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Decision Time(continued)

By Michelle N. Cohen

By Barbara Feldman

The Moving Quagmire:What Is Stopping You From Selling Your Home And Making Your Move?

The mortgage market which initially constricted radically has reopened. Mortgages today are at historically lower rates due to federal

actions to stimulate mortgage lending. Qualified borrowers can get mortgage money, including jumbo mortgages, at interest rate

levels which are far lower than many of us ever anticipated. So, homeowners in Nassau County, and prospective purchasers here

continue to have upside potential opportunities.

U.S. sales of previously occupied homes rose 7.8% in August, 2012, the highest rate in 2.5 years. At the same time, home builders

applications to build starts new sales and builders sentiment have all been increasing. Nevertheless, there is conflicting

evidence about recovery and that has created ambivalence about the economic future for all of us. Some economists are offering

hopeful predictions, while others suggest that deficit spending and job losses might mean a further recession is possible..

Is it the time for you to sell or should you continue to hold pending a comeback in market prices? Is it a time to commit to buy, or

should you await further evidence that the economic situation has turned around? The answers to those questions will be different

for different people, but there is this one constant: One of the strongest forces impacting on all of us is inertia: the tendency to stick

with the status quo. Change requires an affirmative decision and new action.

In my opinion, election day 2012 should be thought of by each of us as an alarm bell ringing:

A reminder that we need to plan for our own individual futures.

Are you stuck? Does the thought of organizing and packing all your possessions send chills up your spine? Are you thinking where do I

begin? So much to do, so little time.

On television, they make it look so easy. Within a half hour, a 6,000 square foot home piled high with clutter becomes a pristine,

Zen-like temple filled with tranquility. In real life though, you know it is not so simple. In fact, it can be quite formidable!

The first thing you need to acknowledge is that the mass of your possessions did not accumulate in a single day! Expect it to take time to

pare down.

You are all individually unique and approach this type of stressful situation in different ways. Some people dive right in. Some of you

(probably most of you) recoil, procrastinate, get overwhelmed and freeze. WE CAN HELP.

If you are the type to jump right in, set up bags and boxes to sort/ pack/donate/discard. Set a timer for 15-20 minutes. Start at one end of the

room and work until the timer goes off. Then step out of the room for a short break. Drink a glass of water. Look out the window. Glance at

the newspaper. Then return to the work at hand with fresh eyes. Start with one room and stay at it until i ts boxed and completed. Pat yourself

on the back for a job well done, and if you have more time, move on to the next room. Dont allow yourself to stress about it; if you giveyourself enough time, a job like this can be done over the course of a week or more.

If you are the type to recoil from your own disorganization and the overwhelming anxiety is keeping you from moving, the help of a

professional is needed. That is where A NU START NY comes in! We have a wealth of knowledge, resources, and experience with people

in similar situations. Well ease your burden and help you through the moving process.

Our Move Management services include strategizing the entire move from unloading the first cardboard box in your old home, to carting

away that same box from your new home. We will plan every step in the move, making sure we have the appropriate tools and resources

in the appropriate quantities, from rolls of tape to teams of movers.

Well help you de-clutter BEFORE you move; why pay to move that horrid sweater someone gave you but you never wore? Then we will

stage, organize, pack, and label your possessions so that they will safely make their way to the appropriate locations in your new home.

Well arrange to sell or donate those items youve cherished but can no longer take with you, and finally, we will professionally orchestratethe cleanout of your home so that the new owners feel just as welcome as you did when you first moved in.

JUST LET US HAND THE KEY OF YOUR BROOM SWEPT HOME OVER TO LAFFEY REAL ESTATE AND YOU WILL HAVE A

NU START on the next chapter of your life!

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Lots of us enjoy vacationing in foreign countries. There are good reasons for the phenomena, a different language, a different culture, histori-cally significant sightseeing, which opens your eyes sometimes in amazement at the natural and man-made wonders. But, there are disad-vantages to foreign travel also, including, in most cases, the extra costs and time required. I say most cases because there is at least oneforeign travel destination which is close enough to reach by automobile, train or via a very quick and inexpensive fight.

Canada, our northern neighbor and long term ally is a travel gem. There are many spectacular locations within the provinces of Canada. Thisyear we tried a new experience: the Canadian Maritime/Atlantic Provinces, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. We hada great trip, and let me share the reasons why:

1. It was only an hours plane ride from New York or a manageable car ride of less than one day;2. Halifax, a city with a rich history, amazes and surprises

(who knew it was where the Titanic survivors and deceased were taken);3. Great countryside places to find, explore, buy lunch at a farm stand and eat out at a picnic table;4. A place where almost everyone speaks English, but many also speak French, and the linguistics are fun;5. Friendly, the Canadians actually like Americans;6. The Bay of Fundy where the tide changes by more than 40 feet in height within six hours;7. Prince Edward Island is a place which will remind you of the nicest small town you ever lived in, or thought of living in;8. Lobster, Mussels, Salmon, other great eating, especially if you are a sea food person;

9. Peggys Cove with its old lighthouse and the spectacular rocky environment which surrounds it; and10. Many fun places to golf or hike, or just to take a look around the incredibly welcoming scenery.

But the title of this piece is No Vacation Envy. What do I mean by that? I mean that as much as my husband and I may have appreciatedNova Scotia, when we came home we realized that there was nothing which required us to be envious. Long Island and the North Shore ofNassau County continues to have many of the same attractions. North to south, we stretch from the wondrous Atlantic to the beautiful calmof Long Island Sound. Throughout, we have great parks and gardens, and historical sites of every kind starting with our own Roslyn ClockTower. Many places and pluses right around the corner. Just recently we discovered Morgan Island in Glen Cove with its magnificent viewsof the Manhattan skyline.

Vacations are great and important for all of us. But, we Long Islanders live at a home base, which is a genuine vacation destination.

No Vacation Envy

Choosing the Right Attorney

With over Thirty Five years of experience invirtually all matters related to Residential andCommercial Real Estate Acquisitionsincluding Foreclosures and Short Sales,Development and Financing, there is never ashortage of the know how needed to addressissues, resolve them and close the transaction.

LAW OFFICES OFKAPLAN & KAPLAN LLP.

One School Street, Suite 303420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 638

Glen Cove, N.Y 11542New York, NY 10170

(516) 801-6363 (212) 438-9206

Every Client is our most important Client!

Bart D. Kaplan, Esq.Jared S. Kaplan, Esq.

Matthew J. DiTrapani, Esq.

By Michelle N. Cohen

Unlike other areas of law, there are no winners or losers in a Real Estate transaction. Real Estate should not be adversarial, our clients arenot cases, the buyer simply wants to buy a house and seller wants to sell it. The agreed upon price has already been determined before thecontract is even drawn up. Our ultimate goal, as your Real Estate Attorney is complete the transaction, this is the job we are hired to do.

Unfortunately, Attorneys stereotypically like to argue. There is a reason; a trial begins with Opening Arguments. While this might becommon place for the litigation Attorney, We, the Real Estate Attorney begins with an introduction to the attorney on the other side. We try toset the tone very quickly that we see ourselves working in conjunction with the other attorney rather than opposing them. It is always easierto ask for a last minute time change or post possession agreement when everyone is getting along rather than at each others throats from thestart.

It is of paramount importance for us to remember that as Real Estate Attorneys, we complete purchase and sale transactions almost daily.Buyers and Sellers usually do this one to two times in their lives, this is the clients biggest asset and they are anxious and nervous. Add inan Attorney that treats the transaction as litigation, fighting for the extra leaking facet or light fixture which only adds to their stress and nervous-

ness.Setting and managing realistic expectations based on inspections, engineer reports or commitment letter can make the difference in whetherthe transaction closes or not. The Real Estate Attorney that is familiar with the area, the local title companies and Lenders attorney helps bypredicting the roadblocks along the way and dealing with them before they become an issue. There is always a way for a transaction to close,we do not drop our briefcases and run.

While most Buyers or Sellers might know an attorney, the mistake is usually failing to ask if that Attorneypractices Real Estate. When choosing an Attorney, if the secretary or reception asks what case you arecalling on, that attorney might not have the right mindset to help facilitate the transaction.

By Jared Kaplan, Esq. of Kaplan Kaplan, LLP. in Glen Cove, practices Real Estate.

Randy Slotkin

631-905-3172

NMLSR ID 410152

All first mortgageproducts areprovided by First Allied HomeMortgage, LLC . F irst Allied HomeMortgage, L LC may not beavailablein your area. Wells FargoHomeMortgageis adivisionof Wells FargoBank, N .A.

Licensed by theN J Departmentof Banking and Insurance.Licensed mortgagebanker-NYS bankingdepartment.333 JerichoTpke Ste211, JerichoN Y 11753 (516)626-5100.

2012 F irst Allied HomeMortgage, LLC. All Rights Reserved.An Equal HousingLender. NMLSR ID 458771.964756 10/12-1/13

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EAST HILLS - NOB HILL

ML # 2488710 $1,498,000

Circular Dr. leads to pristine 5 Brs, 3.5 Bths, young designerrenovated Ranch on _ acre plus rolling park-like property.

Membership at East Hills Pool & Park.

516-384-6648

Work with onlyThe Best of The Best!

Michelle N. CohenEXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

LICENSED ASSOCIATE BROKER, SRES

Your #1 Realtor On The Gold Coast For Over 25 Years!Email:mcohen@laffey.com

Website: www.laffey.com/mcohen

UPPER BROOKVILLE - HILLTOP RETREAT

ML # 2485382 $999,000

Mid-century modern home set on beautifully treed, two acrereserve, with an Olympic size gunite heated pool. Low taxes.

EAST HILLS - LAKEVILLE ESTATES

ML # 2516641 $988,000

Impressive center hall Colonial with grand rooms. 6Brs, 3.5 Bths,gracious layout. Suitable for multigenerational living. Make this

your dream home. Membership at East Hills Pool & Park.

ROSLYN HEIGHTS - COUNTRY CLUB

ML # 2510462 $1,088,000

Designer post modern 4Brs 2.5Bths, straight Ranch, openlayout, spacious and sprawling, young and appealing. Top of

the line, move-in condition. Wheatley/East Williston S.D.

ROSLYN - SEARINGTOWN

ML # 2472017 $799,000

4Brs, 2.5Bths, spacious Colonial Splanch. Open layout, highceilings, full basement. Mid-block location. Herricks S.D.

ROSLYN ESTATES

ML # 2470817 $849,000

Private drive leads to 3/4 of an acre property. 5Brs, 5BthsColonial, ideal for a large family or multigenerational

living. Roslyn School District.

OLD WESTBURY

ML # 2534257 ML # 2527753$1,488,000

Spectacular custom renovated colonial 4.5Brs, 3.55Bths, set onprivate professionally landscaped one acre property at end of

cul-de-sac. Wheatley/East Williston SD. Reasonable taxes.

ROSLYN - FLOWER HILL

$1,649,000

Hampton style, new construction, 4.5 Bths Colonial. Newenergy efficient, custom details, gourmet kitchen, designer baths.

Mid-block location. Roslyn schools. Port Washington train line.

GLEN HEAD - THE KNOLLS

ML # 2534033 $488,000

Gated community desirable first floor. 2Brs, 2 Bths withrenovated kitchen and baths. LR, DR, wrap around deck.

Finished lower lever. North Shore S.D. Low maintenance.

OLD WESTBURY

ML # *1144526 Price on Request

European Villa with contemporary flair. Totally renovatedstate of the art designer kitchen and baths. Set on 2 private

acres with pool & tennis court. Jericho S.D.

EAST HILLS - NORGATE

ML # 2503209 ML # 2461173$1,498,000

Spectacular, approx. 4600 sqft. Turn Key, 7 year young centerhall Colonial. Ideal location. Beautifully landscaped property.

Membership at the East Hills Pool & Park.

UPPER BROOKVILLE

$2,399,000

Electric gates lead to totallyrenovated 4 Brs, 3.55 Bths, Ranch home with

state of the art oudoor entertainment living. Low taxes.