLA DOORS, NEWER ANDERSON & PELLA WINDOWS, CATHEDRAL CEILINGS, 2 SKYLIGHTS, HIGH HAT LIGHTING, LR/DR COMBO,

XLARGE KITCHEN WITH DINING FOR 6 OR MORE, ACCESS TO PATIO AND YARD. CEDAR CLOSET, LARGE LAUNDRY AREA, KING SIZED MASTER BEDROOM,2 YEAR YOUNG ROOF, 5 YEAR YOUNG H/W AND HEATING SYSTEMS. APPLIANCES 3 YEARS YOUNG.


DON'T MISS THIS ONE, LOCATED IN THE HEARTLAND VILLAGE AREA ON A BEAUTIFUL TREE LINED BLOCK. CLOSE TO ALL SHOPPING, TRANSPORTATION AND MUCH MORE!

CALL: VIRGINIA SPAVENTA FOR MORE INFORMATION @

917-952-3103
ROBERT DEFALCO REALTY
1678 HYLAN BLVD.
SI,NY 10305
718-987-7900 EXT: 320
"WHEN ALL THAT MATTERS IS GETTING IT SOLD!"
"A WINNING COMBINATION"
















Wednesday, August 25, 2010

13 WAYS TO GET HOME READY TO SELL



13 WAYS TO HELP GET YOUR HOME READY FOR SELLING


Here are just 13 ways you can help to make your home more appealing to your next buyer. I suggest you do these minor quick fixes before putting your home on the market.
Let's start from the outside and work our way inside.


1) Sweep the street in front of your house and pick up any debris.
Mow and cut overgrown grass and shrubs to open the appearance of your home.


2) Wash down the front door and front window of any fingerprints and pawprints.


3) Open up all lights and pull back curtains to give the maximum amount of light in a dark room. Replace burned out bulbs and faulty switches. Wipe down fingerprints from interior doors and light switch plates.


4) If a room needs a fresh coat of paint, choose a light color. Repair any holes in walls and any loose plaster, door knobs and broken light fixtures.


5) Remove clutter and shoes that collect by a front door or in bedrooms. This tells a buyer you do not have enough closet space. Clean out any accumulations in basement, attic and garae. They will appear much larger.


6) Repair faulty plumbing and leaky pipes under sinks.


7)Put on some soft music but turn down the T.V. as this can be distracting to the buyer.


8) Kitchen counters and stoves should be wiped down and clear of clutter. Remove magnets from the refrigerator and food boxes stored on top of cabinets and refrigerator. Again, this tells the buyer the home lacks storage space.


9) It is recommended to keep pets out of the way. Pick up pet food and wee-wee pads. Some buyers are uneasy around animals and again this can be distracting.


10)Shampoo rugs and lite scented candles.


11) Let the buyers have privacy when being escorted around your home with their representative. They may have questions they don't want you to hear.


12) Always be prepared to show your home, the next showing can be the buyer for your home.


13) Never apologize for the condition of your home, it only draws attention to its defects.


I am a full time Associate Broker and am available to give you any expert advice for any problems or concerns you may have about the sale of your home. I can be reached at 917-952-3103.


Virginia Spaventa
Associate Broker
Robert DeFalco Realty

"WHEN GETTING IT SOLD IS ALL THAT MATTERS!"

"A WINNING COMBINATION"

Sunday, August 1, 2010

WELCOME TO SILVER LAKE, STATEN ISLAND






Reservoir





Tennis Courts Playground


SILVER LAKE, Staten Island is located on the North Shore of Staten Island. It is noted for its history of both recreational and commercial uses. During the 19th century, a casino and saloon existed on the lakeshore and there were several companies that harvested its ice. At that time the lake was used for boating and ice skating. In 1913, the lake was drained and converted into a working reservoir.Today the reservoir is used as part of a drainage system. Although the park's scenery is dominated by the reservoir, other parts of this beautiful park is notable.

SILVER LAKE has an 18 hole golf course, a baseball field and a play area. For dog lovers that want to let their dogs loose, there is an enclosed area for them to run and mingle with other friendly canines. The park is adorned with paved walkways, benches, handball courts, beautiful shrubs and pine trees.

SILVER LAKE is bordered by Victory Blvd., Forest Avenue and Clove Road.




JUST LISTED: Beautiful 3 Bedroom,3 Bath Semi-Attached home that sits directly across from Silver Lake Park on Forest Avenue. This house is not a drive by, it is in excellent condition and has all the comforts of home. It features an extra large kitchen with a dining area that has access to the deck and patio. It is completely fenced in and offers a yard for entertaining and a playhouse for the little ones. On this level there is a 1/2 bath, and a formal living room with a view of the park. On the second level there are 3 bedrooms and a full bath. The attic has pull down steps for extra storage. The basement is fully carpeted and has another full bath. The enclosed laundry area is very convenient and there is access to the garage from the basement.

CONTACT: VIRGINIA A. SPAVENTA

917-952-3103





"WHEN ALL THAT MATTERS IS GETTING IT SOLD"

"A WINNING COMBINATION!"

917-952-3103
1678 Hylan Blvd.
Staten Island,NY
718-987-7900 EXT.320


































Friday, July 23, 2010

"SELLING YOUR HOME" NOW'S THE TIME TO VIEW IT AS A BUYER DOES!



VIRGINIA SPAVENTA
ASSOCIATE BROKER
917-952-3103



So you finally decided to put your home on the market with a trusted Real Estate Professional and get it SOLD.

Well now is the time to step back and take a real good look at your home and the rooms that you and your family have been living in and so very used to for all these years. What may seem like no big deal to you because you see it on a daily basis, is a big deal and very noticeable to savvy buyers.

First off apologizing for your homes appearance only emphasizes the mess and the defects.


Start on the outside and walk towards your home, is the lawn manicured, the shrubs neatly trimmed. Is there garbage in the street in front of your home? If it looks appealing on the outside chances are they will want to see the inside. Paint, peeling or chipping should be corrected. It shows neglect and age of the home.

Wash down the doors exterior and interior of all fingerprints and smudges. Open the drapes or blinds to give the maximum light to a dim room. Replace all bulbs and turn all lights on. Especially in the kitchen and bathrooms where light is needed.

Is your recent visit to Costco stacked on the floor or the kitchen counter top? Find a place for these items, it shows the buyers that the house doesn't have storage space. Refrigerator magnets must go! Especially if there are so many we can't see tell the refrigerator from a bulletin board.

Look at the rugs do they need to be cleaned? Correct leaking faucets or pipes. Try to keep the pets outside or at least out of the way. Pick up pet food bowls and wee-wee pads. Clean hair and gunk out of tubs and sinks.

Put the radio on a soft station and just loud enough to hear it.

Getting your house ready to sell and look its best shouldn't be costly. Start with the little things it makes a big difference.


If your thinking about buying or selling a home please don't hesitate to call me at 917-952-3103.


I will give you helpful tips for making your home look its best and getting it sold!


VIRGINIA SPAVENTA

ASSOCIATE BROKER

917-952-3103






HOMES that say" I LIVE HERE".


Whether it's a 390' sq.ft. 1 bedroom Condo, a 1400sq.ft Cottage, a 650 sq.ft. Studio or 4,300 sq. ft. dream house. You can make your living space tell it's visitors you live there.


Home is where your happiness starts. You want to make your home a pleasure to spend time in. I will give you some of my tips on ways to develop an overall decorating concept based on theme, color, furnishings and much more.


Lets start in The Living Room where much of the entertaining is done. If you have walls that separate rooms you can think about taking them down. It makes the space feel so much larger and you can circulate through both rooms which makes entertaining much easier. Go neutral for all the big pieces of furniture and find ways to add color, like in pillows, rugs or throws. Have you ever thought about painting the ceiling anything but white? Yes, paint the ceiling a color. The ceiling is the most overlooked and underused opportunity in decorating. Painting the ceiling brings your eyes up and instantly raises the height of the ceiling. A narrow or short room may appear larger with a hint of color on the ceiling.


Mirrors: Think about whats going to be reflected in the mirror, and consider the shape and texture of the frame.


The Kitchen is where it all happens. No matter how the fire is roaring in the living room or how comfortable the sofa may be. Your guests will migrate to the kitchen and hang out. This room should be clutter free and appealing to the eye. It should tell your quests that salacious meals are prepared with the cleanliest of surroundings. Kitchens can either have color or be sterile white. Again no matter what you do to this space gaze up at the ceiling and think color. Red opens the appetite, but a few shades lighter for the ceiling would work also.


Bedrooms are where we need to go to escape our hectic lives for awhile. To refresh ourselves to be our best the next day. Think tranquil green, fluffy pillows and a good book. Small pieces of furniture work well in the bedroom, and as little clutter as possible. Do you use your under the bed space as storage? Clear it out! Clean out the old stuff not worn in the last year and donate it. Remember we are trying to clear our minds from the day.


If your lucky enough to have a house with a welcoming porch, paint the ceiling pale blue, or a turquoise blue. Like the color of a clear daylight sky.It will feel as if clear beautiful skies are always above you. Another good reason for this is that bugs, like bees, will think its a sky and will not build a hive there. Large hanging plants along the porch give a sense of privacy and beauty at the same time. A large rocking chair for two will seem a cozy place to enjoy the night sky or daybreak.


Some good little pieces to own are nesting tables that can hold a book, an arrangement or just a favorite photo. Hassocks now called ottomans or poufs. A place to sit back and rest your feet or just to use as an extra place to sit. They come in all shapes, heights and colors. Make it completely different from the room. Let the color stand out. Remember, the large pieces are neutral, get your color from the accessories.


Make your living space multi-functional. Take color off the walls and put it in the accessories. Sometimes big pieces in a small room can trick your eye into thinking the room is bigger than it actually is. Try to make each room in your home open and airy. Be sophisticated but add your feelings and personality.

Make your house a home that tells quests who you are, and that this is your castle!