Earth day April 22nd! Which means we are on our rampage of earthly tips for you to partake in. Let us kick it off with this:

According to NASA scientist, indoor plants provide valuable fighting advantages against indoor air pollution. They absorb harmful gases and clean the air within your home. Here are a variety of plants you will want that will remove common chemical vapors and air toxins indoors!  

  • Aloe: This plant is very beneficial in many aspects. Besides being a healing plant, it also absorbs formaldehyde, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide, while increasing oxygen levels. 
  • Peace Lily: Having this plant in your home will greatly reduce chemical toxins in the air, especially ammonia. Pair the Peace Lily with a Snake Plant for…

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Tax day is approaching! April 15 is less than a week away and your have yet to have filed your taxes. It is time to get started. Use this easy five-step plan to help you do your taxes! 

  • Step one – Get your paperwork together: The first step is prepping. Gather all the documents you need, including your W-2 from each employer you have worked with the past year, or a 1099-MISC for any freelance work you have completed. Be sure you also have student loans interest paid, bank interest received, mortgaged investment interest, charitable contributions, and/or documents of business expenses. Keep in mind that even if you do not have all the forms, you should report all of your income, including tips, and freelance work.  
  • Step two – Decide how you…

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With Spring coming around, renovations are on the checklist of things to complete. If you are thinking of new siding, we have some things you will need to know before changing the appearance of your home. 

Vinyl

Vinyl siding is tough and comes in many colors and textures. Due to the way the color runs throughout the material, nicks and scratches do not appear easily. The material also requires minimal or no maintenance and is easy to clean dirt off. Vinyl is lightweight and can be installed directly over existing material. This means it is easy to handle, and quick to install while labor cost is low. Only downside is that the panels usually come 12 feet long, so overlapping may cause noticeable seams. Try ordering extra long panels to reduce the…

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Watch as Crystal Mestres takes you on a RealEstateSINY.com home tour for one of our listings. Take a tour in this beautiful Todt Hill Home! 560 Valley View Place has three bedrooms and four bathrooms and includes expansive stunning features. If you are interested in purchasing this home, contact Geralyn Liverani and Susan Frazier., or call our offices: 718-966-9669. 

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We are at it again with affordable changes you can add to your home. With Spring just around the corner, cleaning is probably in the process. Why stop there though? Eliminate the old and bring in brand new changes that will not hurt your pocket at all!

  • Neutral colors create a polished look, even on a lower budget. Get creative by turning your favorite pictures into a black and white photograph and add it into frames. Just remember that less is more, so do not over clutter the wall.
  • For a quick update in your kitchen, paint your current cabinets black. This look is elegant and timeless. After painting, furnish the room with modern lighting and classic chairs and tables that appear rustic.
  • The classic black and white bathroom is still a huge…

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The skeleton that seems to be taking up the most space in our closets is financial. While student loans are the majority of it, there are also auto, mortgage, and credit card debts. It is time to clean out your closet! Climb out your financial hole with these solutions.

  • Write it all down: Write down all your assets, debts, income, and expenses on a sheet of paper to see the overall picture.
  • Find opportunities to save extra: What can you cut back on? Is too much money going into your luxuries or wanted instead of need? Cut back a little: reduce your phone/cable plan, (if you are not already) use coupons, and limit your entertainment amenities. Eliminating can actually boost your saving each month, allowing you to have an extra funds. Add that…

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Explore the various things you can do in order to add extra space to your tiny living arrangements.

  • Size Does Matter: It is important to pay attention to scale and proportions when purchasing furniture. Opt out of oversized and bulky pieces, and avoid sets. Consider getting furniture that is “tight and compact” instead. You can even get furniture that is higher up from the floor so you can store things under it!
  • Make Your Belongings Have a Multipurpose: There is furniture that is disguise as one thing but is also much more! For instance, there are coffee tables that double as a workspace and have storage compartments. These are the type of pieces are you going to want to consider.
  • Organization is the Key: This type is especially used in…

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If your shelves, bookcases, or mantels are looking a little cluttered, then it is time give them a little re-styling. Present your books and trinkets with the visual decor they deserve. With just a few tweaks, the space will look like it came straight out of you favorite home magazine! 

  1. Create balance on a shelf by making sure there is a theme going on. This will create a good layering look that will please the eye. We recommend the theme to be a color pre shelf space. This is the most easiest one to accomplish, but you can be creative and make the theme as exclusive as you want! 
  2. If you have extra space to fill on your shelf, consider adding a framed picture, unique art piece, or even a plant. This will created additional balance while…

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Pantone had named Marsala as 2015's color of the year! Since the announcement in December, the color has been booming in interior designs and decorations. Here are some decorating tips on how you can add the stylist and hearty color into your home without having to do big renovations:

  • Living Room: Incorporate the color by adding a club chair or ottoman piece into your set up. Accessorize the couch with Marsala colored throw pillows or get yourself a center rug. This will make your living room pop well! 
  • Kitchen: The perfect way to add the color into this room is by getting new plates or utensils with a marsala colored handle. It is a little difference that will go a long way. 
  • Wall Art: You can even add the color with a nice wall piece.…

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