Keep Moving Forward
Financial challenges are causing millennials and Gen Z's to delay major life decisions, such as purchasing a home or starting a family, according to financial expert Dave Ramsey's 2024 The State of Personal Finance report. When asked what mortgage rate would be the “magic number” for them to buy a home, respondents said 4.5%.
Rates at the time of this writing are 6.09% for a 15-year fixed mortgage and 6.87% for a 30-year fixed mortgage. There's quite a gap between "magic" and reality. Do you remember when the average 30-year fixed rate reached a record low of 2.65% in January 2021? Those were the days, my friend.
While the history of mortgage rates provides valuable context, it’s important to recognize that borrowers with healthy credit profiles and strong finances often get mortgage rates below the industry norm.
Ramsey offers what we at LifeandHomes consider to be sage advice. "The market shouldn’t determine your decision to buy a house. If you’re prepared financially, then it’s a good time to buy a home, even if inventory is limited and interest rates are high. If you’re not prepared financially, it’s not a good time, even if there’s plenty of inventory and rates are down." (ramseysolutions.com)
Rather than sitting idly by waiting for rates to drop, take action. “You can’t control the high cost of anything - whether it’s a house or an egg at the grocery store - but you can control your finances,” says Ramsey. “You work too hard to be broke. Get on a budget, get out of debt, live on less than you make, and build savings. If you stick to the plan, you’ll see the results."
“If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” - Martin Luther King Jr.
Inspecting for Winter Roof Damage
During the winter months, the roof of your home can take a real beating. That's why you should take a close look at your roof as the weather starts to warm up. Signs that the winter weather might have caused damage include things like seeing pieces of broken shingles on your lawn or places where water is leaking into the house including damp spots on the ceiling.
When heavy snow and ice pile up on the roof, it puts a lot of pressure on it. This can make weak spots in the roof, which could lead to leaks. When snow melts and then freezes again, it can create ice dams along the edges of the roof. These dams can block water from draining properly, which can cause water to seep into the house. Poorly ventilated attics combined with ice dams during the winter often lead to moisture buildup, mold, and insulation damage. A close inspection may find water stains on ceilings, warped attic floorboards, or sagging insulation, all of which can indicate leaks that need attention.
Roof damage is not always immediately obvious, but when it goes unnoticed, it can create structural problems and can even devalue your property. Taking care of these problems early can prevent more costly fixes down the road. Hiring a professional roofing contractor to perform an inspection and recommend repairs is recommended for most homeowners.
During the inspection, check seams, flashing, the membrane, the condition of shingles, and more. Look for gashes in roofing material, missing or damaged shingles or caulking or the breakdown of roofing materials of any kind.
Beyond the obvious signs of damage, the hidden effects of winter weather can go deeper than what you can see on the surface. The cycle of freezing and thawing that happens during winter can damage roofing materials, wearing them down over time, making them weaker and more susceptible to future damage. Constant expansion and contraction of roofing materials as temperature changes can make existing problems worse, making the roof more likely to develop issues.
PHP Systems offers these "look for" tips when performing your spring roof inspection:
Damaged flashing.
Flashing is the layer of protection that fits around vents and other roof protrusions. Flashing may deteriorate and crack over time. Be on the lookout for rust, corrosion, cracking, and damaged or missing caulking. If you notice a problem, get help from a qualified roofer right away.
Torn seam.
Roofing membrane likely has a seam where one piece meets another. This seam can become torn over time, leaving the vulnerable roofing material beneath exposed. Some torn seams are easy to repair, especially in the early stages of damage. Contact a professional roofer to have the seam inspected. A small tear in the seam can likely be repaired, but if the tear spreads, your roof may need more dramatic intervention. To keep costs down, get help from a roofer as soon as possible.
Rusting and splitting seams.
Unlike membrane roofs, metal roofs can rust and split along their seams. Like a torn seam, the result can be damage to the vulnerable roofing material underneath, which can lead to structural damage, a leak in the ceiling and more. This type of damage may need to be repaired by replacing the metal panel. Talk to your roofing contractor to get further guidance on the matter.
Ponding
water.
Water on a flat roof is meant to run to drains, but if the water is not draining, this could be an indication of a low spot in the roof and a clog in the drain. These problems need to be addressed as soon as possible, so contact a roofer if you're noticing puddles of water forming on your flat roof.
While it's great to regularly check and maintain the roof, many aspects of roof care are best left to professionals.
Professional roof inspections go beyond surfacelevel checks, addressing structural, material, and interior concerns specific to your home and local weather. A detailed roof inspection report should provide photographic evidence, repair recommendations, and actionable insights to protect your home and simplify insurance claims. When selling your home, an inspection report shows potential buyers your roof has been professionally maintained, giving them peace of mind and potentially increasing your home’s value.
A roof inspection isn’t just a formality; it’s your roadmap for maintaining a safe, long-lasting roof. After the winter we've had, a roof inspection should be at the top of your spring home maintenance list.
Asking $349,000 • Reduced Price • Motivated
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.
• Beverage/ flurry station
• Assorted stainless commercial tables
• 3 bay stainless sink, sundae bar, refrigerator
• 2 C-712 Taylor ice cream machines
• 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
• 4 foot flat top grill
• 6 foot sandwich prep table, new
• Assorted freezers and coolers
Plenty of space for extra events including band nights w/ chicken BBQ, Friday movie nights, kid’s day, classic car shows and more.
• Security system, 8 cameras, full DVR • 2 lg. commercial fryers with built-in timers
** Attention Realtors - Buyer Protected ** Owner also willing to train, if desired.
Creative Commercial Financing Available! Seller’s Financing Options. Contact us today!
Amodio Realty, Inc. Pays it Forward by Giving Back
Real Estate Rebate Program Honors Local Heroes
BY RICHARD BARRETT Aug. 2018
Amodio Realty Inc., located in the Town of Lee, wanted to show its appreciation to the military, law enforcement, firefighters, first responders, health care professionals, and teachers for their service to country and community, but wanted to do it in a way that went beyond mere words.
So the small family real estate agency, staffed by Stephen Amodio (Broker/Owner), his wife Betsy (President/Owner), and their daughter, Lucciana, decided to do something extraordinary with their business after learning about Heroes Home Advantage and a courageous woman named Michele Ladd, its founder.
Stephen Amodio, a former Marine whose own family includes many community heroes, heard about Ladd’s noble mission of honoring hometown heroes by offering discounts and rebates on real estate services, and he wanted to get on board. He did his due diligence first, spending nine months researching and speaking with other realtors nationwide who were already participating.
Amodio Realty, Inc. joined the Heroes Home Advantage program in January of 2017 and is currently working with about a half dozen heroes. He has closed on several properties already, but explained that it’s not about being pressured to obtain listings, move properties and meet sales quotas. It’s about giving back. He discovered through census tract records that in the tri-county area he exclusively serves, these categories of community heroes when
combined comprise 50% of their total population.
As of August 2024, Amodio Realty, Inc. now serves 8 counties: Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, St. Lawrence and Hamilton!
“We can never repay our heroes for their service, but we can honor them with a small token of our appreciation,” Amodio said. “We are looking for opportunities to honor local community heroes. That is our goal.”
Amodio Realty gives 25% of earned commission directly to the hero, (up to $5000 per transaction), when we close on the sale and/or purchase of their residential or commercial property.
“It’s a small gesture in comparison to the their daily sacrifices and service to our community and country,” he said.
He also works closely with a comprehensive, likeminded network of community partners who offer additional rebates and discounts on their related
products and services. The savings to heroes when all is said and done can be thousands of dollars. As word of mouth about the program spreads, Amodio envisions adding a half-dozen sales staff and expanding his cadre of committed community business partners even further. He graciously welcomes those who respect the program’s mission and embrace its spirit of honoring community heroes for their contributions.
“We’re hungry for more hero partners,” he said. “The door is wide open to virtually any business, but we discourage people from using the program to leverage their business and not follow through on their promises.” There are no fees involved, no catches, and no restrictions on how Amodio’s rebate can be used. The program is open to all qualified active, retired and volunteer heroes, both buyers and sellers, including first-time home buyers.
Amodio can’t hide his enthusiasm for the program and the people it serves.
“We’re enjoying doing this,” he admitted. “We always get a great reception.”
Heroes Home Advantage has representation in 40 states. For more information, visit AmodioRealty.com or HeroesHomeAdvantage.com
Article written by Richard Barrett Editor, Accent Magazine Reprinted and edited with permission Special Thanks to Jason Gulla with Gulla Graphics
Stress-Free Tax Season:
Gary Glebus Broker/Owner
1399 US Route 9 Schroon Lake, NY 12870 Listing & Selling Properties in the Adirondacks for 45 years Call 518-791-0075 (Mobile) or 518-532-7191 (Office)
FEATURED PROPERTIES OF THE MONTH!
$575,000!
Beautiful Contemporary Home within walking distance to sandy town beach on 9 mile Schroon Lake, featured is a rustic knotty pine interior with balcony overlooking the great room having a dining & living room , 1816 sq, of living area, recessed lighting, title flooring with radiant heat, instant how water on demand, granite countertops with recessed lighting in the kitchen, laundry room, covered and screened porch, fire pit, Generac for power outages, walk to General Store , post office, tennis & basketball courts, baseball diamond your grand kids will surely enjoy, short drive to state boat launch, 22’ X 50 ‘ barn for boat storage and a potential great recreational on the 2nd level. This home has a great rental history with Airbnb.
$379,000!
Pre-Civil War Brick Colonial Near Lake Champlain - 8 bedrooms or 4 Apartment’s currently, 4800 sq. ft of living area, gorgeous woodwork & staircase, commute to Vermont, launch your boat at Monitor Bay, town water & sewer, live in one Apt and let the other 3 pay your mortgage.
$360,000!
With 1
state
on
on 3
sites, off grid, make a Forever Wild Campground or family compound. Big and small game hunting, town of Corinth, near Great Sacandaga Lake.
$269,000!
Schroon Lake All season cottage, detached garage with Apartment overhead , 250’ on Crane Pond Road, short drive to Pond & Hiking into Pharoh Lake Wilderness.
$279,000!
Amazing Views of Schroon Lake & the Adirondack Mts. & surrounding ponds, great hunting, borders state land on 2 sides, short drive to town beach in Adirondack, state boating launch, General Stroe, tennis & Basketball courts
Sheranda Wells R.E. Salesperson
$279,000!
Schroon Lake-Former Hermitage Motel
12 rental Units, 8 Motel & 4 efficiency units, new plumbing-entrance doors, showers, subflooring, windows. Includes office building, home site, pool needs work, or fill in and replace with fire pit. 1 acre, lake Rights for owner, town water, 1 mile to 700’ sandy beach on Schroon Lake and to restaurants, shops & stores.
$575,000!
Schroon Lake Colonial tucked away on 5 acres near snow mobile trails, 3,812 sq, living area, exposed beams, wood flooring, Bar & Lounge area with beautiful stone fireplace, 1.5 baths, 6 bedrooms, drilled well.
$195,000!
130 Acres Outstanding Views of Lake Champlain, the Adirondack & Green mts. of Vermont. deeded road access, spring, oak trees & other hardwoods, Town of Crown Point.
446 Acres-Secluded Off grid, borders state land, deeded 50’ ROW from public road, views of Hadley Mt. range, short dive to Great Sacandaga Lake, 19 miles from Saratoga.
$125,500! Listing & Selling Properties in the Adirondacks for 45 years
$379,000! At the Gate of High Peaks Region
vacationing a this 2008 Hornet Keystone Camper on 5.17 acres, with electric to Camper & screen house, septic, cistern, 22 acres of common area on the Schroon River. town of North Hudson. Build yourretirement home here!
Brenda Wells Associate Broker
370 Acres
mile
Daley Creek, surrounded
sides by
land, many home
What an idyllic lakeside setting. Your own private retreat! You must see the stately white pines that grace the waterfront. Enjoy private gated access with two entrances to this very secluded property! The surveyed 1.6 acres, has 250 feet of HRBRRD deep-water lake front! It truly is one of the most spectacular properties on the lake!
Current owner of 40 years lovingly transformed a traditional summer home into an incredible custom year-round home! Exquisitely designed for relaxing life on the lake while relishing the natural surroundings of this beautiful property. All rooms have spectacular expansive lake and mountain views.
With multiple indoor and outdoor gathering areas, there’s plenty of room for family and friends. Living space boasts four bedrooms, three baths, three replaces, (two propane, one wood burning) and a classic Adirondack room with open beams and knotty pine. The main living area features a great room accented with a propane replace, open kitchen and dining area, picture windows, and access to the lakeside decks and patio.
An elegant en-suite primary bedroom features replace, two walk-in closets, private bath and private balcony in its own wing of the house. Three additional bedrooms feature private lakeside balconies and two additional bathrooms. A separate laundry room and plenty of well-planned storage enhance this home!
The lower level has an additional room that opens to the lake. Currently used as a workshop, it could easily be more living space. Strategically placed skylights enhance the natural light inside and along the lakeside decks.
Enjoy decades of carefully planned terraced landscaping with season-long owering plants from the upper garage to the lake front retaining wall with easy access to the entire property. The dock can be easily put in and taken out. There is an attached two car garage plus a second detached two car garage with easy access storage upstairs.
Amenities include a whole house generator, whole house fan, drilled well, modern septic system, an Acorn stair lift, and more. A second outbuilding is perfect for storage or creating additional living space.
Amy Abdoo
Lic. R. E. Broker 315-794-2653
BLON316@AOL.com
Dominion Homes Real Estate Brokerage
Pamela Allen
Lic. R.E. Salesperson 315-717-7530 pfallen0314@gmail.com
Bruce Ward & Company, Inc.
Sharon Baisley
Lic. R.E. Broker
315-429-9754 sbaisley@hbegroup.com
United Country Real Estate/ HBE Group Inc.
Kay Delano
Lic. R.E. Broker 315-826-7070
Kayd3659@gmail.com
Kay Delano Real Estate
Clyde Diedrich
Lic. R.E. Broker
315-868-4339
rcentur3@twcny.rr.com
Diedrich Associates Valley Realty
David Drapalski
Lic. R.E. Assoc Broker 315-868-3233 superdd527@aol.com Bruce Ward & Company, Inc.
Janet L. Giacovelli
Lic. R.E. Salesperson 315-404-7108 janetgiacovelli@howardhanna.com
Howard Hanna Utica/New Hartford
Azza Giorgi
Lic. Assoc. RE Broker 315- 534-2709 azzagiorgi@gmail.com
Howard Hanna CNY IncUtica/New Hartford Office, NY
MLS BROKER/AGENT DIRECTORY
Gina Hartman
Licensed R.E. Salesperson 315-717-5249
ginahartman55@yahoo.com
Bruce Ward & Co, Inc.
Ryan Hastings
Lic. R. E. Salesperson 315-219-3116
ryan@centralnewyork.com
Coldwell Banker Faith Properties
Patricia Kelly
Lic. R.E. Salesperson 315-717-2421
bward@brucewardusa.com Bruce Ward & Company, Inc.
Thomas F. Koehler
Lic. R. E. Broker/Modular Home Dealer 315-891-3254
Koehler RE/ New Homes Modular
Kuyahoora Luxury Lodge & Resort
Lic. R.E. Broker 315-741-2202 guestservice@kuyahooraresort.com Vacation Rentals
Fred Macchia
Lic. R. E. Broker 315-292-0373 fmccim@hotmail.com 1st Rome Realty
Bill Macri
Lic. Associate R. E. Broker 315-360-1920
bill.joemacrirealty@gmail.com
Joe Macri Realty
John Macri
Lic. R. E. Salesperson 315-866-2521
jmacri40@yahoo.com
Joe Macri Realty
Monica Munford
Lic. R.E. Salesperson 315-822-6666
pmumford@twcny.rr.com
Bruce Ward & Company, Inc.
Robert Paul Lic. R.E. Salesperson 315-717-3527
rpaul07@yahoo.com
Bruce Ward & Company, Inc.
Art Pratt GRI, Lic. R.E. Broker 315-366-3600
PrattRealty@ArtPratt.com
Pratt Realty
Matthew Pryputniewicz
NY Licensed R.E. Salesperson/ Commercial Director 315-794-3305
mattrealty@msn.com
Berkshire Hathaway CNY Realty
Paul Sacco
Lic. RE Salesperson (315) 525-1377
paulsacco1013@gmail.com
Howard Hanna Utica/ New Hartford
Joel Siegfried Lic. R. E. Broker 315-796-2258
joelsiegfried@gmail.com SBG, Inc.
Carol Spisak Lic. R.E. Salesperson 315-269-6933
carol1320@aol.com
Bruce Ward & Company, Inc.
Michelle Gorea Thompson
Lic. R. E. Salesperson 315-794-3260
saratogaunion@aol.com
Coldwell Banker Faith Properties - John Brown Tream
K Bruce Ward Lic. R.E. Broker 315-796-4425
bward@brucewardusa.com
Bruce Ward & Company, Inc.
James F Woodrick
Lic. Associate R. E. Broker
315-866-0258
jwoodric@twcny.rr.com
Bruce Ward & Company, Inc.
LifeandHomes Product & Service Directory
Antiques/Estates
THE POTTING SHED ANTIQUES
315-736-5214
CABINET AMERICA Estate & house sales, appraisals, coins, vintage jewelry, antiques, glass, china, furniture, Americana, art, lighting and more. thepottingshedantiques.com
Cabinets
315-733-6261
Kitchen cabinets and Stone countertops. Exceptional quality and great prices. Fast estimates. Over 50 years experience. By appointment only. cabinetamerica.net
Farm & Garden
BENSON'S FARM AND GARDEN
315-520-8395
Member Since 12/21
area offering a wide selection of annuals, vegetables, perennials, and hanging baskets as well as everything you need to build and maintain your pond.
Flooring
315-795-4900
Linoleum
Vinyl Tile mikesfloorstore@gmail.com
Garage Doors
315-831-8624 or C: 315-368-7712
Garage door Installation, Repair, Service Professional, Dependable, Courteous Service. Joe Griswold, Owner
Home Inspection
ADVANCED HOME INSPECTION SERVICE, LLC
315-792-9029
Member Since 04/13
27 years experience. NYS Licensed/Certified Inspector. NEHA/NRPP Certified Radon Inspector. Electronic Inspection Report Emailed Same Day. www.advancedhomeis.com
315-865-5845
Automobile, Business, Landlord Insurance. Jordan Roorda, Principal Agent. www.ProtectNY.com
Serving the Oneida, Herkimer & Madison counties, we have a simplified and centralized database of area listings to help you promote your new listings and buyer needs to cooperating agents and brokers, plus off-market, solds and historic info.
Painting
URBANIK’S PAINT CO.
315-724-5129
315-336-0400
Member Since 07/15
Largest selection of paint and wallcovering in Central NY. Rentals: floor sanders, polishers, airless sprayers, power washers, edgers. 1420 Oriskany St. Utica
Michael SanFlippo Owner
This magnificent 3 story home is situated on 2 acres of pristine property. One of the many stunning features includes uninterrupted views. As you enter the gates you can’t help but see the renowned design and exquisite originality outside, wait till you see inside.
This estate exudes class with lighting, a second-story guest home (above the garage), and 3 story panoramic views that make this the perfect home for families and guests.
The Catskills provide a range of year-round activities, from hiking and antiquing in the warmer months to skiing at Windham Mountain. East Durham is charming with/ inns and family resorts like the Blackthorne Resort and Rose Resort, which offer unique cultural experiences.
A rare blend of elegance, luxury, and seclusion awaits you.
