Rachel O'Brien

New York

Freelance Reporter at Newsday

NYC-based writer, editor @open_the_books, freelance @Newsday, former @Law360 @SIAdvance @SBUJournalism alum

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Articles

How rent, LIRR commute times compare on Long Island

2 months ago | newsday.com | Rachel O'Brien

When Katina Cokinos and Jonathan Faraci started planning their lives together two years ago, the first thing they wanted to do was to find a place to live. Faraci, who works in finance, had to commute on weekdays to Grand Central Station, so living near the train was "a nonnegotiable." After they ruled out buying a house in Long Island's competitive, high-priced market, they began searching for a rental. They looked in Ronkonkoma, but the LIRR commute was 85 minutes — longer than Faraci preferred.
Millennial Long Islanders keep renting as houses stay out of reach

Jan 6, 2025 | newsday.com | Rachel O'Brien

Video Player is loading. Current Time 0:00Duration 0:00Remaining Time -0:00Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. End of dialog window. While searching in 2019 for a three-bedroom house in Suffolk County, Jonathan Recinos said he saw "decent homes" within his $325,000 budget. But once the pandemic hit, in-person tours paused, and by the time he got back into the market in 2022, he found himself priced out.
Flipped houses can cost buyers. How can you spot bad work?

Jul 15, 2024 | newsday.com | Rachel O'Brien

Two homebuyers put in an offer on a four-bedroom house a few blocks from a scenic bay on the South Shore. They were drawn to the beautifully renovated kitchen and bathrooms, a new roof and siding, new paver walkway and hardwood floors, for the asking price of $600,000.
Pools, kitchens, bathrooms: What Long Islanders spend on popular items

Apr 22, 2024 | newsday.com | Rachel O'Brien

Homebuyers' wish lists have always included updated and open kitchens, new bathrooms and large, organized storage spaces. But in the last few years — especially since the pandemic kept people home for months or years — the demand for an outdoor living space with a personal touch has grown. "I'm seeing people investing in their yards in ways they didn't before," said Keller Williams agent Gina Padro, reflecting on her 28 years in the industry.
Why do people move to Long Island? Family, schools, delis, vibes

Jan 22, 2024 | newsday.com | Rachel O'Brien

For more than two decades, Justin and Christine Ripley called Chicago home. They met while attending Wheaton College in Illinois, Christine coming from her hometown of Smithtown, Justin from New Berlin, a Milwaukee suburb. But last year, the couple, both 42, decided to make the move to Long Island. "We were living in the city and dealing with city things like rats in the alley, and there was crime," said Justin, a partner at a large global executive search firm.
Electric, windows, roof, plumbing: Cost to maintain vs. ignore

Dec 18, 2023 | newsday.com | Rachel O'Brien

When Douglas Elliman Real Estate broker Irene Rallis advises her clients buying homes, she suggests checking everything from windows to electrical wiring to air conditioning. But anything involving water gets extra emphasis. "Water is the kiss of death," she said. "Anything that is water-related must be addressed immediately."Clients of hers in Munsey Park recently completed renovations to their basement and then it flooded, Rallis said.
Couple finds dream home on Long Island with help from HGTV's 'House Hunters'

Sep 25, 2023 | newsday.com | Rachel O'Brien

For three years, Maryliza and Robert Isaac had been searching for a house on Long Island, going through three real estate agents, and having two offers accepted on two homes before falling through. But they found their dream home this spring with help from the HGTV show “House Hunters." The longrunning reality show offers a behind the scenes look as potential homeowners learn what to look for and decide whether or not a home is meant for them.
Elections in Zimbabwe: What You Need to Know

Sep 18, 2023 | amnesty.org.uk | Rachel O'Brien |Carla Torres

By Carla Torres - Country Coordinator for ZimbabwePresidential elections took place in Zimbabwe on the 22nd of August 2023 resulting in victory for incumbent president Emmerson Mnangagwa, from the governing Zanu-PF party. Far from peaceful and uneventful, the elections were marked by multiple human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, abductions, and torture of opposition party activists. Here are five things you need to know about the election process and the present situation in Zimbabwe.
Ticks, bees, termites: What Long Islanders should do about insects on properties

Jul 25, 2023 | newsday.com | Rachel O'Brien

About five years ago, Michelle Lake's two children were playing on their 2-acre property in Medford when they stepped in a tick nest. "They were swarmed, covered with hundreds of them," she said. "I had to pull them off them." She had tried several tick companies but none did a good job of killing ticks, and her kids, now 10 and 12, and two dogs, were always at risk of being host to the bug. "We're very outdoorsy — my husband splits wood outback, we have quads, we're always outside," she said.