This is a guest post written by Sarah Stelmok, an associate broker in Virginia, and published on her blog at http://sarahiouslyspeaking.com/. For those of you in WNY considering using a USAA broker, please understand that while you may benefit, your agent stands to take a significant hit! Please see Sarah’s post below in it’s unedited form.
Continue reading ‘No, I’m Not a USAA or a NAVYFED Preferred REALTOR(R), Nor Do I Want To Be’
And no, that isn’t a reference to our local NFL team! While working with an international client that didn’t fully comprehend the various bills associated with owning a property in Buffalo, NY, it was discovered that several of their tax bills were delinquent. Luckily, it was caught in time, but that client could have lost their property to foreclosure if they were not careful! Please share this post, reference it often, and be sure that all your bases are covered so the same doesn’t happen to you! (Please note that these dates are accurate for the 2011-2012 tax billing period and may be subject to change.) Continue reading ‘Know The Bills Associated With Your Buffalo Area Home (Investments AND Single Family Homes)’
It’s that time of year again. We’re about to “fall back” and gain an extra hour in our day. In addition to changing your clocks, PLEASE be sure to change your batteries and TEST all of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace units over 5 years old. Replace any unit that has been painted over. And replace any unit that appears damaged, or does not test properly.
Here are a couple other things you should be considering, as we enter the winter season here in Buffalo:
1. Have your furnace serviced. Don’t just change the filter! Have the unit cleaned, the thermocouple checked, be sure the pilot is lit, be sure the unit is operational, and have your heat exchanger checked for cracks. A cracked heat exchanger can expel deadly carbon monoxide gas!
2. Turn off the interior gate to any exterior faucets, and drain them. Wrap the outside faucet with foam or insulation to protect it.
3. Wrap hot water tanks with an insulated blanket specifically designed for hot water tanks to conserve energy.
4. Wrap your pipes that may be prone to freezing.
Remember, being proactive now can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars in costly repairs, or even your life!
Establishing yourself as a solid candidate for an apartment is important, especially when you find the apartment of your dreams. You have to be able to differentiate yourself from the other people applying for the apartment – in a positive way. Having a solid credit score, but more importantly, a solid credit report, is one of the keys to your success in finding a new apartment.
Please note: The guidelines discussed in this article apply to the properties I handle leasing for, in the Buffalo, NY, Amherst, NY, Williamsville, NY, and Grand Island, NY areas. There is even some flexibility on a complex to complex basis, so please keep these in mind as GENERAL guide lines. Continue reading ‘Credit Reports & You – Renter’s Edition’
