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Archive for 2012|Yearly archive page

Open House 150 Taylor St, Sunday April 22nd, 1-4 PM

In Open House on April 20, 2012 at 2:53 pm

Open House Sunday April 22nd 1-4PM

Stunning Spacious Young Colonial

Exquisite rare gem located on a nice block surrounded by distinctive homes of character and history. Superb Large custom Cherry wood kitchen with granite counter tops and a center Island. Four bathrooms, Oak cherry stained floors throughout, beautiful staircase, custom moldings, Anderson & Pella windows, Gas Fireplace, nine foot ceilings in basement, two heat and central air units, granite entry steps. Owner spared no expense, paid attention to every detail. Many quality upgrades, truly a mint knockout.
Price $479,000, MLS # 1071993

http://listings.realbird.com/Real_Estate/Stunning-Young-Spacious-Colonial/Staten_Island/NY/F8B5C2C6/133291.aspx?tab=photos

Business Leaders Toastmasters, Open House April 18th, 2012. Open to the Public.

In Toastmasters. on March 26, 2012 at 1:49 pm

Business Leaders Toastmasters, one of the six clubs in Area 13, Staten Island, will host an “Open House” for those who are interested in learning about the Toastmasters program and how it can help people from all walks of life achieve success in their business and personal lives. Meetings of this club are the third Wednesday of each month at 7pm at 43 Ramona Avenue, Annadale. The event will be held on Wednesday, April 18th.
Members learn how to overcome their fear of public speaking as well as learn listening and leadership skills (valuable tools in any walk of life.) Club members present short speeches based on projects in the basic Communication & Leadership manual which are then evaluated by other club members. There is also a session of “Table Topics” where a member brings in questions that are answered in a 1-2 minute mini-speech. Anyone interested in attending the “open house” is urged to respond to cmyrealtor@aol.com to be added to the guest list.

The club will also be honoring its president, Mary J. Bacheller who was recently ordained a Pastor in her Queens church. Mary will be starting her new church in Prince’s Bay, Staten Island in the near future. It will be called; “Hands For Christ Community Church” (a new Grace Communion International Church) Mary is also the Director of the Seymour Joseph Institute of American Sign Language in Annadale. As the Pastor of the new church, Mary’s focus will be to have a church where members of the deaf community will be able to follow the service in their own language, American Sign Language. Club members will toast Mary for her success with her new venture at the meeting

Have a good day and continue to “Share the Light”
Fran Okeson, Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM 15, PDG-46)
Area 13 Governor 2011-2012 ~ Speech Coach and Trainer
Producer/Host of Cable TV Show, “TOASTMASTERS IN THE COMMUNITY”
(H) (718) 984-1339 (E) OkieDokie@si.rr.com

Move Over Man Cave

In Uncategorized on March 5, 2012 at 4:26 pm

Move Over Man Cave, Make Way for the Pinterest Room

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon

Published: March 5, 2012

Men have their “Man Caves,” but what do we women call our special space?

A room of one’s own isn’t new — nod to Virginia Woolf — but what we ladies do with and in the space is changing.

Our grandmothers had “boudoirs,” where they primped and lounged. Our mothers had sewing rooms and craft rooms.

Today’s “me” room encompasses all those activities and so much more, according to a Detroit Free Press article. The story says that while guys are tricking out their man caves with sports memorabilia and big-screen TVs, women are turning their spaces into multipurpose rooms with an emphasis on pretty and creative storage.

But we think the article missed a recent phenomenon that will affect how we design, and what we call, our special spaces moving forward.

Today, women are embracing social media much more enthusiastically than men — especially Pinterest and Facebook — and need some privacy to post their latest pictures and thoughts. And when we’re not trying to connect with others, we’re trying to find our bliss through yoga or meditation, which require peace and quiet, too.

So, this begs the question: what do we call these multipurpose rooms? “Woman cave” is so derivative and, well, hairy. “Boudoir” and “sewing room” are so last century.

What would you call a room of your own, and what would you do there?

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Move Over Man Cave, Make Way for the Pinterest Room

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon

Published: March 5, 2012

Men have their “Man Caves,” but what do we women call our special space?

A room of one’s own isn’t new — nod to Virginia Woolf — but what we ladies do with and in the space is changing.

Our grandmothers had “boudoirs,” where they primped and lounged. Our mothers had sewing rooms and craft rooms.

Today’s “me” room encompasses all those activities and so much more, according to a Detroit Free Press article. The story says that while guys are tricking out their man caves with sports memorabilia and big-screen TVs, women are turning their spaces into multipurpose rooms with an emphasis on pretty and creative storage.

But we think the article missed a recent phenomenon that will affect how we design, and what we call, our special spaces moving forward.

Today, women are embracing social media much more enthusiastically than men — especially Pinterest and Facebook — and need some privacy to post their latest pictures and thoughts. And when we’re not trying to connect with others, we’re trying to find our bliss through yoga or meditation, which require peace and quiet, too.

So, this begs the question: what do we call these multipurpose rooms? “Woman cave” is so derivative and, well, hairy. “Boudoir” and “sewing room” are so last century.

What would you call a room of your own, and what would you do there?

First time home buyers there is a $15,000 grant available to you. Find out if you qualify.

In Real Estate, Real Estate, Staten Island Real Estate on February 23, 2012 at 1:31 am

Banks are lending. First time home buyers call A.T. Real Estate Specialists LLC, licensed Real Estate broker.
Find out if you qualify for a grant of up to $15,000. Arlene Trunzo 718-317-0949
We sell and market homes in Staten Island NY. www.atrealestatespecialists.com

3 Hot Trends for Kitchen Remodeling in 2012

In Real Estate, Staten Island Real Estate on January 28, 2012 at 7:51 pm

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By: Jamie Goldberg

Published: January 10, 2012

Mulling a kitchen remodel but want to keep costs low? You’re au courant with today’s trends that emphasize options and high-tech wizardry at affordable prices.

Trend #1: Remodeling scales back

A new focus on moderation and value has entered the remodeling mind-set. Trends that are likely to show up in your kitchen next year include:
You’ll repair your existing appliances instead of replacing them, extending their life with good maintenance and care. If you’re replacing cabinets, you’re likely to build around your current appliances rather than choosing new models.
You’re scaling back your cabinetry purchases, with an increased emphasis on kitchen storage and functionality over elaborate decoration. For example, rather than stacked crown moldings throughout the kitchen, you’ll put your money into practical roll-out trays and drawer organizers.
Small-scale kitchen projects are big news. Changing out cabinet hardware, replacing a faucet, and refacing your cabinets upgrades your kitchen without major expense.
Trend #2: Simpler, warmer styles dominate
Fussiness and excess have faded away in favor of pared-back looks that present a more timeless, value-conscious style.
Cabinet decoration continues to streamline. For example, massive corbels, once fashionable as under counter supports, will give way to sleeker countertop supports and cantelivered countertop edges. Stacked moldings will pare back or disappear entirely. Elaborately glazed finishes will yield to simpler paints and stains.

Kitchen finishes will continue to get warmer and darker, and feature natural and stained woods. Walnut especially is growing in popularity.
Laminate countertops will continue to surge in popularity, especially in contemporary design. The latest European-inspired laminates offer more textured and naturalistic finishes than ever before. While exotic wood kitchen cabinets are out of reach for most home owners, glossy, look-alike laminate versions can be had for about one-third the price. Trend #3: Technology expands its kitchen presence
Many of the techno products and trends that relate to your smartphones and tablets have just started making their way into your local showrooms and home centers.
Appliances will be equipped with USB ports and digital screens so you can display your family photographs and kids’ artwork.
Smart, induction built-in cooktops ($500-$3,000) remember your temperature settings as you move your pans across their entire surface.
One light finger touch is all it takes to open the electronically controlled sliding doors of your kitchen cabinets — a boon to people with limited mobilities. You’ll pay 40% to 70% more for cabinets with electronically controlled doors than standard models.
You’ll be able to use your smart phones and tablets to control lights and appliance settings from anywhere you have a wi-fi connection, as well as to shop for appliances from major manufacturers.
You’ll be opting for LEDs for your recessed lights, under-cabinet task lighting and color-changing accent lighting. You’ll see more LED-powered pendants and chandeliers from major manufacturers as inefficient incandescent bulbs continue their march toward extinction.
A wide selection of affordable microwave ovens with convection and even steam features gives owners of smaller kitchen spaces more high-end cooking power.
What improvements — big or small — are you planning for your kitchen this year?

Friday Five: New Indicators Show a Housing Rebound

In Homes For Sale, Real Estate, Real Estate, Staten Island Real Estate on January 28, 2012 at 7:18 pm

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By: Gavin Mathis

Published: January 20, 2012

Existing-home sales, low mortgage rates, and a spike in home builder confidence point to a housing turnaround.

Rebounding from another slow year, the housing market is picking up steam. Prospective home buyers are taking advantage of low mortgage rates, and home builder sentiment reached its highest level in more than 4 years this week. Housing is also gaining a bit of attention on the campaign trail. Dems and Republicans took part at a South Carolina rally promoting home ownership. Read these headlines and more in this week’s Friday Five. HouseLogic: Home Sales Rise in December
Existing-home sales continued on a uptrend in December, rising for a third consecutive month and remaining above a year ago, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

CNN Money: Mortgage Applications Surge Amid Record-Low Rates

Mortgage loan applications surged 23% last week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association, as record-low interest rates convinced many home owners it was time to refinance into lower-cost loans.

Wall Street Journal: Home-Builder Sentiment Hits Highest Level Since Mid-2007

U.S. home builders’ sentiment rose in January to the highest level in 4 1/2 years, the latest in a series of signs that the housing market is finally beginning to recover after a prolonged bust.

The State: Rally for Home Ownership Bridges Political Divide

Hundreds turned out in a diverse crowd for a rally designed to head off prospective federal legislation that could hurt home buyers and owners. The well-publicized rally attracted Republican presidential candidate and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, along with U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), and former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts of Oklahoma, a Republican.

 HouseLogic: Time for GOP Candidates, and Obama, to Step Up on Housing Policy

If you’ve been paying attention to the Republican presidential candidates lately, you wouldn’t guess that housing is one the most important issues on voters’ minds. Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, and Newt Gingrich — the top three finishers in most national polls — have been fairly quiet on the issue. Instead, the leading Republican contenders have been narrowly focused on attacking President Barack Obama’s jobs record.

How To Calm Your Squeaking, Wobbling Home

In Real Estate on January 28, 2012 at 7:03 pm

The colder it is, the more likely you’ll hear squeaks and groans from your home. Here are some tips on stopping those annoying sounds.

Since we’re spending more time indoors this winter, those home squeaks, wobbles, and tilts that we tolerated all year suddenly are in our faces and getting on our last nerves.

So we gobbled up a recent New York Times article by Bob Tedeschi, who picked the brains of woodworking and repair experts on how to get rid of annoying sounds and unappreciated motion.

Our two favorite tips:
Tighten a hole that’s too big for a screw, by stuffing the hole with a couple of toothpicks or a wooden match. (Handy for fixing a wobbly banister).
Banish floor squeaks by sprinkling on some talcum powder, a short-term, emergency solution when guests are coming. For a more permanent fix, take a look at this video. Do you have any tips for fixing squeaks and wobbles?

665 Annadale Rd, Staten Island, NY | Powered by Postlets

In For Rent Staten Island New York, Real Estate, Real Estate, Staten Island Real Estate on January 18, 2012 at 9:07 pm

665 Annadale Rd, Staten Island, NY | Powered by Postlets.

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