Thursday, October 1, 2026
Selling a home on Long Island often begins with understanding a homeowner’s circumstances before focusing on the property itself, according to real estate agent Vanessa Ambrosecchia.
Ambrosecchia, who works alongside her fiancé and business partner Darab Kevin Lawyer at Douglas Elliman Real Estate, said the first step is understanding why a client wants to sell and what financial or personal factors are involved.
Those early questions, she said, help determine not only how a property is marketed, but what type of sale it may become.
Ambrosecchia said sellers approach the market from a range of situations, including downsizing, upsizing or managing financial strain.
“The first question is, why would you want to sell? Also, where do you want to relocate?” she said.
From there, conversations often turn to mortgage status and payment history. If a homeowner is current, the sale typically follows a traditional process. If not, additional steps may be required.
How financial situations shape the sale
“If they say that they can’t afford the house, we haven’t made any payments, then we have to find out how far behind they are,” Ambrosecchia said, making sure they have a clear plan in place.
Those discussions can determine whether a property is sold as a standard listing, short sale or foreclosure, depending on what is owed and how lenders respond.
Before listing a home, she said agents review ownership documents, permits and any upgrades to avoid complications later in the transaction. Unresolved issues, such as unpermitted work, can affect the closing process and how the home is positioned to buyers.
“We have to make sure the house is well represented,” she said.
Preparation also plays a role in how quickly a home sells. Sellers are often advised to declutter, make minor repairs and consider repainting to improve presentation, getting the home fully ready for the market.
“If it’s priced correctly, we have no problem selling,” Ambrosecchia said.
Managing sales across Long Island and beyond
Ambrosecchia and Lawyer said they work with a range of clients across the South Shore and the broader Long Island market, including local homeowners, investors and out-of-state buyers, guiding sellers based on their specific situation.
In some cases, that includes managing remote transactions. Ambrosecchia recalled assisting a Florida-based buyer purchasing a home in the Hamptons by conducting a video walkthrough and coordinating the process locally.
“We were their eyes and ears,” she said.
Regardless of the situation, she said the process begins with identifying a seller’s needs and preparing the home accordingly, with the agent helping determine the best path forward based on those needs.
