The National Association of Realtors® has joined forces with the National Community Stabilization Trust to help rebuild American communities devastated by the foreclosure crisis. The collaboration will bring Realtors and the more than 1,400 state and local Realtor® associations into a side-by-side relationship with leading national nonprofits, as well as with state and local leaders, to develop comprehensive and targeted plans to rebuild communities. The partnership was made possible by the new federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which provides $6 billion to reclaim neighborhoods wracked by high levels of foreclosed and abandoned property, property disinvestment, extremely low prices and low resident confidence. "Realtors® build communities and have the market expertise and pro... 01/27/2010

According to the most recent Realtors® Confidence Index, 39 percent of recent buyers purchased a home with a Federal Housing Administration-insured loan. Realtors® who took part in the November survey also reported that the number of first-time home buyers continued to climb to 51 percent. "FHA helps provide affordable mortgage financing to homeowners, particularly first-time home buyers who are so important in drawing down inventory to help stabilize the current housing market," said NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, owner of Vicki L. Cox & Associates in Tucson, Ariz. "These recent survey results reaffirm that, despite its current challenges, FHA is a critical part of the American housing fabric." The RCI results also indicated that distressed sales increased to 33 percent of all home s... 01/26/2010

The REALTORS® Relief Foundation of the National Association of Realtors® is contributing $550,000 to the relief of victims of the Haiti earthquake, and is calling upon its 1.2 million members to help. "Realtors® help build communities and there is no better time than now to do that in Haiti," said NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, owner of Vicki L. Cox & Associates in Tucson, Ariz. "Our thoughts and feelings go out to the people made homeless by this disaster. Realtors® have a history of helping people, as we did after the 2004 tsunami struck South Asia and in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans and the Gulf Coast." The Foundation is donating $500,000 to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund which is supporting earthquake recovery efforts with immediate relief and long-term support to ... 01/26/2010

Fueled by a recovery in the second half of the year, statewide sales of existing single-family homes in New York State rebounded from a double-digit deficit in the first half of the year to finish only 3.2-percent behind the 2008 total. According to preliminary existing single-family sales data accumulated by the New York State Association of REALTORS, 77,176 homes were sold statewide during 2009.  "As 2009 progressed, the combination of the federal first-time home buyer tax credit, historically low mortgage rates and moderating prices resulted in New Yorkers gaining confidence about it being a good time to buy a homein the Empire State," said Duncan R. MacKenzie,  chief executive officer. "In the first half of 2009 many would be buyers remained on the sidelines due to reports of the so... 01/25/2010

Clifton Park NY - Local Stained Glass Artist I would like to introduce you to Mustard Seed Glass.  Susan is a local stained glass artist near Clifton Park NY that specializes in creating unique pieces of art to fit your style and and setting.  Susan has been practicing her skills for several years and makes beautiful art. So why give boring gift cards for those special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or Christmas when you can tell someone how much they really mean to you by giving them a unique piece of art. To view more samples of her work, please visit Mustard Seed Glass.       01/25/2010

Clifton Park NY Limousine Service Pristine Limousine Service is a locally owned and operated company that prides itself on delivering excellent customer service.  They have recently increased their fleet, to keep up with the growing demand, and moved to a new larger indoor facility.  So, if you are planning a wedding, prom, trip to NYC, or just need a client picked up at the airport in style, call 518-743-1710 today, or visit their Web site at www.pristinelimony.com 01/21/2010

Clifton Park NY Real Estate News Prime Property Solutions, LLC and State Farm Insurance Agent Tom Rupert proudly announce a FREE home buyers workshop.  The workshop will be held in Clifton Park NY on Thursday February 11, 2010 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.  Seating is limited so please call early (518-281-3951) to reserve your spot.  You are not required to be a current customer or client of either Prime Property Solutions, LLC or State Farm Insurance Company. I will be reviewing all the basic steps in the home buying process, Jason Tedford will be reviewing the mortgage pre-qualification process, and Tom Rupert will cover homeowners insurance requirements and recommendations. I look forward to meeting you and helping you search for that perfect house that you can call HOME so call today. Lewis... 01/20/2010

Clifton Park NY Real Estate News If you bought a Clifton Park NY home in 2009 please make sure you have submitted your STaR (School Tax Relief) discount application.  This program is available to all homeowners.  You don't have to qualify for the program, simply apply and you'll get the discount.  For most Towns, the deadline is March 1st, but don't delay.  Click on the following link and print the form today. Be sure to call your town assessor before turning in your application as they will require proof of residency and you need to make sure you bring the proper documents with you. School Tax Relief Application Link   If you need any help with the STaR Discount or have any Clifton Park NY real estate questions, be sure to email me and I'll get back to you right away. Thank you. 01/15/2010

An Uncommon Encore Celebration The Not So Common Players will celebrate its 10th Anniversary producing a retrospective show in Clifton Park NY, highlighting the best of our work from the last decade! If you have a favorite show-- or a favorite song from one of our shows-- chances are you will hear it performed again. Produced by Sally Burke and Dian Dippold, former cast members will return to give you a rousing start to the New Year! Marty Egan is writing a narrative and David Rossi and Dian are wrapping the music. Join us in Clifton Park NY to celebrate these past ten years together...as we look forward to many more successful years as Clifton Park's own theatre group!   Free admission, donations accepted. Gift basket auction. Reception afterwards. Three Performances: Friday, January 2... 01/14/2010

Clifton Park NY Real Estate News I am often asked by my friends and family how the Clifton Park NY real estate market looks.  Now, I'm no economist but I have long believed that the housing market will only rebound when consumer confidence returns.  Anyone that is remotely concerned about their job will not buy a new home, trade up to a bigger home, or purchase a vacation home when even mildly concerned about their job.  With that said, when people ask me this question I inform them that things have started to look good in the Clifton Park NY area, but the sustained improvement will be predicated on 4th quarter sales reports. Data was just released indicating that December sales were down slightly form the previous month.  However, these same economists adjusted their October and Novemb... 01/14/2010

Clifton Park NY Homes For Sale Listed below are the YTD market statistics, through November, for the Town of Clifton Park NY: New Listings were 863, down 4.0% from the prior year. Closed Sales were 520 units, down 2.3% from the prior year. Average Sale Price was $267,500, down 2.0% from the prior year. The Sales to List price ratio was 95.3% compared to last year. Days on Market (DOM) was 73, up 11.7% from the prior year. Inventory was 308 units, down 13.2% Several of these Town of Clifton Park indicators tell me that the worst of this tough market is behind us.  So, if you are interested in seeing a list of the 10 best deals in town, please let me know and I'll get this out to you asap.   If you have any other questions about Clifton Park NY Homes for Sale, please contact me at 518-281... 01/14/2010

CLIFTON PARK NY REAL ESTATE Are you thinking about down-sizing?  Is your current home a little too much maintenance?  Are the kids gone and it is just the two of you kicking around in that great big colonial? Here is a list of all the current Townhouses, Condominiums, and Ranch style homes available in the Clifton Park NY community including all of Shenendehowa Central School District.  As you can see, there quite a variety of homes that may suit your needs.   MLS # Address LP $/SF BRs BAs GAR Style Age AbvSF 29110656 9B  LA COSTA DR $146,900 $121.81 2 1.1 0 RNC 26 1206 29119660 12  BRENDEN CT $209,900 $123.47 3 1.1 1 TWH 22 1700 29119914 108  VICTORY WAY $129,900 $124.90 2 1 0 CND 23 1040 29114102 30  LEXINGTON DR $172,500 $131.28 2 1.1 1 TWH 25 1314 29123505 13-B  WOODCLIFFE DR $185,0... 01/04/2010

CLIFTON PARK NY MARKET REPORT There are currently 206 active listings in the Clifton Park NY community.  This includes single family homes located within the Shenendehowa Central School District and excludes new construction. Active listings = 206 Average List Price = $342,256 Average $/SF = $155.15 Average SF = 2,237 Listed below are the homes that are currently listed from $150 to $160 per square foot. MLS # Address Current List $/SF BRs BAs GAR Style Age Acres AbvSF DOM 29120821 9  HERITAGE LA $237,500 $150.60 3 1.1 2 COL 26 0.42 1577 66 29120358 2  CAPTAINS BLVD $215,000 $150.98 2 2.1 2 TWH 23 0.2 1424 74 201010064 5214  FOREST POINTE DR S $169,777 $151.32 2 2 0 CND 20 0 1122 0 29122426 10  CASTLE PINES $369,900 $152.22 4 2.1 2 COL 11 0.96 2430 33 29122450 8  HAMPSHIRE PL $349,900 $... 01/04/2010

Clifton Park NY Real Estate News Home Buyer Tax Credits Most everyone is aware of the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, but few know about the enhanced $6,500 Tax Credit for Repeat Buyers.  Listed below are the basic rules for this refundable tax credit: Maximum Credit is $6,500. Maximum Purchase Price $800,000 Income Limitation: $125,000 single, $225,000 married Home being sold must have been primary residence for 5 consecutive years during the previous 8 years. Home being purchased must be under contract by no later than April 30th, 2010 and close by no later than July 1, 2010.       If you are thinking about buying a neew home, now is the time to start your search so you can take advantage of this $6,500 tax credit. If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you, Lewis 12/28/2009

Clifton Park NY Home for Sale - OPEN HOUSE January 3rd 1-3 Come see this beautiful 4 bedroom 2.1 bath colonial on a quiet cul-de-sac.  This home features a fully finished basement, huge deck, and second floor laundry room.  Kitchen has a LARGE granite island for extra seating and entertaining.  Close to bike baths, parks, and town pools.  Proudly offered at $349,900  **Broker is related to owner**         Call Lewis Beynon for more details (518-281-3951) or search the entire MLS at no charge on my Web site: www.LewisB.com.  Listing compliments of Realty USA, advertised with permission.   12/28/2009

Are you thinking about buying a new home in Clifton Park NY? If you are thinking about buying a home in Clifton Park NY or anywhere in the Capital District, then please read this valuable information.  All these steps should be completed before you start looking at homes. These quick and easy steps will save you time, money, and frustration.   1) Call a Mortgage Broker and a Mortgage Banker to get pre-qualified.  Ask each of them for a Good Faith Estimate based on a hypothetical home in your price range.  Make sure you give each of them the exact same numbers (sales price, taxes, etc) so you can compare the two estimates side by side.  This will show you which lender has the better rates and lower fees. 2) Find 2 real estate agents and interview each of them.  Do not sign anything durin... 12/21/2009

Clifton Park NY Real Estate - Inspections As part of the Purchase and Sale Contract used in the Clifton Park NY area, including Albany and the surrounding counties, one of 3 contingencies contained in the contract that helps protect buyers is your right to perform specific Inspections.  The areas specifically covered in the inspections are; 1) Structural, 2) Wood Destroying Organisms, 3) Septic Systems, 4) Well Water Flow and Quality, and 5) Radon. Buyers can reserve the right to perform and or all of these tests.  If any of these test find "substantial defects", the buyers have three options; a) cancel the contract and have their earnest money deposit returned to them, b) have the sellers repair the defective item or c) obtain a credit at closing from the sellers. It is important to no... 12/18/2009

Clifton Park Real Estate Tips Although the local real estate market, including Clifton Park NY, continues to be a buyers market there are 10 easy or inexpensive things every seller should do in order to expedite the sale of their home.  The entire premise of this list is 1) CLEAN and 2) MINIMIZE.  As a seller, you have every right to live anyway you chose, but if you want to maximize your selling price and minimize your Days on Market, then please follow these tips.  This list starts outside the home because the old adage still holds true; first impressions are lasting ones. Paint or replace worn-out mail boxes. Paint faded shutters. Wash or paint your front door. If your storm door is old and unsightly, remove it.  No storm door is better than a bad one. Replace or polish the front doo... 12/18/2009

The National Association of Realtors Releases Albany NY Market Report   The National Association of Realtors just released the 3rd quarter Local Market Reports for 2009.  These reports provide a lot of useful information from across the country and cover almost every Statistical Marketing Area (SMA).  Please click HERE to review the Albany NY market report. If you have detailed questions about the Clifton Park NY market or any of the Albany area markets, please let me know and I can provide you with specific information on your neighborhood.  Remember: all markets are local and need to be reviewed at a micro level.   12/15/2009

The Celiac Disease Foundation presents the “awareness” brochure – Are You The ONE?     This color handout gives the definition of celiac disease, identifies the symptoms and contains information on how to get tested. To download the brochure, click HERE to be redirected to their Web site or call CDF at 818-990-2354 for additional copies. Help CDF raise awareness and find the ONE in 133 people affected by celiac disease! Celiac Disease (CD) is a lifelong, digestive disorder affecting children and adults. When people with CD eat foods that contain gluten, it creates an immune-mediated toxic reaction that causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be properly absorbed. Even small amounts of gluten in foods can affect those with CD and cause health problems. Damage can ... 12/15/2009