This spotlight on a senior resource professional came because of a recent meeting of our local Senior Alliance Group.   One of our members, Steven Dreisin from Dreisin Eldercare in Huntington made an impressive presentation about the services his company offers.  Steven’s credentials as a Geriatric Care Manager are eqully impressive.   It occured to me that many people could use his help and professional advice at one time or another – for either themselves or for a family member.

After a consultation and a complete assessment of your needs Dreisin Eldercare can prepare a Care Plan which identifies problems and outlines options to solve them.  They also can assist you with a specific task for a family member – such as needing help locating a nursing home or hiring a home care worker.  Their Assisted Living At Home Program is available locally and allows seniors to receive support services in their own home – even if no relative lives nearby.  You can find out more information about Steven Dreisin and Dreisin Eldercare by visiting their website or by calling 631-425-0700.   

Our Senior Alliance Group meets once a month in Dix Hills and is a team of professionals working together to provide a centralized source for a wide range of services most needed by seniors.  Members are held to a high standard for accountability and performance.  For more information about other services offered please contact Cheryl Grossman for a brochure at SRalliance@CherylGrossman.com or 631-223-8549.

First-Time Homebuyers can benefit from two new programs in the Town of Huntington unveiled today.    These two programs are funded by the Town’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund – using money that developers paid into the trust fund in return for obtaining increased density for their projects.  (Most of the funding came from the developers of The Greens.)   “Helping people, especially people just entering the workforce, find housing they can afford will help ensure the Town’s future by addressing one of the major factors cited as contributing to Long Island’s brain drain. I can think of no more important role government can play,” Supervisor Petrone said.

The two programs for First-Time Homebuyers to be implemented are:

The “American Dream” program, which will help first-time buyers realize the American dream of home ownership by providing 50 percent of their down payment, up to a maximum of $15,000. The town has earmarked $600,000 from the housing trust fund for this program, which is open to people making no more than 120 percent of the median income in the town. On a sliding scale, that works out to $85,600 for an individual or $122,200 for a family of four. The maximum purchase price of the house is $396,150.

The “Take Back the Blocks” program, which will make available to first-time buyers houses the town has purchased from absentee landlords and rehabilitated to include a primary residence and a legal accessory apartment. The projected income from the apartment will help buyers qualify for a mortgage and meet carrying costs. The Town has allocated $429,000 in housing trust fund money to help purchase properties on Columbia and Tower Streets, which will be converted to a total of 16 living units. Other funding for this program is coming from Suffolk County and from the State’s Restore NY Communities program. This program is open to people making 80 percent of the median income, or $57,000 for an individual and $81,450 for a family of four on the sliding scale.

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.

 The Huntington Arts Council is sponsoring a Variety Talent Competition!    Don’t miss this evening of Comedy, Music, Drama, Dance & More on March 28 at 8 p.m. at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.  Celebrity judges will decide on who will win the “Got Talent” title with fabulous prizes, cash and a spot at the 2009 Huntington Summer Arts Festival. The audience will crown the “Got Talent?” Audience Choice winner at the end of the evening.

Contact the Huntington Arts Council online or call 631-271-8423 x12 for more information or to purchase tickets.  Support the arts and the community!

To quote The New York Times (Dec. 5, 2008) ” … everyone who sat on their down payment savings accounts for a few years too long will kick themselves for not taking advantage of what may turn out to be the buying opportunity of a lifetime for those who can qualify for a mortgage.”  Why is now such an opportune time?  Consider these points:

·         Housing prices have dropped considerably from their peak levels.

·         Mortgage Rates for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages are lower now and the federal government may encourage a drop to around 4.5%.

·         First-time Homebuyers have nothing to sell.

·         If you are short on a down-payment, FHA mortgages are available (at a higher interest rate).

·         $7500 Federal Tax Credit for First-Time Homebuyers (an interest free loan) available only until July 1, 2009 for eligible taxpayers who meet the income guideline.   

·         Over the long-term, real estate continues to be a great investment.  And it’s yours.

I’ve had many inquiries about Senior Housing in the Town of Huntington.  We have a variety of housing choices - including condos, townhomes and villas.  Stone Ridge in Dix Hills, The Greens and The Coves in Melville are popular developments.  Contact Cheryl at 631-549-1993 or email:  cheryl@liagent.com for up-to-date availability of homes in these and other Senior Developments. 

Current Housing Market Stats for the Town of Huntington

Inventory numbers are about the same between September, 2008 and 2007. The Median Listing Price is exactlythe same. And it is a positive sign that the months’ supply of inventory is down for 2008 (the number of months it would take to sell all the houses currently on the
market).

The number of homes that entered Under Contract is higher in Sept. 08 than 07 and the Median Contract Price (the listing price at the time of contract) is lower in Sept. 08 than Sept. 07. The number of houses which Closed in September (some entered into contract months earlier) is higher in Sept. 08 but the Median Selling Price is considerably lower in Sept. 08 than in Sept. 07.

The percentage reduced between the CV to IV -
Contract Value (Median Listing Price at time of contract) to
Inventory Value (Median Listing Price of Available Listings). The ratios are higher in Sept. 2008 for both the Median Original Listing Price to the Median Selling Price and the spread between the Median Listing Price (Available Listings) and the Selling Price of Closed Listings. The Closed Median Price reflects a huge range of selling prices from a high of $3,625,000 to a low of $140,000.

Summary of Sept, YTD 2008-2007 Housing Stats

A comparison of the 2008 YTD (January to September) Summary with the 2007 stats shows a common pattern. There is a large range between the number of Available Listings and the number of houses that are Under Contract. Only 1 in 4 to 5 homes sell.

3rd Quarter Housing Stats 2008-2007

Comparison of 2008 and 2007 3rd Quarter Housing Stats for Town of Huntington. Data from Long Island Multiple Listing Service, compiled by Cheryl Grossman