Energy Saving Tips for New Yorkers

By Cristina Callegari Kanellopoulos, REALTOR

It seems New York now has two seasons instead of four. This year we went straight from winter, right into summer! As a result, none of us were able to enjoy the lovely mild weather spring offers, and the money savings of not needing to run heat or air conditioning!

Many first-time home buyers ask, "How much does it cost to heat a home? What are typical electric bills for a home this size? What is cheaper, oil or gas?" Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to accurately answer this question, as the answer will largely depend on the USER, and how diligent they are about conserving energy, as well as the size of the home, and systems being used, just to name a few.

On the bright side, there are many things that a homeowner CAN do to lower their energy consumption, save money, and go Green in the process. Below, find some simple, easy to implement, and inexpensive tips that could wind up saving you money this year:

1. Unplug appliances that are not in use. Did you know that even if you are not using your toaster, or coffee maker, the simple fact that it is plugged into the outlet means that it is using electricity? The truth is appliances in stand-by mode are using almost as much energy as they do when in use. So unplug those cell phone chargers, lamps, hair dryers, etc. and SAVE!
2. Clean or Replace your AC filters. At the beginning of the summer season check all the AC filters in your house. Did you know that it will take longer to cool a room if the AC has a dirty, clogged filter? A clean filter will allow your air conditioner to work more efficiently. If you have Central Air get your ducts cleaned yearly. Not only will this save you money on electricity, but it is healthier for you to have clean air pumping through your home!
3. Check your windows. Buy window caulk at your local hardware store and seal your windows. This will prevent hot air from escaping during the winter, and cool air from escaping during the summer.
4. Buy Energy Star Rated Appliances. If you are on the market for a new refrigerator, microwave, washer, etc. buy an appliance that has a good Energy Star Rating. It may cost a little more than an appliance that is not as well rated, however, this simple act will save you much more money than the difference in price over your years of usage.
5. Program your thermostat. So many homeowners leave their thermostats on the HOLD setting, and this is a big money and energy waster. During the winter turn the heat down at least 8 degrees when no one is at home, and down again 4 degrees while you are asleep. During the summer turn the AC up 8 degrees when you are not at home, and up again 4 degrees while you are asleep.
6. Turn the lights off. So many folks are guilty of this. We turn the lights on all over the house, and forget to turn them off when we are not in the room. And, so many folks turn lights on during the day instead of opening the curtains.
7. Insulate your attic. One of the best ways to reduce energy costs is to insulate your attic. I have been told by contractors that insulating your attic generally pays for itself within 3 years. If you plan on living in your home longer than three years this certainly makes sense.
8. Take advantage of tax credits. If you are considering home improvements for energy efficiency you should do so before the end of 2010, as you can claim a tax credit of 30 percent of the cost up to $1,500 for new qualified windows, doors insulation, heating and cooling systems!
9. Air-dry your clothes. It may not always be practical, or possible to air dry your clothes, however, if you air dried just one load of laundry per week you could save a bundle on electricity costs. Visit http://www.laundrylist.org/ to learn more about the air drying movement.
10. Use a fan. Using a fan can make a room feel 4 degrees cooler, and if you use a ceiling fan in tandem with an air conditioner you can cool down a room much more quickly, and once cool can turn the AC off to help maintain the temperature.

Of course, there are many other ways to reduce your energy consumption like solar panels, geo-thermal energy, etc. However, this list is meant to be simple, cheap and every-day ways you can begin to reduce your energy bills.

Happy Saving New Yorkers!

Moving Tips

Moving Tips

by Cristina Callegari Kanellopoulos

Everybody hates moving, it does not matter if you have done it once or several times, it is never an easy task. Here is some tips you may find helpful:

1. Notify the post office of your new forwarding address.
2. Cancel subscriptions that would not or cannot be forwarded.
3. Change addresses on your bank profile and checks.
4. Arrange for utilities and telephone at your new location.
5. Plan for needs of children and pets during the move.
6. Plan for sufficient cash during the move.
7. If you are packing and moving yourself, make arrangements with local moving supply dealers and truck rental agencies. If not, make sure you have a quotation all set up in advance.
8. Start the weeding out process for what to keep and what to dump.
9. Pack one room at a time.
10. Keep the weight of your boxes reasonable.
11. Start packing and marking every box according to contents and room it will go in.
12. GO GREEN! Use towels and blankets to wrap fragile items. Save the environment AND Money too!
13. If possible, pack audio-video and computer equipment in their original boxes.
14. Do not pack valuables like jewelery, carry them with you.

East Meadow School District is a Contender: Watch Out North Shore!

By Cristina Callegari Kanellopoulos

Good news for residents in East Meadow Union Free School District #3 on Long Island arrived as the results of the 2008-2009 ELA (English Language Arts) and Math Assessments came in markedly higher than last year.

The School District has much to be proud of as the new scores indicate that programs and procedures implemented over the last several years are beginning to pay off. Some of the specifics are district programs that have been designed to improve instruction, and a series of professional development workshops with an emphasis on analyzing past test data to determine areas in which students need additional help.

The results are astounding! On the ELA Assessments, every grade level from 3 to 8 exceeded the county average, and in most cases, realized an increase in the number of students meeting proficiency. For example, in the 2007-2008 school year the percentage of students who passed the exam was 86%. However, in the 2008-2009 school year the percentage of students who passed the exam was 96%. Please see below for the full exam Results.

2008-2009 ELA Assessment Results:

Grade 3: 88%
Grade 4: 93%
Grade 5: 94%
Grade 6: 96%
Grade 7: 95%
Grade 8: 91%

2008-2009 Math Assessment Results:

Grade 3: 98%
Grade 4: 96%
Grade 5: 98%
Grade 6: 97%
Grade 7: 98%
Grade 8: 96%

These results put the East Meadow School District in line with, and in some cases ahead of, the high-performing Long Island School Districts of Roslyn, North Shore, Great Neck, Herricks and Port Washington. These districts are among the highest performing, most competitive school districts in the region, and the East Meadow results show that the school district means business.

This can only mean great things for the local Real Estate Market of East Meadow, and Salisbury (Salisbury is a Hamlet of Hempstead that is part of the East Meadow School District). Only time will tell, but I expect to see a boost in home prices if the school can keep this level of excellence up.

Kudos to you East Meadow Union Free School District!

Showing Tips - Best Practices for Showing Your Home While it is For Sale

Showing The Home:

Whenever possible leave your home during showings, if not, follow the tips below.

1. Three's a crowd. Avoid having too many people present during showings. The potential buyer will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house.
2. Music is mellow. But not when showing a house. Turn off the blaring radio or television. Let the your agent and buyer talk, free of disturbances.
3. Pets underfoot? Keep them out of the way--preferably out of the house.
4. Silence is golden. Be courteous but don't force conversation with the potential buyer. He wants to inspect your house--not to pay a social call.
5. Be it ever so humble. Never apologize for the appearance of your home. After all, it has been lived in. Let the trained agent answer any objections. This is his/her job.
6. Remain in the background. The agent knows the buyer's requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home when you don't tag along. You will be called if needed. Allow the buyers to take "psychological possession."
7. Why put the cart before the horse? Trying to dispose of furniture and furnishings to the potential buyer before he has purchased the house often loses a sale.
8. A word to the wise. Let your Realtor discuss price, terms, possession and other factors with the customer. They are eminently qualified to bring negotiations to a favorable conclusion.
   

Five Tips for Making Vacant Homes Feel Less Vacant

by Cristina Callegari Kanellopoulos

1. Rent furniture. Staged homes tend to sell for more and in less time. Depending on your market and budget, renting furniture for key rooms can make a big difference. If renting does not work, leaving a few pieces of furniture can provide a sense of space.
2. Keep it comfortable. Leave the utilities on and keep the temperature at a comfortable level.
3. Remove ghost lines. Hide the effects of furniture. Paint the walls the same color, shampoo the carpet, and replace rugs so there is no evidence of what used to be there.
4. Hire a maid. Make sure the home remains fresh and clean.
5. Keep up curb appeal. Hire a lawn maintenance service. Make sure the lawn gets watered and the landscaping stays alive.