Flood Zones and Long Island Buyers: Questions Worth Asking
Whether a house sits in a mapped flood zone affects insurance, lending and risk. Learn what the maps show, what they leave out and which questions to ask before you buy.
Author: Pawli Paola Meyer
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September Home Sales Rise 1.5% as Prices Reach $417,500
In the news: National existing-home sales rose 1.5% in September to a 3.99 million annual pace, and the median price reached $417,500, according to NAR.
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Open House Etiquette for Buyers, From the Front Door to the Follow-Up
A few good habits make an open house more useful for you and more pleasant for everyone else. Here is what to do at the door, inside the rooms and after you leave.
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The Parts of a Strong Offer Letter, One Clause at a Time
A strong offer is more than a number. Walk through price, financing, contingencies, timing and the personal touches that make an offer easy for a seller to say yes to.
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Mortgage Rates Hold at 7.40%, Still at Their Highest Level Since 2023
In the news: The 30-year fixed rate held at 7.40% in Freddie Mac’s October 15 survey. Here is what it means next to Long Island home prices, with a payment illustration.
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Is a Home Warranty Worth the Premium? A Balanced Look
A home warranty is a service contract, not insurance. Weigh what it covers, what it excludes, what you pay in fees and when it makes sense for a buyer or a seller.
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Reading Comparable Sales to Price a Home
Comparable sales are the backbone of home pricing, but the raw list misleads without context. Here is how to pick good comps, adjust for differences and read what they say.
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Walking a Home Inspection: What to Watch and What to Ask
Attending your inspection pays off. Here is how to follow the inspector through the house, which questions to ask, and how to read the report once it lands.
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Colonial, Cape, Tudor, Ranch: A North Shore Style Guide
Learn to recognize the house styles you will meet on the North Shore, from Cape Cods and Colonials to Tudors and ranches, and what each means for rooms, light and upkeep.
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Ice Dams on Long Island Roofs: Prevention Before the Snow
Ice dams form when heat escapes into the attic and melts snow that refreezes at the eaves. Fall is the time to seal, insulate and ventilate so winter does the least damage.
