Welcome. If you have landed here, you are probably thinking about buying or selling a home, or trying to work out whether now is the right time to do either. This page is an introduction to who I am and what you can expect to find on this blog.

About Me

I am Maria Giardina, a licensed real estate salesperson with Signature Premier Properties and a member of The Real Estate Team. I have been working in this market for over seven years, and I hold a five star rating on Zillow. I work with buyers and sellers across Long Island, including Nassau County and Suffolk County, as well as Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.

My approach is hands on. That means I am the one you talk to, the one who walks the property, and the one who handles the negotiation. Buying or selling a home is a significant financial decision and often an emotional one. It should not feel like you are being managed through a funnel.

The Areas I Serve

I work across a wide footprint, which is intentional. Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx are connected markets, and both buyers and sellers frequently have questions that cross those lines.

  • Nassau County: Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Levittown, Wantagh, Seaford, Farmingdale, Bethpage, Garden City
  • Suffolk County: Bay Shore, Lindenhurst, Babylon, Huntington
  • Queens: Queens Village, Astoria, Flushing
  • Brooklyn: Bay Ridge, Park Slope, Williamsburg, Sunset Park
  • The Bronx: and the surrounding boroughs north of Staten Island

Each of those areas has its own page on this site with local detail on housing stock, what the buying and selling process looks like there, and what to expect.

Probate and Estate Sales

A meaningful part of my practice involves probate and estate properties. These sales work differently. There is court oversight, documentation an executor has to produce, and often several family members who need to agree before anything moves.

They also tend to arrive during a difficult period. Having someone who understands both the process and the circumstances makes a real difference in how it goes.

What This Blog Is For

Most real estate content online is either too general to be useful or written to generate a phone call rather than to answer a question. The goal here is different.

Every article on this blog covers a specific question a buyer or a seller actually asks, and anything factual comes with a source you can check. Court procedures link to the New York State Unified Court System. Permit and certificate of occupancy requirements link to the agencies that administer them. Timelines are attributed rather than asserted.

A note on sourcing. Requirements, procedures, and market conditions change. Everything here is dated and sourced so you can verify it, and so you know when something needs a second look. Nothing on this blog is legal advice. Your attorney should confirm anything you plan to rely on.

What You Will Find Here

Articles are tagged for sellers, for buyers, or for both, and you can filter the blog by whichever applies to you.

  • Pricing. How valuation actually works, and why automated estimates miss.
  • Preparation. Which repairs return their cost before a sale and which do not.
  • Marketing. What professional listing marketing involves and what to ask for.
  • Probate. The Surrogate's Court process and what executors need to know.
  • Timelines. Realistic expectations from listing through closing.
  • Permits. Certificates of occupancy and open permits, and why they stall closings on Long Island.
  • Touring a property. What to actually look at during a showing.
  • Inspections. What the report covers, what it does not, and how findings get handled.

Getting in Touch

If you are considering a move in the next six to twelve months, the most useful thing you can do is get a clear picture of where things stand. For a seller that means what the property is worth today and what the process would look like. For a buyer it means what the market looks like in the areas you are considering. That conversation is free and there is no obligation attached to it.

You can reach me at (516) 710-6603, or send a message through the contact form on this site.

Common Questions

What areas does Maria Giardina serve?

Maria serves Long Island, including Nassau County and Suffolk County, along with Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Specific communities include Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Levittown, Wantagh, Seaford, Farmingdale, Bethpage, Garden City, Bay Shore, Lindenhurst, Babylon, Huntington, Queens Village, Astoria, Flushing, Bay Ridge, Park Slope, Williamsburg, and Sunset Park. She works across the New York City boroughs north of Staten Island, including the Bronx.

Does Maria handle probate sales?

Yes. Probate and estate property sales are a focus of her practice. These transactions involve court oversight, documentation requirements, and timing considerations that differ from a standard sale.

How do I get a home valuation?

A valuation is free and carries no obligation. Call (516) 710-6603 or send a message through the contact form, and Maria will put together an analysis based on recent comparable sales and current market conditions in your area.

Does Maria work with buyers as well as sellers?

Yes. She works with both across Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. Articles on this blog are tagged for sellers, for buyers, or for both, so you can filter to whichever applies to you.