Coldwell Banker American Homes Blog
Subscribe and receive email notifications of new blog posts.
RSS Feed
- 2026 | 30 Posts
- 2025 | 77 Posts
- 2024 | 85 Posts
- 2023 | 73 Posts
- 2022 | 72 Posts
- 2020 | 44 Posts
- 2019 | 27 Posts
- 2018 | 20 Posts
- 2017 | 29 Posts
- 2016 | 85 Posts
- 2015 | 85 Posts
- 2014 | 117 Posts
- 2013 | 50 Posts
- 2012 | 32 Posts
- 2011 | 35 Posts
- 2010 | 16 Posts
9
Important Contact Numbers
|
Significant snowfall and strong winds are expected to impact our area starting early tomorrow morning. With this storm approaching, I wanted to make sure you had the following phone numbers in case you need assistance or information:
Emergencies: Dial 911
To report power outages or downed power lines:
• PSEG 24 hour hotline: (800) 490-0075
To report gas outages or gas safety emergencies:
• National Grid 24 hour hotline: (800) 490-0045
Information on mass transit service:
• MTA/LIRR/NYC Transit: www.mta.info
• LIRR 24 hour travel information center: 718-217-5477
• NICE Bus travel information: 516-228-4000
• NYC Transit travel information: 718-330-1234
Up to the minute information about traffic conditions on Long Island's major roads:
• NYS Department of Transportation's 511 service: www.511ny.org or call 511.
To report snow plowing issues or downed trees:
Town maintained roads
• Town of North Hempstead: 311
• Town of Hempstead: 516-489-5000
• Town of Oyster Bay: 516-677-5757
Village maintained roads
• Baxter Estates: 516-767-0096
• Bellerose: 516-354-1000
• East Hills: 516-621-5600
• East Williston: 516-746-0782
• Floral Park: 516-326-6300
• Flower Hill: 516-627- 5000
• Great Neck: 516-482-0019
• Great Neck Estates: 516-482-8283
• Great Neck Plaza: 516-482-4500
• Kensington: 516-482-4409
• Kings Point: 516-504-1000
• Lake Success: 516-482-4411
• Manorhaven: 516-883-7000
• Mineola: 516-746-0750
• Munsey Park: 516-365-7790
• New Hyde Park: 516-354-0022
• North Hills: 516-627-3451
• Old Westbury: 516-626-0800
• Plandome: 516-627-1748
• Plandome Heights: 516-627-1136
• Plandome Manor: 516-627-3701
• Port Washington North: 516-883-5900
• Roslyn: 516-621-1961
• Roslyn Estates: 516-621-3541
• Roslyn Harbor: 516-621-0368
• Russell Gardens: 516-482-8246
• Saddle Rock: 516-482-9400
• Sands Point: 516-883-3044
• South Floral Park: 516-352-8047
• Stewart Manor: 516-354-1800
• Thomaston: 516-482-3110
• Westbury: 516-334-1700
• Williston Park: 516-746-2193
County maintained roads
• Nassau County non-emergency hotline: 800-315-5153
State maintained roads
• NYS Department of Transportation: 631-904-3050
|
3
Making the Jump: Transitioning from a Tenant to a Homeowner
Becoming a homeowner for the first time is an exciting and stressful process. However, once the papers are signed and the keys are in your pocket, your work really begins. Homeownership can be fraught with financial and emotional perils, especially if you've been renting from a landlord up until now. Landlords are on the hook for not only minor repairs, but also major upgrades, yard work, taxes and fees associated with building ownership, as well as normal upkeep such as painting and cleaning carpets.
Before You Buy
The best way to make a smooth transition to your new home starts before you buy. A proper inspection can alert you to problems that already exist with the property. New homes shouldn't have many issues, but it's always wise to get an inspection anyway to ensure that everything has been installed p...
27
Home Issues That May Secretly Cost You Hundreds
It's no secret that being a homeowner is a financial commitment. However, there may be places in your home that are secretly upping your expenses. Read on for a rundown of those secret money leaks, courtesy of Gentec Services.
Air leaks. One of the biggest energy drains on a home is air leakage, which means the conditioned air in your home exits through cracks and leaks and is replaced by unconditioned air from the outside. While windows are the top culprit, air can come in anywhere your heating and cooling system runs or any place that the exterior structure of the home has been joined together. Leaks can be sealed with caulk, weather stripping or spray foam insulation.
Insulation. Pay special attention to the attic, basement or crawlspace, and all exterior walls. Since heating and cooling are...
20
Buying a Home in Winter? What to Look for
While spring and early summer rein as peek home-shopping seasons, there's no good reason why you can't find that perfect house in the middle of winter, too. In fact, you might even get a good deal from homeowners who are anxious to sell as soon as possible and don't want to wait for the spring thaw.
Looking at homes in winter, however, requires a different strategy, so consider the following before you start your search:
- Winter weather may prevent you from getting a good sense of a home's yard, particularly, if it's covered in snow. Make sure you're informed as to the exact size of the plot, patios and decks, and ask your agent to show you pictures of the yard and home's exterior in the spring and summer, if there aren't any posted online.
- Ditto for the landscaping. If gardens are a high priority for you, find out which p...
12
The New Normal? Mortgage Rates Sink Again
Mortgage rates again sunk this week after topping out at the end of 2016, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging 4.12 percent with an average 0.5 point, according to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®). The trend, now in its second week, marks a new normal for rates, which rose above 4 percent in a nine-week streak following the election.
"After absorbing a mixed December jobs report, the 10-year Treasury yield fell eight basis points," says Sean Becketti, Freddie Mac chief economist. "The 30-year mortgage rate moved in tandem with Treasury yields falling eight basis points to 4.12 percent, the second decline since the presidential election. The December jobs report showed 156,000 jobs added, barely meeting many experts...