Localism: Albany County, NY

Winter Home Maintenance Tips

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:40:46 -0600

The temperatures are falling, but before winter's chill descends, there are a lot of things to do inside and outside your home to get it ready for the cold months ahead.

Safety check

Make sure your smoke detector has fresh batteries and that the fire extinguishers are fully charged.
Since your heating system will soon be getting a work out, you'll need to change or replace filters and clean the vents. Now might be the time for a professional duct cleaning as well.
You'll also want to have your chimney cleaned to prevent dangerous creosote build up.

Get the yard ready

Give the yard and gutters a thorough cleaning and move debris away from the perimeter of the house.
This is a good time to trim back the branches of shrubs and trees that are touching the house. You can reduce the damage from winter ice and snow storms, which often send tree limbs crashing through roofs, with some prevention now.
Make sure to keep up on your leaf raking so you don't smother the new grass of cold-weather growers like fescue. Remove dead summer vegetables, flowers and perennial foliage and add to the compost pile, along with all those leaves.
It's time to plant early spring bulbs and fertilize established beds. Weeding now can save you a lot of time next year. Dig up tender warm-weather bulbs that can't make it through the winter and store them in a paper bag at in a dry cool place -- 65 degrees F or cooler.

In and out of the shed

Detach hoses for storage in the shed, and, since you won't be using your sprinklers until the spring, check the system for leaks, drain it to prevent burst pipes and shut it down.
You'll want to protect your outdoor furniture from winter weather too. Cover up or store items like seat cushions or umbrellas. Larger pieces and grills will need a waterproof cover.
Lots of things we keep in garden sheds won't make it through a freeze, so be sure to remove paints, caulks and liquid materials to a warmer location, like a basement.

Check roof and windows

Protect your roof by replacing any shingles that are loose or missing. To keep the weather from finding other ways inside your home, be sure to caulk any gaps around window or door frames.
It's also time to remove screens and put up storm windows. Be sure to clean windows outside while you're at it, and label the screens so you'll have an easier time replacing them in the spring.
Your clean and checked chimney won't do much good without the wood for a fire. So cover up the woodpile to keep it dry and make sure you have a supply of kindling ready to go.

What is buyer representation?

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:31:08 -0600

What is exclusive buyer representation and how did it develop?

In 1983, a Federal Trade Commission study revealed that over 72% of all home buyers nationwide mistakenly believed they were being represented by the agent who was showing them homes. As a result, laws requiring agents to disclose exactly who they represent have been passed all over the country. When consumers became aware that most agents worked for the seller, they began demanding their own representation.

Albany NY Investors see rental asking rates increase

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 20:32:10 -0600

If you are one of my investor clients you know rents have been going up for sometime. The credit crunch bumped many potential buyers back to renters and spurred rental demand in my opinion. On top of this, we are starting to see more and more "renters by choice". These are a few of the factors working to increase rents in the Albany area. According to a report released by Sunrise Management and Consulting in Latham, the asking rental rates at major apartment complexes have increased 12.5% on average over the past three years to $900/month. I continue to see quality multi family homes sell quickly and be in demand, particularly from downstate investors. If you are interested in creating a passive income using real estate call me to discuss the possibilities.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Give Albany NY homeowners facing foreclosure a holiday Break!

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:38:28 -0600

Fannie and Freddie Mac have announced that they will put a hold foreclosures proceedings for homeowners from 11/26/08 until 1/9/2009. This will will give many local homeowner's locally one less thing to worry about during a season that probably won't be that festive. If you are facing foreclosure in the Albany NY market call me. I can help. You have many, many, options other then Foreclosures. Ask me about a short sale. Ask me about my investors that will buy your home for cash. I can help! Looking to buy a foreclosed property? Visit me online at Albany NY Foreclosures

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank You!

Sincerely,

Kevin Clancy

518-861-7016
kevin@clancyrealestate.com
http://www.clancyrealestate.com

Be sure to check out this month's Newsletter, click here

To Search Thousands of MLS listed homes, click here

To see Kevin's Bio, click here

To see Hot Listings, click here

For Buyer's Articles, click here

For Seller's Articles, click here

Albany Mortgage rates move down making Black Friday a Great day to shop for Albany NY Real Estate!

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:10:20 -0600

The Bond market provided an early Christmas present to real estate particpants this week with significant drops in Mortgage interest rates. This makes Black Friday a great day to shop for real estate as well all your Christmas presents. My last check of rates with local mortgage brokers pegged a 30 year fixed as low as 5.37% and the 15 year fixed was obtainable at one point as low as 4.87%. Effectively this just lowered your payments or increased the amounty of home you can afford. To take full advantage of the rate drop call me to discuss you buying options and situation. You can also visit me online anytime at Albany NY Real Estate and Homes for sale!