New Construction Homes for Sale Clifton Park,  Burnt Hills and All of Saratoga County.  Cleaning and Caring for Siding. Cleaning and repairing your home's siding once every year will pay off in the form of a long life and increased value for your home. Power washing a house is tricky. If done incorrectly, the water can strip paint, gouge wood, and cause other damage. Image: iStockphoto/Briss  New Construction Homes for Sale Clifton Park,  Burnt Hills and All of Saratoga County.  Cleaning and Caring for Siding. If you'd like to prevent costly home repairs and add to the value of your house, clean your siding. With proper care and a little regular maintenance, your home's exterior could be trouble-free for 50 years and more. Cleaning siding removes dirt and mildew that may shorten the lif... 09/03/2010

Appliance Maintenance: Heating, Venting, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez an Agent with Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Stewart Construction Inc. Keep your HVAC systems running efficiently and reliably with this simple maintenance routine. Experts recommend that you have your HVAC system professionally inspected every fall and spring. Appliance Maintenance: Heating, Venting, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez an Agent with Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Stewart Construction Inc. "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 exchanger. In spring, he or she wi... 08/10/2010

Top 10 Tips to Settling Into Your New Home Shortly after purchasing your new home you may feel overwhelmed to focus in on anything.  How do you go from point A to B without loosing focus? Search Homes For Sale Besides having a smooth moving day, there are several other things to take care of when you move into your new home.  While you are unpacking be sure to handle the ten tips to settle into your new home.   1.  Fill out a change of address form with the United States Post Office.  You can go online or visit your local post office. 2.  Make sure to transfer all of your utilities and services before settling in.  Change over your electricity, gas, water, cable, phone, and internet to your new address.  Most companies now allow you to do this online.   3.  Have your locks and codes cha... 08/02/2010

Governmental Versus Conventional Loans When Buying a Home In Burnt Hills NY Which type of loan should I use?   Search Homes For Sale In Burnt Hills NY How much can I afford?   When buying a home in Burnt Hills NY there are two categories of loans: Conventional and Governmental.     Governmental Loans: Governmental loans are mortgage programs backed by a government agency.  Common governmental loan programs include Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the Veterans Administration (VA), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and the Farmers Home Adminstration (FmHA).   Governmental loans are used typically for home buyers with with low or moderate income.  Governmental loans require low down payments and contain less stringent guidelines.  The Government does not actually lend the money, they only ... 06/26/2010

Hurricanes: Protect Your Windows and Doors By: Mariwyn Evans Improvements that protect your windows and doors from hurricanes can lessen damage and lower homeowners insurance premiums. Rolling shutters are permanently attached to the house; just pull them into place to protect your windows before a storm hits. Image: Roller Star USA   Hurricanes can be devastating for homeowners. Insured losses vary from year to year, depending on the severity of the hurricane season, but in 2005 Hurricane Katrina alone resulted in $17.9 billion in homeowners insurance claims. More than 50 million homes in the U.S. are at risk for hurricane damage.Windows and doors are especially susceptible to wind damage, and water can infiltrate your home quickly if these openings are breached. There are steps you ca... 06/16/2010

Appliance Buying Guide: Water Heaters.  When it's time to replace your water heater, you'll find a wide array of high-efficiency models offering big energy savings. Tankless water heaters are the greenest option, but even conventional water heaters are more efficient than they used to be. Image: GE Appliances & Lighting   Since hot water accounts for as much as 25% of your home's energy use, when your water heater dies, the replacement you choose will have a big impact on your monthly bills. New technologies make many of today's models far more energy efficient than that old tank you're getting rid of. Some of the greenest options are tankless units that heat water on demand, but even conventional water heaters-the classic metal cylinders that are by far the most popular in the U.S.-hav... 06/15/2010

Foreclosures and Mortgage Delinquencies Hurt Credit Scores. Foreclosures and other mortgage delinquencies-and how you handle them-may have long-term credit score implications There are paths that can keep you from heading toward foreclosure if you've missed a mortgage payment. Image: Ariel Skelley/Stockbyte/Getty Images   The way you approach mortgage delinquency and possible foreclosure can have an effect on your credit score. Prudent handling of the problem can limit, although not eliminate, the damages.   Payment history makes up the largest portion-35%-of your FICO score. And the higher your credit score, the harder you will be hit by a foreclosure, or by whatever alternate route you take because becoming delinquent on your debts had not been a regular occurrence. That is, if you'v... 06/12/2010

Outdoor Appliance Guide: Gas Grills. With models priced from $29 to $5,000 and up, outdoor gas grills offer convenience and ease-of-use to fit any budget. Grills priced between $350 and $600 will be large enough to handle food for 15 to 18 people. Image: Weber-Stephen Products Co.   There may be no home cooking appliance with a wider price range than the outdoor gas grill. With models starting as low as $29 and climbing to $5,000 and higher, it is an understatement to say there's is a model for every budget. When shopping for a gas grill, the motto "You get what you pay for" is especially fitting, explains Dan Marguerite, owner of Backyard Barbecue Store in Wilmette, Ill. Basement models, he says, offer poor performance, are cheaply constructed, and often fail to survive two summers.   ... 06/06/2010

Outdoor Appliance Guide: Refrigerators. Refrigerators work harder outdoors than in, so it's important to seek out models designed specifically for the task. Some outdoor refrigerators come with wine coolers, which store bottles on their sides on glide-out shelving. Image: Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet   With temperature regulating systems that function constantly, refrigerators are one of the hardest working appliances in the home. When placed outside the home, they are required to work even harder to maintain proper temperatures. In addition, they must operate safely even when exposed to inclement weather. For that reason, it's important to purchase a refrigerator designed specifically for efficient and reliable outdoor use.    Cost range: $550-$1,800 and upLikely additional costs: 110-vol... 06/06/2010

Buying Investment Property in Burnt Hills NY Boost your odds buying a successful investment property in Burnt Hills NY     Search For Homes in Burnt Hills NY   Whether you are buying an investment property, starter home, or relocating for a job, the next home will not likely be your last purchase.  That is why it is important to go house hunting with successors in mind.  Here are some tips when buying an investment property to keep in mind for resale value:   #1 Central Air.  A majority of buyers want a cool house.  Central Air is the most wanted feature, with nearly three quarters ranking it very important according to the National Association Realtors survey.  Central Air can be a pricey add on to a home, especially when the home does not have hot air.     #2 Essential Storage.  While... 06/06/2010

Getting the Best Work from Your Contractor.  Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc, Custom Home Builder in Burnt Hills NY.  New Construction Homes for Sale in Burnt Hills NY. Working with a contractor takes effort and know-how in order to keep your project on time and on budget. It's much easier to nip problems in the bud, so try to be proactive about checking the contractor's work. Image: © Masterfile Getting the Best Work from Your Contractor.  Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc, Custom Home Builder in Burnt Hills NY.  New Construction Homes for Sale in Burnt Hills NY.   You've chosen a great contractor, you have a clear and well-designed project plan, and now you're ready to sit back and watch your dreams become a reality. Unfortunately, the hardest part of your job has yet ... 06/04/2010

Wildlife Pest Control for Your Community.  Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc, Custom Home Builder in Burnt Hills NY.  New Construction Homes for Sale. Uncontrolled wildlife can wreak havoc in your community. Here's what you can do to improve local pest control. An urgent situation, such as a coyote killing small dogs in the area, should be handled by the police or animal control officers. Image: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife Pest Control for Your Community.  Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc, Custom Home Builder in Burnt Hills NY.  New Construction Homes for Sale.  Are droppings from a multitude of Canada geese covering the patios in your neighborhood, while uncontrolled deer populations strip gardens bare, and skunks roll up your turf to get at the grubs below? ... 06/02/2010

Is the Cost of Hurricane Insurance Worth It?  Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction in Burnt Hills NY.  Custom Home Builder in Burnt Hills NY, New Construction Homes for Sale. Hurricane deductibles usually apply only when your home is damaged in a named storm. Image: Gene Dailey/American Red Cross Is the Cost of Hurricane Insurance Worth It?  Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction in Burnt Hills NY.  Custom Home Builder in Burnt Hills NY, New Construction Homes for Sale.  The Atlantic coast hurricane season lasts from June through November, with the likelihood of storms peaking from August to October. The East Coast and Gulf Coast are most at risk, though damage from wind and rain can extend well inland.Homeowners should assess insurance needs long before a hurricane makes landfall. Most i... 06/01/2010

Avoid Foreclosure With A Short Sale In Burnt Hills NY Search Homes For Sale in Burnt Hills NY     How will A Short Sale Avoid Foreclosure?   A Short Sale is not a decision to make likely.  It tends to be a long and difficult process.  However, if you are successful, you will avoid a foreclosure on your record.     What is a Short Sale? A Short Sale is when you sell real estate for less than what is owed.  These typically occur, when the borrower can't pay the mortgage on their property.  The lender then decides to take a loss on the pressing borrower avoiding foreclosure. A foreclosure involves hefty fines as well as a poorer credit score for the borrower.  Please keep in mind this does not release the borrowers obligation to repay the remaining balance of the loan always.     Short Sal... 05/31/2010

The Costs of Renting Out Your House.  Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction, a Custom Home Builder in Burnt Hills NY.  New Construction Homes  for Sale in Burnt Hills NY. Renting out your house can be a smart financial move, as long as you calculate your costs carefully. There are many ways to do background checks on prospective tenants--credit reports, past evictions, and criminal background checks, to name a few. Image: Alloy Photography/Veer The Costs of Renting Out Your House.  Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction, a Custom Home Builder in Burnt Hills NY.  New Construction Homes  for Sale in Burnt Hills NY.  You have a single-family house you'd like to rent out. Perhaps you're temporarily relocating for work, or maybe you inherited your childhood home from your parents, and you're no... 05/27/2010

05/26/2010

Do You Need to Replace Your Plumbing?  Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction, Custom Home Builder in Burnt Hills NY.  New Construction Homes for Sale in Burnt Hills NY. What to look for and consider to determine if you should replace plumbing and deteriorating pipes. PEX meets building codes in most places, and is less expensive than copper. Image: Uponor  Do You Need to Replace Your Plumbing?  Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction, Custom Home Builder in Burnt Hills NY.  New Construction Homes for Sale in Burnt Hills NY. Nothing lasts forever, including the pipes inside your house. Over the decades, the tubing gradually corrodes, rusts, and decays. Unless you replace plumbing, you're eventually going to get leaks-and possibly a flood of water or raw sewage into your home that causes thou... 05/26/2010

How To Buy A Home in Today's Market in Burnt Hills, NY Homes For Sale in Burnt Hills NY Buy A Home Today in Burnt Hills NY Today's Market It is no question we are in a buyers market right now.  The average listing price for a home for sale is $309,000.  This is down 1% from last month.   However, 1,082 homes sold in the Capital District in April.  This is up 45.8% from last  year.   Buyers are regaining their confidence in today's market.  Especially with the extremely low mortgage rates.  Mortgage rates are currently at 4.8% on a 30 year fixed and 4.2% on a 15 year fixed.     Tips in Buying A Home in Today's Market   1.  Take your time looking.  You don't have to jump on the first property you see.  Buying a home is a huge investment.   2.  Look into the foreclosure market.  Currently ... 05/25/2010

Should I Renovate Before Selling A Home in Burnt Hills NY Is their more money in renovating or selling your home in Burnt Hills NY     Search Homes For Sale in Burnt Hills   Should you stay and renovate or just sell your home?  How do you determine if there is more value to renovate or sell your home?   First, determine the cost of buying a new home in Burnt Hills NY.  A new home for sale can run anywhere between $300,000 - $600,000 in Burnt Hills NY.  Many factors come into play pricing a new home for sale.   Add up the costs of selling your home.  Then estimate the cost of a new home and what you could get for your home as is.   Next, determine a budget for renovations.  Home improvements do not have to cost a fortune to increase the value of your home.  Sell your home for the price y... 05/22/2010

Outdoor Appliance Guide: Charcoal Grills and Smokers With models priced from $35 to $1,000, there are charcoal grills to fit the budget of anyone who's a fan of traditional barbecue. Many outdoor cookers, including this one, can be configured for use as a smoker. Image: Big Green Egg   A charcoal grill can be as basic as a 55-gallon drum cut in half and turned on its side, or as extravagant as a $1,000 ceramic-lined cooker. When shopping for a charcoal grill, author and barbecue expert C. Clark "Smoky" Hale urges consumers to stop and ask themselves the following questions: What type of cooking do you intend to use it for? How often do you expect to grill? How many people will you be grilling for? How much do you want to spend?   Cost range: $35-$1,000 and upLikely additional costs: ass... 05/21/2010