Sean​ ​Acosta,​ ​a​ ​2017​ ​American Academy​ ​Five​ ​Star​ ​Diamond​ ​Award​ ​Winner

Today we are going to take a moment to reflect on our very own Sean Acosta. 

He recently was awarded the ​2017​ ​American Academy​ ​Five​ ​Star​ ​Diamond​ ​Award of Hospitality Sciences​ for P.T.R.C.

You can take a look at Sean and the award video on our Facebook right here.  

What is the American Academy Five Star Diamond Award that Sean won? 

It is an award that the most prestigious professionals strive for and only a few obtain. AAHS is a New York City based business that reviews and bestows awards on hotels, resorts, spas, airlines, cruise lines, automobiles, products, restaurants and chefs. The company was founded in 1949 and was originally a restaurant rating business. You may know of the company most for their International Star Diamond Award.

The mission statement for the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences is "To Search the World for the Finest Hotels, Restaurants, Corporations and Destinations and Reward Excellence with the Prestigious Five Diamond Award." - American Academy. If you're interested in learning more about AAHS, visit their site here. 

Thank you to the board of trustees over at the AAHS for this award and your consideration. 

Sean Acosta was also recently on Fox Business discussing homeowners and their 2018 property taxes, be sure to check him out in action here on YouTube.

The Top 5 Places To Visit In Long Island

New York City is not where everything begins and ends in the state of New York because there is much more as you drive out on Long Island. From sights in the Hamptons to notable buildings in Northport, there's a lot to see in New York's biggest island. Here's at least five places you should visit when you go out there.

The John W. Engeman Theater

Why visit this theater out on Long Island? Aside from some retro touches on the outside and in the lobby, it's been said the productions here are just as fine in quality as those of Broadway. There's a little bar with a piano in the lobby so if you want to enjoy a drink while watching you can. If you'd rather have the Broadway experience without having to meander through traffic to get there or pay a fortune to enjoy it, this is the place to go.

The Old Westbury Gardens

The Old Westbury Gardens are on the grounds of a mansion now turned museum and host some of Long Island's most beautiful landscapes. You can get a guided tour and hear the stories behind the former owner of the property, John S. Phipps who was a wealthy businessman, and his esteemed family. There is so much to see outdoors as well in the acres of gardens, and there's always events happening here.

The Montauk Point Beach And Lighthouse

Another must when you visit Long Island is to see the beautiful beaches of Montauk Point which are a tourist favorite year-round. The lighthouse has shops including a snack bar, and if you want to get a great view of the coast from up where the light shines, you can do that. If you come around the holiday season, you might be lucky enough to see the lighthouse all lit up.

The Roosevelt Home At Sagamore Hill

One of the US's most interesting presidents, Theodore Roosevelt had a home out here in Long Island that he stayed at whenever he was away from the White House. Visitors are greeted with a sign that says "The Great Adventure" and given a good look at some of Teddy's most prized possessions. Roosevelt's grave also happens to be at this site, and you can find even more fun nearby in Oyster Bay.

The Cradle Of Aviation Museum

Just like the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC and the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, New York also has an exquisite aeronautics museum. The Cradle of Aviation is full of comprehensive flight stories all the way from man's earliest attempts at flight to space travel. If you've got plenty of time to spare and want another to-do on Long Island, this should definitely be on your list.

These are just some places to visit among many in a very picturesque part of the state. You'll also find some great restaurants and hotels with a great view of the ocean that will have you falling in love with Long Island. You definitely can't go wrong when visiting here, so have fun doing so and happy holiday wishes from us here at P.T.R.C. 

10​ ​Tips​ ​to​ ​Lower​ ​Property​ ​Taxes

For most people living on Long Island, property taxes are high and rising. Fortunately, P.T.R.C. can show you many ways to lower your property value and your property tax bill. The following are 10 tips that can help. 

1. Appeal Your Property Tax Assessment

About 60% of all homes have tax bills that are too high. Appealing your property tax bill gives you 30 to 120 days to prove you're being billed too much. Most homeowners that appeal their property tax bill get it reduced.

2. Check Your Property Card For Errors

Your property card list the criteria assessors use to decide the property value of a home. These property cards often contain mistakes. Finding and reporting those errors can reduce your property taxes significantly without needing to file an appeal.

3. Beware Of Adding Rooms Or Buildings

Additions to your home can increase property taxes. Before making additions contact your local tax office to find out how much it will increase your property taxes.

4. Compare Your Home To Similar Ones

Look online at tax bills of your neighbors with similar size and age homes. If your home's tax assessment is much higher, appeal it. Chances are you'll get it lowered.

5. Get All Your Deductions

Make sure you get all the deductions for which you qualify. That includes veterans, senior citizens and any other exemptions. Check the department of taxation website for more discounts.

6. Point Out The Bad

Show the tax assessor your leaky basement and anything else that will lower your property value. This will lower your property tax bill.

7. Hire A Professional

Hire an independent assessor if you think your house is overvalued. A private assessor can cost about $250. Lowering your property value can save you thousands of dollars.

8. Invite The Assessor Inside

Inviting the assessor inside your home usually results in a lower, more accurate property value and tax bill.

9. Limit Curb Appeal Upgrades

Tax assessors give more attractive homes higher property values than ugly ones of comparable size. Putting off cosmetics alterations and physical upgrades until after the assessor leaves will result in a lower tax bill.

10. Do Your Due Diligence

Tax assessors often make mistakes. Check all assessments and tax bills carefully. Finding those errors can reduce your property taxes significantly.

P.T.R.C. has used these tips and other techniques to save Long Island homeowners lots of money. Visit our site to learn more. http://www.ptrc.com/ 

Unique Christmas Tree Decoration Ideas

Some New Ideas For Decorating Your Christmas Tree

Amidst all the ebbs and flows of the holiday season, you don't want to forget to get your tree and decorate it. You don't have to be an artist to decorate a tree; you can just go with what you feel fits. If you've never decorated one before or you want something other than the bland themes you've been doing, we have some ideas for you at P.T.R.C.

A Santa Tree

If you really want a little Ho Ho Ho in your Christmas celebration and love jolly old St. Nick, why not dedicate a tree to him? These kind of trees usually feature a lot of red and white ornaments such as snowmen, reindeer, candy canes, small jingle bells and a Santa hat on top of it. it goes even better with Santa stockings hung near it.

A Candle Tree

If you want a tree that includes a lot of ribbons and candles, this kind of tree can really give your Christmas spirit a warm look. Now you may be better off using electric lights that have a candle look to them, or else just put candles on with the lights that won't be lit, and that's for home safety reasons. If you are going to light them, you'd probably better watch them closely.

A Red Frame Tree

This tree has an assortment of paper ornaments that give it quite a unique look. It's mainly wrapped in garland and hanging from it are a lot of picture frames and even some ornaments with patriotic themes on them. This kind of tree is a good one if you like making your Christmas look a little commemorative.

A Three Kings Tree

If you like giving your tree a bit of a religious theme, you might the three kings style. This uses royal colors of purple, blue and gold in the tree balls and also has golden wrappings. It usually has an angel or a spire on top of it.

There are so many themes you can give your tree that it would be a shame to just let it sit in an undecorated state. Sometimes you just need one ornament here or there to get started decorating, and you can usually do it in about an hour or less. So make sure you take the time to give your tree a beautiful look, and from all of us here at P.T.R.C., have a happy holiday.