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Temperatures are plummeting and thermostats are rising. Some homeowners might not be able to avoid it, but there are many ways you can cut your energy bill this season. From GreenerChoices.org, here are five low- and no-cost moves to help you save money, while staying comfortable and warm at the same time.
1. Add insulation. Adding insulation and weather stripping can slash your annual energy costs up to 30 percent by keeping out the cold and minimizing the stack effect. Start by sealing large gaps around the chimney, furnace flue, plumbing pipes, ductwork, light fixtures and soffits in your attic. Then lay insulation between attic-floor joists and on the hatch or door, or add more if it's already there. Look for insulation that's become dirty, a...
This year, New York State is requiring homeowners to re-register to continue to receive their STAR Property Tax Exemption. With the new database, the state will be better-equipped to eliminate the waste, fraud and abuse that currently exist in the system. The process can now be completed quickly through the online application.
The December 31st deadline is rapidly approaching!
We strongly encourage all eligible homeowners to reapply for the STAR Property Tax Exemption to ensure they continue to receive this valuable tax relief.
To complete the process, homeowners must visit www.tax.ny.gov or call (518) 457-2036 before the December 31 deadline.
The new guidelines do not affect homeowners age 65 or older who are already enrolled in Enhanced STAR. (BPT) - The close of every year seems to bring its own uncertainty from a tax-planning perspective. Last year featured the expiration of certain temporary tax provisions and the commencement of automatic federal government spending cuts. In October the President and Congress temporarily agreed on funding the government and increasing the national debt limit. But these issues may reappear in 2014 and could result in tax law changes that affect income-tax and financial planning. For now, the best approach is to focus on how to limit your exposure to the many new or increased taxes in 2013 and beyond. 1. Manage higher taxes Many taxpayers will be faced with higher tax bills in 2013 as a result of: * The temporary reduction in the Social Security tax from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent that expired at the end of 2012. This means an increase of $2,000 in taxes for $100,000 of wages. * The tax rate on wage income that increased from 35 percent in 2012 to 40.5 percent in...
If you're selling your home, you're probably enjoying the fact that the market currently appears to be back on track. As more and more buyers come into the fold, you may have multiple offers on your property. Whether you're choosing a buyer, or currently in the throes of negotiating price, Michael Litzner, Broker of Century 21 American Homes offers the following tips for negotiating price and landing the best deal on your home.
"If someone offers you a low ball price, one way to up the ante without quarreling over money is to offer an incentive for a higher offer," says Litzner. Incentives are especially effective with first time buyers. Some good incentives are providing the buyers with a home warranty or title insurance; paying for closing costs or homeowner's association fees; offering to repaint or re-carpet to specifications, or purchasing a year-long membership to a local pool or club.
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