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.

Real estate is a financial investment, but it's also an investment in the type of lifestyle you want to enjoy. There are advantages to purchasing a home, and there are advantages to buying a condo. Carefully weighing your options is the key to making the right choice for your future.

Comparing the Costs of Fees and Maintenance

A house is more than just four walls and a roof that encloses a large space. It is also a yard, fence, and landscaping that you will need to maintain. And, unlike a condo, all of the maintenance is your responsibility. Unless you have an HOA, the advantage is that as the sole owner, you have full decision-making authority over how to maintain it and what you want to include in the landscaping. In general, you can expect to spend approximately 1 to 2% of the home's purchase price each year on maintenance. Further, if an HOA governs you, you will also need to pay HOA fees to maintain landscaping, parks, pools, etc. within the community.

While it's true that two offers are better than none, that doesn't make it any easier to make the right decision. There are many factors to consider, and you will want to weigh each offer carefully as you decide which one to accept. Our real estate agents understand the challenges in front of you and recommend the following to help guide you to the right choice.

Price Vs Terms

This is only part of the equation you need to consider. If it's an all-cash offer that comes in at or above your asking price, it's an easy decision to make. In fact, most sellers will accept this offer without a second thought. While a generous offer is certain to catch your attention, the bottom line is that you should always pay close attention to the offer's terms and conditions. For example, suppose a high bid is contingent on the buyer selling another property or securing financing. In that case, it can be riskier than accepting a lower offer with no strings attached from a buyer with secured financing.