Quote Time...

Be true to your work, your word, and your friend.



- Henry David Thoreau

Condo or Not?

Hey Everyone,

        If you are considering a move right now one possible destination could be a condo or town house. These units tend to offer a more affordable choice in many markets along with offering a maintenance free lifestyle. BUT WAIT! There are a few aspects of condos and town houses that should be considered before you start the hunt; they include:

• Condo rules. Although you have a vote, the rules of the condo association can affect your ability to use your property. For example, some condos prohibit home-based businesses. Others prohibit pets, or don’t allow owners to rent out their units. Read the covenants, restrictions, and bylaws of the condo carefully before you make an offer
• Amenities. Many condo properties have swimming pools, fitness centers, and other facilities that would be very expensive in a single-family home
• Maintenance. Many condos have onsite maintenance personnel to care for common areas, do repairs in your unit, and let in workers when you’re not home — good news if you like to travel
• Neighbors. You’re much closer to your neighbors in a condo or town home. If possible, try to meet your closest prospective neighbors
• Security. Keyed entries and even doormen are common in many condos. You’re also closer to other people in case of an emergency.
• Outdoor space. Yards and outdoor areas are usually smaller in condos, so if you like to garden or entertain outdoors, this may not be a good fit. However, if you dread yard work, this may be the perfect option for you
• Storage. Some condos have storage lockers, but usually there are no attics or basements to hold extra belongings
• Reserve funds and association fees. Although fees generally help pay for amenities and provide savings for future repairs, you will have to pay the fees decided by the condo board, whether or not you’re interested in the amenity.
• Resale. The ease of selling your unit may be dependent on what else is for sale in your building, since units are usually fairly similar.       

Depending on what type of person you are and what your criteria is for a new home this could be a very smart and comfortable choice for you and your family. I personally lived in a condo growing up and I really enjoyed where I lived. The biggest thing to consider in my opinion is the community that you are getting into and the type of people you will be surrounded with. I strongly recommend visiting the neighbors surrounding the property being considered, say hi, and see what they're like.

ENJOY THE WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!

{New Home Wish List}

Robert Gasko

Century 21: Van Syckel~Golden Post

Your Property Wish List

--- Hey Everyone,

                 Here is a list for you to go through in order to help narrow down the list of homes to choose from. Do you know what your dream home is? This will help you find it!

□        Neighborhoods

What neighborhoods do you prefer?

□        Schools

What school systems do you want to be near?

□        Transportation

How close must the home be to these amenities:

·       Public transportation                   

·       Airport

·       Expressway

·       Neighborhood shopping

·       Schools

·       Other

□        Home Style

·       What architectural style(s) of homes do you prefer?

·       Do you want to buy a home, condominium, or townhome?

·       Would you like a one-story or two-story home?

·       How many bedrooms must your new home have?

·       How many bathrooms must your new home have?

□        Home Condition

·       Do you prefer a new home or an existing home?

·       If you’re looking for an existing home, how old of a home would you consider?

·       How much repair or renovation would you be willing to do?

·       Do you have special needs that your home must meet?

□        Home Features 

Please circle one of the choices: Must Have, Would Like, Willing to Compromise, Not Important 

Front yard                    Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important                  

Back yard                     Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important 

Garage ( __ cars)           Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important 

Patio/Deck                    Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important 

Pool                             Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important 

Family room                 Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important 

Formal living room       Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important 

Formal dining room     Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important 

Eat-in kitchen               Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important 

Laundry room              Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important    

Finished basement       Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important 

Attic                              Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important 

Fireplace                      Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important 

Spa in bath                   Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important 

Air conditioning           Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important 

Wall-to-wall carpet        Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important 

Wood floors                 Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important 

Great view                    Must Have         Would Like         Willing to Compromise     Not Important

□        Other notes:

Pay It Forward...

Today on my way to work I was tailgated almost the whole way and when i stopped at a convenience store the person that was walking out when I was walking in almost ran into me and let the door slam shut in my face. These things can get frustrating and it put me in a bad mood for the work day and I know I am only one person but I would like to have an impact if I can. I'm not perfect by any measure but I make it a point to do at least one good gesture for someone else every day; whether it is holding a door open or picking up something that someone has dropped, or just stopping to give someone a break while driving. I would like to try and see if I can make this practice spread so that we can start interacting better with each other. It's a good feeling to wait a couple seconds to hold a door open for someone and then get a friendly smile and a "thank you". Everyone is in such a rush all the time that they don't want to take the extra second to do something nice. One nice thing goes a long way like a waterfall effect and its easy to do so let's go out and simply PAY IT FORWARD....it can't hurt, right?

What Are The Benefits of Owning A Home?

Hey Everyone,
     I hope the day is going well! The Real Estate Market is really picking up and the amazing opportunity people have been waiting for to buy a house is NOW! Conditions could not be better for buying a home and if moving is in the plans I would recommend acting on it ASAP. If you are currently renting or in the process of searching for your first dwelling there are a few ideas I would like you to consider. Home ownership is ideal right now because of the very low home prices and the extremely low mortgage rates available; however, those are not the only positive aspects for owning a home right now. Some things to consider:

TAX BREAKS --> Were you aware that the United States tax code allows you to deduct the interest on your mortgage. Also you can deduct property taxes and some of the costs involved in the purchase of a home.

INVESTMENT --> Home prices are very low but we seem to have reached the bottom, therefore the prices will begin to climb and the home that you could potentially be buying now will be earning you money along with giving you a cozy place to live. The number of homes in the US is expected to rise 15% over the next 10 years developing continued high demand for houses.

Equity --> Once you pay a rent check the money is gone and it has no long term benefit. With each mortgage payment you are gaining equity ownership interest in your home; the money is not wasted.

Stability --> Owning a home and staying put in one area for an extended period of time lets your family become an established part of the community, helps establish long term friendships, and gives your children the ability of educational continuity.


These are just some of the extra benefits of home ownership. I hope the post was useful!

SUGGESTIONS?

I am open to any suggestions that anyone may have for a post topic. If there is anything you would like to know about specifically please do not hesitate to let me know and I will get the information for you.

Quote Time...

This is more a poem than a quote but I feel its a good one to share, ENJOY!

Don't Quit

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow,
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Edgar A. Guest

Mortgage Information! Checklist!

Hey Everyone,

     This is just a checklist I have that I wanted to share with you to help with the mortgage process, I hope it is useful!

Robert Gasko                                                  

CENTURY 21:  Van Syckel ~ Golden Post 

Lender Checklist: What You Need for a Mortgage

□        W-2 forms — or business tax return forms if you're self-employed — for the last two or three years for every

person signing the loan.

□        Copies of at least one pay stub for each person signing the loan.

□        Account numbers of all your credit cards and the amounts for any outstanding balances.

□        Copies of two to four months of bank or credit union statements for both checking and savings

accounts.

□        Lender, loan number, and amount owed on other installment loans, such as student loans and

car loans.

□        Addresses where you’ve lived for the last five to seven years, with names of landlords if

appropriate.

□        Copies of brokerage account statements for two to four months, as well as a list of any other major assets of

value, such as a boat, RV, or stocks or bonds not held in a brokerage account.

□        Copies of your most recent 401(k) or other retirement account statement.

□        Documentation to verify additional income, such as child support or a pension.

□        Copies of personal tax forms for the last two to three years.