A client asked me 6 weeks ago, what is the best time to list your home. Should we wait until the summer, or is spring a better time.
With the years of me selling real estate, history does repeat itself and this holds true to this question.
My answer to her was “There is a no time better time to sell a home then when that one buyer sees it on the market”
Taking my experience into consideration and seeing it with the proof I was able to show her with my other listings, she decided to list her home.
I am happy to report, that we are now, in the middle of the winter, fighting snow storm after snow storm, going into contract.
When is the best time to sell your home?….Anytime that theres a buyer looking to purchase it.
Cathy Cataletto – 917-829-1402
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson and Certified Short Salesperson
Majority of Americans Believe Home Prices Have Bottomed
Rents Expected to Increase More than Home Prices
Americans Remain Cautious, with Many Preferring to Rent Now and Buy Later
Mortgage Borrowers and Underwater Borrowers Are Less Discouraged About Homeownership, While Delinquent Borrowers and Renters Are More Pessimistic
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ Fannie Mae’s (OTC Bulletin Board: FNMA) latest national housing survey finds that most Americans believe the housing market has reached bottom, but they are more cautious about owning a home. Respondents to the Fannie Mae National Housing Survey believe that home prices will hold steady (47 percent) or increase (31 percent) over the next year, and that rental prices will stay the same (46 percent) or go up (39 percent). Across the general population, the average expected rise in rental prices is four times that of home prices (3.6 percent versus 0.9 percent).
Seventy percent of Americans think it is a good time to buy a house, compared with 64 percent in a similar survey conducted in January 2010. But 33 percent — up from 30 percent — of all respondents said they would be more likely to rent their next home if they were to move.
“Our survey shows that consumers see a mixed outlook for housing and homeownership,” said Doug Duncan, Vice President and Chief Economist, Fannie Mae. ”These findings indicate a return to a more balanced and realistic approach toward housing. While this will likely weigh on the housing recovery in the near-term, it should, over time, help to build a stronger and healthier market focused on sustainable homeownership.”
“Although most Americans believe that home prices have bottomed, they are adopting a much more cautious approach toward buying,” Duncan continued. ”Homeowners and renters alike continue to be wary of taking on risk, and they are less confident in the long-term outlook for housing.”
A majority of Americans (67 percent) continue to believe that housing is a safe investment; however, that number is down 16 percentage points from a similar survey conducted in 2003 — the largest drop by far among all investment types tracked since then. Delinquent borrowers and renters are notably more discouraged than mortgage borrowers and underwater borrowers about a home’s safety as an investment and the appeal of buying versus renting. More than 70 percent of all respondents believe it will be harder for the next generation to buy a home, up three points from the beginning of the year.
The Fannie Mae National Housing Survey polled homeowners and renters between June 2010 and July 2010. Findings were compared to a similar survey conducted by Fannie Mae from December 2009 to January 2010 and released in April 2010, and a similar survey conducted in 2003.
OVERVIEW OF KEY FINDINGS
Consumers More Confident That Housing Market Has Bottomed, But Less Certain About the Future
The survey revealed that Americans are feeling increasingly more confident that the housing market has hit bottom, but they are less certain about the longer-term prospects for homeownership.
Consumers Continue to Be Cautious in Housing Decisions
The survey showed that consumers are taking on less risk, and are more uncertain about owning versus renting.
Views on Homeownership Diverge Among Sub-groups
The survey also found that mortgage borrowers and underwater mortgage borrowers are less discouraged about homeownership, but delinquent borrowers and renters are growing more pessimistic.
Economic and Housing Attitudes Among Minority Respondents
The survey showed a mix of optimism and concern among African-Americans and Hispanics as to how they think about the economy, their financial situations and abilities to obtain a mortgage.
A fact sheet containing a complete set of the survey’s key findings can be found at: Fannie Mae National Housing Survey Fact Sheet.
Survey Methodology
From June 12, 2010 — July 14, 2010, 3,399 telephone interviews were conducted with Americans aged 18 and older to assess their confidence in homeownership as an investment, the current state of their household finances, views on the U.S. housing finance system and overall confidence in the economy.
This included a random sample of 3,001 members of the general population, including 870 homeowners, 1,020 mortgage borrowers, 900 renters, and 289 underwater borrowers (those who report owing at least 5% more on their mortgage than their home is worth). The overall margin of error for the general population sample is +/- 1.79% and larger for sub-groups.
An additional oversample of 398 random national delinquent borrowers was also polled. The margin of error for the delinquent borrower oversample is +/- 4.91% and larger for sub-groups. Delinquency was defined as not having made a mortgage payment in the past 60 or more days.
Interviews were conducted by Penn Schoen Berland, in coordination with Fannie Mae.
For more information about the survey, visit http://www.fanniemae.com/about/housing-survey.html.
Fannie Mae exists to expand affordable housing and bring global capital to local communities in order to serve the U.S. housing market. Fannie Mae has a federal charter and operates in America’s secondary mortgage market to enhance the liquidity of the mortgage market by providing funds to mortgage bankers and other lenders so that they may lend to home buyers. Our job is to help those who house America.- SOURCE Fannie Mae
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Annadale, Eltingville, Tottenville, Princess Bay, Huguenot , Richmond Town-which location is selling?
There are many homes for sale on Staten Island and it seems that what sells and what doesn’t use to ONLY depend on, LOCATION-LOCATION-LOCATION. However in today’s market place, the rule of thumb has changed.
Location still is a major factor, but price and sellers financial situation seems to be something that is weighed just as much.
If a home is located, for example, in Richmond Town, but the potential buyer really wanted in Tottenville, because it was close to family members who live in New Jersey. They weigh what is more important to them as this point in time. The sale price in Richmond Town may be much lower due to a short sale, bank owned or foreclosure, making the extra travel time worth it.
The same goes for people who would rather be closer to Verrazzano Bridge but decides to go for the lower priced home in Tottenville.
Peoples financial situations have come into play so drastically that location is something that many have chosen to forego to live in a home that they can comfortably afford.
This is why it is within the sellers interest to price their home correctly as soon as it comes on the market. It may not be their renovated kitchen or their property size, nor does it totally matter if their located on one side of the island or the other. I am not saying you have to “give your home away”, I am saying you have to be realistic if your serious about moving.
HOWEVER, the good news here is, the sellers will now become buyers, and they will benefit from this LOW INTEREST RATE, LOWER PRICED HOME SALES. Making for an even exchange. You get less, you pay less.
So when thinking of putting your home on the market, after you’ve interviewed your realtor and decided which one will be best for you, then listen carefully to what they have to say.
If it can be seen IN BLACK AND WHITE, WHAT YOUR HOME WILL SELL FOR, then be smarter than the next seller and price it to SELL!
To read more informative information, just go to cathycataletto.com.
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This blog: Annadale, Eltingville, Tottenville, Princess Bay, Hugeunot, Richmond Town-which location is selling?
During this market place we’re in and the changing guidelines of the mortgage companies and banks, it is so important to keep educated as to the changes. People ask me everyday on the market conditions, the prices of the homes and how hard is it to get a mortgage. Obviously, every transaction is different from the next but what I found while doing some research that there is a certain “guideline” a potential buyer can use.
Below you will find a link that will give you some informative information in regards to mortgages.
INFORMATIVE MORTGAGE GUIDELINES
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There has been so many financial distress situations in this market. Jobs are not what they use to be. As I sit in kitchens all over Staten Island, New York and in Monmouth County, New Jersey, there is one story after another of how their families are being affected by it. Some are experiencing short sales, foreclosures or they’re on the edge of becoming another statistic.
Though in real estate there will always be movement due to the fact that everyone needs a place to live. People may want to move or may have to move, what ever the situation, I still have to “help” with their needs.
Job hours cut, big and small business are down sizing, doors are closing leaving many families with bills they can no longer pay.
With that said, I found this budget site and may help some families to survive their situation until more opportunities come around.
I hope this information is useful.

These days, going without a family budget is not an option–families of all income brackets are watching where their dollars go. Setting up a family budget can be confusing, but these guides will help you effectively maintain yours.
Composing a family budget should be a group effort, otherwise family members may feel as though they didn’t have a say in how money is to be spent and distributed. For this Read More
When making a family budget, the goal is to allow clarity for the family by instituting a system that saves time and energy. Put together a ledger or spreadsheet when Read More
A great family budget trick to follow is called the envelop system, which calls for individuals identifying current expenses and placing just enough money in an envelop to Read More
It can be hard living on a limited amount of money each week for your family. When there’s a failing economy or a lack of jobs in your area, it can be hard trying to decide Read More
When living expenses rise at a faster pace than income, families find it more and more difficult to meet their monthly household budgets. It is precisely during times of Read More
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American family spends almost one third of its monthly income on housing, much more than anything else. Check out Read More
The first step toward making a bi-monthly family budget is gathering information. The better records you’ve been keeping, the more accurate your budgeting will be. Ideally, Read More
When setting up a family budget, use computer software to create a spreadsheet or ledger that can be printed out for everybody to understand. Make sure that bills are paid Read More
Managing the financial health of your family can be a complicated and difficult task. Maintaining control of your household finances through the use of a family budget is Read More
Setting up a family budget in Quicken gives you a place to establish financial goals and track spending. Quicken was designed to assist in forming a family budget quickly Read More
It is always important to stay on top of your family’s financial health. One of the best ways to do this is by keeping an accurate family budget. Using Google Spreadsheets Read More
In today’s economic environment, many people are asking themselves how they will make their dollars go further. This article gives step-by-step instructions on how to Read More
In tight economic times, there are some creative strategies you can employ to save money at the food market. Taking more time finding deals and preparing food yourself can Read More
When planning a family vacation, budgeting should be done far in advance and should take tickets, fuel and vehicle costs into account. Budget family trips with tips from a Read More
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Color plays a BIGGER part in selling a house then one may realize. How you decide to dress your walls or “undress your walls” can convince a buyer that your home is move-in ready or leave them looking elsewhere. If the goal is to see the sparkle of “love at first sight,” consider picking the right paint palette to suit MANY different tastes.
Picking The PERFECT Colors:
Color choices are plentiful, as are the types of paints. When selecting interior colors, consider how you use each room or the feeling that you want to create for the space. Pick loud colors and your home will seem too busy. White is a great accent, but for walls it is a harsh and cold color. Instead of white, choose warm, inviting and neutral paint colors such as warm weights, linens, warm beige and olive tones.
The best rule of thumb for home remodeling is to stick to a color palette that isn’t too bland but also isn’t too bold. For smaller spaces, such as bathrooms, small bedrooms or sitting rooms, choose colors that make the room look bigger such as warmer whites. For the bigger rooms, select a paint that is a couple shades darker to create a cozy atmosphere, such as a tan color for walls, with white trim. With the average size bedrooms, I recommend the calming paint colors, they seem to work best.
Make sure the palette you create flows from room to room. You don’t want your home to look like a rainbow or a box of canyons. At paint stores, purchase a smaller can of paint and test it on the walls before committing to the color for the entire room.
If you have a room painted a UNSUAL color due to someone wanting to EXPRESS themselves. Then I HIGHLY recommend my clients to tone it down and allow the potential buyers to be able to see the possibilities for their own EXPRESSIONS.
Wallpaper Can Be A “Turnoff” And be DIFFICULT AND COSTLY TO “COME OFF”:
My experience with wall paper is that buyers never seem to enjoy the same patterns as the sellers. They then look at this as AN EXTRA COST, TROUBLE AND TIME in having to hire someone SOMEONE TO remove it. Buyers are also afraid of what they may find behind the wallpaper, will the sheet rock be in tact, will the walls now need to be repaired?
LOOK UP:
I can’t express the importance of repairing and painting any old water stains that might have been caused by a ONE TIME over flow from the kids splashing in the bathtub or a broken dishwasher. Make sure the problem (for what ever caused the stain) is repaired and remove anything that may give the buyers the wrong impression.
WATER PROBLEMS SCARE ALMOST EVERYONE
This also is true for cracks in the ceilings too. The best built house will at one time or another experience “settlement cracks”. This can be easily corrected with tape and compound, with some final paint touch up.
I hope these tips will come in handy. I’ve been in many homes for sale in Staten Island, New York as well as Monmouth County, New Jersey, and though style and sizes are almost always different, the BUYERS SEEM TO BE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.
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There are a lot of buyers out there shopping for a home to buy. Why did their house sell and mind didn’t?
The simple answer is, how is it priced? I am not heading toward, let’s price is low and “GIVE YOUR HOUSE AWAY“. It is pricing it where it brings you in offers that make you IN CONTROL of the BEST PRICE YOU GET. Now keep in mind that the HIGHEST offer is NOT USUALLY your BEST OFFER. Your BEST offer is where the get a fair price from the BEST BUYER. I know how difficult it is to feel like you’re throwing money away but in reality you can’t lose something you never had. If that higher offer comes with a buyer with issues, low credit score, past foreclosures, income ratio, something to sell, if this is a second home, how long have they had their job. There are so many factors that come into play, which might be the reason why this buyer comes in with a higher price. They probably know, or have a feeling that due to the fact that they are NOT THE BEST OF BUYERS, that they need to give more money then what your home may be worth in the present market to more or less entice a seller to go with them.
Also, when you over price a house, you must know that you COMPETITION LOVES YOU and can’t thank you enough, because what you just did was SELL THEIR HOUSE. You merchandise them right into their home. Leaving your home STILL ON THE MARKET!
If you feel, ok I know my Agent did a proper CMA, and it should be priced at “this amount” well I just want to try it at this higher price, I just want to make sure I’m not giving my house away, during that CRITICAL FIRST TIME ON THE MARKET, may be how you lost that buyer that was waiting for your home to come on the market.
Another reasoning I find from my sellers is that, if they like my house, they will make me an offer. Now let me ask you a question? Especially with all the foreclosures, short sales and bank owned properties out there, though they may seem like they’re a slam dunk to buy, in reality they aren’t and a good agent can educate your potential buyer as to why it would be within their best interest to purchase a home without these issues.
Why would a buyer “make an offer” on a house that is overpriced, when the inventory has plenty at a lower price? THEY WON’T. So there is yet another reason why you may have lost your buyer.
I can continue on about this, but I think I hit on a few of the main reasons why pricing your home CORRECTLY from the start will in fact give you a better chance of getting more money for your home, then if you price it high.
Just keep in mind that if you do your homework and interview a few experienced real estate agents, and they can show you in black and white what your home is worth, use your common sense and you may be pleased and surprised with the outcome.
If you would like more informative and interesting blogs you can visit me at: cathycataletto.com
See all the homes for sale on Staten Island.
Through out the years of me selling homes, I have been VERY FORTUNATE to help families move on, to get their dream home or to financially make them whole and secure. Many of those clients would be happy to give me a great recommendation and many of them don’t fall into the blog below. I have found though in my profession you wear
MANY DIFFERENT HATS, AND YOU DO COME ACROSS THINGS THAT ARE NOT THE NORM. I would like to share this with you and give you a peek in the world of real estate and hopeful to make you smile today!
PSYCHOLOGIST…NUN…ACTRESS…MOMMY…JUDGE…ARE JUST A FEW THINGS I WANTED TO DO WHEN I GREW UP.
WHO KNEW I WOULD GET TO BE ALL OF THE ABOVE…BY JUST BY BEING A REAL ESTATE AGENT….!! OKAY ALL EXCEPT A NUN.. WELL ACTUALLY I CAN BECAUSE A FEW TIMES I PRAYED LIKE CRAZY THAT THE BUYERS WERE ABLE TO GET A MORTGAGE
I HAVE SEEN…HEARD…AND EXPERIENCED THINGS IN THIS “PROFESSION” THAT I WOULD’VE NEVER DREAMED I WOULD..AND WHAT SCARES ME IS…WHO KNOWS WHAT IS NEXT. WHEN I SAY, GEE, THAT’S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE..GUESS WHAT??,..IT DOES!~
I’M DRIVING IN MY CAR…TRYING TO KEEP THE HAPPY COUPLE THAT JUST GOT INTO MY CAR ONLY A FEW HOURS AGO…FROM COMMITTING A MURDER SUICIDE…ON EACH OTHER…THE PSYCHOLOGIST NOW COMES OUT IN ME..WHAT I’M TRYING TO SAY TO THEM TO MAKE THEM RELAX IS NOT WORKING SO NOW I TRY TO MAKE A JOKE..I SAY..”LET’S JUST RELAX..I NEVER LOST A COUPLE YET”…ONLY TO HEAR…FROM THE BACK SEAT…”THERE’S ALWAYS A FIRST TIME”…
THEN YOU BECOME THE MOMMY TRYING TO KEEP THE “KIDS/CLIENTS/CUSTOMERS” STAYING TOGETHER…AS YOU’RE WALKING THROUGH THE HOMES FOR SALE..MAKING SURE THEY DON’T TOUCH THINGS..MAKING SURE THEY DON’T RUN OFF ON THEIR OWN…OR IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS…TRYING TO MAKE SURE THEY BEHAVE…AND NOT MENTION THE “AROMA” IN THE HOME.. I HAD A CHILD SAY..PEEEE UUUUUU MOMMY IT STINKS LIKE DOODY IN HERE OR ASK A QUESTION THAT YOU WISH YOU COULD JUST SINK THROUGH THE FLOOR AND DISAPPEAR…
THE ACADAMY AWARD
GOES TO MS. AGENT FOR BEST ACTRESS WHEN LITTLE JOHNNY AND LITTLE MARY….DROP THEIR GUM, SPILL THEIR DRINKS AND WHIP THEIR ANGELIC STICKY HANDS ALL OVER THE UPHOLSTERY CAR SEATS,
AS I PRETEND LIKE IT’S NO BIG DEAL…I HATED MY NEW CAR ANYWAY…
FINALLY BEFORE THE BUYERS EVEN GET A CHANCE TO MAKE AN OFFER…THEY BOTH LOOK AT YOU…TO BE THE JUDGE TO THEIR JUST HEATED CONVERSATION…WELL..CATHY…WHAT DO YOU THINK??..IS HE RIGHT..? OR AM I RIGHT??? ….
STOP!!!!!!!
“CHECK PLEASE”
ALL I WANT TO DO IS MAKE A FAMILY HAPPY.. ALL I WANT TO DO IS FIND THE PERFECT BUYER FOR THAT PERFECT SELLER…ALL I WANT TO DO IS MAKE A LIVING…ALL I WANT TO DO IS MY JOB…AND GUESS WHAT…THATS WHAT THIS IS…IT’S ALL A PART OF MY JOB..
SO I GUESS….THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE AFTER ALL!!!
BECAUSE I CAN BE EVERYTHING I WANTED…ALL ROLLED INTO ONE!
I LOVE MY JOB, I ENJOY AND TREASURE MY CLIENTS AND I HOPE THIS BLOG MADE YOU SMILE… If you want to read more of my blogs visit me at: cathycataletto.com
If you wish to search the internet like a real estate salesperson, click on this link and enjoy~
STATEN ISLAND, REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON-PSYCHOLOGIST-NUN-ACTRESS-MOMMY-JUDGE!

Main Street, Tottenville, Staten Island, New York
Tottenville with an area of approx. 1.7 square miles, is the southernmost neighborhood of Staten Island, New York City and New York State. Originally named Bentley Manor by one of its first settlers, Captain Christopher Billop (1638-1726), after a small ship he owned named the Bentley, the district was renamed Tottenville in 1869, apparently in honor of the locally prominent Totten family whose name can be seen on tombstones in one of the earliest churches, Bethel, on Amboy Road.
The Raritan band of the Unami Indians, a branch of the Lenape or Delaware nation, were the original inhabitants of all Staten Island, including Tottenville. The largest pre-European burial ground known as Burial Ridge, is located in Conference House Park.
One of the many landmarks in Tottenville is the Bethel United Methodist Church
(erected in 1840 and rebuilt on the same site in 1886 after a fire had destroyed the original structure), and an abandoned factory originally built-in 1900 for use as a smelting plant and later operated for recycling by Lucent Technologies (which closed the facility in 2001), stand at the northern approaches to the neighborhood.
Our Lady Help Of Christians, aka OLHC, is located on Amboy Road, corner of Yetman Avenue. There are many different house of worships in Tottenville, all with their own historic beginnings. Along with it’s own Firehouse, Police Department, Library, Stores and Plenty of Public Transportion.
The History behind the Billop Family is also something to read about. You can find this information at the Conference House which is located at the end of Hylan Blvd. There are also can have a tour of the Historic Building and it’s History!
This Beautiful town also offers a Historical Society. There you can get almost everything you curiosity needs to know!
The homes I’ve sold here have a wide variety. There are many 2 family homes, making for extended families comfortable to live together. Also with the 2 family homes, it gives that homeowner an added income. One the older homes, the property that comes with it is unusually large which adds greater value to their home.
I personally find that anyone wanting to live in New Jersey because of that rural lifestyle but can’t because either their civil service workers, police officers, fire fighters, or simply because the property taxes are too high that they purchase homes in Tottenville. I find that this area is on of the last rural areas on Staten Island.
Another great feature is the Conference House Park, there you can find activities, events and more information on this Historical Town.
So if you are planning on moving to Tottenville or want to visit, make sure you see everything it has to offer.
Tottenville, Staten Island, New York Has Many Hidden Treasures!
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Oakwood Welcome Sign with Amundsen Circle in the background
Oakwood is the name of a neighborhood located in east central Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City. It lies near the southern shore, and is bordered by Ebbitts Street (north); the Atlantic Ocean (east); Great Kills Park (south); and the Staten Island Railway (west).
The community’s station on the Staten Island Railway bears the name Oakwood Heights, because of the fact that the neighborhood is divided into two sections: Oakwood Heights, to the west, and Oakwood Beach, to the east. The area’s bus service is provided by the S57 (along Amboy Road), and the S78, and S79 buses (along Hylan Boulevard).
Dominated by farmland in the heights area, and an ocean resort in the beach area until the mid-20th Century, Oakwood started suburbanization when a subway line was proposed between Brooklyn and Staten Island, and it underwent rapid suburbanization after the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge opened in November 1964. Today, Oakwood is a middle-class neighborhood of one and two-family homes and garden apartments, with important commercial establishments along Hylan Boulevard.
The neighborhood has a coastline on the Lower New York Bay; the coastal area is sometimes referred to as Oakwood Beach, and is the site of a sewage treatment facility. Bordering this facility on the south is the Staten Island Unit of the Gateway National Recreation Area, also known locally (and formerly, officially) as Great Kills Park.
The Greenbelt woods located along Riedel Avenue have some concrete artifacts (such as a piece of sidewalk located near the pond at Riedel and Thomas Street), and pieces of the Great Depression can be occasionally found along the trails, such as bricks or chimneys or foundations of houses that were once located in the area, when it was still rural.
Stores and public transportation along with the fact that Oakwood is CENTRALLY LOCATED, makes this a very sought off area to live in.
Oakwood-Staten Island-New York-Some great information!
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