Real Estate Guide 2022 - March 2022

Spotlight News / The Spot 518

March 23 - March 29, 2022 | REAL ESTATE GUIDE

A publication of Spotlight News / The Spot 518 | March 23 - 29, 2022

RealEstate Homes, Condos & Townhouses

Home Improvement

Issue Date:

Garden &

pageS

• StyliSh DeSignS • innovative iDeaS • home improvementS

May 4 Ad Deadline: April 27

Guide

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2 REAL ESTATE GUIDE | March 23 - March 29, 2022

Spotlight News / The Spot 518

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What to know about refinancing a mortgage

refinance, but it’s important that homeowners recognize that refinancing is not free. In fact, the personal can be financially advantaistorically low finance experts at Kiplinger geous, but there are some interest rates note that refinancing incurs things homeowners should have made now many of the same costs know prior to contacting a good time to that homeowners had to their lenders. be a homeowner. According pay when they signed their to the Federal Home Loan Refinancing does not initial mortgage papers.

Mortgage Corporation, also always save money over That includes fees, taxes and known as Freddie Mac, the appraisal costs. These costs the long haul average interest rate on a are sometimes paid up front, It’s hard to blame 30-year fixed-rate mortgage but they also might be rolled homeowners who jump in mid-September 2021 into the loan balance. In at the chance to refinance was 2.86. Just ten years the latter instance, hometheir mortgages.

Refinancearlier, the average rate was owners could be paying ing is often associated with 4.09. That’s a significant interest on their refinancsignificantly lower monthly dip, and one that’s saving ing costs. Homeowners payments, and such savtoday’s homeowners tens ings can be used to finance Refinancing your mortgage may be the thing to do, but you have to make sure it will actually save you who are refinancing solely of thousands of dollars over because of lower interest home improvein the long term. Learn to read an amortization schedule and seek help before you sign. the life of their rates should know that some ments, pay for mortgages. lenders raise interest rates to tuition or build “Homeowners can Interest gage. A shorter term compensate for refinancing retirement nest at Mortgage Calcularates dipped speak with a financial eggs. However, tor note that a Change mortgage will increase costs. That can negate the during the Terms mortgage savings and end up costing the monthly payment, advisor to determine homeowners pandemic and refinance is characterHomes, Condos & Townhouses but the loan will reach homeowners more money won’t necessarhave remained if this is the best than the original mortgage. ily save money ized by a shift to a loan maturity much faster, low ever since. charging a lower interRefinancing is an option over the long greatly reducing the result, homeowners may way to save money haul if they’re est rate.

That’s unfor homeowners who want amount of interest homeend up paying more interest likely to last The initial savings with over the long haul refinancing an owners will pay over the life to save money. Homeownforever, which such a refinance are undeni- over time than they might ers can speak with a finanexisting 30of the mortgage. has given many or if refinancing will year mortgage able, but changing from one have had they just kept their cial advisor to determine if initial mortgage. Homeown- Refinancing can be costly this is the best way to save homeowners 30-year to another 30-year ultimately cost them with another Lower monthly paya sense of urrestarts the mortgage clock, ers interested in a Change money over the long haul or 30-year mortTerms refinance may want ments might be the number if refinancing will ultimately gency regard- more over the life of gage. which can add years to the to look into switching from that catches homeowning refinancing. the mortgage.” cost them more over the life time homeowners will be The of the mortgage.

Refinancing mortage experts repaying their debt. As a a 30-year to a 15-year mort- ers’ eyes as they look to

Some things homeowners should know prior to contacting their lenders

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RealEstate

Guide

Home Prices Rise Dramatically in 2021 According to the real estate research firm CoreLogic, annual home price growth during the pandemic was the most the group had ever seen in its 45 years of tracking home prices. Since the World Health Organization first declared a pandemic in March of 2020, home prices have risen dramatically. CoreLogic reports that median home prices across the United States increased by 18 percent between July 2020 and July 2021. The increase was even more significant in Canada, where data from the Canadian Real Estate Association indicated home prices had risen

by more than 38 percent between 2020 and 2021. Such increases were welcome news for individuals who already owned their homes, but many individuals who did not found themselves priced out of the market. The good news for potential home buyers is that median home prices are not expected to increase as much in 2022 as they have since the onset of the pandemic. In fact, CoreLogic forecasted a 2.7 percent appreciation between July 2021 and July 2022.

Explaining easements, setbacks and CCRs Property setbacks as well as easements and conditions, covenants and restrictions (CCRs) must be considered before renovating an existing home or building a new one.

Setbacks are mandated buffers between surveyed property lines and permanent structures. Easements are legal designations that enable individuals or entities to use portions of

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a person’s property for physical access or to build on it for one reason or another. Easements may be owned by utility companies for gas lines or government agencies when sidewalks are on a private property. Additional examples of easements include greenbelt conservation easements, beach easements or view easements, according to The Spruce, a home and lifestyle resource. CCRs include rules established by many planned communities, subdivisions and planned unit developments. CCRs, easements and property setbacks can affect which type of renovations are allowed on particular plots and may affect the issuance of permits.

It’s essential to learn about property easements, CCRs and setbacks in advance and discuss them with contractors when drawing up preliminary plans. Your property deed or plat map as well as the local building inspection offices can highlight any regulations that may be in effect on your property and if they may affect future projects.

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4 REAL ESTATE GUIDE | March 23 - March 29, 2022

Spotlight News / The Spot 518

How to determine if it’s time to downsize

variable affects senior homeowners’ decisions to downsize their homes as much as cost. No one wants ndividuals work hard to within their walls can make to outlive their money, and save enough money to it harder to put a home on downsizing to a smaller the market. purchase their homes. home can help seniors reDownsizing is a difficult And the hard work duce their monthly expenses doesn’t end there. Once decision that’s unique to by a significant margin. homeowners settle into a each homeowner. Seniors Even homeowners who have new home, they may set who aren’t quite certain long since paid off their their sights on renovamortgages can save tions that suit their substantial amounts individual needs. And of money by downsizeven when buyers find ing to a smaller home Homes, Condos & Townhouses a home that needs no or even an such work, apartment or maintenance “Seniors selling to downsize may capitalize on condominirequires um. Lower homeowners’ such spikes since they won’t be looking to turn property utmost attenaround and buy larger, equally expensive homes taxes, reduced tion.

All that once they sell their current place. If the market insurance premiums hard work is is down and seniors can withstand the work and and the need perhaps one to pay for reason why se- cost a little longer, it may be best to wait until fewer repairs niors may be a things bounce back in sellers’ favor.” are just some little reluctant of the ways to downsize as downsizing can save seniors they advance through their if downsizing is right for golden years. In addition to them can consider three key money.

• Space: Many people the sweat equity homeown- factors to make a decision ers put into their homes, all that’s in their best interests. love the extra space that sinthe memories they’ve made • Cost: Perhaps no gle-family homes provide.

Hard work continues as you make the decision to move to a new environment

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RealEstate

Guide

Choosing the right time and the right situation to downsize is one of the most important financial decisions senior have to make. Consider where you are going not just what you get for your home.

But seniors can take a walk through their homes and see how many rooms they still use on a consistent basis.

If much of the home is unused, seniors can probably downsize without adversely affecting their daily lives.

• Market: The real estate market is another factor to consider when deciding if the time is right to downsize. A seller’s market can help seniors get the biggest return on their real estate

investment, potentially helping them make up for meager retirement savings.

For example, home prices skyrocketed across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, making that a great time for sellers to put their homes on the market. Seniors selling to downsize may capitalize on such spikes since they won’t be looking to turn around and buy larger, equally expensive homes once they

sell their current place. If the market is down and seniors can withstand the work and cost a little longer, it may be best to wait until things bounce back in sellers’ favor.

Downsizing requires careful consideration of a host of variables. No two situations are the same, so seniors should exercise due diligence to determine if downsizing is right for them.

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518.469.7677CELL

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Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker

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March 23 - March 29, 2022 | REAL ESTATE GUIDE

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5

All-natural ways to protect food gardens from pests Planning and maintaining a great garden is a great selling point for your home

create a breeding ground for fungal diseases and also provide hiding spots and warmth for pests. Leaving pests and critters. omeowners freroom between plants can quently enhance • Plant gardens in raised help avoid these issues, their outdoor liv- beds. Though they’re not a according to Gardening ing spaces with fool-proof deterrent, raised Channel. attractive plants and trees. beds can eliminate some • Use row covers or When that greenery also garden infiltration by small garden mesh. Specialized produces food, the results critters that come up and covers and meshes protect can be both beauty and fruit and vegetables against bounty.

“Insects and animals enjoy insects and animals. Many People who plant plants can be covered all fresh produce just as people vegetable gardens year long as long as the and fruit trees in their do. The joy of harvesting from covers are lifted during yards can be blessed flowering if the crops dewith an abundance of a garden can be diminished pend on pollination by bees. fresh pickings once when unwanted guests have Veggiemesh® is a cover that it’s time to harvest. gotten there first.”

Providing a food source from the property you are selling can bring benefits to the incoming owners. can be laid over plants.

In fact, many home A planned out, well-groomed and maintained garden will show your property can provide an added benefit.

• Interplant crops in gardeners may have under from the ground.

A the garden. Interplanting is visions of warm evenings a technique that involves pulling vegetables right out raised garden bed can deter spoon of soap (such as and absorbent qualirabbits, gophers, groundalternating crops, herbs and of the garden and tossties draw moisture out Dr Bronner’s castile hogs, slugs, and some other soap). Add this mixture flowers to confuse the pests ing them on the grill or of insects, essentially crawling pests. Raised beds to one quart of water so they have a difficult time in salads. But insects and Homes, Condos & Townhouses dehydrating them to finding what they want to animals enjoy fresh produce also are ergonomical and death. DE can be in a spray bottle. This easily accessible. eat. Alternate rows of vegjust as people do. The joy sprinkled around the concoction can eradicommonly known as DE, is • Prepare homemade in- cate aphids, mites, thrips, of harvesting from a garden base of plants, but will need etables with herbs and flowan abrasive powder comsecticide. The environmencan be diminished when to be reapplied after rain and ers that appeal to beneficial and more by coating insects’ insects. unwanted guests have gotten tal information site Treehug- bodies and effectively suffo- prised of fossilized algae watering. ger provides information Keeping pesky insects there first.

• Space out plants. One cating them. Soap-and-water diatoms. It’s commonly used as a filter medium in on making a homemade and animals from damaging Homeowners can emway to reduce insect or sprays or even neem oil swimming pools, but also food gardens can involve ploy these all-natural strate- insecticide from vegetable animal pest numbers is to sprays work similarly. oil and a mild soap. Use one gies to protect their fruits • Sprinkle diatomaceous makes an effective pesticide. ensure ample space between techniques that are safe and and vegetables from lawn plants. Tightly planted crops natural. earth. Diatomaceous earth, The material’s abrasive cup of oil with one table-

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RealEstate

Guide

ON THE FENCE ABOUT

Selling?

TAKE ADVANTAGE AND SELL NOW! TrustColdwell.com Amsterdam | Johnstown O. 518.762.9885 Loudonville O. 518.427.9000

Clifton Park O. 518.383.0030

Niskayuna O. 518.370.2100

Great Sacandaga Lake O. 518.863.2353

N. Greenbush O. 518.477.1000

Greenville | Hillsdale O. 518.966.4900

Saratoga Springs O. 518.587.3400

Lake George | Glens Falls O. 518.793.4488

Slingerlands | Albany O. 518.439.9600

West Sand Lake O. 518.674.3238

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6 REAL ESTATE GUIDE | March 23 - March 29, 2022

Spotlight News / The Spot 518

Real Estate GUIDE | Resource Directory Mary Amodeo

Greg Biché

Mary Amodeo is an experienced award-winning, full service realtor in the Capital District whose business is built on relationships. Each year her goal is simple - to provide unmatched service while her clients navigate purchasing, selling or investing in real estate.

Quality PM is the Capital Region’s trusted renovation and construction firm. Whether remodeling a bathroom, kitchen or whole house, our primary goal is to exceed the expectations of our client. Our team takes great pride in the craftsmanship of our work to make sure each client Comes Home to Quality.

Contact: 1345 New Scotland Rd. Slingerlands, NY 12159 (518) 469-7677 • mary-amodeo.coldwellbankerprime.com

Contact: 199 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY (518) 459-7100 • qualitypm.com

Anthony Gucciardo

Samantha Raynor

Coldwell Banker Prime Properties

Gucciardo Real Estate Group LLC

Anthony M. Gucciardo has garnered an excellent reputation and counts some of the Capital Region’s most influential people as clients. Anthony is recognized as the Top Albany Realtor serving the Capital Region. Anthony sets his expectations high. His friendly demeanor and unwavering dedication to clients is one of the keys to his success.

Contact: 1074 Troy-Schenectady Road Latham NY 12110 (518) 331-3785 • anthonygucciardo.com

Quality PM, Inc.

The Spinney Group

A proudly run family business for over 30 years, The Spinney Group sets out to provide full-service apartment communities that allow residents to live stress-free. We own and manage over 700+ units across several different communities — each with its own unique style and benefits, all guided by our value-driven approach.

Contact: 1 Juniper Drive; Delmar, NY 12054 (518) 475-9088 • thespinneygroup.com

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Selling?

Star Roofing & Restoration is a full service Roofing Contractor located in Colonie, NY. We offer Residential, Commercial and Industrial roofing services within the greater Capital District area. We are certified installers of most of the major roofing manufacturers systems, including Firestone, GAF, Johns Manville and CertainTeed.

TAKE ADVANTAGE AND SELL NOW! Extended warranties are available. Our crews are factory trained and OSHA certified.TrustColdwell.com | Johnstown Clifton Park Great Sacandaga Lake Greenville | Hillsdale Lake George | Glens Falls Contact: Amsterdam O. 518.762.9885 O. 518.383.0030 O. 518.863.2353 O. 518.966.4900 O. 518.793.4488 Loudonville Niskayuna NYN. Greenbush Saratoga Springs Slingerlands | Albany West Sand Lake 16 Van Rensselaer Rd., Albany, O. 518.427.9000 O. 518.370.2100 O. 518.477.1000 O. 518.587.3400 O. 518.439.9600 O. 518.674.3238 (518) 449-3422 • starroofing.net

Coldwell Banker Prime Properties CBPP name has proudly represented real estate excellence and professionalism in Upstate New York for over 36+ years. CBPP is the number #1 Coldwell Banker in NYS. We are the 4th largest CB in the 19 states that make up the Northern Region, and we are among the top 10 in the United States.

Contact: 621 Columbia Street Suite 200 Cohoes NY 12047 (800) 456-7839 • ColdwellBankerPrime.com

Spotlight News

Community Media Group, LLC When it comes to local community news, The Spotlight, The Colonie Spotlight and the Spot 518 has you covered. Give us a call or drop us a note with your news for help with marketing your business.

Contact: 341 Delaware Ave, Delmar, NY (518) 439-4949 • spotlightnews.com

March 23 - March 29, 2022 | REAL ESTATE GUIDE

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8 REAL ESTATE GUIDE | March 23 - March 29, 2022

Spotlight News / The Spot 518

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$100,832.90 Million Dollars in sales in 2021

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2021 in Review Anthony gucciardo Closed units: 206 Anthony gucciardo sales: 62,098.67 million dollars Company total units Closed: 348 Company total sales: $100,832.90 million dollars +38% increase from 2020

2022 Marks 20 years in Business with over 3,000 Homes sold Valued at $800 Million Dollars Anthony is recognized as the top Albany Realtor serving the Capital Region.

Building that reputation through hard work, client advocacy, and innovative thinking, Anthony sets his expectations high. His friendly demeanor and unwavering dedication to clients is one of the keys to his success.

“After my husband passed away I felt it was time to downsize. Anthony was instrumental and almost like a second son to me in assisting me with future planning. Not only did he find me a perfect apartment he got me almost 40,000 more than I was expecting for my property. I could not be happier with the services provided by Mr.Gucciardo” — suzanne Falzo 3/22, Latham, New york

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scott H. Griffin

We offer Estate sale services and Debris Removal as part of the commission.