About Rockland County, NY

It looks like the $8000 tax credit for first time buyers will be extended to May 1, 2010. The Senate and The Legislature have both passed the bill which includes higher income limits as well as a provision for step up buyers. A step up buyers is deemed someone who has lived in their property for at least five years. That credit will be for up to $6500. The bill is just awaiting the expected signature of President Obama. For more information on this you can click here.

THE LATEST: Nov. 5th at 3:00 p.m. EST -

Congress Passes Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension and Expansion

Today the United States House of Representatives, by a vote of 430-12, joined the Senate in passing the Unemployment Insurance Bill, which contains the Homebuyer Tax Credit extension and expansion. The bill now goes to the President for his signature, possibly tomorrow. See details on the the changes to the Homebuyer Tax Credit below.

Changes to the Homebuyer Tax Credit Law
Frequently Asked Questions About the New Bill
In Depth: 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

GO GREEN on Battery Saturday - The village of Suffern, NY is trying to do their part in GOING GREEN. They have set Saturday, November 7th, 2009 as the first “BATTERY SATURDAY” – meant to encourage people to keep their toxic batteries out of the waste stream.

Deputy Mayor John Meehan dreamed up the idea. Though the Town of Ramapo recycles batteries the drive to Pomona to the Rockland County Solid Waste Authority to dispose of them is often just not worth the trip for just a couple of smalll batteries. On Battery Saturday you won’t have to go far - batteries will conveniently be collected at Suffern Village Hall from 9AM to 3PM.

So, take advantage of the opportunity to easily and safely dispose of old batteries the GREEN way and schedule battery replacements, maintenance and check-ups for vehicles, appliances, smoke alarms or any other devices in your home that use batteries. Batteries of all sizes will be accepted – from small triple A’s to car and truck batteries.

For this one day only, Volunteers will do pick-ups of household batteries - from residents homes if batteries are put out in paper bags or boxes. NO LOOSE BATTERIES and no vehicle batteries will be picked up..

So…… Let’s all chip in and do our part to GO GREEN and keep toxic batteries out of our waste stream!!!.

The event is being co-sponsored by the Suffern Fire Department, the local CSEAUnit and the Suffern Foundation.

Photos Battery Recycling by Johnseb, Car Battery by Andy Armstrong

Even wonder why some homes draw in tons of buyers, while other homes just sit on the market for months, even years? There are several factors that will sell a home in today's difficult market, the price of your home needs to be competitve, your home's location, and your home's appearance (the inside and the outside).

In order to make all your rooms appear large and inviting, all additional furniture and clutter must be removed from every room before you place your home on the market. A potential buyer will even look in your master bedroom closet, bathroom vanity, and kitchen pantry. Everything needs to be organized and anything you have not used in years should be thrown away.

Any dark window drapes or shades need to be removed before you take any pictures to be placed online to try and sell your home. You blinds need to be cleaned and all your windows need to be washed. A dirty window will prevent light from entering the rooms and the rooms can appear dark and uninviting.

You outside landscape needs to be kept up even during the winter months. If it snows, all walkways needs to cleared off immediately and all outside lights should be replaced with the highest wattage that is permitted so your home shines at night. In the Spring and Fall, new mulch should always be applied to any beds to make then pop. Also, when you place your home on the market for sale, always leave a light during the night hours to make sure any potential buyers can see your house number.

The wall colors need to flow from room to room and should compliment each other. When you are selling a home, it is best to stick with more neutral colors (e.g. sage green, light yellow) to appeal to a larger buyer audience.

All your room accessories need to be larger to show up nicely online. One rule most home stagers use when preparing a home for a real estate open house, is not to use any accessories that are smaller than a cantelope. I agree with this rule and apply it as well when staging homes for sale.

All of the above steps need to be done before any digital pictures are taken. Today, over 85% of potential home buyers are searching for a new home on the Internet. Your home's online MLS presence needs to show how great your home really is. Make sure all your pictures are bright and taken from correct angles. If you need help with this ask your Realtor or local home stager. Homes that have 20 or more pictures online tend to generate the most traffic, this is another important fact to consider.

Good luck with your home sale and remember to prepare your home before you take any digital pictures.

-Kate

Kate's Home Staging and Redesign now sells semi-custom window coverings at discount prices. Our window coverings include roman shades, Levolor and Dynasty blinds, faux wood blinds, bamboo blinds, woven wood blinds, cornices, valances, sheers, and drapes. Our roman shades can be ordered in 100% pure silk, linen, cotton, or designer fabric. We also offer Benjamin Moore color consultations and test color boards, interior decorating, home staging, and redesign. Please visit http://www.kateshomestaging.com for more info or call 845-538-3623. All window covering appointments include a free 30 minute design consultation for the same room. We serve Passaic County and Bergen County of New Jersey and Rockland County and Orange County of New York, basically the lower Hudson Valley. We are an affiliate member of the Passaic County of Realtors, a member of RESA, ASHSR.