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It's hard to believe that the holidays are just around the corner, but yes, it's true! Finding the perfect gift for that special someone can be challenging, but one of the great things about living on Long Island are the fun, quirky arts and crafts fairs.  Our REALTORS® love checking out what local artisans have to offer—here's a sampling of some of their fave fairs to hit for holiday gifts.

• Walt Whitman Fine Art & Crafts Fair -  Walt Whitman High School, 301 W. Hills Road, Huntington Station | Saturday, November 23rd
  With more than 100 vendors offering handcrafted items only, this fun festival is the perfect place for holiday shopping while checking out beautiful  Huntington homes for sale. Admission is $2.00 for those over 12 years old—proceeds go to building a beautiful art gallery for Walt Whitman students.

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Owning your own home remains a crucial part of the American dream, but it isn't always easy. From growing debt problems to an ever-changing real estate market, there are plenty of potential roadblocks to homeownership. For veteran and military home buyers, there are some options well worth considering. 

Our REALTORS® are proud to have helped countless veterans and active servicemen and women buy homes—in many cases, their first homes. We're grateful for the opportunity to help. If you're a veteran or military homebuyer, keep these tips in mind as you start the homebuying process. 

1. Know Your VA Loan Options
   One of the biggest advantages active military and veterans have when purchasing a home is the ability to secure a VA loan. These home loans are backed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and are much more flexible than ordinary loans. In most cases, they cover 100 percent of a home's cost, require no down payment, and allow you to buy a home without having to pay for private mortgage insurance. 

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When you're buying a house, many intangible factors come into play. Is it in a safe neighborhood? How is the school system? Does it have a great view? Our REALTORS® find that for many people, job commute is one of the top criteria for evaluating homes.

Today's job landscape has gone beyond the traditional nine-to-five workday, so commute time isn't such a cut-and-dried issue. Here are some expert tips for putting job commute in perspective when choosing a home to buy.

• How Far Is "Too Far?"
  According to the Census Bureau, the average commuter travels just over 25 minutes each way, which is the equivalent of adding an extra half-day to your work week. Times are even higher in congested metropolitan areas. If you're considering a certain home, take a test run of your potential commute under actual traffic conditions so you have an accurate picture.

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Everything old is new again, which is why consignment shops benefit buyers and sellers alike. Offering your used but well-cared-for items on consignment provide an eco-friendly option for pre-move decluttering as well as a creative way to pick up extra cash for your down payment.

Join our REALTORS® in celebrating National Consignment Day on Monday, October 7 with a visit to one of these unique consignment shops around Long Island.

1. Lucky Finds Boutique - 7A N. Park Ave., Rockville Centre 11570
   How can you go wrong with a shop called Lucky Finds Boutique? Readers of Long Island Express voted Lucky Finds, located nearby Rockville Centre homes for sale, "Best Thrift/Consignment Store in Long Island" four years in a row. Thanks to owner Shannon McComb's discerning eye and knowledge of her clientele, racks at Lucky Finds display an ever-changing assortment of chic and trendy designer clothes and accessories. Hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday. Review of consignment items is by appointment.

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Buying a house is a big deal, whether you're moving across town or across the country. Of course, a long-distance move to a different state comes with its own unique challenges, starting with how to shop for the right home across state lines. How do you shop, when you can't readily visit target homes and neighborhoods? Our REALTORS® love helping buyers find the right home no matter their location, and we've put together key tips to help you buy a home in a different state.

• Start By Contacting Your Coach Real Estate AgentMoving to a new state means you'll have a harder time doing extensive research in person, so contacting a local expert takes on added importance. You can learn pl...

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