North Shore Homes - October 6, 2022

Bringing clarity to a confusing real estate market.

The Hamlet – Elegant, meticulously maintained 5 Br home on the largest, most private property in the community. Picturesque views of the golf course. Grand foyer w/cathedral ceilings and sweeping staircase. Large raised deck, walk out basement w/ gym and much more.

Beautifully updated custom

Br. 2 Ba. hi ranch waterfront home with unbeatable views of the Great South Bay. Upgraded kit. Options for docking include the 100 ft bulkhead on the property as well as the deeded boat slip directly across the street. Nearby Argyle Park and Babylon Village.

Smithtown Limited Edition! This circa 1700’s home is filled with charm and nestled on 2.18 tranquil acres bordering Nissequogue River. Entire house and property has been completely renovated Spectacular grounds, gunite pool w/waterfall. Outdoor entertaining spaces. True taxes are another bonus at $12,530. Must be experienced firsthand!

Stony Brook Pristine 4 Br Colonial located in the highly sought after Hawkins Hill neighborhood. HW floors, updated kitchen with SS apl. Mastr Br ensuite. Trex deck, IG pool. Close to Stony Brook Village, LIRR, Harbor, Avalon Park.

Jefferson Once in a lifetime opportunity to own the Zachariah Hawkins House, a historic home in the desirable Village of Port Jefferson. 4 Br, 2.5 Ba. Legal Accessory Studio Apartment which is above the detached 1.5 car garage on Franklin St. Very Low taxes. Close to SBU and Hospital.

Stony Brook Lovely, expanded ranch in the heart of Stony Brook! Close to West Meadow Beach and private 40 areas beach association. Wood flrs, vaulted ceiling. Young windows, gas heat, Energy efficient Buderus heating system, Move right in! ML#3418580

Moriches

your dream home on this beautiful waterfront property. Located on a Cul-de-sac & property lines go right into Old Creek Bay -boat right out to the Forge River & direct to Moriches Bay . Master suite on 2nd level and a Jr. Master Suite on the first level. Basement with 10” Ceilings. ML#3405811 $1,350,000

Old field Spacious updated 4 BR Ranch with access to private beach, HWfloors, Andersen windows, skylites, oversized 2 car garage, full basement partially finished,3V schools, close to Stony brook Univ. ML#3422211

Mt Sinai Views of Waterfront without any of the headaches of Bulkheading. Build your Dream home overlooking Mt. Sinai Harbor where you can enjoy moorng your boat, Fishing, Kayaking. Acres of beaches to walk, run or just sit back and relax. If you want to find the perfect lot to build your dream home...this is it! ML#3369323

Stony Brook Ranch 1st Fl Master Bdrm., 2nd Bedrm, Eat in Kitchen, Granite Countertops, Hardwood Floors. Home Office, Lr/Dr, Master Bath, Security System, new Windows, Private Entrance. Second lot included, sold as package, Lot size .35 taxes $832. ML#3424484 $539,900

basement,recently

thruout,HW floors,,Salt

new

new

to pool

North Fork Charm Cozy 3 Bedroom Ranch Which Features

in Kitchen/Dining Area, Living Room, Deck Great For Entertaining, Full Basement w/Walk Out & Full Bath. Circular Driveway

Plenty of Parking

Fit 10+ Cars.

Belle Terre HOUSE RENTAL. Granite kiichen, 3 bdrms, 2 ½ bths. Landscaped pool and decking. Private beach rights. CAC, full bsmt.24 hr police protection. 2 car attached parking. ML#3415654

Bringing clarity to a

real estate

Island

Miller Place Dramatic 2-story entry!

3Br, 2.5Bth w/9’ and cathedral ceilings. EIK, Oak floors/granite & Corian counters, FDR, CAC, 41 hi hats, skylights. Updated gas heating sys and hot water heater. Whole house generator. Private yard boasts a-paver patio and heated saltwater pool. Natural gas line for

Acres - Horse property.

Hill Somerset Condos. Large 2 BR unit facing the front of the midrise. Beautifully updated bathroom, flooring, kitchen with SS appliances, updated electric and lots of natural light. Option for an additional space as an office or guest room. Common laundry area and close to the LIRR/ E&F subway/ J&Z trains and Q37 bus.

Lake Grove Magnificent 3Br,2FBth Colonial on huge corner fenced property. Lg yard w, IGS, great for entertaining. L Shaped EIK, FDR, Hardwood Flrs, CAC. 2 Updated FBths. Anderson windows & Slider to yard. Updated Roof, Boiler & HW Tank. 2 Car Paver Driveway & Walkway. Must See to appreciate.

Mt. Sinai Lovely Expanded 3Br, 2FBth, 1900+ sf Ranch w/Natural Gas Heat and Cooking. EIK w/Granite & S/S Appliances. HW Flrs and Sunken Family Rm w/Wood burning Fpl. CAC, Solar panels (owned). Lg Deck w/Hot tub overlooking Koi Pond. Oversized 2 Car garage, Full basement, .41 acre on cul-de-sac. North of 25A. Mount Sinai Schools. ML#3420940 $600,000

Miller Place Beautiful 4Br, 2.5Bth Post Modern located in Quiet Cul de Sac on .75 property. Bi Level Patio & Pool Deck. Heated Free Form IGP w/Waterfall. Paver Walkways, Patio & Outdoor Grill & Fire pit. EIK w/Granite & SS, butler Pantry, FLR & FDR, Den w/Fpl & HW Flrs. Primary Br w/Tray Ceiling, 2 WIC’s & Master Bth w/Jacuzzi. FBsmnt w/Ose & 2 Car Garg. ML#3426655

Greenlawn Sprawling 5Br, 2.5Bth Split Level Home Located in Harborfields SD. Completely Renovated Spacious Open Floor Plan. New Kitchen Boasts Quartz Counters, & S/S Appliances. FDR leads to Deck & Lg Paver Patio wraps around to front. Garage Converted to Living Space as Br or Office. Fpl in Den. Unfinished Bsmnt.ML#3421761

Finding Reputable Movers

With all the excitement and stress of a move, the last thing you want is to be taken advantage of by rogue movers. While most movers are legitimate, hard-working service providers, there are those who will take advantage

suggestions for how to recognize and avoid fraud.

HOW TO HIRE A MOVER

from fraud is to hire a good mover.

Reach out to several movers and ask them for written estimates. Expect movers to ask you about how much time might be involved, the number of movers needed, who does the packing and the number of rooms that need to be moved.

Make sure a company representative comes to your house to give you an estimate based on your actual belongings and how many rooms you have. Ask them to show you proof of insurance that will cover your goods if they are damaged during the move. Also ask them for their U.S. Department of Transportation number and use the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database to see if the company is registered. Check Yelp or your local, county or state consumer

to see if they have a complaint record. RECOGNIZING FRAUD

a mover might be trying to cheat you.

First, a mover might demand cash upfront before the move or avoid giving you a written estimate. Rogue movers might ask you to sign a blank contract in advance. Others might give you a verbal quote over the phone without showing up to your home or apartment to inspect your goods.

Be concerned if the moving truck shows up and there is no company logo on it. Be suspicious if they have only a cellphone number as a contact and cannot give you a local physical address.

Two other warning signs: If movers give you a low price and change the estimate once you arrive at your destination. The other is if they refuse to give you your belongings unless you pay more money.

MOVING DOCUMENTS

If you’ve recently bought or sold a house, you know there is a lot of paperwork involved. Moving is no exception. A mover should provide you with four documents:

• Estimate: Always get this in writing. It should clearly describe all services and the charges for each

one. Make sure the mover signs the estimate.

• Order for service: Once you have accepted the estimate, the mover should provide you with an order for all the services they will perform and the dates on which they will be done. It should clearly tell you when your goods will be picked up and delivered.

• Bill of lading: This acts as a contract between you and the mover. It is also a receipt for your belongings. The mover should give you a partially complete bill of lading before they leave the residence you are moving from.

• Inventory list: This lists every item you shipped and its condition. Be sure you review it before they leave and that you agree with the description of the condition of your property.

REAL ESTATE 101

Using the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration database

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation that regulates the trucking industry. While the primary mission of the FMCSA is to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses, if you are hiring a mover you can use the FMCSA database to check the registration of your moving company. Visit the website to learn more at fmcsa. dot.gov.

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T i p s f o r B u y e r s & S e l l e r s

Tips for Buyers & Sellers

Selling:

Ask About

Stage Your Home

Have Professional Photos Taken

Tips for a First-Time Home Seller

Review Your Listing

Start the process early.

During this time the home buying process is rapidly changing. Work with your real estate agent for latest updates.

Qualify for the lowest mortgage you can and get pre-approved for a mortgage before beginning your search. Be ready to act fast and be willing to compromise.

Prepare For Closing Costs

paid for appraisals, credit reports,

fees, tax monitoring fee, mortgage insurance premiums and VA funding fees.

Closing costs typically make up 2% to 6% of a home’s purchase price with the average, according to CoreLogic’s ClosingCorp. They also report that from 2020 to 2021, closing costs increased by 11.2%.

Most closing costs are paid by the buyer. Even if the seller or lender

the price of the home or the loan and the costs are just paid for over a greater amount of time.

TYPES OF CLOSING COSTS

closing costs as “fees paid directly to the lender and their business partners when you take out a home loan. They are the price tag for borrowing money.” Many of these costs are spelled out in the loan estimate document.

Common types of closing costs include:

Loan costs: These are the fees that lenders charge for such things as origination, application and administrative fees, mortgage points or discounts, and underwriting fees.

Third-party fees determined by lender: These fees include money

Third-party fees you can arrange: Some closing costs allow you to shop around and compare prices. These include pest inspection, property survey, title insurance, title settlement fees and title searches.

Non-mortgage closing costs: These type of closing costs include taxes and government fees, pre-paid fees such as property taxes or prepaid interest on a loan, initial escrow payment at closing and title insurance.

REDUCING CLOSING COSTS

Like everything else about home buying, closing costs can be

it is possible to get governmental assistance for some of the fees.

A LendingTree study found that half of mortgage seekers who shopped around for a mortgage saved money. Take the time to research mortgages and where will give you the best deal.

Sometimes you can get a lowclosing-cost or no-cost mortgage. In this case, the lender gives you credit toward closing cost. However, that comes at a higher interest rate, which means you pay more over the entire

term of the loan. It is also possible, though usually more common with

the loan. As with low-closing cost or no-cost mortgages, this results in a higher monthly payment and the loan costs more over time.

You can also ask the seller to pay some of your closing costs. This is typically done by them giving you

— conventional, FHA and VA

percentage of sales a seller can pay. The higher your down payment on a conventional loan, the more a seller a can cover of closing costs.

REAL ESTATE 101

Finding Closing Cost Assistance

According to Investopedia, you

Setauket

One of a kind, updated High Ranch.

Setauket | $630,000

Secluded

de sac location in the

updated and sun

brand new

new roof.

UNDER CONTRACT

East Setauket | $599,999

Own a part of history with this 1790’s Colonial set in the historic district.

unique home has great bones and low taxes and needs the right buyer with vision to restore this home

its original grace.

Place | $499,990

Located in the gated community of The Vineyards, updated Chardonnay model.

Port Jefferson | $419,999

# 3422481

Located in the Highlands beautifully updated townhouse with new kitchen, maple floors and CAC.

Port Jefferson

CAROL ACKER

To p

T h i n g s to K n ow

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e f o r e Yo u R e f i n a n c eBefore

1 2 3

Your Home Equity Your Credit Score Cost of Refinancing

Selling Historic Homes

Historic homebuyers are looking for the special appeal and quirkiness found in older homes that have preserved the charm from a particular period, which is why some of the best advice for selling a modern home doesn’t work for historic homes..

If you are planning to sell a historic home, the National Association of Realtors recommends that you emphasize the history and craftsmanship of your home — tell a good story. If you don’t already know your home’s history, explore town histories and city directories. Reach out to experts such as local historians and archivists. Consult the National Register of Historic Places.

FIND THE RIGHT REAL ESTATE AGENT

ments to selling a historic home (for example, painting everything in neutral colors may not be the best

either specializes in selling historic homes or has enough experience to do it well. Find an agent who is aware of the specialized strategies needed to sell historic homes.

Start by asking about their

experience and listen to see if they are passionate about it. Ask them for their stats — how many historic homes have they sold? What percentage of their yearly home sales are made from historic properties?

ing strategies are. Go with an agent who does a walkthrough of your home and will prepare a tailored strategy. The strategy should honor the unique characteristics, historic style and look of your home.

Pricing a historic home requires its own strategy. too. Ask the agent how they will go about this, especially if there are not comparable historic homes in your neighborhood.

TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME

HomeLight consulted with a historic home restorer and a real estate agent who sells classic and historic homes. Here are some of their tips for selling a historic home:

• Be careful about renovations. The wrong kind will ruin the historic appeal of your home.

• Make modern updates where needed — particularly the kitchen and the bathroom.

• Obtain an easement for your property to protect it against future alterations that would remove its historic value.

• Stage your home in a way that

that make it look like a museum.

• Be prepared to share the numbers that tell your home’s story from when it was built to when renovations were done to average utility costs.

• Be ready to tell the home’s history — who lived there and why is it a historic property? However, make sure everything you share is true. If something is based on oral history and you have no proof for it, state that.

• Be aware of any restrictions on the home to renovating it, tearing it down or any other alterations.

Be Careful When Renovating Historic Homes

When preparing to sell your historic property, you may dabble with the idea of renovating. But doing so should be done with a careful hand. Resorting to the latest trending interior design styles can be a big mistake, according to HomeLight. Instead, focus on preserving the distinguishing features of your home that make it so charming, not covering them up. It’s all those quirks and architectural characteristics that make your historic home unique and will inspire the

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Weatherizing your Home

No matter what the climate is where you live, weatherizing your home can help you save money, save energy and make your home more comfortable.

For those who qualify, there is government assistance for full home weatherization that include an energy audit.

Some weatherization you can do yourself while others require the utility providers often have programs that can help save energy and reduce your heating and cooling costs.

WEATHERIZATION TOPICS

The U.S. Department of Energy attention to when weathering your home.Home energy assessments:

out how you are using energy and where changes could be made. This can be done by a professional or on your own. The DOE recommends this renovations or home improvements related to the comfort and energy

Air-sealing your home: One area that can lower your heating and cooling costs is reducing the amount

more comfortable, create a healthier indoor environment and improve your home’s durability. Common airweatherstripping.

Insulation: Insulation helps your your heating and cooling costs. Heat conduction, convection and radiation. Conduction is how heat moves through materials, convection is the way it circulates through liquids and gases (which controls how heat rises and falls) and radiation is how heat travels in a straight line and heats anything solid in its path. Insulation

though there are also radiant barriers reduce radiant heat gain.

Moisture control: Controlling prevent mold growth. The strategies you use to control moisture in your home is going to depend on the climate of where you live and the way your home is built.

Ventilation: The type of ventilation your home needs depends on how many people and pets live in it,

schedules, activities, health concerns and personal preferences. It can also help prevent mold growth and structural damage. Ventilation options include natural ventilation, spot ventilation and whole house ventilation.

WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Energy Department’s Weatherization Assistance Program is designed to help low-income families reduce their energy bills by weatherization approach and begins with an audit that analyzes all building the building envelope, heating and cooling systems, electrical system and electric baseload appliances.

REAL ESTATE 101

How to Apply for The Weatherization Assistance Program

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program is administered at the state and local level. To apply for weatherization assistance, contact your state weatherization agency. The department details all the steps in its online guide at energy.gov.

Times HARVEST

Guide to Fun in the Fall on the North Shore!