Long Island Board of Realtors

Lahsann C Rogers

Team Lead Sales person 

I take great pride in my work, and am honored to have the privilege to help families just like yours

Helping a family buy or sell a home is sacred!

Find your dream home!

REALTY YOU CAN TRUST

Unique Offerings In Your Area

Use my app to search nearby properties and schedule appointments.

My experience and dedication set me apart, while my technology and responsiveness help families.

Using a robust mobile platform and nimble real-time solution ensures that we never miss an opportunity.

Buy, sell or rent today!

Proven track record

Cutting edge technology

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Homebuyer's guide

Homeseller's guide

Buying a home is one of your most important steps in life. It’s important to understand 1) what your needs are versus what you want, 2) if you are searching for your first home or your forever home. This article will assist with determining what you want in your home purchase.

### 1. Is this your first home or your forever home?
Understanding that your first home isn’t necessarily your forever home is the first step to figuring out what you want out of your new home. You may decide to buy the home that offers rental or resale possibilities because you know it’s only a first home purchase and that bigger homes are in your future. Or, you may be dreaming of your forever home that you will grow into as your family grows and changes. Often, new construction or a fixer upper may be the best fit to getting everything you want. 

### 2. What do I want in a home and what do I need in a home?
Don’t confuse what you want with what you need. Take the time to list everything you need in a home; these are your must-haves and deal breakers. Then, list what you want; typically these can be in two categories, the gotta have and the nice to have. These are things you can live without, add on at a future date, or substitute with other features.

<a target="_blank" href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=19yXbXofBBV8PFBvOxLS3uh_YAP9AhhxR">Download this handy guide to help you figure out what you want and what you need.</a>


### 3. Do I want a fixer-upper or a home that is move-in ready?
Understanding your limitations can save you heartache. Ideally, do you want a move-in ready home. Or do you want something that requires a little tender loving care to make it more like a custom home. It’s important to have an idea of what you want upfront, as your lending product may have to be altered if you want that diamond-in-the-rough. Ask your lender and real estate agent about renovation loans that allow you to purchase and fix your new home.

Buying a home is one of your most important steps in life. It’s important to understand 1) what your needs are versus what you want, 2) if you are searching for your first home or your forever home. This article will assist with determining what you want.

Ask these 3 questions when choosing which home to buy

The closing, also called settlement, is the last step in buying and financing a home.
 
### What happens at closing? 

In most real estate transactions, two closings take place at the same time. 

The buyer’s mortgage loan closes and the funds are disbursed. The seller pays off any mortgages and receives the sales proceeds.
The sale closes and the seller transfers the title. In essence, the seller transfers the real property ownership to the buyer according to the terms and conditions in a sales contract or escrow agreement. 
 
### Who attends closing?
Closing is typically held in an office with the attorneys for the buyer and seller, the real estate brokers or agents for both seller and buyer, and a closing agent, who usually works for the title insurance or escrow company. The attorneys and escrow agent transfer money and documents so that you can transfer the property deed and keys to the buyer, pay off all loans that you are still carrying on the house, and pay all of the parties involved in the sale and closing.
 
### What are your closing costs?
Common seller’s closing costs, after paying off your mortgage and and other loans on the property, include sales commission to the real estate agent, title insurance for the new owner and government transfer taxes, and any credit you’ve offered the buyer toward closing costs.

The closing, also called settlement, is the last step in buying and financing a home.

What to expect at closing

You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression; most buyers make an initial decision within 15 seconds of seeing a property. That’s why homes that are staged before going on the market sell 73% faster, on average than their non-staged counterparts, according to the Real Estate Staging Association. 

Here’s how to stage your home to earn a return. 
 
### Enhance your curb appeal
- Make sure exterior of your home is in pristine condition – freshly painted, cleared of clutter, with no visible repairs needed. A broken step, overgrown bush, or abandoned toys in the yard can spoil the appearance and your buyer’s first impression.Curb appeal is important because it sets the tone for what the buyer is going to see inside. If the buyer likes the exterior, he or she will be predisposed to also like the interior and you’re that much closer to selling your home. To see what needs to be done to sell your home faster and for a higher price, go outside, stand on the curb and try to look at your home the way the buyer will. 
- Walkways/driveways - Make sure walkways are clear of snow, weeds, or debris. Repair or replace cracked steps or pavers. Driveways should also be clear of vehicles, toys and debris. Park cars in the garage.
- Landscaping - Keep your lawn mowed, edged and watered. Prune dead branches and plants. Weed flower beds and replace leggy, thin landscaping with fresh plants and flowers.
- Exterior - Replace loose or damaged roof shingles, clean the gutters, and paint and caulk window trim and doors. Repaint the front door an eye-catching color that complements the rest of the exterior. Replace broken windows.
- Entry - Power wash siding, brick, windows, and porches. Paint or replace furniture such as rocking chairs or porch swings. Replace mailboxes, light fixtures, door knobs or any other fixture that looks less than fresh. Put out a welcoming new floor mat.
 
### Stage your home for showing
- Eliminate clutter: not only is clutter unattractive, it’s time-consuming to sort through and expensive for you to move. 
- Keep, donate, throw away: go through your belongings and put them into one of these three baskets. You’ll receive more in tax benefits for your donations than pennies on the dollar at a garage sale. 
- Remove temptations: take valuable jewelry and collectibles to a safety deposit box, a safe, or store them in a secure location.
- Remove breakables: figurines, china, crystal and other breakables should be packed and put away in the garage or storage.
- Be hospitable: you want your home to look like a home. Stage it to show the possibilities, perhaps set the table, or put a throw on the chair by the fireplace with a bookmarked book on the table.
- Have a family plan of action: sometimes showings aren’t convenient. You can always refuse a showing, but do you really want to? If you have a showing with little notice, get the family engaged. Everyone has a basket and picks up glasses, plates, newspapers, or anything left lying about.

You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression; most buyers make an initial decision within 15 seconds of seeing a property. That’s why homes that are staged before going on the market sell 73% faster.