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Go Green! Tips & Resources To Live Greener Right Now!

January 23rd, 2010 cherylgrossman Posted in Homeowner Tips, Long Island Living No Comments »

Going Green! www.DixHillsBlog.com The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation has some great ideas for homeowners on Long Island!  Going green can save money for you and your family.  These small actions can make a big difference for the environment as well.   Check out their Website for tips & resources for greener living.   The are some short videos with Green Tips for Windows and Doors, the Kitchen, the Bathroom, the Water Heater , and the Washing Machine.

One great tip is to wait until February to buy new appliances.  The Great Appliance Swap Out Program is scheduled to begin President’s week, 2010.  Rebates from $50 to $550 will be available – plus bonuses for recycling your old appliances.  There’s a Refrigerator Retirement Savings Calculator as well as some other tools and more information to help you save money-  and help the environment at the same time!  Go Green!

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Long Island – Avoiding Foreclosure

November 20th, 2009 cherylgrossman Posted in Homeowner Tips, Real Estate News Comments Off

Today’s newspapers reported on the results of a survey by the Mortgage Bankers Association that indicated that more people will face foreclosure on their homes in the months ahead.   A significant portion of these potential foreclosures are from fixed-rate home loans made to people with good credit who have reduced incomes or lost their jobs. 

Long Island Avoid Foreclosure www.DixHillsBlog.comWith that in mind, if you or someone you know, is facing such a crisis I hope these suggestions, links and articles will help.

The website for the NYS Attorney General offers the following tips for homeowners who are behind on their mortgage payment:

  • Call your lender or mortgage servicer immediately to discuss the available alternatives to foreclosure.  Many lenders offer foreclosure avoidance programs and have pledged publicly to assist distressed borrowers. 
  • Respond to your lender or mortgage servicer.  Some lenders and servicers contact homeowners to discuss available foreclosure avoidance options.
  • Consult with a government-approved housing counseling agency. 
  • To find counselors approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in your local area, call 1-800-569-4287 or visit http://www.hud.gov/.  A list of housing counselors also can be found on the website of the NYS Banking Department at www.banking.state.ny.us.
  • Refer to http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/ for useful information and resources concerning obtaining a loan modification and avoiding foreclosure.
  • Call HOPE NOW at 1-888-995-HOPE.  HOPE NOW is an alliance of housing counselors, mortgage companies, investors, and other mortgage market participants that provides free foreclosure prevention assistance.

These brochures offer some good advice and are in a .pdf format for downloading.  The National Association of Realtors -  NAR “How to Avoid Foreclosure and Keep Your Home” Brochure and The NYS Attorney General’s Office“How to Avoid Foreclosure and Rescue Scams”.

These are the direct links from HUD – Help for NYS Residents  and the NYS Banking Department – Help for Homeowners Facing Foreclosure.

If I can assist you in any way – whether preparing a free market value report for your bank or just a private consultation – no charge – to help you determine the options available to you, just call me at 631-493-0542 or email me at cheryl@liagent.com.   This is such a difficult time for so many of us – I’ll try to help in any way possible.  If I don’t know the answer, I’ll find someone who can guide you.

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CLUE Report – A Potential “Dealbreaker” When Selling Your Home

October 19th, 2009 cherylgrossman Posted in Home Buyers, Home Sellers, Homeowner Tips Comments Off

CLUE – an acronym for Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange – is a national Consider CLUE when selling your home by Cheryl Grossmandatabase recording property claims for insurance companies.   All of your property claims to your insurance company are listed and kept for 5 years.  The report shows the date, amount of loss and the type of loss – including claims for mold, water damage & fire damage.   It’s been compared to a credit report on your home.   If an insurer decides that the report indicates a home is too risky he can refuse to insure that home – and without homeowner’s insurance, your buyer cannot obtain a mortgage.

There are some steps you can take to avoid a contract falling through just before a closing.

  • Sellers should order a CLUE Report before listing the property. That way you are prepared to deal with the issue and have an opportunity to correct any mistakes on the report.  You can order a report through Choice Trust.
  • Even if your home shows up on a CLUE Report, your buyer probably can purchase a homeowner’s insurance policy – but may have to have to do so through an independent insurance agent who has access to numerous policies and the cost may be higher.   As a seller it is better  to request a report ahead of time, consider what options are available to mitigate it – and not take a chance only to lose the sale of your home by “hoping” for the best outcome.

There is an informative article on MSN Money about CLUE Reports and homeowners insurance.  Any questions?  Please contact me at cheryl@liagent.com.

 

 

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Why Didn’t My Home Sell? Tips & Tools

July 13th, 2009 cgrossman Posted in Home Sellers, Homeowner Tips Comments Off

Why didn’t my home sell?  Tip:  A good 1st impression goes a long way!

You’ve heard the expression, “street appeal” and how important that is when selling your home.  That’s because the first impression can determine how a prospective buyer looks at your home – before even crossing the threshold.  if the yard is overgrown and not maintained, or the walkway needs repairing, or the paint on the front porch is peeling, the buyer starts forming an opinion about your house.  “What else needs to be repaired?”  “This house is not well-maintained.”  “How much is it going to cost me to make these repairs?”   Instead of viewing the home as a whole and allowing a general impression to form – the buyer focuses on negative items – the scuff marks on the flooring or the old faucet in the kitchen.  These small distractions can send up “red flags” for the buyer.  And perhaps a perfectly good home doesn’t sell or generates low offers.   A good 1st impression isn’t going to sell the house by itself  - but it paves the way for the house to be viewed in a more positive way.

So get out that paint can and tool box and start “sprucing up” – and start with the front of your home.  Prune those bushes, replace the broken brick, set out some flowers – even replace garage doors & the front door, if needed.  Pull up to the curb.  Does your house pass the “First Impression” rule?  if so, you’re giving your home the advantage of “best foot forward”!

If you’re selling your home, look for future tips and tools about selling your home in a difficult market.  There’s more information about selling your home on my website.  For up-to-date market reports for the Huntington area see Market Reports.  You also can request a market report for any area in the NY Metro area.

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Tax Grievance Day is May 19th!

March 30th, 2009 cgrossman Posted in Homeowner Tips, Huntington Comments Off

Do you think your taxes are too high?  That’s a loaded question!  However, you may be right!  The assessment on your home may be too high – and if that’s the case – Your taxes are too high!  Time is running out to apply for a tax reduction.  Tax Grievance Day is May 19th for New York State.   Applications can be accessed for the Towns of Huntington, Babylon and Smithtown

Since many applications are denied by the Towns, you may want to use a Tax Grievance Service.   Generally, they charge a nominal fee to file the application, and if they are successful in their appeal they charge 1/2 of the first year’s tax reduction as their fee.   If they are not successful, there are no additional charges beyond the initial application fee.  I’m sure there are many reliable and successful services.  I used Mark Lewis and was very happy to receive a significant reduction on my property taxes last year.  NYS has a report regarding tax grievance which you may find helpful.

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Energy Saving Compact Flurorescent Light Bulbs

October 6th, 2008 cgrossman Posted in Home Improvement, Homeowner Tips Comments Off

Reduce energy costs with Compact Flurorescent Bulbs (CFLs)
Changing some of the light bulbs in your home from traditional (incandescent) to compact fluorescents (CFLs) will reduce the amount of electricity you use and lower your electric bill. While CFLs cost more to purchase, they use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and will last ten times longer. So, you easily get your money back. Save your receipts in case you need to return it to the retailer if your ENERGY STAR qualified CFL bulb stops working within the warranty period (2 years).
To maximize the energy benefit of CFLs, use them in light fixtures that are on for several hours per day or at least 15 minutes at a time. You can use CFLs inside and outside of your home. (Check the package to make sure the bulb is designed for outdoor use.) CFLs work best in fixtures that are open, which allow for airflow. Such fixtures include floor lamps, table lamps, pendants, wall sconces and outdoor fixtures. A type of CFL called a “Reflector CFL” cEnergy Saving Tip for Dix Hills Homeowners!an be used in enclosed fixtures (e.g., recessed fixtures).
CFLs can be used with motion sensors, timers and occupancy sensors. There are also some CFLs available that can be used with dimmer switches. Their long-life makes them good choices for hard-to-reach areas. You won’t have to pull out that ladder again for a long time!
CFLs come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you should be able to find one to fit your fixture. Bring your existing bulb with you to the store so you can compare its size to the CFL bulbs at the store.
 
You may have heard that CFLs contain mercury. They do contain a very small amount within the tubing of the bulb, about 4 milligrams or less. Compare this to the older thermometers, which contained 500 milligrams. Mercury is not released unless the bulbs are broken.
*        
If a CFL breaks in your home, follow the EPA clean-up recommendations.  
1.     Air out the Room: Open a window and have everyone leave the room for at least 15 minutes. Be sure to turn off your central forced-air heating/air-conditioning system. You can also place fans in the windows to blow the air out of the room. If the room doesn’t have any windows, then open all doors to the room and open the windows in any adjacent rooms. Fans can be used to move the air out of the room and to open windows in adjacent rooms.
2.     Cleaning-up Hard Surfaces: Wearing disposable gloves (if possible), use stiff paper or cardboard to scoop up larger glass fragments and powder and place debris in a glass jar with a metal lid or in a sealable plastic bag. Use duct tape (or something similar) to pick up remaining glass pieces and powder. The area should be wiped clean with damp paper towels. Dispose of the paper towels in a glass jar/plastic bag. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the area.
3.     Cleaning-up Carpeting/Rugs: Pick up larger glass fragments (carefully) and place in glass jar with a metal lid or a sealable plastic bag. Use duct tape (or something similar) to pick up remaining glass pieces and powder. If you do need to use a vacuum to clean the area, then remove the vacuum bag or empty and wipe the canister and put the debris in a sealable plastic bag. In the future, for the next several times you vacuum the area, turn off your central forced-air heating/air-conditioning system while vacuuming and leave it off for at least 15 minutes with the window open after you have finished.
4.     Cleaning-up Clothing, Bedding, etc.: Unfortunately, any clothing or bedding that comes in contact with the broken glass or powder needs to be thrown away. Washing the clothing or bedding is not an option since the mercury fragments could contaminate your washing machine and possibly pollute the sewage. Clothing worn just for the clean up can be washed, as long as you didn’t get any glass or powder on them. Use damp paper towels to clean your shoes and place the towels in a glass jar or sealable plastic bag.
5.     Disposing Clean-up Materials: Bring the glass jars or plastic bags containing the debris and paper towels outside. If your state allows trash disposal, then put the jars/plastic bags in the trash. Otherwise bring the debris to the specified recycling center. Don’t forget to wash your hands after putting the materials in the trash.
 
CFLs can replace incandescent bulbs in almost any light fixture. So, decide which lighting fixtures would be appropriate for CFLs, purchase the right type of CFL and start reducing your energy bills!
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Home Staging Tip For Long Island Homeowners: The Master Bedroom

June 5th, 2008 cgrossman Posted in Home Sellers, Homeowner Tips Comments Off

Create a serene and elegant Master Bedroom retreat!When preparing your house to sell, don’t overlook the importance of the Master Bedroom for today’s Buyer! Master bedrooms are retreats from the daily grind, so they should be relaxing, welcoming and comfortable – but also elegant. Create a sanctuary similar to a luxury hotel suite that appeals to both genders.

First, your master bedroom should look like a bedroom and not a space for work or exercise. Remove anything from the bedroom which does not have a sleeping or relaxing purpose, such as desks, computers and exercise equipment.

Declutter. Remember to think "less is more" when staging your master bedroom. Remove items on top of dressers and tables except for a few necessary items or a vase of fresh flowers. Declutter your closets and make them appear larger by only using 2/3 of the closet space and keeping everything off the floor.

Depersonalize. Remove any personal family photos.  An attractive mirror over a dresser can replace any hanging pictures that were removed. Otherwise, buyers will feel that they are just visiting someone else’s home and could have a hard time picturing themselves living in your house.
Cleaning your Master Bedroom. Be sure to clean the windows, light fixtures, bed linens and dust under and around the bed. Steam-clean the carpets and replace any worn rugs. Open a window in the morning to let in some fresh air. Make the bed and remove laundry from the room every day.
Brighten your Master Bedroom. Clean windows and replace nonworking bulbs in light fixtures to brighten the master bedroom. Be sure to use the highest wattage bulbs allowed for the major lighting fixture. You want as much light to come in as possible – yet maintain a sense of privacy. Draw back any heavy curtains and use well-pleated sheers as window treatments.
Make Minor Repairs. Check to make sure that all the switch plates and outlet covers match and that none of them are broken. Replace if necessary. Also check the trim, repair any nicks and consider repainting. Patch any nail holes in the walls if hanging pictures have been removed.
Setting the Stage. Create a relaxing sanctuary by setting up the room like a high-end hotel suite with a tranquil color scheme, a spacious feel and a luxurious bed.
A bedroom color scheme should be tranquil rather than bright or loud. Choose a comforting, natural-tone color to paint the walls such as warm brown, beige, cream, soft greens, powder blues and gray. To select a color scheme for bed linen, pillow and window treatment accents, choose colors from the same paint chip sheet for a monochromatic scheme or use a color wheel to select harmonius color schemes. Harmonius colors are adjacent on the color wheel and complimentary colors are opposite each other on the wheel.  Use complimentary colors as accent colors.
To make a room appear more spacious, remove any excess furniture. The only furniture you need is a bed, two nightstands (or equivalent) and lamps, a dresser/bureau and possibly a chest of drawers/armoire. If there is room for a reading area, then you can set up a chaise lounge or a couple of plush chairs with a small table. Also, to create a more spacious feel, pull furniture two to three inches out from the walls and make sure that all four corners of the room are visible. Installing hardware for window treatments eight inches or more above the window frame or adding ceiling-height plant can add the perception of height.  
The bed should be the focal point of the room and easily seen from the doorway. Create a luxurious bed by adding a headboard and new bed linens. Choose a solid color duvet, in a silk, chenille, down or sateen fabric, with a coordinating bedskirt that reaches the floor. Thick, high thread-count sheets and pillow cases with fluffy pillows, shams and throw pillows along with coordinated window treatments will complete the upscale hotel look.
Staging your master bedroom as a calming sanctuary will help buyers picture themselves living comfortably in your home.

 

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Home Energy Audits Can Cut Your Heating and Cooling Costs!

February 29th, 2008 admin Posted in Homeowner Tips Comments Off

Long Island homeowners should conduct home energy audits to find areas in their homes where they are losing money on energy costs.

Looking to cut energy costs? Maybe it’s time for an energy audit. Home energy audits assess where your house might be losing energy and provide recommendations on how to make it more energy efficient. Energy auditors inspect areas in your home to determine if heat is being lost through insufficient insulation, air leaks and inefficient heating and cooling systems.

Insufficient insulation in the ceiling and walls can create a large amount of heat loss. Over the years, the level of recommended insulation has changed, so your current insulation might be inadequate if you have an older home. An energy auditor will measure the depth and type of insulation you have in your attic as well as how well it covers the attic floor. They will also try to determine wall insulation levels.

INSULATION:     According to the U.S. Department of Energy, reducing air leaks can improve energy efficiency by 5 to 30 percent per year. Energy auditors locate sources of air infiltration, especially around doors and windows.

AIR LEAKS:    Heating and cooling equipment manufacturers usually recommend that their equipment be inspected annually to maintain its efficiency. Energy auditors will examine furnaces and air conditioner to ensure that they are well maintained and in good condition.

HEATING AND COOLING EQUIPMENT:    You can conduct a simple version of a home energy audit yourself or contact professional energy auditor for a more thorough inspection. Contact your local utility company if you need help finding a professional energy auditor. Conducting a home energy audit every couple of years can help cut your energy costs.

On Long Island you can find out more about Energy Audits and find affiliated contractors at The Oil Heat Institute of LI at http://www.ohili.org and the LIPA web site at http://www.lipower.org. LIPA also has a free program called REAP to help manage electric usage for income-eligible homeowners.

 

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Home-Maintenance Tip: Preventing Roof Ice Dams

January 22nd, 2008 admin Posted in Homeowner Tips Comments Off

Minimize freeze-thaw cycles to reduce ice dam formation.

With the drop in temperatures, Long Island is really in the "grip" of winter!

If you haven’t done so already, you should make sure that your gutters are free of leaves to prevent leaks and other water damage in your house.

Ice dams are the accumulation of ice at the roof edge. Ice dams are formed when heat build-up in the attic warms the roof and causes snow to melt, even when outside temperatures are still below freezing. Water from the melting snow runs down the roof underneath the snow and can not drain off of the roof. The water then refreezes when it reaches a colder part of the roof, such as the roof overhang or a gutter. As this melting-freezing cycle continues, the size of the dam can increase and water from additional melting snow can not drain properly. Instead of draining off the roof, the trapped water can back up into the shingles and can leak into the attic, causing structural damage to your home.

Keeping your gutters free of leaves and other debris will help melting snow to flow unobstructed. Using "roof rakes" to pull off snow from the roof while standing on the ground will also reduce the chances of ice dams from forming. While keeping your gutters clear and reducing the amount of snow on your roof can help, ultimately you need to evaluate your attic ventilation and attic floor insulation since it is the build up of attic heat that creates the ice dam problem. Proper attic ventilation (1 square foot of vent for every 150 feet of attic floor area) reduces the build up of warm air in the attic and proper insulation (R-30 or R-38 value, if in northern climates) reduces the amount of heat that escapes from your home into the attic.

Some signs of ice dam water leakage include ice forming inside roof overhangs, water leaking around window frames, ice along siding and water leaking around the vent pipe. Brown, discolored spots on a drywall ceiling can indicate a water leak. If you do have an ice dam problem, hire a professional roofing contractor to have the ice removed for your own safety and to prevent damage to your roof.

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Paperless Drywall Resists Mold

September 5th, 2007 admin Posted in Homeowner Tips Comments Off

Long Island homeowners can avoid a future moisture problem when refinishing their basement by using paperless drywall.

 

Should you consider paperless drywall when remodeling? Traditional drywall has a gypsum core that is wrapped in paper. It has a smooth surface and soaks up finishing compounds helping them dry quicker. However, traditional drywall facilitates mold growth when it becomes wet since the paper absorbs and holds the moisture. Mold also feeds off of the paper facing.

 

In contrast to traditional drywall, paperless drywall is covered with highly water-resistant fiberglass instead of paper and has a moisture- resistant gypsum core. The fiberglass facing minimizes mold growth since it doesn’t hold in moisture and it is not food for common molds. While it minimizes mold growth, paperless drywall is not necessarily mold-proof.

Paperless drywall looks like traditional drywall. It is also installed like traditional drywall, using drywall nails and screws. However, the fiberglass lining of the paperless drywall makes its texture rougher than that of traditional drywall. This difference can be seen and felt up close and can become more apparent under certain lighting conditions. Since the surface is rougher than traditional drywall, it is recommended that the surface of the paperless drywall be coated with a drywall-topping compound. This will prevent the appearance of extra smooth areas when finishing drywall seams. Another difference is that finishing compounds need a bit more time to dry since there is no paper in the drywall to soak up the water from the compounds.

While its texture is not as smooth as traditional drywall, its mold-resistant properties make paperless drywall a good option for areas in your home with high humidity such as bathrooms and basements.

  

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