Found 9 blog entries tagged as tips.

Ulster County NY Home ValuesSay you're thinking of selling a home in Ulster County and want to boost its value, or perhaps you'd simply like to do some improvements that would be worthwhile. Where does one start? When doing home improvements, you always want to be sure that you're increasing the overall value of your home, while not over-spending and/or putting too much money into an unworthy investment. As Realtors, we here at Taft Street Realty have some tips and advice that can help you prioritize your home improvements based on value and ROI, which stands for "return on investment". So get your imagination flowing because without further ado, here are the best ways to increase home values in Ulster County NY!

1) The Kitchen Is Still King

We've all heard the saying, "the…

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real estate tips for buyersOnce you have made the decision to begin looking for homes on the Ulster County real estate market there are certain things you should definitely know first to avoid added stress and complications down the road. At Taft Street Realty, we protect our buyers and make every effort to give them all the tools and resources they need as they begin their house hunting journey, wherever it may be in the Hudson Valley region of Upstate New York. Although we focus primarily on the Ulster County NY home search, we know our tips and advice will help buyers pretty much anywhere! So without any further delay, here are 5 MUST KNOW tips for homebuyers and yet another Ulster County real state blog post authored by Taft Street Realty! Enjoy!

Loan Programs 101 | Pros…

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Ulster County Property Tax Info | How Not Knowing the True Numbers Can Hurt You

Ulster County Property Tax InfoNot too long ago, property taxes were not a major concern when looking at Ulster County homes for sale. Property taxes rarely, if ever, got in the way of a sale when it came time to close. My how the times have changed! These days knowing the exact property taxes on a home for sale is a MUST. Otherwise buyers may be in for a big and possibly very costly surprise. With the date for tax grievances quickly approaching, we here at Taft Street Realty thought it would be a good time to talk about property taxes and how to obtain accurate tax information from your local municipality. In some cases if a buyer thinks the taxes are too high they may be able to get permission from the…

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5 Important Things Affecting Ulster County Home Values

Ulster County home valuesSome of the most important things affecting Ulster County home values are associated with the location, neighborhood, and town that the property is in. In our earlier articles, Taft Street Realty discussed some of the do's and don'ts of Ulster County real estate and some signs to look for when you're viewing a home. This post covers the importance of doing your homework and researching the area that surrounds your potential dream home. Things like the taxes, neighborhood, and landscape can all have an impact on the value of the home.

Property Taxes

Back in the days, taxes never seemed to be a concern; and they certainly never got in the way of the sale when it was time to close. But today,…

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tips to look for home buyers15 Things To Look For When Viewing Homes For Sale

Paying attention and looking for the right things when viewing homes for sale in Ulster County NY will save you time, money, and stress. Like anywhere, buying a home in the Hudson Valley area of Upstate New York can have its ups & downs, and can can sometimes seem like a daunting task. However if you are looking out for the right things when shopping around, the process becomes easier, less intimidating, and much more fun! At Taft Street Realty we know not all agents are created equal and many agents are either new, or have very little experience when taking buyers out in the field. We always give our best information away for free and we hope this next series of posts gives you the confidence and…

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WarningWarm weather and sunshine signals that spring has sprung in Ulster County, NY! The local housing market kicks into high gear this time of year, as buyers leave their computers and start viewing homes for sale in Ulster County in person. If you plan on walking along property lines or strolling land parcels with your Realtor, Taft Street Realty reminds you to be alert for ticks! This time of year (spring and early summer) is prime tick season in the Hudson Valley, but that doesn't mean you have to stay indoors! Here's the Taft Street Tick Guide to help you stay tick-free as you look at real estate in Ulster County NY.

Tick 101 - Get to Know This Ulster County Resident

Ticks come with the territory here in the Hudson Valley region, a fact that some buyers…

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NYS Property TaxAll homeowners should know how to file a tax grievance because with a market turn like we've just experienced it's important to know if/when you are being over-assessed. If you think you might be paying too much in property taxes, a grievance can be filed and your case reviewed by a local municipality. A successful grievance can lower your property taxes and is not as complicated as you may think. But there is a deadline; so without further ado here's a quick reference guide from Taft Street Realty on how, when, (and why!) to file a tax grievance.

When To File A Grievance  

Ulster County Property taxes are based on the value of your home. Your local assessor determines the market value of your home on behalf of the municipal government; and does so in a…

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With the temperatures dropping and snow flurries falling, it's time to offer up some winter driving tips for the Hudson Valley Region. No such thing as cabin fever around here! The winter season full of fun activities and gorgeous sights in Ulster County, New York. The local housing market remains steady with serious buyers viewing homes for sale in the Hudson Valley in spite of the weather. So whether you're a Buyer, Seller or a Local, with a little preparation and some heads up driving, you'll have no problem reaching your desired destination this winter. Here are some basic tips and advice for those of us who love living in Ulster County, NY during the wintertime!

Strategic Driving Tips for Curvy, Ulster County Country Roads...

If you plan on 

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Recent events around the world, most recently in Japan, are a sobering reminder of the sheer strength and unpredictability of nature. The horrifying events that took place in Japan left the rest of us wondering, what if it happens here? Will I be ready?  Granted, the danger of a tsunami is not as great in America as it is in Japan. However there are a number of potential threats, both natural and man-made, that warrant caution. By following a few simple, logical strategies, you can help ensure the safety of you and your family in the unlikely event of a natural (or unnatural) disaster. 

Tsunamis

The threat of a tsunami on the scale of the one that struck Japan is not necessarily a constant here in the States. However our coastal regions and the Hawaiian…

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