Autumn and early winter: The best times to be a homebuyer

Want to buy your dream home for less? Shop in autumn and winter

(BPT) - The long-held belief that summer is the only time to buy a home is fading fast. Savvy home-buyers are learning that when temperatures drop, numerous benefits emerge that simply aren't available other times of the year.
"With warm weather and many homes on the market, summer is generally the busiest real estate season. However, autumn into early winter can be opportune times for people who are serious about buying a home, too.  This time of year has big advantages - like motivated sellers and less competition - that simply can't be ignored.
If you're in the market to purchase a home, there's no need to hang up your house-hunting hat until spring or summer. Lewis offers eight reasons why now might just be the best time to purchase a home.
Year-end tax breaks
As long as you close on the property on or before Dec. 31, any property tax and mortgage interest paid are tax-deductible for that year. This can dramatically impact the amount of money you owe Uncle Sam, or increase your refund.
Less competition
The National Association of Realtors(R) recently noted that, in an average year, nearly half of all home sales occur from May to August. Although most people wait until the hustle and bustle of the spring selling season, you'll likely encounter less competition during fall and winter. That means less stress and a reduced chance you'll be involved in a bidding war.
Eager sellers
Sellers become more motivated the longer their home is on the market, especially now that the summer rush is over. If a home has been listed for a while, it may allow buyers more room for negotiation and potentially a better deal.
Quicker transactions
Motivated sellers paired with less-busy title companies may mean a faster closing in fall and winter. Do you want a new home in time for the holidays or new year? It's entirely possible when you house hunt now.
Cheaper moving prices
You're probably planning to hire a moving company in some capacity, whether you're moving across town or across the country. In the fall and winter moving companies tend to be less busy, which means you might have the options of more flexible schedules and lower prices.
Easier to outfit your home
Need a new couch, cutlery or curtains for your home? Year-end sales are perfect for scoring a deal on these otherwise expensive items. Plus, if you move in around the holidays, there are plenty of deals on house-warming gifts.
"In addition to all these benefits for buying post-selling season, interest rates for home loans are still at record lows," says Lewis.
If you're thinking of purchasing a home click www.TopPlainviewRealtor.com

When the winter storm hits, are you ready for a long power outage?

Lights out: 4 ways to prepare for a long outage after the storm

(BPT) - As winter storm season arrives, homeowners should be ready for power outages that last for days or even weeks. 

In recent years, storms have become more intense and frequent, resulting in extended power outages, which is disruptive to daily life. A recent study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Stanford University looked at 13 years of weather and utility data. The study revealed power interruptions last 75 percent longer in years that were both abnormally windy and had a major weather event.
Blizzards, heavy snow, ice storms and strong winds can all conspire to cut off the power supply to your home, leaving your family in the dark and in the cold. It is impossible to predict when an extended power outage will impact your community, however, there are things you can do today to keep your family safe and comfortable. Now is the time to prepare before the first winter storms settle in.
“An extended power loss in the winter can damage your home and put your family at risk,” says Ed Del Grande, a home improvement TV host, author and syndicated columnist. “Water pipes can freeze. Houses can quickly fill up with dangerous levels of carbon monoxide from alternative heating and cooking sources. And food can spoil quickly in the refrigerator. That’s why it’s smart to plan ahead for a power outage so you can get through the days safely and comfortably.”
Here are some tips to help homeowners prepare for an extended power outage:
Have enough food and water.
Store enough to eat and drink for one week. Even if the stores are open, you’ll want to keep outside travel to a minimum, especially in tough road conditions. If you are using well water, be ready for the fact that a power outage will stop your water pump. Have an adequate supply of water on hand — about one gallon per person per day. Stockpile plenty of non-perishable food, such as canned meats and vegetables, protein bars, dry cereal and nuts. Be sure you have a manual can opener and a means to cook, such as a propane-operated camp stove — just be sure your cooking space is properly ventilated.
Have safe backup lighting.
To reduce risk of fire, swap out candles and kerosene lanterns for battery-operated flashlights and lamps. Stock up now on batteries before people deplete local supplies in the pre-storm rush.
Invest in a generator.
A ready power source could help your family get through longer outages in safety and comfort, in spite of the cold temperatures outside. During a winter storm, especially a bitter cold one with strong winds, the temperature inside your home can drop quickly. There are two backup power options for the home: a portable generator or an automatic standby generator.
A portable generator can be moved from place-to-place and is designed to power a handful of items in your home via extension cords. It must be manually operated and placed outdoors away from the home to avoid the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning.
A standby generator turns on automatically when the power shuts off and is permanently installed outside the home similar to a central air conditioning unit. It runs on natural gas or propane and hooks up to existing fuel lines in your home. A standby generator will keep all your appliances running, as well as everything else you take for granted: lights, television, computers, water heater, furnace and more. If you’re interested in learning about automatic standby power systems, visit www.KohlerGenerators.com for informational videos and other helpful details.
Plan for being cut off.
When the power goes out, it can be hard to anticipate all the implications. Stores may reopen, but they may not be able to process your debit or credit card right away. So keep enough cash to see you through a few days. Think of any medications your family would need and set aside a week’s supply. Finally, transfer essential information you have stored in your mobile phone to paper, such as phone numbers and addresses. You may have to go manual with navigation, so pick up paper road maps of your state or region from the service station.
“Despite all the forecasting technology we have today, storms can pop up with little warning,” Del Grande says. “Getting ready today is the key step to protecting your loved ones when the storm hits.”

Cool summer renovation ideas keep homes more comfortable when the heat is on

(BPT) - Once spring cleanup is done, you may feel ready to tackle some renovation projects this summer. If so, you're not alone: 62 percent of homeowners plan to undertake a home improvement project this year, according to a Harris poll. Homeowners will renovate to improve their home's appearance, livability and energy efficiency, the survey found.
It's possible to make renovations that are stylish and also reduce your energy bill. With temperatures heating up this summer, take on renovations that not only make your home more beautiful, but make it cool and comfortable as well.
Here are a handful of projects that can accomplish those goals:
Replacement windows
You're probably aware quality new windows can help your home retain heat in the winter, but did you know they can also keep your home cooler in the summer? By tightening your home's envelope and reflecting heat, energy-efficient windows can help maintain more even temperatures inside your home. What's more, because they're energy-efficient, new windows can help your heating-ventilation and cooling (HVAC) systems operate more efficiently.
Air conditioning
If you live in an older home, you may not have the space you need to install a traditional central HVAC unit with ductwork. Adding ductwork can be costly and troublesome, yet you probably don't love the look of window air conditioners, either. Duct-free split systems like LG's Art Cool Line provide plenty of cooling power from wall-mounted units that can be subtle or splashy, depending on your design vision. An outdoor unit works in tandem with up to eight interior units for individual room-by-room temperature control. LG offers three interior Art Cool unit styles, including a customizable picture frame, a flat panel with a modern charcoal mirror finish and a traditional unit in sleek white. All feature a hand-held remote control operation, varying fan speeds, quiet operation and auto operation modes for the utmost in comfort this summer.
Window treatments
Limiting the amount of sunlight that enters and warms a room is an important way to supplement your home's cooling units. Summer décor cries out for light, airy window treatments, but you don't have to give up that bright look to better control sunlight. Window blinds or shades in a slightly darker hue can work well with a lighter looking window treatment while still allowing you to limit sun exposure when you draw them shut. What's more, cellular shades also have an insulating effect to enhance your windows' ability to reflect heat in the summer.
Cooler lighting and appliances
Electrical appliances and incandescent light bulbs all contribute to the amount of ambient heat in your home. As you're renovating, replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient options that give off far less heat, such as LEDs or CFLs. Most light fixtures are now able to use these cooler bulbs, so replacing them is easy - and can also help reduce your electricity bill since they use about 80 percent less energy than incandescents, according to the Energy Star program. You can also reduce heat output from appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers and dryers by upgrading to more energy-efficient models.
Outdoor improvements
You can also make outdoor renovation choices that will enhance your home's beauty and help keep the interior cooler. Strategically plant shade trees to shield windows from the hot sun in summer time. Or, consider adding awnings that will shade windows and doors. For patios and decks, choose materials that reflect heat away from your home and outdoor spaces. Finally, paint siding in a lighter color to help minimize heat absorption.
Summer home renovation projects can be exciting, beautiful and energy efficient when you keep a cool head about your design choices.

Plainview and Old - Bethpage, New York Home Sales for The Month of April 2016

	Street Name	Sfx	Town	SoldPrice	Style	SD
19	Cedar	Dr	Old Bethpage	706000	Hi Ranch	4
25	Lois	Ln	Old Bethpage	538000	Hi Ranch	4
25	Seton	Ct	Old Bethpage	550000	Split	4
21	Barbara	Ln	Plainview	572500	Split	4
96	Cherry	Dr	Plainview	949000	Colonial	4
21	Debora	Dr	Plainview	475000	Split	4
50	Eileen	Ave	Plainview	400000	Split	21
10	Gainsville	Dr	Plainview	503888	Split	4
32	Hope	Rd	Plainview	360000	Ranch	4
68	Hope	Dr	Plainview	370000	Ranch	4
121	Knickerbocker	Rd	Plainview	472500	Ranch	4
31	Marilyn	Blvd	Plainview	468000	Split	4
14	Melony		Plainview	928007	Colonial	4
169	Morton	Blvd	Plainview	524000	Exp Ranch	4
1529	Round Swamp	Rd	Plainview	545000	Hi Ranch	4
16	Vernon	St	Plainview	378000	Ranch	4
46	Virginia	Ave	Plainview	730000	Colonial	4

Plainview, Old – Bethpage, New York Real Estate Closings For March 2016

Plainview Old – Bethpage, New York

Real Estate Closings For

March 2016

St #	Street Name	Sfx	Town	SellingPrice	Style
3	Park	Ct	Old Bethpage	460000	Hi Ranch
45	Acorn	Ln	Plainview	697500	Splanch
25A	Barnum	Ave	Plainview	580000	Colonial
1	Belmont	Ave	Plainview	580000	Hi Ranch
52	Blanche	St	Plainview	495000	Split
8	Chestnut	Dr	Plainview	571100	Hi Ranch
35	Clearwater	Dr	Plainview	466000	Ranch
29	Debora	Dr	Plainview	670000	Split
31	Diamond	Dr	Plainview	683000	Exp Ranch
18	Elaine	Pl	Plainview	665000	Split
16	High Ridge	Rd	Plainview	750000	Ranch
6	Holly	Ln	Plainview	567000	Split
11	Hope	Dr	Plainview	355000	Ranch
39	Kalda	Ln	Plainview	490000	Ranch
8	Kings	Ct	Plainview	515000	Exp Ranch
16	Midwood	Dr	Plainview	441500	Cape
2	Pasadena	Dr	Plainview	485500	Split
32	Ridge	Dr	Plainview	699000	Ranch
15	Spector		Plainview	540000	Split
41	Stratford	Rd	Plainview	570000	Split
25	Virginia	Ave	Plainview	350000	Cape
48	Westbury	Ave	Plainview	362000	Ranch