Many homeowners have one big asset in their pocket: real property. They can use that asset to help them financially. Options for tapping home equity are HELOCs, home equity loans, refinances, and reverse mortgages. HELOCs With a home equity line of credit (HELOC), homeowners can borrow money against the equity in their home. Opening a line of […]
Decluttering is the first step in getting the home ready for buyers. Seniors, particularly those who’ve lived in their home for years, have a lot of stuff. And much of it is precious to them; it’s certainly not “clutter”! But buyers will likely see it as such. To gain a different perspective, it’s helpful to […]
Retirement and Active Adult Communities Retirement communities are typically for older adults who are still fully capable of living alone. Some cater to “active adults,” age 55 years old and older. Types include single-family, semi-detached, condos, and townhomes. Active adult communities don’t typically offer group dining facilities or healthcare services. Whether rentals or owned properties, common features include: […]
If you’re living in America, then you already know about the rising gas prices, rising inflation, and rising energy costs. At this point, you’ve probably already seen your utility bills come in higher than normal. We recently received an email from ConEd with some good tips on how to prepare for rising energy costs and […]
Hi all, hope you’re doing well! We just wanted to share some information that we thought you might find helpful. We’ve been monitoring the market closely and discussing several topics that affect NYC homeowners so if you are a Brooklyn homeowner, you may find this data insightful. First thing we wanted to share is a […]
Hi Friends, hope all is well! This month we have some cool things to share with you 🙂 First, we have a good article on the difference between a basement and a cellar. If you own a home in NYC you may be calling your ground level a basement when indeed it is a cellar. […]
Answer provided by Neil B. Garfinkel, REBNY Broker Counsel, Partner-in-charge of real estate and banking practices at Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP Answer: The Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (“HSTPA”) created a specific time frame and procedure for landlords to follow when returning a tenant’s security deposit at the end of a lease […]
NYC Homeowner Connect Hi Friends ?, hope you’re doing well! This month we wanted to share a few important things with you. First is information about the Notice of Property Value for your property which you should have received in the mail this month. Second, some information related to the age old question, is now […]
If you’re an NYC homeowner, then you know that your annual Notice of Property Value (NOPV) comes out around February. In this NOPV, it indicates your property’s estimated market value and tax assessed value for the upcoming year. In the NOPV, it gives you instructions on how to challenge your assessment, if you disagree with […]
Your new house is pretty awesome, otherwise you would never have considered buying it. But, there are some things about it that are a lot more awesome than others. Take, for example, that kitchen floor. You wouldn’t say it’s ugly, but you’ve seen better design harmony in a restaurant trash bin. It’s gotta go. Your […]
Depending on where you live, the end of winter means different things. Maybe it’s the anticipation of an explosion of colorful wildflowers, or maybe it’s just a break from all the heavy, wet snow on absolutely everything. Either way, those warming days when winter starts to turn to spring are ideal for checking your roof […]
You’re a homeowner now, you can kiss bland uniformity goodbye the moment you turn your apartment keys over to your now former landlord. The world is your canvas — at least, that part of the world that you now are obligated to pay a monthly mortgage payment on — and you’re the artist that’ll mold […]
You bought your house because of the beautiful yard, the unbelievable hearth in the den, the two generous bathrooms and, of course, the enormous basement. You had big plans for that basement — it was going to be a home theater with a pool room, all very posh, but the first melt of winter had […]
It’s finally spring! Time to break out the grill and the patio set and spend your evenings cooking out under the stars. Except, you don’t have a patio, you have a backyard that’s currently a soppy, muddy mess from spring rainstorms. You’d love to get outside, but it’s just so mucky and sticky out there. […]
In 1986, Tom Hanks starred in a movie called “The Money Pit.” It was all about a couple’s adventures in remodeling what has to be the worst house ever. Even though it was a comedy, if you’ve ever been part of a big remodel, some of the situations the co-stars find themselves in (re: the […]
All homes have quirks that require special care and consideration, but when it comes to homes with basements, it’s a whole different ball game. Instead of fighting with the light switch on the north wall, you’re trying to keep the carpet dry and catch any water long before it becomes a problem. Waterproofing the basement […]
1. Public Records and Data Research A local Brooklyn Realtor is able to compile property records with additional data to see a clear legal picture of your physical property and legally recorded documents that could affect the value. Licensed Brooklyn Real Estate Agents are able to increase their resources as well by working with other professionals […]
You’ve been a homeowner for a while now and overall, everything’s gone pretty well. Your home is a comforting, safe place that has given more than it has taken — you’re pretty happy with how that purchase has gone, really. That’s why when your friend was talking about the frightening amount of rent he’s paying […]
Where there’s smoke… If you’re like most people you don’t give your fire extinguisher a second thought… until you need it. Give yourself real peace of mind by performing a quick visual inspection, checking the pressure, and making sure that your fire extinguisher is in an accessible place should you need it in a hurry. […]
