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Be Careful When Hiring A Contractor

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:05:00 -0500

Yesterday we had our annual St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon at our office and we had a great time.

I was surprise that a couple of our associates were unable to attend because they still did not have electricity since the weekend storm. I too experience no electricity until Monday, March 15 in the pm.

This made me wonder how many of our communities in Staten Island are still experiencing the after affects of that really bad storm.

The old adage ‘Buyer Beware’ holds true for homeowners when it comes to hiring contractors. In the days, weeks and possibly the months after a ‘natural’ disaster, these so called contractors come out of the wood-work and prey on unsuspecting homeowners desperately wanting to get back to normal. Every year there are thousands of homeowners who get cheated by dishonest, unqualified, fraudulent and unscrupulous contractors every year.

I spoke to Joseph Ashley from ACJ Remodeling, Inc., for his advice. He told me “don’t hire a contractor unless he is a licensed contractor and has insurance. Don’t hire anyone off the street who claims to be a contractor And never be afraid to ask for references. If they are a good, reputable company they will have no problem with that request.”

Here are 3 most common mistakes made by homeowners when hiring a contractor:
•   Never pay a contractor BEFORE work is completed
•   Make sure you have a clearly stated agreement in writing. (Stating what you expect to get done and in a reasonable time schedule.)
•   And no matter how frustrated you are NEVER hire the first contractor you meet.
•   Make sure you get more than one estimate

Here are a few questions you should ask:
•   Are you and your workers covered by Workman’s Compensation?
•   Do you hold a current contractor’s license?
•   Do you have a guarantee policy? (What is it and will it be in writing?)
•   Can I call anyone you have recently done work for? (You would want to know how reliable they were when it came to coming back to correct or fix what they worked on.)

Here’s something you should ask yourself after interviewing a contractor:
• Do you feel comfortable having this person(s) around my home?
• Is the price competitive?

Without fail one of the best ways is to ask your neighbors and friends if they had hired a contractor, were they satisfied with the work done and what was the cost. It’s always so much better getting references from neighbors and/or friends – they will have no problem telling you the truth.

I know how inconvenience we were with no electricity, heat or hot showers but never let your emotions dictate who to hire. You can be paying for that mistake for a long time.

Spring & Summer Seasonal Maintenance Guide For Northeast

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:24:00 -0600

If you live in the Northeast, here are maintenance jobs you should complete in spring and summer to prevent costly repairs and keep your home in top condition.

Certain home maintenance tasks should be completed each season to prevent structural damage, save energy, and keep all your home’s systems running properly. These maintenance tasks are most important for the Northeast in spring and summer. For a comprehensive list of tasks by season, refer to the to-do lists at the end of this article.
After a long, cold Northeastern winter, spring is an excellent time to get outside and perform a fresh inspection of the whole house, says Steve Gladstone of Stonehollow Home Inspections in Stamford, Conn. Give all your major exterior systems—roof, siding, gutters, drainage—a close examination to make sure they’re working properly and are in good shape.

Key maintenance tasks to perform
• Monitor your gutters and drainage. If debris has accumulated over the winter, you’ll find out when the snow melts and spring rains arrive. Remove any blockages and look for signs of bending, damage, and areas where water has been diverted onto the roof or siding. You can usually make minor gutter repairs yourself for under $50 by adjusting or reattaching brackets, gently hammering out bent areas, and replacing damaged sections of gutter if necessary.

This is also a good time to walk around the house and make sure the soil slopes away from the foundation at a rate of at least 6 vertical inches over the first 10 feet. If you have standing water or mushy areas, consider re-grading, adding berms (raised areas), swales (contoured drainage ditches), or installing a French drain (a shallow trench that diverts water away from the house). Try to identify whether your problem is improper sloping or gutter overflow. A home inspector can help you if you’re stumped; inspection services run about $80–$100 per hour.

• Inspect your roof and chimney for winter damage. Shingles may need repair after a rough winter. Look for loose chimney bricks and mortar, rotting boards if you have a wooden chimney box, or rust if you have a chimney with metal parts and flashing. Inside the house, check your skylights to make sure there are no stains that indicate water leakage. If you suspect a problem, call a roofing contractor or a chimney sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America for an estimate for repairs. Minor roof repairs run from $100 to $350.

• Examine siding for signs of winter damage. Check for loose or rotting boards and replace; inspect the areas where siding meets windows and doors and caulk any gaps. Give your siding an annual cleaning using soap and water, a brush, and a garden hose. Also, make sure your house number hasn’t been damaged or obscured by dirt and is easily visible to emergency personnel.

• Schedule your spring air conditioning service. Get ready for the air conditioning season with your spring tune-up. If your system wasn’t running well last season, be sure to tell your contractor, and make sure he performs actual repairs if necessary rather than simply adding refrigerant. Follow your contractor as he works to get an idea of the maintenance checklist he uses and ask questions about what he’s doing. Your contractor’s checklist should include inspecting thermostats and controls, checking the refrigerant level, tightening connections, lubricating moving parts, checking the condensate drain, and cleaning the coils and blower. Expect to pay $50–$100 for a tune-up. Meanwhile, make sure your air filters are changed and vacuum out your floor registers.

If duct cleaning is part of your scheduled service, make sure you aren’t charged extra for it. Some contractors may try to convince you to let them apply antifungal/antibacterial chemicals to the interior surfaces of the ducts; this isn’t usually necessary and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says research has not yet confirmed its effectiveness or potential to be harmful. Any chemicals you add to your ducts will likely become airborne, so exercise caution.

• Check kids’ outdoor play areas. “Swingsets tend to get funky over the winter,” Gladstone says. “Tighten bolts and make sure things are still properly put together and safe to use.” Make sure no sharp edges or splinters are sticking up, and clean off any mold growth with a household-strength 1:9 solution of bleach and water.

• Check your GFCIs. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protects you from deadly electrical shocks by shutting off the power anytime even a minimal disturbance in current is detected. They’re the electrical outlets with two buttons in the middle (“test” and “reset”) that should be present anywhere water and electricity can mix: kitchens, bathrooms, basements, garages, and the exterior of the house. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends monthly testing, which you’re likely to remember if you incorporate it into your spring routine.

To test a GFCI, plug a small appliance (a radio, for example) into each of your GFCIs. Press the test button, which should click and shut off the radio. The reset button should pop out; when you press reset, the radio should come back on.

If the radio doesn’t go off when you press the test button, either the GFCI itself has failed and should be replaced, or the outlet is wired incorrectly and should be repaired. If the reset button doesn’t pop out, or if pressing it doesn’t restore power to the radio, the GFCI has failed and should be replaced. These distinctions can help you tell an electrician what the problem is—neither job is one you should attempt yourself if you don’t have ample experience with electrical repair.

• Pay a visit to the attic. During a spring rain, check for visible leaks, water stains, discolored insulation, and rotting or moldy joists and roof decking. If detected, call a handyman or roofing contractor for an estimate for repairs. If you have areas of rot or mold exceeding 10 sq. ft., call an indoor air quality inspector or mold remediation company for advice. If you have an attic fan, make sure it’s running properly and that the protective screen hasn’t been blocked by bird nests or debris.

• Clean dirty windows. This is a good task for the end of summer, when it’s still nice outside. Clean windows allow more solar energy into the house in the cooler months to come, which will help you save on your heating bill. For streak-free glass, use an eco-friendly solution of one part vinegar to eight parts water, with a few squirts of dish soap; apply to window with a sponge or soft mitt, scrubbing any tough spots. Rinse with clean water and then squeegee the surface dry.

Along with these important maintenance tasks, be sure to check out the others cited in the to-do lists following this article. Spending a weekend or two on maintenance can prevent costly repairs and alert you to developing problems. Visit the links listed below for more detailed information on completing tasks or repairs.

Spring & Summer Seasonal Maintenance Guide — Northeast By: Karin Beuerlein Published: Nov 13, 2009
Karin Beuerlein has covered home improvement and green living topics extensively for HGTV.com, FineLiving.com, and FrontDoor.com. In more than a decade of freelancing, she’s also written for dozens of national and regional publications, including Better Homes & Gardens, The History Channel Magazine, Eating Well, and Chicago Tribune. She and her husband started married life by remodeling the house they were living in. They still have both the marriage and the house, no small feat.

Message from Mimi Regarding Casino Night 2010

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:33:00 -0600

To all my friends,

I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for your support for our Casino Night Benefit held Saturday, February 20th. It was a tremendous success, with all proceeds going to the GRACE Foundation.

We deeply regret having to turn away so many people that night. St. Andrew’s Hall would only allow 200 people.
The out pouring of so many wonderful people was truly over whelming. Since 1 out of 110 children are affected with this dreaded condition, it is one of the most important causes of our time and we need all the support we can get throughout the year.

The GRACE Foundation will accept any donation, large or small. Please make your check payable to The GRACE Foundation and mail it to: ATT Donna Long, 24 Watchogue Road, Staten Island, NY 10314.

We are currently planning our next year’s event to be held at a local restaurant capable of holding 500+ people. As soon as we finalize the details we will post it on our website and facebook.

We, at Neuhaus Realty, are learning from every event how to make the next event more exciting and run smoothly.
Special thanks to the committee members who worked hard and gave so freely of their time: Theresa DeCrescenzo, Leyna DiMarzio, Kathy Feola, Mary Perosi, Nikki Chaudry, Pam Gregory, Connie Nixon, Carmen Santillo, Connie Lamantia, Pat Falcone, Gale Strassberg, Peggy Lennon, Jeanette Zaroura, Mickie Weidmyer, Peggy Power, Dale Chesnov, Angelo Saraniero, Tony Ragucci along with other team members.

From myself and all the associates at Neuhaus Realty “Thank you for making our world a better place”….

To view some of the pictures taken plus the list of all our sponsors click here: http://www.neuhausrealty.com/neuhaus-realty-s-casino-night-201/

Neuhaus Realty's 2010 Casino Night Benefit Newest List of Sponsors

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:37:00 -0600

It’s Thursday, February 18, 2010, and we are just 2 days before our Casino Night Benefit, February 20th at St Andrews beginning at 7:30pm. Here is our newest list of sponsors who gave so generously to this worthy cause. I hope you will let them know you saw their names on our facebook ….

AIA Coffee Distributor
Amir Alishahi, Esq.
Andrew & Alan’s Café
Angelina’s Ristorante
Balloons Plus
Bamboo Hair Salon
Bistro’s
Block Buster Video
Bocelli Italian Cuisine
Café Vorrei
Cape House Gallery
Carol Miller
Christopher Dai, Esq.
Citybrook Mortgage Corp.
Classique Salon & Spa
Cole’s Dock Side
Connie & Russell Nixon
Costco
Crazy Joe’s Auto Sales & Service
Da Noi Restaurant
Dance N Dine
Dazzle Den
DCF Contracting - Charles Fleming
Dolphin Fitness Clubs
Dominick DeSimone – Builder
Ed Rice-American Home Building & Masonry Corp.
Gemmette Hair Studio
Gino’s Restaurant
Gotham Home Inspections
Dr. Robert Graffeo
Granville Tax Services
Hilton Garden Inn
Holtermann’s Bakery
Island Tanning
Italianissimo Ristorante
Jack Stern Esq.
Jimmy Max
Jon Costagliola, Esq.
Karen Stanbrook
Key Food – Howard Fisk
LA Fitness Club
La Strada
Marina Café
Marina Grand
Matthew Woitkowski, Esq.
May & John Sciarrino
Met Foods of Staten Island
Michael Cuccurullo
NEC Agency Inc.
Neuhaus Real Estate
Nino’s Restaurant
Oriental Plaza
Pastosa
Pat & Frank Falcone
Pat & John Bartelini
Paul De Flippis
Portobello Café
Premier Partition & Drywall LLC
Raj Rapul –Wells Fargo Home Mtg.
Randy Goldfarb, Esq.
Relax On Cloud 9 Spa
Robert Arminante, Esq.
Robert Julia Brogna – Builder
Robert Rampulla, Esq.
Ron & Betsy Gold
San Vito’s Restaurant
Silver Lake Golf Course
Skin Laser Beauty Center
South Fin Grill
Staten Island Winery
Synergy Fitness Club
Talicero’s Restaurant
Taxman – George Carapella
The Shannon Rose
Theresa & Robert DeCrescenzo
Tony Ragucci
TriStar Mortgage Corp.
Troost Bros.
Tumbling Dice
Victory Mortgage
Village Maria Pizzeria
Wall Designs by Graziella Dolce
Waterfall’s Restaurant
William J. Newstad, Esq.
Your Baker

Care and Maintenance of Your Deck

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:21:00 -0600

Annual deck maintenance will forestall major repairs, protect your investment, and boost your enjoyment of your deck. Because decks are exposed to the harshest elements, they require annual maintenance. Most decks should be cleaned and sealed every year to protect wood components; even decks made of composite or vinyl decking should be washed annually. Also, every deck should be checked regularly for signs of rot and to ensure structural integrity. Because a deck is a particularly good investment—returning more than 80% of its original cost, according to Remodeling magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Survey—it’s a good idea to establish a routine of upkeep that’ll protect your deck and prevent expensive repairs. Here’s a simple maintenance schedule to help keep your deck safe, sound, and looking great.

Late spring: Wash the deck
Aside from general dinginess, one of the sure signs a deck needs washing is a film of mold and grunge. Left unchecked, mold and dirt and can trap moisture and cause rot.

Begin cleaning your deck by removing debris from between deck boards using a putty knife. (For a makeshift extension that’s a real knee-saver, try pushing the handle of your putty knife into a length of 1¼-inch PVC pipe. Some putty knives squeeze right in.)
Or, buy a pole-type groove and crevice cleaner paying special attention to the areas where deck boards cross the joists—the structural members underneath the decking. Thoroughly sweep the deck.

For a wood deck, use a standard deck cleaner—about $20 for 250 sq. ft. coverage. Or, make your own with a half bleach, half water solution. Choose a cloudy day when the decking is cool and the sun won’t evaporate the cleaner. Protect all shrubs and plantings with plastic sheeting. Apply the cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Once the decking is cleaned, tackle the railing. Working from the bottom up, apply the cleaner, scrub, and then rinse. Working from the top down splatters the cleaning solution onto dry wood where it can double-bleach the surface, leaving marks that don’t go away when the lower area is washed. Working from the bottom up means you’ll be splattering onto a wet surface where the cleaner is diluted, leaving no marks.

For composite decks, use a cleaner specifically formulated for use on composite material. Scrub with a soft brush. Do not use a pressure washer—it can permanently damage the decking and will void any warranty. Remove rust and leaf stains with a deck brightener containing oxalic acid. Attack grease and oil stains with a commercial degreaser and detergents. Mold and mildew can be kept under control with the use of a deck wash solution twice a year.

For vinyl (cellular PVC) decking—the closest thing to a maintenance-free material—you’ll only need to use warm water and a mild soap to remove mold, mildew, and dirt. Scrub in a circular motion using a stiff broom, then rinse thoroughly.

Late spring: Seal the deck
The finish on your deck may be so woebegone that it’s obvious it needs resealing, but if you have doubts, try the water test. Splash some water onto the deck. If it beads up, all’s well. If it soaks in, it’s time to wash and reseal the deck.

Wash the deck as described above and allow it to dry for 48 hours before sealing. Use a pole sander equipped with 80-grit paper to remove any furriness caused by washing.

Sealers and stains are available at home improvement centers for about $30/gallon—enough to cover 250 sq. ft. of decking. Your finish options include:
•   Clear sealer that lets the wood’s natural grain and color show through
•   Toner that adds a bit of color but fully reveals the grain and provides some protection against sunlight (ultraviolet or UV light)
•   Semi-transparent stain that tints the wood, but lets some grain show
•   Solid stain and opaque color that seals weathering damage and completely covers the grain
Expect to recoat clear sealers and toners annually. Recoat stain finishes as needed (every other year is a good routine), using the same or a slightly darker color. Be sure to wear gloves, a safety mask, and eye protection when applying stain and sealers. Use a roller to apply the sealer to the decking, covering three or four boards at a time. Use brushes and small rollers for railings, planters, and benches.

Some composite decking can be stained to restore its color. Be sure the product is intended for composites. Don’t expect the same density of color that you would achieve with wood. Deck sealants aren’t required or recommended.
Midsummer: Inspect and repair your deck
When the weather is warm and dry, it’s a good time to give your deck’s structure a close inspection. Pay particular attention to any areas within 6 inches of the ground or close to sources of water, such as downspouts and planters.

Look for signs of rot by probing structural members with a flat-blade screwdriver. Begin by checking stairs, especially where the stringers (the saw-tooth notched pieces that support the steps) meet the ground. Also check each perimeter post. If you can push the screwdriver a quarter-inch or more into a suspect area, you probably have rot.

Areas of rot that are no bigger than a silver dollar can be removed with a chisel and the hole can be treated with wood preservative. Larger areas may require the structural member to be replaced. Consult a professional carpenter or builder for an estimate for repairs.

If the underside of your deck is accessible, use a flashlight to inspect joists, posts, and beams. Pay special attention to the ledger—that all-important piece of framing that attaches the deck to the house. An estimated 90% of collapsed decks resulted from the failure of the ledger. However, not all decks have ledgers. Some are free-standing—a beam and posts located within a few feet of the house indicate a free-standing deck system.

The ledger should be attached with lag screws, not just nails. The flashing—the metal cap that covers the top of the ledger and prevents moisture from getting behind the siding—should be free of rust and holes. Check all the hardware underneath, especially joist hangers, and replace any that are seriously rusted. Probe for signs of rot on the posts and joists. If anything looks doubtful, call in a pro to provide an estimate for any needed repairs.

If a framing member can’t be easily removed and replaced, reinforce it. For example, if a joist shows areas of rot, you can add a splint of comparable pressure-treated lumber along side it, attaching the splint with two or three 3-inch deck screws every 12 inches. Then chisel away the rotten area and paint the raw wood with preservative.

Topside, look for cracked or rotten decking boards. Not all cracks are a structural threat, but they’ll get worse with time. If you find damage, replace the piece. Areas of cupping can be sanded down.

Give the railing a good shake to be sure posts are not loose or damaged—loose connections may be remedied by drilling pilot holes and adding galvanized lag screws. Look for cracks that, over time, may have developed around fasteners such as nails or screws. To remedy, remove the fastener and seal the crack with an exterior-grade adhesive. Then, drill a new pilot hole and add a new galvanized deck screw.
Early fall: Preventive measures
If the decking was nailed, you’ll likely find some nail heads popping out. A short-term solution is simply to pound them back in using a hammer and a thick nail set. For a longer lasting solution, pull out each protruding nail and drive in a deck screw slightly longer than the nail. (When pulling out the nail with a hammer or pry bar, use a scrap of wood as a fulcrum for greater leverage and to avoid damaging the deck.) If a nail only slightly protrudes, you may do more harm than good trying to pull it out. Pound it home.

To slow mold, moss, and rot, keep nearby bushes and trees cut back at least 12 inches from the deck. Don’t let leaves and other debris pile up in corners. Move planters, chairs, and tables occasionally to avoid discoloring the decking. Keep nearby gutters and downspouts in good repair.

Dave Toht has written or edited more than 60 books on home repair and remodeling, including titles for Better Homes & Gardens, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Reader’s Digest, and Sunset. A former contractor, Dave was editor of Remodeling Ideas magazine and continues to contribute to numerous how-to publications. He just added a composite deck to the front of his house.

Neuhaus Realty Casino Night Benefit For Autism 2010

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 07:38:00 -0600

Neuhaus Realty’s Casino Night Benefit Families Affected By Autism - All Proceeds To Go To The GRACE Foundation.

Mimi Neuhaus, broker of Neuhaus Realty, and the Neuhaus Team will be sponsoring their second Casino Night Benefit for Autism with all proceeds going to The Grace Foundation. “Last year we had a wonderful turnout, raising over $18,000 for this worthy cause. The generosity for this year event from our various sponsors has been nothing short of overwhelming. Come and join us as we work together to make this a better world.” said Mimi Neuhaus.

The benefit will be held February 20, 2010 starting 7:30pm at Hamsley Hall at Church of St. Andrew’s Richmond Town located at the bottom of Richmond Hill Road, with casino games provided by Tumbling Dice. The cost in advance is $30 and at the door $40 per person. Admission includes 50 in chips, Blackjack, Texas hold'em, craps, roulette, as well as slot machines, music, live entertainment, hot and cold buffet donated by local restaurants plus lots of fabulous prizes. There will be a cash bar for wine, beer and soda.

Neuhaus Committee:
“Giving back to the community has always been our priority. Our committee, made up of our sales associates, has been working tireless getting sponsors, gifts, donations of all kinds’, stated Mimi Neuhaus. “So far we have collected over $1,100 for the 50/50 raffel before this event. Our list of sponsors has been posted on our web site as well as my facebook.”

Neuhaus committee members are Theresa DeCrescenzo, Leyna DiMarzio, Kathy Feola, Mary Perosi, Nikki Chaudry, Pam Gregory, Connie Nixon, Carmen Santillo, Connie Lamantia, Gale Strassberg, Peggy Lennon, Jeanette Zaroura along with other team members. “There is a lot of behind the scene planning and many hours of preparation that goes into an event as big as this. These associates are all volunteering their time to make this night a tremendous success,” added Mimi Neuhaus

Autism and The Grace Foundation:
Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders known as Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD). The other pervasive developmental disorders are PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder – Not Otherwise Specified), Asperger's Syndrome, Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Many parents and professionals refer to this group as Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Today, it is estimated that one in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. An estimated 1.5 million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide are affected by autism. Government statistics suggest the prevalence rate of autism is increasing 10-17 percent annually. There is not established explanation for this increase, although improved diagnosis and environmental influences are two reasons often considered. Studies suggest boys are more likely than girls to develop autism and receive the diagnosis three to four times more frequently. Current estimates are that in the United States alone, one out of 70 boys is diagnosed with autism.

The Grace Foundation, a non-profit organization, was established to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. They are committed to support, educate and enhance the quality of life for children/adults and their families living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Grace Foundation supports over 500 families affected by ASD with services ranging from recreation, social skills, workshops, support groups to the Grace University. For more information regarding The Grace Foundation go to www.graceofny.org.

“Each of us knows someone affected with ASD. That is why fund raisers like this are very important to them and their families. We can all make a difference,” said Mimi Neuhaus.

For further information regarding the Casino Night Benefit, to make a donation or to purchase advance tickets call 718.979.3400 and ask for Mimi Neuhaus.

Neuhaus on YouTube

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 09:52:00 -0600

We’re having some fun with YouTube. Real Estates professionals work hard, check out what we’re doing when we get a chance - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7HhITiAqIo
Remember we’re not George Lucas or James Cameron, but we’re working on that!

Pam Gregory Got A You Tube 'Thank You'

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:10:00 -0600

Our agent Pam Gregory got the most unique Thank You from one of her clients. They were so impressed with her they put their testimony on You Tube. Well done Pam! Check it out… http://www.abrooklynhomeinspection.com/neuhaus.html

Helpful website on all home topics

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:16:00 -0600

Passing on this great website that is full of all kinds of helpful information regarding your home, home repairs, home improvement, home security – from going green to air condition repairs be sure to check it out. http://www.houselogic.com/categories/improve/

Being Baby Safe

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:51:00 -0600

Whether it’s your first child or fifth grandchild you will be surprised how many accidents happen within the home involving children.

As a grandmother, a rite of passage from parenthood, I had to take a hard look around my home when my first grandchild was born. Most of us know to keep pots on the back burners whenever possible and to be sure when cooking the pot handle should be facing away from tiny reaching hands. We also know to keep a lock on cabinets, especially under the sink where chemical cleaning supplies are kept, or drawers were baggies, tin foil, coins and scissors are kept.

But what about the bathroom, fireplace, windows, house plants, potpourri, tall furniture or vents? The list grows when you see the everyday stuff become potentially hazardous to a very curious toddler.

When looking around the house think and see as a toddler. If it looks interesting to you, it will be to a toddler. Remember, everything that goes into the mouth will. To a toddler everything is new and exciting.

Here are some wet sites I found on baby safety. Check them out. http://www.safetymatters.com/ and http://www.babycenter.com/

Springtime and Home Renovations

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:19:00 -0600

On snowy days like the ones we’re experiencing it’s hard to think Spring is just 6 weeks away. Tennyson may have been right about a young man’s fancy (In Spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love..), but for most homeowners the coming of Spring brings thoughts of renovations.

All home repairs or upgrades, no matter how big or small, are necessary for the upkeep of one’s home. The question is which remodeling project will get you the best return for you money?

If you are thinking of selling your home and want to spruce it up but keep the cost down, here are some ideas that can give your home greater appeal:

1. Paint – When it comes time to selling one’s home most experts agree a fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest and most dramatic ways to make a home look clean, bright and inviting. If you cannot do both the exterior and interior, paint at least the front door and trim as well as polishing the doorknob and door numbers. When it comes to the interior most agree if you’re using color other than neutral tones keep it pleasing to the eye. Many of us love to watch those home designing shows and get some great ideas on home decorating. While using bright, strong, dramatic colors may be pleasing to you remember the buyer may not agree with your choice. When selling a home the setting, room color, mood and atmosphere must be appealing to the buyers. The color of a room or rooms does influence the buyer. The idea of using soft inviting colors is to allow the buyer to ‘see’ the home. Remember, paint color does set the tone, so choose them wisely. By keeping a balance and continuity of color throughout your home you can achieve that fresh, clean, inviting look.

2. Wash your windows and screens. Cleaning your windows and screens allows any room to look bright.

3. Tidy up the clutter. Don’t let the buyer be distracted with piles of newspapers, schoolbooks and sport equipment. Throw out what is not being used, pack and or stack items neatly. By keeping all entrances, rooms and the garage FREE of all kinds of clutter allows the buyer to see the possibilities your home has to offer.

It doesn’t take much to get a house ready, just a plan and a couple of weekends. The results will be well worth it.

If you are planning to do major renovations, here is a helpful link that may help you as you consider which home repairs you should do:
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2009/costvsvalue/national.aspx

Neuhaus' Casino Night List of Sponsors Keep Growing

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:24:00 -0600

As of 2/9/10 - The List of sponsors keeps growing for our Casino Night Benefit for Austim, Saturday, Feb 20th at 7:30…

Restaurants:
Andrew & Alan’s Café
Angelina’s Ristorante
Bistro’s
Bocelli Italian Cuisine
Café Voorie
Cole’s Dock Side
Da Noi Restaurant
Gino’s Restaurant
Hilton Garden Inn
Italianissimo Ristorante
Jimmy Max
La Strada
Marina Café
Marina Grand
Neuhaus Real Estate
Nino’s Restaurant
Oriental Plaza
Portobello Café
San Vito’s Restaurant
South Fin Grill
Talicero’s Restaurant
Village Maria Pizzeria
Waterfall’s Restaurant

Attorneys:
Amir Alishahi, Esq.
Christopher Dai, Esq.
Jack Stern Esq.
Jon Costagliola, Esq.
Matthew Woitkowski, Esq.
Randy Goldfarb, Esq.
Robert Rampulla, Esq.
William J. Newstad, Esq.

Other Supporters:
AIA Coffee Distributor
Balloons Plus
Bamboo Hair Salon
Barclays Capital - Paul De Flippis, Michael Cuccurullo
Block Buster Video
Cape House Gallery
Charles Fleming – DCF Contracting
Citybrook Mortgage Corp.
Classique Salon & spa
Crazy Joe’s Auto Sales & Service
Dolphin Fitness Clubs
Dominick DeSimone – Builder
Dutchess County Dental Practice & Assoc., Dr. Robert Graffeo
Ed Rice- American Home Building & Masonry Corp.
Gemmette Hair Studio
Granville Tax Services
Island Tanning
Karen Stanbrook
Key Food
Mets Foods of Staten Island
NEC Agency Inc.
Pastosa
Premier Partition & Drywall LLC
Raj Rapul –Wells Fargo Home Mtg.
Relax On Cloud 9 Spa
Robert Julia Brogna – Builder
Ron & Betsy Gold
Silver Lake Golf Course
Skin Laser Beauty Center
Staten Island Winery
Synergy Fitness Club
Taxman – George Carapella
TriStar Mortgage Corp.
Troost Bros.
Victory Mortgage
Wall Designs by Graziella Dolce
Your Baker
Zoe’s Hair Salon

Neuhaus' Casino Night Benefit List of Sponsors and Supporters Is Growing!

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:51:00 -0600

Neuhau's Casino Night Benefit Austim - The Grace Foundation
Feb 20th at 7:30pm
St. Andrews Church, Richmond Town
Advance Tickets: $30 per person OR $40 At the door

As we are getting closer to our Casino Night Benefit, Feb. 20th at 7:30 pm, we are excited about the response we have been getting for various businesses who have given so generous. We would like to let you know who they are so far – we also hope you will show them your support ...

If you are interested in supporting this worthy cause please give me a call at 718.979.3400.

RESTAURANTS:
Andrew & Alan’s Café
Angelina’s Ristorante
Bistro’s
Bocelli Italian Cuisine
Café Voorie
Cole’s Dock Side
Da Noi Restaurant
Gino’s Restaurant
Hilton Garden Inn
Italianissimo Ristorante
Jimmy Max
La Strada
Marina Café
Marina Grand
Neuhaus Real Estate
Nino’s Restaurant
Oriental Plaza
Portobello Café
San Vito’s Restaurant
South Fin Grill
Talicero’s Restaurant
Village Maria Pizzeria
Waterfall’s Restaurant

ATTORNEYS:
Amir Alishahi, Esq.
Christopher Dai, Esq.
Jack Stern Esq.
Jon Costagliola, Esq.
Matthew Woitkowski, Esq.
Randy Goldfarb, Esq.
Robert Rampulla, Esq.
William J. Newstad, Esq.
Matthew Woitkowski, Esq.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORTERS:
AIA Coffee Distributor
Balloons Plus
Bamboo Hair Salon
Barclays Capital - Paul De Flippis, Michael Cuccurullo
Block Buster Video
Cape House Gallery
Charles Fleming – DCF Contracting
Citybrook Mortgage Corp.
Classique Salon & spa
Cloud 9 Spa
Craig Carter –Premier Partition & Drywall
Dominick DeSimone – Builder
Dutchess County Dental Practice & Assoc., Dr. Robert Graffeo
Ed Rice- American Home Building & Masonry Corp.
Gemmette Hair Studio
Granville Tax Services
Karen Stanbrook
Mets Foods of Staten Island
NEC Agency Inc.
Pastosa
Premier Partition & Drywall LLC – Christian Carter
Raj Rapul –Wells Fargo Home Mtg.
Robert Julia Brogna – Builder
Skin Laser Beauty Center
Synergy Fitness Club
Taxman – George Carapella
TriStar Mortgage Corp.
Troost Bros.
Victory Mortgage
Wall Designs by Graziella Dolce
Your Baker
Zoe’s Hair Salon

Dissecting the 'second-time' homebuyers $6,500 tax credit

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:11:00 -0600

Dissecting the ‘second-time’ homebuyer tax credit
A look at who qualified for the new, less known federal break

Written by: Ken Harney, Real Estate columnist with the Washington Post

Take a close, hard look at the new $6,500 federal tax credit for so called move-up homebuyers that passed the Senate and House last month. Though it’s been getting second billing to the original $8,000 credit for first-time purchasers – now extended by Congress through next June 30th – the $6,500 credit for current homeowners just might have your name on it.

How does it work? When will it be available?

First things first: The new credit is available now. It took effect the day President Obama signed the legislation creating it – November 6th. This means that if you fit the key criteria – you’ve owned and resided in your current home for a consecutive five out of the past eight years, and your adjusted household income doesn’t exceed $125,000 if you file taxes singly, $225,000 if you are married filing jointly – you can claim the credit as soon as you close on a qualifying house.

That could be next week, next month or next spring. There is no move up requirement in the new credit. In fact, homeowners who plan to downsize into a smaller dwelling may prove to be significant users of the credit, along with people who are relocating because of employment changes.

If you fit the criteria and are considering buying another house sometime in the coming year, you might want to speed up the process and sign a contract by next April 30 and close by the June 30th expiration date. Think of it this way: If the government is willing to give you $6,500 to act a little faster than you had originally planned, hey, why not?

Some other key features of the $6,500 credit you ought to know about: Whatever you intend to purchase, the house cannot cost more than $800,000.

The replacement house must become your main home. There is no requirement in the legislation that you sell your current home. You could rent it out, turn it inot a second home or list it for sale later in 2010, when prices might be higher. If you plan to retain it, however, make sure you move into the new house on the day you close so that there is no question it was your principal residence at that time.

Like the first-time buyer credit, the $6,500 version permits a broad range of dwelling types for your purchase. These include newly constructed or existing single-family homes, condos, manufactured or mobile homes, and boats that function as your principal residence. You cannot claim the credit if you are buying a second home or investment property.

The IRS is required by Congress to scrutinize claims for tax credit far more closely in the coming months than it did earlier in 2009. This is because federal investigators have documented significant instances of fraud – supposed homebuyers who were actually minors, and bogus “sales” that were totally fabricated. Investigators also found numerous cases of technical violations, such as purchase transactions among immediate family members..

The revised rules require taxpayers to submit copies of their settlement statements (HUD-1 forms), along with their requests for credits using IRS Form 5405. Congress’ new rules also prohibit individuals under the age of 18 or who are counted as dependents on another taxpayer’s filing from claiming the credit.

Homebuyers in 2009 – those who got to closing after November 6th but not later than December 31st – can claim the $6,500 credit on their 20009 federal tax returns, or amend their 2008 returns. Similarly, eligible purchasers in 2010 will be able to file for the credit on their 2009 or 2010 returns.

If you aren’t sure if you can make the deadlines established for the new credit – a binding contract by next April 30 and a settlement by June 30 – do not assume that Congress will provide another extension. All the political and budgetary signs point the other way, and some of the primary authors of the credit insist that this is it – no more extensions next year. Take them at their word.

From the desk of Mimi Neuhaus

Why Hire A Real Estate Professional

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:01:00 -0600

A real estate agent can help you understand everything you need to know about the home selling process.

Not all real estate licensees are the same; only those who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR "®" trademark on their business cards and other marketing and sales literature.

REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reported that 84% of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.

Real estate transactions are one of the biggest financial dealings of most people’s lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $250,000. If you had a $250,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a certified professional accountant? If you had a $250,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be wise to work with a professional REALTOR® when you are selling a home.

If you're still not convinced of the value of a REALTOR®, here are more reasons to use one:

When selling your home, your REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace as well as the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.

Often, your REALTOR® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property.

Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over half of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer.

Your REALTOR® acts as the marketing coordinator, distributing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.

Your REALTOR® will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. NAR studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a property is marketed with the help of your REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

Your REALTOR® can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing – and a lot of possible pitfalls. Your REALTOR® can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.

Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of your home. Issues may arise between the initial sales agreement and closing (also called settlement or escrow), for example, unexpected repairs might be required to obtain financing or a title problem is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing.

From the Desk of Mimi Neuhaus, Broker/Owner of Neuhaus Real Estate Since 1969.

Two Helpful Websites When Looking To Buy A Home

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:58:00 -0600

We all wish we had more time to ‘surf’ the internet looking for websites that can offer us the information we need.

When it comes to real estate and information related to home buying, selling, moving, etc, if you haven’t checked out www.realtor. com or www.move.com you should.

Besides showcasing homes around the country, they also feature great articles that offer helpful information like:

How To Stop Foreclosure
9 Steps To Stop Foreclosure
Best and Worst List
Home Finance News
Real Estate News
Home Buyer's Basics
Home Sellers Basics
Planning Your Remodel
And many, many more....

Though the articles are helpful and informative they may not answer your specific real estate needs.

Neuhaus Realty has been helping our clients since 1969 and we know each client and situation is different requiring individual, specific advice.

So remember, if you have any real estate questions or wish to discuss your real estate options, always feel free to call Neuhaus Realty, 718.979.3400, and ask for Mimi.

Neuhaus Casino Night Benefit For Autism

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:53:00 -0600

Casino Night Benefit for Autism - ALL proceeds going to The Grace Foundation

The Grace Foundation is a non-profit organization established to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

ASD is a term used to describe a variety of neurological disorders which have grown to epidemic proportions in this country. Currently, there are over one million people in the United States with ASD and at present the rate of newly diagnosed children is 1 in 91.

Neuhaus Realty will be sponsoring a Casino Night Benefit for Autism with all proceeds going to The Grace Foundation. It will be held on Saturday, February 20th beginning at 7:30pm at St. Andrew’s Church in Richmondtown located at the bottom of Snake Hill. Cost in advance is $30 and at the door $40 per person. Admission will include: $50 in chips, Hot & Cold Buffet, DJ entertainment; also available will be a cash bar for wine, beer and soda.

Roulette, Texas Hold’em, Slots, Black Jack and Craps, 50/50 plus lots of fabulous prizes you can win. So come and join us for a fun filled night, together we can make a difference.

For further information or to purchase advance tickets call 718.979.3400 and as for Mimi Neuhaus.

______________________________________________________________________________________
For all your real estate needs give Neuhaus Realty a call.

Offices located in Staten Island: 3171 Richmond Road, Staten Island, NY & New Jersey: 51 E. Main Street, Holmdel, NJ
Serving Staten Island, Brooklyn and New Jersey.

Specializing in selling residential homes, new construction, investment & commercial properties, rentals.

Whether moving across town or around the world we can help you with your real estate and relocation needs.

Staten Island Haunted History Conference House, Tottenville

Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:37:00 -0600

Haunted houses and ghost stories conjure up goose bumps, shadowy figures and creepy noises in the night. Now I don’t know about you but I love watching shows like Taps & Ghost Hunters – though I must admit I’m not crazy to ‘see’ or ‘hear’ some of the unexplained happenings.

So when I found the book ‘Haunted History of Staten Island’ written by Lynda Lee Macken I was curious to know more.

Ask any native Staten Islander about haunted houses and they will tell you about Conference House and Capt. Billopp. In the 1670’s, Captain Billopp was granted about 1300 acres of land. He called it his Manor of Bentley. The Conference House is rich in history. On September 11, 1776 the Conference House was the meeting place between Lord Richard Howe, loyal to the crown, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Edward Rutledge, from the Continental Congress. The house then belonged to Capt Billopp’s great-grandson. The Billopp descendants moved to Canada when the British lost the war.

As far as it being haunted, according to reports disembodied laughter and invisible voices have been heard coming from the upstairs bedrooms. There have been reports of seeing a large man running up the stairs toward a girl waiting on the first landing. As the story goes the cantankerous Capt. Billopp killed a female slave with a crooked knife on that very spot.
Hans Holzer, noted parapsychologist, wrote about his findings in great detail in Great American Ghost Stories. He writes that Mrs. Malone, a former caretaker, reported seeing what appeared to be a British soldier. Psychics feel the Conference House basement kitchen was used as a hospital during the Revolutionary War and British soldiers were buried on the property. This might explain the sighting of Revolutionary War soldier apparitions in the house and garden.

There has also been other sightings including a servant girl who fell down a dry well shaft on the property and a child whose body was sealed in a wall. The child was a victim of a contagious and fatal disease. His parent feared the British soldiers might kill them if their son’s illness was discovered decided to seal his body in a wall of the house.

I want to thank the author, Linda Lee Macken, who has granted me permission to use this and other stories from her book. If you are curious about other stories regarding Staten Island’s haunted history I suggest checking out this book.

Response to Agent NO Agent NY Times 12-20-09 Article

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 15:12:00 -0600

I am writing in response to the recent article in the Sunday, December 20, 2009 New York Times ‘Agent NO Agent’. What I am writing is my opinion based on my 15 years of real estate experience....

Regardless of the reasons why an owner wants to sell their home, sellers always want to know what their home will sell AT. For some it’s downsizing, for others it’s up grading and for others it’s a financial decision. What a seller wants to list their home AT and what a home will sell AT can be a very disappointing gap especially in this real estate market.

When a seller decides to sell their home, the job of a real estate professional is to do what we call a CMA – Comparable Market Analysis. There are many components that make up a CMA. They include current active homes on the market, homes with a binder, homes in contract and homes that sold and expired within the past 6 to 8 months. The condition of the home as well as other properties, days on the market and price history are also included when calculating the market price. Our job is to come to a marketable price in order to attract qualified buyers and sell it at the best price possible, within a reasonable amount of time.

In the article there are sellers trying to sell their home either by themselves, called FSBO (For Sale By Owner), or with a real estate agency. Those who are trying to sell on their own have a financial situation. One owner has to sell a multi-family in Nyack, NY before their balloon payment on a second mortgage comes due and the other, currently unemployed, has to sell her NY studio.

In today’s real estate market there is more to selling a home then putting a ‘fancier’ For Sale By Owner sign on the lawn (as one of the sellers in the article did) or placing an ad in Craig’s List. In today’s real estate market that just isn’t enough. When you hire a real estate professional, like the Verizon commercial, there are a lot of people working for you. Unfortunately for these and other sellers like them, pricing a home today cannot be based on what you paid for it in 2005.

One home in this article is located in South Nyack. Since I do not know the South Nyack market I decided to check out what homes like this one were selling for in South Nyack on line. According to one source this multi-family home appears to be overpriced. Now if I was a buyer or investor just looking on line I would have passed her home by. According to the article, the seller stated since she has been selling her home on her own she has not seen any change in the number of people interested in this home. That could be because it is still over –priced.

Looking at the picture of the NY studio that appeared in the Sunday Times article, as a buyer I was not impressed with the ‘staging’ of the furniture, it made the studio look much smaller and for the price there are other studios for sale. For both of these listings an agent may be able to encourage a buyer to check these properties by ‘accentuating’ the positive. The reaction differs when seeing a picture on the internet verses entering the home. While it is true most buyers are on the internet looking, it is also true most buyers do end up working with a real estate professional.

The major reason why these and other FSBOs are not working with an agent is the broker’s commission. Though I respect anyone who wishes to try and sell their home on their own – for most selling a home is their biggest investment – not knowing can cost the seller plenty.

I wonder how many owners know the answer to these questions if they were selling their home on their own …
1.   What roll does the home engineer /inspector or appraiser have in the selling process?
2.   What is the difference between a pre-approval and a pre-qualified buyer?
3.   What disclosure forms are required by law when selling a home?
4.   Do you know which home improvements will pay off?
5.   Which marketing tool, newspaper, internet, open houses, etc, will give your home the most exposure?
OR
6.   When it comes time to negotiate, will you be able to separate yourself emotionally when negotiating the sale price or ‘repairs’ necessary to make the deal work?
OR
7.   What are some of the other real estate options a seller may have, if facing a financial situation, are unable to sell their home within a reasonable time? For instance, Short Sales VS Foreclosure.

I think what I most resent is how real estate agents are portrayed. I remember years ago a commercial showing an agent sitting in an expensive car, fanning themselves with lots of money. The commercial was from one of those 2% companies that are no longer in business. From contract signing to closing, which could take up to 90 days, I wonder how many sellers or buyers know what happens to that commission after the closing. First, the commission is split with other agent who may have brought the buyers, then with the Broker and then a third must be put away toward Federal and State taxes. After one closing I joked I made $1.85 an hour. Like any job, you work hard to make a good living but believe me real estate is not easy money.

The reporter of this article wondered if real estate brokers were in danger of becoming expensive anachronisms (relics). I don’t think so. The internet can never replace the human factor. Most sellers prefer working with someone they can ‘see’. They want to work with someone they can trust, be available to answer all their questions and most importantly sellers want someone they can depend upon to look after their best interest. It’s called a relationship and that thank goodness the internet can never replace.

Josephine Reitano .. Office (718)979-3400
Neuhaus Realty, 3171 Richmond Road, SI, NY
Staten Island’s leading Real Estate Company for over 40 years.