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…
Tag: service
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…
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…
Helpful Tips for Purchasing the Perfect Vacation Home for Retirement
Making the leap and purchasing a vacation home is an exciting experience. It means you can visit your favorite travel destination without paying for impersonal hotels or booking accommodation months in advance. But before you settle on your dream home, make sure that it meets the needs of your family and fits your budget. Avoid Common Mistakes People who purchase a vacation home on a whim are likely to make a few mistakes. According to MarketWatch, people often put too…
What You Need to Know About the L-Train Shut Down & How It Will Affect You
Are You Ready? The temporary shut down of one of New York City’s most-used trains has been creeping up on commuters for over a year now, but it’s official date of shut down is no longer too far out of reach. According to AM New York, the MTA announced the 15-month long shutdown of the L-train will begin on April 27, 2019. A mere 4 months from now. Hurricane Sandy Although, it is not the entire L-train that will be…
The Truth About NYC Commutes
Commuting to work is pretty much a nightmare. There’s no way around it. Whether by car, bus, or subway, the time and aggravation of getting between home and work can be a real trial. Here we lay out both nightmare and dream commuting scenarios. The Nightmare There are some particularly egregious commutes, pretty much anything on the 4 or 5 lines, and if you live in a transportation desert, you can expect to walk 15 minutes or more to a mass…
Why maintenance charges always go up and service doesn’t
Like death and taxes, maintenance fee increases are one of the sure things in life A New York City co-op owner recently said writing a maintenance check was like going to the dentist. It’s always painful but can’t be avoided. Maintenance fees, unlike most mortgage payments, which are fixed and do not increase over the period of the loan, almost always increase from year to year. This wouldn’t be so bad if service improved – better heating system, 24-hour doormen,…