new york: Appliance Maintenance: HVAC
- 08/20/10 05:49 AM
Keep your HVAC systems running efficiently and reliably with this simple maintenance routine. “We recommend annual visits from an HVAC contractor each fall and spring,” says Richard Ciresi, owner of the Louisville Aire Serv franchise. In fall, the technician will clean and inspect the furnace blower, burners, and heat exchanger. In spring, he or she will clean indoor and outdoor condenser coils, verify refrigerant charge, and inspect wiring. Here’s a list of maintenance tips to keep your heating and cooling system running efficiently and reliably: Every 90 days, install a new one-inch pleated furnace filter. Families with shedding pets should replace … (0 comments)
new york: Foreclosure Couselors: What they can and can't do
- 08/20/10 05:47 AM
Foreclosure counselors can make the difference between losing your home and keeping it. Here’s how they work and how to choose one. If you’re facing foreclosure, your foreclosure counselor will be a key part of your foreclosure team. As you start looking for one, however, you need to know what exactly they do, what they don’t do, and how to choose one who’s legitimate and qualified. What a foreclosure counselor does Reviews your finances Helps you establish a budget Explains your non-foreclosure options, such as loan modification, short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure; helps you navigate the process with … (0 comments)
new york: Appliance Maintenance: Water Heaters
- 08/20/10 05:38 AM
Keep your water heater running efficiently and reliably with this simple maintenance routine. Depending on a homeowner’s water quality, a hot water heater can be expected to last eight to 12 years, says Frank Czeronka, a licensed master plumber and Mr. Rooter franchise owner. Completing the following routine maintenance schedule, however, can greatly extend the unit’s lifespan. Here’s a list of maintenance tips to keep your water heater running efficiently and reliably: Always adjust the thermostat to 120 degrees to avoid the risk of scalding. Always maintain 2 feet of clearance around the appliance unless the manual specifically states otherwise. Annually, … (1 comments)
new york: Outdoor Appliance Buying Guide: Specialty Items
- 08/20/10 05:35 AM
Specialty appliances for outdoor kitchens are hot items, but you’ll spend thousands of dollars for the added convenience. “There is a trend away from simple barbecue islands and to elaborate outdoor kitchens,” explains Mitch Slater, president of Danver, a manufacturer of outdoor kitchen cabinetry. “Homeowners want to be able to do outdoors all the food preparation that they normally have to do indoors.” For that reason, appliances like ice makers, pizza ovens, and beer fridges are all finding their way to the backyard. However, you should carefully consider your needs and lifestyle to ensure that you’ll get your money’s worth of … (1 comments)
new york: Evaluate Your House for Basement Finishing
- 08/20/10 05:31 AM
Converting your basement into living space requires being aware of building codes and understanding special requirements. Finishing your basement into a family room, game room, or spare bedroom is a financially sound decision. In addition to increasing the usable (and enjoyable) living space of your home, a finished basement pays back a high percentage of your investment at resale. According to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report, a basement remodeling project returns more than 75% of its original cost. The cost of finishing your basement into usable living space is about $100 per square foot—generally less expensive than building up … (0 comments)
new york: Stately Tudor in the Huntington Bay Area
- 08/19/10 06:16 AM
This beautiful Todor in the Huntington Bay area has recently had a price reduction to $3,499,000. Please see my site below or contact Jyll Kata LBA at 516-330-2321, or 516-624-9000 ext 217 for more information.
new york: Mortgage Rates Fall to 4.59%, Enough To Move Demand
- 07/23/10 06:57 AM
Finally. Record low mortgage rates spurred an uptick in new-purchase mortgage applications last week for just the second time in the past two months, while more Americans also applied to refinance, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Rates fell last week to 4.59% on an average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, which is down from 4.69% one week ago and the lowest ever recorded by the trade group since its survey began in 1972. Other measures show that rates continued to fall this week: Zillow’s Mortgage Marketplace quoted an average of 4.37% on Tuesday. Those low rates haven’t done much to drive up … (0 comments)
new york: 10 Tips for Saving Water in the Garden
- 07/23/10 04:16 AM
Even if you don’t live in a dry climate, fresh water may be an increasingly scarce and expensive commodity. One way to conserve water is to design a landscape plan that cuts down on the need for irrigation. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, converting to a water-efficient landscape can reduce your outdoor water use by 20% to 50%, or as much as 10,000 gallons a year. That saves money, too, shaving between $30 and $70 off the average annual household water bill. Often called xeriscaping or drought-tolerant landscaping, low-water landscaping also makes yard maintenance easier. Here are 10 strategies that … (0 comments)
new york: Robert De Niro Kin Buys East Hampton Home for 2.5 Million
- 06/25/10 09:40 AM
Claudine De Niro, actor and Montauk resident Robert De Niro's daughter-in-law and a senior vice president of Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate, has purchased an East Hampton home with her father for $2.5 million, according to the Long Island Real Estate Report. The five-bedroom, 6.5-bath postmodern is 5,480 square feet. There is a wine cellar. The three-acre property has a heated gunite pool with direct access from the master suite, which features his and her closets. The stone patio also has a spa, a bar area and a pergola. Claudine De Niro's father, Joao DeMatos, used to own a Brazilian restaurant … (2 comments)
new york: Buyers Take The May 2010 Sales Data all The Way To The Bank
- 06/25/10 05:15 AM
One month after the federal homebuyer tax credit's official expiration, the New Home Sales report turned in its worst showing ever. In May 2010, for the first time in 11 months, the inventory of unsold new homes crossed the 8-month marker, posting an 8.5 month supply overall. Additionally, new homes sales volume fell to 300,000 units nationwide -- a drop of 32% and its lowest level since the Commerce Department started tracking data in 1963. Now, universally, the press is referring to the May New Home Sales report as "poor". A closer look, however, shows that may not be the case. … (0 comments)
new york: A Simple Explanation of the Federal Reserve Statement (June 23, 2010 Edition)
- 06/25/10 05:11 AM
Today, in its first meeting in 5 weeks, the Federal Open Market Committee voted 9-to-1 to leave the Fed Funds Rate unchanged. The Fed Fund Rate remains within its target range of 0.000-0.250 percent. In its press release, the FOMC said that, since April, "the economic recovery is proceeding" and that the jobs market "is improving gradually". Business spending "has risen significantly", too, with the exception of commercial real estate. Today's statement is the 8th straight press release in which the Fed shows optimism for the U.S. economy, dating back to June 2009. Since that time, the Fed has terminated all … (0 comments)
new york: A Financial Plan for Your Home
- 06/25/10 04:53 AM
Your home is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make. Create a financial plan that takes into account repairs, upgrades, mortgages, insurance, and taxes. You probably already have a financial plan for yourself in place. Most likely you sat down with an adviser at some point to set up a budget and diversify your investments. Or maybe you did it yourself online or at the dining room table. But what about your home specifically, probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make? Did you really take everything into account: repairs and upgrades, the mortgage, insurance, and taxes? Probably not. You need a … (1 comments)
new york: Appeal Your Property Tax Bill
- 06/25/10 04:48 AM
To successfully appeal your property tax bill, you first need to do a bit of sleuthing into your real estate assessment. Owning a home is an expensive proposition. There’s maintenance, landscaping, utilities, renovations, and, of course, taxes. It’s your civic duty to pay the latter, but it’s also your right not to yield a penny more than your fair share. It’s possible to trim your property tax bill by appealing the assessed value of your home. But making a case against your real estate assessment, the basis for your property tax bill, requires doing a bit of homework. Initial research can … (0 comments)
new york: US commercial real estate gains strength
- 06/18/10 05:57 AM
(Reuters) - The collapse of the U.S. commercial real estate bubble will not be as crushing as many had anticipated, a top executive for real estate services company Jones Lang LaSalle Inc (JLL.N) said on Monday at the Reuters Global Real Estate and Infrastructure Summit in New York. After investment firm Lehman Brothers collapsed in September 2008, real estate investors worried there would be a widespread sell-off of debt-laden commercial properties. While the values of office buildings and other commercial properties have fallen, the anticipated flood of foreclosures and bankruptcies has not occurred -- and probably will not, said James Koster, … (0 comments)
new york: 7 Smart Strategies for Kitchen Remodeling
- 06/11/10 05:35 AM
When planning a kitchen remodel, keep the same footprint, add storage, and design adequate lighting so you preserve value and keep costs on track. If you’re contemplating a kitchen remodel, you’re also weighing a considerable investment. But a significant portion of the upfront costs may be recovered by the value the project brings to your home. Kitchen remodels in the $50,000 range recouped 76% of the initial project cost at the home’s resale, according to recent data from Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report. To make sure you maximize your return, consider these seven smart kitchen remodeling strategies. 1. Establish your … (3 comments)
new york: Do Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Make Sense Now?
- 06/11/10 05:09 AM
Although they’ve been much maligned, adjustable-rate mortgages make sense in a variety of circumstances. Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) get bad press. The poster child for irresponsible borrowing, they’re the mortgage industry’s bad boys. But ARMs can be excellent loans for thrifty borrowers. How ARMs work An ARM begins with a low introductory rate that remains fixed for a specified period. Upon expiration, the interest rate periodically adjusts based on an underlying index, which goes up or down. This contrasts sharply with a fixed-rate mortgage (FRM), where the monthly payment remains consistent.The chief advantage of an ARM is that it allows you to … (2 comments)
Keep your HVAC systems running efficiently and reliably with this simple maintenance routine.
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