Upstate Real Estate & Home Services June 2019

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Five kitchen renovation blunders to avoid Page 8

646-320-7715

310 Dimmock Hollow Road Morris, NY 3 bedroom, 3 bath home $539,000

Cigarette smoke impacts your home’s resale value Page 13

Make sure your short-term rental unit is legal Page 16

VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 6 | JUNE 2019

Real Estate UPSTATE

& HOME SERVICES

A Publication of The Daily Star

102 Chestnut Street, Oneonta, NY 13820 607-432-1000 • www.thedailystar.com PUBLISHER Fred Scheller fscheller@thedailystar.com (607) 441-7214

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Valerie Secor vsecor@thedailystar.com (607) 441-7235

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Tracy Bender

How to maintain your wood deck. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

4 Things to do before you start packing for your move. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Five kitchen renovation blunders to avoid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 ‘Cue the grill.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 Outdoor improvements that boost home value.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Cigarette smoke impacts your home’s resale value. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Four ways to get your outdoor living space ready for summer. . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 How to safely dispose of burned out light bulbs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Make sure your short-term rental unit is legal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 iBuyers: are they worth the convenience?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 How to choose the right fertilizer for your lawn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 3 tips for preventing white grub infestations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Three reasons to hire a professional landscaper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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June 2019

How to maintain your wood deck Wood decks are timeless backyard additions, but they aren’t maintenance free. When not properly taken care of, they’re prone to rotting. Here’s how to take care of your wood deck.

Inspect it. Every spring, take time to look your deck over. Examine all the components to make sure there’s no damage. If you come across any, fix it before it gets worse.

Clean it. Regularly sweep debris off your deck. Scrub it with soap and water once a year. If you’d rather use a pressure washer, be careful: highly pressurized water can

gouge ho­les in wood. Using a sweeping motion, al­ways keep the washer moving.

Sand and seal it. Every two or three years, sand your patio and apply a sealant. This will prevent the wood from absorbing moisture. You can hire a professional to do this, or you can set aside a week­end and do the job yourself.

Hopefully, you’ll get to enjoy your wood deck this summer, and for many summers to come. Regular maintenance will ensure that you do.

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June 2019 | 3

Three reasons to hire a PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPER

D

o you want to turn your yard into a personal oasis?

How about boost the curb appeal and market value of your home? Landscaping can do all this, but unless you have ample time, stamina and expertise, it’s probably best to hire a professional land­scaper to do the job. Here’s what you can expect.

1. Great ideas A beautifully designed yard begins with a well thought out plan. Landscapers, also called landscape designers, can help you create a great design from scratch or embellish on ideas you already have. They’ll evaluate your property and use their in-depth knowledge of terrain and design principles to make recommendations specific to your yard. They’ll work with you to form a plan that suits your vision and budget.

2. Horticultural expertise Landscapers are deeply versed in horticulture. They have extensive knowledge of plant life and understand how terrain and climate impact vegetation. You can therefore count on them to know which plants, flo­wers, trees and shrubs will thrive in your yard and what each one will require in terms of soil, sunlight, water and general care.

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June 2019

3. Superior execution An experienced landscaper will have successfully completed a large number of projects and you can be confident that they’ll achieve good results with your yard too.

They’ll bring industry expertise to the job and know where to find the best talent and resources. Plus, they’re familiar with the different problems that can occur and the pitfalls that should be avoided.

If you’d like to hire a landscaper, look for one who’s experienced, certified and has liability insurance. Get ready to love your yard like never before!

A beautifully designed yard begins with a well thought out plan.

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June 2019 | 5

Things to do before you start packing for your move

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acking for a move is no small task, so it’s important that you start early (most moving companies recommend beginning about six weeks in advance). Moreover, there are several steps you should take before you begin boxing your items. Do these three things before starting and your move is likely to go off without a hitch.

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1. Do away with excess This is the perfect time to get rid of possessions you no longer want or need. Donate, sell and discard anything that’s no longer useful. The more you unload now, the less you’ll need to move later.

2. Gather supplies Must-have moving supplies include boxes, scissors, packing tape, packing paper, Styrofoam peanuts, bubble

wrap, markers for labeling items and garbage bags. Some other supplies that might come in handy are adhesive labels, sealable plastic bags and a tape dispenser.

3. Take stock of your belongings Since being organized saves you time and energy, making a list of all the items you want to move is extremely beneficial.

It’s best if you organize your inventory by room and then determine which things can be packed away earliest — something you can do by color-coding items with a highlighter. The underlying strategy is to separate the packing process into several phases, and it’s consequently ideal if you group together items you can pack away at different times leading up to your move (i.e. five weeks in advance, three weeks in advance, one week in advance, etc.).

If there are whole rooms you’re able pack up early such as a spare bedroom, extra bathroom or the garage, this is definitely a plus.

Once you’ve done all this, it’s time to start packing. Start early and follow your list and you should have a straightforward and hassle-free move.

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June 2019 | 7

Five kitchen renovation blunders to avoid T hinking about renovating your kitchen? If so, keep in mind that this is a major home project.

And, since your kitchen is probably the room in your house that gets the most use, you want to make sure that the end result is both beautiful and functional. Here are five mistakes to avoid when upgrading your kitchen.

1. Ignoring the layout. Keep your kitchen functional by considering the work triangle (the distance between the sink, refrigerator and cooktop) when

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June 2019

designing your kitchen.

2. Focusing on trends. Instead of choosing the most fashionable design featu­res, create a kitchen that truly fits your needs. Forgo anything that doesn’t work with your lifestyle.

3. Forgetting about organization. A pullout pantry or extra rack in the cabinet can help you keep your kitchen tidy and sorted. Invest in practical storage options that make your life easier.

4. Making last minute changes. Before the renovation starts, be sure about the choices you’ve made. Changing your mind once the work has begun can be expensive.

5. Neglecting the details. Nothing should be overlooked when you’re upgrading a kitchen. Details like the cabinet handles, backsplash and trim are what make your kitchen unique.

By avoiding these kitchen renovation blunders, not only will your remodel go smoothly, but the final result is sure to be one that you love.

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June 2019 | 9

’Cue the Grill It’s time to dust off the grill and start cooking!

Vegetarian options for your next barbecue Do you think cooking on the barbecue is reserved for meat eaters? Think again! Here are some easy ways of making your next cookout vegetarian-friendly.

Side dishes Meat eaters and vegetarians alike will appreciate having grilled vegetables to accompany their main dish. Zucchini and eggplant are delicious when cut lengthwise, seasoned and cooked on an oiled grill.

If you prefer to cook an assortment of veggies, cut them into even-sized cubes and season them as desired. Once they’re ready to be cooked, wrap them in a piece of aluminum foil and place them on the barbecue to be steamed.

Main courses There are vegetarian substitutes for almost all grilled meat dishes. For example, as an alternative to hamburgers you can buy pre-made veggie burgers or try your hand at making your own. A great replacement for ground beef is a mix of black beans and tempeh (a product made from fermented soybeans).

If you’re serving brochettes, replace the meat with more vegetables or with chunks of marinated tofu.

Remember that many vegetarians prefer that their food not come into contact with meat, so a clean grill is recommended. When cooking meat and non-meat dishes, cook the vegetarian items first or simply dedicate a portion of the grill to plant-based food.

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SLOW COOKER RECIPE

Maple-glazed barbecue ribs What’s the secret behind these succulent and tender ribs? Using two cooking methods and a delicious homemade barbecue sauce.

Start to finish: 10 hours (30 minutes active) | Servings: 4

Ingredients Barbecue sauce • 1 tablespoon butter or margarine • 1/2 onion, diced • 1 cup chili sauce • 1/2 cup water • 2 tablespoons brown sugar • 2 tablespoons maple syrup • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce • 1 teaspoon garlic salt • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard • 1 teaspoon fancy molasses

Ribs • 2 racks baby back ribs (about 1-1/2 pounds each) • 2 tablespoons onion powder • 2 tablespoons paprika • 1 tablespoon salt • 1 tablespoon pepper

Directions Barbecue sauce 1. In a small pot, cook the onion in the butter over medium heat until soft.

2. Add the remaining sauce ingredients and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring often. Set aside.

Ribs 1. Cut each rack in half. In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and rub the resulting mixture evenly over the ribs.

2. Cook the ribs in the slow cooker on high for 30 minutes. Switch to low for another 6 to 8 hours. The ribs will be very tender after cooking, so remove them carefully to keep them in one piece.

3. Preheat the barbecue to medium heat.

4. Brush the ribs with the barbecue sauce, and grill for 4 to 5 minutes a side, brushing on more sauce as desired, and serve.

While many people insist that removing the membrane is necessary, keep it on for this recipe. It’ll prevent the racks from falling apart in the slow cooker.

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June 2019 | 11

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Outdoor improvements that boost home value

hether home improvement projects are design to improve the interior or exterior of a house, focusing on renovations that make the most financial sense can benefit homeowners in the long run. The right renovations can be assets if and when homeowners decide to sell their homes.

So how does one get started? First and foremost, speak to a local real estate agent who is knowledgeable about trends in the community. While a swimming pool may be something coveted in one area, it may impede sales in another. It also helps to study 12

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generalized trends and data from various home improvement industry analysts to guide upcoming projects.

The following outdoor projects are just a few renovations that tend to add value.

• Fire pit: A fire pit is a great place to gather most months of the year.

Bob Vila and CBS news report that a fire pit realizes a 78 percent return on investment, or ROI. • Outdoor kitchen: Many buyers are looking to utilize their yards as an extension of interior living areas.

Cooking, dining and even watching June 2019

TV outdoors is increasingly popular.

Outdoor living areas can be custom designed and built. In addition, prefabricated modular units that require a much smaller commitment of time and money are available.

• Patio: Homeowners who do not already have a patio will find that adding one can increase a home’s value. Patios help a home look neat, add useable space and may help a home to sell quickly. The experts at Space Wise, a division of Extra Space Storage, say that refinishing, repairing and building a new patio offers strong ROI.

• Deck: Deck can be as valuable as patios. A deck is another outdoor space that can be used for entertaining, dining and more. Remodeling magazine’s 2018 “Cost vs. Value” report indicates that an $11,000 deck can add about $9,000 in resale value to the home, recouping around 82 percent of the project’s costs.

• Door update: Improve curb appeal with a new, high-end front door and garage doors. If that’s too expensive, a good cleaning and new coat of paint can make an old door look brand new. These easy fixes can improve a home’s look instantly.

• New landscaping: The National Association of Realtors says

an outdoor makeover that includes well-thought out landscaping can net 105 percent ROI. Installing a walkway, adding stone planters, mulching, and planting shrubs are ideas to consider.

Many different outdoor projects can add value to a home.

Cigarette smoke impacts your

D

HOME’S RESALE VALUE

id you know that smoking is not only bad for your health but that it can also decrease your home’s resale value?

Studies show that smoking cigarettes inside your home seriously affects your property’s worth. In a 2013 study by Pfizer Canada, 88 percent of the approximately 400 real estate agents surveyed said that it’s more difficult to sell a home where smokers live. Nearly half said that smoking affects a home’s resale value, and about one-third said that it lowers a property’s value by as much as 29 percent.

The damage caused by cigarette smoke can discourage potential buyers from purchasing your home and lead appraisers to de-

value your property. Residue from the smoke stains walls, floors and ceilings, and the smell is extreme-

ly difficult — and costly — to get rid of.

Not only are the grime and smell unappealing to buyers, but third-hand smoke (the residue from second-hand smoke containing nicotine and other harmful chemicals) is carcinogenic and can remain lodged in dust and on surfaces for more than two months after smokers have moved out. Exposure to third-hand smoke can be harmful for your health and is especially dangerous for children.

If you’re a smoker and a homeowner, think twice before lighting up inside; the habit may be hurting not only your health but also the market value of your home.

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Four ways to get your outdoor living space ready for summer

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nce the warmer weather arrives, it’s time to set up your outdoor living space for the season. But before you bring out the patio furniture, you should attend to these four tasks.

1. Wash your windows. Clean the frames and glass, and don’t forget to give the screens a scrub as well. You should also inspect the caulking around your windows and doors. If there are any cracks, apply new caulking 2. Get your deck ready. Clean your patio or deck and check for loose boards or anything else that looks like it needs to be fixed. Make repairs, then sand and seal wood surfaces.

3. Examine exterior surfaces. Inspect your siding for damage and ensure your foundation is free of cracks that might have formed over the winter. If you see any peeling paint on your shutters or window frames, make plans to have them painted.

4. Inspect your barbecue. Look out for signs of damage. Clear off spider webs, clean the grill and make sure animals haven’t nibbled on the gas line.

Once you’re done with the above, it’s time to set up your outdoor furniture. Give chairs, tables and loungers a good cleaning, then sit back, relax and enjoy soaking up the sun.

Registered Mortgage Broker NMLS # 271856 (iNdividuaL) NMLS # 17294 (coMpaNy) 20 cheStNut Street #1 cooperStowN, Ny 13326 toLL Free (800) 547-7948 (607) 547-5007 oFFice (607)547-2362 Fax email: matt@leatherstockinggroup.com | web: www.leatherstockingmortgage.com All Loans Arranged Through 3rd Party Lenders Registered Mortgage Broker - New York State Department of Financial Services

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How to safely dispose of burned out light bulbs

Many hardware store chains have recycling boxes for CFL bulbs as well as batteries, left over paint and other things that can’t safely be thrown out.

Check your local big box hardware store to see if they offer this service.

When a light bulb burns out, you may wonder whether to toss it in the trash or take it to your local recycling center. However, the best action to take depends entirely on the type of light bulb you’re throwing out.

Incandescent bulbs When a standard light bulb burns out, you can put it in the garbage with the rest of your household waste.

The thin glass and metal wires are almost impossible to separate for recycling.

Compact fluorescent lights (CFL) CFL bulbs contain small amounts of mercury that can damage the environment if the bulb breaks. Many municipalities have drop-off points for hazardous waste

items and you should dispose of CFL light bulbs at these locations.

Light-emitting diode (LED) lights LED lights don’t technically burn out like other bulbs, but they do dim over time. When this happens, you can safely discard them in the trash as they don’t contain mercury like CFL bulbs do. You can also check with your local recycling center to see if they accept this type of bulb.

Regardless of the type of light bulb, take care to wrap it in paper before you throw it away. This way you’ll avoid the possibility of someone getting injured by the broken glass.

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Make sure your short-term rental unit is legal These days, many people rent out their homes through companies like Airbnb and VRBO. While this can be a good way to make some extra money, it’s essential to make sure you don’t violate any laws or regulations.

If you’re a renter, you’ll need to check with your landlord before renting out your home on a short-term basis.

Your lease may prohibit you from subletting. If you violate the terms of your lease, your landlord will have grounds to evict you. If your landlord agrees to let you provide short-term rentals, be sure to get this agreement in writing.

If you’re a homeowner who belongs to a homeowners’ association (HOA), it may be against the HOA’s rules to use your home for short-term rentals.

You also need to carefully research zone and land-use laws in your area before renting out your home. In many cities and towns, short-term rental hosting is restricted or prohibited. Violating these laws could result in exorbitant fines. You may also need to pay certain fees and taxes to your municipal government to ensure that your shortterm rental unit is legal.

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Show & Sell Your Homes

Advertise your homes for sale in Upstate Real Estate & Home Services and reach thousands of potential buyers right here in our area!

iBuyers:

are they worth the convenience?

Instant homebuyer companies, also known as iBuyers, are tech companies that buy homes directly from sellers online and then put them back on the market. Without even visiting your home, iBuyers will make you an instant cash offer using a proprietary valuation model. If you accept the offer, you can close the sale in a few days.

While the appeal of selling your house to an iBuyer is understandable, the instant bids they offer may not be worth the associated convenience.

Keep in mind that though iBuyers claim to offer the full value of your home, the bids they make are typically below fair market value (in case they can’t resell the property at the full price). They also charge a fee for conducting the transaction, which is often higher than the standard brokerage fee.

Additionally, the bids iBuyers make on homes are generally lower than what the seller would get from working with a real estate agent. Experienced agents often get as much as 125 percent of a home’s fair market value.

What’s more, these companies strategically appeal to sellers who are in distress. They target people who’ve been unable to sell their homes or have expired listings. Those who are divorcing, in bankruptcy or have homes in foreclosure are also easy marks. Because the sellers are in difficult situations, they’re more likely to accept lowball offers.

Though selling your home to an iBuyer may seem like a good idea, you’ll gain far more from working with an experienced listing agent. A skilled realtor can help you sell your home at, or above, the property’s fair market value.

How to choose the

RIGHT FERTILIZER for your lawn

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very lawn requires its own unique blend of nutrients to thrive. This fact is reflected by the many varieties of fertilizer on the market. If you want healthy grass, it’s important that you choose the type of fertilizer best suited to your particular lawn.

and potassium the fertilizer contains — in that order! These are the main nutrients your lawn needs and they perform different functions.

Nitrogen promotes plant growth and makes your grass greener; phos-

Understanding fertilizer labels The key information on a unit of fertilizer is contained in a chain of three numbers se­parated by dashes.

These numbers, often referred to as an NPK ratio, typically appear on the front packaging.

Fertilizer numbers indicate the percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus 18

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phorus promotes root growth and potassium builds strong cells within the plant tissue.

Selecting your fertilizer The fertilizer you add to your lawn should supplement what’s lacking in the soil. For instance, if your soil lacks nitrogen, has ample phosphorus and almost enough potassium, you might choose a fertilizer marked 34-0-4.

To find out what nutrients your lawn needs, pick up an inexpensive soil test kit at a garden center. If you want a more detailed evaluation, get a lawn care professional to perform one.

3 tips for preventing white grub infestations

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hite grubs, the larvae of scarab beetles, have the nasty habit of nibbling away at grass roots.

If enough of them set up shop in your lawn, they’ll cause large sections of your grass to die. Here are three things you can do to get rid of white grubs, or at least reduce their numbers.

1. Don’t cut your grass too short Scarab beetles prefer to lay their eggs in short grass. If you have a white grub problem, adjust your lawn mower so that it cuts no shorter than three inches. This will help guard against white grub infestations as well as prevent weeds from spreading and your lawn from yellowing.

2. Keep your grass healthy A thick and robust lawn is more resistant to insects and disease. To strengthen your lawn’s root system, every spring remove excess thatch, aerate soil if it’s compact and reseed sparse areas.

3. Don’t use pesticides In addition to being harmful to the environment, pesticides will rid the area of useful insects like ants, which eat scarab beetle eggs. Instead of pesticides, use natural pest removal and weed control techniques.

Follow these tips and with any luck, you’ll send your white grubs packing.

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