Mark Bergman

‘For sale by owner’ has its challenges

Mark Bergman — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 14:21:00 GMT

This commentary appeared in the Post Star on 11/14/2010

So you've decided it's time to sell your house.

I mean, interest rates are so low the banks are practically begging folks to take out mortgages.

And there must be some pent-up demand. After the feds decided to stop priming the real estate pump a few months ago, home sales took a header. Folks who didn't cash in on that craze ought to be more than ready to buy by now.

Besides, you're sitting on a starter-house gold mine.

Nice neighborhood, full-grown trees and a pretty decent lawn, nearby schools and parks, fresh paint on the walls (well, recently fresh at least) and, since the economy went south, darned little chance that they'll actually build that sprint car track down the road.

But why pay someone else umpteen thousand dollars just to shove a sign into your front yard, run a few classified ads, sit there through Sunday open houses and not answer your phone calls for months on end?

You can do it yourself, right?

You can make a sign and buy some ads and sit in the living room for three hours on Sunday afternoon. Hey, there's a game on anyway.

And the phone calls? Well, you already know how to not return a phone call, right?

Of course, there are a few things you ought to know.

First, selling a house is a full-time job.

If you had in mind that this would amount to nothing more than answering cell phone inquiries from the 10th hole, you can forget it.

Not only will you have to answer all the inane "I-might-want-to-look-at-your-house-but-maybe-not calls" (and, despite that, you'll be praying there will be A LOT of calls), you'll be answering them at 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Shoppers are in charge, and they know it.

Second, when those shoppers do deign to look at your house, you'll have even more fun listening to them criticize your decorating choices (honest, some people really don't want orange walls), your limited closet space and tiny third bedroom (maybe it would make a decent closet, huh?), your more-dirt-than-grass lawn and weed-choked gardens (really, make up your minds!), and your damp basement.

This - if you're very, very lucky - will be followed by an astoundingly low-ball offer. It might or might not cover the mortgage balance and the cost of the classified ads.

Do not despair. This is only the first tentative step in the offer-counteroffer dance.

You'll suggest a price marginally smaller than the one in your ad, they'll come back a couple of hundred bucks higher than they originally planned ... and the beat goes on. Or maybe not.

Odds are one or both of you will hit a take-it-or-leave-it number, and negotiations will break down completely, sending you right back to answering phones and setting up appointments.

Finally, in the event - several months down the line - that you and some Heaven-sent buyer do agree on a mutually acceptable price, it will be time to bring in ... the lawyers.

Hey, no reason you can't sell your house yourself, right?

Ha, ha, ho, ho, hee, hee.

Send your questions to HouseWorks, P.O. Box 81609, Lincoln, NE 68501, or e-mail houseworks@journalstar.com.

Six Reasons to Reduce Your Home Price

Mark Bergman — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:14:00 GMT

By: G. M. Filisko

Published 2010-03-19 13:10:49

While you’d like to get the best price for your home, consider our six reasons to reduce your home price.

Home not selling? That could happen for a number of reasons you can’t control, like a unique home layout or having one of the few homes in the neighborhood without a garage. There is one factor you can control: your home price.

These six signs may be telling you it’s time to lower your price.

1. You’re drawing few lookers

You get the most interest in your home right after you put it on the market because buyers want to catch a great new home before anybody else takes it. If your real estate agent reports there have been fewer buyers calling about and asking to tour your home than there have been for other homes in your area, that may be a sign buyers think it’s overpriced and are waiting for the price to fall before viewing it.

2. You’re drawing lots of lookers but have no offers

If you’ve had 30 sets of potential buyers come through your home and not a single one has made an offer, something is off. What are other agents telling your agent about your home? An overly high price may be discouraging buyers from making an offer.

3. Your home’s been on the market longer than similar homes

Ask your real estate agent about the average number of days it takes to sell a home in your market. If the answer is 30 and you’re pushing 45, your price may be affecting buyer interest. When a home sits on the market, buyers can begin to wonder if there’s something wrong with it, which can delay a sale even further. At least consider lowering your asking price.

4. You have a deadline

If you’ve got to sell soon because of a job transfer or you’ve already purchased another home, it may be necessary to generate buyer interest by dropping your price so your home is a little lower priced than comparable homes in your area. Remember: It’s not how much money you need that determines the sale price of your home, it’s how much money a buyer is willing to spend.

5. You can’t make upgrades

Maybe you’re plum out of cash and don’t have the funds to put fresh paint on the walls, clean the carpets, and add curb appeal. But the feedback your agent is reporting from buyers is that your home isn’t as well-appointed as similarly priced homes. When your home has been on the market longer than comparable homes in better condition, it’s time to accept that buyers expect to pay less for a home that doesn’t show as well as others.

6. The competition has changed

If weeks go by with no offers, continue to check out the competition. What have comparable homes sold for and what’s still on the market? What new listings have been added since you listed your home for sale? If comparable home sales or new listings show your price is too steep, consider a price reduction.

Is there really common ground in the Adirondacks?

Mark Bergman — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:31:00 GMT

Earlier this week I participated in the Common Ground Alliance forum. It was attended by many elected officials (none from Johnsburg), lots of non-profit leaders and a handful of us from the business community. I left with very mixed feelings about the potential effectiveness of this group. Many good ideas, without a really clear path for action. Brian Mann of NCPR sums it up well in his blog posting below.

Is there really common ground in the Adirondacks?

July 15th, 2010 by Brian Mann

There's a reason why historian and part-time Long Lake resident Phil Terrie called his history of the Adirondacks "Contested Terrain."

For a couple of centuries now, people have seen the Adirondacks through very different lenses: as a storehouse of rich natural resources, as a free land far from the hassles of civilization and government, and as a glorious nature preserve.

That divide persists, despite good faith efforts by groups like the Adirondack Common Ground Alliance to seek out areas of unity and collaboration.

At this week's Alliance meeting in Long Lake, there was general agreement that the Park faces some dire threats.

The recession is hurting retail businesses, causing government job lay-offs, and hindering New York state's ability to manage public lands effectively.

But different factions see the underlying dangers behind these trends very differently.

In his comments, Tupper Lake businessman Jim LaValley — whose non-profit ARISE group helped reopen Big Tupper Ski Area last winter — laid a big chunk of the blame on government over-regulation and bureaucracy.

He referenced last year's widely-discussed APRAP report, which suggested that communities in the Park face a dire future. Summing up the mood of local business owners, LaValley said, "They're scared."

But others, including ANCA's Kate Fish, pointed to evidence that the Park itself — with its open space and regulated development — is an asset that can help attract visitors, second home-owners, and businesses.

After listening to all the conversation and debate, I came away from the Common Ground meeting with three basic questions swirling around in my head.

First, it seems long overdue to come up with a shared vision for what the Park of the future should look like — not a vision generated in Albany, but one created by in-Park groups like the Alliance.

Ideally, what should our year-round population be? We're currently at around 130,000. Should the goal be to hold steady, to grow a little — what?

Meanwhile, should we expect all the tiny far-flung hamlets to continue to survive and thrive, or should we begin moving toward a hub-system where grocery stores, school districts, and government services are concentrated in core towns?

Also key to this vision, obviously, is how much public land should be part of the mix. Do we have enough now? Too much?

And what role will Albany play in the future — and how much of the Park's operations will need to be taken over by non-profits, businesses and local governments?

These are big, thorny questions, but perhaps it's time to begin addressing them head-on and creating a sketch of what future success might look like.

Second, and a bit more concretely, I think it's time to reassess what the second-home boom means (and should mean in the future) to the Adirondack economy.

Over the last couple of decades we've seen a remarkable capitalization of our towns and hamlets, with outside investment pouring in at the rate of hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

In pure business terms, that's a remarkable success. Because of the beauty of our Park and its communities, outsiders have decided to invest billions of dollars here.

But in many areas of the Adirondacks, we have failed to translate that investment into more steady jobs and a more robust retail economy.

In Long Lake, where the Alliance meeting was held, new mansions go up every year, but school enrollment is dwindling fast and the grocery store no longer stays open year-round.

That disconnect is something we need to understand and — if possible — begin to remedy.

Finally, the Common Ground gathering in Long Lake was long on non-profit groups and government leaders and short on businesses.

We have some strong community banks in the Park and some thriving entrepreneurs. We need a heck of a lot more if we hope to survive into the future.

I wonder why we can't bring more of those voices and thinkers to the table at sessions like this one?

EDITORIAL: Rangers are the police of the wilderness

Mark Bergman — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:28:00 GMT

Press-Republican

July 15, 2010

EDITORIAL: Rangers are the police of the wilderness

Press-Republican

---- —

In lean times, taxpayers always urge their government representatives to cut spending in just about every area except public safety. Citizens want to keep as much of their money as possible, of course, but they also insist on feeling safe. Cut anyplace possible in the budget, but be careful when you cut police departments or fire departments. If those cuts are going to leave constituents feeling vulnerable, don't make them.

One of the greatly overlooked areas of public safety in these parts is the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation rangers. That's probably because only a small minority of us spends much time in the woods. Those who do, though, have a dedicated and thoroughly professional crew of rangers as their safety net.

DEC Region 5, which encompasses the North Country, sends out a compendium of its log a month or two at a time to news outlets. The report is useful as a reminder of how not to act in the wilderness, and it's interesting to see some of the missteps hikers, campers, hunters and anglers take and how the rangers react to get them back to civilization in one piece.

The reports also document the lengths to which rangers have to go sometimes to bring happy conclusions to unhappy predicaments.

Often, hikers get lost and must be found. Sometimes, one hiker will become separated from his companion or his party. Rangers will use a variety of means to find whoever is lost, sometimes by following a cell signal, sometimes by tracking the person and sometimes by simply flooding the area with officers until they locate the individual, who by this time may be panicky, dehydrated or injured.

They never know what kind of emergency they will be asked to confront. Rangers received a call one recent Sunday evening, just before dark, that a hiker from Canada had had his eye impaled by a tree branch. Not knowing the seriousness of the injury, but knowing it didn't sound good, they found the victim and escorted him back to the party's vehicle. As it turned out, the injury was not serious, but, had it been, the rangers would have been prepared.

Several of the accounts in the report include searches beginning in the afternoon and lasting until midnight or beyond. Weekends seem to be especially problematic, since that's when most people are going into the woods and mountains.

Rangers are prepared to treat and transport the sick and, of course, the injured. One rescue was a demented individual who could offer no assistance in his own recovery.

DEC advises anyone going into the wilderness to take supplies, including food and water, and to stay connected with others. When that advice is ignored, the rangers are there at any time and in any conditions to solve problems that result. What police are to city streets, rangers are to the forest, and we're lucky to have them.

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The Siena Research Institute releases results of special New York Homeownership Survey; NYSAR calls on lawmakers for tax reform

Mark Bergman — Thu, 27 May 2010 18:05:00 GMT

The Siena Research Institute releases results of special New York Homeownership Survey; NYSAR calls on lawmakers for tax reform

5/26/2010

Today, the New York State Association of REALTORS and the Siena Research Institute (SRI) released the results of a special New York Homeownership Survey which explored public opinion about real estate related issues.

Don Levy, PhD, SRI director, presented the key findings of the survey, which include:

• 84 percent of respondents say homeownership is a major part of achieving the American Dream.
• One third believe their home value is down, but 69 percent expect appreciation on the way.
• Seventy-five percent feel that what they pay for real estate taxes is too high.
• Two-thirds of New York homeowners fulfill their obligation to pay taxes, but don’t believe their hard-earned dollars are well managed or used efficiently.
• The biggest concerns were property taxes for homeowners and qualifying and down payments for buyers.
• The survey also found that 82 percent believe that REALTORS provide guidance for buyers and sellers in working through all the aspects involved in home transactions.

“Today, the results of the New York Homeownership Survey conducted by the Siena Research Institute show that a great majority of New Yorkers consider homeownership to be a quintessential piece of the American Dream, but one that has become increasingly difficult to achieve and maintain in the Empire State,” said NYSAR President Hank Fries. “The American Dream of homeownership is in danger here in the Empire State due to unfettered property tax increases, high closing costs and real estate transaction taxes.”

Fries went on to say that New York State lawmakers should act to stem this tide. “Today, New York REALTORS, on behalf of our fellow Empire State residents, continue to urge Albany lawmakers to enact structural reforms to the tax system that will foster tax savings for property owners. Every step the state takes toward lower homeownership taxes is a step toward restoring the state’s quality of life and economic vitality.”

Reminder: Armed service members have extra year to claim homebuyer tax credit

Mark Bergman — Thu, 27 May 2010 18:02:00 GMT

Reminder: Armed service members have extra year to claim homebuyer tax credit
While the contract deadline for the homebuyer tax credit for most Americans has come and gone, please remember, and remind your agents, that members of the armed services and certain other federal employees still have time to take advantage of the incentive.

For those that served outside of the U.S. for at least 90 days during the period beginning after December 31, 2008, and ending before May 1, 2010, the deadline is extended to April 30, 2011. If a binding contract is entered into by that date, the taxpayer has until June 30, 2011, to close on the purchase. Both the $8,000 first-time and the $6,500 repeat homebuyer tax credits are included in the extension.

For more information from the Internal Revenue Service on the extended deadline for military members, click here.

Getting Your Home Ready to Sell...means a bit more than just listing it.

Mark Bergman — Thu, 27 May 2010 14:47:00 GMT

Tips on How to Fix Your House Up to Sell

By Paige Tepping

RISMEDIA, May 27, 2010--With the summer buying and selling season just around the corner, now is the time to think about how you can create a lasting first impression with potential buyers. Here are 8 simple tips that will help your home stand out from the crowd.

Open the drapes and blinds. Sunshine is the world's best decorator and nothing is more depressing than walking into a home where shades, curtains and drapes are closed.

Wash the windows - inside and out. For the same reasons as above, no other small improvement will give you more bang than this.

Clean up the yard. Cut back overgrown shrubs, particularly those that obscure windows or make it difficult to get to the front door. Mow the grass, rake or pick up downed leaves and branches, put away lawn tools, kids' toys and discard or store any outdoor furniture that is rusty or ragged. If season and funds permit, put down some colorful annuals or put a few nicely planted containers on or near the front porch.

Clutter Control. De-cluttering and organizing your home is very important and not just to make the place look neat. A cluttered home looks smaller and less airy. All of the pictures, knick-knacks, even an exquisite art collection are distracting to many buyers.

Clean your kitchen and bathrooms – Be sure to pay attention to the kitchen and bathrooms. The kitchen may be old but it can still sparkle. Clean the stovetop with a good degreaser and all countertops to remove stains and discoloration. Wash the front of all cupboards and appliances and keep the floor swept and scrubbed for as long as the home is on the market. De-clutter here too, especially the refrigerator door. Ditch countertop appliances, canisters, etc and keep cupboard doors and drawers closed if your hand is not actually in them. It is critical that the bathrooms sparkle. Old bathrooms can be charming and a new shower curtain or fresh flowers on the counter may be all you need. Put out your best towels and, if you have young children, enforce the flush rule.

Refinish hardwood floors. These are a major selling point when selling your home and sometimes a home's most compelling feature. Often they don't need complete refinishing, just to be roughed up and polyurethaned to obtain that killer shine.

Paint/Repaint Your Home. If your taste in decorating is a bit strong, it may pay to hire a professional to tone down some of the more dramatic color rooms. Neutral colors are best for marketing your home for sale.

Buy, borrow or rent what you need. If your furniture shows the effect of raising five kids or if pets have ruined the rugs and upholstery, think about storing or getting rid of your existing furniture and finding just enough more attractive stuff to get by. If your nest is empty and the kids' rooms are beaten up, throw out the furniture, give the walls a quick wash coat of paint and put one or two small flea market pieces - a hobby horse, a bean-bag chair, the old bassinette from the attic - in the room to merely suggest its use.

Biking in the Adironacks

Mark Bergman — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:42:00 GMT

From the Adirondack Almanac Blog

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Two New Adirondack Bicycling Initiatives

by Alan Wechsler

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Two unrelated efforts this spring show that bicycling may be getting a little more attention here in the Adirondacks.

For starters, you can take part in a local survey, looking for input for a future Web site dedicated to promoting bicycling in the Adirondacks. The survey is reachable here.

The survey is part of a program called Bike the Byways, which is sponsored by the Adirondack North Country Association, a community development group in Saranac Lake. The idea, says organizer Tim Holmes, is to figure out what bike resources already exist in the park.

The group is most interested in road rides, he said, especially to promote the 14 federally-designated "Scenic Byways" located in the park.

Because of the lack of roads in the park and the sheer splendor of most of them, apparently most roads in the park are in fact scenic byways. So cyclists could just unfold a map and take their pick. Nevertheless, visitors might appreciate a site offering more specific descriptions.

For more information, check out the new blog, http://bikethebyways.wordpress.com/

Meanwhile, work continues on the Upper Hudson Rail Trail, a proposed 29-mile route that would go from North Creek to Tahawus on a right-of-way currently owned by NL Industries. A year after the idea was first made public, organizer Curt Austin, a photographer from Chestertown, has planned his first official organizing meeting.

Friends of the Upper Hudson Rail Trail Inc. will meet at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 12 at the North Creek Ski Bowl lodge.

"There are a lot of details to work out," he said. But the meeting may include some more fun activities, such as a drive out to some of the route's more scenic spots and possibly a bike ride in the afternoon.

The group is seeking to buy the railroad from NL, remove the track and lay down a bike trail through some of the Central Adirondack's most remote woods.

“We don’t have that many formal members yet, but we’re going to try to make it entertaining and worthwhile for new people,” he said.

Check out the Upper Hudson's Facebook page here.

Welcome New Neighbors

Mark Bergman — Sun, 16 May 2010 13:46:00 GMT

The Post-Star

Welcome new neighbors By KIM COOK Associated Press | Posted: Sunday, May 16, 2010 1:15 am

"If strangers move into a neighborhood, it is not only unfriendly but uncivil for their neighbors not to call on them." - Emily Post, "Etiquette: The Blue Book of Social Usage," 1937 When we moved across the country to our new town, many friendly neighbors stopped by to say hello. Some brought pastries from a bakery; others offered advice on grocery stores, dentists and hardware stores. One neighbor, with whom I'd established email contact before the move, even stocked the fridge and pantry with the essentials so we wouldn't walk into a completely empty house. There was a small table with chairs, utensils, toilet paper, an inexpensive shower curtain, and soap and towels in the bathrooms. Mrs. A was a one woman welcome wagon. Some of us remember the official Welcome Wagon ladies coming to our childhood door; the company, started in 1928 by Tennessean Thomas Briggs, was such a cultural fixture that even the Kennedys and Nixons received visits when they moved into the White House. Now the firm operates primarily via the Internet. In these modern times, what's the best way to greet our new neighbors? Many people aren't sure how much to do and when. Do you head over as soon as you see the van arrive, or wait a week, or wait for them to make the overture? Casserole, house plant or just a friendly hello? Chicago-based residential real estate expert Mark Nash advises waiting till the moving van has gone. "Give them a couple of days to get somewhat settled," he says. Offer to take some of the cardboard boxes to the recycle depot, he suggests, and if they have a dog, offer to introduce them to fellow pet owners. Nash says that thoughtful housewarming gifts after the chaos eases could be a nice bird feeder, or a gift certificate for a home improvement store, local spa, dog walker or window washer. Minneapolis-based psychologist and HGTV.com contributor Dr. Bra Vada Garrett-Akinsaya suggests some inexpensive ways to offer a friendly hand to new families: u Make a picnic hamper. Include maps for local parks, disposable dishes and some outdoorsy snacks. u Make a kids' activity box. Include markers, puzzle books and juice boxes to keep children busy while parents unpack. u Make a neighborhood look book: a three-ring binder filled with neighbor contact info, trusted medical practitioners, recommended local businesses. u Make a kid's look book. Include photos, names, ages and contact info for neighborhood kids, and perhaps a calendar to add play dates. u Make magnets. On a craft store magnet, glue names and numbers of babysitters, yard services, and reliable handymen. u Offer to be a guide. Make a fun coupon good for a personal tour of the area. Should you bring over prepared food? Today we worry about allergies, religious restrictions and taste buds. While most people agree that the gesture's what counts, it's probably better to take something neutral rather than your famous tuna broccoli casserole. Nash suggests baked goods, fruits and vegetables, specialty coffees or teas. Some people favor a festively wrapped bottle of bubbly or good wine. New Yorkers Bob and Christina Agnew fondly recall the elderly next door neighbor who brought over a bottle of fine Scotch. "It was clearly her favorite, because she often stopped by to help us consume it!"

Getting the Most from Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulbs

Mark Bergman — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:38:00 GMT

I have heard that if you turn a light on and off frequently you shouldn't use a fluorescent bulb. Is this true of compact fluorescents?

Asked by Sherrie VandePutte
Ortonville, MI

Also, why do fluorescent bulbs buzz? Is there any way to avoid this?

Answer

Answered by David Bergman

New York, NY

David Bergman Architect

May 7, 2010

Fluorescent bulbs have two great advantages over their older cousins, incandescent bulbs: they use a lot less energy and they last a lot longer. The caveat on the latter, though, is that turning them on and off frequently will shorten their lives. You'll still get the energy savings, so no downside there, and they'll probably still last longer than an incandescent, but you might not get that optimal 8,000 or 10,000-hour usage (compared to 1,000 or so for an incandescent).

The rule of thumb is that, if a light is likely to be used regularly for less than 15 or 20 minutes at a time (for example, a closet light), it may not make sense from a bulb-life point of view to use fluorescent. Fluorescents do take a "jumpstart" burst of energy for a fraction of a second at startup, but it's not really significant. You will still gain the overall energy savings of 75% or so over incandescent bulbs.

Fluorescent buzz is pretty much an old-school problem. The previous generation of fluorescent bulbs used magnetic ballasts where the newer ones use electronic ballasts. On top of being more energy efficient, the electronic ballasts do not buzz. All Energy Star qualified CFLs use electronic ballasts. And fluorescent bulbs come in much better colors than the old-school ones did. So the excuses to say "I hate fluorescent lighting" are getting harder to come by.

For more information:

You should read David Bergman's Ask A Pro Q&A "Are there CFLs or other energy-saving lightbulbs that work on a dimmer-regulated light fixture?" for more lighting tips.

Far from the Adirondacks, a distorted view

Mark Bergman — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:58:00 GMT

Far from the Adirondacks, a distorted view By FREDERICK H. MONROE

First published: Sunday, April 25, 2010

It was startling to see the difficult economic conditions of the Adirondack Park described as prosperity in John Sheehan's April 11 Perspective article, as if our region is being seen from far away and through rose-colored glasses. It made me wonder if the Adirondack Council has ever really been able to see what life is like in our communities. Sheehan claims that the region has a better economy and quality of life than any other rural area of the state. He uses the Adirondack Park Regional Assessment Project Report as a basis. The report -- which was produced under the auspices of the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages and was a welcome look into life inside the Blue Line, warts and all -- said nothing of the kind. The prosperity the council cites must refer to inanimate parts of the Adirondacks. Residents and business owners -- whom the council does not represent -- would tell you another story, the one reflected in the report: Since 1950, U.S. population has increased nearly 100 percent and New York's by 31 percent. Adirondack Park population has increased by less than 25 percent. Fifty-four of the 103 Adirondack communities experienced a population decline from 2000-2006. Growth was primarily restricted to the southern and southeastern perimeters -- Saratoga County, the state's fastest growing county, and Warren County. Both are close to Interstate 87 and have amenities that most communities farther inside the Blue Line do not. Park residents' median age is just under 43 -- older than almost all other areas of the country and rising more rapidly than elsewhere. By 2020, only the west coast of Florida will be, on average, older. The reason? Young families are moving out, since there are few good jobs for them. Retirees are moving in. Seasonal unemployment in five of the park's 12 counties was more than 8 percent from 2001 to 2008 -- 50 percent more than the statewide average for the same period. School enrollments are decreasing by, on average, 329 students a year, the equivalent of losing an average size Adirondack school district every 19 months. Only seven park communities out of 103 have complete cell phone coverage. Thirty-five percent of survey respondents identified the lack of wireless and broadband as a negative influence in retaining or attracting businesses. The Adirondack Council's contention that residents are making gains in household incomes also paints over the truth. Any increase in average household income is made up primarily of homeowners -- many of them second homes -- in communities around Lake George, Lake Champlain and the Great Sacandaga Lake. The report's median household income chart shows about half of the towns and villages have average incomes lower than $45,000. By what standard would that be considered wealthy? On employment, the council really has it wrong. It touts the report's findings that government jobs account for more than 30 percent of employment in Hamilton, Essex, Lewis and Washington counties. Of course, public employees provide vital services -- keeping roads paved and clear of snow, preparing parks and other tourist areas, providing emergency services and running municipal governments. But public-sector employment does not lead to growth; it barely sustains communities. Without a robust private sector economy, where will the taxes come from to pay for public sector salaries and benefits? To have the growth that the Adirondack Council imagines is happening, we need investment from private businesses, large and small. We need infrastructure that is lacking throughout much of the Adirondacks -- except in the areas near the lakes mentioned above. A healthy economy requires a mix of public services and private businesses where the tax burden is shared widely. We who live here know better than to look through rose-colored glasses. Fred Monroe is executive director of the Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board, established by law to advise and assist the Adirondack Park Agency. He also is Chester town supervisor and chairman of the Warren County Board.

1 1/2 Story For Sale in Indian Lake

Mark Bergman — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:44:00 GMT

The American Dream on Sale

• 1,300 sq. ft., 1 bath, 3 bdrm 1 1/2 story "Handcrafted Log" - $180,000 USD - Priced Realistically!

Indian Lake, Hamilton County - The cabin is located on 2 private acres. It feels exceptionally private as it is accessed by a longer right of way driveway. It features a wood stove and furnace making this Adirondack hide-away a year 'round attraction! Nestled on a private, lily-covered pond and walking distance to Abanakee Lake the cabin boasts a full modern kitchen, washer and dryer, private guest bedroom, front porch for outside dining, gas BBQ, floral gardens, canoe and a large living room. The day that I visited to take photos, Hummingbirds fluttered past right past me to dine on the hanging flowers on the porch! The cabin is centrally located and only 20 minutes from Gore Mountain and a little over an hour to Lake Placid.
Located in the heart of the Adirondacks and features many activities for the outdoor enthusiast such as: hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, skiing, birdwatching, antiquing, white-water rafting and much more.
Master bedroom, loft and a private guest room located over the garage. Satellite TV and high speed internet allow one to stay connected while getting away from it all.
This home has an excellent rental history that should make it cash positive as an investment.

A recent renter testimonial:
My wife and I just stayed here for 4 nights in Sept. We will be talking about our stay there for a long time. I guarantee you will not be sorry if you stay here.

Dean has done a nice job with that cabin, he is very helpfull and there are lots of things to do, or not do. The cabin was rustic but had the conveniences we're used to, the pond was simply enjoyable with all it's frogs and birds, and we enjoyed the canoe on Abanakee lake. We saw a beautiful blue heron and came pretty close to a hawk. The area is just teeming with wild life.

You can't go wrong here and my wife and I hope we can stay there again.

Property information

Bergman Offers Mobile Search App

Mark Bergman — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 20:00:00 GMT

We're pleased to announce that we are the first (and only !) company in the region to offer our own mobile app enabling our clients to search the Warren County Multiple Listing Service from any SmartPhone. Many of us conduct business and communicate using our iPhone or Crackberry or Android (or fill in the name of your favorite phone!). Even living in a place with somewhat limited cellular coverage, I live by my iPhone so extending listing information to my clients was not a big leap. Some brokers have launched mobile friendly or mobile formatted websites. Even Realtor.com has a mobile friendly website and a mobile app, but all of these suffer from a speed issue. They search slowly because they rely on web access. The web app that my partner developer has produced for me is a dedicated app that pulls information from a high speed database with none of the web browser lag time. Searching is fast as the search or filtering begins as the user enters the search criteria. For example the number of bedrooms or the street name or the town name, etc.. If you're a buyer check it out today.

Vacation-home sales recovered in 2009 while investment sales fell sharply

Mark Bergman — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:58:00 GMT

Washington, March 31, 2010 (March 31, 2010) – Vacation-home sales recovered in 2009 while investment sales fell sharply, according to the National Association of Realtors®. NAR’s 2010 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey, covering existing- and new-home transactions in 2009, shows vacation-home sales rose 7.9 percent to 553,000 last year from 513,000 in 2008, while investment-home sales fell 15.9 percent to 940,000 in 2009 from 1.12 million in 2008. Primary residence sales rose 7.1 percent to 4.04 million in 2009 from 3.77 million in 2008. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said, “The typical vacation-home buyer is making a lifestyle choice, with nine out of 10 saying they intend to use the property for vacations or as a family retreat,” he said. “Investment buyers primarily seek rental income, with six in 10 planning to rent to others, although one in five wants a family member, friend or relative to use the home.” Only one in four vacation-home buyers plan to rent their properties to others, while one in five investment buyers plan to use their homes for vacations or as a family retreat. However, 26 percent of vacation-home buyers and 8 percent of investment buyers intend to use the property as a primary residence in the future. The market share of homes purchased for investment was 17 percent in 2009, down from 21 percent in 2008, while the vacation-home share rose a percentage point to 10 percent. The total share of second homes declined from 30 percent of sales in 2008 to 27 percent last year. “First-time buyers were at record levels in 2009 with fewer sales of second homes,” Yun said. The median transaction price of a vacation home was $169,000 in 2009, compared with $150,000 in 2008. “The higher vacation home price may reflect increased sales in higher priced markets, particularly in areas of Florida and California where prices became highly attractive for buyers over the past year,” Yun said. Half of vacation homes purchased last year were in the South, 21 percent in the West, 17 percent in the Midwest and 12 percent in the Northeast. Seven out of 10 were detached single-family homes. The median investment property sold for $105,000 last year, down 2.8 percent from $108,000 in 2008. There were more investment sales in the West in 2009, consistent with reports in California of a high share of all-cash purchases, notably in lower price ranges. The distribution of investment sales was fairly close to the distribution of population: 35 percent in the South, 25 percent in the West, 24 percent in the Midwest and 16 percent in the Northeast. There was a higher share of condos in investment sales: 27 percent of investment homes were condos vs. 21 percent of vacation homes. Similar to 2008, cash factored strongly in the second-home market: three out of 10 vacation-home buyers in 2009 paid cash for their properties, while half of investment buyers paid cash. Fairly similar ratios for each group indicated portfolio diversification or good investment opportunities were factors in the purchase decision. The typical vacation-home buyer in 2009 was 46 years old, had a median household income of $87,500, and purchased a property that was a median distance of 348 miles from their primary residence; 34 percent were within 100 miles and 40 percent were more than 500 miles. Investment-home buyers last year had a median age of 45, earned $87,200, and bought a home that was relatively close to their primary residence – a median distance of 24 miles. Roughly one in four investment buyers purchased more than one property in 2009. Three out of four second-home buyers were married couples. Demographically, the long-term demand for second homes looks favorable because large numbers of people are in the prime years for buying a second home. “Historically, people become interested in buying a second home in their mid 40s,” Yun said. “The large number of people who are now in their 30s and 40s will dominate the second-home market in the coming decade with a strong underlying demand, although sales in a given year will vary depending on the economy. Mortgage lending for second homes was extraordinarily tight in 2009 but it is likely to ease a bit in 2010.” Currently, 40.1 million people in the U.S. are ages 50-59 – a group that dominated sales in the first part of the past decade and established records for second-home sales. An additional 44.4 million people are now in the primary buying demographic of 40-49 years old, and another 40.6 million are 30-39. Buyers were more likely to purchase investment homes within a metropolitan area, while vacation homes were generally located in a rural area, small town or resort. Vacation-home buyers plan to keep their property for a median of 16 years while investment buyers plan to hold their property for a median of 12 years. NAR’s analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data shows there are 7.9 million vacation homes and 41.1 million investment units in the U.S., compared with 75.0 million owner-occupied homes. NAR’s 2010 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey, conducted in March 2009, includes answers from 1,930 usable responses. The survey controlled for age and income, based on information from the larger 2009 NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, to limit any biases in the characteristics of respondents. The 2010 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey can be ordered by calling 800-874-6500, or online at www.realtor.org/newresearch. The report is free for NAR members, but the cost is $125 for non-members. The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Guide to Home Buying Tax Credits

Mark Bergman — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:11:00 GMT

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Source: Fixr