About Tompkins County, NY

The city of Ithaca is making moves on the commercial front, unlike many depressed towns and cities of our size. We have a lot to be thankful for. There are more than a couple things mentioned in the article cited in this post, that really get me going! Just down the street from me on Clinton and Cayuga, (adjacent to the Cayuga St. parking garage) there will be a new Fingerlakes Wine Center, and a ground level restaurant in the building that was originally slated to become Cayuga Place condos. Meanwhile, the turn of events for the condos is that they will be initally built-out as high-end green apartments and rented instead, as the developer has met up with some of the same financial challenges to getting the project funded that have besieged many of the nations largest commercial developers - leverage is harder to come by and cash is in shorter supply these days. Nonetheless, I'm thrilled about these developments because I am a DOWNTOWN resident and these changes are going to impact my own quality of life since I'll one day be strolling right by them all! Follow this link to the Ithaca Times article, with full details. If you are visiting the area, let me give you a guided tour of these commercial developments, 2010! Maybe you'll be adding one to the list in 2011, and if so, I can help you find just the right location.

Reporting from Ithaca, NY, where it is a brisk 14 degrees this morning!

Agent Santos

Tompkins County Action unveiled it's newest affordable housing units in the city of Ithaca last Thursday, to good reviews. The structure is a refurbished duplex, outfitted with a 98% efficient heating system and solar panels on the roof. Details can be found in the Ithaca Journal write-up on the project. In reading the article you will find that the cost to rebuild the units was approximately $332,000. The two units are 1800 sf each, and are renting for $933, for a total of $1866/month.

Repeat buyers (those who already own a home) and want to upgrade or downgrade can take advantage of the $6,500 tax credit being offered up until April 30, 2010.

You have to have lived in your primary residence for a consecutive 5 years out of the last 8. ALSO as long as you're buying a new primary residence, you're not required to sell your current home right away-or at all.

Here's your opportunity to take advantage of today's lower home prices and historically low interest rates.

To read more about this visit http://www.remax.com/LearningCenter/ArticleViewer.aspx?id=27

If you are looking for bad news, HERE IT IS! Taxes are up in Tompkins County, ranging from 0.4% in the town of Caroline, NY, to 4.6% in the town of Newfield, NY. Today's Ithaca Journal offers details on where we are feeling it the worst, and why. Those of us who live here know that our taxes are high - so this is just...normal? Well, the problem then becomes, in six more years, how will I afford to be able to stay in my home?? Over the last six years, property taxes at my own South Hill (City of Ithaca) residence have risen 55%! In the same six years, the Consumer Price Index has risen only 15%, or less than 3%/year. The tax table comparisons for Tompkins County can be found online with the article.

Gang, speaking from the position of a still relatively new agent (into year 3 in a historically challenging time), I am here to say that RAINCAMP 2010 was worth it - and I came away feeling both intrigued and energized about the year ahead. Yes, some of the information is repetitive, since we've all been besieged with the term "Social Media" now, and it's starting to feel a little like a disease that one catch's, but I did take away some great tips and have started to apply them as of today! I am especially grateful that RAINCAMP was made available to me for a donation, based on what I could afford this year, vs. only one or two tier's of pricing. I know the MARRIOT in NYC is not a cheap place to rent for the day! So kudos, and thanks to the RAINCAMP organizers for putting the event together and getting me off on the right foot in 2010. REPORTING FROM ITHACA, NY, where it is sunny and about 25 degrees today!

Agent Santos