Vital Information Regarding STAR Exemptions

If you are looking for a STAR tax discount, you need to re-register this year. An easy way to do that is follow this link I created for you: http://www.jeffsstarlink.com/

It only takes about 2-3 minutes to sign up and can save you $800, so be sure to take time and fill it out right away.

Looking ahead to the next year, most people say they're going to put their homes on the market in the spring. Most of us think spring is an April-May time frame, but spring for real estate is really in January-February. As a real estate broker, I'm back to working 12 hour days, every day of the week. If you are thinking of listing your home this year or want more information on the STAR program, please contact me today. Thanks for your time and have a great holiday!

13 Ways to Winterize Your home

Welcome back to my video blog! Winter is upon us and along with the holiday cheer comes some freezing weather. It's important to protect your home from the potential damages of cold weather, snow and ice. Here are 13 ways to keep your property safe!

1. Get your HVAC (furnace) inspected, cleaned and tuned up. If it's running inefficiently it can cost you hundreds of dollars.
    
2. Change the battery in your thermostat. When the thermostat dies the heat can either shut off or continue to go full blast.
    
3. Change the direction of your fans. Hot air rises; turn your fans to a downward direction to maximize your heat!
    
4. Prevent ice jams. Melted snow can freeze and cause jams in your gutters. Hire a professional to clean this up; doing this yourself can be dangerous.
    
5. Turn off exterior faucets. Turn off and drain the remaining water in the line so that you don't have any cracks or bursts during the winter.
    
6. Winterize your pool and hot tub if you aren't using them.
    
7. Drain the gas from your mower. If the gas sits in cold temperatures it can often get thick and ruin the machine.
    
8. Check your sump pump.
    
9. Get your chimney inspected. If you plan on enjoying some fires this summer make sure everything is cleaned and inspected to prevent possible accidents.
    
10. Get your snowblower tuned up.
     
11. Set markers around the perimeter of your property to indicate to snow plows where your yard is to prevent damage.
     
12. Weather strip your doors and set up timers on your lights. In the winter most of us go to work when it's dark and get home when it's dark. Setting your lights on a timer can add a little cheer to coming home.
     
13. If you go away on vacation, turn off the water and the main. Again, this will prevent any cracks or bursts.

Thank you for watching. I hope you find these tips helpful. If you have any questions, please give me a call!