Gallup's Honest/Ethics in Professions rated real estate agents in the bottom tier of trustworthiness. Of roughly 1,000 respondents polled, only 20% rated real estate agents as honest/very honest.

Considering they have the keys to your place, this low trust factor is a big problem! Where does this low trust factor come from, and what can we do to dispel it? In this weekly live video streamed from Facebook, Anthony Licciardello is interviewed by correspondent Hannah Jay on what we are doing to establish trust with clients.

The main theme, according to the broker and co-owner of RealEstateSINY.com, is transparency. The cost associated with doing business can be quite steep for homeowners. "Is the agent actually worth what I'm paying them?" is a…

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When it comes time to put your home on the market, a crucial factor determining how the chips fall is pricing it correctly. In this video discussion via Facebook live, Hannah Jay and Anthony Licciardello delve into the question- what could go so wrong when overpricing your property?

In the end, it will not only cost you months of wasted time if your home does not sell, but it could actually cost you quite a bit of money in the long run. Anthony explains that once you get past the initial pool of interested buyers, and they pass on the home, this drops its value in the eyes of other buyers. Overpricing could mean you ultimately fetch 2%, 4%, sometimes even as high as 8% on your final sale- which equates to $20,000 or even more!

We also talk about how…

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April marked yet another month for Staten Island real estate prices to hit record highs.

The average home sale price was up to $576,525. But prices are what we call a “trailing indicator”, meaning they reflect the market several months prior to the actual closing date, when the house was first put into acceptance. In this live video discussion, we look to other stats to dissect the market in its current state. 

Even though the market still appears to hold the seller’s favor, with homes selling faster than they have in many months and fetching high prices, there were some strange findings. Inventory is now up to 1,630, with 669 new listings in April. This is considerably higher than the same time last year. 

So when we saw that only 328…

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Staten Island was once a very different place than it is today. So many of the things we take for granted about our way of life were not always this way. In this live video segment, we tackle the Top Ten events that changed Staten Island forever.

Correspondent Hannah Jay and Broker/Co-Owner Anthony Licciardello run the gamut through more than three centuries taking us into the modern day. Who were the first European settlers on Staten Island? How much did Staten Island cost to purchase from the Lenape tribe? And, how did people get to the island before the first bridge was built in 1928? What was the main event that changed the infrastructure, demographics, and culture of Staten Island in such a short time?

But many of these events are…

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It's story time! Our most recent Facebook live video goes into the Top 3 biggest real estate disasters witnessed by the company during the years we have been serving buyers and sellers. One of these deals went down in flames (literally)! 

We also give some tips on how to avoid making the biggest mistakes we've witnessed over the years. In essence, selling a home is typically an emotional process for all those involved. Because so much emotion is invested- between packing up and settling elsewhere, leaving behind a place filled with so many memories, and perceiving a higher sense of value in your home than the market actually demands- these high stakes often lead to rash decisions. Understanding market fundamentals and looking at things with a…

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Over the years, a lot has changed in Staten Island. Many historical properties have fallen into disrepair, struggled to maintain landmark status, or been sold off to developers for their valuable land.

Perhaps the most high profile and most controversial of these over the past few years was Mount Manresa, the Catholic retreat and natural gem filled with some of the oldest trees in New York City. Environmentalists and Catholics alike rallied to save this property and have it landmarked by the City of New York LPC.

When the almighty dollar won out and the property was sold to The Savo Brothers, many in the community were angered to lose this natural beauty. Borough president James Oddo was so peeved that he took revenge and named the streets in the…

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Staten Island has around half a million residents. What is the island missing that would be a huge asset to those living here? Correspondent Hannah Jay and Co-Owner Anthony Licciardello discuss some ideas!

1. North Shore Railway, which once existed along the northern part of the island and could be revived from existing tracks. This would be a boon for North Shore commuters and for property values in the area.

2. Monorail to the city via Hylan Blvd that would sail above the Hudson River where the Staten Island Ferry and other boats travel. Alternatively, we could complete the ill-fated Brooklyn Subway Tunnel which began right before The Great Depression.   3. The Cheesecake Factory, a diverse and beloved restaurant across the…

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What are Staten Island's best kept secrets? We're here to let you in on them! On Staten Island's North, Mid-Island, and South Shore sections, Anthony Licciardello and Hannah Jay identify some of the most beautiful yet mysterious locations in Staten Island.

These neighborhoods are home to luxury Staten Island homes and are each charming in their own unique way. Yet, since they lie off the beaten path, these streets offer luxury homes for a great value. This is an depth discussion about the history, home styles, transportation, unique views and amenities each of these neighborhoods has to offer.

PLUS- a discussion about property taxes that may just save you lots of money! There are lots of ways to reduce the property taxes you pay each year, whether…

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Early February, Wall Street plunges downward as the DOW Jones sends investors into a panic. How does this compare to other stock market dips of the past? Should we look for warning signs?

Not yet, exactly. This dip in the stock market (which has since recovered) does not represent a crash. The dip would have to be greater for it to be considered a crash, to at least 30%. At around 11%, this is more likely classified as a correction. If it fell further, it would be classified as a bear market.

The important thing to take away is that this may not be cause for panic, yet anyway. Stock market ebbs and flows are a normal part of the economy. We should be on the lookout for changes in the future and it is a fact that this upward spike could not sustain…

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flickr user Steven Straiton

All over the country, we hear talk of the “retail apocalypse.” Brands that once thrived, from Wet Seal to Borders, have closed their doors for good. Generations-long Staples like Sears, Macy’s, Sam’s Club, and JC Penny continue to shutter stores nationwide to avoid bankruptcy.

These once powerful chains have buckled from competition against online retailers. In many cases it’s impossible to match the lower prices and convenience of Amazon and other online shops. 

The retail apocalypse officially reigned in during 2016 when major retailers closed thousands of stores across the country. But the seeds were sown long before that year. Brick and mortar stores have been feeling the pressure increasing for a long time along with the rising popularity…

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