Clifton Park and Albany NY Homes for Sale: December 2009

Clifton Park NY Real Estate News

Home Buyer Tax Credits

Most everyone is aware of the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, but few know about the enhanced $6,500 Tax Credit for Repeat Buyers.  Listed below are the basic rules for this refundable tax credit:

• Maximum Credit is $6,500.
• Maximum Purchase Price $800,000
• Income Limitation: $125,000 single, $225,000 married
• Home being sold must have been primary residence for 5 consecutive years during the previous 8 years.
• Home being purchased must be under contract by no later than April 30th, 2010 and close by no later than July 1, 2010.

If you are thinking about buying a neew home, now is the time to start your search so you can take advantage of this $6,500 tax credit.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thank you,

Lewis

Clifton Park NY Home for Sale - OPEN HOUSE January 3rd 1-3

Come see this beautiful 4 bedroom 2.1 bath colonial on a quiet cul-de-sac.  This home features a fully finished basement, huge deck, and second floor laundry room.  Kitchen has a LARGE granite island for extra seating and entertaining.  Close to bike baths, parks, and town pools.  Proudly offered at $349,900  **Broker is related to owner**

Call Lewis Beynon for more details (518-281-3951) or search the entire MLS at no charge on my Web site: www.LewisB.com.  Listing compliments of Realty USA, advertised with permission.

Come see all this HUGE Rotterdam Colonial has to offer; Finished basement, HUGE rooms, HUGE deck, LARGE yard, Fully Fenced, Family Room with Fireplace, Living Room, Formal Dining Room.  Proudly offered at $259,900

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY JANUARY 10th NOON to 2:00

Please call Lewis for more details (518-281-3951) or search the entire MLS at NO CHARGE on my web site: www.LewisB.com.  Prime Property Solutions, LLC.  Licensed Real Estate Agent.

Are you thinking about buying a new home in Clifton Park NY?

If you are thinking about buying a home in Clifton Park NY or anywhere in the Capital District, then please read this valuable information.  All these steps should be completed before you start looking at homes.

These quick and easy steps will save you time, money, and frustration.

1) Call a Mortgage Broker and a Mortgage Banker to get pre-qualified.  Ask each of them for a Good Faith Estimate based on a hypothetical home in your price range.  Make sure you give each of them the exact same numbers (sales price, taxes, etc) so you can compare the two estimates side by side.  This will show you which lender has the better rates and lower fees.

2) Find 2 real estate agents and interview each of them.  Do not sign anything during these meetings.  After you have interviewed both of them, then select the one you feel best fits YOUR needs.  Be sure to ask them about value-added services they provide their clients, their hours of operation, and their expectations of you.  I've heard a lot of horror stories about agents who will show a buyer 4 houses and then tell them to pick one or agents that won't take your call after 5 or on weekends.

3) Call 2 Home Inspectors and ask about their services.  What services do they offer and what do they charge?  Be sure to ask if they are certified and ask for their License number.

4) Call 2 attorneys and ask them about their services and their fees.  Be sure to ask about title insurance; what type of transaction do they recommend it and which transactions do they feel it is not needed.

Far too often I have had buyers not heed my advice.  Then, they fond the home of their dreams and they are so excited about their new home that they rush through these important steps and may not be making the best decisions for themselves.

Lastly, buyers should be extremely careful about using a "friend" to provide any of these services unless they are 100% certain that they will receive great service.  Many "friends" think they don't have to work as hard for their client because they are friends.  My attitude is that I have to work even harder because my client-friend knows all my other friends and will surely spread the word if I don't do a good job for them.

Best wishes and happy shopping for your new home!!!

Clifton Park NY Real Estate - Inspections

As part of the Purchase and Sale Contract used in the Clifton Park NY area, including Albany and the surrounding counties, one of 3 contingencies contained in the contract that helps protect buyers is your right to perform specific Inspections.  The areas specifically covered in the inspections are; 1) Structural, 2) Wood Destroying Organisms, 3) Septic Systems, 4) Well Water Flow and Quality, and 5) Radon.

Buyers can reserve the right to perform and or all of these tests.  If any of these test find "substantial defects", the buyers have three options; a) cancel the contract and have their earnest money deposit returned to them, b) have the sellers repair the defective item or c) obtain a credit at closing from the sellers.

It is important to note that the term substantial defect refers to any INDIVIDUAL repair which would reasonably cost over $1,500 to correct.  The obvious key here is the term individual.  The exception to this rule is Radon.  The contract allows the buyer the same three options as indicated above for any Radon test measuring 4.0picocuries per liter or higher.

I am proud to refer all my buyers to PCH Associates - The Home Inspection.  Mr. Peter Hughes is a true professional and has delivered outstanding service to all my clients.  In addition to his service delivery, PCH Associates in the only inspection company I know of in the Clifton Park NY real estate market that offers infrared scanning technology.  This equipment allows your inspector the ability to detect potential problems in your home like:

1. Internal Structural Problems
2. Moisture Damage and Concerns
3. Wood Destroying Insects
4. Plumbing and Duct Work Leaks
5. Heat Loss
6. Insulation Deficiencies
7. Rodent Infestations
8. Electrical Problems

So, whether you are buying or selling, please give Peter a call (518-577-7707), he would be more than happy to talk to you about your specific situation and will recommend the best products for your needs.

Clifton Park Real Estate Tips

Although the local real estate market, including Clifton Park NY, continues to be a buyers market there are 10 easy or inexpensive things every seller should do in order to expedite the sale of their home.  The entire premise of this list is 1) CLEAN and 2) MINIMIZE.  As a seller, you have every right to live anyway you chose, but if you want to maximize your selling price and minimize your Days on Market, then please follow these tips.  This list starts outside the home because the old adage still holds true; first impressions are lasting ones.

1. Paint or replace worn-out mail boxes.
2. Paint faded shutters.
3. Wash or paint your front door. If your storm door is old and unsightly, remove it.  No storm door is better than a bad one.
   
4. Replace or polish the front door knob, knocker, and kick-plate.
5. Remove or replace tired or worn-out planters or other porch decorations/chairs/swings.
6. Buy new door mats, inside and out.
7. Use high watt light bulbs throughout the home, especially those rooms with poor lighting or dark paint colors.
8. Pack EVERYTHING you won't need in the next 3 months.  MINIMIZE items in bedroom closets, linen closets, coat closets, vanity cabinets, and underneath kitchen sinks.  If you haven't used it in the last 3 months; pack it!
   
9. Dust and CLEAN EVERYTHING.  Wash walls, baseboards, doors, door knobs, blinds, curtains, light fixtures, paddle fans, register vents, window sills, behind the refrigerator, underneath and behind the stove.
10. Remove and pack "excess" furniture, pictures, and, knick-knacks.  I realize these items have special meaning to you but they do not mean anything to a potential buyer.  All these things make a room feel very small.

I hope you found this list useful.  If you are thinking of selling your home in Clifton Park NY, I invite you to interview me for the opportunity to represent you in the sale and marketing of your home.  THANK YOU!!!

The National Association of Realtors Releases Albany NY Market Report

The National Association of Realtors just released the 3rd quarter Local Market Reports for 2009.  These reports provide a lot of useful information from across the country and cover almost every Statistical Marketing Area (SMA).  Please click HERE to review the Albany NY market report.

If you have detailed questions about the Clifton Park NY market or any of the Albany area markets, please let me know and I can provide you with specific information on your neighborhood.  Remember: all markets are local and need to be reviewed at a micro level.

The Celiac Disease Foundation presents the “awareness” brochure – Are You The ONE?

This color handout gives the definition of celiac disease, identifies the symptoms and contains information on how to get tested. To download the brochure, click HERE to be redirected to their Web site or call CDF at 818-990-2354 for additional copies. Help CDF raise awareness and find the ONE in 133 people affected by celiac disease!

Celiac Disease (CD) is a lifelong, digestive disorder affecting children and adults. When people with CD eat foods that contain gluten, it creates an immune-mediated toxic reaction that causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be properly absorbed. Even small amounts of gluten in foods can affect those with CD and cause health problems. Damage can occur to the small bowel even when there are no symptoms present.
 
Gluten is the common name for the proteins in specific grains that are harmful to persons with celiac disease. These proteins are found in ALL forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, einkorn and faro) and related grains rye, barley and triticale and MUST be eliminated from the diet.

Please visit the CDF Web site for complete details.

With Active Listings (no new construction) at 212, there are only 6 Bank Owned properties located in the Clifton Park NY area including all of the Shenendehowa Central Schools.  In looking at these homes, it appears that there is a good opportunity in here for the right buyer!!!

If you have any questions about this, or any Clifton Park NY real estate needs, please give me a call or visit my Web site and search the entire MLS at NO CHARGE: www.LewisB.com

This data is from the CRMLS system and is deemed accurate, but cannot be guaranteed.

Show me the money!!!

For your protection, banks, insurance companies, utilities, investment companies and many other businesses are required by NY State law to surrender inactive accounts to the State.  The Office of the State Comptroller serves as custodian of this money until you claim it. The State of New York never takes ownership of this money. If you can prove you are entitled to the money, they will gladly return it to you, at any time, without charge.

Hey, you never know!!! 

Search this website for your name and it will tell you how to avoid having your money turned over to the State and how to get it back if it is abandoned.

Good luck searching for your name, and Merry Christmas to you.......................MAYBE, MAYBE NOT!!!