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Parade of Homes of Central New York
If you thinking about buying a new home, are a seller of a current home, or just want to get some home design ideas, or even talk to a builder or other home professional than Parade of Homes of Central New York is just the place you should be. It will allow you to browse newly built homes, get design tips and possibly even selling ideas, and allow you to see what you might like in your next home in the future.
This year’s 15th parade of homes will be back at the first parade of homes site in 1992. It will be at Brittany Hills, Town of Onondaga. It will feature eight different homes with seven different distinguished builders from the Central of New York. This will allow you to see the newest designs, decorating and building techniques including energy-saving techniques. Also, furniture, rugs, and other items are available for sale in each of the homes, so do not forget your checkbook in case you see something you like (http://hbrcny.com/index.html).
The event starts up this coming weekend and ends September 27th, so you won’t want to miss it. Admission for adults is ten dollars and the hours are Monday thru Saturday from 1pm-8pm and Sunday from 1pm-6pm. There are also some online coupons available and directions to this year’s Parade of Homes.
This is an exciting event especially if you are a first time buyer looking for some ideas or even if you are planning on buying a new home and want more ideas and possible design tips. This may also be a good way for sellers to see what buyers like so they know how to best promote their homes. So, it is fun for everyone. So, put off that weekend cleaning and shopping and head to the Parade of Homes of Central New York. You will be glad you did.
Number of Views :155Enjoying Central New York Produce
Central New York State is a great place to own a home for many reasons. One of those reasons is the abundance of fruit and vegetables that grow in the area. There are dozens of fruits and vegetables that grow locally. From early spring until late autumn, there are always several fruits and vegetables in season. The growing season starts in the beginning of June with strawberries, lettuces and spinach, and ends in late October with pumpkins and squash. This means that, whether you are a gardener yourself or even just someone who enjoys the eating the freshest produce possible, central New York has you covered.
Vegetables make up most of the produce grown in Central New York. Sweet corn, pumpkins, beans, and peas are some of the most popular selections, but they are far from being the only options for local gardeners. New Yorkers can grow everything from asparagus to zucchini, including potatoes, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, beets, brussel sprouts, eggplants, and onions. Tomatoes, squash and garlic also grow well in the fertile New York soil.
New York is known for its apples. In fact, it is one of by largest US suppliers of apples, cider, and apple products. But it is also a great place to grow fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe and grapes. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries also thrive locally. Grapes, both table grapes and wine grapes, are successfully grown in the area. Wine varieties of grapes do so well, in fact, that New York is home to wineries known throughout the United States, and the rest of the world, for their quality.
New York can even grow fruit that has traditionally only been grown in warmer regions. Some people, for example, are surprised to know that there are several varieties of peaches, plums, apricots, and even kiwi fruit that thrive in Central New York. Multiple types of cherries grow locally; even paw paws and currants can be grown in backyard gardens.
Although not as popular, many types of nut trees can be grown locally. Several varieties of walnuts do well in Central NY, including white, Persian, and black walnuts. Filberts, or Hazelnuts, can also be grown. And for those who love a traditional pecan pie? With a little planning, even pecan trees grow in New York.
Even with the sometimes erratic weather here in central New York, it is still one of the best areas in the country for planting a garden or small orchard. The soil is mostly fertile, and there is almost always adequate rain fall. For more information about local varieties of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, visit the Cornell University gardening resource.
And for those of you who don’t garden, but still enjoy fresh produce— Check out the New York State Farmer’s Market website for a list of local farmer’s markets, along with their days and hours of operation.
Number of Views :57Becoming a Habitat for Humanity Homeowner
Many people have heard of Habitat for Humanity, but many people do not know exactly what the organization does or how becoming a homeowner for these homes actually works. The homes are not just given to the homeless, nor are they exactly free. If you are first time home buyer, you may want to look into the program as it may be a good idea for you and your family’s first home. Here are some tips on being a habitat for Humanity Homeowner to help make the process easier for everyone involved.
Ask your real estate agent for advice
Real estate agents have experience with selling property and they probably know useful information about programs like these. They could help you figure out if this program may be a good option for you.
Applicants still have to go through a screening process for this program
This means that applications still need to meet certain qualifications such as low income guidelines, approval requirements, five hundred hours of sweat (working) equity, and pay mortgages, taxes, and insurance on the home.
This program is not government funded
Habitat for Humanity gets funds and help from the community, corporations, grants, and other organization donations
Mortgages are based on 30 percent of a home owner’s net income
Other conditions to becoming a homeowner include working on other homes first, maybe waiting up to five years to own a home, and they cannot be immediately resold for profits.
Donation of time and or money is required
Donating up to at least five hundred hours in building as well as supplies or money is a requirement to becoming a possible homeowner.
If you are first time buyer and do not have much income and would like to help out your community while helping out you and your family, then becoming a Habitat for Humanity homeowner may be just right for you. It may take time, but once it’s all finished and you can live in your new home, you will be proud of the work you did for yourself and your family for years into the future.
Number of Views :46LaFayette considers bringing public water to more parts of town
LaFayette officials are pitching a plan to bring public water to a good chunk of the town, including the hamlet, but the water won’t flow without approval from residents of the proposed district.
The town will hold a public meeting on the proposal from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the large group instruction room at the LaFayette Junior-Senior High School.
The proposed gravity fed system would provide water from the Onondaga County Water Authority and cost a projected $5.9 million, town Councilor Bill McConnell said.
The town board is working to secure government grants, including federal economic stimulus money, to help cut the cost to property owners in the proposed water district. They will be assessed for the cost, if they vote for water. McConnell thinks the town has a good chance at getting at least $1 million in grant money for the project.
The district would lie roughly between Sentinel Heights Road and Route 11 from the town line south to the community health center on Route 11 just past Route 20; east on Route 20 to the railroad bridge’ west on Route 20 to the McDonald’s restaurant, plus the area between Route 11 and Sentinel Heights Road, according Dunn & Sgromo Engineers, hired by the town to work on the project.
In McConnell’s estimation, public water would bring multiple benefits. For one, he said, it would allow for fire hydrants in the district, which could mean a better fire insurance rating for the entire town. That could mean lower insurance costs for property owners. The town’s fire insurance rating recently tumbled.
Now, wells potentially can be contaminated by septic systems on relatively small lots and public water would eliminate that risk, McConnell said. Quality of water would improve, dried up wells in the summer would no longer be a problem and people would no longer have to pay to regularly have their water tested, he said.
The water authority would limit the amount of water for the district to 300,000 gallons a day, which would in turn limit development in the district, McConnell said.
“The issue becomes quality of life issues, not growth issues,” he said.
The town looked at the potential for public water in the area back in 1992, said Peter Grevelding, a LaFayette resident was on the planning board back then. He is also an engineer and proposed a gravity fed system at the time, but the district never happened, Grevelding said.
He does not live in the proposed water district but said he wishes he did. He’s on his third well and has spent some $20,000 over 30 years to keep good water flowing at his house, he said.
“If I had water I’d hook up in a heartbeat,” Grevelding said.
This time around, the town has been studying the issue for about five years, hired Dunn & Sgromo and studied several options. The best and most affordable is the gravity fed system, McConnell said.
Source: syracuse.com, Maureen Nolan
Number of Views :54House Hunters wants to come to Syracuse
The HGTV show, “House Hunters,” which follows buyers along their search for a new home, is itching to come Upstate, said Jonathan Snyder, a rep from the show. The show contacted The Post-Standard Home and Real Estate section this week, asking if we could get the word out to people looking to buy a house. The Syracuse market, with it’s affordable housing, would make the perfect backdrop for a show, Snyder said. The show’s producers have wanted to film in Syracuse for a while now, he added. The show wants candidates who are closing within the next two months, including buyers who are actively bidding or newly under contract. The candidates must be fun, enthusiastic and have a story to tell.
The show airs on HGTV weeknights at 9 p.m.
To apply, contact Christy Kruzick, Associate Producer at(303)712-3214 or CKruzick@highnoonentertainment.com.
Source: Syracuse.com, Pam L.
Number of Views :149