Recent Blog Posts by Josh Gonzalez

Spring Clean-up of Perenial Beds. Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties in Clifton Park NY.

Spring Clean-up of Perenial Beds.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties in Clifton Park NY. Spring Clean-up of Perenial Beds.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties in Clifton Park NY.

Did you know you, you should test your GFCI outlets once each month?

Did you know you should test your GFCI outlets once each month?  Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets. You’re supposed to test them once a month, but who does? Now’s a great time. You’ll find them around potentially wet areas — building codes specify GFCI outlets in bathrooms, kitchens, and for outdoor receptacles. Make sure the device trips and resets correctly. ...

Homes for rent in Schenectady NY, near Proctor's theater, Union College, shops, restaurants, highways, goverment buildings, bus lines and much more! Why rent appartments!

Homes for rent in Schenectady NY, near Proctor's theater, Union College, shops, restaurants, highways, goverment buildings, bus lines and much more! Why rent appartments! Lowest price single family home in Schenectady NY, separate living & dining room, washer/dryer, half bath on the first floor, dishwasher, microwave, small yard & porch, last house on a dead end street, very convenient ...

Kids rooms storage ideas

Taking Advantage of Corners     When it comes to finding an extra bit of storage space in a kids’ room for two or more, look to your corners. Corner shelving units (about $80) take advantage of that valuable nook so you can stuff more stuff in its proper place. Look for shelving brands that include corner units as part of their line so all the shelving fits together.     Mirror ...

Avoid Last Minute-itis This Holiday Season With Deal Seeking Mom

Avoid Last Minute-Itis This Holiday Season With Deal Seeking Mom Follow these tips for being guest-ready without the rush. Last minute-itis, the tendency to rush around like a madman decluttering and cleaning the house before guests arrive, is an all-too-common affliction among home owners during the holiday season. Deal Seeking Mom, the popular blogger, mother, and home owner (a.k.a. Tara Kuczykowski), ...

No Mothers-In-Law Allowed: The 7 Craziest Local Laws and HOA Rules.

No Mothers-In-Law Allowed: The 7 Craziest Local Laws and HOA Rules. Get up to speed with the most outrageous laws and homeowners association rules. It's important to know the laws of your land and your neighborhood. Both governments and homeowners associations, or condo associations if you are a condo-dweller, can levy powerful-and sometimes incredibly strange-restrictions and requirements. Some can ...

Heating, Venting and Air Conditioning maintenence (HVAC)

Appliance Maintenance: Heating, Venting, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Keep your HVAC systems running efficiently and reliably with this simple maintenance routine. “We recommend annual visits from an HVAC contractor each fall and spring,” says Richard Ciresi, owner of the Louisville Aire Serv franchise. In fall, the technician will clean and inspect the furnace blower, burners, and heat ...

Choosing an Exterior Door.

You should understand the pros and cons of steel, fiberglass, and wood exterior doors before choosing the one that's right for you. Replacing your front door can pay for itself or even turn a profit by increasing your home's value, according to Remodeling Magazine's annual Cost vs. Value Report. What's more, if you choose an energy-efficient exterior door, you may qualify for a tax credit that can ...

Does Walkability Raise Property Values?

Does Walkability Raise Property Values? Making your community more walkable can improve your quality of life and increase the value of your home.   Walkability was based on a “Walk Score” rating of how close homes were to amenities such as restaurants, coffee shops, schools, parks, stores, and libraries. The group used the Walk Score to compare home values in neighborhoods that ...

6 Tips for Reducing Your VOC Exposure

6 Tips for Reducing Your VOC Exposure Simple, habit-forming strategies reduce your exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in your home. There is such a thing as too much ventilation.                                          ...

Foreclosrue Rate Likely Headed Back Up.

Foreclosure Rate Likely Headed Back Up.  March 12, 2010 Some housing experts are saying the rate of foreclosures in the U.S. housing market may rise again, and the profile of delinquent borrowers is changing. "Just looking at the numbers, we would expect there to be a bigger percentage of properties," headed for repossession, RealtyTrac spokesman Daren Blomquist told The Washington Post. A ...

7 Tips for Saving Energy in the Laundry Room.

7 Tips for Saving Energy in the Laundry Room. Understanding your laundry room appliances is part of a smart plan to help you save energy in your home. Energy Star washers save 17 gallons of water per load over traditional washers 7 Tips for Saving Energy in the Laundry Room.  Good laundry room habits, including some occasional minor maintenance, can save energy and shave nearly $300 off your ...

Why Green Is Worth it.

Why Green is Worth It. For new and existing home buyers alike, the options to "green up" homes abound. Green upgrades on homes offer two-fold benefits. They contribute to a healthier environment, both now and in the future, and they can save homeowners big when it comes to energy costs. How much impact does a green home have on the environment, you ask? The government reports that Energy Star qualified ...

Town of Clifton Park Board Meeting Agenda.

TOWN OF CLIFTON PARK TOWN BOARD MEETING March 8, 2010 I. Call to Order/7:00 P.M. II. Pledge to Flag III. Roll Call IV. Approval of Town Board Minutes V. Communications/Announcements VI. Business • Resolutions for Consideration • Other Business NOTE: Each speaker shall state name and address prior to addressing the Board, and shall be granted the floor for up to five minutes. The Board ...

Like it or not, the demographics of your local market stamps the headline on you business.

Like it or not, the demographics of your local market stamps the headline on your business.  Some of you may have heard this story; A man struggles at work during the day, because his mind is preoccupied thinking about the endless battle with his lawn which awaits him at home. He has got lots and lots of dandelions and can not get rid of them. After trying all kinds of products, and seeking the ...

I don't feel like it.

I don't feel like it. What's it? Why do you need to feel like something in order to do the work? They call it work because it's difficult, not because it's something you need to feel like. Very few people wake up in the morning and feel like taking big risks or feel like digging deep for something that has eluded them. People don't usually feel like pushing themselves harder than they've pushed before ...

10 Ways to prevent costly mold damage to your home.

10 Ways to Prevent Costly Mold Damage to Your Home Fixing mold damage can be one of the most expensive repairs you'll ever perform on your home, so here's how to prevent it.  Setting your thermostat at about 78 degrees F provides the optimal temperature for preventing moisture problems. Image: Image: Tetra Images/Getty Image It's no wonder homeowners fear a mold diagnosis: Besides the health ...

5 Tips for Saving Energy in the Family Room

5 Tips for Saving Energy in the Family Room. Reduce your electricity bills by systematically purging your family room of wasteful energy practices. The three biggest energy hogs in the family room are the plasma television, DVR/Tivo box, and digital cable box. Image: Steven Errico/Digital Vision/Getty Images The fun-a video game console, TV, DVR, DVD, and stereo system-that your family room provides ...

Food Safety Tips.

Food Safety Tips.  The CDC estimates that food-borne diseases cause 76 million illnesses in the United States each year. While some contamination occurs at the source and is out of our control, there is still a lot we can do at home to prepare food safely and lessen the risk of illness from food-borne pathogens. Below are five essential ingredients for food safety 1. Avoid cross-contamination ...

New FHA Rules.

New FHA Rules The Federal Housing Administration has announced major changes to its program. The agency will increase the amount of upfront cash paid by new borrowers and require higher downpayments from those with the poorest credit. Upfront insurance premiums paid at the closing table will increase to 2.25 percent of the loan value, but buyers will still be able to finance the premiums. Borrowers ...

Working with a REALTOR (Buyers)

REALTORS are licensed real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS, the New York State Association of REALTORS and their local board or association of REALTORS. They must abide by a strict code of ethics, and their job is to ensure you get what you need throughout the entire home buying and selling process. For more information on what a REALTOR can do for you contact ...

Property Tax Myths and Misunderstandings.

Myth #1 Assessors determine property taxes Typically property tax rates are set by school boards, town boards, village boards, and county legislatures, but not by assessors. Each board determines the total amount of taxes it needs to raise, and then divides that number by the total taxable assessed value of the jurisdiction to determine the tax rate. Your share of the tax is calculated by multiplying ...

Ready to roll out Goverment Energy Star Efficiency Rebate Program for president's week.

State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), NYSERDA is eligible to receive $18.7 million to provide cash rebates to New York residents who purchase high-efficiency appliances. On December 1, 2009, NYSERDA's plan for the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, the Great Appliance Swap Out, was approved by the U.S. Department ...

First Time Home Buyers set a new record.

First-time home buyers reached the highest market share on record during the past year, according to the latest consumer survey of home buyers and sellers. The study was released November 12th at the 2009 REALTORS® Conference & Expo. The 2009 National Association of Realtors (NAR) Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers is the latest in a series of large national NAR surveys evaluating demographics, ...

Don't delay, it is time to start thinking about your STAR application.

STAR applications must either be received in the assessor's office or be postmarked by Taxable Status Date. While Taxable Status Date is March 1 in most municipalities, it varies for some cities and in some counties. When Taxable Status Date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the deadline for filing exemption applications is extended until the next business day. STAR is New York State's ...