Top 10 Tips When Remodeling     Cindy Perman, from CNBC outlines so questions to ask your contractor before starting renovation.   There are so many disastrous home renovations that entire television shows are devoted to making it right and restoring sanity to the homeowners. If you think hiring a professional means you can just delegate the renovation to him and he'll take care of it, you're a statistic - and a home-disaster show episode - waiting to happen. A home renovation isn't a task to delegate; it's a task to manage. You need to ask questions upfront, in the middle - and all the way through to the end. Because no matter what happens on this job, your contractor is going home to his house. This "job site" is where you go home. So demand nothing less than excellence. So, where do ... 10/05/2010

Under-Stairs Storage Stomps Out Clutter.  Between-the-Studs Shelving and Storage: Find Your Niche in Life.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties in Clifton Park NY, and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc in Burnt Hills NY.  Sweep out the dust bunnies. Clear away the clutter. Time to put wasted space beneath the staircase to work with customized storage solutions.   Open shelving built into the space under the stairs provides a unique way to showcase just about anything you like. Image: FreeportWoodworking.com  Under-Stairs Storage Stomps Out Clutter.  Between-the-Studs Shelving and Storage: Find Your Niche in Life.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties in Clifton Park NY, and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc in Burnt Hills ... 10/04/2010

Pegboard Storage Solutions: Hole-y Sheet!  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties in Clifton Park NY and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc in Burnt Hills NY. Versatile pegboard provides easy and inexpensive storage solutions for virtually any room and under-utilized wall space. Heavy-duty metal pegboards can support as much as a ton of weight. Image: Wall Control  Pegboard Storage Solutions: Hole-y Sheet!  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties in Clifton Park NY and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc in Burnt Hills NY. Looking for storage space? Look no further than your walls-and even your doors. Any open, flat surface is ready and waiting to provide an abundance of storage. The secret is humble pegboard-easy-to-install perfor... 10/02/2010

No Mothers-In-Law Allowed: The 7 Craziest Local Laws and HOA Rules.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties in Clifton Park NY, and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc in Burnt Hills NY. 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 be pretty costly, as Pennsylvania residents recently found out with the potential new requirement for sprinkler systems in single-family homes.  No Mothers-In-Law Allowed: The 7 Craziest Local Laws and HOA Rules.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Cold... 09/29/2010

Fall Storm Survival Guide.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties in Clifton Park NY and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc in Burnt Hills NY. Learn how to protect yourself and your home from unexpected weather. Image: Win Henderson/FEMA   Storms can be sudden and frightening events that leave people and homes devastated in their wake. September is the most active month for hurricanes, which can affect any place in the world that has a coastline. But the U.S. attracts more tornados than any other country, with an average of 1,000 tornadoes per year. About 150 tornadoes can form in September alone.   Although the U.S. has been spared from extensive hurricane damage so far this year, Hurricane Igor recently battered Mexico, Bermuda, and parts of Canada, leavi... 09/28/2010

Clifton Park NY Homes for Sale - Cinderella Project The Cinderella Project will stage its second prom dress collection drive of the season on Saturday, Oct. 2, at the inside entrance to Boscov’s at Clifton Park Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The project seeks gently used gowns that are teen-appropriate and no more than five years old. Except for shoes, accessories will also be accepted at the drive. Tax-deduction receipts will be available as well. The Cinderella Project will be accepting monetary contributions to help with such aspects as cleaning, storage, all the incidental costs entailed by Boutique Day. In the coming months a considerable amount of time will be spent getting the donated gowns cleaned, repaired, etc. for distribution to financially challenged students in the Capital ... 09/28/2010

DIY Home Energy Audit in 6 Easy Steps.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties in Clifton Park, and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc in Burnt Hills NY. Perform your own home energy audit to see if you need fixes that can lower your energy bills by 5% to 30% annually. The biggest air leaks are usually found in the attic, but it's often easy to add insulation there. Image: Roxul   Is your home squandering precious energy? Here's how you can search out areas of energy waste that may be costing you money. By following up on problems, you can lower energy bills by 5% to 30% annually. With annual energy bills averaging $2,200, investing in fixes or energy-efficient replacement products could save you up to $660 within a year.   Leave the deerstalker hat and magn... 09/27/2010

Stopping the Madoffs of Foreclosure.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties, and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc in Burnt Hills NY. Foreclosure scams have affected thousands of Americans, but homeowners and their advocates are fighting back to put these "Madoffs" of foreclosure behind bars. Foreclosure scam artists stole millions of dollars from homeowners, but now they're paying for it. Image: St. Phillips/iStockphoto  Stopping the Madoffs of Foreclosure.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties, and Todd Stewart of Stewart Construction Inc in Burnt Hills NY. With thousands of Americans losing their homes, business has been booming for foreclosure rescue scam artists. In response, the government and homeowner advocacy groups have b... 09/26/2010

Stone Tile for the Bathroom Floor: A Touch of the High Life.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties in Clifton Park NY, and Stweart Construction in Burnt Hills NY. Stone tiles made of granite, slate, limestone, travertine, and polished marble make beautiful choices for your bathroom floor. Stone floors are subject to staining, so be sure to have them sealed every few years. Softer stone needs to be sealed more often. Image: American Slate Company   Stone tile gives a bathroom a luxurious feel, at a premium price. Natural stone tiles made of granite, slate, limestone, travertine, and marble can cost as much as $100 per sq. ft. Installation adds $5 to $10 per sq. ft. But by shopping around, you might find presentable stone bathroom tiles for as little as $2 each. D... 09/25/2010

Glass Tile and Ceramic Tile Bathroom Flooring: Unlimited Designs.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Stewart Construction Inc. Glass tiles and ceramic tiles come in many colors and textures, and are tough, low-maintenance solutions for bathroom floors.   Glass and glazed ceramic floor tiles with an anti-slip finish are designed to provide superior traction. Image: Hakatai Glass Mosaic Tiles   Glass tiles or ceramic tiles combine upscale looks with down-to-earth ruggedness. They're affordable too, if you choose carefully and install the tiles yourself. The cost of glass or ceramic flooring tile ranges from $1 to $20 per sq. ft. Professional installers charge $5 to $10 per sq.ft.   Glass tiles and ceramic tiles are the ultimate designer's medium, with mix-a... 09/25/2010

Making Home Affordable: The Modification Option.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Stewart Construction Inc. The Making Home Affordable program offers at-risk homeowners a chance to modify mortgages to avoid foreclosure on their homes.   A loan modification is a good idea if you can't make your current mortgage payments, but could do so if those payments were lowered. Image: JGI/Tom Grill/Blend Images/Getty Images   Making Home Affordable, the federal program aimed at aiding struggling homeowners, offers two options: refinancing and loan modification. A homeowner who is behind on mortgage payments and at risk of foreclosure could benefit from the modification option, which pays lenders to re-work loan terms and lower monthly payments.Don't expect to bree... 09/25/2010

Avoid Foreclosure Rescue Scams.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Stewart Construction Inc. With foreclosure rescue scams widespread as more homeowners fall behind on mortgage payments, be smart if you seek help.   Scam artists often target homeowners who are facing foreclosure. Knowing about the warning signs can prevent you from becoming a victim. Image: fotog/Getty Images   A record high 2.8 million properties were hit with foreclosure notices in 2009, putting even more Americans at risk of facing foreclosure rescue scams. Homeowners who fall behind on mortgage payments need to tread carefully when seeking assistance, since foreclosure rescue scams come in many guises. A day spent researching legitimate options, from a mortgage modification or princip... 09/25/2010

Facing Foreclosure: What to Do Right Now.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Stewart Construction Inc. If you're facing foreclosure, don't panic: Take steps right now to save your home or at least lessen the blow of its loss. The foreclosure process takes anywhere from two to 12 months, so if you're in danger of losing your home, you do have time to seek alternatives. Image: Dreampictures/Photodisc/Getty Images   A record high 2.8 million properties were hit with foreclosure notices in 2009. That's the bad news. The good news: About two-thirds of notices don't result in actual foreclosures, says Doug Robinson of NeighborWorks, a nonprofit group that offers foreclosure counseling.Many homeowners find alternatives to foreclosure by negotiating with lenders,... 09/25/2010

7 Tips for Saving Energy with Home Lighting.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Custom Home Builders of Stewart Construction Inc.  Providing quality service to buyers and sellers throughout the capital region. Lighting eats up as much as 20% of your annual electric bill, but using energy-efficient bulbs and making other simple changes can cut lighting costs dramatically. In places where you can't or don't want to switch to CFLs, opt for high-efficiency incandescent and halogen bulbs. Image: Hill Street Studios/Getty Images  7 Tips for Saving Energy with Home Lighting.  Courtesy of Josh Gonzalez of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties and Custom Home Builders of Stewart Construction Inc.  Providing quality service to buyers and sellers throughout the capital r... 09/25/2010

Home Affordability Report Coldwell Banker Releases the Annual Home Affordibility Report   Search Homes For Sale in Clifton Park, Saratoga Springs, and Clifton Park, NY   According to a new report done by Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Albany NY ranks the 119th most affordable market when buying a home in America.   The Coldwell Banker Real Estate Listing Report, is designed to provide information on real estate data from all around the country for buyers and sellers.   Coldwell Banker Real Estate looks at over 296 markets across the United States.  Coldwell Banker Real Estate Report looked at the price  of more than 18,000 four-bedroom, two bathroom properties that were listed between February and August.  The average home, after doing the numbers from 18,000 listing, was approximately $3... 09/23/2010

Clifton Park NY Homes for Sale There are currently 307 Active Single-Family Homes for Sale in the Shenendehowa Central School District to include Clifton Park NY.  The average list price is $323,557 and they have been on the market for an average of 93 days.  Needless to say, there is quite a wide variety of styles and conditions available.  So, call me today and I can begin helping you in your search for the home of your dreams. Listed below are the 20 homes that represent what the "avaerage" listing looks like.  If you have any questions about these homes, or any around Clifton Park, just let me know.  I would be more than happy to help. MLS # Address List Price BRs BAs GAR Style Age AbvSF 201028323 15  TAMIAN PASS $312,900 3 2.1 2 COL 14 1900 201024849 35  TOWPATH LA $314,900 4 3.1 2... 09/22/2010

Clifton Park NY Homes for Sale - Rentals Looking for a place to Rent in Clifton Park NY?  There are currently ONLY 18 active Residential Rentals available in the MLS for Clifton Park NY.  There is a wide variety of sizes and styles, so if you see something that will fit your needs, please call me for more information.   MLS # Address Rent Price BRs Bath Garage Style 201022261 1551  RT 146 $500 2 2 0 2-Level Unit 201013197 1  STRAWBERRY PL $775 1 1 0 Flat 201013157 1820  ROUTE 9 $780 1 1 0 Flat 201013200 1  STRAWBERRY PL $845 2 1 0 Flat 201013187 1820  ROUTE 9 $880 2 1 0 Flat 201029331 4205  FOXWOOD DR SOUTH $1,100 2 2 0 Condo 201028630 17  RALEIGH DR $1,100 2 2.1 0 Townhouse 201027657 442  GROOMS RD $1,300 3 2.1 1 Side-By-Side 201027356 6  SUGARBUSH RD $1,500 3 1.1 1 Townhouse 201028083... 09/22/2010

    Sometimes we can all learn a little from Jerry McGuire. Time after time you hear listings, listings, listings... However keep in mind customer service matters. It's time to revert back to customer service. As a REALTOR in Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, and Burnt Hills NY, I make sure I represent my buyer or seller to my fullest potential. I do not overload myself with too much. It's good to be in a place "Where everyone knows your name." Search Homes For Sale in Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park, and Burnt Hills, NY 09/21/2010

10 Reasons To Buy A Home in Today's Market REALTOR Magazine has outlined some key points on why to buy a home.     Why is now a great time to buy? Here are 10 reasons:1. You can get a good deal. Prices are down 30 percent on average. They're at a level that makes sense for people's income.  2. Mortgages are cheap. At 4.3 percent on average for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, your costs to own are down by a fifth from two years ago.  3. You can save on taxes. When you add up the deductions for mortgage interest and others, the cost of owning can drop below renting for a comparable place.  4. It'll be yours. The one benefit to owning that never changes is that you can paint your walls orange if you want (generally speaking; there might be some community restrictions). How many landlords wi... 09/16/2010

Clifton Park NY Homes for Sale 3,000+SF 4Bed 2.1Bath Wonderful 0.63 acre cul-de-sac location in Windsor Point. 2 story foyer w/ceramic tile. Spacious open rooms, vaulted living room, French doors to the large first floor study, Very spacious dining room with Hardwood floors. Large eat in kitchen w/granite counters, maple cabinets. Center family room with gas FP. Home features wiring for surround sound, Finished basement w laminate floors. Large master suite w/double walk-in closets & master bath w/whirlpool tub. Listed at $450,000.   09/11/2010