Items tagged with 'home owning'
How to get a garden plot tilled?
Laura emails with a timely question:
Can anyone recommend a reliable, reasonable service for rototilling a vegetable garden plot?
If you know of a service, great. But even if you don't, maybe you have some alternate ideas that could help Laura get her garden plot in shape.
Got a suggestion? Please share!
Driveway sealing/paving recommendation?
Gary emails:
Our driveway is in need of some attention this spring, can you recommend a good sealcoat/paving co. in Albany?
At some point during the summer crews starting moving through neighborhoods, knocking on doors pitching driveway fixing/re-sealing. We gotta admit we're skeptical of the "hey, we just did your neighbor's driveway" pitch (maybe unfairly). So some solid suggestions could be a help to Gary and others.
Got someone you can recommend? Please share!
Where to get top soil, mulch, gravel?
Mike emails:
Can you ask your readers where is a good place to find good top soil in the Troy, NY area.
You can get stuff like top soil, mulch, and gravel from a garden center or one of the big hardware stores, but you're usually going to be buying it by the bag. If you have a bigger project, often the best way is to have it delivered to your house -- it can be both cheaper and easier. The truck comes to you and dumps the dirt/mulch/gravel in a a big pile.
So, we'll extend Mike's question a little bit to include mulch, gravel, sand, rock, all that sort of stuff. Suggestions for either garden centers or delivery? Please share. Bonus points if you can provide details about price or ease of setting up delivery.
Getting a basement egress/exit installed?
Zach emails:
We are looking to make the most of our house and would like to fully use the finished basement. In order to do so, we need to add an egress. Has anyone had this done recently, and if so, any recommendations on who to use?
Basically, an egress is a way to get out the basement in case of a fire. It's often a code requirement, especially if there's a bedroom.
So, have you done something like this? Is this a general contractor job, or does Zach need to find someone who specializes in doors/windows/basements? Please share.
A good painter?
Amy emails:
We built a house and need a lot of painting done and you were the first place I went to for painter recommendations. You had a post about general contractors, but nothing about painters. Could you post a request for good interior painters?
Know of a good paint to suggest to Amy? Please share! And please explain a little bit about why that person is good -- attention to detail, fair price, whatever.
A good snow removal service?
Thinking ahead, Valerie asks via Twitter:
Have you guys done a piece on snow removal services on Ask AOA? I'd love to contract someone for the winter.
I'm actually wondering if anyone does a pay-upfront service where they come as much or as little for a single, flat rate.
This is probably a good time to start getting something like this lined up. Because if you wait until it snows (which, let's face it, could be next week), it will probably be a lot harder.
So, have a snow removal service suggestion for Valerie? Please share! And please include details about the arrangement, if you can -- you know, ballpark price, flat fee, per-visit, whatever.
Bigger isn't necessarily better
Small house. Big dog.
In 2008 my husband and I bought our first home: a two-bedroom, one-bath, 1929 Dutch colonial in Albany. In an age of bigger is better, we went the opposite route; our house is a mere 900 square feet.
As first time homeowners we were somewhat intimidated by the responsibility and demands of home ownership, but a small house we could handle. Many of our friends also bought homes around the same time, but those places are considerably larger. Their homes are similar in size to many of the suburban homes highlighted during AOA's Real Estate Week. To us, our friends had found their "forever homes." Most have at least four bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, master suites, two car garages... they're in it for the long haul. When we bought our house we knew it was a starter home.
But now that we've added a 90-pound dog and a new baby to the mix, we've realized something: there are benefits to small house living.
What $350,000 buys you in the Capital Region
It's Real Estate Week on AOA.
Flip through real estate listings enough and you'll notice pretty quickly that the same amount of money will buy you a wide variety of homes -- for all sorts of reasons, location being among the most important. Two very similar houses can end up selling at prices tens of thousands of dollars apart.
To get a better a sense of what goes into the price of a house -- and how much house you can get for your dollar -- we talked with three local real estate agents to better understand why some recently closed house sold for the prices they did.
What are you getting for your money? And what could you get for a little bit more?
We've already looked at $175,000 and $225,000. Let's finish with a look at a handful of houses in the $350,000 range around the Capital Region...
What $225,000 buys you in the Capital Region
It's Real Estate Week on AOA.
Flip through real estate listings enough and you'll notice pretty quickly that the same amount of money will buy you a wide variety of homes -- for all sorts of reasons, location being among the most important. Two very similar houses can end up selling at prices tens of thousands of dollars apart.
To get a better a sense of what goes into the price of a house -- and how much house you can get for your dollar -- we talked with three local real estate agents to better understand why some recently closed house sold for the prices they did.
What are you getting for your money? And what could you get for a little bit more?
Let's look at a handful of houses in the $225,000 range around the Capital Region...
What $175,000 buys you in the Capital Region
It's Real Estate Week on AOA.
Flip through real estate listings enough and you'll notice pretty quickly that the same amount of money will buy you a wide variety of homes -- for all sorts of reasons, location being among the most important. Two very similar houses can end up selling at prices tens of thousands of dollars apart.
To get a better a sense of what goes into the price of a house -- and how much house you can get for your dollar -- we talked with three local real estate agents to better understand why some recently closed house sold for the prices they did.
What are you getting for your money? And what could you get for a little bit more?
To start, we looked at a handful of houses in the $175,000 range around the Capital Region...
A good general contractor?
Valerie asks via Twitter:
I have a few projects I need help with. Removal/replacement of deck, shoring up a porch, basement windows, kitchen counters. Also maybe wood window restoration and an indoor painter who can deal with removing lots and lots of nightmarish wallpaper.
If anyone is or knows a good general contractor please share. PLEASE.
This is a question that comes up all the time. And it's definitely worth asking around for referrals and talking with people about their experiences. A lot of contractors do a good job, but there are definitely some out there to avoid.
So, anyone have suggestions for Valerie? Please share!
How to move a piano?
Having successfully submitted his property tax assessment grievance with your help, Sean is back for more:
My wife and I just moved, but the one item that we couldn't manage was our piano. We're not related to any football players or bodybuilders, and there are more than one flight of stairs to contend with, so none of our moving posse felt comfortable taking on this challenge. So, that leaves us searching for an alternative solution. Do you or your readers have any tips for not only getting this thing out of our former residence, but into our new one as well?
Are there still piano moving services? Or any advice for Sean (aside from lift with your legs)?
Please share!
photo: Flickr user
Tips and advice for contesting a property tax assessment?
Sean emails:
As a new homeowner, I've been hearing rumors about a certain day / week in May where folks can go downtown and challenge their property tax amount. Would the editors or other AOA readers have any knowledge about this upcoming event, any tips for when to go (I imagine it's a zoo...) and what to come prepared with for the best possible outcome (i.e. lower taxes!)?
We're guessing the day Sean is referring to is Grievance Day, typically the fourth Tuesday of May in cities and towns in New York State (May 22 this year). You can submit the forms necessary to "grieve" the assessment of your home before that day (probably the best course). The day in question is when it's possible to make an oral argument before the board of assessment review, if you decide to do so.
OK, so let's use the city of Albany as an example. It recently posted the official notice that's it's completed its tentative assessment roll for property tax purposes. The assessment information is online -- it's as simple to look up as plugging in your address. From the city's website:
Complaint forms and a publication containing procedures for contesting an assessment are available at the Office of Assessment & Taxation Room 302 in City Hall. It is a prerequisite to review an assessment that the official complaint forms be used and that said forms be filed with the undersigned or the Board of Assessment Review on or before May 22nd, 2012.
The board of assessment review will be hearing grievances May 22 from 9 am-1 pm and 6-8 pm in city hall.
Of course, some details will vary from one municipality to another. Here's a NYS website with info on how to contest your assessment.
So... Have you ever contested an assessment? If so, got any tips or advice for Sean? Please share!
photo: Flickr user woodleywonderworks
A good real estate agent?
In the market for a house, Kelly emails:
My husband and I are hoping to buy a house in Albany this summer. We are looking for recommendations for a good real estate agent, particularly one who specializes in working with first-time home buyers. I'm hoping AOA's readers can help us out. Thanks for your consideration.
There are a lot of real estate agents out there. And from our experience, some are definitely better than others.
So, know of a good agent? Please share! And if you do, please include why you like that agent.
A good pool service?
Alex emails:
I always read the ask aoa articles and just bought a home with an in ground pool. I know nothing about pools, could you recommend someone local for service? I'm in Albany if that helps.
Or, if not a pool service, maybe a place where he can get some help learning about the stuff that needs to be taken care of.
Got a suggestion of Alex? Please share!
A good landscape/hardscape company?
Jim emails:
I am looking for a hard scape company that can terrace a hill for my parents. Any good leads on people that do that?
Any suggestions for Jim and his parents? Please share!
photo: Flickr user sleepyneko
Help for fixing old windows?
Maisie emails:
I am looking for someone to repair old windows (weight and pulley, 1920s type.) I know this is a good "do it yourself"-er, but I am not at all handy. Anyone out there have a recommendation?
There are a lot of houses/apartments in this area that still have these types of windows. And, speaking from experience, when they get stuck or broken, it is frustrating.
Got a suggestion for Maisie? Please share!
A good hardwood floor installer?
Doug asks on Twitter:
I need the best hardwood floor installer in the 518.
We'll expand Doug's question a little bit to include hardwood floor refinishing -- often companies do both installation and refinishing.
Got a suggestion? Please share!
A good handyman or contractor for stuff around the house?
Gretchen emails:
My husband and I are getting ready to move and need some small handyperson type jobs done around the house like fixing a small hole in the detached garage roof, putting some trim on our laminate floors (a DIY project which got waylaid), and small painting projects.
Know of a good handyperson or contractor who might be able to help Gretchen and her husband? Please share!
A good electrician?
Michael asks via Twitter:
Does anyone have any reco's for a residential electrician in Albany?
Got a suggestion for Michael? Please share!
Earlier on AOA:
+ Ask AOA: A good plumber?
+ Ask AOA: Contractors for an energy audit?
+ Ask AOA: Furnace cleaning and tune-ups?
Contractors for an energy audit?
Martin emails:
I'm going to schedule a home energy audit in the near future. I contacted NYSERDA and I was approved an audit award. Now I'm looking over the list of NYSRDA approved contractors. The Capital Region's list is long, and I don't want someone who's only goal is to pressure me into buying services and products I don't really need.
Does anyone out there have recommendation this area' listing?
Got a suggestion for Martin? Please share!
Earlier on AOA:
+ Ask AOA: Furnace cleaning and tune-ups?
+ Keep up with the Joneses? Pfft. Beat 'em.
photo: Flickr user ActiveSteve
Contractors to fix a broken or warped walkway?
Watch your step.
Mark asks via Twitter:
I've got a sidewalk that looks like this in two places. It's my front walk, not a city sidewalk. Any suggestions on who to call to repair it?
That looks like it could be a trip-and-fall waiting to happen -- especially as things get icy.
Got a suggestion for Mark? Please share.
Furnace cleaning and tune-ups?
With an eye toward the change of season, Jen asks:
How about a cheap furnace cleaner person (besides the big companies like DA Bennet) &/or who does home energy audits?
We'll tag general furnace tuneup/maintenance onto Jen's question (that reminds us, we need to get someone to do that...).
Got a suggestion? Please share!
photo: Flickr user C Jill Reed
Keep up with the Joneses? Pfft. Beat 'em.
Heheh.
We like our neighbors. A lot. They've been friendly and helpful from the moment we moved in. But we gotta admit: it gives us great pleasure to know that we're crushing them.
How do we know? National Grid told us.
A good yard service?
Possible option: hire a flock of sheep.
In a recent comment, Leah asks:
Does anyone know a lawn service willing to tackle the insanity that is my lawn after this week of rain (that ideally won't cost an arm and a leg)? My eco friendly reel mower is just not going to cut it after all this - pun intended.
We've seen some lawns around town that are approaching a jungle-like appearance. We wouldn't look forward trying to push any sort of regular mower through that kind of growth.
So, anyone have suggestions for Leah? Please share!
Where to buy a house in Albany?
Stephanie emails:
I just moved to the area for the next few years, and I am looking to buy a house. However, I do not know what the good areas are around in Albany!
I am looking for something that is equidistant from SUNY Uptown campus and downtown Albany. I would love a safe area, that is nice or up and coming. I would want to sell in a few years, so the market value would need to stay the same (or preferably!) improve. Additionally, any advice on where to begin looking for houses would be great. Can anyone help me? Please?
Have a suggestion for Stephanie? Please share!
A good tree removal service?
Miriam emails:
I'd love to find out if your readers have dealt with a tree removal service they felt did a good job for the right price. We have a half dead tree in our front lawn that's going to come down one way or another.
A few years back, we were happy with the service we got from a company out of Schenectady called TreeCo. They worked remarkably fast (while hanging from a tree, using a chain saw), cleaned up nicely, and all for what seemed like a fair price.
TreeCo doesn't appear to have a website.* Its number is 356-4177.
One thing to note: not all tree services offer stump grinding. Be sure to ask about it if you want the stump taken out, too.
We're guessing there are at least a handful of other local tree service options. Know of a good one? Please share!
* Small businesses of the Capital Region: please get a website -- even just a single page with your contact info. It will help everyone, most importantly you.
... said Sandra about Breweries, wineries, and distilleries of New York