At Laffey Real Estate, our real estate agents have helped thousands of clients make the right real estate moves to support their retirement lifestyle. For many, that means downsizing to a smaller, more manageable home.

But if you already own your home, deciding what to do next is a little bit more complicated.

For decades, people have used their homes as a durable vessel to create financial value. About 75% of the average America's wealth is stored as equity value in the home. Selling a home may empower you with a substantial infusion of cash, but it is not the right move for everybody.

Current homeowners can generate income with their home or even access equity without selling. So, how do you know whether you should sell or stay? Keep these factors in mind as you plan your decision.

If you've got a home inspection coming up, it's completely normal to feel a bit nervous. After all, nobody enjoys having strangers poke and prod around their home, looking for problems. Even if you think you know your home inside and out, you never know what they might find. 

Our real estate agents talk to nervous sellers about this all the time. The best advice they give is to remain calm and make sure you're prepared. This will give you the best chance of having a successful inspection. Here are a few things you'll want to consider doing.

1. Decide How to Deal with Known Issues
   If you're aware of your home's problems, you cannot conceal them from the potential buyer. You'll need to decide whether you want to fix them before your inspection or disclose them. Your real estate agent can help you weigh the pros and cons and make a decision. It's also a good idea to have a game plan for how you'll handle any additional issues that may come up during your inspection.

It's no secret that New York City runs on coffee, but you don't need to go to Manhattan to get a great cup of joe. There are hundreds of cafes around Long Island that will get you fueled up and ready to go! Our real estate agents encourage you to celebrate National Espresso Day on Monday, November 23rd, at one of these local coffee shops around Long Island.

• Flux Coffee – 211 Main St., Farmingdale, NY 11735
  Roasted, bagged, and brewed around the corner from the coziest Farmingdale homes for sale, Flux Coffee relocated from the West Coast to bring the East Coast a transparent coffee experience. Visit to learn more about their ethical sourcing and manual brewing to create their amazing blends. Bring home a bag of beans from Burundi, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, or Peru so you can continue enjoying National Espresso Day at home.

World Vegan Day may have been Nov. 1, but our real estate agents are still celebrating with a hearty, wholesome vegan dish this week. The annual event highlights the dietary and environmental benefits of veganism. No matter if you're strictly vegetarian, pescatarian, or someone who likes a good meal with or without meat, you'll love the offerings at these Long Island vegan restaurants.

1. 3 Brothers of Rockville Centre – 285 Merrick Rd., Rockville Centre, NY 11570
   3 Brothers of Rockville Centre is the home of quality vegan and traditional pizza. Every item on their menu has a vegan alternative. For example, you could get a sausage pizza with two cheeses or its vegan partner, made with cashew mozzarella, cashew parmesan, and house-made seitan sausage. 3 Brothers of RVC is a perfect place to stop by a vegan slice after you've finished touring Rockville Centre homes for sale.