Larry & Sheila Nassau/Suffolk LongIsland Relocation Certified~631-805-4400

Client asks...'Closing on a home tomorrow, and don't have time for the walkthrough, do I need to do this?'

First let's start with the basics ... the final walkthrough is the buyers' last chance to check a property before the close. This is the time for the buyer to turn on the lights, flush the toilets, check the appliances and test the home's air conditioning and heating system one last time. It also is at this point that the buyer can verify if any agreed upon repairs have been completed as well as making sure the property is in the same condition as it was at the time the contract was executed.

If something's not working that should have been fixed, or if a warranted item such as an appliance or the air conditioning isn't working now when it worked at the time of the inspection, these issues need to be brought to the seller immediately. Because after the close, the property becomes yours in whatever condition it may be in. If you were given the opportunity for the walkthrough and you passed, the responsible for repairing any broken items after the close is yours.

So is a walkthrough necessary? In a word, Absolutely! There is no requirement that you conduct a final walkthrough before closing on a property. But you're taking an unnecessary risk by not doing so.

The final walkthrough can be conducted by you, a home inspector (most inspectors will conduct a walkthrough inspection for a fraction of the cost of a full inspection if they already have conducted the original inspection), or a representative - typically a friend or relative. We, as realtors cannot conduct a walkthrough on your behalf as we're not licensed to do so, and such walkthroughs aren't covered by our E&O insurance.

Larry & Sheila Agranoff are Licensed Realtors with Charles Rutenberg Realty and cover all of The North Shore of Long Island. Have other questions about the real estate buying process on Long Island you always can reach LARRY & SHEILA at 631-805-4400.

We have been asked questions like "If I update my bathroom or kitchen, how much will that add to the value of my home." The truth is, depending on what you do, the quality of the work done, and what market you live in, has an influence over exactly how much return you'll see on your investment.

We asked several agents,brokers, and appraisers and the following are "guess-timates" for the most typical remodeling projects.

Project: kitchen update/remodel... Value Added: 80-100% (Cost includes cabinets, countertops and all new appliances).
Project: Bathroom...Value Added: 80-100% (Cost includes new fixtures, floors and walls; structural changes. Adding an additional bathroom can add more valuethan 100% of resale value
Project: Room Addition...Value Added: 50-100% It really depends on what type of room you are adding. A family room or new master suite (don't forget to include the cost of a bath) will add much more value to a home, than an office or fourth bedroom.
Project: Converting an attic, basement, or garage into living space... Value Added: 25-40% Cost assumes no structural changes and no new plumbing; value added depends on size of house (smaller house = more value), and type of space created (family room or bedroom, more valuable than a game room or gym area).
Project: Adding a deck...Value Added: 40-60% The warmer the climate, the more value added. Also, the size of the deck, the design, and added amenities (ie: spa) can influence value.
Project: Repainted Exterior...Value Added: 40-60% Repainting the exterior of your home is the cheapest and best way to get your buyers to the front door, and see a profit.
Project: In-ground Swimming pool... Value added: 20-40% Here on Long Island, an inground pool might add less value than 20%. With our climate and limited use, it's may not be where you should spend your money and expect to see a return & you're narrowing your niche as it takes a specific buyer to see value in a pool.

We hope this information was helpful to you, as you consider your next home project. If anyone has any other ideas or would like to comment --- please feel free to share!

We really want to provide the buying and selling public with a REAL View on the Real Estate market in our area of Long Island, New York.
We get so disappointed when everyone thinks that whatever they hear on TV is the truth for our communities and towns.
Real Estate is localized, and it changes with the weather, the season, the block your on, the price range your in, and so on and so on.

So we will do our best to answer your Real Estate questions for The North Shore of Long Island, or find you the answers and hopefully provide some useful information to whoever may be listening to us.

So call us, email us, or comment on our blog LARRY AND SHEILA of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, and let us know your concerns about this real estate market, and maybe we'll all learn something new and have some fun along the way.

For more information on Long Island Real Estate, please contact Larry & Sheila of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. We can help you with every asppect of buying or selling your home because...we're experienced, we're professional...and we love what we do...We get to sell Long Island Real Estate. We cover all of the North Shore of Long Island including Smithtown LI, St James LI, Nissequogue LI, Head of Harbor LI, Old Field LI, Nesconset LI, Kings Park LIHauppauge LI, Commack LI, Plainview LI, Syosset LI, Muttontown LI, Brookville LI, Mill Neck LI, Poquott LI, Belle Terre LI, Setauket LI, Stony Brook LI, Lake Grove LI, Lake Ronkonkoma LI, Sayville LI, Oakdale LI, Northport LI, Centerport LI, Fort Salonga LI, Mt Sinai LI, Roslyn LI, Huntington LI, Cold Spring Hills, LI, Baiting Hollow, LI, and many more Towns in Nassau and Suffolk County, Long Island, New York.

If you are thinking about putting your home on the market in the next few weeks, make some time to change your annuals or perennials that are fading in your garden in the cooler fall months.

Pansies and mums are the best bet for fall color. Trim back, clean up flower beds and put some mulch down for a fresh look.

Photographs of homes listed during the cooler months have a tendency to look a little blah. Adding colorful flowers, and making sure that your yard is clear of leaves will make the photos look more appealing.

Buyers are looking on the internet for homes. If your exterior photo isn't appealing, you are a click away from being passed up - no matter how hard you worked on staging the interior the first impression a buyer will have is of your front photo.

In one word, ABSOLUTELY.

We know, sometimes the public thinks that real estate agents are often considered to be just someone who just drives buyers around, but the role of an agent is much much more. Real estate agents are a great resource for home buyers relocating from outside the community. Real estate agents know the area including home values, can direct you to school data and taxes and may even may be helpful with information about special interests or specific needs of home buyers. For instance, should you require help relocating an elderly parent with you, a good real estate agent may be able to direct you to local services or organizations for the aging. In addition, a sales professional can familiarize you with the procedures involved in the purchase of a home, warn you of possible risks, help you decide on how much house you can afford as well as explain some alternative financing programs.

Besides providing moral support, another benefit to having a strong advocate is having help throughout negotiations. Sales professionals can assist buyers in objectively creating the offer then negotiate a suitable contract with the seller.

There is a great peace of mind in having a sales professional manage the entire transaction from start to finish including inspections, managing the paperwork, staying on top of deadlines and contingencies, estimating closing costs, and help to make for a smooth and easy closing.

If you're considering buying or selling a home, think about talking to a real estate professional first. When making a decision of this magnitude it is best to have a seasoned real estate professional in your corner.