As a Brooklyn homeowner, make New Year’s resolutions that save you money this year.
The start of a new year is the most popular time to make New Year’s resolutions. Do you make them? And what do resolutions have to do with homeownership?
What are New Year’s Resolutions?
First, let’s understand what New Year’s resolutions are.
They’re promises you make to yourself to better yourself in the new year. And depending on the kind of promise you make to yourself, they are quite often broken within the first three months of the new year.
The resolutions listed above are great for everybody to resolve to do. But if you’re a homeowner, you should add the following to your list.
Why? Because these save homeowners money. And they make the selling or buying process easier when the time to do so comes.
Shorten the term of your mortgage
Put extra money toward your mortgage every month. The more you pay in a shorter period of time, the less you pay in the long run.
For example, let’s say you have a $150,000 mortgage with a 30-year term at an interest rate of 5.5 percent. Your monthly mortgage payment (principal and interest) would be $852. Paying just an additional $71 each month would shorten that 30-year term by five years and one month. It would also cut the interest down by $30,789.
That’s amazing! Right?
Pay off a second mortgage
Pay off a second mortgage. Freedom from debt and interest is one of the greatest resolutions to keep. It takes a lot of discipline, but this is a challenge well worth the effort.
Choose to put an extra $100, $200 or $400 toward your home equity loan every month versus spending it on something else. The more consistent and disciplined you are to pay off a second mortgage, the better off you are.
If your second loan has a variable rate, it’s quite possible you could get socked with a painful payment increase if interest rates rise. And what if you’re not in a position to refinance that debt when that happens? Uh-oh or ouch!
Lock in a low, fixed rate
There are a couple of great reasons to refinance your home loan:
If the only thing you do in the new year is change a variable mortgage into a fixed mortgage, you’ve done yourself a huge favor financially. (Go back and read that last paragraph in resolution number 2). Even if you end up with a higher payment, a fixed rate will save you from an increase in your interest rate in the future.
Take a look at this scenario.
On a $200,000 mortgage with a 30-year term and a variable rate starting at 3.5 percent, your monthly principal and interest add up to $898. If you refinanced that loan with a fixed rate of 5 percent, your monthly principal and interest add up to $1,073, an additional $175 a month.
But what if the variable rate jumped way up to 7.5 percent? Your monthly principal and interest would now add up to $1,389 which is an additional $491 per month.
You can see the benefit of locking in the extra $175 in 2020, right?
It might be difficult, but paying an extra $491 in the future could be harder to accomplish than an extra $175 each month.
Challenge your property tax assessment
Has your home declined in value in recent years? If you answered, “Yes,” you might be able to save some money in 2020. Challenge your property tax assessment.
Review your property tax and request a hearing date within the required time if the assessed value is excessive. I will help you with comparable sales data for an appeal.
If your property values drop by 40 percent, your taxes should drop by 40 percent, too. The savings can be substantial, about $1,500 a year on average.
Earn a discount or lower quote on homeowners insurance
Major repairs or improvements that you made to your home this past year can earn you a discount or a lower quote on the new year’s coverage.
A new roof, updated electrical and plumbing, for examples, are preventive home maintenance which save you money. Insurers appreciate the money home maintenance saves you; therefore, they are usually willing to give you a discount or lower quote on your homeowners insurance.
Call your agent today and update your file with them. Find out whether or not you qualify for a discount or lower quote on your homeowners insurance policy. You’ll be very glad you did!
Take steps to improve your credit rating
Pay off debts and pay your bills on time. It strengthens your credit score. The higher your credit score, the more likely lenders are to lend you money at a lower interest rate and on more attractive terms.
Did you miss a few mortgage payments this year? Resolve to get and stay current as soon as possible.
Poor credit is not a forever thing. And the longer you remain current and on time with your bills after being late, the more your FICO score will improve. Lenders pay attention to current behavior. Older credit problems count for less with lenders.
Now You’re Ready to Save Money in 2020
New Year’s resolutions are great to make, especially when keeping them saves you money as a homeowner.
The best place to be for the best Christmas lights in Brooklyn is Dyker Heights!
Manhattan is known for its enormously
large Christmas tree, nostalgic ice skating rink, and giant decorations at the
Rockefeller Center. And Saks Fifth Avenue is a big hit every year with the light
show displayed on its façade. But Brooklyn lays claim to the massive, professionally-decorated
Christmas light displays of Dyker Heights since the 1980s. So, if you’re into
quaint and cozy Christmas experiences with fewer tourists, visit Dyker Heights,
Brooklyn. It is THE place to be for the best Christmas lights!
Ways to Tour Dyker Heights, Brooklyn for the Best Christmas Lights
Some of the best sights for Christmas lights are in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. And this year you can feast your eyes on Christmas light displays costing upwards of $20,000.
If you choose to navigate this Winter Wonderland on your own, visit freetoursbyfoot.com first. They tell you where the best lights are and how to arrive in the neighborhood. And they created a Google Map to help you navigate Dyker Heights, too. The map comes complete with a list of notable homes to gaze upon. So don’t forget to take your smartphone with you! It will help you tour Dyker Heights and enjoy your DIY tour to the fullest.
Freetoursbyfoot.com also offers guided
walking tours and two well-reviewed bus tours. Your tour guides show you all
the important light displays and share the history behind each one.
The guided walking tours cost $19/person and require reservations. Book your reservations and get all the details for guided walking tours here.
Bus tours always sell out early. So if this sounds like the way you want to tour Brooklyn’s best Christmas light displays, book your tour here asap! Heads up. The rates are $55.00 to $65.00 for adults. Children under 12 are $45.00 – $55.00.
When to Tour Dyker Heights, Brooklyn
The best displays are on the weekends
between 5 and 9pm. Dyker Heights lights start the weekend after Thanksgiving,
but most of their displays are up and running by mid-December.
Helpful Tips to Make Your Dyker Heights
Christmas Lights Tour Great!
Dyker Heights is a real neighborhood with real homeowners. Screaming, littering, ringing doorbells, and asking to use the bathroom are not permitted.
Many of the homeowners in Dyker Heights collect money for local charities. So bring $1 and $5 bills to contribute. Oh, and be on the lookout for hot cocoa stands to spend those dollar bills on as well.
Look for Santa at the Spata house and the 29-foot motorized wooden soldiers at the Polizzotto house. These two families were among the first to begin the Dyker Heights Christmas lights and decorations tradition in the 1980s. Yeah, they’re kinda special.
Be prepared to walk a lot. Wear your comfy shoes. Even if you are taking a guided bus tour, there are 15 to 20-minute walks you just can’t avoid without an Uber.
Since you’ll be out in the chilly air for a while, we recommend you dress warmly! Plan on buying hot drinks or bringing something hot to drink in a thermos, too.
You might want to take us up on another recommendation. Since the best time to tour the best Christmas lights in Brooklyn is from 5 to 9pm, why not stop at a local restaurant on 3rd, 4th, or 5th Street for a bite to eat?
There’s Something Extra-special About Christmas
in New York
Enjoying the best Christmas lights in Brooklyn is a must-see, but it isn’t the only Christmas activity to experience this year. Freetoursbyfoot.com published this post as a guide to things to do in NYC during Christmas. They’ve listed markets, Christmas trees, tours, and shows for you to check out.
Yes, Dyker Heights in Brooklyn is
truly a “must-see” for the best Christmas lights during the holidays. But quite
simply there’s just something extra-special about spending Christmas in New
York City.
Start practicing gratefulness every day to make a happier you and your home a happier place to be.
What are you thankful for today? Gratefulness is the key that opens the door to happiness. Science tells us so. You see, simple acts of kindness practiced daily make you more optimistic and less negative. So in light of Thanksgiving Day next week and a new year next month, here are five ways to practice gratitude every day to make you and your home a happier place all year.
Ways to Practice Gratitude Daily to Make You and Your Home a Happier Place
Make time to think about all that you’re thankful for daily. When gratitude is a priority and you recognize what and who you appreciate most every single day, it becomes second nature.
1. Start writing
Purchase a notebook and keep it with you wherever you go, in your home and when you leave the house. Then take a few minutes each day to write in it. Write down one or two things that you are thankful for. They can be events, circumstances, acts of kindness others have shown to you, notes of appreciation you have received, and so forth. Just write down whatever you’re grateful for.
Journaling allows you to look back and reflect on how much you have to be thankful for. Because let’s face it, we are so prone to forgetting the “little” things. And when times get rough, reading through your abundance journal (or whatever you name it) is immensely encouraging.
2. Verbalize your appreciation
Whenever anyone does something above and beyond or goes the extra mile, let them know you noticed. Then show your appreciation. Express your gratitude to them. Treat them with lunch or a visit to their favorite coffee shop.
Make it a point to interact with others as much as possible. We make time for those who are important to us. Do you remember the impact it had on you when someone took time out of their day to do something with you or for you?
3. Practice the Golden Rule
Treat others better than the way you want to be treated. And
give them the same level of courtesy you appreciate receiving. Respect others with
a smile, kindness, patience, and a listening ear.
Here are a few examples:
Offer to bring back coffee for someone in the
office when you make your daily coffee run
If you use the last paper towel on the roll,
replace it
When you make yourself something to eat, clean
up after yourself
If someone is running to the door to enter the
same building or elevator you are, hold the door for them
4. Focus on the positive
Negative things
happen, to us and others, often. That’s just the way it is when we are alive.
Lines get long. Kids get sick. Clients are sometimes difficult to work with.
And here in New York, you get cut off in traffic. But don’t complain or moan
about your challenges. Instead, choose to focus on the positive. Complaining
reinforces a negative state of mind, whether you complain out loud to someone
else or to yourself in your thoughts.
Next time something gets on your nerves, breathe deeply and choose to be grateful for something positive.
5. Volunteer in your community
Volunteering gives you positive things to focus on. It’s a great way to give back to the community while making you and your home happier, too. Yes, showing kindness and doing things for others does more for you than it does for those on the receiving end. Why? Because “It is better to give than to receive.”
Daily Gratitude is Key to Make You and Your Home a Happier Place to Be All Year
Practicing gratitude daily is key to make you and your home a happier place to be every day and in the year to come. And a happier you and a happier home are definitely something to be grateful for!
You know how nice it feels when someone shows you kindness or expresses gratitude to you. Be that person to someone else. Practice gratitude daily.
Choose to celebrate Halloween 2019 in Brooklyn, New York
From parades and petting zoos for the little ones to adult music, drinking, and “horrific” entertainment, you can celebrate Halloween 2019 in a variety of scary degrees. Brooklyn has already been celebrating Halloween since October 1st, but there are a few events that run into the first part of November. For a complete list of events to choose from, visit Halloween in Brooklyn.
Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk, 37 Riegelmann
Boardwalk, Brooklyn, NY
This free event is brought to you by The Alliance for Coney Island. The party starts at 11AM with games, bounce houses, face painting, live music and so much more!
Celebrate Halloween in Brooklyn Through
October 22nd
If your life has been a Halloween filter since September, then it’s time to nail down those plans and get your fill of frights and bewitching splendor as you head to The Annual Dancing Of The Dead Open Bar Halloween Party at starting at 6:00pm on Thursday, October 31, 2019, at Kimoto Rooftop Garden Lounge.
Treat yourself to this $29 Open Bar Ticket (a $54 value), dress to impress (or distress) to gain access to this garden of ghoulish delights at Brooklyn’s most breathtaking indoor/outdoor rooftop, offering panoramic views, bloodthirsty energy, and deep, dark pleasures.
Surrender your inhibitions to the seductive
natures of Hallows Eve with a free-flowing foray of endless cocktails, wines
and beers, all ready and waiting to encourage you to misbehave as you dance the
night away at one of the city’s most spirited, spooky parties.
Bask in eerie thrills and the epic views, waking
the dead with the sounds of an incredible night spend amidst the stars…
Your $29 Open Bar Ticket (a $54 Value)
Includes:
Admission to Dancing Of The Dead Halloween Party from 6:00PM until 1:00AM on Thursday, October 31, 2019
2-Hour Open Bar Serving Cocktails, Wines, and Beers from 6:00PM until 8:00PM
New York City’s beauty will be on full display
for you to enjoy at a thrilling affair teeming with horror thanks to the
sea-faring-experts at Empire Cruises, whose accessible and majestic fleet has
been gracing the New York harbor for almost 10 years.
Climb aboard if you dare, entering a ghoulish
bacchanal on the Timeless yacht, which can hold upwards of 550 passengers and
boasts three levels of spacious indoor decks as well as a massive outdoor deck
perfect for fresh air selfies and shots of the many jaw-dropping views you’ll
see on this epic cruise.
A bevy of full-sized bars will serve up
delectable, thirst-quenching libations, so whether you crave beers, wines, or
cocktails (just to name a few), your thirsty cries and howls at the moon will
be answered.
Tasty fare for purchase is ready for when hunger
strikes, plus glamorous amenities like a high-tech sound system so the jams
played by a live DJ will flow throughout the vessel.
Beware, good times lie waiting on the water…
Your $29 Ticket (a $54 Value) Includes:
Admission To A Premium Open Bar Halloween Party Booze Cruise Around NYC on The Timeless on Saturday, October 26, 2019, from 8:00PM until 10:30PM.
2 Hour Premium Open Bar from 8:30pm until 10:30pm.
Spectacular photo opportunities of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Brooklyn Bridge & more!
Come for a dismantling Halloween party at
Amarachi lounge under the bridge. On Friday, October 25th, the massive
bar, and lounge beckon NYC partiers to a live DJ-led dance party in its
Halloween den of vice. To celebrate Halloween with additional prestige,
indulge in VIP packages for reserved seating and bottle service. Zombies,
vampires, and ghouls alike will delight in the frightful festivities at this
hair-raising Halloween party in NYC.
Join Beyond and Industry City for the third
annual Kids’ Halloween Parade + Trick-or-Treat Scavenger Hunt! Including fun
activities like mural painting and a pumpkin patch, come in costume for an
evening to remember.
Come have a BOO-tastic day at Green Meadows Farm! Your
little ghouls and goblins get to dress in their costumes and explore a
kid-friendly haunted house! They’ll enjoy petting lots of furry farm pets —
alpacas, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, pigs, and cows. Plus, there
is a new event on November 2 & 3 — Pumpkin Smashing! Come belly laugh the
day away.
Hosted by Luna Park NYC, 1000 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Halloween Harvest returns, magic shows, stilt walkers, trick-or-treating and more! All activities are included in any day Luna Pass. Tickets available at lunaparknyc.com.
Mark your calendars for The Dodo’s Best Dog Day Ever: Halloween Edition! This dog-friendly event will be held from 10AM to 7:30PM on Oct 4, 2019, to Oct 27, 2019, at 25 Kent in Brooklyn, NY.
BringFido out to the most perfectly spooky fall day with unforgettable experiences, extreme photo ops, and of course, very special treats, and tailor-made activities for him/her.
Dress your pup in costume so he/she can make an appearance in the epic parade! Discover a pumpkin patch just for pups, Dyson’s Transformation Lab where you get hands-on with Dyson technology while your dogs enjoy complimentary, mess-free makeovers with Dyson engineered tools, the ultimate trick-or-treat shoppe (with dog-friendly ice cream!), a happy AND haunted house packed with adorable rescue pups, Target’s Costume Cam and so much more.
Best Dog Day Ever is designed to make your dogs as happy as they make you.
Sponsored by Dyson and Target. Admission is
varied.
Aviator Sports & Events Center, 3159 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
MOST VISITED PUMPKIN PATCH IN BROOKLYN, NY IS AT GREEN MEADOWS FARM!
Green Meadows Farm Pumpkin Picking on October 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 19 & 20 Bring your family and friends and enjoy a crisp autumn day of fall fun. Visit with friendly alpacas, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, pigs and cows, giggle on a hayride, and pick your own perfect pumpkin. You’ll find your special Halloween pumpkin in the pumpkin patch with sizes large and little, tall, and small. (FREE PUMPKINS with paid admission)
Time: 11:00AM – 5:00 PM Admission: $9 per person
Admission Includes: – FREE PUMPKIN – Kid-friendly Haunted House – Visit with Friendly Animals – Enjoy a Hayride – Milk a Cow – Play in our Corn Box – Sit on a Real Bulldozer – Try the Giant Hay-wagon Slide – Bunny Barn – Barnyard Playground
Absurd Conclave, 360 Jefferson Street, Brooklyn,
NY
Halloween will never be the same! Following the successes of events like HEATWAVE and Rage Against The Grades, this will be the biggest rager October 31st has ever seen. This event features sounds by the best DJs in the city, a costume contest, exclusive one-time-only merch, special guests, and all the spooky vibes and high energy you can handle. Don’t miss out! This night only comes once a year. See you there!
Enter the Walk of Fear if you dare. This Haunted House pop up at The Springs (224 Franklin Street) in Greenpoint will be open from October 4th – October 31st from 6PM – 11PM on Sunday – Thursday and 6PM – 12AM Friday and Saturday.
Starting on Oct 27th – Every Tuesday night at 9PM, four terrifying rooms to wander and test how much horror you can take in addition to Trivia
Oct 25-26 – Costume Dance Party starting at 10PM as well as a new fall cocktail menu
Admission: Purchase of one drink for adults and
$5 for children. For more information, visit thesprings-bk.com.
Brooklyn Plantology by Lapide, 26 Brooklyn
Terminal Market, Brooklyn, NY
From Newyorkhauntedhouses.com: It’s
beginning to look a lot like Halloween and Fall here at Brooklyn Plantology!!
Come see Brooklyn Plantology for all your fall decorating needs.
Brooklyn Plantology by Lapide – The area’s
largest selection of retail and wholesale garden supplies family operated for
65 years in the historic Brooklyn Terminal Market.
They offer seasonal classes, event space, workshops, garden design and drafting services as well as organic and conventional products and materials. They deliver too!
Come join our flash dance mob and have fun with Jojo Seven Entertainment and dance the night away on Halloween night, Thursday, October 31st in Brooklyn, NY (Secret Location – You must register to find out the location). Three rehearsals for our FLASH MOB PERFORMANCE ARE LEFT. These classes will be held at Spoke the Hub (upstairs) at 748 Union Street from 3PM to 4PM every Sunday this month.
All ages are welcome! The event will be
televised!! Inbox for rates, discounts, and group prices.
Be prepared. Stay warm. Be safe. Here’s what you can do if winter weather causes a power outage at home.
Spring arrives this month. Aren’t you glad? But it’s still very likely that extremely cold temperatures and severe winter storms will hit us between now and April 30th. Are you prepared to stay warm if the power goes out during a winter storm? Planning ahead is always your best option when it comes to an emergency situation. And here are some great ways to prepare ahead of time and be safe.
Invest in a Home Generator to Stay Warm
A generator is the best way to be prepared to make sure you stay warm in an emergency situation. But there are guidelines for using a generator safely.
Install a Woodstove
A woodstove with a bountiful supply of wood to use as fuel will keep you warm, provide light, and cook your food. There are such things as portable wood stoves that you can set up in your home in an emergency. But they take time to set up. You must set up a portable wood stove by a window and build a pipe chimney. Smoke from the burning wood has to be channeled outside.
Purchase Reliable Sources of Heat Beforehand
Kerosene Heater – Kerosene is a traditional fuel suitable for emergency heating.
However, they must be used with caution
indoors.
Candle Heater
– Yes, you should have emergency candles and matches on hand for power outages
to use as a source of light. But candles are not a very good source of heat
since they don’t produce a lot of it. In spite of the fire hazard candles can
be, you can build
a candle heater for some heat and light when the power goes out.
Catalytic Heater – Catalytic heaters today are very efficient and safe to use in enclosed spaces. It’s still safest to use them near an open window. Typically, these heaters use propane to help you stay warm and require proper maintenance.
Soapstone Heater – Soapstone is a magnesium silicate that has amazing heat-retention properties. Store a soapstone block next to your stove or heater, and it will radiate heat for hours without the danger of fire.
Dress Warmly to Stay Warm
Did you know it’s more efficient to heat the body than trying to heat a room? When the power goes out, dress in warm layers and wrap up in blankets. Natural down fill works very well to keep you warm. And you can put chemical hand warmers in your pockets to help you stay warm, too.
Designate a Warm Room
A warm room is large enough for everyone to gather and set up mattresses if necessary. When the power goes out, send everyone into the warm room. Cover vents, windows, and doors with blankets. Set up your heat source(s). Don’t forget to bring some games, snacks, and water to drink into the warm room with you.
Cost-effective – less expensive than traditional cooking and warming fuel. Lasts twice as long as a single can of Sterno cooking fuel
Environmentally-friendly – made in the USA with only all-natural, organic and non-hazardous materials. Easily biodegradable. Produces fewer carbon emissions
Reusable/Refillable: BioFuel cans can be reused and refilled
Great for home, camping, catering, and emergencies
Unlimited Shelf Life
And canned heat is
the perfect addition to a car emergency kit if you were ever stranded in
blizzard conditions on the road.
Prepare to Stay Warm and Be Safe
Stay warm and be safe if your electricity goes out this winter. A working wood, gas, or pellet stove is best for heating and cooking in emergency situations. But if there is no such stove in your home, be prepared with other safe ways to stay warm until the power is restored.
And, always make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.
Now is the best time of the year to sell your home thanks to some really great reasons that only the month of December provides.
Is now a good time to be selling a home? When it comes to selling your home, there’s no time like Christmas! It’s true there are fewer buyers looking for a home at this time of the year. But the pros definitely outweigh the cons. So don’t let the holidays keep you from taking advantage of selling your home now. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Why Christmas is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year to Sell Your Home
Staging is Simple
Thanks to holiday decorating, you can get by with minimal staging. However, decorate with a light hand.
Buyers are Serious
Buyers at this time of the year are serious about getting into a home. Honestly, there are serious buyers out there at all times of the year. But in December, the tire kickers are eliminated. They’re less likely to waste time viewing anything that doesn’t have what they want and need in a home. What makes many of them serious about finding a home in December?
They may have sold their homes in the fall
A job relocation before the new year arrives may be their current situation
Families with school children may want to get moved and settled a bit during Christmas break
Closings Happen Quickly
Since there are fewer transactions being processed at this time of the year, closings happen more quickly. Home inspectors have fewer inspections to do. Mortgage lenders have fewer loans to process. And attorneys have fewer closings to handle. That’s a whole lotta stress taken outta the picture, too!
Competition Isn’t Fierce
And fewer homes listed at this time of the year is to your advantage. With fewer homes on the market, your home stands a much better chance of selling. Once the holidays are over, more For Sale signs start appearing. And that brings the chances of your home being seen and purchased after January 1 way down.
Are you thinking about selling your home or waiting to list it in the spring? Now is the most wonderful time of the year, and for good reason. If your home has been on the market for a few months, take this time to reassess your strategy for getting your property sold. But don’t give waiting until spring to sell your home another thought. And don’t worry about your kids’ messy playroom or all those dirty dishes you used making holiday goodies. Enjoy the most wonderful time of the year and the serious buyers who want to see and buy your house as is in December.
