Highly prized, beautifully maintained Albany Model features hardwood floors throughout, pristine custom kitchen with panel-matched appliances, under-mount sink, inviting living/dining room for great entertaining, 2 bedrooms, spacious bath with dual under-mount sinks, oversized vanity, convenient powder room, lower level with its’ many built-ins is perfect for 3^rd bedroom, home office-media room, lots of recessed lighting, 2 car parking. Charming waterfront community offers 2 pools, free shuttle to and from the ferry, convenient to light rail, NYC bus right at the entrance-Priced to sell, and sure to please!

floor plan

John Ulzheimer, president of Consumer Education at SmartCredit.com, the credit blogger for Mint.com, is an expert on credit reporting, credit scoring and identity theft.

Formerly with FICO, Equifax and Credit.com, Ulzheimer is a rare editorial source -- a recognized credit expert who actually comes from the credit industry.

He often references in his writings the "Seven FICO Deadlies," credit score deflating actions, but only recently identified them in one consolidated list.

Your credit score, from about 350 (poor) to 800 (excellent) is a numerical rendition of your credit report. The higher your score, the more likely you'll get approved for credit and the more likely you'll get the best rate and terms. Negative actions posted to your credit report, take a bite out of your credit score.

Here's what Ulzheimer says are the seven worst things you can do to your credit score. And speaking of "seven," that's how many years these black marks can stay on your credit report.

As any daredevil, extreme sports addict or adrenaline junkie knows, well-grounded preparation for the specific task at hand is what takes the fear out of trying.

Those who've suffered the agony of defeat in what's likely the most dangerous consumer game, learned the hard way that sheer fearlessness isn't enough to become and remain a homeowner -- through good times and bad.

With the rules of the housing game changed forever, preparing to just squeak by the home buying ordeal isn't enough to achieve a decisive and lasting victory. The idea isn't just to buy a home. The goal is to keep your own roof over your head. Preparation is key, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). From NAR, here's how to get ready to be and remain a homeowner.

Create a wish list. Write down housing wants and needs. Include all the physical characteristics you want or need. Include style, size, layout and room configuration. Look at the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the basic amenities you must have. Include critical features such as location and services and a home's proximity to good schools or public transportation lines.  

Browse for housing. Realtor.com and other Web sites offer home valuation features and neighborhood data on trends in local markets. Use features to determine how a listing compares with nearby, comparable properties in terms of value, actual sales prices, home features, neighborhood characteristics, and more.  

Work with an expert. Finding a professional real estate agent who will represent your best interests can make the difference in location, negotiating the best offer, and closing the home of your dreams. Look for a full time real estate agent, who has uploaded telling photos and videos of their listings and look for agents with good Web sites to market your listing.  

Get the complete picture before you visit. You can't know everything about a community from an online listing. Schools, crime, and proximity to shopping and work all impact property values. NAR says talk to a Realtor and go to Realtor.com to explore communities.

 Make sure the property details are reliable. Buyers need know when a listing has experienced a price change. Look for Web sites like Realtor.com that updates listings frequently, including price changes. Fresh and reliable information is critical. Realtor.com time stamps listings to help buyers make better informed decisions. Get email alerts and stay on top of changes so you can be first to act.

Summer heat is a mastermind at emptying our wallets. In today's economy, many families cannot afford large rises in their monthly bills. How can you keep energy costs low this Summer?

Implement these simple tips into your daily routine and you'll find big savings

First, substitute traditional incandescent bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs). The initial cost may be higher, but CFLs use less energy and last 1,000's of times longer.

The next consideration can save you money now and later. There are numerous tax credits available for energy upgrades, such as insulated windows. You can visit energystar.gov to get the specifics. Insulated windows and doors are a great way to keep cool air in and hot air out. If you are replacing windows, consider using an insulating window wrap around the new install. This will help reduce energy loss from around the window.

Now is also a good time to do a quick home inspection. Check for leaky duct work. There's no reason to pay to cool your attic! Be sure that attic vents are open and have good circulation.

If you live in an old house, you may find that your attic insulation is non-existent or in need of upgrading. Do a thorough inspection of your home to see where it needs some TLC.

Next, embrace fans. They can circulate and move air, requiring less need for air conditioning.

Speaking of air conditioning, there is now a new alternative to traditional window units. Window units are eyesores that lack energy efficiency. For around $300 to $500 you can buy portable AC units. These portable units mean you can move them from room to room as needed. They use a no-drip technology that saves money by using an eco-friendly refrigerant gas. They also come with an adjustable thermostat and 24-hour countdown timer -- two more energy-efficient upgrades.

If you have central air, be sure to keep the temperature turned up during the day when you are away from the house. Don't turn the unit off completely, since then it has to work overtime to cool the house when you arrive home. If you can, program your thermostat to turn down 30 to 45 minutes before you return home each day.

To keep your unit working at optimum efficiency, replace your air filter regularly and have it serviced when needed.

Next on the list of ways to reduce your energy bill is keeping appliances unplugged when not in use. Even if an appliance is off, but still plugged in, it will be drawing power. Keep appliances unplugged, or go for a clean-line look and store them whenever they aren't in use.

These are just a few tips that can help you reduce your energy bill. Good luck saving this Summer!

15-year FRM this week averaged 3.66 percent with an average 0.7 point, the same as the previous week when it also averaged 3.66 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.00 percent.  

5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.25 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, down from the previous week when it averaged 3.27 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 3.76 percent.

1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.95 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, down from the previous week when it averaged 2.97 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 3.64 percent.  

Macroeconomic data released this week were a mixed bag. On the positive side, the index of leading indicators in June rose for the second consecutive month, beating the market consensus forecast.  Partly offsetting this, orders for durable goods were weaker than market expectations for the same month. The net effect on mortgage interest rates was very little change from the prior week.

Seasonal home buying is beginning to prop up house price indexes across the nation. For instance, the S&P/Case-Shiller® 20-City Composite index (not seasonally-adjusted) rose for the second consecutive month in May to the highest reading since January. In addition, 17 of the 20 cities exhibited increases, led by a 2.7 percent monthly gain in Boston and a 2.6 percent rise in Minneapolis. Compared to a year ago, though, values were lower in 19 of the 20 markets as of May; bucking the trend elsewhere, the Washington, DC metro area posted a 1.3 percent gain in prices over the past year.

Sellers Sweeten the Deal to Attract Buyers

Need to give buyers some extra incentive to choose your listing over the large inventories of others? Sure, price will get their attention, but some incentives may be the extra motivation needed to get the deal to the closing table.

Here are a few common extras that are growing in real estate transactions.

Home Warranties: Home warranties, which can cover the repair or replacement of many home system appliances and components (such as air conditioner, water heaters, and more), can provide buyers with some extra confidence when purchasing a home. "Home warranties are appealing to buyers because they cover appliances and system components that a new home owner has no familiarity with," says Lelia Chapman, vice president of field sales for American Home Shield. "Sellers benefit from offering a home warranty because it sets the home apart from the rest of the competition in today’s saturated market, often leading to faster sales at better prices."

Seller financing: With tight credit nowadays making it difficult for some to get a loan, some sellers may even offer financing to get a deal closed. Seller financing, in which the seller is willing to hold the loan, has become more common. Seller-financing is generally offered at a higher rate that is capped at a few years and then requires the buyer to pay off the loan or find new financing.

Furniture: Furniture can be costly to move anyway so more sellers are offering some of their furnishings to sweeten home deals too. For example, if sellers are moving to a condo, in which lawn care is no longer their responsibility, throwing in that riding lawn mower may just be the extra incentive a buyer needs. Some home sellers also may even offer to sell some of the furniture to the buyer at a discounted price to earn a few extra bucks.

Creative offers: Some home sellers are getting more extravagant and creative with the incentives they are offering to buyers. Some have even offered a week’s vacation in Hawaii or thrown in a time-share ownership, which they wanted to unload anyway.

Fix It Made Easy

A broken appliance can be stressful, but finding the right part to fix it doesn't have to be, thanks to APWagner.com.

Based in Depaw, N.Y., APWagner.com is a leader in the distribution of appliance parts and accessories. The 80-year-old firm services appliance dealers, service technicians and do-it-yourselfers Recently, the site has started a live, online chat section so users can find what they are looking for on the first visit. "In our fast paced, technological world, people want options. They need help and they need it fast," said President Mike Mangan. "Our parts professionals are some of the best in the business and will be able to help everyone with their hard to find parts!"

The company has an inventory of more than four million pieces, and parts pros are available from 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. The website also offers detailed descriptions and photographs of many products, image schematics and repair and maintenance tips for all types of major appliances.

Don't Let an Empty House Jeopardize a Sale

More home sellers are leaving their properties completely unfurnished while they sit on the market. Some argue that an empty house lets prospective buyers more easily picture their belongings in the space, take measurements, and examine recent improvements.

However, real estate brokers warn that empty homes must be well maintained, as overgrown lawns could lead buyers to wonder what interior components have been neglected as well. They recommend that sellers keep vacant dwellings clean and in top-notch condition, as flaws cannot be camouflaged by furniture.

Some buyers seek out empty homes because they believe the owner is desperate to make a sale. Sellers unable to generate buyer interest are urged to bring in some furnishings to create a lived-in look.

Remodeling Magazine's latest Cost Versus Value Report 2010-2011 has been released and it revealed that the recent declines in housing are having substantial effects on the remodeling market.

Unfortunately for homeowners, there has been a downward trend since 2006 in the cost-to-value ratio, though now this pace has quickened, falling 3.8 percent in the last year. While homeowners were once able to make upgrades and additions to their homes and recoup this value during resale, these same updates now mean less return. An unstable jobs market has purse strings tightened and remodeling markets are feeling the squeeze.

The report revealed, however, the top 10 remodeling projects in the last year. Leading the way in cost versus value are exterior replacements, with garage doors and entry-doors at the head of the class.

According to the report, "Replacement projects have always performed better in resale value than other types of remodeling projects, partly because they are among the least expensive projects in our report, and partly because they are non-discretionary improvements that contribute to curb appeal, which is a strong subjective factor among home buyers." Curb appeal is your home's first impression. This is why another project topping the list is wood deck additions. Outdoor space still reigns supreme, with these additions tying for fourth with minor kitchen remodels.

Minor kitchen remodels carry a higher price tag, but can be a sure-fire way to seal the deal in high-end markets. Kitchens are what "most prospective buyers [consider] most important room in the home," the report says. "Minor kitchen remodel may at first appear to buck the trend -- at $21,695 nationally, it is the highest price among projects under $25,000. But this project represents a relatively inexpensive "face-lift"."

Cost is at the forefront of homeowners' minds. With the unemployment rate near 9 percent and debt talks still looming over Congress, Americans are watching their dollars. They are keeping remodeling jobs small and inexpensive. Also making the top ten are attic bedroom and basement remodels. These projects use existing space and are cost-conscious.

Remodeling Magazine says, "Many homeowners have scaled back their remodeling plans. In some cases this means the projects are smaller in square footage ... in other cases, the work may be performed in phases to spread the cost over a longer period of time. Also, homeowners nowadays are selecting a wider range of quality than has been the case in the past. When choosing fixtures and finishes, they are trading the savings on lower-priced items for the ability to afford higher-priced items they deem more essential or more desirable. "

The top non-replacement projects reflect this mindset. These figures are a glance at the nation as whole, though. There are still regions experiencing higher cost-to-value rations, namely in the Pacific and Southern regions. The report notes, "A number of cities in this year's report show cost recouped averages that are above 100% for some remodeling projects. In general, this indicates that, on average, those projects are worth more in resale value than the owner spent to construct them. This may seem impossible, particularly to homeowners in areas where property values are stalled or dropping, and it certainly is the exception to the rule. When it does occur, however, it is usually tied to a particularly hot real estate market or to specific projects that are either in high demand."

Increased market confidence, higher employment rates, and more even home prices could all be contributing factors. When people are confident that the market is on the mend and will rebound, they are more likely to enter the market. Increased buyer demand is just what an ailing market needs.

For most Americans, the cycle of debt can seem never-ending. They're never quite out of the hole and are living month to month, just one emergency away from financial disaster.

A recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that 51 percent of Americans would be unable to come up with $2,000 cash in case of an emergency. Yet, the average American household carries thousands of dollars of debt.

New graduates and young families face an uphill battle. The national unemployment rate remains near 9 percent and these young citizens' limited credit histories and work experience mean difficulties landing jobs and buying houses.

Seniors are facing a different, yet equally as difficult, challenge. Despite good, long credit histories, they've found their retirement plans have dwindled and their future plans have been soured.

In these situations, it's easy for debt to pile up.

The first rule of debt management today comes from the old adage, "Don't count your chickens before they're hatched." This means don't spend money that you don't already have. Don't plan on a raise in the future or a stock to soar. What you have now is what you have. Rampant foreclosures in today's market are partially due to some buyers counting their chickens before they hatched. As the economy tanked, interest rates rose and jobs disappeared, these homeowners found they couldn't really afford the properties they'd purchased.

Living within your current chicken count means living within your means. This goes against the current American mindset of "what payment can I afford?" rather than "what can I afford to buy with cash right now?" Take a survey of highway billboards over the last decade and you're likely to see a steady switch from total costs advertised to monthly payment amounts. This mentality has led our society into a cycle of debt.

This mounting debt makes it even more difficult to live within your means. When you already have debt, you can't start at square one. You'll have to budget even tighter to pay off your debt without taking on any more.

1. Calculate Debt: How much do you really owe? What are your monthly payments, minimums, and interest rates? You'll want to pay off the higher interest rate loans first. Get rid of any unused cards that charge yearly fees. Refinance and negotiate lower interest rates on cards and loans.

2. Accountability: Record every purchase. Using cash makes it too easy to overspend. Instead, use a debit card which you can track with online banking. Monitor where and when you spend your money. At the end of this first month, add up expenses by category (e.g. grocery/household, clothes, entertainment, gasoline, energy costs, rent/mortgage, etc.).

Recording purchases will show you if there's a particular area where you overspend. It will also show you the true picture of what it costs to run your household. What is the basic amount of money you need to survive and pay all your bills?

3. Prepare a monthly budget: Now that you've seen what your spending habits have been in the last month, make a list of your "necessary" expenses. It's time to funnel funds away from recreation and entertainment and towards the principal on your debts. Pay for necessities first, then debts, then have fun with what is leftover.

4. Have a plan: Discipline is key to sticking with a plan. Decide ahead of time what you are allowed to spend on each category. If you have a particularly hard time sticking to a budget, then use the jar method. Put the budgeted amount of money in jars, one for each category. When the money is gone, it's time to quit spending.

Getting out of debt means having a plan and sticking to it. Being debt-free must be your priority. Yes, we all want to take vacations, buy new clothes, and visit the trendiest restaurants. Going into or staying in debt to do so isn't what the American Dream was meant to be. Be victorious in the small daily battles of spending. Keep your eye on the prize of being debt-free. Your future self will thank you.

In a tough market, sellers need all the competitive edge they can get. Home staging is a great way to make your home appear to its best advantage.

Staging is about appealing to a broad range of buyers. It's about creating an image of a lifestyle that buyers can't resist. They need to be able to imagine themselves living in your house.

Staging doesn't require a big budget either. Although, if you have the budget to make your home a showpiece, go for it! In general, though, successful staging means paying attention to the details.

Here are 10 secrets of staging that can help your home sell.

1. Declutter. Clutter can be one of the most distracting aspects of showing a house. Instead of a buyer focusing on the unique architectural details of your room, they focus in on your trinkets and trash. You don't have to toss your decor, just put it away for now.

2. Furniture: Large, oversized furniture can makes rooms look smaller than they are. The converse is true as well. Small furniture in large rooms looks disproportionate.

3. Room true to purpose: You may have your dining room set up as an office or a second bedroom set up as a craft room, but buyers need to see homes true to their purpose. They want to see the formal dining room that was advertised on the MLS. They want to see 2 bedrooms, not one and a craft room.

4. Proper lighting: Good lighting makes everything look better. CFL lights in "daylight" color makes rooms look light and bright even during the evening hours. Be sure all rooms are well lit, including laundry rooms, garages, and closets.

5. Repairs: Most buyers aren't interested in fixer-uppers. They want homes that have been well-maintained. You may have to spend a little time and money to fix broken doors, drawers, and windows. Buyers will notice every loose board and trim piece. Fix them before you start showings!

6. Keep it neutral: It is much easier to imagine putting your mark on a neutral room than it is to imagine yourself living in someone else's Moroccan paradise. Paint is relatively inexpensive. Play it safe and pick out neutral tones.

7. Fresh flowers: It's all about things smelling fresh and clean. Flowers add life and fragrance to a room!

8. Thorough Cleaning: Clean from top to bottom. The basics mean having dishes and laundry done. Deep cleaning means cleaning carpets, removing stains, and scrubbing that bathroom until it sparkles.

9. Staged Dining Area: You can really make a room pop by setting a formal place setting. Outdoor dining spaces also look great set with placemats, chargers, and proper plates and glasses.

10. Hotel Inspired Bedrooms. Boutique hotels do a great job of making bedrooms feel luxurious. You can do the same by updating your bedding and having a liberal use of pillows.

Staging can make you stand out from your competition. It may mean the difference between selling or not selling in this tough market.

Having your home look like a million bucks doesn't have to cost you big. Following a few simple design tips and researching the latest styles can help you can transform your dull space into divine living.

The first rule of budget design is to have a clear focus. Work on one room and one design at a time. The reasoning behind this is simple. It's too easy to go over-budget if you are shopping for multiple projects at the same time. By focusing on one room, you can be clear on what items you really need.

To know what items you need, come up with a design plan. You might have a great design mind and can plan a room from scratch, but most of us need guidance. Where are good places to get inspiration?

 

• Friends and family who have enlisted the help of professional decorators in the past may have rooms you'd like to emulate. Take tips from their rooms, but personalize them to your taste. After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

   

• Design magazines show you a range of styles. Pick an inspiration room and copy it.

   

• Furniture showrooms have really stepped up their game in the past few years. They can be full of great new ideas for color schemes, bedding, and more!

   

• Celebrities can afford to pay top dollar for the industry's leading interior designers. A simple online image search will show you top celebrity homes that have been featured in magazines.

 

Now that you're inspired, develop a solid design plan. In a notebook or on your computer, draw out your future room. Choose colors and patterns. The clearer the design in your head, the more closely you'll be able to create it. Use this drawing to create a shopping list of items.

Don't do any shopping, though, until you calculate a budget. How much can you afford to spend? Even $100 can make a huge difference in a room. New paint, throw pillows, and curtains can be inexpensive changes, especially if you know the tricks of budget shopping.

Budget design means going outside of retail shopping. Garage and estate sales can be wonderful shopping grounds, especially if you already have an idea of what you need. However, don't compromise style for cost. The last thing you want to do is spend money on something that doesn't really work.

Clearance is your best friend. Shop sales, use coupons, and always take a look at clearance racks. Don't forget about online clearance as well. Many stores have fabulous deals and minimal shipping costs.

You can do anything you set your mind to. A great way to save money is to do projects yourself. An upholstered headboard, for example, can cost upwards of $500, but building one yourself can cost less than $100. Headboards, shelving, pillows, and artwork are all within the reach of any amateur. YouTube is a wonderful resource for how-to videos. Plus, it's free!

Another money saving tip is to use faux instead of luxury goods. This means faux silk curtains instead of real silk. Choose laminate floors over hardwoods. Use faux fur instead of real fur, which looks just as great and is also cruelty-free.

Finally, reuse what you already have. You may have items in others areas of your home that will now work for your newly designed space.

The key to budget designing is to have a clear plan and to stick to it. Do this and you're sure to have a room of which you're proud.

Rogue movers want to take you and your belongings for a ride.

Peak moving season, Memorial Day to Labor Day, is underway. It's the period when more than half the nation's millions of households move every year and need moving services.

Fly-by-night rogues know the season well and are out in force making their own moves.

Rogue movers attempt to put the moves on financially struggling consumers who may have been crushed by the economy, are forced to move, but are short on cash. They are also after those who have to move quickly, for whatever reason, say to take advantage of a new job in another town.

Rogue movers prey on your vulnerabilities, your ignorance and your inability or unwillingness to take time to vet your mover.

Moving experts are warning consumers that disreputable movers often make it their business to lure you with low estimates. Later, those estimates can mount with exorbitant charges and the threat of holding your household goods hostage until you pay what amounts to a steep ransom.

"Anyone with a website can claim to be a mover," said Carl Walter, vice president of Mayflower, one of the nation's oldest and highest rated moving companies.

"It's important to do some homework to avoid falling victim to a scam. There are a number of red flags that make rogue movers stand out, but to recognize them you have to know what to look for ahead of time," Walter said.

Mayflower and others offer these moving tips.

• Be sure the company is what it says it is. Some crooked movers are "sock puppets" attempting to lure in customers by using names similar to reputable companies. Check the reputable company's website to make sure the local agent is affiliated with the brand name. Also check in with your local Better Business Bureau to learn of any complaints.

It can be a tough market for selling a home, but those conditions can get even worse if sellers aren't careful. While a seller doesn't control the real estate market, their actions can significantly contribute to how long and how much their home is sold for.

Underestimating Cleaning Up: It may seem obvious, but I can tell you real estate agents everywhere are nodding their heads in agreement as they read this. Inviting potential buyers in to see an unkempt home is like going on a job interview without freshening up after you cleaned your garage. How can the employer notice your fantastic talents and skills if they're hidden underneath a sloppy exterior? How you show your home tells the buyer what type of care you, the seller, has put into the home?

If you can't take the time to wipe the grime off the refrigerator doors, tidy up the kids' rooms, take out the messy diapers, put away the food, and take the dogs out of the house for a while, then you'll likely find buyers will quickly move on to the next home on their list.

Lingering During Showings: Yes, we all want to know how the open house or showing went, but hanging around during either of those events is not a good idea. Sellers who tend to linger during showings often make the buyers uncomfortable. Buyers like to have time to explore the home at their own pace and without feeling any pressure. Sometimes buyers want to sit on the porch or out in the backyard as they discuss the home's possibilities. And if buyers are willing to sit for a bit and talk about the home, that's a great sign. However, the chances of them doing that with the seller present is unlikely. Many times buyers will say, "Let's skip the home if the sellers are there."

If you're selling your home, do yourself a favor and hit the road for a bit. Take a walk or head to the coffee shop. As soon as the showing is over, you can get all the details from your agent. That's why you're paying your agent! Let them do their job. Just make sure that your agent has all the home's selling points and any additional features that make this home standout.

For Sale By Owner (FSBO) Trap: Some people are convinced that they can do it on their own. Maybe they can sell their own home, but it likely won't happen without some headaches. Trained specialists are called "experts" for a reason. An expert real estate agent knows the market, has connections, guides you through the process, negotiates on your behalf, and will make the process of selling your home simpler.

One potential land mine that FSBOs face is the flood of people popping in to see their home. It sounds great that there's so much traffic, but the problem is many times the people who pop into FSBO properties aren't actually qualified for a mortgage or may not be serious buyers. Instead they're just looking and satisfying their curiosity at your expense. Agents know to ask the right questions to make certain the lookers are truly potential home buyers.

Not interviewing agents: If you have kids, chances are you interviewed the nanny or babysitter. Taking time to seek out top real estate agents in your are. Setting up interviews with them is equally important. Choosing the wrong agent for the job will be a headache and slow the process down. There must be a connection, understanding, and good communication between the seller and the agent. There are lots of things that go on during the sale of a home, communicating with the agent should be one of the easier tasks.

Pricing a home incorrectly: This could be the worst mistake sellers make. Yet, this is where so much help can be found. Real estate agents see homes every single day. They know the neighborhoods and the comps. They are there to help you understand what homes have sold for in the recent past and what they'll likely sell for during the current market conditions. Get a market evaluation from your agent and understand that what is a fair price for your home in today's market.