Helpful COVID-19 resources for you

Creating an Office for Your Home-Based Business

Image via Pexels There are plenty of benefits of working from home: your commute disappears, you can work in your pajamas if you want to, and the hours are far more flexible than if you were in an office building. However, one major drawback for some home-based business owners is lacking a dedicated office space. If you don’t have space in your home for an office, make it a priority so you can be more productive and successful as a…

Renters Insurance, do I need it?

In order to make the decision on whether to get a renters insurance policy, it is important to know what’s covered, the three types of coverages typically available, and what to watch out for when purchasing your own policy. Please note that each insurance company has different exclusions and coverage limits. Problems and frustrations can arise down the road if you don’t fully understand what’s included and excluded in your policy.  There are three essential types of coverage: 1) Personal…

Summer Begins with 45 Miles of Open Streets New York

13 more miles of open streets, bringing the total across the boroughs to 45 miles and exceeding his goal of opening 40 miles by the end of May. After stating that this is the largest amount of protected streets in the nation, he assured New Yorkers that “it won’t stop there.” When the mayor first announced the program, he committed to opening 100 miles of streets throughout the pandemic. The latest batch will open tomorrow and includes tons of park-adjacent streets across Queens…

U.S. Orders Up To A Yearlong Break On Mortgage Payments

Homeowners who have lost income or their jobs because of the coronavirus outbreak are getting some relief. Depending on their situation, they should be eligible to have their mortgage payments reduced or suspended for up to 12 months. Federal regulators, through the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, are ordering lenders to offer homeowners flexibility. The move covers about half of all home loans in the U.S. — those guaranteed by Fannie and Freddie. But regulators expect that the entire mortgage industry will quickly…

One Click Away From NYC Rent Stabilized Apartments

One Click Away From NYC Rent Stabilized Apartments Quick Recap On NYC Rent Stabilized Apartments When the lease for a NYC rent stabilized apartment is up, the rental increase is regulated and you are guaranteed to get a renewal lease.  After the initial approval of the application, the landlord of the apartment is basically stuck with you forever because they have no recourse in getting you out of the apartment barring some illegal activity or lack of payment that would void…

Easy Ways to Improve Your Home’s Value Through Curb Appeal

If you’re preparing your home for sale, it’s important to address not only the inside but the outside as well. A buyer’s first impression of your home should be welcoming and encourage them to enter the house and see themselves living there. This article will discuss some of the ways you can maximize your home’s value by working on its curb appeal.    Take a Tough Look at Your House’s Exterior   You may have many emotional attachments to your…

The New Rent Laws: What You Need To Know (For Now) by Jessica Feder-Birnbaum

The new rent laws that went into affect in June 2019 have been overhauled to protect tenants. Landlords and management companies are scrambling to be law abiding and stay profitable. As with any new system, there’s a learning curve. Landlord feedback is that the laws skew too highly in favor of tenants. How pushback will alter these policies remains to be seen. Whether you’re a rent stabilized or market rate tenant, read on to see what these changes are and…

Get the Most out of Selling Your Home with These Terrific Tips

If you’re like most homeowners, your house is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make.  With that in mind, when it’s time to sell you want to maximize your home’s sale price. By enlisting the help of some pros and turning your smartphone into your personal, pocket-sized assistant, you can stay on top of everything it takes to help your home sell.  Declutter.  A cluttered home can appear to lack space and organization.  Also, having your belongings around can…

Easy Tips to Upgrading Your Home on a Budget

  Are you proud of your home lately? Do you consider improving but stop because the process is expensive? Well, everyone needs change, and sometimes we stop for fearing failure. However, you can change your home appearance on budget. Rather than hiring someone to improve your home, do it yourself to save on labor cost. Below are some amazing tips on how to inexpensively enhance the appearance of your home. The Home Exterior The areas surrounding your house should be…

DIY Tips for People Who Dread Decluttering

Do you love the idea of cutting your clutter, but you’re dragging your feet on doing it? Sometimes, it can seem like a big job without a lot of benefits, but paring down can mean feeling better in addition to being more organized. Here’s how to turn this daunting task into a simple, fun, and effective lifestyle change. Healthier and Happier When considering the benefits of decluttering, one of the first things you probably think about is a tidier home.…