How to Add Value to Your Home

Whether you’re looking to update your home to accommodate your lifestyle better or boost its resale value to take advantage of a seller’s market, being strategic with your home improvements can pay off in the short term and long term. With careful planning, you can make the updates that will allow you to enjoy your home better and benefit from those updates when it’s time to sell. Increase the Home’s EfficiencyImproving how the home functions can be appealing to many buyers, as these upgrades are big-ticket items that can help a home sell faster and for a higher price. For example, upgrading the HVAC system and installing a smart thermostat can improve efficiency and help homeowners save money on utility expenses. A smart thermostat can help a homeowner monitor the HVAC system from near or far, which can pay off with energy efficiency long-term. Replacing appliances with energy-efficient appliances is another way to maximize the home’s efficiencies. Lastly, make your home as “smart” as possible with new technology to make you more efficient.  Replace Doors and WindowsUpgrading the windows to energy-efficient windows and soundproofing are both aesthetic and functional updates that can be incredibly attractive to buyers. Windows and doors are big-ticket items, and a house with these updates already made can be appealing and sell for a higher price. Invest in Landscaping to Improve Curb AppealA beautifully landscaped home is a significant step toward improving its curb appeal. In NYC, this would be clean, bright hallways. A home with beautiful curb appeal makes a first impression on potential buyers and your guests. Update the KitchenThe kitchen is typically the center of the home, the primary gathering spot, and one of the most used spaces. Renovating a kitchen is also a big project, so a fully renovated kitchen can be a significant selling point. However, if renovating the kitchen is too big of an undertaking, a minor remodel can still add value. Updating the hardware, lighting, and counters and repainting can give it a fresh appearance, which will pay off when it’s time to sell. Paint and Stage Your HomeInvesting in fresh paint and a professional stager can pay off if you intend on listing your home. Painting can transform a space, and when listing a home, it’s wise to select a neutral color palette for the house. Then, when it’s time to list, hiring a professional stager can help your house appeal to buyers and help you get the highest offers.

Long Island Hall of Fame Celebrates New Home in Stony Brook Village

    Last week, The Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame was celebrating its grand opening in Stony Brook. I am overjoyed to be able to witness and participate in the ribbon cutting. It was an honor to be with a group of music lovers, educators, and industry professionals who formed the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame to recognize, integrity, and preserve Long Island's long and diverse musical heritage. It is Long Island's first of its kind. The 8,800-square-foot colonial-style structure honors iconic musical artists who have left an indelible mark on music and entertainment. Two exhibition halls are available. The first floor is home to a six-month-long rock and roll exhibit. The Hall of Fame is located upstairs and is dedicated to preserving the musical heritage of artists from Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Brooklyn. Throughout the building, world-class exhibits and one-of-a-kind memorabilia donated by artists highlight Long Island's rich and diverse music and entertainment history. This Hall of Fame has already inducted over 120 musicians and music industry executives. Long Island students can also benefit from education programs, scholarships, and awards provided by the organization.  

Checklist for Moving Into a New House

    Once you’ve made it through the stress of buying a home, there is one more hurdle to cross—the moving process. Staying hyper-organized is one of the best ways to alleviate the stress associated with moving. Following a tried and true checklist can help you stay organized and on track during this often chaotic experience. Read on for a list to follow as you prepare to move into your new home.   Walk Through the House If the house is available to you, walk through to take measurements of the spaces and rooms so you can plan out where your existing furniture will go and accommodate any new furniture. This will help you be able to direct the movers where to set items and avoid having to rearrange them too much once you’re settled in.   Hire Deep Cleaners After the closing and before move-in, hire a deep cleaning deep to thoroughly clean and disinfect every nook and cranny. Ensure the cleaning team pays attention to every window sill, baseboard, molding, and surface. This way, you can move all your belongings in and be confident that the home is spotless and move-in ready.   Change Your Address Before your move-in date, change your address with the post office, as it takes several weeks for the change to register. Also, update your banking and financial information, insurance information, and other services that require your personal information. Also, schedule an appointment at the DMV to update your driver’s license.   Make Plans for Children and Pets Moving day can be a chaotic day. Arranging childcare and pet care for your littlest family members can help the day go more smoothly and can help them stay safe. From uncovered outlets , open windows and doors, an unfamiliar area, and sharp tools available such as scissors and box cutters, it’s best to keep children and pets away from moving day so you can focus on creating a safe and livable space   Create an Unpacking Plan While labeling all your boxes before moving is essential, so is creating a plan for how you will unpack them. Haphazardly unpacking boxes can leave you with access to unnecessary items but with no access to the essentials. The strategy should be based on your unique needs, but keep in mind you’ll likely want access to essential kitchen items such as utensils and glasses, as well as bedrooms  and bathroom items, like pajamas, several days' worth of clothes, and your toiletries and shower essentials.   Set Up the Utilities and Internet Before moving in, be sure the electricity, heat, gas, and water will be available on your moving date. Also, having an internet connection and cable access may be important for you to have so you can relax after a long day of unpacking. Creating a moving plan in advance can help alleviate the stress associated with this notoriously stressful experience.

Designing an Eco-Friendly Luxury Home

An energy-efficient home offers benefits beyond cost savings. Designing a home with the environment in mind helps you do your part to contribute to the planet and leaves a positive lasting mark. Incorporating eco-friendly elements into your house can be completed during a new build, a home reno or simply by making a few adjustments to your current home. Read on to find out the ways to make your home more eco-friendly.Window Position MattersThe placement of your windows can significantly impact your home’s energy efficiency. North-south facing windows can affect the home’s ability to attract and retain warm and cool air. If you live in a hot climate, large windows on the north side will bring in cool air and help distribute sunlight. Alternatively, if you live in a cooler climate, install smaller windows on the north side of the house to minimize heat loss. Also, don’t underestimate the importance of energy-efficient windows. ENERGY STAR certified windows could reduce carbon footprints by an average of 12% nationwide.Open Concept LayoutAn open concept home goes beyond being a home design trend. An open concept home also improves light and ventilation throughout the house, reducing the need for additional light sources and heating and air conditioning in multiple rooms. Open concept layouts also make connecting the house to outdoor spaces easier, facilitating true indoor-outdoor living.Source LocallySourcing locally not only reduces long-shipping delays, but also cuts down on shipping-related pollution and emissions. In addition, using local lumber, stone brick or clay can reduce overall pollution and add some originality and charm to your home.It’s Wise to Have a Smart HomeIntegrating technology throughout the home can also make it more sustainable. Being able to manage your heating, cooling, lighting and irrigation through one central location and on-demand can reduce your home’s overall energy usage. Even when you’re away, you can ensure your home is as energy-efficient as possible.Grow Your GardenA beautifully maintained garden brings aesthetic benefits and can be a wonderful at-home retreat. However, a strategically planted garden can also offer a host of environmental benefits. For example, planting drought-resistant greenery can reduce your water usage. Also, growing your own fruits and vegetables can nourish both your body, as well as the earth. If your backyard has enough acreage, planting a citrus grove or apple orchard can help purify the air, provide shade, maintain healthy soil and, of course, offer delicious bites to eat.Upgrade Your LightingWhile energy-saving lighting may seem small, its benefits can go a long way. Most luxury homes are equipped with energy-saving lighting systems that bring a beautiful glow while also being energy-efficient. LED lights are the gold standard of energy-efficient lighting while lending a natural glow. Automating your lighting system further elevates its ease, convenience and energy-saving benefits.