LifeandHomes Capital Region NY April 2024

The Evolving American Dream

I don't suppose it should surprise us that, like most everything else, the American dream of owning a home is evolving. According to Entrata's The New American Dream report, 41% of renters polled say their American dream has nothing to do with homeownership. In fact, 20% expect to be lifelong renters by choice, not because they can't afford to purchase.

Renting, they say, offers flexibility and freedom that fits their lifestyle and finances. More than a third of renter responders say they prefer to invest in retirement rather than save for a home. More than a third say being a renter gives them more career opportunities than being a homeowner and 63% even feel they have a similar or better quality of life than their parents at a similar age.

The renting vs buying question remains complex. "When comparing the two options, renting can often come out ahead, at least compared to the early years of a home purchase," reports Nerdwallet.com. "But like the tortoise racing the hare, owning a home is more “slow and steady,” a marathon instead of a sprint. The virtues of buying grow when you stay in a home for a while. As the years pass and your home’s equity and value have a chance to build, less of each mortgage payment is used to pay off interest and more goes toward your principal.

"Whether renting is cheaper also depends on whether renters invest what they would have spent on a down payment and any savings they accrue from renting each month. Home buying costs more upfront, but you can get some of that back (and potentially more) when you sell the home. To match or exceed a home buyer’s return on investment, renters must invest, not spend, those savings."

Spring Antiques In Schoharie

April 13th and 14th, Schoharie Central School, Schoharie, NY

The 48th annual SPRING ANTIQUES IN SCHOHARIE” Show - scheduled for April 13 and 14 at Schoharie Central School - is fast approaching! The antique dealers are coming in from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and even one from Chicago. Expect to find country textiles, stoneware, furniture, quilts, homespun, vintage clothing, jewelry, oriental rugs, antique tools, coins and toys, postcards and collectibles of every description. Spend the day and have lunch in our café.

Completely run by volunteers, this event is a fundraiser for our l743 Palatine House Museum, the Schoharie Valley Railroad Museum, and the summer children’s theatre and music camps.

Held at Schoharie Central School, 136 Academy Drive on Saturday, April 13 from 10-5 and Sunday, April 14 from 11-4. Save the date! For further information, call 518-295-7505 or Ruth at 518-231-7241.

Build A Retaining Wall: 6 Things To Know

Before You Start

When you want to enhance your outdoor living space, consider building with retaining wall units. Segmental retaining wall (SRW) units are the basic building blocks of landscaping, and you will save on design and labor costs when you do it yourself. Whether you want to level a slope, build a sitting wall, or add a raised patio, it's essential to get informed before starting your project.

1. Check local rules. "Call 8-1-1 before you dig" is essential. Do-it-yourselfers also should check with

their municipalities and homeowner's associations for building codes, permits, and/or property variance rules. Some municipalities require permits for walls up to four feet tall, although engineering might not be needed for that height with most SRW systems. A retaining wall taller than four feet might require geogrid for soil reinforcement and an approved design by a professional engineer. A landscaping supply store will know local permitting and can identify plans that might require an engineer.

2. Consider where you will buy supplies. A landscaping supply store is a great place to get educated, purchase landscaping products, and rent tools such as a compactor. A dedicated landscaping store can help you choose which wall system is best suited to your project, calculate the materials you will need, and offer advice before, during and after installation.

"Do-it-yourself customers are the foundation of who we serve at Patio Town stores," said David Johnson, manager of Patio Town in St. Paul/Minneapolis. Dedicated landscaping store employees listen to what customers are thinking of doing, and then offer solutions and options. Should customers decide a project is more than they want to do, they can refer them to other options.

3. Learn about retaining wall systems. Some systems are easier to install, and some require specialty pieces for corners, curves and steps. The VERSA-LOK Standard retaining wall system is easy to install, and no special pieces are needed to build features. VERSA-LOK Standard is a solid unit that is renowned for ease of installation as there are no voids in the unit to fill. Splitting the unit allows you to create curves, corners, columns, multi-angled corners, freestanding walls and steps.

4. Mark off, measure and photograph the project area. In addition to giving details about your project to your landscaping supplier, you might need advice to determine soil conditions or stormwater requirements. For example, clay soil retains water so it may need amendment, or the wall might require drainage pipes based on soil and other factors. You can discuss the content of your soil with landscaping store staff, who can offer ideas on remediation if needed.

5. It is all about the base. The base is the most important course. Retaining wall manufacturers and landscape suppliers can offer product-specific details on how to excavate and prep the base. After excavating a trench for the base, the subsoil should be compacted before a few inches of gravel is added and compacted. Make sure the area is level before starting the base course, which should be embedded half of the block's height at a minimum. With solid units such as VERSA-LOK, there is no need for concrete footings as the base course serves as the foundation.

6. Finishing touches to consider. After each unit is placed and leveled, fill and compact the gravel placed behind the wall. Finish off your wall with capstone units that can be secured with adhesive; be sure your adhesive has elastic properties as modular walls are flexible so they can withstand freeze-thaw cycles.

Another important point to consider is the weather! Bad weather can hinder your installation. With a little planning, know-how, and a trusted landscaping store that shares advice throughout your project, you can build successfully with retaining wall units. (BPT)

Spring Burn Ban Reminder

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is reminding New Yorkers of the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning. DEC enforces the annual brush burning ban from March 16 through May 14 to prevent wildfires and protect communities during heightened conditions for wildfires.

Violators of the State's open burning regulation are subject to criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense.

Amish-Made Custom Cabinets

Affordable Luxury From Our Country Workshop To Your Kitchen

Love the look of custom cabinetry but disappointed with the options at local stores? Our Amish craftsmen offer quality, handcrafted cabinets at prices often lower than factorymade cabinets you’ll find at local big box stores.

Crafted in our family-owned workshop, each cabinet is custom-crafted with skill and expertise passed down through the generations.

From the initial design and layout discussions to the custom creation and installation phases, our expert craftsmen will

work with you to ensure your kitchen, bath, office or other specialty cabinet reflects your tastes, fits your budget, and exceeds your expectations.

With a variety of select wood types, cabinet styles, and finishes to choose from, each piece is designed to last a lifetime. Made to order, our cabinets not only promise superior quality but also showcase affordability at its finest.

Check out your options at the big box store then let us show you what we can offer!

518-688-2211

315-865-5845

518-993-5151

Turn-Key & Profitable Seasonal Business Opportunity Inside Scoop • 9005 State Route 365, Floyd NY

Immaculate, established ice cream parlor & mini golf course located on just under 4 acres on high visibility Route 365 in Floyd Strategically located on the popular main route to the Adirondacks, 1.5 miles from schools and 800 ft. from Dollar General. Currently run as a seasonal business. New owner could easily make this a profitable year-round business.

Natural gas, city water, low taxes. Fully equipped with everything needed to successfully operate this established, popular community gathering place.

• Black top parking lot for 25-30 cars w/ curbing

• Attached crushed stone parking lot for RVs/Trucks

• 8 x 10 outdoor storage shed

• 24 x 32 pillion w/ commercial round tables, electric & lighting

• 2 side patio w/ tables and chairs

• 24 x 32 covered patio addition w/ electric, concrete

• New 100 amp sub amp panel. Potential to enclose.

• 18 hole mini golf w/ 10 x 16 building full electric, A/C, power, cash register, slushy machine, popcorn, huge assortment of clubs/balls.

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• Double head milkshake machine

• Pepsi fountain head machine w/ice station

• 2 Hershey 24 unit ice cream freezers

• 24 flavor ice cream machine

• New programable cash register

• POS system in tact

• Security system, 8 cameras, full DVR

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