Spring Listings: How to Make Your Home Stand Out

It's no surprise that the man who said, "Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living" gave us How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, The Cat in the Hat, and Yertle the Turtle. On Monday, March 2, take a break from touring Nassau County homes for sale and Suffolk County homes for sale to honor Dr. Seuss's birthday. Celebrate Read Across America Day with a trip to one of these wonderful local bookstores and libraries.

• The Dolphin Bookshop & Café - 299 Main St., Port Washington, NY 11050
  While they have a wonderful selection of books, The Dolphin Bookshop & Café is more than just a place to find reading material. With events and activities including live music, art exhibits, and PTA meetings, The Dolphin serves as a vibrant gathering place for the community around Port Washington homes for sale. Bookshop hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday.

Our REALTORS® around Long Island know it's those finishing touches that help sell a home. You may have everything going for you — great location, reasonable price, and good southern or eastern light — but a glimpse of the basement could be sending potential buyers elsewhere.

While the current state of your basement may turn off potential buyers, the good news is that it's not that hard to transform it from an eyesore to a major selling point. Even if your home's not on the market and you just want to enjoy some extra space in your basement, it probably won't take that much effort to make things livable and lovable downstairs. 

Here are some tips to start you thinking about your basement as a blank canvas where you can make your artistic vision take form.

Fantastic food and luxurious accommodations are simply a fact of life around Long Island, but haven't you ever wished that you could simply try all of the greats in one place? Taste the Greats Long Island, held annually at the gorgeous Oheka Castle Hotel, is the perfect event for you to do just that. The event features food from more than a dozen of the top chefs on Long Island, along with an extensive, curated wine list, a diverse selection of local craft beers, and live entertainment all evening long. Our real estate agents have all of the delicious details on how to enjoy this one-of-a-kind Long Island event in 2020.

Elegance at Taste the Greats

Date: March 14, 2020 – 8 to 11 pm

Location: Oheka Castle Hotel & Estate – 135 West Gate Drive, Huntington, NY 11743

• An Elegant Evening at the Oheka Castle Hotel and Estate
  While there are many storied event venues located close to Huntington homes for sale, few can match the history and elegance of the Oheka Castle Hotel & Estate where Taste the Greats Long Island is held every year. Home to many of the island's biggest weddings, bar mitzvahs, galas, and corporate events, Oheka Castle is one of those rare places that transports you back to another era when you step on the grounds. The entire hotel and estate bring to mind the decadence and gorgeous mansions of the Roaring '20s, with picturesque views, elegant design, and unmatched atmosphere. It's the perfect place to experience the best dining and drinks that Long Island has to offer.

Whether you're organizing a home to sell or to live in, the principles and methods are the same. The difference lies in the ultimate goal. Lived-in homes revolve around the ease of daily functionality, while homes for sale should strike a balance between cluttered and homey vs. empty and cold.

As a bonus, careful organization makes the move-out much easier. Our REALTORS® share their favorite organizing tips along with some great local sources for storage solutions.

• Have a Game Plan
  During the selling process, your timetable takes a back seat to buyers' convenience. They're not going to care that you were too busy to clean. Create a specific to-do list and block out time in your schedule to get it done.