Diane Schubach

The Port Washington Chamber of Commerce is compiling recipes from residents, restaurants, and businesses to be published in a community cookbook tentatively entitled A Taste of Port Washington. We invite you to participate in this exciting new project by sending in your favorite recipes. When the cookbook is published, your name will appear with each of your recipes that are accepted. If you wish to be identified with the Chamber, another organization, or your business, you can add the organization or business name in the space provided on the submission form, and it will also appear with your name, but this is optional.

Click here to download a copy of the Recipe Collection Form, along with the instructions on how to submit your recipes. You can fill it out and either print it out and mail or fax it, or fill it out on your computer and e-mail it to Bobbie Polay at pwcoc@optonline.net. If you have any questions, please e-mail or call 516-883-6566.

Please take a few minutes to read the instructions and fill out the recipe form. Your contribution will not only ensure the success of this project, but will give you a unique opportunity to participate in Port's first community cookbook.

Is it right time to sell? How do I do it? What happens during the sale process? All of these questions and more were answered at the Home Seller Seminar held on September 17th at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Port Washington. Five local experts spoke about their respective specialties and one lucky participant won a free home design consulation (a $100 value).

Five Local Experts Share Their Experience

First, Jason Marcus of Continental Home Loans discussed the age-old question - "Is it the right time to sell?" Whether you are downsizing, making a lateral move, or trading up, Jason discussed the pros and cons, the importance of being motivated, and the importance of pricing correctly and keeping up with the market.

Katherine Crean of Apple Home Inspections made the case for doing a pre-listing home inspection before putting your house on the market. Especially if you've owned your home for a long time, you may not be aware of problems that could delay or even kill your deal. Get the information about any problems before you list the house so there are no surprises, and so that any needed repairs can be done on your timetable and on your terms.

As the Realtor on the panel, I discussed the importance of pricing aggresively, offering a competitive commission, and thinking about offering a home warranty to the buyer. Price is the most important factor. Your agent will look at your competition, and recommend a range of pricing options. How you decide will depend on how in front of the market you want to be. When discussing commission, remember that your listing agent will probably end up selling your house with a cooperating agent (who brings the buyer). Give the cooperating agents an incentive to show your home to their buyers. Finally, a home warranty is an inexpensive way to stand out from the crowd.

Another way to stand out from your competition is to "stage" the home. Brenda Bailey of imotivesdesign explained how creating a welcoming and pleasing atmosphere can help buyers imagine themselves in the home. She starts by de-cluttering the home so that it looks more spacious, and de-personalizing (removing family photos, drawings, refrigerator magnets, etc.) so that the buyer does not feel like an intruder. A clean and modern look rather than a worn and dated one will give buyers a good feeling and immediately make them feel at home.

Finally, Steve Glassberg, real estate attorney, explained the ins and outs of ensuring a smooth transaction after your house is in contract. Knowing what to expect is important, for example, speak to your attorney as soon as possible about any closing costs, taxes, fees, etc. so that there are no surprises. He also recommends patience, because there are periods during the time between contract and closing where nothing appears to be happening. Your agent should be staying in touch during this time so that you are kept in the loop.

Contact Information

Selling your home is a stressful and emotional time, so having experts working for you, to advise and consult with you, can help make the process as easy as possible. Here is the contact information for the seminar participants; they are available and willing to answer any questions or concerns that you may have.

Apple Home Inspections - Katherine D. Crean, kdcrean@verizon.net; 516-359-7788

Continental Home Loans - Jason Marcus, jmarcus@cccmtg.com; 631-455-0473

imotivesdesign - Brenda Bailey + Margie Brown, imotivesdesign@aol.com; 516-365-6619

Keller Williams of Greater Nassau - Diane Schubach, dshcubac@optonline.net; 917-579-8356

Steven Glassberg - Real Estate Attorney, steveglassberg@yahoo.com; 212-608-6726

If you would like a .pdf version of the seminar presentation, please send me an e-mail at dschubac@optonline.net

Sandy Jo Becker Hyman / PortViews Photography will be the featured photographer at the Reconstructionist Synagogue of the North Shore (RSNS) on Plandome Road in Manhasset, from September 1 through the end of October. The show, "Let There Be Light," reflects Sandy's passion for how light plays on water and buildings, and affects how we see and react to our surroundings and to images of those surroundings.

Born with limited vision, Sandy explains, "The ability to capture intense and varied light and texture in my photographs compensates for my visual lack of depth perception. I can now not only see the amazing beauty and character of my surroundings more as others do, but also allow others to see what fascinates me - fog, texture, reflections. Never take your visual acuity or your surroundings for granted. Each is truly a gift. Share that gift with others every day."

There will be a wine and cheese reception at RSNS on Sunday, September 13, from 1 to 3 PM. Sandy will have many of her images, as well as some by photographer Jonathan C. Kummer, available for sale as framed and unframed prints as well as note cards. During the reception, Melissa Hyman and Jim Seem will perform some of their original music.

Sandy is a member of The Art Guild of Port Washington (TAG), the Photography Club of Long Island (PCLI), the Photographic Federation of Long Island (PFLI), and the Artists/Craftsmen of New York (ACNY). She has exhibited at Schreiber High School, Northwinds Coffee & Tea Comapny, The Graphic Eye Gallery, Elderfields, The Main Street Bakery, the Port Washington Public Library, Vintage Port Wine Bar, and the Mineola Memorial Public Library, with upcoming exhibitions at the Broom Street Gallery in Manhattan and again at the Library in Mineola. To see some of Sandy's work, go to http://www.facebook.com/l/;www.portviewsphotography.com. You can reach her by e-mail at sjhpubs@earthlink.net, by phone at 516 944 5604, or on Facebook as Sandy Jo Hyman.

The Sand Castle is not the most expensive home in Suffolk County currently listed for sale on the Long Island Multiple Listing Service (MLSLI). But considering that the most expensive is $32,000,000, the Sand Castle is a bargain at a mere $8,695,000 to $9,994,876. The 14,000 sq. ft. home was built in 1991, and is located on 2.3 acres of waterfront property, has 22 rooms, 8 full baths, dock, indoor and outdoor pool, 8-car garage, home theatre, spa, raquetball court, and more. Annual taxes on this property are $63,000.

A February Newsday article featured the Sand Castle sale as well as Sycamore Lodge in Roslyn Harbor, which was on the market at the time, but is not currently listed on MLSLI. This home has an interesting history, having been owned by General John J. Pershing and composer Richard Storrs Willis (who composed the melody for "It Came upon a Midnight Clear"). This waterfront home is in a style called Gothic Victorian, and features 6 bedrooms, a guest house, and a boat house. If you want to read more about these great Long Island homes, check the "Rich Cribs" section of Newsday.

There is so much to do this summer in Port Washington, NY. Here are just a few of the free events taking place this month:

• Manorhaven Beach Park - On July 24th at 7:15, see The New York Exceptions covering Rock n' Roll from the 50s to the 70s, and Sonny Geraci and the Outsiders, whose hits include "Time Won't Let Me" and "Precious and Few."


• Town Dock - On July 26th, don't miss Cinema on The Bay showing Jaws at 9:00 pm. We're going to need a bigger boat.


• Town Dock - The Port Washington Farmer's Market is open for the season on Saturdays from 8:00 am to noon. They feature fresh produce, goat cheese, honey, baked goods, and more. Start the day with their market muffins, scones, and coffee. Visit their website for more information.


• Port Washington Public Library - Check the website for their wide array of events, movies, lectures, etc. There is always something to do at the library.

In addition, there are many places in Port Washington to walk, sit, take the sun, and just enjoy the town. Check the Port Washington Calendar of Events (available in most of the stores and restaurants around town) or the website for more information.

Take a walk around Baxter Pond

Please feel free to comment on this post, or send me an e-mail.