Notes and analysis on buying, selling, pricing, and complicated situations across Long Island and Queens, written by licensed real estate broker Andrew Ragusa.
This is a growing library. I add to it when I have a real case, document, calculation or market change that is worth explaining—not simply to fill a publishing schedule.
Before spending money, discuss selling as-is, protecting existing value, and investing to add value. The seller decides after understanding local evidence, costs and time.
·9 min read
A home with decades of accumulated belongings, an active bed-bug infestation and water damage. After the cleanout, I helped the family determine which repairs were worth making, coordinated the work locally, and brought the property to market.
Case study
A homeowner hired me nine days before the property went to foreclosure auction. We found a buyer and assembled the transaction, but the exact auction date was confirmed only hours before the sale.
Case study
A sole trustee was responsible for selling two neighboring mixed-use properties while three siblings had different opinions about value and strategy. The complete example explains why the authorized decision-maker needs complete information and confidence in the decisions they are legally responsible for making.
Transaction example
How lease terms, rent levels, notice periods, and regulatory status shape the buyer pool and sale strategy for a tenant-occupied Brooklyn two-family.
·8 min read
Long Island home prices hit all-time records in August 2026 even as mortgage rates climbed, because the region's inventory drought remains severe and sellers have little reason to move.
·4 min read
The highest price is not always the strongest offer. Two real Long Island examples show why sellers should compare estimated results, financing, contingencies and timing side by side.
·5 min read
A practical walkthrough for out-of-state heirs: what has to happen first, what you can handle remotely, and how to avoid the delays that cost the most.
·5 min read
A vacant house feels like a pause. Financially and physically, it is anything but — and the costs compound quietly month after month.
·6 min read