Coldwell Banker American Homes Blog

Buying your first home comes with a lot of pressure. It's a large financial decision, and you're most likely going to be there for the long term. You want to get it right.

Most home shoppers tour dozens of properties before deciding on one. While we do believe in love at first sight when it comes to home shopping, it's fairly uncommon. Rather, determining if a home is right for you comes down to numerous objective and subjective factors. If you're trying to decide whether to purchase a particular home, here are some tips from our real estate agents:

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Tired of eating the same thing every weekend? When you live in a diverse place like Long Island, there is always a new restaurant to try. Visiting an upscale, international-themed restaurant is the best way to find your new favorite cuisine. Latin-fusion, Caribbean, Mediterranean, or Indian — you'll find some of the very best food right here in your own backyard.

Our real estate agents are always trying new restaurants on the weekend, and there are several we can't stop talking about. Here is a quick list of some new International restaurants we've discovered this year:

• Blend On The Water - 45-40 Center Blvd, Queens, NY 11109
  Combine excellent Latin-inspired cuisine and beautiful views of the East River at Blend On The Water. This upscale Long Island restaurant has a unique menu and a stunning atmosphere that makes for a great date night destination. Choose from small plates, seafood, or classic Latin entrees. Plus, enjoy amazing cocktails and desserts. To ensure you get the best view, make sure to make reservations!
  
  
• Akbar - 2 South St, Garden City, NY 11530
  Authentic, flavorful Indian cuisine in an upscale atmosphere can be found at this Garden City restaurant. Akbar serves Northern Indian cuisine, including all your favorite dishes, curries, and clay over specialties. There is a great wine and cocktail menu, plus a dinner buffet every Sunday. One trip to Akbar, and we're sure it'll make your list of favorite local restaurants.
  
  
• Blend - 47-04 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101
  Like its sister restaurant, Blend On The Water, Blend is also a Latin fusion restaurant with a warm, vibrant, and modern atmosphere; however, this one is located in Long Island City and has a slightly different vibe. The restaurant mixes upscale with comfortable and serves some of the most flavorful cuisine, including some of the best local paella you'll find. The drinks are delicious too! The restaurant is small and fills up quickly, so be sure to grab a reservation.
  
  
• Opus Mediterranean Steakhouse - 4 Old Jericho Turnpike, Jericho, NY 11753
  This place is truly a sight to see — Opus Mediterranean Steakhouse is a restaurant with grand, over-the-top architecture with an emphasis on elegance. The interior dining room features 25-foot cathedral ceilings and panoramic glass wall vistas. Outside, you'll find patio seating surrounded by beautiful gardens. The menu features upscale cuisine with a Mediterranean twist. Plus, they serve over 500 wines!
  
  
• NK Restaurant - 2367 Hempstead Tpke, East Meadow, NY 11554
  If you're in the mood for bold Caribbean flavors, head over to NK Restaurant. There are some truly unique dishes to try at this Long Island eatery. We recommend the Grilled Guava Rum Pork Chop or the Jerk Tomahawk for 2 — both are absolutely delicious. Don't forget to save room for Coconut Flan with Candied Star Fruit. After your meal, schedule a tour of one of these spectacular nearby East Meadow homes for sale.

Variety is the spice of life, which is why we're always up for trying something new. We're confident one of these Long Island eateries will become your new favorite. Contact us today for more local restaurant recommendations.

If you recently purchased your first home, congratulations! There is no other feeling quite like the excitement one experiences when stepping inside a new home for the first time. While it's a great time to celebrate, it's also time to start your journey down the long path of homeowner maintenance, which begins as soon as the keys are in your hands.

A new home is one of the largest purchases you'll ever make, so maintaining your investment is a job that starts on day one. There are many things you'll want to do as soon as you close to ensure you're home is clean, safe, and ready for your family. Our real estate agents always tell clients about the numerous maintenance tasks you'll want to cover shortly after closing, and here are some of the most important ones:

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When it comes to selling a property, the kitchen is the most important room in the house. It's the heart and center of the entire home and the room that potential buyers usually pay the most attention to when shopping. In fact, many buyers will instantly decide to pass on a home if they don't like the kitchen.

If you're going to invest in upgrades prior to listing your home, our real estate agents always recommend prioritizing the kitchen above all else. While a full kitchen remodel can be expensive, the good news is there are many affordable, straightforward things you can do to improve the look of your existing space. Here are some upgrades you can make that will really help your kitchen stand out:

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New breweries are popping up every year, and our old favorites are continuing to grow. It's safe to say the craft beer scene on Long Island remains one of the best in the country. In fact, Long Island is a destination for beer lovers all over the world. 

Our real estate agents love craft beer, and relaxing at local Long Island breweries is one of our favorite things to do on the weekends. We're lucky to have some of the best beer on the East Coast in our own backyard. There are so many awesome breweries on Long Island, that it'd be impossible to name them all; however, here is a quick list of some you should definitely explore:

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Autumn is one of our favorite seasons, as we get to enjoy the changing leaves, cooling temperatures, and pumpkin and maple flavors. It's also the time of year we begin to settle into our winter routines. However, there is a lot of fall home maintenance that needs to be done to prepare your home for the cold weather ahead.

Our real estate agents always encourage clients to take action in late fall to help prevent issues during the winter and ensure your home is ready for spring. Here is a fall home improvement checklist to help you do the same:

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Who doesn't love the amazing smell of a local bakery or ice cream parlor? Long Island is home to some of the country's best local dessert destinations. For those residents who are searching for an after-dinner treat or an assortment of desserts for a party or celebration, there are plenty of options to choose from.

It just so happens Dessert Day is in October, so it's the perfect excuse to indulge in your favorite sweet treat. If you're in the mood for a milkshake, cupcake, cookie, or ice cream, here is a list of local dessert shops from our real estate agents:

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When selling your home, your facade has a large role to play. It's front and center on your listing photos, and it's the first thing potential buyers see when touring your home. Making a good first impression is important for generating interest in your listing and foot traffic.

Our real estate agents always tell clients to never underestimate the power of curb appeal when it comes time to sell their home. Do everything you can to make the outside shine so buyers can fall in love at first sight. Here are a few curb appeal upgrades you should definitely make before selling:

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