Have you ever looked at a beautiful painting and wished you could create something similar? While some people do have a natural knack for painting, it is a skill that can be learned and practiced. A great way to get started with painting is to take a class or two at a local studio. Our real estate agents recommend these great art schools and teaching studios offering painting classes on Long Island.

• The Teaching Studios of Art: 98 Audrey Ave., Oyster Bay, NY 11771
  If you're looking at Oyster Bay homes for sale, this magnificent art school is just minutes away.  The Teaching Studios of Art opened in 2009, and they take a classical approach, offering classes for kids, teens, and adults.

Home garages are not what they used to be. Homebuyers expect the garage to have adequate space for parking one or two cars, storing tools and household items, building home projects, and pursuing hobbies. According to our real estate agents, buyers expect the garage to be a livable space in the home that serves multiple purposes.

In most newer home developments, the garage is attached to the house. This provides easy access to the house and added safety when parking the car, especially at night. The garage has become an important home feature that prompts home buyers to ask a lot of questions before making an offer on a property.

Do you laugh when people tell you it's National Houseplant Appreciation Day because you're a notorious plant killer? If, like most of us, you enjoy the beauty houseplants bring to a home but have a brown thumb, have no fear. Our real estate agents have some nearly bullet-proof suggestions that will let you join the ranks of houseplant aficionados whose homes proudly display elegant living decor. Your first step will be assessing the light levels in the spaces where you want to place your plants. 

•  Albuca Spiralis
  This unique sun lover will be an instant conversation piece when given a prominent position in a window. Its deep green tendrils spiral wildly, like curling ribbon on a package. A healthy plant will welcome spring with stalks of yellow-green flowers that give off a pleasant vanilla-like scent. But harvest the blossoms, or your plant will lose its signature curls. The leaves will also tell you whether your plant is over or underwatered. If they start turning yellow, slow down on the watering. If they droop and the tips turn brown, your plant is thirsty. Be sure to select a pot with good drainage.

Talk about a staple of traditional American cuisine—buffalo wings have become the quintessential sports bar food. Originating in 1964 on the western side of the state, buffalo wings are now one of the most popular menu items for restaurants across the country. Whether you're having an outdoor cookout or watching the big game, wings make for the perfect food choice. Who can resist that delicious combination of crispy, deep-fried chicken and spicy sauce paired with a cold beer?

Long Island has no shortage of restaurants serving up great buffalo wings. Below are some recommendations from our real estate agents.

• Drift Inn - 236 E. Main St., East Islip, NY 11730
  Nothing goes together quite like a cold beer and an order of hot wings, and you can get both at Drift Inn. Not only does this restaurant serve some of the best wings in Long Island, they have a wide array of flavors. If you're feeling really brave, try the extra hot Hot Carolina Reaper sauce. The Drift Inn often hosts live music on the weekends, and they have a nice outdoor space. It's also conveniently located near some great Commack homes for sale.