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  Before you move into your new home, make upgrades that will add functionality and value.
  If you're able to, make upgrades before you move in. And there are five great reasons to make them before you do:
  Upgrades add value to the investment you've made in your new home
  They improve the function of your home
  Upgrades help you convey your personality
  They make your new home feel like home right away
  And inconveniences, later on, are brought to a minimum
  Which Upgrades Should You Make Before You Move In?
  The kitchen is the most expensive room in the house. A great one meets your family's needs. And upgrades that improve the quality and function of your kitchen add value. You'll gain a deep appreciation for your home, too.
  Replace the old appliances with high-end, energy-efficient, or water-saving appliances.
  Most breakfast bar counters or islands are 42" high. Lower yours to 36 inches to make it more accessible.
  Change the countertops to quartz.
  Brighten up the countertops. Add lighting under the cupboards to illuminate your workspaces.
  Make fixtures match your hardware. A brushed bronze faucet should match your brushed bronze cabinet pulls.
  When updating your new bathroom(s), think about the needs you have currently as well as those you'll have in the future. Will your family grow? Do you plan to entertain often? The answers to these questions and others like them will help determine the upgrades you will want to make in your bathroom(s).
  Use decorative shower, floor, or wall tile.
  Add custom lighting or fixtures
  Hang lots of shelves for more storage
  Cabinets in both the kitchen and bathroom affect the function and appearance of your home in a big way. Installing new cabinets before you move in and start unpacking helps you get and stay organized right off the bat. But don't throw out the old cabinets. Hang them in the garage or attic to help you get and stay organized there, too.
  I'm sure it goes without explanation, but it's definitely easier to upgrade flooring while the new home is empty. There's no furniture to contend with!
  Older homes usually have outdated wiring. We discovered the need for additional outlets throughout our 80-year-old home. There aren't many, and the ones we do have are in odd places.
  Walk through your house and plan updates for the electrical wiring. Then, hire an electrician. Discuss adding outlets and light switches for better function. There may even be some light switches that need to be rewired to properly connect with the right light fixtures.
  Research and find a company that will improve security and internet speed in your new home. Also, consider having the internet wired throughout the whole house. This will allow you to install electronics such as security cameras, for example, in any room. And when the internet is wired throughout the whole house, you'll keep outside users and hackers from accessing your network. Full-house internet is a plus for home security!
  If your new home is light on storage, you might want to seriously consider installing closets throughout your house. Storage helps you unpack completely and organize your home the way you want at a pace you want. You can never have too much storage!
  If your new house includes a laundry room rather than a laundry closet, turn it into a pantry, drop zone, and/or mud room. Utilize it fully! Rearrange the washer and dryer hookups to make room for pantry storage and a utility sink. If it's located close to the garage door where your family enters the house, add a bench, boot tray, hooks for shoes and umbrellas, and cubbies for backpacks.
  Do yourself a huge favor. If you're able, make upgrades before you move in. As you can see, the benefits are extremely homeowner-friendly. You'll enjoy them right away and long-term.
  Need more suggestions on what to upgrade in your new home? Ask Charles D'Alessandro. With over 30 years of real estate experience in the Brooklyn area, he can tell you which upgrades will give you "the most bang for your buck" and those that will serve you and your family well. Contact Charles D'Alessandro, your Brooklyn real estate agent with Fillmore Real Estate, at (718) 253-9700 ext. 206 or click here.
  Tags: How upgrades benefit you as a homeowner, Upgrades that add value to your home, Why you should upgrade before you move in
  How To Cultivate A Sense Of Community in Brooklyn
  Every neighbor, local official, service club and religious organization must do their part to cultivate a strong sense of community in Brooklyn.
  "Civic pride is taking responsibility to do the 'little' things that make a 'big' difference." – Jane Kampbell
  Cultivating a sense of community in Brooklyn is necessary for the quality of life we deserve. Every Brooklynite – neighbors, local officials, service clubs, religious organizations – must do their part to cultivate a strong sense of community in Brooklyn. But first we must understand what a sense of community is.
  A sense of community is NOT a collection of buildings and streets in a particular area. A sense of community:
  Is the feeling of belonging to something bigger than yourself or your family
  Connects people to each other
  Is people building each other up
  Is people supporting each other in good times and in bad
  Why should we cultivate a sense of community in Brooklyn?
  It is critical to Brooklyn's future success. When we feel a strong sense of community, we are driven to take action. We desire to take part in improving or supporting the well-being of our community. Those who see a sense of community happening are compelled to do the same. Community improvement and self-sufficiency become contagious. Momentum is created. This brings us together as a community and makes us proud to live, work and play in Brooklyn.
  attracts new investment in our community and local economy. It keeps local businesses in business.
  discourages litter, graffiti and criminal activity. It increases the property values of homes and businesses.
  helps support our education system
  encourages volunteering and personal responsibility
  A community with a strong sense of community believes in itself. It is able to rise above and overcome challenges through the strength and support of its people. A community without a strong sense of community depends on others to take care of its needs. A strong sense of community in Brooklyn is essential for:
  vital community organizations
  fruitful educational opportunities
  How is a sense of community cultivated?
  A sense of community in Brooklyn won't just happen. It must be cultivated or nurtured to make a difference in our Brooklyn community now and in the future. Children, too, must be taught to take pride in their Brooklyn community. A sense of community can be cultivated in the following ways:
  Take personal responsibility to do simple things such as sweeping walks and picking up trash in your neighborhood
  Take responsibility for the well-being of your neighbors as well as yourself
  Keep your home and/or business clean and in good repair. Well-maintained neighborhoods are attractive and inviting for children and families.
  Keep our Brooklyn streets, sidewalks, paths and parks free of damage and ruin. Discourage litter, graffiti and vandalism.
  Support local businesses in Brooklyn
  Participate in local organizations and community events such as dinners, dances, festivals, school functions, service clubs, churches, chamber of commerce, etc.
  Clear Brooklyn's vacant lots of trash and debris
  Work to prevent crime
  Get involved in the preservation of Brooklyn's historic sites and scenic areas
  Volunteer to serve in the education of our students
  Grow and maintain a garden (How To Grow A Garden In Brooklyn)
  Appreciate and support local agriculture
  Emphasize individual responsibility and community solutions
  Encourage volunteering in schools, churches and community groups
  Start a "yard-of-the-month" program with local media in Brooklyn
  Recognize and reward those who do good deeds in our Brooklyn community
  Promote residents to shop at local businesses and use local services
  Use volunteer groups for projects that will benefit the beauty and cleanliness of our Brooklyn community
  Reach out to and encourage commuters to participate in their Brooklyn community and to shop locally
  Host and share information for clean-up days and volunteer activities
  Set strong but fair standards for our Brooklyn neighborhoods and stores
  Host annual clean-up days to give Brooklynites a regular opportunity to rid homes and yards of junk and debris
  Cultivating a strong sense of community must start with you. Make the best of what you have. Keep your yard clean and orderly. Paint and touch up your home and/or business. Keep your yard mowed. These are simple ways to begin displaying and building a sense of community in Brooklyn.
  If you'd like more information or ideas on how you can cultivate a sense of community in Brooklyn, call Charles D'Alessandro at (718) 253-9700 ext. 206 or email [email protected]. Charles D'Alessandro of Fillmore Real Estate in Brooklyn is proud to live, work and play in Brooklyn.
  http://www.fillmoreca.com/docs/vision/2020-community.pdf
  Tags: Building a sense of community in Brooklyn, Feeling like you belong in Brooklyn, Proud to live in Brooklyn
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