Fixing up a new home is inevitable in many home purchases, but so many materials are often overlooked. There are a handful of on-trend items right now that homeowners may be forgetting when they're redesigning their new home. Take a look at these-- sometimes unconventional --choices:

Countertops
Concrete These countertops do stain easily and require maintenance, but they can provide an amazing industrial look.
Synthetic Solid Surface Synthetic or manufactured solid surface countertops are often composed of acrylic or polyester resins combined with other materials such as marble dust. They have a particularly high environmental impact and are not recyclable, though they’re often sought after for being less expensive than granite or marble, and are non-porous. 
Paper Composite Paper composite surfaces are made from recycled paper fibers which are combined with resin to create a smooth, matte surface that is stain and heat-proof, as well as easy to install.  
Butcher Block  These more affordable tops are usually best bought through sustainably managed sources to avoid tipping the environmental impact scale, and can be made in a variety of hardwoods, finished with waxes or drying/nondrying oils. End grain butcher block tops get their unique look with fused pieces of wood rails. It’s important to remember that these should be maintained with sanding and oiling, and should never be directly cut on or scraped. 


Backsplashes and Walls
Mirror Mirrors make all spaces look larger while reflecting light, so they’re a good backsplash choice for a smaller kitchen. 
Fishscale Tiles  This is a particularly trendy look for coastal-themed homes. Also called scallop or fan tiles, these are an amazing backsplash look, but they also work amazingly well on an entire wall or even the floor! 

Flooring
Carpet tile  You’ve probably seen them in many a public place, like your child’s daycare— and for good reason! Coming in square sheets instead of an entire roll that requires measuring, cutting, and the ever-painful kicking is easy to install and to clean or replace. This is a great material for a basement, a home gym, or a playroom. 
Rubber Flooring This one has the opportunity to be extremely eco-friendly! That is of course if it’s made from recycled tires that would otherwise be sitting in a landfill. The texture of this flooring surface can be either bumpy or smooth and naturally gives a good feeling underfoot while acting as a great sound insulator.
Terrazzo Tiles Terrazzo Tiles are another popular choice for public places but they're now becoming a favorable material in the home. As a cost-effective material made up of recycled mirror and marble, these allow minimal maintenance and strong durability. 


And Beyond
Steel-Framed Showers Somewhere between industrial modern and stylish vintage, dark, steel frames are popping up bathrooms. The window-like quality if often played up in larger standing showers, and almost gives a conservatory look indoors. 
Vintage Furniture Antiques can often be repurposed to fit aspects of your new home that need a reimagining. Bathroom vanities or kitchen islands are great spots to use vintage tables and cabinets.

Regardless of your material preference, a great home starts with a great agent. Give me a call today!
Jeff Mistretta  631-484-0133 | [email protected]

The beginning of 2017 may be the best time to get a house on the market for anyone considering a change of scenery, but there are two major questions stopping them, “Why,” and “How?” 
There are plenty of reasons why this could be your best bet, the first: 2016 being named the year of low inventory. Trulia’s research concluded that hitting the market before other houses do this year is more than likely to get you sold as soon as possible. The beginning of the year is also an important period of time for different reasons depending on the climate you’re selling in. Houses in warmer areas may be more desirable in the winter, and colder areas are less appealing to those looking to browse. For cold-weather climates, a sense of urgency in buying is often fueled by the desire to not waste any time checking out every yard of every available house in the neighborhood. In addition, the probability that interests rates will be climbing in the next few years is higher, considering how low they’ve been in the past. If a potential interest rate spike is on its way, now is the time to move!
If you’ve already gotten started on the selling process, but haven’t received many bites, you may have trouble finding out how to up the appeal of your property. Taking the same approach to your own home that you would to a flipped house may be worth attempting, though it’s often overwhelming to figure out how to start. For high-energy sellers, this could be a great way to get better bids. Before you start to think about upping curb appeal and staging decor for an open house, consider these areas to start with:
- The Basement This is oftentimes an area with no surface-level appeal. If you’ve already fixed the windows, plumbing, flooring, and the like, you may want to start sprucing the place up. It doesn’t have to be a completely finished basement (though that couldn’t hurt!) but establishing a sense of utility and desirability to be down there could be a major selling point. 
- The Bathroom(s) Adding a half bath to have the minimum desired number of 1.5 bathrooms may be an in-depth investment, but for a flipper, it’s a necessity! Changing the fixtures and even updating the toilet are all less-expensive upgrades that won’t take up too much of your time.
- Cooking and Eating Areas Is a kitchen island or a breakfast bar a feature that would compliment the space? Are there any walls that can be knocked out? How versatile is the area for both modern and traditional buyers, and how easily can you refinish the cabinets? 
 - The Living Room This one is a no-brainer. Changing or removing the wallpaper or getting a fresh coat of paint on the walls can make a huge difference in the feel of the space. If it’s the most commonly used room in the house, it’s time to fix up any chips in the molding and holes in the walls from previously hung frames or decor. Remember, if you can DIY it, you should! Most high-end looking features ranging from lighting to storage can be replicated at a less expensive cost. Play around with things like wainscoting or shelving to get an expensive look for half the price.  
Have you flipped a house before? How many ways can you update and refinish your home within a budget? Let’s get started today!
Jeff Mistretta  631-484-0133 | [email protected]

The new year is almost here, and you may be thinking about all of the things you didn’t get done in 2016. Rather than mourning the time you missed, why not start a list of all the things you can do in 2017? This is a great opportunity for new or soon-to-be homeowners to gather their thoughts on all the possibilities they may have for their space. How many projects will you start?
The 2017 Home Bucket List:

• Refresh (or add to) what’s hanging on your walls.
• Paint your ceiling.
• Remodel and rethink your closet situation.
• Build a home theater.
• Put in a skylight.
• Add a kitchen island. 
• Install new flooring.
• Build a sun porch.
• Make space for a home office that you love to work in. 
• Install a garbage disposal.
• Add a rec-room.
• Build a library.
• Hang a hammock.
• Install surround-sound.
• Turn your basement into a wine cellar.
• Add an outdoor fire pit.
• Make use of unconventional—but thoughtful—storage solutions.
• Build a walk-in pantry.
• Clear out your garage to park in it.
• Add a fireplace.
• Install solar panels.
• Create a mudroom.
• Add a bar outdoors, indoors, or combine with accordion glass windows.
• Turn your attic into a hideaway.
• Build a breakfast nook.
• Add a balcony.
• Install a tub that you can fit in comfortably. 
• Make space for a real garden.
• Add an in-ground pool (even just a small one).

How many ideas of your own should be added to this list? If you’re still searching for your dream home, get in touch with us today!

Jeff Mistretta  631-484-0133 | [email protected]

• In 2005, 9% of new homes were 1,400 square feet or smaller.
• In 2015, 4% of new homes sold were 1,400 square feet or smaller.
• In 2005, 7% of new home sales were for houses 4,000 square feet and up.
• In 2015, 11% of new home sales were for houses 4,000 square feet and up.

For years, developers had been building larger houses, as wealthier buyers who wanted grander homes were the only people who would qualify under tougher mortgage standards. Recently, lot availability has declined and become more expensive, causing builder profit margins to become tighter, so builders have more of an incentive to build large homes that will sell for a higher price. Distressed sales rates are still over double what they were in the year 2000, many featuring medium to smaller-sized homes— giving developers even less of an incentive to build small homes. However, this doesn’t speak to the rate at which modest houses are being purchased. Odds are, those who aren’t buying brand new homes are taking advantage of the availability of more affordable, smaller ones.



After World War II, financial struggles gave birth to the modern midcentury homes that so many people know and love; a style returning to the tiny house movement and newer postmodern styles. The beauty of some of these great homes is what can be done to fully take advantage of the space by combining midcentury storage design and visuals with fresher ideas. One great style to turn to is the open floor plan, which should be executed thoughtfully; it’s important to consider the level of privacy needed for each space of the home, be it bedrooms, bathrooms, home offices, etc.



Playing with blurred layering and zone separation are important concepts to consider when remodeling a smaller space in order to keep your open area from feeling stale. Features like floor level, islands, furniture placement, and lighting can have a major impact on the feeling of space within a home. Utilize natural light and highlight areas of importance with a skylight or angled light. Allow the different areas of your home to be viewed from multiple angles by occasionally blurring the boundaries between two— like the kitchen and the dining area. Selecting the right furniture will also make a major difference in creating a great sense of space, like layering different heights to break up uniformity, as will utilizing smart storage practices.




 For houses of any size and budget, contact the Mistretta Group today!

Jeff Mistretta  631-484-0133  [email protected]

The Scandinavian look has been a popular design trend in past years, especially in the fall and winter due to its appeal to the chilly seasons. In the past, real and faux-fur accents and cold metals have been the focal points of minimalist, organic features of homes. Currently, gray flooring is making a major comeback to add to an already calm color scheme; unlike the stained concrete which became particularly trendy in the recent past, grey-stained wood floors could become a major staple to compliment homes. This could majorly increase homeowners’ freedom in decorating and painting, as well as maintaining a unique, modern appearance to update any house. 



Warm and cool subdued tones and moody hues are predicted by paint and decor companies to dominate in the new year, compared to the louder, brighter colors of 2016. Jewel tones and baby pastels are sure to take a backseat this time around. Especially appealing in the coziness of your warm home in the winter, 2017 brings soft neutrals that will easily transition into the following seasons. Sherwin-Williams introduces Poised Taupe as a counterpoint to the cool gray that has become popular recently, as does Olympic’s purple-hued Cloudberry and Glidden’s Byzantine Blue. Industry experts cite mindfulness, harmony, coziness, and meditation as their prime focus for each new color; this might be an especially beneficial switch for homeowners who might need a visual refresher in their homes. For new homeowners, these hues could be a great solution to assembling fresh spaces after their move. For a major punch of color, a nostalgic warm gold— Honey Glow from Dunn-Edwards—can become a great accent color or could be used in an entire room for a serious mood boost, and the complex and contemporary Shadow 2117-30 by Benjamin Moore is a weighty choice for anyone looking for a unique pick. 
Whatever 2017 brings design-wise, the one thing you can always count on in putting together your new home is a great real estate agent! 
Jeff Mistretta  631-484-0133 
[email protected]

November and December aren’t the easiest possible months to move into a new house, but they’re oftentimes the most inexpensive! With the busiest and most expensive moving season behind you, moving in the late fall may be a smart choice of yours or a last resort, but it doesn’t have to be nightmare. Here are some easy tips and tricks that you can keep in mind while you prepare your move whether it’s sometime soon around Thanksgiving, or throughout the December holiday season. 

• Send out a Change of Address card. 
  • This can kill two birds with one stone: Announce your new address while also sending out a lovely holiday card to your friends and family! 
• Pack early.
  • As difficult as this one sounds, it’ll be a lot easier with all of your spring and summer gear already packed up (hopefully) for the winter. 
• Pack and label based on necessity.
  • As you’re packing, try to keep everything in boxes that have a theme, or at least that feature items used at a similar frequency. 
• Choose the right movers 
  • Call a few different providers to compare rates and make sure to check the reviews. Movers are usually less expensive around this time, but many often run holiday hours that could delay your move!
• Pack decorations that can be opened and set up easily, or wait to buy until you’re in your new home.
  • It might be a good time to part ways with older decorations that take a little more effort to set up outside. 
• Ship gifts and cards ahead of time.
  • Sending out holiday cards and gifts a little early is a whole lot better than trying to send them out late. Plus, it’s one less thing to worry about while you’re setting up your new home. 
• Keep old traditions, but try to introduce a few new ones.
  • Especially for kids! Leaving home during the holidays might be a little traumatic if some of your family members are taking the move harder than you expected. Try to distract them with a new tradition. 
• Set up your utilities in advance and make dinner arrangements ahead of time.
  • You and your family will thank yourself later. 
• Prepare with snow gear.
  • If it’s already starting to get frosty, you’ll be prepared with shovels and salt!

Of course, another wise decision for making your holiday relocation a breeze is to use the right real estate agent. My clients are everything to me, and providing them with help for their move, no matter what time of year, is my policy. Get in touch with me today for any of your real estate needs. 
Jeff Mistretta  (631) 484-0133  [email protected]

The weekend is approaching, Halloween is over, and hopefully your busy schedule has calmed down a bit. If you’re lacking plans, you might want to spend a little time updating, reorganizing, cleaning, and taking care of those little tasks you didn’t get to this week (or even in the past few months). We’ve compiled a list of tasks that you might have been meaning to get to, and maybe a few you never thought of! Try to tackle at least one a day for a productive weekend: 

• Despite these occasional bursts of warmth, winter is coming. Put away most of the summer items you won’t be needing come mid-November, especially anything you’ve been meaning to throw out! You can also donate whatever you don’t want anymore. You’ll thank yourself in May when you’re doing your spring cleaning! 
• Get the patio furniture and the cushions that go with them clean and put away or covered, as well as giving the grill a good cleaning. 
• Clean your room a little more intensely than you normally would while you break out your cold weather linens.
• Flip and rotate your mattresses.
• Get your outdoor plants used to the temperatures indoors while the weather is still mild enough not to shock them.
• Take out and put away your window AC unit. 
• Give your lamps and shades a quick dusting to rid them of pollen and dust before you spend the next few months sealed up for winter. 
• Switch up your decor, without going shopping! Rearranging furniture, gallery walls, and decor you already have on hand can create a fresh look for the changing seasons. 

...especially if you’re doing it alone. The stress of remembering to check every aspect of your possible new home can often make you forget about vital areas of the space that need inspection. Refresh your memory on the sometimes overlooked—but necessary— spots you should check. 

                1.            Check the Roof                 ⁃              How old is it? Newer roofs have a life expectancy of only 15-20 years, and a replacement is a very expensive process. If the property has roof that is more flat than sloped, ask about the material used to seal it. 
                2.            How is the attic?                  ⁃              Used mostly as a storage space, it’s a generally overlooked area, though an important one. How much space is up there? What is the condition of the floor? Where can you access it and how easily? Is there insulation? Would it be useful to convert it to another room?
                3.            Inspect the plumbing                  ⁃              This seems like a no-brainer, but buyers sometimes forget to run through all the steps of checking this part of the house, aside from asking simple questions. Run all of the taps to check the quality of the water, as well as the pressure. How old are the pipes? Are they insulated? How old is the boiler? Are there any lead pipes which haven’t been replaced yet?
                4.            Which direction does the house face?                  ⁃              This will affect not only your heating and cooling bills, but also your mentality. Knowing whether a house will be warm and sunny or cool and dark can make all the difference. Take a look at the surrounding foliage and other structures, and don’t be afraid to use that compass feature on your phone!
                5.            Turn On The Heating and cooling systems                  ⁃              This might feel like the most important step you might have missed when you’re sweating on hot summer days or struggling to keep warm in the winter.
                6.            Look under the carpet                 ⁃              Are there hardwood floors under there? Is there mildew? Is it obvious that the sellers were pet-owners? Check the closets to see if the flooring was originally wood!

You don’t have to completely renovate your property; there are three simple things you can do that will make your home feel brand new.
Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report.  Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale.
Let’s be honest — a lot of the time, life gets in the way and our homes take the brunt of the abuse. Whether you’re selling your home or not, it may be time to upgrade your property. Here are a few ways to upgrade your home:

1. Get rid of the clutter. Everyone says that you need to declutter your home, but what exactly does that mean? I recommend getting three or four large plastic bins for things that you haven’t used in the last couple of years. If you plan on storing these items, make a list of everything in each box before you put the boxes in your garage or attic. That way, if you do need something before you move, you will know exactly which box it is in. You can also donate things you don’t need anymore.

2. Paint your home. Make sure you are cutting in and making those edges perfect. Consider taking a painting class ahead of time to learn better techniques and which colors complement each other.

3. Upgrade the hardware. Replacing the kitchen hardware, doorknobs, or bathroom fixtures is an easy way to upgrade your home. Whether you go with an antique brass look or a brushed bronze, whatever you choose will really clean up the look of the house.


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Changing the doorknobs or kitchen hardware is a great way to update your home.
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These are just a few ways to make your home stand out from the competition. Even if you’re not selling your home, you can enjoy these new changes and the updated look of your property.

If you can’t do these jobs on your own and you need a recommendation, please let me know. I can put you in touch with a painter, electrician, or plumber who will do a wonderful job. Also, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions. I would be happy to help you!

Want to sell your home? Get a FREE home value report.  Want to buy a home? Search all homes for sale.
I’m asked quite often about short sales, so I’d like to discuss them with you today.

A short sale is what happens when a homeowner or a seller owes more money on the home they are selling than what a buyer would potentially pay for it. 

If, for instance, a seller owes $400,000 on their home but is looking to sell it for around $300,000, they would be considered upside-down on the property. A short sale would take place when they notify a Realtor that they’re looking sell, the house hits the market, and the seller is fully aware that they will have to negotiate with their current mortgage company to allow them to move on from the property after they find a buyer willing to pay fair market value.


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A short sale happens when a seller owes more on their home than what it’s worth.
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This is a very brief summary of a short sale, so if you’re finding yourself interested in the idea of a short sale while you’re searching for a home, please give me a call or send me an email for a more in-depth explanation about what kinds of control you do and do not have as a purchaser.  I hope to talk to you soon!

I wanted to talk today about what exactly a market analysis is. You may also hear it referred to as a CMA (current market analysis).

It really consists of all the data from your neighborhood related to homes selling, failing to sell, or going under contract which affect the value of your home. Be warned, though; while this information is very useful, it should only be interpreted by professional Realtors who are very familiar with marketing, market analysis on home trends, and what's going on in your specific neighborhood.

I personally don't like using the term "comp," which is short for comparable, for a home that's similar to yours that recently sold. Every homeowner is really specific with the upgrades they have made and the individual care they take of their home. It's really difficult to say that a home nearby is "just like yours." I try to avoid doing that.


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I always suggest that my clients have a plan B in case things don’t line up.
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The most important thing in understanding market trends and market value is to really zero in on the buyer behavior. Track what buyers are looking for in a particular area or neighborhood like layout, spacing, the yard, or the school district.

That's why it's so important to hire a Realtor who understands what buyers are willing to spend for your home today. Feel free to contact me for a more in-depth look at your home and neighborhood if you're looking to sell.