LifeandHomes Capital Region NY April 2023

Fenced In

When I was a kid, backyards were often interconnected, creating the perfect seeing for neighborhood baseball games and frequent games of hide and seek. Those days are gone in most places. As one person put it; urban density and legal liability have taken care of that.

Fenced yards have become common ways to add privacy, and keep pets in and others out. And while it's often said good fences make good neighbors, the fact is, property disputes involving fences and allegations of encroachment are reportedly among the most heavily litigated, often contentious, types of cases.

If your summer plans include installing a fence, hedges, trees or bushes on your property with the intention of creating a partition or boundary, you should take a few steps to help avoid your own fence dispute.

Determine legally recorded property lines. Installing a fence even an inch over your line can cause problems. In many cases, as long as the neighbor is in agreement, you can install a fence directly on a property line that's shared with them. Fence companies usually install a foot inside the line, just to be sure.

Obtain a permit and follow local zoning ordinances dictating fence requirements, such as the height of a fence, how far an owner must set back a fence, the use of prohibited material, the maintenance of a fence, etc. Height limits typically are 6 feet for side and back yards; 4 feet for front yards.

It's good etiquette to notify neighbors before installing a fence. If property line issues exist, you'll want to resolve them before any kind of construction begins. To avoid the chance of disputes, some communities now require written neighbor notification 30 days in advance of any proposed building. If you live in a community regulated by a Homeowner's Association (HOA), you're at their mercy and must follow their guidelines.

Make it a point to be a good neighbor when it comes time to maintain, repair or replace a fence or boundary marker. If a dispute does happen to arise between yourself and a neighbor, work together and do everything in your power to find a peaceful resolution.

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Mortgage Facts You Should Know

Most loans have 4 parts: Principal: the repayment of the amount you actually borrowed; Interest: payment to the lender for the money you've borrowed; Homeowners Insurance: a monthly amount to insure the property against loss from fire, smoke, theft, and other hazards required by most lenders; and Property Taxes: the annual city/county taxes assessed on your property, divided by the number of mortgage payments you make in a year.

Most loans are for 30 years, although 15-year loans are available, too. During the life of the loan, you'll pay far more in interest than you will in principal - sometimes two or three times more! Because of the way loans are structured, in the first years you'll be paying mostly interest in your monthly payments. In the final years, you'll be paying mostly principal.

What do you need to take with you when applying for a mortgage? If you have everything with you when you visit your lender, you'll save a good deal of time. You should have:

1) social security numbers for both your and your spouse, if both of you are applying for the loan;

2) copies of your checking and savings account statements for the past 6 months;

3) evidence of any other assets like bonds or stocks;

4) a recent paycheck stub detailing your earnings;

5) a list of all credit card accounts and the approximate monthly amounts owed on each;

6) a list of account numbers and balances due on outstanding loans, such as car loans; 7) copies of your last 2 years' income tax statements; and 8) the name and address of someone who can verify your employment. Depending on your lender, you may be asked for other information.

There are numerous types of mortgages, and the more you know about them before you start, the better. Most people use a fixed-rate mortgage. In a fixed rate mortgage, your interest rate stays the same for the term of the mortgage, which normally is 30 years. The advantage of a fixed-rate mortgage is that you always know exactly how much your mortgage payment will be, and you can plan for it.

Another kind of mortgage is an Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM). With this kind of mortgage,

your interest rate and monthly payments usually start lower than a fixed-rate mortgage. But your rate and payment can change either up or down, as often as once or twice a year. The adjustment is tied to a financial index, such as the U.S. Treasury Securities index. The advantage of an ARM is that you may be able to afford a more expensive home because your initial interest rate will be lower.

There are several government mortgage programs,including the Veteran's Administration's programs and the Department of Agriculture's programs. Most people have heard of FHA mortgages. FHA doesn't actually make loans. Instead, it insures loans so that if buyers default for some reason, the lenders will get their money. This encourages lenders to give mortgages to people who might not otherwise qualify for a loan. Talk to your real estate broker about the various kinds of loans, before you begin shopping for a mortgage. ( Hud.gov)

Important Spring Home Maintenance Steps

Spring is the ideal time to give your home a onceover both inside and out to flag any issues and create a maintenance to-do list. According to the experts at State Farm, here are some top spring maintenance tasks to help protect your home:

Roof and gutters: Your roof provides fundamental protection of your home from the elements in all seasons. Inspect your roof at least once annually for damage, discoloration, loss of granules and missing, worn or curling shingles. If you have the skills, you can do this yourself, or, call a qualified contractor who can come and do an inspection.

Some additional things to keep in mind, especially during rainy spring months: Gutters and downspouts should be safely attached, clear of leaves and other debris, and have no leaks. Position downspouts to direct water away from the home so it doesn't impact the foundation. Also, check that flashing is securethe thin, metal material that's around windows, vents and chimneys to direct water away.

HVAC systems: HVAC stands for your home's heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. These systems work together to keep

your home comfortable throughout the seasons. Regular maintenance helps keep them working well today and extends their life in the future while also saving on energy costs.

Start by setting a reminder every few months to replace filters. Dirty filters can block airflow and make the HVAC system work harder, decreasing efficiency and increasing energy costs. Then, schedule a spring maintenance check with a local HVAC professional. Pros will often check the thermostat, clean or replace filters, lubricate moving parts, check refrigerant levels, inspect the condenser and coils, and investigate unusual noises.

Garage spaces: Garages can quickly become cluttered and certain items pose risks, such as fuel that can start a fire or items that can be attractive to pests. Embrace spring by planning a day to clean out the garage so it is organized and safe.

If you store any fuel in the garage, use dedicated, leak-proof containers out of the reach of children and pets, and away from potential sources of fire ignition such as water heaters or power tools. Be smart about paint and homeimprovement chemicals, too. A shed away from your home may be a better storage spot for combustible items. Many people also store furniture, clothing and food in their garage, but these are all tempting to insects and rodents. Clothing and furniture can also soak up dust and fumes that destroy their integrity, even if pests don't. As for food, it's just too risky to store any in the garage. Even nonperishables like canned goods can spoil due to temperature fluctuations in garage spaces, so opt to store extra food elsewhere.Smoke detectors

Get in the habit of checking your smoke alarms on a regular basis, such as at the start of every season. Do this by hitting the test button on each device. If you don't already have them, make sure a smoke detector is located in every bedroom and living space. This small investment and maintenance step can help save lives.

Additionally, don't wait until the alarms chirp at you to tell you batteries are low. Once a year, replace all the batteries in all the alarms to give you peace of mind that these critical devices are set up to work well in an emergency.

If you need assistance with any of these spring home maintenance tasks, consider hiring a qualified, insured contractor in your area. Reach out to your local State Farm agent for a list of trustworthy professionals who can help. (BPT) -

New Homebuyer Resources for Schenectady Public Employees

New HOMES Program Partnership for City, County, and School District Employees

Mayor Gary McCarthy recently joined Schenectady County Legislators Richard Patierne and Richard Ruzzo, representatives from the Schenectady City School District, and Christine Serafini from Miranda Real Estate Group to announce new homebuyer resources for public employees in Schenectady.

The new program, Schenectady Saves, will be offered to all City of Schenectady, Schenectady County, and Schenectady City School District employees who are buying a home. The new homebuyer would receive 20% of the commission as a rebate.

The announcement builds upon Mayor McCarthy’s awardwinning HOMES Program – Homeownership Made Easy in Schenectady – a partnership between the City of Schenectady, local banks, realtors, and housing-related entities to help promote and facilitate homeownership in Schenectady.

“Homeownership creates pathways for families to achieve the American Dream, which is why we first launched the HOMES Program in Schenectady to expand economic opportunity for residents in our community,” Mayor McCarthy said. “With the current costs of housing, we need to do everything we can to increase access to homeownership opportunities for hardworking families in Schenectady.”

“We are proud to announce Schenectady Saves, a real estate rewards program for Schenectady public employees,” said Christine Serafini of Miranda Real Estate Group. “Homeownership helps everyone in our communities and so we are honored to be able to give back to dedicated local employees throughout Schenectady.”

“For many of our residents, the dream of homeownership is something that is just out of reach.” said County Legislator Richard Patierne. “We are excited to partner with the City of Schenectady on the Schenectady Saves Program and to help bridge that gap and make the dream of owning a home a reality.”

“There is nothing like the feeling of purchasing your first home,” said County Legislator and Chairman of the Capital Region Land

Bank Richard Ruzzo. “You take pride in having your own home and you take pride in your neighborhood. We need to foster this and make home ownership accessible to everyone who wants to invest in strengthening our community and our neighborhoods. The Schenectady Saves program will help people take that next step to invest in our community and we will all benefit. We couldn’t be happier to be a part of it.”

“Any effort that provides our faculty and staff opportunity and access to home ownership is a win-win for our district and the community,” said Lynne Rutnik, deputy superintendent. “Miranda Real Estate’s promise to give 20% of their commission back to the new homeowner aligns with our vision to help rebuild, renew, and keep investing in our vision of Schenectady Rising.”

“We are grateful and pleased to learn about these exciting resources that will be available to our school district staff, families and community,” said Dr. Carlos Cotto, assistant superintendent of innovation, equity and engagement. “It is our pleasure to work with our parent liaisons and school leaders to ensure that Schenectady staff and families are aware of this partnership and these opportunities. As our district continues to develop into a community school model, this partnership is another example of how the community comes together to offer resources and opportunities that benefit our school community.”

2023 Fair Housing Luncheon

Mayor Gary R. McCarthy is hosting Schenectady’s Annual Fair Housing Luncheon in partnership with Better Community Neighborhoods INC on April 14th 2023 from 10 AM to 2 PM in recognition of Fair Housing Awareness Month.

This year the Luncheon will include some educational workshops as well as time to network and recognize the accomplishments of some individuals who have and are continuing to further Fair Housing in Schenectady, NY.

Visit www.cityofschenectady.com for ongoing updates and information.

Cost segregation is a way for commercial property owners to accelerate their tax deductions.

Through this method, a real estate owner is able to depreciate the individual components that make up their property in the shortest amount of time possible.

Cost segregation is the method of re-classifying components of your commercial building from real property to personal property.

This process allows the assets to be depreciated on a 5-, 7-, or 15-year schedule instead of the traditional 27.5- or 39-year depreciation schedule of real property.

The Owners current taxable income will be greatly reduced, and there cash flow could increase by 5% – 8% of your building’s cost.

Commercial building and income property owners have used cost segregation studies for years. These studies have resulted in advantageous depreciation deductions for taxpayers and have become a common method of depreciation.

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Allow your gatherings to overflow outdoors where you’ll find three outdoor fire pits, and a panoramic lake view of Hinckley Lake from the

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With flexible meeting spaces, an on-site restaurant for catering/ dining, and a knowledgeable executive team ready to assist with all your planning needs, The Kuyahoora Lodge & Resort showcases everything the Adirondacks has to offer.

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New Construction • Open-Concept Living Woodhaven at Park Drive, Rome NY

Introducing... The Woodstock. One level living in a highly energy efficient package. Open-concept living & dining with a beautifully appointed kitchen featuring quartz countertops, shakerstyle cabinetry & stainless appliances. The open staircase entry to the basement is finished and the full basement is equipped with an egress window & roughed in plumbing for future finishing. The master suite boasts a spacious shower, dual sink vanity & a roomy walk-in closet. Rounding out this beautifully functional floor plan is a 2nd bedroom, another full bathroom, and an amplesized laundry room. (*Units sold unfurnished. Interior furnished photos are for concept only.)

Woodhaven offers a very UNIQUE opportunity with thousands of dollars in TAX SAVINGS over the course of the PILOT PROGRAM. How amazing would it be to save on gas by shortening your commute to Griffiss, while taking advantage of HUGE SAVINGS on property taxes thereby reducing your overall mortgage payment?!

Introducing... The Gansevoort. This 2-story floor plan features open-concept living & dining, and a beautifully appointed kitchen with stunning quartz countertops, shaker-style cabinetry & stainless appliances. Also on the main level, you will find a Master Suite complete with a dual sink vanity, ample shower & a spacious walk-in closet. A private office, half bath & laundry room round out the first floor. Upstairs, you have 2 more bedrooms & another full bath. The full basement is equipped with an egress window, should you decide to add more living space. (*Units sold unfurnished. Interior furnished photos are for concept only.)

Woodhaven offers a very UNIQUE opportunity with thousands of dollars in TAX SAVINGS over the course of the PILOT PROGRAM. How amazing would it be to save on gas by shortening your commute to Griffiss, while taking advantage of HUGE SAVINGS on property taxes thereby reducing your overall mortgage payment?!

Drive, Rome NY $395,000

11 acres.

Over 3,000sqft inside, 5 generous bedrooms, (plus a bonus room) 2.5 baths, laundry room, spacious open living, dining rooms, a beautiful oak kitchen plus the full high pour basement!

Attached heated 2 car garage. It’s a perfect home or getaway. You’ll be at the Gateway to the Adirondacks with lakes, golf, skiing, snowmobiling and more at your doorstep! Just outside Gloversville. Underground utilities, High speed “First Light” Fiber internet, cable, cell service availability.

Fulton County Five Hiking Challenge!

The Fulton County Five is a 5 hike challenge for locals and tourists to participate in and enjoy the beauty of local hiking. Hiking challenges are designed to give people an opportunity to visit new places and explore new trails. This challenge is on a beginner/intermediate level and would be challenging but completable.

How do you complete the challenge? There are 5 hikes to climb on this challenge. You can hike them in any order, and have one year from beginning to end to complete.

The Fulton County Five Hiking Challenge Trails:

Nine Corner Lake: A gradual uphill climb passing several mountain streams. Nine Corner lake has crystalclear water with several large rock outcroppings along the shore. The trail continues along the south side of the lake, enabling a longer hike if desired. Trail length– 0.9 miles to lake. Trail difficulty- Easy

Kane Mountain: The trail follows an old jeep road to a restored fire tower and observer’s cabin. Breathtaking views, including eight lakes in the area that can be observed from the fire tower. Trail length– 0.9 miles to lake. Trail difficulty- Moderate

Stewart and Indian Lake: The trail is mostly flat, passing by Stewart Lake (1.4 miles) and then on to Indian Lake. Trail length– 2.2 miles one way. Trail difficulty- Easy/Moderate

Willie Wildlife Marsh: Explore a wetland habitat with a viewing platform and boardwalks that traverse the marsh and open areas. Trail length– 1.5 mile loop. Option of a .03 mile paved accessibility trail. Trail difficulty- Easy

Mud Lake: Mud Lake is a nice trail to enjoy the scenery of the Adirondack Park. Part of Northville/Lake Placid trail. Trail length– 3.9 miles to lake and back. Trail difficulty- Moderate

Hike Smart NY– please review Carry In Carry Out guidelines and other hiking tips at www.dec.ny.gov/ outdoor/28708.html

Visit https://www.44lakes.com/fulton-county-5-hikingchallenge/ for complete details

Amazing 1800 sq ft loft-style living is available immediately for rent. The loft is fully furnished and totally renovated. All new construction, 2 bedroom/1ba, laundry & central A/C. Gain access to this spacious loft through PRIVATE stairwell & metal fire doors into your foyer. There are two designated parking spaces and two entrances. The Smith Building is located in the historic and trendy Bagg’s Square District. Your search for urban lifestyle is over! Call for an appointment.

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Utica Let Me Find You The Space You Need! Michelle Gorea Thompson ABR, RSPS Member, John Brown Team, Licensed Salesperson Cell- 315-794-3260 Email- saratogaunion@aol.com

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Searching for a residence in New Hartford School District? Offering a 4 bedroom 2.5 bath true Cape Cod style home that is gracious yet, simple and efficient. Boasting lots of charm and many upgrades at 2399 square feet.

First floor welcomes you to the comfortable fireplaced living room with built-in bookcase. Enjoy a 1st floor bedroom and full bath. Chef-friendly kitchen, pantry, new appliances, and plenty of beautiful cabinetry carry through to the dining room. A spacious and bright fireplaced family room steps out to the private fenced yard! Generous storage in all 3 bedroom upstairs plus 1.5 bath.

Pools/Spas

repair, pressure tank replacement. Water conditioning: softeners, filters, UV disinfection, storage systems.

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