Ann Marie Macdonald - Laffey Real Estate

06/20/2026

How to Create a Home Maintenance Routine
Most homeowners don't ignore maintenance because they are careless. More often, the work just never gets organized. One task comes up in spring, another in midsummer, and by fall, half the list is still sitting somewhere in the back of your mind.
A seasonal routine helps because it gives each job a...

A simple seasonal maintenance routine can help homeowners stay ahead of small repairs. Use this year-round checklist to keep your home in better condition.

06/19/2026

How to Spot a Well-Maintained Home
Fresh paint and staged furniture can make almost any house look good — that's the point. What you actually want to know before you fall in love with the countertops is whether the home has been well cared for. That difference shows up in places that never make it into the listing photos.
Start Outside
Walk...

06/19/2026

Look at the updated Market Watch Report.

With real estate being local, it's important to work with an expert who understands what is happening in your neighborhood as well as the area(s) you may be looking to move.

06/18/2026

Look at the updated Market Watch Report.

With real estate being local, it's important to work with an expert who understands what is happening in your neighborhood as well as the area(s) you may be looking to move.

06/18/2026

How Small Repairs Can Help Your Home Show Better
Pre-listing prep doesn't have to mean renovating the kitchen or replacing the floors. In many homes, the better starting point is much smaller: the repairs that have built up gradually because you see them every day and eventually stop noticing them.
A rattling bathroom exhaust fan. Caulk that's pulled...

Small repairs before listing often matter more than sellers expect. Here's a practical look at which fixes tend to have the most impact when it's time to show.

06/15/2026

Selling your Long Island home this summer? Our agents at Laffey Real Estate share practical tips for keeping your home show-ready even during the busiest months of the year.

06/13/2026

How to Maintain Decks and Patios for Long-Term Use
Your outdoor living space is worth protecting. Whether you have a wood deck, a composite platform, or a poured concrete patio, neglect tends to compound quickly. A small crack ignored now can become a serious repair bill later. The good news? Most of what keeps these spaces in good shape is straightforward...

Your outdoor living space is worth protecting. Whether you have a wood deck, a composite platform, or a poured concrete patio, neglect tends to compound quickly. A small crack ignored now can become a serious repair bill later. The good news? Most of what keeps these spaces in good shape is...

06/12/2026

How to Make Your Home Look Move-In Ready
Most sellers focus on price, but buyers are making a different calculation when they walk through your door. They're asking whether the home feels like somewhere they could actually live. That answer forms fast, often before they've made it past the entryway. So the question worth asking before you list...

Most sellers focus on price, but buyers are making a different calculation when they walk through your door. They're asking whether the home feels like somewhere they could actually live. That answer forms fast, often before they've made it past the entryway. So the question worth asking before...

06/08/2026

Paddle, canoe, and kayak your way around Long Island this summer. Our real estate agents share favorite parks and beaches for getting on the water.

06/06/2026

How to Evaluate Offers Beyond the Purchase Price
The number at the top gets your attention. It always does. But sellers who anchor to the purchase price and stop there often find themselves caught off guard when a deal starts to wobble — or falls apart entirely — weeks after they thought they'd made the right call.
Here's the thing: A high offer...

The number at the top gets your attention. It always does. But sellers who anchor to the purchase price and stop there often find themselves caught off guard when a deal starts to wobble — or falls apart entirely — weeks after they thought they'd made the right call. Here's the thing: A...