National Drink Wine Day: Wine Bars Around Nassau County

Did you know knitting is becoming a super-trendy hobby? It's true! Although this pastime was once relegated to the older generation, it has enjoyed quite a renaissance over the past few years. In fact, several of Our REALTORS® have taken up the hobby and agree that it's a fun and relaxing way to unwind. 

If you've been thinking about taking up a new skill that's easy to learn, knitting is a great option. And, there are plenty of local shops that can help you get started. Here are a few of our favorites. 

1. Knitting on the Lamb: 456 E Jericho Turnpike S. Huntington, NY 11746
   Are you thinking about moving into one of the beautiful Huntington homes for sale? If so, then you'll definitely want to pay a visit to Knitting on the Lamb. The owner of the store offers knitting lessons and teaches in a fun way that's easy to understand. You can also get all the supplies you need here, including a gorgeous selection of yarns.

Bundle up and bring the family to Long Island Winterfest 2020. The annual event returns to the East End for its thirteenth year of magic in the winter. Our REALTORS® love this five-week celebration of local culture, and we're sure you will too! We've gathered everything you need to know about prior events and how to prepare for Winterfest 2020.

Winterfest 2020

• Date: February 7th – March 8th, 2020
• Where: Venues throughout the East End of Long Island

The East End hosts festivals and events throughout the year, and if you haven't checked out any of their previous Winterfest celebrations, you've been missing out! Offering authentic experiences of Riverhead, the North Fork, and the South Fork, last year 30 unique venues in the North Fork and Hamptons hosted Winterfest events. People from all over the state came to meet the local farmers, bakers, makers, performers, artists, musicians, and chefs that make Long Island such a unique part of New York.

Between 20 and 30 percent of homebuyers report that they attend open houses to assist with their homebuying efforts. Our REALTORS® can help you prepare your home to sell and arrange an open house to showcase your home.

When preparing for an open house, it's easy to focus only on the main spaces in your home. However, to ensure buyers see everything your home has to offer, you need to make sure that every room is ready for scrutiny. Check out some of the rooms commonly overlooked by homeowners preparing to sell their homes.

Television used to tell us what a smart home would look like: talking assistants, automatic stoves, voice-operated music, and motion-sensing lighting. While our current homes may not be quite how Hollywood envisioned, many of these items are actually available today to upgrade your smart home environment—and buyers want them.

Our REALTORS® are here to help you discover five smart home updates that can help your home sell in 2020.

• Video Doorbells
  There are multiple brands of video doorbells on the market now, and these tiny powerhouses of security can often be found on sale or special promotion. These digital doorbell/security systems are in-demand for homebuyers and even considered standard in many markets. A good video doorbell will allow a homeowner to remotely interact with a package person, record and sense motion near your entry day and night, and allow you to view and upload suspicious videos to a cloud community or police report.