More clouds and rain coming this week – where is the sun? Great time to catch up on Spring Cleaning!

Whether you are buying or selling, market trend and value is critical in determining pricing for a property. Today’s stats cover Ossining. If you would like to better understand what’s happening in your own neighborhood every month, just click on the “How’s The Market” Button above in the green box!

90-day stats for Single Family properties in OSSINING, NY as of May 11, 2012
Median List Price:	$402,403	Average List Price:	$467,101
Total Inventory:	59	Price per Square Foot:	$213
Average Home Size:	2,006	Median Lot Size:	13,168
Average # Beds:	3.26	Average # Baths:	2.03
Homes Absorbed:	3	Newly Listed:	3
Days on Market:	185	Average Age:	67

90-day stats for Condo properties in OSSINING, NY as of May 11, 2012
Median List Price:	$357,915	Average List Price:	$383,078
Total Inventory:	14	Price per Square Foot:	$231
Average Home Size:	1,428	Median Lot Size:	n/a
Average # Beds:	1.94	Average # Baths:	1.97
Homes Absorbed:	1	Newly Listed:	1
Days on Market:	157	Average Age:	30

Another day of rain – that’s ok – look how Green it’s getting!

Whether you are buying or selling, market trend and value is critical in determining pricing for a property. Today’s stats cover Croton-on-Hudson. If you would like to better understand what’s happening in your own neighborhood every month, just click on the “How’s The Market” Button above in the green box!

90-day stats for Single Family properties in CROTON ON HUDSON, NY as of May 11, 2012
Median List Price:	$624,156	Average List Price:	$736,025
Total Inventory:	52	Price per Square Foot:	$243
Average Home Size:	2,465	Median Lot Size:	82,144
Average # Beds:	3.48	Average # Baths:	2.60
Homes Absorbed:	2	Newly Listed:	3
Days on Market:	188	Average Age:	55

90-day stats for Condo properties in CROTON ON HUDSON, NY as of May 11, 2012
Median List Price:	$313,865	Average List Price:	$432,618
Total Inventory:	9	Price per Square Foot:	$182
Average Home Size:	1,762	Median Lot Size:	n/a
Average # Beds:	2.79	Average # Baths:	1.63
Homes Absorbed:	0	Newly Listed:	1
Days on Market:	257	Average Age:	23

Did You Know?
One mature tree can remove 216 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere per year. This is the equivalent of 11,000 miles of car emissions. Aside from removing pollutants from the atmosphere, one mature tree releases enough oxygen every day to supply a family of four.

The typical plastic bag is constructed with high-density polyethylene and can take more than 20 years to degrade. In a sealed landfill, a plastic bag can take more than 1,000 years to degrade.

Americans use about 100 gallons of water at home each day, according to National Geographic. Millions of people living in economically challenged environments subsist on fewer than five gallons a day. And people in developing countries walk an average of 3.7 miles to get water.

Can you believe how Mother Nature has exploded!!! So has the market, buyers are coming out, open houses were packed this weekend! There is still time to get listed and sold!

Whether you are buying or selling, market trend and value is critical in determining pricing for a property. Today’s stats cover Yorktown Heights. If you would like to better understand what’s happening in your own neighborhood every month, just click on the “How’s The Market” Button above in the green box!

90-day stats for Single Family properties in YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY as of May 11, 2012
Median List Price:	$451,038	Average List Price:	$565,805
Total Inventory:	128	Price per Square Foot:	$224
Average Home Size:	2,162	Median Lot Size:	35,374
Average # Beds:	3.56	Average # Baths:	2.15
Homes Absorbed:	5	Newly Listed:	8
Days on Market:	160	Average Age:	50

90-day stats for Condo properties in YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY as of May 11, 2012
Median List Price:	$222,869	Average List Price:	$227,587
Total Inventory:	19	Price per Square Foot:	$203
Average Home Size:	1,120	Median Lot Size:	n/a
Average # Beds:	1.66	Average # Baths:	1.49
Homes Absorbed:	1	Newly Listed:	2
Days on Market:	123	Average Age:	29

You are in your new home! You are unpacked and settling in. But wait! Yesterday was the first day of Spring – that means Spring Cleaning – check out this Spring Cleaning Guide:

By: Alyson McNutt English, Published: September 30, 2009

Make spring cleaning less of a chore by following these smarter–and mostly greener–tips for this annual rite of homeownership.

Bathrooms

When it’s time to get down and dirty, many people start with the bathroom. Allen Rathey, founder of The Housekeeping Channel, says removing mineral deposits, rust, and such from toilets doesn’t have to mean chemical warfare. Don rubber gloves and use a pumice stone to erase stubborn stains. If you want more scouring power, Rathey recommends mixing baking soda with acidic vinegar. The concoction is just as effective as conventional cleaners, and there are no toxic fumes to inhale. This approach works equally well on tub and shower stains.

Buy your supplies in bulk to save. A 64-ounce bottle of vinegar costs about $4; a 12-pound bag of baking soda, about $7. Both items can be used throughout the house. For just $1 you can mix equal parts vinegar and water in a 32-ounce spray bottle to make a terrific all-purpose surface cleaner. That’s about $4 cheaper than buying a spray cleaner at the store.

Spring cleaning is the perfect time to extract dirt from porous grouted surfaces. For tile floors use your usual cleaner, but don’t mop. Instead, run a wet/dry vac, which will suck contaminants out of the grout. Mopping drives the grime into the grout rather than removing it. According to Rathey, grout can harbor stinky bacteria that leave a bad odor in the bathroom. This technique is more time-consuming than mopping, but it’s worthwhile to do at least once a year.

Kitchens

The kitchen can be a tough room to clean because there’s usually so much stuff in it, says Justin Klosky, founder and creative director of The OCD Experience, an organizational service. Before you break out the broom, go through your cabinets and drawers, and put together a box of items to donate and a box of items to store somewhere besides the kitchen. Clear your countertops of everything except items you use nearly every day.

After you’ve de-cluttered, you can get to work cleaning. Cloud Conrad, vice president of marketing for cleaning company Maid Brigade, says one tool you shouldn’t overlook is an all-purpose microfiber cloth (about $5). These aren’t run-of-the-mill dusting rags. Microfiber is a densely woven synthetic fabric that picks up dirt and greasy deposits without chemicals thanks to its unique composition. You should be able to clean surfaces like countertops, sinks, and stoves with warm water, a microfiber cloth, and a bit of elbow grease, Conrad says.

Since you prepare your food in the kitchen, consider using green commercial products for surfaces, or make your own vinegar/water spray. Conventional cleaners may remove dirt, but they can also harbor some nasty substances you don’t want in your PB&J. Microfiber, vinegar, and baking soda will clean and disinfect almost every kitchen surface at a fraction of the price. Don’t neglect once-a-year chores like vacuuming refrigerator coils (unplug your fridge first), and tossing out expired food from the back of the pantry.

Bedrooms

Since bedrooms are such individual spaces, there’s a lot of diversity in what needs to happen. Most homeowners should at least rotate and flip innerspring mattresses, and store out-of-season sheets and clothing. Also go through your closet, and donate or Freecycle items you haven’t worn in the last 12 months. For carpets and mattresses, consider using a professional cleaning service. Figure a typical mattress will cost about $70-$90 to clean, a bargain considering how much time you spend in bed.

Even if you’re getting your carpet professionally cleaned, you still need to break out the vacuum, says Leslie Reichert, owner of The Cleaning Coach. Use the hose attachment to get to the hidden particles along baseboards, under your bed, and in your curtains, favorite environments of dust mites. If you have a large-capacity dryer, throw curtains in on high heat for good measure to kill the little pests.

Living area

Another surface you should consider getting professionally cleaned is living room upholstery. It can be tricky to know exactly how to deep-clean different types of fabrics, says Rathey, especially if there are stains you can’t quite identify. Costs vary widely depending on the size of the furniture piece and the quality and state of its covering, but a typical sofa might run $70 to $90.

Microfiber cloths are great to use in the living area as well. Make sure you have cloths for each area of the house, though, so you’re not cross-contaminating bathroom, kitchen, and living areas. Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down windows, wood, mirrors, the tops of bookshelves, ceiling fan blades, and even the plastic housing of electronics for a quick, chemical-free clean.

Today is the official first day of Spring 2012!

Back is just about healed – should have been using that infrared heating pad for every back problem!!!

Whether you are buying or selling, market trend and value is critical in determining pricing for a property. Today’s stats cover Cortlandt Manor. If you would like to better understand what’s happening in your own neighborhood every month, just click on the “How’s The Market” Button above in the green box!

90-day stats for Single Family properties in CORTLANDT MANOR, NY as of May 11, 2012
Median List Price:	$450,615	Average List Price:	$464,762
Total Inventory:	76	Price per Square Foot:	$191
Average Home Size:	2,299	Median Lot Size:	26,689
Average # Beds:	3.46	Average # Baths:	2.04
Homes Absorbed:	3	Newly Listed:	6
Days on Market:	199	Average Age:	41

90-day stats for Condo properties in CORTLANDT MANOR, NY as of May 11, 2012
Median List Price:	$509,096	Average List Price:	$482,025
Total Inventory:	6	Price per Square Foot:	$223
Average Home Size:	2,134	Median Lot Size:	n/a
Average # Beds:	2.40	Average # Baths:	2.20
Homes Absorbed:	1	Newly Listed:	1
Days on Market:	194	Average Age:	24

You are in your new home!  You’ve shelled out thousands of dollars on attorney fees, closing cost, home inspections and more!   Besides the affordable home improvements we mentioned in our earlier post, there are maintenance fees.  “How do I pay for that” you ask?  You have a vested interest in maintaining the property, so it’s important for you to plan for annual checkups as well as unexpected surprises, like a broken appliance or leaky roof. Find out what maintenance tasks you’ll need to perform each year.

Try these tips for creating a home maintenance budget:

• Build a reserve. Set aside 1 percent to 3 percent of your home’s purchase price each year in a separate savings account specifically for home maintenance and repairs. For example, if your home cost $300,000, set aside at least $3,000 each year. Make one large deposit or spread the amount out in monthly deposits.
• Assess your needs. Prioritize projects and work within your budget. Increase your budget as needed for bigger projects. For instance, if you know the furnace needs to be replaced, get an estimate and start saving for it.
• Conserve energy. Minimize gas and electricity costs by using energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs.
• Do it yourself. Depending on your level of comfort with a hammer and drill, consider doing minor repairs around the home yourself.
• Use credit wisely. Cut expenses and save money first. Avoid opening new credit cards or getting a home equity loan to fund major remodeling projects.

Sorry this is late – hurt my back again!!! Back to the heating pad!

Whether you are buying or selling, market trend and value is critical in determining pricing for a property. Today’s stats cover Peekskill. If you would like to better understand what’s happening in your own neighborhood every month, just click on the “How’s The Market” Button above in the green box!

90-day stats for Single Family properties in PEEKSKILL, NY10566 as of May 11, 2012
Median List Price:	$279,327	Average List Price:	$274,052
Total Inventory:	37	Price per Square Foot:	$152
Average Home Size:	1,867	Median Lot Size:	14,006
Average # Beds:	3.33	Average # Baths:	1.74
Homes Absorbed:	1	Newly Listed:	2
Days on Market:	219	Average Age:	57

90-day stats for Condo properties in PEEKSKILL, NY10566 as of May 11, 2012
Median List Price:	$243,865	Average List Price:	$269,471
Total Inventory:	41	Price per Square Foot:	$193
Average Home Size:	1,241	Median Lot Size:	n/a
Average # Beds:	2.01	Average # Baths:	1.72
Homes Absorbed:	2	Newly Listed:	2
Days on Market:	178	Average Age:	30

You are in your new home!  If you have some cash left over after closing, a few simple, inexpensive home improvements can add value to your home and bring it more in line with your tastes. There are plenty of easy and affordable ways to “go green with a home makeover and stay within your budget.” Here are some green living tips for doing environmentally friendly home and yard makeovers on a tight budget:

Audit

Start with a home energy audit. Check to see if your local utilities company provides this service. If it doesn’t, plenty of other companies do. The auditor should make a complete inventory of all your household appliances that use electricity and/or water. An energy audit is a good way to determine how efficient (or inefficient) your appliances are, and whether your home heating and cooling system is running efficiently.

Change your lights

Replace your incandescent light bulbs with more efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). The latter will last longer while using less power.

Water, water everywhere

Some modern, multi-headed shower systems spew out water at the incredibly wasteful rate of 80 gallons per minute (gpm). Buy a water saving showerhead that emits water at a rate of 1.75 gpm instead. You will save thousands of gallons a year.

Toilet

Composting toilets, that turn human waste into natural fertilizer, are a great way to conserve water. However switching to a composting toilet is a pretty major step for most people. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of other things you can do in the bathroom to go green. Use recycled, processed-chlorine free toilet paper, organic cotton bath linens and a PVC-free shower curtain.

Magic carpet ride

Your home contains a magnet for dirt, dust, bugs, fungi, animal dander and toxins. It’s called a carpet—i.e. the wall-to-wall variety found in so many American living rooms. Not only is your carpet a dirt reservoir, but it’s probably made from nylon or some other petrochemical synthetic material. Use area rugs made from natural fibers instead. Make sure the rugs are stitched, not glued.

Naturescaping

Instead of drowning your lawn in a sea of dangerous pesticides and chemicals, make your own bug and weed repellent from hot peppers and water. Some households remove the grass from their yards and replace it with rocks, gravel, wild flowers and native plants (hearty species that don’t require much water or fertilizer). If you do have a grass lawn, don’t feel obliged to constantly mow it. A “high mow” with a push mower gives grass the chance to grow sufficiently to deny shade to weeds, and hopefully, kill them.

Other simple suggestions:

• Don’t run the water while brushing your teeth
• Only use your toilet for its intended purpose, not as a ‘garbage disposal’
• Cut shower time to five minutes max
• Dry your clothes on an outdoor line or on a drying rack
• Wash your clothes in cold water instead of hot
• Use an organic, cotton or wool mattress and organic cotton bedding
• Turn your thermostat down two degrees in winter. Turn it up to 73 in summer

These simple methods will help reduce your carbon footprint while saving money on utility bills. Any structural upgrades you make to the home will be especially valuable, as green homes are increasingly sought-after by many homebuyers. With global warming quickly becoming a huge issue, it’s up to each of us increase our focus on environmentally friendly, sustainable living.

You are in your new home!  If you have some cash left over after closing, a few simple, inexpensive home improvements can add value to your home and bring it more in line with your tastes. Consider making these updates in your first year of home ownership:

• Make basic repairs. Go ahead and fix things that are broken before or shortly after you move into your home.
• Paint. Painting is one of the simplest, most cost-effective home improvements out there. Also, don’t think of paint as something that’s just for walls. Have outdated, dark wood cabinets? Roll a coat of crisp, white paint on them for an instant kitchen update.
• Install new floors. If your home has carpeting or linoleum that still looks dingy even after a thorough cleaning, new floors could be a great investment..
• Spruce up your ceilings. Popcorn ceilings were once all the rage, but these days, they make a home look outdated.
• Update fixtures and hardware. Lighting, faucets and doorknobs may seem like details that only the most nitpicky of homeowners would notice, but outdated or cheap fixtures can really affect the overall look of a home.
• Add low-cost landscaping. Shrubs and colorful plants add beauty and value to your home. Purchase plants that are native to your region or water-conserving, drought-tolerant vegetation.
• Go green. Eco-friendly home improvements are a great investment because they add value to your home and save you money in the long run.

Next Week:  Affordable Ways to Go Green!

Another  bone-chilling COLD and windy weekend!!!  Today is supposed to be in the 50′s and Wednesday Snow!  Wacky weather but we still can’t complain!

Whether you are buying or selling, market trend and value is critical in determining pricing for a property. Today’s stats cover Bedford. If you would like to better understand what’s happening in your own neighborhood every month, just click on the “How’s The Market” Button above in the green box!

90-day stats for Single Family properties in BEDFORD, NY as of May 11, 2012
Median List Price:	$1,445,423	Average List Price:	$2,191,381
Total Inventory:	64	Price per Square Foot:	$340
Average Home Size:	4,280	Median Lot Size:	136,242
Average # Beds:	4.31	Average # Baths:	3.46
Homes Absorbed:	2	Newly Listed:	3
Days on Market:	221	Average Age:	57

I felt this was more important that my post that was supposed to be there yesterday on Affordable Home Upgrades which I will post next week!  Feel free to pass this on to dispel any myths that are circulating!

Is There a 3.8% House Sales Tax in the Health Care Bill?

by The KCM Crew on February 23, 2012

The presidential election has renewed the debate about the Administration’s Health Care Bill. We are again getting many questions about a possible 3.8% tax on home sales that some claim is in the bill. To answer these questions, we have decided to re-run a blog post we did last year. – The KCM Crew

We have received many questions about a possible 3.8% tax which will be put on home sales beginning in 2013. We want to do our best to clarify this situation for everyone. We are not accountants and give you this information just as a simple answer to the misconception. Understand that, when it comes to IRS regulations, you should check with your accountant for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

A little history on the confusion

Fact Check.org explains it this way:

The truth is that only a tiny percentage of home sellers will pay the tax. First of all, only those with incomes over $200,000 a year ($250,000 for married couples filing jointly) will be subject to it. And even for those who have such high incomes, the tax still won’t apply to the first $250,000 on profits from the sale of a personal residence — or to the first $500,000 in the case of a married couple selling their home.

We can understand how this misconception got started. The law itself is couched in highly technical language that only a qualified tax expert can fully grasp. (This provision begins on page 33 of the reconciliation bill that was passed and signed into law.) And it does say the tax falls on “net gain … attributable to the disposition of property.” That would include the sale of a home. But the bill also says the tax falls only on that portion of any gain that is “taken into account in computing taxable income” under the existing tax code. And the fact is, the first $250,000 in profit on the sale of a primary residence (or $500,000 in the case of a married couple) is excluded from taxable income already. (That exclusion doesn’t apply to vacation homes or rental properties.)

The Joint Committee on Taxation, the group of nonpartisan tax experts that Congress relies on to analyze tax proposals, underscores this in a footnote on page 135 of its report on the bill. The note states: “Gross income does not include … excluded gain from the sale of a principal residence.”

And just to be sure, we checked with William Ahern, director of policy and communications for the nonprofit, pro-business Tax Foundation. “Some home sales would see a tax increase under this bill,” Ahern told us, “but it would have to be a second home or a principal residence generating [a gain of] more than $250,000 ($500,000 for a couple).”

Simple Explanation:

The following simple explanation comes from midiShaw:

The tax will affect those sellers of real property who will be otherwise taxed on capital gains under current tax laws. Under current laws, if you sell your primary residence and meet the ‘time ‘ criteria, you are exempt up to $250,000 or $500,000 (filing individually or jointly). Any amount realized OVER that amount is taxable under current tax schedules based on income. As such, this new tax will apparently be added to the current capital gains tax burden IF your income is over $200,000/$250,000 (filing individually or jointly). For those selling second homes and investment properties, the tax, once again, will be applied to the amount of gain realized.

Detailed Explanation:

The following also comes from midiShaw in a comment to the above answer.

Beginning in 2013, the national health care reform legislation that became law in March, 2010, imposes a new 3.8 percent tax on certain investment income. The new tax will apply to single filers with incomes over $200,000 and married taxpayers with incomes over $250,000. Under the law, the investment tax provisions in Chapter 2A of the Internal Revenue Code are placed under the heading “Unearned Income Medicare Contribution.” In general, this new Medicare tax will apply to investment income that is subject to income tax, which includes capital gains. Pursuant to IRC Section 1402 (C)(1)(A)(iii), the investment income to which this new tax applies includes “net gain” (to the extent taken into account in computing taxable income) attributed to the disposition of property that qualifies as a capital asset under Section 1221 (capital gains), as well as gains on other property that are considered part of ordinary income.

We offer this just as an explanation. Remember, when it comes to IRS regulations, you should check with your accountant for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

In honor of President’s Day, we will not provide market stats this week.

Today is a day to remember and honor our leaders. The holiday commemorates George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, both born in February, as well as other presidents. Because it’s a federal holiday, the following will be closed: Most banks, including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo and Citibank, Post offices, Schools, State and federal offices and all town buildings.