Thursday, November 14, 2019 / by Vanessa Saunders
Buyers are allowed to make requests of home sellers when they see repairs they feel need fixing before they sign the purchase contract. Some buyers make the mistake of submitting a laundry list of requests. The goal of requests for repairs should be to ensure that the home is in a safe, livable condition. But when over-the-top requests and frivolous demands are made by buyers, the seller may reply with a few pointed requests of his own and end the negotiations.
While buyers have a right to ask for repairs, sellers also have the right to say “no.” The following are guidelines we like to follow to keep both sides moving forward.
1. Be sure the home inspector isn't inflating minor issues to justify his fee.
Some inspectors can raise buyer's hackles by using language such as “near the end of its useful life” (frequently seen for furnaces) or “recommend replacement.” Hire an inspector whose reports are thorough and sensible.
2.PL. ...
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hudson valley real estate, hudson valley property, hudson valley home, home investment, buying a home, hudson valley home owners, hudson valley home sellers, why work with a realtor, home inspections, home fire safety, seller concessions
Friday, November 8, 2019 / by Vanessa Saunders
The housing crunch in the Hudson Valley slowed real estate sales this summer as home owners elected to "stay put" rather than sell their homes. Some home owners looking for more living space have chosen to build an addition, rather than sell and move up to a larger house.
When you need more living space in your home, converting your garage into a room can be an attractive option. Although costs will vary based on your location and specific plans, a garage remodel will generally cost about half of what you’d expect to spend when building a home addition from scratch. However, there are many things to consider before beginning a project like this.
Converting a garage into a living space is a big job that includes raising the floor, insulating the walls, adding heating, cooling and ventilation, and updating doors and windows. Before you begin a garage makeover, take the time to consider all aspects of the project.
Yes, you'll need planning permission to do nearly any kind of re ...
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hudson valley real estate, hudson valley property, hudson valley home, home investment, hudson valley home owners, 'urb to 'burb, housing sales inventory, hudson valley living, home fire safety
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 / by Vanessa Saunders
Governor Cuomo signed into law new legislation requiring Limited Liability Corporations (LLCs) to disclose all parties involved in buying or selling properties in New York. Prior to the law, property owners coild hide behind anonymous "shell" companies, making it impossible for the law to enforce code violations. The law is intended to bring full transparency to LLC partners.
The measure was sponsored in the Senate by James Skoufis (D, Woodbury), who chairs the Senate investigations committee, which has been concentrating on code enforcement issues, and Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, (D, New City).
In a dramatic setting, they announced the new law while standing in front of a condemned two-family house at 230 City Terrace in the City of Newburgh. The property's owner is listed only as T&J Estate Properties LLC. Condemned in March of 2019, the house has been written up for nineteen code violations in 2019. The city cannot locate an owner responsible for the buil ...
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hudson valley real estate, hudson valley property, hudson valley home, housing sales, selling your home, 'urb to 'burb, home inspections, upstate ny, home fire safety
Monday, November 19, 2018 / by Vanessa Saunders
It seems I just have to find things to keep me awake at night, but I ran across this one recently talking to an inspector. I was taken with how something so simple can represent such a clear and present danger in almost every household in America if ignored.
Every year, clothes dryers cause 20,000 house fires, totaling millions of dollars worth of misery and loss across the nation. The cause is lint buildup in dryer vents and ductwork, which reduces air flow and drying efficiency. Lint can cause humidity levels to rise around vents causing mildew and mold to develop in walls and insulation. But most important: Lint is combustible. Lint causes fires.
Fortunately, removing dryer lint is simple. First of all, dryer owners must remove lint from the dryer lint trap and wiping its edges. If the screen seems clogged, it's probably from the use of dryer sheets. To completely clean a lint screen, soak it in a sink of hot water and scrub it with a bristle brush to remove built-up fabric ! ...
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hudson valley real estate, hudson valley home, diy projects, home fire safety
