LifeandHomes Capital Region NY May 2024

Is It The Right Time To Buy?

Here we are. Back in what is typically the prime season for buying and selling, The residential real estate market remains competitive and fast-moving. If you're planning to throw your hat in the ring as a buyer, now more than ever you'll need to be informed and prepared - especially in the area of finances.

Owning a home is exciting and likely one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make and it is much more than simply trading a rent payment for a mortgage payment.

Extra costs of owning property vs. renting include insurance, taxes, and, depending on where you're buying, association or condo fees. You also have repair costs and upkeep, and may find you want to make improvements and upgrades.

A bigger space may require new furnishings or appliances. There are things you pay for as a homeowner that may have been included in your rent previously, such as water, trash pickup, and other utilities. The costs add up so knowing how much you can realistically spend on the downpayment and purchase while budgeting for new expenses is crucial.

Homeownership can be rewarding and a good way to build wealth.

To take some pressure off of yourself, keep in mind you don’t have to make a final decision whether now is the right time for you to buy. Consumer Finance experts advise, "At each step of the process, you make a tentative decision based on the information you have available to keep moving forward, wait for a better time, or stop. As you get more precise information about home prices and loan costs, you can continue to reevaluate whether the value you get from buying is worth the price you have to pay."

Importance of Water Heater

Maintenance & Service

Hot water is an essential part of our daily lives, and a reliable water heater is crucial in providing comfort and convenience. However, like any other appliance, water heaters require regular maintenance and occasional servicing to ensure optimal performance and the experts at Curoso Plumbing remind us why homeowners prioritize them.

1. Prolonging the Lifespan of the Equipment: Regular maintenance and servicing can significantly extend the lifespan of the equipment. A professional technician can inspect the system, clean any sediment buildup, check for leaks, and ensure all components function correctly. You can avoid costly repairs or premature replacement by addressing minor issues early on.

2. Enhancing Energy Efficiency: Water heaters that haven't been serviced may accumulate sediment and mineral deposits over time, reducing energy efficiency. This buildup forces the unit to work harder and consume more energy to heat water, resulting in higher utility bills. A professional service will flush out the sediment, improving efficiency and reducing energy costs.

3. Preventing Costly Water Damage: Neglecting maintenance can lead to leaks or malfunctions that can cause significant water damage to your home. Routine inspections by a trained technician can identify potential issues, such as corroded or faulty parts, and prevent leaks before they occur. This proactive approach can save you from the headache and expense of restoring water damage.

4. Ensuring Safety:

These appliances operate using electricity or gas, making them potentially hazardous if not properly maintained. Faulty connections, gas leaks, or a malfunctioning pressure relief valve can pose safety risks. Regular servicing ensures that all safety features function correctly and that potential hazards are identified and addressed promptly.

5. Peace of Mind: Knowing the heater is wellmaintained and in good working condition provides peace of mind. You can enjoy hot showers without worrying about sudden breakdowns, leaks, or inefficient performance. Regular servicing of electric tankless water heaters prevents potential issues and ensures it is always ready to meet your hot water needs.

Curoso Plumbing of Rohnert Park, CA, offers this reminder. "Don't overlook the importance of these services – invest in maintaining your water heater for reliable and efficient performance year-round." (PR.com)

5 Simple Spring Safety Tips For Your Home

Refreshing your home in the spring is about more than organizing closets and cleaning floors. Proactively checking your home's systems will help keep it running efficiently while remaining a comfortable and safe space for you and your loved ones.

Upgrade fire and CO safety solutions: While you're ticking through your list of spring maintenance to-do's, don't forget about the smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Proper smoke and CO alarm placement, regular maintenance and alarm replacement are essential to keeping your family safe. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that alarms be installed on every level of the home, including the basement, as well as in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Alarms should be tested regularly, and if the device is battery-powered, batteries should be changed at least every six months.

To make maintaining your smoke and CO alarms easier, upgrade to a 2-in-1 smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, such as the First Alert 10-Year Battery Combination Alarm. This 10-year sealed battery alarm eliminates battery replacement and late-night battery chirps for a decade. Easy to install,

10-year alarms come equipped with a mounting bracket and installation kit - making safety simple for you and your family.

Check for winter wear and tear:

Winter's extreme temperatures can take a toll on the outside of your home and its appliances. Examine the outside of your house and roof to check for fallen branches or debris that could block gutters or downspouts and cause a drainage problem. Inspect the driveway and sidewalks for new potholes or cracks that may have developed in the cold, and ensure all exterior lights are working properly.

Tune-up your cooling system:

Schedule a professional maintenance service to ensure that your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are operating optimally and won't quit after the first heat wave. If you don't already have one, upgrade to a smart thermostat, like a Honeywell Home Smart Thermostat, which allows you to adjust your temperature from anywhere and set different temperature schedules for various times of the day. ENERGY STAR-certified thermostats can provide comfort when you're home, and energy savings when away.

Change your air filters:

Over a long winter, your heating system's air filters naturally accumulate dust and other airborne particles, which can clog your air filter, impact indoor air quality, and affect system performance. Regularly replacing your air filters is a great way to help maintain indoor air quality and support a comfortable environment for your family. Clean air filters also allow for better air flow, reducing the stress on your home's HVAC system and promoting energy efficiency.

Secure windows and doors:

Make it a habit to lock your doors and lower the garage door. Walk around outside of your home to inspect doors and windows for working locks and be mindful not to leave valuables in sight. If you have cars parked in your driveway, keep them locked and garage door openers should be tucked away.

To help protect what matters most and learn more fire safety tips, visit FirstAlert.com. For assistance with HVAC or home security assessments, contact your local professional service. (BPT) -

Award-winning New Hartford School District! Quiet re nement and gracious living form a perfect marriage in this architect-designed 1936 Verne Swan brick and cedar home nestled on nearly 2 acres, a ording discrete and stunningly landscaped grounds overlooking the Mohawk Valley in Fredrick Olmstead’s premier area enclave.

Welcomed by a large circular drive, the magical entry sets the tone for the comfortable, charming elegance found in this 4200 square foot, 4 bedroom, 4 bath light- lled space.

There are surprises at every turn; an expansive replaced living room, intimate wood-paneled replaced library/music room, oversized dining

room, and a primary en suite with tons of closet space and built-ins. You’ll nd ample attractive and classic baths, a cedar sauna, and a chef’s kitchen too, with a beautiful breakfast area including radiant in- oor heat and luminous original Rochester Oak hardwood oors throughout most of the home.

Every angle presents a view; a quiet garden patio, a terrace for watching nature, amenities that will not disappoint, plenty of storage, parking, and excellent mechanicals.

Quali ed buyers, please. Shown by appointment.

This waterfront home, tucked away on over 2 acres of privacy with trees and ferns, features 220’ of lakefront. This lovingly maintained log cabin with exposed beams is a 2-bedroom, 1 bath house on a year-round maintained road.

The kitchen has solid Cherry countertops and stainless steel appliances. Enjoy the 1st floor dining room, living room with wood stove, and main bedroom. Upstairs you’ll find a 2nd bedroom in the loft area.

The full basement with washer and dryer included has a egress access via Bilco doors to the outside. There are 3 convenient

heat sources - woodstove, electric baseboard & a forced air propane system, electric and propane hot water, a water softener, and whole house water filtration.

You’ll find plenty of room for your toys in the detached, 2-stall garage with heat, air conditioning, and enclosed storage for up to 4 snowmobiles. Also included is a spacious 10’x16’ storage shed with an attached woodshed with electricity.

Appliances stay. Private association plows the road and driveway. Road maintenance fees apply. This waterfront retreat is Shown By Appointment Only! Secluded Hinckley Waterfront Adirondack Retreat!

Waterfront Family Compound Located on Hinckley Reservoir!

BEING OFFERED FOR SALE for the first time in almost a hundred years is this beautiful WATER FRONT FAMILY COMPOUND LOCATED ON HINCKLEY RESERVOIR.

160 NYS 365, Remsen • $679,900

Approx.150 ft of road frontage and approx. 900 ft deep with over 3 acres. Only 30 miles North of Utica - within the Adirondack Park. This property contains 3 camps. Camp 1: The Big Camp that sleeps over 15, 4 bedrooms 2 and a half baths, a large family room with a vaulted ceiling exposing pole timbers for rafters and a big, beautiful field stone fireplace. Camp 2 : A second story camp with a field stone fireplace, 3 beds, one full bath, eat in kitchen with a granite top bar, appliances with stove and refrigerator. Camp 3: This camp also has 3 beds, 1 bath, full kitchen open to living room. Tongue and Groove Pine throughout. Beautiful water access featuring a short staircase to get down to the docks where you can keep your boat tied up. Must See! Please call for an appointment.

Secluded Waterfront Wilderness Retreat Awaits You!

Rt 19, Plainfield • $149,900 • 60 +/- Acres

Embrace the tranquility of nature on approximately 60 acres of pristine land in the picturesque Otsego County, Town of Plainfield. This is an extraordinary opportunity to own your very own slice of paradise. Tucked away at the end of a dead-end road, this property offers unparalleled privacy. With a mix of wooded areas and open fields, this old farm ground boasts a diverse landscape, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Enjoy stunning views of the surrounding hills from the central open area, elevated at 1500 feet, before gently sloping down to the tranquil stream bed. Abundant signs of deer and turkeys make this land a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and hunters. A meandering stream flows around the entire back of the property.

Camp in the Town of Forestport on the Black River!

Bellingertown Rd, Forestport • $134,900 • 6.10 Acres

Located on the edge of the Adirondack Park in a private gated area, this property offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of tranquility. Beautiful 200’ frontage along the Black River. It features a fairly new off-the-grid cabin, wired with solar panels and power inverter. The 12’x 30’cabin includes a screened-in porch and second floor, and is insulated and wired with a full bathroom. Does not have septic or water hookups. Kitchen is unfinished, but has plumbing and kerosene refrigerator. Needs flooring and walls finished and most materials are on-site for completing. 6 acres of land for privacy and exploration with a 12’x 14’ fairly new storage shed. Staircase leads to the serene Black River calm section where you can enjoy swimming, kayaking, and canoeing right from your doorstep.

Welcome to your Adirondack Paradise on 4 acres!

643 NYS 365, Remsen • $499,000

windows with ceramic floor, and a Nutone radio with an intercom system for convenience. Your en suite bedroom has a heat-re-circulating fireplace and a skylight.

7.30

Acres

Off

Grid Waterfront on Spruce Creek!

Rt 29, Lot 5, Salisbury Center •

Escape to your very own piece of nature’s masterpiece! This 7.2-acre waterfront property on Spruce Creek, located in the charming Town of Salisbury Center, offers a unique blend of tranquility and adventure. Here’s your chance to own a slice of heaven surrounded by stunning woodlands and fields. Enjoy the soothing sounds of Spruce Creek right at your doorstep. Reach your private retreat through a scenic 2-mile right of way, ensuring privacy and exclusivity. Embrace a sustainable lifestyle with this completely off-grid property. Imagine the freedom of crafting your own selfsustaining haven. Revel in the beauty of diverse woodlands and open fields, providing the perfect backdrop for your dream home or getaway retreat. Design and build your dream home or cabin.

2 Bedroom House on 10 Acres with two Barns and Lake Rights!

111 Black Cherry Lane, Cold

have access to on a private beach. The two level deck leading to the pool is perfect for entertaining. Enjoy preparing meals in the Eat-in Kitchen. Laundry is located in the Basement, which has extra high ceilings. Pellet stove and a propane furnace that is approximately 2 years

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!

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One piece fiberglass pools, 28 models to choose from. Quick installation, easy to clean, built in steps and seats, no seams. Available in white or colors. Glimmerglassspas.com

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STERLING REAL ESTATE GROUP

518-688-2211

Specializing in resale homes, condos, townhomes, new construction, commercia, land development. Over 20 years of experience.

SterlingHomesRealEstate.com

Water Systems

AMBER WATER PROS

315-484-5959

Creative Commercial Financing

Contact us to learn about high LTV (up to 100%) nancing for commercial purchase and re nance projects.

• Programs for the purchase or re nance of real estate.

• Programs for purchase of businesses with or without real estate.

• Working capital can be added to the loan for improvements, building etc.

• Each project is di erent so call us to see what we can structure for you.

There are three ways a business can qualify for 100% financing when the business owner occupies 51% of the subject property:

Unlock Your Financial Potential Today

Your financial journey starts here - take control today

Contact Us Today: Monday- Friday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. David Lisi, Consultant Call or Text Cell (315) 269-8469