Brookville, NY

Copyright © 2009. By Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady". All rights reserved.. *SPEECHLESS SUNDAY - OLD WESTBURY GARDENS - THE MANSION*

If you are interested in selling or buying a home in Brookville, Muttontown, Oyster Bay, East Norwich, Oyster Bay Cove, Syosset, Laurel Hollow, Bayville, Centre Island and Mill Neck, please contact Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady".

Ph - 516-385-0584

Email - linda@rosalindamorgan.com

Website - www.rosalindamorgan.com

September 11^th "Rose Day of Remembrance"

"To remember lest we forget"

This is one section of the rose garden at the home of Thomas and Carol O'Neill, on Long Island, that was planted as a memorial to those who were lost on Sept. 11, 2001 - specifically those who perished at the offices of Sandler, O'Neill & Partners, LLP on the 104^th floor of Two World Trade Center. This beautiful garden is planted with David Austin Roses. At one end of the garden, in between the two rose beds is a tablet with this poem:

I give you this one thought to keep.

I am with you still, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the Diamond glint on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle Autumn rain.

When you waken in the mornings hush,

I am the swift, uplifting rush

Of quiet bird in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not think of me as gone.

I am with you still, in each new dawn.

A year after the catastrophic tragedy of September 11, 2001, the President of the American Rose Society, Dr. Thomas Cairns, at the ARS Fall National Convention in Cleveland requested that Sept. 11 each year be acknowledged as "Rose Day of Remembrance". It was voted unanimously.

Throughout history, we have given roses to show sympathy and share the grief of our love ones. In our darkest hours, the rose extends her beauty and provides comfort and solace to us. Always there, always comforting, always reassuring, always a symbol of life, liberty and freedom - our National Floral Emblem

Let us continue to give roses and plant roses in the spirit of freedom.

Copyright © 2009. By Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady". All rights reserved.. *

September 11^th "Rose Day of Remembrance"*

If you are interested in selling or buying a home in Brookville, Muttontown, Oyster Bay, East Norwich, Oyster Bay Cove, Syosset, Laurel Hollow, Bayville, Centre Island and Mill Neck, please contact Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady".

Ph - 516-385-0584

Email - linda@rosalindamorgan.com

Website - www.rosalindamorgan.com

PART VII OF THE SERIES: THE PROCESS OF BUYING A HOME IN BROOKVILLE, NY

Part I - Affordability - http://activerain.com/blogsview/1196351/the-process-of-buying-a-home-in-brookville-ny-first-of-the-series-affordability

Part II - Finding your dream house - http://activerain.com/blogsview/1197973/the-process-of-buying-a-home-in-brookville-ny-part-ii

Part III - Making the offer - http://activerain.com/blogsview/1201076/the-process-of-buying-a-home-in-brookville-ny-part-iii

Part IV - Hiring an attorney - http://activerain.com/blogsview/1203763/the-process-of-buying-a-home-in-brookville-ny-part-iv

Part V - Home inspection - http://activerain.com/blogsview/1206783/the-process-of-buying-a-home-in-brookville-ny-part-v

Part VI - Finding a Mortgage - http://activerain.com/blogsview/1209404/the-process-of-buying-a-home-in-brookville-ny-part-vi

Part VII - Closing

Closing dates depend on several things - the engineer's report, the date set on the contract and how fast the buyer can get a mortgage. If everything runs smoothly, then a closing date is set. The day before the closing or sometimes in the morning of the closing day, your agent will take you on a final walk-thru of the property. You want to make sure everything you are buying is still there and in the same condition that you saw them last. I have heard instances where appliances have been changed to a cheaper model. One time, all the light bulbs were all taken out by the seller.

Nowadays here in New York, with so many paperwork that the bank requires, it is nearly impossible to close in 90 days. A couple of years ago, having a 20% down will quarantee you a mortgage and a fast closing. I have heard an agent with an offer of 50% down and the bank was giving the buyer a hard time obtaining a mortgage. The bank wanted to know why he was moving from New Jersey to New York. This is the

craziest thing I have heard so far about bank's delaying tactics. The best deal is the cash deal where you can close so quickly.

Although there are instances where you cannot be present at closing with your attorney and the sellers and their attorney, I recommend you to be there. Although some agents do not even go to the closing, I make it a point to be there just in case there is a problem. The real estate agent also wants to make sure she/he gets paid her commission. Some closings especially one concerning divorced couple can be very problematic. Here the real estate agent should know not to take side and let them settle their problem.

After signing and initialing like a million papers and after the lawyers write all the checks, you are handed the key to the house and you are now a homeowner. Congratulations!

Copyright © 2009. By Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady". All rights reserved.. *THE PROCESS OF BUYING A HOME IN BROOKVILLE, NY - PART VII*

If you are interested in selling or buying a home in Brookville, Muttontown, Oyster Bay, East Norwich, Oyster Bay Cove, Syosset, Laurel Hollow, Bayville, Centre Island and Mill Neck, please contact Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady".

Ph - 516-385-0584

Email - linda@rosalindamorgan.com

Website - www.rosalindamorgan.com

PART VI OF THE SERIES: THE PROCESS OF BUYING A HOME IN BROOKVILLE, NY

Part I - Affordability - http://activerain.com/blogsview/1196351/the-process-of-buying-a-home-in-brookville-ny-first-of-the-series-affordability

Part II - Finding your dream house - http://activerain.com/blogsview/1197973/the-process-of-buying-a-home-in-brookville-ny-part-ii

Part III - Making the offer - http://activerain.com/blogsview/1201076/the-process-of-buying-a-home-in-brookville-ny-part-iii

Part IV - Hiring an attorney - http://activerain.com/blogsview/1203763/the-process-of-buying-a-home-in-brookville-ny-part-iv

Part V - Home inspection - http://activerain.com/blogsview/1206783/the-process-of-buying-a-home-in-brookville-ny-part-v

Part VI - Finding a Mortgage

When the home inspection is done and the buyer is satisfied with the report, then the buyer is ready to sign the contract. If a problem is found during the inspection, most likely they need another negotiation to either lower the price or fix the problem. Once this is settled and the contract is signed by both parties, then it is time to shop for a mortgage. The bank sometimes does not want to start the paperwork until the contract is signed.

Our office, Century 21-Laffey Associates work with an in-house mortgage broker, First Allied Mortgage Bankers. However, most buyers are comfortable with their own mortgage broker, but I suggest getting another mortgage broker so you can get a comparison on mortgage rates. Using a mortgage broker is a better choice than going to the bank directly because a mortgage broker shops around for the best deal for you and usually they have contacts with several financial institutions. Today, our broker from First Allied Mortgage quoted the following rates. Please note these rates are based on borrower's qualification and change daily but maybe used as a reference point.

Conforming Loans ($417,000 and less) 30 years fixed - 5.375%

Higher Conforming loans (Between $417,000 and $729,000) - 5.625%

Jumbo Loans $729,000 up to 1 million - 6.125%

ARM 5 years - 4.75%

Working with an in-house mortgage broker will facilitate the process since we can control the transaction and expedite the mortgage commitment. We usually make the suggestion to the buyer to at least speak to our in-house mortgage broker but there is no obligation to use them. I had one customer who insists on using her bank because she does a lot of business with them. However after waiting and waiting for the commitment for several weeks, I found out the bank denied her application. We had to use a mortgage broker to find a mortgage in a hurry because time is of the essence to close.

Nowadays, there are more programs out there but the bank is so strict on disclosure and it takes so much paperwork that we suggest that the buyer talks to our in-house mortgage broker so we can start the process so when the contract is signed we are way ahead of the game. There is also the New Truth in Lending Act Law which took effect July 30, 2009 which can put more delays in closing time. Ask your mortgage broker for guidance.

Copyright © 2009. By Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady". All rights reserved.. *THE PROCESS OF BUYING A HOME IN BROOKVILLE, NY - PART VI*

If you are interested in selling or buying a home in Brookville, Muttontown, Oyster Bay, East Norwich, Oyster Bay Cove, Syosset, Laurel Hollow, Bayville, Centre Island and Mill Neck, please contact Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady".

Ph - 516-385-0584

Email - linda@rosalindamorgan.com

Website - www.rosalindamorgan.com

PART V OF THE SERIES: THE PROCESS OF BUYING A HOME IN BROOKVILLE, NY

Part I - Affordability - http://activerain.com/blogsview/1196351/the-process-of-buying-a-home-in-brookville-ny-first-of-the-series-affordability

Part II - Finding your dream house - http://activerain.com/blogsview/1197973/the-process-of-buying-a-home-in-brookville-ny-part-ii

Part III - Making the offer - http://activerain.com/blogsview/1201076/the-process-of-buying-a-home-in-brookville-ny-part-iii

Part IV - Hiring an attorney - http://activerain.com/blogsview/1203763/the-process-of-buying-a-home-in-brookville-ny-part-iv

While the attorney is handling the contract, the next thing to do is to find an engineer.

Part V - Home inspection - Unless you are going to tear down the house, the contract is subject to engineer's report. Most buyers won't sign the contract until they know that the house has no structural damage. So the best move now is to contact an engineer to do a home inspection.

In New York, they have to be licensed. They will advise the new buyer if the house is structurally sound and up to code. If anything is illegal or need immediate attention, he will include them in his report. The buyer pays the inspector and price varies depending on the size of the house.

Some inspectors do a complicated report that it scares the buyer and the buyer backs off. I have once an inspector for a 5-apartment building that my buyer was ready to buy. The inspector scared them off about termites. He did the same thing to another client of mine. Nowadays I don't refer business to him and I told the other agents in my office too. We had a list of home inspectors in our office who we recommend to our clients.

Termite is always an issue with Long Island homes. The homebuyers should be aware that all homes in Long Island have been invaded by termites. As long as you are taking care of the problem and have a maintenance contract with an exterminator who checks your home quarterly, you're fine. If a colonies of termites are found on the premises, a good exterminator will recommend a liquid treatment and install a termite bait system where a containerized bait loads are installed around the perimeter of your home.

Copyright © 2009. By Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady". All rights reserved.. *THE PROCESS OF BUYING A HOME IN BROOKVILLE, NY - PART V*

If you are interested in selling or buying a home in Brookville, Muttontown, Oyster Bay, East Norwich, Oyster Bay Cove, Syosset, Laurel Hollow, Bayville, Centre Island and Mill Neck, please contact Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady".

Ph - 516-385-0584

Email - linda@rosalindamorgan.com

Website - www.rosalindamorgan.com