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.

Are you selling a luxury home in Dix Hills, Huntington or in The Town of Huntington?  Then it’s a good idea to know where the buyers for luxury homes are coming from.  Linda Bonarelli from our Realty Executives office put together these pie charts based on the Closed Transactions for 2008 from the Long Island Multiple Listing Service.

In all three charts, “Relocation” figures prominantly – So shouldn’t your marketing target relocation buyers?  Internet marketing, luxury home networking groups, social networking groups…  Think about where You would look if you were relocating to a new city or area.

As a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist and a Certified Relocation Specialist I have the training, experience and connections to market and sell your luxury home.  Contact me at cheryl@LIagent.com.  Visit my website at www.LIagent.com.

Bring the family to a drive-in presentation of the award winning comedy, Happy Feet (rated G). This marks the end of the 4^th season of the Movies-on-the-Lawn program, organized by Councilman Mark Cuthbertson and sponsored by the Town of Huntington.

The movie starts at dusk (around 9 PM) this Thursday, August 23^rd at the Crab Meadow Beach in Northport. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs in case the parking lot fills up early. Bug repellent might also be advisable. Admission is FREE. Popcorn provided courtesy of LaCasa Café.

For more information, contact Councilman Mark Cuthbertson (351-1112 or lruvolo@town.huntington.ny.us). In the event of inclement weather, the movie will be presented indoors starting at 7:30 PM in the John Glenn High School Auditorium on Elwood Road.

Kick-off the summer season by bringing the family to a lawn presentation of Curious George (rated G). This is the 4^th season of the Movies-on-the-Lawn program, organized by Councilman Mark Cuthbertson and sponsored by the Town of Huntington.

The movie starts at dusk (around 9 PM) this Saturday, June 27^th at the Dix Hills Park, near the swimming pool. Park in the pool parking lot and don’t forget to bring your picnic blanket, lawn chairs, and picnic supper. Bug repellent might also be advisable.

Admission is FREE.

For more information, contact Councilman Mark Cuthbertson (351-1112 or lruvolo@town.huntington.ny.us). In the event of inclement weather, the movie will be presented indoors starting at 7:30 PM in the John Glenn High School Auditorium on Elwood Road.

Northport is a lovely waterfront village located on the north shore of Long Island and is part of the Town of Huntington. Settled in the early 1600’s Northport has a rich heritage and is known for its Main Street – with trolley tracks from the 1800’s still in place – the beautiful Victorian homes throughout the town and the lovely Harbor views. Now people will flock to the area for another reason. The historic Northport Movie Theater has been renovated and transformed into a state-of-the art professional theater where "the highest caliber of theatrical productions (musicals, comedies and dramas), utilizing professional ‘Equity’ actors" will be presented. More information about the 2007-2008 Season and purchasing season tickets are available at the Engeman Theater website. Opening Night is scheduled for June 28, 2007. Sounds to me like a wonderful asset to everyone – Northport residents, Town of Huntington – and all of Long Island! Good Luck to them – or "Break a Leg"…

It’s almost Spring – when the talk of property taxes comes to the forefront. School budgets, Town budgets – even Gov. Spitzer is talking about reducing property taxes. But there may be a means to reduce your property taxes by doing a little homework yourself.

Some deadlines are upon us. March 1^st is the deadline to apply for the Star Program and other tax exemptions. See the Town of Huntington booklet on tax exemptions . If you want to file a formal complaint about the tax assessment on your home then you must do so before the 3^rd Tuesday in May. This year May 15 is Tax Grievance Day. If you would like a copy of the New York State booklet, "A Taxpayer’s Guide: How to File for a Review of Your Assessment," please contact the Assessor’s Office. The form to grieve your taxes can be accessed here.  You may choose to have someone else grieve your taxes. Some of my homeowners have used Mark Lewis at 631-696-2222. He has successfully reduced their taxes – maybe he can do the same for you. If you were pleased with a tax grievance service and would like to recommend them, then please comment.