Kathleen Elie

08/31/2026

Planning to sell this fall? Our agents at Laffey Real Estate share what Long Island homeowners should expect from a longer market timeline and how to prepare.

08/21/2026

Can This Home Adapt to Your Future Needs?
When visiting a property, it's important to think beyond the upgrades and ask yourself if this floor plan will still suit your needs five, 10, even 20 years from now. Needs change with age, or when multigenerational families come together, or even if a loved one finds that stairs are just too much to...

Before you buy or sell, take a closer look at how well a home can adjust to changing needs, from mobility and growing families to flexible, adaptable living spaces.

08/20/2026

What to Repair Before Listing Your House
Making a home ready to be listed for sale isn't always a matter of large-scale improvements. It is, more often than not, a matter of a few key repairs that will make all the difference, while a handful of less important fixes will wait. Here's how to determine which is which.
Begin With What Turns Off...

Before listing, a few repairs can help you attract more buyers, get them to pay your asking price, and save you the headache of last-minute negotiations.

08/17/2026

Plan a late-summer day trip on Long Island with scenic North Shore and South Shore destinations. Laffey Real Estate highlights six places to explore.

08/15/2026

Ways to Make Small Bathrooms Feel Larger
Small bathrooms tend to feel restrictive, but there's no need to break the bank to fix that. A few simple tweaks to lighting, color, and storage can make a real difference in how big a bathroom feels, and none of it requires a major renovation.
Let Light In (And Out!)
Bathrooms that are underlit tend...

Bounded by a small space? Add some layered lighting, a larger mirror, and smarter storage to make your bathroom feel almost twice as big without a full renovation.

08/14/2026

What Buyers Should Know About Property Boundaries
You might assume the fence marks the edge of your property. In many cases, it doesn't, and that gap between what you see and what the survey shows is where boundary disputes start. Before you fall in love with a lot size or a mature tree line, it's worth understanding what actually sets the edge of a...

Property lines aren't always where you think they are. Here's what buyers should check before closing so a boundary question never turns into a costly surprise.

08/13/2026

Keeping Your Home Showing-Ready While You're Busy
Selling a home is rarely easy, especially when showing requests arrive during the busiest part of the week or at the worst possible time. Fortunately, a few simple preparations can make it much easier to keep a home looking good for showings.
First Impressions: The Front Door
Much of the work involved...

Selling a home while juggling everything else doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here's how to keep your house ready for showings without much extra time or effort.

08/10/2026

Enjoy end-of-summer family fun at indoor entertainment centers across Long Island. Laffey Real Estate highlights places for skating, laser tag, arcades, and more.

08/08/2026

Weekend Projects That Improve Your Home's Function & Appeal
You don't need to wait for the perfect time or hire a professional to make worthwhile improvements around your home. A few hours of work over the weekend can help surfaces, fixtures, and other features last longer while also improving how the property looks. Many projects require only basic tools and...

Small weekend projects can improve both the function and appeal of your home with minimal time and expense. Here are the areas to focus on first.

08/07/2026

Evaluating Storage Space When Touring Homes
Storage is rarely the first priority for buyers touring a home, and it shouldn't be the first thing they consider. Kitchens and floor plans usually command the most attention, while storage receives far less notice. But a home that looks spacious during a showing can feel cramped once the boxes are unpacked.
Inspect...

Storage often gets overlooked during a home tour. Here's what to check in closets, the kitchen, the garage, and other hidden corners before you make an offer.