About Richmond County, NY

I’m proud to announce that we have recently launched our new website www.PREVIEWsiHOMES.com

The new company website showcases all homes being sold on the Staten Island multiple listing service via an integrated IDX feed from our local Staten Island Board of REALTORS MLS. This will allow buyers to search for homes based on their criteria in the same manner as real estate agents would do a search on the MLS.

Many of the syndicated websites out there are very inaccurate. Sites such as realtor.com, trulia.com, zillow.com, and many others, frequently post incorrect and inaccurate information about listings. With our new site, buyers can get accurate, up to date search results.

“I was calling my agent and giving him addresses to houses I wanted to see…problem was many of them were already sold or off the market. With this new website, I get accurate search results.” says Michael Chavez, a client using buyer representation at HERMAN & CO REALTORS®

We also have a concierge section featuring our referral base, Staten Island neighborhood information, local school information, and houses of worship information.

In addition, the new website contains our company blog featuring insightful stories on Staten Island real estate, neighborhoods, schools, and local events.

I hope everyone enjoys our new site and I would appreciate any feedback you may have.

Spring garden and home maintenance tips

Spring Garden tip; Did you know that Veterans and active military personnel can get a 10% discount at Lowe’s and Home Depot? All you need to do is show some form of ID that shows your status. I looked in my box of memorabilia and found my Navy ID card. Now I carry it with me every time I go to the giant store. Hey, 10% off, it’s not a bad deal.

While on the subject of spring gardening, remember that termites like dead wood. So take a check around your property for fallen twigs and other debris that termites might want to snack on. After they eat that stuff, your home might be next. The month of May in our area is the swarming time, so you have some time yet, but don’t forget.

I like to spread an environmentally safe insect killer around my property that kills over 100 different bugs. I’ll do that several times during the warm weather, starting when the forsythia bushes start to bloom. That’s also a good time to put down crab grass prevent-er and fertilize the lawn at the same time.

While you’re outside, check the caulking around the doors and windows. They tend to dry out after time. If water gets inside it causes “dry rot” and repairs can be costly.

More home maintenance tips; When was the last time you had your sewer line cleaned out? Don’t wait for it to back up; if you have trees nearby, checking the sewer line might be a good idea. My neighbor had to replace the whole line from the house to the street. I hate to think what that costs. A $150 service charge to clean the line can be a cost saver.

Most folks spend on the average 2% of the cost of their house, every year on maintenance and upkeep. So, if you paid $200,000 for your house, spending $4,000 every year on upkeep is about average. This is a national average, local prices will vary. It’s part of home ownership.

News alert; Sunday March 11^th

we turn the clocks ahead one hour

at 2 A.M.

Check smoke detectors batteries now also.

Just for Staten Islanders; I had the pleasure to speak with three Home Inspectors who will do a “Limited Element” inspection of your home for a reduced rate. About half of their full inspection price. Good idea for you to know what will be needed in the future, i.e. new roof, water heater etc. Without calling in a contractor who might sell you some repair that you may not need right now. Be informed. Know the facts from someone who has no other goal other than to keep you knowledgeable. They are:

Dan Meraglia, cell 917-379-1061; E mail dan.meraglia@housemaster.com

Patrick Corbett, cell 917-589-7310, Website patcorbett@valuehomeinspectors.com

Mike Nuzzolo cell 917-561-5050, Websitewww.Homeprobe.net

Tell them you got their name from Kenneth Cole's list of Home Inspectors.

...courtesy of Kathleen Furore

St. Patrick was born in southwest England around AD 389, which means this patron saint of Ireland wasn't even Irish!

When he was 15, Irish raiders kidnapped Patrick and took him to Ireland. He escaped and returned to Britain, where he dreamed an angel told him to become a missionary. He became a priest, and in 432 the Pope sent him to Ireland, where he converted the country to Christianity, according to Ruth Moran, manager of publicity & communications for Tourism Ireland (www.tourismirelandinfo.com).

Historians believe Patrick died on March 17, sometime between 460 and 490. After he became a National apostle in 688, Churches were told to honor his memory on March 17th.

The Irish identification with the shamrock even began with St. Patrick. Legend has it, he used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to a pagan king.

The earliest big St. Patrick's Day parades were in New York City and in Boston in the late 1700's.---little suprise, given the large number of families with Irish roots in those cities. Today, St. Patrick's Day festivities happen worldwide (even in Japan)!

Get some great "IRISH" information. Visit my website for more Staten Island information!