Demand is Projected to Increase in 2011

Good News for 2011!

Both The National Association of REALTORS® and Fannie Mae expect an increase in demand for homebuyers in 2011. Pending home sales jumped in October, showing a positive uptrend since bottoming in June, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

The Pending Home Sales Index (see below), a forward-looking indicator, rose 10.4 percent to 89.3 based on contracts signed in October from 80.9 in September. The PHSI is based on signed real estate contracts for existing single-family homes, condos and co-ops. A signed contract is not counted as a sale until the transaction closes. Modeling for the PHSI looks at the monthly relationship between existing-home sale contracts and transaction closings over the last four years.
This increase confirms a growing feeling that demand for housing has begun to increase. Both NAR and Fannie Mae expect an increase in sales over the upcoming five quarters. Here are their projections:

Sales will increase over the next several quarters. The increase will initiate a housing recovery. However, price increases will not take place until current inventory levels diminish, which could take up to a year and a half to return to normal.

Come See Why it's Easier at Nothnagle!

Between our Weekly Market Report, Print Advertising, Easy-to-use Website, 4-Sale Line and 7-Step Marketing plan, Nothnagle has something no one else has to offer!

Watch what our agents are saying about us and why it's easier at Nothnagle!

Helpful Tips for Any Kind of Move

Preparing for a move is often stressful and overwhelming, not to mention expensive. Below are some tips to keep in mind to make your move go smoothly when planning, whether making a short or long distance move.

Determine your type of move:
You have three basic choices: do-it-yourself, full service or a hybrid move. Doing a move by yourself is the cheapest method with only the cost of the truck rental, gas, packing material and maybe some lunch or dinner for anyone who helps.
With full-service moves, moving within a state is charged by the hour, while moving across state lines is charged by weight and mileage.
With a hybrid move, a mover will drop off a large container at your home for you to pack. The mover will then load the container onto a truck, drive the belongings to your new location and drop off the container for you to unload. Because you’re doing the manual labor of packing and unpacking, it’s far less costly than a full-service move. Also take into consideration tipping your movers $3-$5/per hour.

Hire a quality mover: If you do hire help, get at least three price quotes and do some research. Investigate a company’s reputation with the Better Business Bureau and a company’s complaint history at the federal government site. Look for two things when hiring a moving company: A full-service mover should visit your home in person, not give a quote over the phone or online, and should provide a written estimate, according to experts.

Declutter: No matter what type of move you’re making, taking less stuff is cheaper and less hassle. Set up a staging area, perhaps in a garage, with various piles, such as throw out, recycle, donate and sell. For many items, use the rule of thumb, ‘If you haven’t used it in a year, you probably don’t need it.’

Be flexible: Like airline fares, moving rates depend on when you book. The busiest time for movers, and thus the most expensive time for consumers, is summer weekends near the 15th and 30th of the month. If you have time flexibility, ask what rates would be for different days or seasons. If you have extreme flexibility, ask about moving standby: waiting until the mover has extra space and needs to fill a truck.

Save on boxes and packing materials: Buying new boxes from a moving company is the most expensive choice. To save some money on packing materials, ask if you can buy used boxes from your moving company or find free boxes. Free boxes can be found from people who have just moved (your realtor can help you), or from various stores in your area that are throwing boxes away. If you’re packing your belongings yourself, start to fill suitcases, laundry baskets and plastic containers with unbreakable items. Use pillows, scarves and towels to wrap fragile belongings.
Mail books: If you have a large collection of books, pack them yourself and ship them at the postal media mail rate as it might be cheaper than paying a mover—a 70-pound box would cost less than $30.

Insure it: Check your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy to determine whether it provides coverage for your belongings while in transit. If not, you’ll probably want more than the basic free valuation coverage a full-service mover provides. The standard valuation is 60 cents per pound per item. That means breaking a 10-pound, $1,000 stereo system would net you $6. You’ll want full replacement-value insurance, which reimburses you what it will cost to replace broken items. But don’t necessarily buy that insurance from the moving company. Moving insurance is likely cheaper from a third party, but be aware that you probably cannot get insurance on boxes you packed yourself.

Be prepared: Plot out where furniture and boxes will go before moving day arrives. The less time movers spend rearranging, the less expensive it will be. In urban areas, reserve a space or two in front of your new home for the moving truck by parking your own vehicle there ahead of time. If the movers have to park too far away to unload, you could incur a ‘long carry’ surcharge.

Stake your claim: If you’re moving for a job, negotiate the best relocation package you can. Unreimbursed expenses might be tax-deductible. For details, see Publication 521.

Nothnagle Gives to Ronald McDonald House

During the months of November and December Nothnagle's Corporate, Brighton, Irondequoit, Fairport, Brockport, and Lakeville branches collected items to donate to Ronald McDonald House. On December 15th eight representatives from Nothnagle visited Ronald's House and delivered food items, toys, gift cards and supplies. The house provides a warm and peaceful “home-away-from-home” for families traveling to the Rochester area for their child’s medical care.

The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia in 1974. Since then, many other communities followed suit recognizing this same need in their own community. Today, there are over 260 Houses throughout the United States, and 29 countries around the world. In 1996, the Rochester Ronald McDonald House merged with the local chapter of Ronald McDonald Children's Charities. Today there is the House on Westmoreland which hosts up to 20 families at once and is run by over 300 volunteers and a small staff as well as the House within the Hospital located atop the new, state-of-the-art Pediatric Intensive care Unit at Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong. The House within the Hospital is for the families of critically ill or injured children receiving treatment at the hospital.

Nothnagle's Webster Branch Donates for the Holidays

This year Nothnagle's Webster branch donated for the Holidays through the
Eastern Service Workers Association. The branch sponsored two families in November with complete food baskets and sponsored two families in December with food and gifts for all family members, one of which has 7 children. ESWA is a self-help, all-volunteer membership association located on Bay Street, made up of Monroe County's working and unemployed poor. It was founded in Rochester in 1976 by low-income service workers and their families, who banded together with concerned community residents to address survival needs and build permanent solutions to their poverty conditions. The organization benefits its members' poverty conditions with emergency food, clothing, legal advice, preventative medical care and job referrals. This assistance is available to members free of charge.

Don't take your Home off the Market During the Holidays

Many of us are incredibly busy over the holiday months trying to organize parties and dinners that the thought keeping a house in “show time” condition during the holidays may seem close to impossible. In opposition, others may feel that there will be no traffic at all, so why keep it listed?

It is understandable why so many would find it easy just to take the house off the market until the New Year. If you are too busy, then why wouldn’t potential buyers also be too busy? What if you do keep it listed and receive an offer? The thought of packing up and moving during the busiest season of the year could seem overwhelming. Don’t be discouraged and don’t forget that your Realtor is there to help in any way.

Your house definitely won’t sell if it isn’t on the market, so what is the logic in taking it off? There are actually many advantages in trying to sell your house during the holidays. Most people take off work sometime during the season. Husbands and wives have off from work, which agents like because families can view the homes together and have more time. With many motivated buyers in the marketplace, you may find you have more showings than you would if you sold your home during a busier time of the year.
Before you take your home off the market, consider the following points:
Buyers who are actively looking during the holidays are that much more serious. Agents believe the home market is no more affected at Christmas than during other "busy" periods. If that were so, the market would shut down throughout the year as families concentrate on spring weddings, June graduations, summer vacations, and autumn back-to-school activities.

Many buyers deliberately choose to shop for a home after the busy spring and summer rush. They know that it will be easier to look, and that negotiations will be less stressful.

Relocating families often don't have a choice when they can leave for their new destination. Although 68% of transferring families have children, many families have to transfer during the middle of the school year. These families are that much more motivated to get their families settled in before either the January semester begins, or to arrange for the move during spring break in March. If you sign a contract by New Year's Eve, the timing couldn't be more perfect.

When is your home ever more beautiful and inviting? During the holidays! You have cleaned and decorated, and your home looks festive and inviting. If the results are good enough for family and friends, they will surely be good enough to impress your buyers. Get family members to do a five-minute pick-up every morning to keep holiday messes to a minimum. Allowing buyers to view your home during the holidays lets them better picture their own family life in the attractive environment you have created.

Finally, if you do get a contract, you can arrange the terms to suit your needs. If moving during the holidays isn't an option, you can put in the closing date of your choice. Most people can close 30 to 60 days after a contract is written, so there is plenty of time. Possession and closings are very negotiable.

Nothnagle's Relocation, Home Services and Insurance Branches Donate to DePaul

For the last three years Nothnagle Realtor's Relocation & Home Services branches have collected donations for DePaul. DePaul is a private not-for-profit organization committed to providing quality services to the elderly, persons in recovery from a mental illness, developmental disabilities, addictions, and those with a history of homelessness.

DePaul was founded in Rochester in 1958 as a child guidance center. Formerly a not-for-profit subsidiary of the Catholic Family Center, DePaul was originally established to meet the mental health needs of children in the Diocesan School District. Today DePaul offers services in 18counties across two states, operates over 2,700 beds and serves more than 5,000 individuals.

This year, Nothnagle's Relocation, Home Services and Insurance branches are donating holiday gifts to residents in the Edgerton Square location (435 Dewey Avenue), a facility for mentally disabled adults. These donations help the Edgerton Square staff provide gifts for all of their residents. With New York State budget cuts, this facility has experienced considerable funding cut backs. They very much appreciate donations and help during the holiday gift-giving season.

Donations can be made by contacting: DePaul, 1931 Buffalo Rd, Rochester, NY 14624 at 585-426-8000. For more information, you may also contact Shirley Adams at 585-785-5580.

Help the Ontario Branch win the Red Kettle Challenge Again!

The Nothnagle Ontario office will ring the bell Saturday December 18. Defending their trophy!

Ontario Boy Scout Troop 127 is chal­lenging community and business or­ganizations and individuals to support the annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Christmas campaign this holiday season. Any and all groups and individuals are encouraged to join the fun-spirited competition. The bell ringing campaign began Thanksgiving and continues until Dec. 25. Bell ringers will be stationed at the Tops Market on Furnace Road in On­tario.

The winner of the challenge is deter­mined based on the number of people participating and their spirit and enthu­siasm as well as any unique ideas that the groups present to show their support. The amount of money raised by the individual groups is not a factor in determining the winner.

The winner of the challenge will be awarded the BSA Troop 127 Ontario Red Kettle Challenge trophy to keep in their possession until next year’s competition. The winners’ names are engraved on the trophy. The winner of the 2009 compe­tition was Nothnagle Realty of Ontario. Last year, the Troop challenge generated $4,742.50 in donations for the Salvation Army.

So far, the following groups have en­tered this year’s competition: BSA Troop 127 (past winner); Ontario Fire Compa­ny (past winner); Nothnagle Realty (cur­rent champion); Future Business Leaders of America, Wayne Central School; Girl Scout Troop 377; Lyons National Bank; and North Ontario United Methodist Church.

Anyone wishing to join the BSA Troop 127 Ontario Red Kettle Chal­lenge, as well as individuals who want to volunteer to ring the bell at Tops Market, should contact Robert E. Brewer, coordi­nator for the Troop 127 Red Kettle Chal­lenge and Salvation Army Red Kettle Coordinator for Ontario, at rbrewer@rochester.rr.com or rebntv@rit.edu or (585) 455.1745 or 315.524.5218.

Bell Ringers Needed for Holiday

The Salvation Army needs bell ring­ers in rural areas of Western New York. Volunteers are needed immediately to staff the Red Kettles between now and Christmas. Individuals, couples, families, church groups, and service organizations are encouraged to volunteer. Areas include Williamson, Lyons, Macedon, Newark, Palmyra, Sodus and Victor. To volunteer, call Rod Ballengee at (716) 498-2439.

Home Buyer Tax Credit Still Available to Veterans!

How Can Veterans Get the Tax Credit?

Qualifying Veterans who are first-time buyers need to be under contract by April 30, 2011 and close by June 30, 2011 to receive up to $8000 in the form of a tax credit on their income tax return. The tax credit is equal to 10% of the purchase price, up to $8,000 max.


What about Repeat Home Buying Veterans?

Yes, eligible repeat home buying Veterans can also receive a tax credit equal to 10% of the purchase price, up to $6500.


Does it have to be a VA Loan?

No, they do not have to take VA mortgages to get the credit.


Who is eligible?

Military personnel who have served overseas for at least 90 days during any part of 2009 or 2010, will have an additional year to buy their homes and still qualify for the tax credit. Intelligence service and foreign service personnel also are eligible. Some residency and income limits apply.


What other benefits are provided for Veterans?

Service members are exempt from the occupancy requirements that other non-veterans buyers are held to. Home buyers who sell within three years of purchase are typically liable for repayment of the tax credit. Qualifying service members have no occupancy requirement.

Contact a Nothnagle agent today for more information or call 899-MOVE!

Nothnagle is Voted Favorite Realtor 9 Years in a Row!

Thank you to everyone who voted us #1 again!

Pittsford Branch Volunteers for the Holidays

The Village of Pittsford will be hosting their Annual Candlelight Night on December 7th. This community-wide event is something you won't want to miss! Bring the kids by our Pittsford branch located at 33 South Main Street to visit with Santa from 6-9 P.M. We're not sure who enjoys the visit from Santa more....the kids or our agents!

Several agents are also Bell Ringers for the Salvation Army at Eastview Mall on December 8th. If you're out shopping at the Mall, stop and say hi!

The agents in Pittsford are also collecting toys and games for the Hillside Children's Center, food for the Pittsford Food Bank as well as clothes for The Open Door Mission. If you have anything to donate please contact the Pittsford branch at 381-4770 or stop in the office located at 33 South Main Street.

Nothnagle's Relocation Department gets an "A" Rating!

Congratulations to Nothnagle's Relocation Department for an outstanding performance and quality results! SIRVA gave Nothnagle a performance rating of 100% for the 3rd quarter of 2010. Nothnagle's overall ranking is 2nd out of 147 brokers associated with the SIRVA relocation network. They also received a perfect score in Customer Service!

Whether you are moving to Rochester or out of Rochester, from corporations to families, whatever your reason to move you can count on Nothnagle REALTORS for a seamless transition. Our in-house relocation department can move you from anywhere to anywhere – across the state, across the country, even around the globe! Our Move Managers can access information on over 10,000 communities worldwide, will help you pinpoint your exact preferences and then can carefully handpick an agent for you that will deliver the same quality service you’ve come to know and expect from your local Nothnagle agent.

Newark Branch Helps for the Holidays

Nothnagle's Newark office is participating in the Village of Newark's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday evening Dec. 3 at Central Park (Main & Union Street). The Newark office is providing horse drawn carriage rides around the village of Newark.

Along with the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Nothnagle's Newark office is also sponsoring a food drive for their local food closet to make up Holiday Baskets. They are expecting a great turnout! If anyone would like to help the Newark office in their efforts to volunteer please contact Gail Vanderbrook, Branch Manager, at 315-331-1111.

Introducing Nothnagle's 7-Step Marketing System

We're excited to launch our new landing page and ad campaign to promote our 7-Step Marketing System, exclusive to Nothnagle Realtors. What do you get when you spend six decades perfecting the process of selling homes? The most effective home-selling system in the area.

The Nothnagle 7-Step Marketing System is proven to sell the most homes in Rochester. That's because we use marketing tools that other brokers don't. Like our Weekly Market Report to keep you up to date on inquiries about your property and other listings in your neighborhood. A posting on Rochester's #1 real estate web site. Guaranteed print advertising. And the area's most effect real estate agents.

Contact a Nothnagle agent direct or 899-MOVE today to find out more or visit Nothnagle.com/7Steps.

6 Reasons to Use a Real Estate Agent

Once you have made the decision to sell your home, the first step you should take is to find an agent. While some sellers may be tempted by the thought to sell the home on their own, study after study shows that sellers will net more for their house using an agent versus selling it on their own.

Here are 6 reasons to take into consideration when buying or selling a home:

1. Pricing is Difficult

A few years ago, you didn’t have to worry about overpricing your home. The situation is quite different today. In this market, time costs you money. A professional real estate agent will discuss how increasing inventory could dramatically impact the value of your property in the months to come. They will help you set the right price in today’s market.

2. Having a Professional to Negotiate

Buyers today have an almost unlimited supply of homes from which to choose. They realize that puts them in a great negotiating position. Most buyers are now being represented by an agent. Sellers need to also be represented by a professional expert trained to negotiate real estate contracts.

3. Financing is Key for Buyers

The biggest impact of the housing market collapse is that lending standards are much stricter today than they were a few short years ago. Rules are constantly changing. Even FHA has gone through a guidelines overhaul in the last several months. You need a real estate expert who has teamed up with a knowledgeable mortgage professional to make sure that the buyer in the deal is in fact capable of obtaining a mortgage. Losing time with an unqualified buyer costs you money in a market where prices are falling.

4. Your Safety

Real estate agents are trained to take steps to protect themselves and their clients. Take advantage of putting a person between you and the person calling on an ad or yard sign. Your agent will also be able to check-in on your vacant home if you have not sold it before moving to a new location.

5. Less Time and Stress

Selling a home could turn into a full time job. Learning the necessary disclosures, coordinating the dates of your closings, dealing with a challenge regarding your appraisal and re-negotiating the offer after an engineer’s report are just a few of the concerns you may face. Your time is more valuable and better spent on the items important to you and your family, while leaving the challenges to your agent.

6. Spreading the Word

Once you list your property with a member of the local MLS, every other member of the system is alerted that your house is now available for purchase. In a matter of hours, thousands of real estate professionals have the ability to easily share the specifics of your home with each of their buyers. There is nothing an individual seller can do to come close to this immediate exposure to thousands of potential buyers. Additionally, your realtor will keep up to date on the most recent ways to advertise your home. Not only do they rely on traditional means of advertising, such as newspaper and television, they will also advertise your home on YouTube, Facebook, and Trulia to name a few. It would be impossible for a seller to get the width of exposure the real estate agent has at his/her fingertips.

In the long run, having a real estate agent represent you on either side of a transaction will give you the best advice, get you the most money or the best price, they will also save you time and unnecessary stress!

And remember, not all real estate agents are equal. A Nothnagle agent can give you additional benefits, tools and resources not available anywhere else.

Innovative Open House Ideas!

Have you been experiencing slow traffic or no traffic at all during your open houses? Try these 3 ideas to discuss with your agent to make your house stand out from the rest!

1. Have a Garage Sale at the same time.

This is a great idea for two reasons. Garage sales always bring people. If they know that there is an open house at the same time, they will most likely stop in. The more people the better because word of mouth will help to get your house sold! You can also "de-clutter" your house at the same time, which makes it easier to stage as well as make a lighter move.

2. Don't host an open house when everyone else does.

Open houses are typically on Sundays in the afternoon. Why not have one during the week after 5 when people will be driving by on their way home from work? Adding some wine and cheese will also offer a nice transition into dinner time. Even weekday mornings could work after people drop their kids off at school.

3. Have a "Full Service" Open House

Ask your agent about involving a loan officer at your open house. Potential buyers will be able to find out what financing is available to them and possibly get pre qualified. Additionally, including a contractor helps buyers envision their "dream home". They can bring sample materials, photos and digital renderings to show the potential of the property.

Cartons for Christmas 2010

The Nothnagle Spencerport branch will be serving as an early drop-off location from November 8 - December 3 for non-perishable food items. The goal of this community project is to provide food and toys for local families in need at the holidays. Last year the Cartons for Christmas project delivered 10,500 food items and 350 toys to 132 families (526 people). Nothnagle is helping to collect food items for the cartons that will be delivered at Christmas. Non-perishable items such as canned fruits and vegetables, jarred/canned gravy, boxed items such as pasta, rice or side dishes, or other items that will not expire and do not require refrigeration are being sought. Monetary donations are also being accepted. Checks should be made payable to "Cartons for Christmas" and can also be dropped off at the Spencerport branch, located at 85 South Union Street.

Good News for Rochester as Unemployment Rate Drops

According to the Democrat and Chronicle on November 18, Rochester is on their way to economic recovery. State officials announced on November 18 that the region added 1,500 private sector jobs within the last 12 months.

This has resulted in the first increase in total payrolls for the five-county statistical area since October 2008.

The unemployment rate for the area is now down to 7.3 percent from 7.4 percent in September, which was previously 7.7 percent in October of 2009.

The state of New York as a whole has a better unemployment rate at 8.3 percent compared to the rest of the nation which is at 9.6 percent.

To view the full article click on Democrat and Chronicle

2010 Sales Master Award Winners!

Nothnagle REALTORS® is pleased to announce winners of this year’s Sales Master Awards. The following agents are recipients of the award, given out by the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS® at their annual awards event held Friday, November 12, 2010, at Oak Hill Country Club:

Sales Master Platinum:
Michael Drouin
Marcia Glenn
Vickie Howard
Debbi Jacob
Kathy Keogh
Doug Logory
Cathy McWilliams
Sam Morreale
Dan Patterson
Richard Sarkis
Steve Wrobbel


Sales Master Gold:
Irene Bennett
Janet Campbell
Pam Dickson
Joe DiPasquale
Brian Donovan
Judy Farrell
Bob Finocchio
Ginny Hronek
Susan Kautz
Mary Lobene
John Masters
Patty Pagani
Janis Reding
Cathy Shelansky
Joy Sherry
Mary Tubiolo
Carol Verbridge


Sales Master:
Carol Andrews
Christa Barbagallo
Roger Benton
Cathy Bianchi
Lisa Bolzner
James Briggs
Garry Britton
Lisa Chantra
Toni Connors
Nancy Crocker
Sharon Diamond
John Dretto
Don Fackelman
Larry Fisher
Beth Forester
Joan Greeno
Jamey Hinman
Keith Hiscock
Mark Hiscock
Susan Hughes
Josie Licata
John Majchrzak
Leif Mermagen
Jim Peck
John Pratt
Dennis Price
Danielle Riley
Kitty Rossetti
Annette Rotondo
Chris Saunders
Warren Seeley
Robbin Smith
Robin St. George
Vickie Sweet
David Teske
Audrey Valenti
James Van Schaffel
Geetha Vijay
Bonnie Wetzel
Cliff Wilson
Linda Wilson
Terry Wolak

The following criteria must be met to reach each level of award:

• Sales Master Platinum 100+ Closed MLS transactions or $10,000,000+ closed volume
• Sales Master Gold 60-99 Closed MLS transactions or $6,000,000+ closed volume.
• Sales Master 35-59 Closed MLS transactions or $4,000,000+ closed volume.

Why NOW is the Time to Buy!

Today's market offers plenty of opportunities for buyers looking to purchase a home. Whether it's your first home or your tenth, there may never be a better time to buy than today. Why? The combination of low interest rates, healthy supply of inventory and stable prices makes this a perfect storm.

Buyers may be disappointed that the tax credit has passed but with interest rates at historic lows, the cost of homeownership has never been more affordable - even without the tax credit.

So why buy now? Here's six reasons why:

1. You can get a great deal.
2. Mortgages are cheap.
3. Plenty of choices.
4. You can get more for your money, i.e. a "better" home.
5. It's forced savings, allowing you to build up your nest egg for the future.
6. Sooner or later the market will clear and your home will continue to be a solid investment as the value appreciates.

Don't delay! Contact a Nothnagle agent and also sign up today on MyNothnagle to receive listings that fit your criteria as they come on the market.

Getting Past the "Doom and Gloom" About Real Estate

Turn on the news and what do you hear when it comes to real estate? Doom and gloom. We've all heard that bad news sells - and it's true that some markets are still in a bad state. But in Upstate New York, we have so many positives going for our region and for real estate. Some publications and analysts are also starting to focus on the positives of the current market - it is a great time to buy.

Interest rates are unbelievably low. Would you rather save $60,000 over the term of your mortgage or get a $8,000 tax credit? Because today that is the reality in the aftermath of the tax credit era. Fannie Mae recently conducted a national housing survey in September, 2010. The results? 70% of respondents think it is a good time to buy a house and of those respondents, 36% think it is a "very good" time to buy.

U.S. News and World Report recently featured an article about the five things you should do with the interest rates as low as they are. What was #1? Buy a home. "The combination of low rates and falling real estate prices make for a perfect time to buy a home. Particularly for first time buyers, there may never be a better time to take the plunge into homeownership than over the next year."

In Upstate New York, we didn't experience double-digit appreciation so conversely we have not experienced a major drop in price. But with interest rates at historic lows combined with a healthy supply of inventory and stable prices....it is an ideal time to buy.

So if you're on the fence or starting to begin to think about homeownership, contact a Nothnagle agent today to get the facts about the local market and your buying power in the current market.

Home for the Holidays

Are you delinquent on your mortgage or a homeowner at risk of falling behind? Don't despair, there is help available. The Housing Council is hosting "Home For the Holidays," a FREE event on Saturday, November 13, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the United Way building located at 75 College Avenue (off of Goodman Street, near Village Gate).

On site will be foreclosure prevention counselors and 16 representatives from five different lenders. Registration is suggested but not required. To sign up or to get more information, call 546-3700 x. 3003 or find information on their website.

The Housing Council is a HUD-approved counseling organization. All of their foreclosure prevention services are available free of charge to homeowners at risk of losing their home. Don't delay....if you are in need of help, contact The Housing Council for assistance today.

How to Improve Your Insurance Score

Wondering what too many credit cards has to do with the limb that landed on your roof? More than you’d think, it turns out.

Insurers claim the use of credit-based insurance scores is fair and actually works in favor of fiscally responsible consumers. Most people expect the cost of homeowners insurance to go up after a claim is filed. But it may surprise you to know that how good you are at managing your finances can have just as big an effect on your premium as the tree that fell on your house.

Insurers look to your credit history to calculate an insurance score that’s used to judge how much of a financial risk you are. The lower the score, the higher the risk—and the higher the premium you’ll likely pay on your homeowners insurance. Don’t despair. There are strategies, including paying bills on time, that can help improve your insurance score.

How your insurance score is calculated
Your insurance score starts with your credit report, which provides a history of your credit use. What credit cards and loans do you have? What are the balances? How promptly do you pay? Your report also includes information gleaned from public records such as bankruptcies and liens. FICO is the best-known company that turns the information in credit reports into credit scores. FICO credit scores range from 300 to 850.

Insurers are less concerned than lenders about your ability to pay back a specific amount than your overall ability to manage money, says Allstate spokesman Adam Shores, especially whether you make late payments and how long since delinquencies took place. Your insurance claims history, as recorded in your CLUE report, also affects your insurance score. So can your age, the construction of your house, and whether you’ve installed smoke detectors and other safety equipment.

Your claims history lives on in CLUE
The CLUE Personal Property report, which pertains to homeowners insurance, is divided into two parts: your personal record of claims (“Claims for the Subject”) and the claims on your home (“Claims History for Risk”). The number of claims in either section will affect whether you can get insurance for your home, how much coverage you can get, and how much you’ll pay in premiums. If you’re turned down for homeowners insurance because of information in your CLUE report, your insurance company is required to let you know why you were rejected.

Since the database is used by most insurance companies, your claims history follows you from one insurer to another. Actual claims, as opposed to inquiries, remain in the CLUE database for seven years from the date you filed them.

After one year of being open for business, Nothnagle Insurance Agency was ranked as the #2 Allstate office in the region! We offer competitive rates and can further explain to you how you can improve your score and save time and money using Nothnagle Insurance Agency. Contact us today for more information.

Your Fall & Winter Maintenance Guide

Certain home maintenance tasks should be completed each season to prevent structural damage, save energy, and keep all your home’s systems running properly.

Here are some maintenance tips for the Fall to help you prepare for the cold winter that will be arriving soon!

• Clean your gutters. Leaving debris in your gutters is an invitation for trouble. Not only can it freeze and damage the gutters themselves, but it also can force freezing water up under your shingles and damage the roof. Even if your home has a covered gutter system, it's still important to remove the covers and clean out any debris that may have still gotten through.

• Clean and put away lawn and garden equipment. Do a visual inspection of the yard to identify anything lying around — garden tools, hoses and nozzles, patio furniture and accessories. Leaving these items out in the snow and ice may damage them so they should be stored somewhere dry for the winter. It's important to leave your lawn mower with an empty tank of gas. Gas left behind can degrade and lose some of its combustion ability. Worse, gas can react with the air in the tank and oxidize, forming deposits that affect the machine’s performance; worse still, moisture can condense inside the tank and cause rust that blocks the fuel lines.

• Schedule a furnace tune-up. The technician will work their way through a checklist of items such as inspecting filters, checking the chimney exhaust, and examining the blower and fuel connections.

• Protect your air conditioning unit. If your outdoor air conditioning unit is located under trees or under the drip line of the house where icicles and snow may fall, give it a little protection by placing a sheet of plywood over the top and draping a dropcloth over it. However, don’t create a fully enclosed space, as that can trap moisture and offer winter protection for rodents.

• Close your storm windows. It’s a simple step, but an easy one to forget. Make sure the windows are shut properly so that the outer pane is up and the inner pane is down; this keeps rain and other forms of precipitation out.

Spending a weekend or two on maintenance can prevent costly repairs and alert you to developing problems. Don't have the time? We can help! Nothnagle's Home Services offers many home-related maintenance services. Let our Home Service Coordinator do all of the work for you, just let us know what you need and we will match your budget with a qualified, pre-screened professional.

Buffalo, Rochester Make Forbes List of "Most Affordable Cities"

Forbes.com recently published a list of "America's Most Affordable Cities," identified as "cities that had a balance of cheap living and economic prosperity--places with solid job markets, but where costs aren't prohibitive."

Buffalo came in 3rd on the list and Rochester ranked 4th. The article went on to explain, "These Northeastern cities have a lot in common, emerging from long slumps after being deserted by their manufacturing economies..........the combination of a newly diversified economy and a history of sustained low costs makes them affordable."

As we've been saying all along, the article also talks about the housing market which in Upstate New York while we didn't experience the "boom" of other areas, we didn't experience the "bust" either.

All of the cities have several factors in common - cost of goods remains low, housing market is stable and residents are maintaining steady incomes and decent jobs.

The complete list of the "Top 10" Most Affordable Cities is as follows:

1. Oklahoma City, OK
2. Pittsburgh, PA
3. Buffalo, NY
4. Rochester, NY
5. Nashville, TN
6. San Antonio, TX
7. Houston, TX
8. Louisville, KY
9. Birmingham, AL
10. Austin TX

Henrietta Branch Participates in "Make a Difference Day"

The agents of the Henrietta branch recently participated in "Make a Difference Day," helping area residents with yard work. The agents spent one entire Saturday visiting a neighborhood in Henrietta picking up leaves, planting fall flowers and helping homeowners with other lawn and garden maintenance projects.

One resident sent a thank you note to the office the following week stating, "An army of leaf rakers arrived here on Saturday morning....and made short work of cleaning up my back lawn. I very much appreciate their thoughtfulness and for giving up a part of their weekend for this."

While the residents appreciated the assistance, our agents were equally gratified to be able to go out on a beautiful fall day and help our neighbors. All in all it proved to be a great day, with just a few sore muscles after to tend to!

Thank you to the residents who allowed us to come to your home, it was a pleasure to meet you!

Irondequoit Branch Hosts Community Halloween Party

The agents of the Nothnagle Irondequoit Branch recently hosted a Halloween Party for neighborhood children. The event was a tremendous success and fun was had by all who attended! Even the Nothnagle agents got into the spirit of Halloween and came up with some unique and creative costumes. We're not sure who had more fun....the kids or our agents!

Nothnagle Realtors has a proud history of community involvement. We don't just work in the neighborhoods we serve, we live there too! And we're always looking for opportunities to give back to our neighbors, customers and clients.

Check out These New Vendors Added to our Home Services

Nothnagle Home Services is a one-stop shopping service for our clients. We can assist you with home-related products and services before, during and after your move.....as well as other services that help to save you time and money! For more information, check back frequently to see our list of providers as we are always adding more.

We are excited to add these vendors to our team!

Comprehensive Mold Management
One of the area's premier environmental testing and mitigation firms handling mold, lead and asbestos. Currently offering free mold inspections in Monroe County.

Flower City Pest Elimination
Over 25 years serving Rochester and surrounding counties. Whether its control, elimination or prevention, Flower City Pest Elimination can help.

Invision Design Partners
Interior design, staging, space planning, custom furniture design. With 30 years of experience and a masters degree in design, they can assist you with every aspect of design for your office or home.

Feels Like Home Restorations
From testing and diagnosis to complete restoration, they do it all! Mold, flooding, fire, air quality. Nothnagle clients qualify for free fogging treatment and a one-year transferable warranty for your clients.

Exodus Exterminating
This locally-owned company can help you with all of your pest and wildlife solutions. Squirrels, raccoons, birds, bedbugs or bees....they keep them from coming back. Includes one-year transferable warranty.

Contact your Nothnagle agent today to find out more about all of our Home Services or call 899-MOVE.

Rochester Named 10th Smartest City

The Rochester region was ranked 10th out of 55 American cities on The Daily Beast's list of "America's Smartest (and Dumbest) Cities."

This is the second year the publication has published the list; last year Rochester ranked 26th. The ranking is based on data organized on a per-capita basis so that larger cities don't get an advantage. Only regions with a population of 1 million or more were considered.

Criteria includes the number of residents over 25 years of age with bachelor's and advanced degrees, sales of nonfiction books and the number of institutions of higher learning and public libraries. Last year's criteria was slightly modified - more weight was given to advanced degrees and the number of higher learning institutions.

Five counties make up the Rochester MSA (metropolitan statistical area). Nineteen percent of residents hold a bachelor's degree and 13% have graduate degrees. Over 750,000 nonfiction titles were sold in the Rochester area so far this year.

New York City ranked 16th and last on the list at 55th was Las Vegas. The ranking of the Top 10 Cities is as follows:

1. Boston
2. Hartford-New Haven
3. San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose
4. Raleigh-Durham
5. Denver
6. Seattle-Tacoma
7. Austin
8. Minneapolis-St. Paul
9. Washington, DC
10. Rochester, NY

Click here to read the full report.

Dispelling the Myth - There is NO 4% "Sales Tax" Being Imposed on Home Sales

Contrary to reports and newspaper articles circulating widely on the Internet, there is not a 4% "sales tax" or "transfer tax" on the sale of a home included in the health care reform bill. There are no changes to existing real estate tax laws as a result of this legislation.

What was included in the health bill is a provision that imposes a new 3.8% Medicare tax for some higher income households that have "net investment income." This new tax will apply to households with Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of more than $200,000 for individuals or more than $250,000 for married couples. Since capital gains are included in the definition of "net investment income," an additional tax obligation might result from the sale of real property.

In the case of the sale of a principal residence, the existing $250,000/$500,000 exclusion from capital gains on the sale of a principal residence remains unchanged. Consequently, even when the AGI limits are met, the new tax would not be applied to all capital gains that result from the sale of a home. Rather, it would only apply to any home sale gain realized in excess of the $250K/$500K existing primary home exclusion that pushes the filer's AGI over the $200K/$250K adjusted gross income limit.

The new Medicare tax will take effect January 1, 2013.

Nothnagle Announces Recent Appointments

Nothnagle REALTORS® has announced the appointment of Mike Smith, Associate Broker, as Branch Manager of the Geneseo office.

Licensed in 1978, Mike Smith has spent his entire career at Nothnagle. He is a Past President of the Genesee Valley Board of REALTORS®, has chaired a number of committees at the state and local level, served as a NYS Regional Vice President and continues to serve on committees at the local, state and national levels. He is a certified NYS instructor for continuing education and has taught courses on various real estate issues and current topics throughout the state. In 2008, Mike was honored as the New York State REALTOR® of the Year by the New York State Association of REALTORS®.

The position was previously held by Andy Kachaylo, who also manages Lakeville and Dansville and oversaw the Company’s mergers with Youngs and Linfoot and The Edmond Agency earlier this year. The mergers expanded the Geneseo branch and added the Dansville location for Nothnagle. Andy Kachaylo will continue to manage the Lakeville and Dansville offices while Mike Smith will immediately take over the Geneseo office. Michelle Schlossel will remain as Senior Manager overseeing all three locations.

In addition to the branch appointment, Nothnagle announced Jennifer Clark has assumed the role of Manager of Home Services. Jennifer started her career with Nothnagle as a Homes Services Coordinator in 2002. In 2006, she was named IDX Coordinator, overseeing the Internet Data Exchange program for the Company.

Bob Benjamin will maintain his role of Sales Account Executive for Home Services. Bob will continue to build and foster relationships with area vendors, contractors and retailers to meet our client's needs and expand our Home Services offerings.

What the New Foreclosure Mess Means to You

The media has been reporting on issues involving foreclosures...but what does it mean to you? "Houston, we [may] have a problem."

Because of the flood of foreclosures that have needed to be processed, there were employees who were signing off on thousands of foreclosures attesting to the accuracy of the documents without having much personal knowledge of what they contained. These employees are known as "robo-signers." It now appears that many homes may have been foreclosed on without proper procedures being followed. The result? Several major lenders have suspended foreclosure procedings across the country. Now tens of thousands of foreclosures - in all stages of the process - have come to a screeching halt.

1. For homeowners in the foreclosure process: It appears that some banks will be backing away from following through with normal foreclosure processes until they can be assured that their paperwork is in order. Estimates are calling for a 30-90 day delay....this does NOT mean that each particular situation will be delayed, it is unknown at this time how many properties are affected or delayed.

2. For buyers who are in the process of purchasing a foreclosure: A portion of the inventory has been frozen. Some stories report people who were set to close and now are in limbo. The issue is that the banks need to make sure they actually own the properties legally before they can complete the sale. There will likely not be a large number of cancellations, however delays are to be expected.

3. If you are selling a home: The removal of foreclosures from some markets may help bolster overall housing prices. However, the longer the delay to return these properties to the market, the harder it may hit the market once a flood of homes comes back on the market. While there could be short term gains for sellers in some markets, this is not an ideal time to throw a wrench in the recovery of the housing market with the economic challenges the country is facing today. The longer the delay, the longer the recovery - pushing it back months, if not years.

The unknown:

1. Whether politicians are going to push for a moratorium on ALL foreclosures. If so, for how long? Expect longer delays should this happen.

2. How many homes were mistakenly foreclosed on? Experts are saying that the odds are that it is NOT a large number of homes affected. However, if instances where errors or fraud are uncovered, this will likely cause mass delays. Same if some former homeowners start to file class action lawsuits.

The National Association of REALTORS has issued a statement urging the freeze to be lifted.

Nothnagle's Exclusive Buy First, Sell Later Program

By selecting Nothnagle to market your home, you have an opportunity to participate in our “Buy First, Sell Later” program – exclusively available through our affiliated mortgage company, Nothnagle Home Securities Corp. Existing homeowners who are looking to buy a new home can take advantage of the many benefits this program offers, including:

• Having the ability to negotiate a non-contingent offer on the home you wish to purchase, putting you at a better advantage.

• The opportunity to lock-in at today’s low interest rates instead of waiting until your home sells.

• Advances your equity allowing for your preferred down payment – which means lower mortgage payments.

Benefits of going Non-Contingent:

• Allows you to “Buy Right.” You will have more leverage in your negotiations since there’s no need to “sweeten the pot” to get your non-contingent offer accepted.

• No fear of getting “BUMPED” on your dream home.

• You have actual dates to work from to plan your move.

• Eliminates the anxiety of being forced to close on your current home before having a new home to move into.

Contact a Nothnagle agent today for more information or our affiliated mortgage partner, Nothnagle Home Securities.

*Restrictions apply and applicants must meet certain program requirements.

Selecting the Best Home for You

If you're in the market to find a home, like most buyers you start out with a price, style and features in mind. And like most buyers, you're in search of the perfect home. But does the perfect home always exist? Some times, but more often than not as you start looking you will have to make some compromises.

So where should you start?

1. It's very important to not compromise on the features you MUST have. So before you begin, make a list. What will fit your needs? Your family's needs? As an example, if you have three teenage girls, settling on a 1-bath house may not work for your family. In this example, having at least two bathrooms and four bedrooms may be a priority as well as a necessity.

2. What area do you want to live in? What fits your lifestyle? If you are an urban dweller by nature, looking for homes in rural areas is probably a waste of time. If the thought of having neighbors close by makes you cringe, then you need to look outside of the suburbs and in more rural towns. Try to narrow your search down to 2-3 areas.

3. Next, make a second list of features that you would like but are not critical. A powder room off of the kitchen may be convenient if you entertain, appliances included, a walk out basement, master suite, pool....these may be features you would prefer but if one is missing you may be willing to compromise without it being a major inconvenience.

4. Your final list should include features that don't matter one way or another to you. Septic vs. sewer, well vs. public water, air conditioning, pool, walk out basement...the items that will have no bearing on your decision whether or not to buy that particular house.

This is in no way meant to pursued you to buy before you are ready but if you set yourself up to find the "perfect" house, you may be setting yourself up to be searching for an unattainable goal. Even if you are building a new house, you will likely find yourself having to compromise on certain things. Often it's related to cost or sometimes having a 4th bedroom means you can't have a 2-story family room....then you have to decide which is more important?

Before you go out in the market, do research online and ask your agent for some guidance. In today's market, there are many choices for buyers to be selective but if you're serious, you will find the home that is best for you!

Preparing Your Home for Sale in Today's Market

Now more than ever it is critical that you effectively prepare your home for sale before you put it on the market. Unless you are marketing it as a "fixer upper" (and the price is reflective of this), your home needs to be in top condition.

Today's buyer has many options and will quickly pass on a less than perfect condition house. This does not mean you have to spend big dollars making over your home. Neat, clean and well maintained is what is important. Anything less and a prospective buyer may assume that your home has not been taken care of properly. A thorough cleaning and some inexpensive repairs may be all that you need.

First impression is the only impression that counts when you are selling your home! Here are some tips to follow PRIOR to listing your house.

1. Create curb appeal. Buyers need to like your home from the outside first. Make sure your lawn and landscaping is weeded, trimmed and neat. Important for this time of year - get rid of the leaves! How does your front door look? Shutters? Garage door? A quick coat of paint may be in order. What about your mailbox? While buyers may not notice that it is new, they WILL notice if it is old and rusty!

2. Windows. Make sure your windows are clean - and the screens too. Clean windows will add brightness to your home.

3. The importance of Paint. Remember, you may love your bright pink living room but many buyers won't. Neutral is key. Buy an off-white neutral and get rid of the pink! Also, chipped or peeling pain is a big no-no....sanding and a quick coat of paint will do wonders for the showability of your house.

4. Declutter. Go through your entire house and get rid of the clutter. Then go through again and declutter more! Pay special attention to cupboards, pantries and closets. Buyers will look inside! Remove large pieces of furniture. Put away your out of season clothes. Donate what you can and throw away what you cannot. For the items you may want to keep but need to remove, investing in a storage unit may pay off in the long run.

5. Clean your house from top to bottom. Dust, vaccuum, clean stains out of carpets, polish hardwoods, clean appliances, scrub the toilet and bath....now is the time to make your home sparkle! Don't have the time? We can help! Nothnagle's Home Services offers affordable options for cleaning services.

6. Check for leaks and squeeks. Fix leaky faucets and fixtures and oil those squeeky door hinges.

Your agent can give you personalized tips to maximize the showability of your home. Ask friends and families for their honest opinion. Look at your home through the eyes of a stranger - what you think is perfect, just may not be so to others. Criticism may be hard to take but in the end it will pay off. Because a properly priced home that is in good condition will sell much faster allowing you to get on with your life.

New Yorkers Love Their Homes, Hate Their Taxes

The New York State Association of Realtors and the Siena Research Institute recently conducted the first-ever New York Homeownership Survey. Of the 1,015 New Yorkers who responded, the survey found that New Yorkers love their homes but hate their taxes. Not surprising with nine out of 10 counties from New York State on the Tax Foundation's list of highest property taxes in the nation when compared to home value.

Eight-four percent of respondents said they consider homeownership to be a very significant part of the American Dream and 81% consider their home to be a comfort rather than a burden. Nearly all respondents (97%) said they were either very satisfied (66%) or somewhat satisfied (31%) with owning their own home.

Most New Yorkers believe homeownership is a good investment, with 81% indicating it is a better investment than the stock market and 69% feel the value of their home will increase over the next five years.

However, respondents feel that it is becoming increasingly difficult to attain homeownership due to unrestrained property tax increases, high closing costs and real estate transaction taxes. In fact, 75% of New York homeowners think their real estate taxes are too high and 79% said it is taking a bigger piece of their budget each year. Sixty-four percent do not believe their tax money is being well managed or used efficiently and 76% are in favor of a cap on the rate of which property taxes can increase. Eighty-four percent support keeping the tax deduction for home mortgage interest.

In addition, the majority of New Yorkers think that working with a REALTOR is beneficial. Nearly 80% believe a REALTOR will sell a home more quickly (percentage is probably higher for those who have used a Nothnagle agent!).

Location is most important when buying a home but respondents also cite a need for ample closets (65% ranked as "very important"), a garage (51%), a newer roof (48%), an updated kitchen (42%), more than two baths (36%), a master bedroom suite (32%) and a well-landscaped home (28%).

Bob Maves Named 2010 Realtor of the Year

Bob Maves, Senior Manager, was recently honored as the 2010 Realtor of the Year by the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors at their annual awards luncheon held on October 7, 2010.

Every year the Association recognizes one Realtor member who demonstrates distinguished service in the advancement of the ideals of the real estate profession. Bob, manager of the Pittsford branch, has been in real estate for 27 years and joined Nothnagle in 1997. He previously served as manager of the Fairport branch prior to moving to Pittsford in 2002.

Bob is well-respected by colleagues and clients alike and has maintained a strong reputation as someone who is constantly learning, constantly sharing his knowledge and expertise with those he has mentored. In addition to managing Nothnagle's highest producing office, Bob also has served as Chairman of the Genesee Real Estate Information Services, Inc. Board of Directors since 2007, and is on the GRAR Board of Directors along with several committees.

On behalf of all of Nothnagle, congratulations to Bob Maves on winning this prestigious award!

Nothnagle Introduces New "Buy First, Sell Later" Program

By selecting Nothnagle to market your home, you have an opportunity to participate in our “Buy First, Sell Later” program – exclusively available through our affiliated mortgage company, Nothnagle Home Securities Corp. Existing homeowners who are looking to buy a new home can take advantage of the many benefits this program offers, including:

• Having the ability to negotiate a non-contingent offer on the home you wish to purchase, putting you at a better advantage.

• The opportunity to lock-in at today’s low interest rates instead of waiting until your home sells.

• Advances your equity allowing for your preferred down payment – which means lower mortgage payments.

Benefits of going Non-Contingent:

• Allows you to “Buy Right.” You will have more leverage in your negotiations since there’s no need to “sweeten the pot” to get your non-contingent offer accepted.

• No fear of getting “BUMPED” on your dream home.

• You have actual dates to work from to plan your move.

• Eliminates the anxiety of being forced to close on your current home before having a new home to move into.

Contact a Nothnagle agent today for more information or our affiliated mortgage partner, Nothnagle Home Securities.

*Restrictions apply and applicants must meet certain program requirements.

Nothnagle Expands 4-Sale Line Feature

The Nothnagle 4-Sale Line® just got better! In addition to Nothnagle listings, callers can now access information on all listed properties in the Greater Rochester region.

To get information on a property listed with a Nothnagle agent, nothing has changed. Callers enter the Property Code Number (PC#), which appears on Nothnagle “for sale” yard signs and in advertisements, to get a property description and if desired, connect directly with the listing agent.

To access properties listed by a broker other than Nothnagle, callers can enter the property’s MLS number. The MLS number commonly can be found on most competitors’ advertisements and starts with the letter “R” followed by a series of numbers.

The Nothnagle 4-Sale Line® was established in 1993 and continues to get thousands of calls each month. Callers can obtain information on available homes 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service provides a brief description of the home, including its rooms, features, location and price. Callers can utilize the option to connect directly to an agent to get more information and to set up an appointment to tour the property.

To access the 4-Sale Line® call 585-292-8500 or toll free at 1-800-295-2797.

Vote Today for Rochester's Choice Awards

Since the award's inception, Nothnagle Realtors has been voted "Rochester's Choice" in the Democrat and Chronicle's annual poll. We just celebrated our 62nd year since the company's inception and are very proud to be Rochester's Realtor and the choice for so many individuals and families in our community....and beyond with the continuing expansion of Nothnagle into other parts of the state.

Please take a few moments to complete the Rochester's Choice ballot. And be sure to select your favorite real estate company, Nothnagle Realtors! Also available under the "business" category is our insurance company, Nothnagle Insurance Agency. After only being open for 16 months, Nothnagle Insurance was ranked by Allstate the #2 office in the region.

The Rochester's Choice survey is fun for area residents to vote on various businesses, restaurants and other service providers!

Nothnagle is Expanding to Central New York!

Nothnagle Realtors is pleased to announce the launch of Nothnagle REALTORS®, Moss Ansteth Associates, a franchised office under the ownership and management of industry veterans Aaron Moss and Stephen Ansteth.

The duo has been operating Aaron A. Moss Real Estate, Inc. since 2005 from their location at 1 West Genesee Street in the heart of Skaneateles. The office location will remain the same and all eight agents will be making the transition to the Nothnagle platform. From the Skaneateles location the agents serve all of Central New York, providing a high level of customer service and experience to the clients they work with.

“We want to give local real estate consumers and agents a world-class experience like no other. Both Steve and I have a strong track record of delivering top-quality service to our clients but now through our partnership with Nothnagle REALTORS®, we will be able to offer tools and systems never before available in the Central New York region,” said Aaron Moss, Broker.

“The franchise arrangement allows brokers to maintain their independence while tapping into our successful infrastructure. Aaron and Steve have an exceptional business-sense. We share the same vision and believe that by empowering agents with the most innovative tools in the industry, we can offer the best buyer and seller experience in the Central New York market,” said Armand D’Alfonso, President and CEO of Nothnagle Realtors.

Nothnagle REALTORS®, Moss Ansteth Associates will be the first operation in the Central New York region for the franchise under this platform.



About Aaron Moss
Aaron Moss, a Skaneateles native, opened Aaron A. Moss Real Estate, Inc. in 2005. Prior to that, most recently he served as Chief Operating Officer at Jordyn Taylor Properties, Inc., located in South Florida. In less than four years with Jordyn Taylor, Aaron oversaw the opening of 17 real estate offices, hired and trained over 1,500 agents and the company transacted over 25,000 sales.

Aaron currently resides in Skaneateles with his family. He is a Director for the New York State Association of REALTORS® and is past Treasurer of the Cayuga County Association of REALTORS®. In addition to New York, Aaron is licensed in Connecticut, Virginia and Florida.

About Stephen Ansteth
Steve Ansteth has spent the last 5 years as owner/operator of Aaron A. Moss Real Estate, Inc., in Skaneateles. Throughout his time in real estate, Steve has developed a knack with buyers and sellers alike, using his outstanding customer service skills and innovative communication systems.

Steve, from Skaneateles, currently resides in Auburn. He is Treasurer of the Cayuga County Association of REALTORS® and is the co-chairman for the Association’s successful Charity Golf Event which benefits local charities, most recently The Matthew House.

About Nothnagle REALTORS®
Nothnagle REALTORS® was founded in 1948 and is a full-service real estate brokerage boasting 26 offices in Upstate New York and more than $1.1 billion in annual sales. Nothnagle.com was recently named #8 Top Real Estate Brokerage Website in America by 1000watt Consulting and REALTrends. For more information, please visit www.Nothnagle.com.

Nothnagle REALTORS® previously operated the “Gallery of Homes” franchise system for over 30 years. The first real estate franchise in the country, at its peak there was a network of 1,100 Gallery of Homes locations throughout the U.S., Canada and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Company sold off the franchise in the 1980’s.

Nothnagle Expands to Hornell!

Nothnagle Realtors is pleased to announce the launch of Nothnagle REALTORS®, Marino Agency, a franchised office under the ownership and management of industry veteran Martha Marino. Dawn Green, Associate Broker, will be the first sales professional to join her.

Marino and Green make a great team. Each has different strengths and both are full-time agents with industry designations, such as GRI (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute) and ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative). Agents that invest time and money into these designations are clearly investing in themselves as a means to provide better service to their clients and customers.

“I want to give local real estate consumers and agents a world-class experience like no other. Both Dawn and I have a strong track record of delivering top-quality service to our clients but now through my partnership with Nothnagle REALTORS®, we will be able to offer tools and systems never before available in the Hornell market,” said Martha Marino, Broker/Owner.

“We couldn’t think of a better partner in the Hornell market than Martha Marino, one of the area’s most successful sales agents, a dedicated professional with a reputation for top-notch quality service among her peers and past clients. When you combine her market knowledge and experience with Nothnagle’s award-winning systems, it is a perfect match,” said Armand D’Alfonso, President and CEO of Nothnagle Realtors.

Nothnagle Realtors®, Marino Agency will be the first Southern tier operation for the franchise under this platform. However, the Nothnagle name is familiar to many Hornell residents from the “Gallery of Homes” franchise system that was operated by Nothnagle Realtors previously.

Nothnagle REALTORS®, Marino Agency will be located at 188 Main Street in downtown Hornell.

##

About Martha Marino
Martha Marino has been licensed to sell real estate in New York State since 1995. She resides in Hornell with her husband Mike. They have two grown daughters.

About Nothnagle Realtors
Nothnagle REALTORS® was founded in 1948 and is a full-service real estate brokerage boasting 26 offices in Upstate New York and more than $1.1 billion in annual sales. Nothnagle.com was recently named #8 Top Real Estate Brokerage Website in America by 1000watt Consulting and REALTrends. For more information, please visit www.Nothnagle.com.

Nothnagle REALTORS® previously operated the “Gallery of Homes” franchise system for over 30 years. The first real estate franchise in the country, at its peak there was a network of 1,100 Gallery of Homes locations throughout the U.S., Canada and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Company sold off the franchise in the 1980’s.

Nothnagle 4-Sale Line is Now Bigger & Better!

The Nothnagle 4-Sale Line® just got better! In addition to Nothnagle listings, callers can now access information on all listed properties in the Greater Rochester region.

To get information on a property listed with a Nothnagle agent, nothing has changed. Callers enter the Property Code Number (PC#), which appears on Nothnagle “for sale” yard signs and in advertisements, to get a property description and if desired, connect directly with the listing agent.

To access properties listed by a broker other than Nothnagle, callers can enter the property’s MLS number. The MLS number commonly can be found on most competitors’ advertisements and starts with the letter “R” followed by a series of numbers.

The Nothnagle 4-Sale Line® was established in 1993 and continues to get thousands of calls each month. Callers can obtain information on available homes 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service provides a brief description of the home, including its rooms, features, location and price. Callers can utilize the option to connect directly to an agent to get more information and to set up an appointment to tour the property.

To access the 4-Sale Line® call 585-292-8500 or toll free at 1-800-295-2797.

How to Calculate Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

Debt-to-Income ratios are important for helping you to determine how much house you can buy and what your lender will approve for a mortgage amount. There are two different types of ratios lenders look at, the front-end ratio which is your housing expenses, and back-end ratio which is your total debt-to-income ratio.

The front-end ratio indicates how much of your monthly income will go towards your monthly payment, which includes principle, interest, real estate property taxes and homeowners' insurance. The total payment should not exceed 28% of your gross (before taxes) monthly income.

To get an idea of what kind of a payment you can qualify for, take your annual gross salary and multiply it by 0.28 (28%), then divide by 12 months. For example, if your annual salary is $50,000, you may qualify for a monthly payment of $1166 (50,000 x 0.28 / 12 = 1,166).

When searching for a home on Nothnagle.com, each listing has a "Mortgage Calculator" feature that will help you estimate what your monthly payment will be for that particular property.

An additional factor that a lender will look at beyond the front-end ratio, is your total debt-to-income ratio (or back-end ratio). This takes into account not just your housing expenses but your total debts, including car loans, credit card payments and student loans. Your total monthly debt payments cannot exceed 36%. To calculate your back-end ratio, take your annual gross salary and multiply it by 0.36 (36%), then divide by 12 months. Using the same salary of $50,000, your monthly debt payments cannot exceed $1500.

Depending on your other debts, this may reduce the amount of monthly housing payment you can qualify for if you are carrying high credit card debt. To do a quick estimate, add up your monthly fixed payments - minimum credit card payments, car loan, student loan or other fixed debt. If these debt payments equal $600, that leaves $900 for your monthly housing expense.

To find out how much you can qualify for, contact a Nothnagle agent direct or one of our mortgage partners today.

The Difference Between Pre-Qualification vs. Pre-Approval

One of the best things you can do to prepare if you're in the market to buy (aside from hiring a Nothnagle agent!) is to get pre-approved for a mortgage. Pre-approval has far more significance than a pre-qualification.

Nearly anyone can get a pre-qualification letter; the applicant fills out an application and provides basic financial information. At this point in the process, there is no verification of income, debt and credit rating. A lender will issue a "pre-qualification" letter which basically states that based on the information provided, the buyer qualifies for up to $X amount for a mortgage.

A pre-approval letter is only issued after the lender has run a credit report and verified your financial status. The next step after being pre-approved would be to finalize the mortgage commitment. If you are in a competitive situation on a house and one buyer only has a pre-qualification letter but you have a pre-approval, the seller is more likely to accept your offer because they can be assured that it is very likely you will be able to get financing and go through with the purchase of their home.

A pre-approval letter may provide you with some conditions that must be met in order to obtain a mortgage. One common example would be if you own a home now, your lender may condition a mortgage approval on you selling your home first before they will lend you money for your new home. Another example would be a condition that you have to pay off a credit card or student loan.

For more information on financing, visit one of our mortgage partners or contact a Nothnagle agent today.

Nothnagle is Expanding to Central New York Region!

Nothnagle Realtors is pleased to announce the launch of Nothnagle REALTORS®, Moss Ansteth Associates, a franchised office under the ownership and management of industry veterans Aaron Moss and Stephen Ansteth.

The duo has been operating Aaron A. Moss Real Estate, Inc. since 2005 from their location at 1 West Genesee Street in the heart of Skaneateles. The office location will remain the same and all eight agents will be making the transition to the Nothnagle platform. From the Skaneateles location the agents serve all of Central New York, providing a high level of customer service and experience to the clients they work with.

“We want to give local real estate consumers and agents a world-class experience like no other. Both Steve and I have a strong track record of delivering top-quality service to our clients but now through our partnership with Nothnagle REALTORS®, we will be able to offer tools and systems never before available in the Central New York region,” said Aaron Moss, Broker.

“The franchise arrangement allows brokers to maintain their independence while tapping into our successful infrastructure. Aaron and Steve have an exceptional business-sense. We share the same vision and believe that by empowering agents with the most innovative tools in the industry, we can offer the best buyer and seller experience in the Central New York market,” said Armand D’Alfonso, President and CEO of Nothnagle Realtors.

Nothnagle REALTORS®, Moss Ansteth Associates will be the first operation in the Central New York region for the franchise under this platform.



About Aaron Moss
Aaron Moss, a Skaneateles native, opened Aaron A. Moss Real Estate, Inc. in 2005. Prior to that, most recently he served as Chief Operating Officer at Jordyn Taylor Properties, Inc., located in South Florida. In less than four years with Jordyn Taylor, Aaron oversaw the opening of 17 real estate offices, hired and trained over 1,500 agents and the company transacted over 25,000 sales.

Aaron currently resides in Skaneateles with his family. He is a Director for the New York State Association of REALTORS® and is past Treasurer of the Cayuga County Association of REALTORS®. In addition to New York, Aaron is licensed in Connecticut, Virginia and Florida.

About Stephen Ansteth
Steve Ansteth has spent the last 5 years as owner/operator of Aaron A. Moss Real Estate, Inc., in Skaneateles. Throughout his time in real estate, Steve has developed a knack with buyers and sellers alike, using his outstanding customer service skills and innovative communication systems.

Steve, from Skaneateles, currently resides in Auburn. He is Treasurer of the Cayuga County Association of REALTORS® and is the co-chairman for the Association’s successful Charity Golf Event which benefits local charities, most recently The Matthew House.

About Nothnagle REALTORS®
Nothnagle REALTORS® was founded in 1948 and is a full-service real estate brokerage boasting 26 offices in Upstate New York and more than $1.1 billion in annual sales. Nothnagle.com was recently named #8 Top Real Estate Brokerage Website in America by 1000watt Consulting and REALTrends. For more information, please visit www.Nothnagle.com.

Nothnagle REALTORS® previously operated the “Gallery of Homes” franchise system for over 30 years. The first real estate franchise in the country, at its peak there was a network of 1,100 Gallery of Homes locations throughout the U.S., Canada and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Company sold off the franchise in the 1980’s.

Are You Considering a Career in Real Estate?

Nothnagle Realtors is hiring! Have you ever considered a NEW CAREER in Real Estate Sales? Have you already taken the licensing course and don't know what to do next? You've come to the right place!

If you're thinking of real estate as a career, we invite you to find out more about the licensing process and what Nothnagle has to offer you at one of our upcoming Career Day seminars. The seminars are free and there's no obligation, no pressure...just a source for information gathering.

What are some of the benefits of a career in real estate?

• Offers unlimited earning potential.

• Flexibility! As an independent contractor, you make your own hours.

• You are the boss of your own business…..we give you the support and guidance, but it’s your business.

Nothnagle has training and unprecedented support to ensure your success in a new career. If you already have your NYS salespersons license, learn about our exclusive Fast Trac training. New sessions are being added. Call 585-624-3370 x. 223 for dates and for registration information.

Our Fast Trac course offers comprehensive training on every aspect of real estate sales. Attendees graduate from Fast Trac and are prepared to hit the ground running. This course will teach you not just the fundamentals but will give you the confidence you need to be successful.

All real estate companies are not the same....Nothnagle can make the difference! See what our agents have to say about us.

5 Reasons to Buy a Home Today

1. Mortgages are cheap! These are the lowest rates on record! Since less money goes towards interest, more money can go towards your principal meaning you get more house for your money.

2. Save on Taxes. Homeowners that itemize on their annual tax returns can take deductions for the mortgage interest and real estate property taxes you pay. The tax breaks become more valuable the more you earn and the bigger your mortgage.

3. It is YOURS! To do whatever you want with it. If you want to paint your bedroom purple, take out a wall, add an addition....you can! Owning a home allows you to personalize your living space whereas most landlords will not allow you to make any major alterations.

4. Great selection available. There is a healthy supply of inventory to choose from on the market today. Buyers start your search on Nothnagle.com, where we have over 25,000 properties currently featured.

5. Build personal wealth. A home is often the most valuable asset you will ever own. As you pay down your mortgage, you continue to build equity...your "nest egg" for down the road when you sell your home someday. Most real estate is a sound investment, with the real estate market outperforming the stock market over the last 50+ years.

So what are you waiting for?! Contact a Nothnagle agent today to get started finding your new home!

Get More with Nothnagle!

The key to selling your home fast (and for the most money) is to get it exposed to the widest pool of prospective buyers possible. The combination of Guided Tours, Nothnagle.TV, YouTube and the Sunday Showcase of Homes provides multiple outlets for buyers to find your home.

• Guided Tours have drawn 83,117 views in the first eight months of 2010.

• Nothnagle.TV has 94,741 views in the first eight months with consumer sessions averaging 12.48 homes viewed.

• We will make your home a star on YouTube, the 2nd largest search engine in the world! Buyers find it easy to locate your home on this popular site by searching agent name, price, area, amenities….and also have the ability to connect direct to your agent to schedule an appointment to see the property in person.

• Nothnagle’s Sunday Showcase of Homes has been bringing buyers home since 1985 when it debuted as the first real estate TV show aired in the nation. Homes featured on the show are guaranteed to get more activity at open houses. The show has been the #1 real estate show for decades and draws an average of 40,000 viewers each week.

Get More Print Advertising with Nothnagle

No one advertises in print like Nothnagle. Guaranteed. We know that newspapers and the Internet work best when working together. A recent study conducted by Google shows that print advertising drives web traffic – 67% of respondents who see an ad in print go online to research it further. Nothnagle listings average a 34% increase in traffic to the web in the three days after the print ad runs. Our competitors will tell you “print ads are dead, the Internet is where it’s at” simply because they’re trying to reduce their costs. Print ads cost money! We know they work, which is why Nothnagle invests over $1 million in print advertising each year. Sellers know the Internet is a given today. What can Nothnagle do beyond the web? Print ads.

FACT: The Saturday Democrat and Chronicle reaches on average 370,000 adults each week. No real estate website can reach that audience in a single day.

Find out more about our Guaranteed Print Program by contacting a Nothnagle agent direct or call 899-MOVE.

What is SONYMA?

The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) provides safe, low interest fixed rate mortgages, down payments assistance and other programs specifically designed to help low- and moderate-income families become homeowners. SONYMA loans are designed to make your home purchase more affordable.

Current interest rates are at the lowest level in the 40 year history of SONYMA, offering a strong incentive for buyers in today's post-tax credit market. Coupled with Nothnagle's healthy inventory of homes to choose from, this is a great time for qualifed buyers to purchase a home.

To qualify, you must meet certain eligibility requirements, including Purchase Price Limits (depending on the SONYMA program you are interested in) and Income Limits.

Contact your Nothnagle agent for more information or one of our Mortgage Partners who can assist you in finding the mortgage product that is right for you.

SONYMA Rates Reduced to Lowest Level in 40 Years

The State of New York Morgage Agency (SONYMA) is now providing the lowest interest rates ever offered for its two primary programs in the agency's 40-year history. SONYMA's core program, the Low Interest Rate Program, is now being offered at a rate of 4 percent and it's Achieving the Dream Program, for low-income first-time homebuyers, is being offered at 3.5 percent.

SONYMA offers several competitively priced mortgage products, designed primarily for first-time homebuyers, to enable low- and moderate-income New Yorkers to become homeowners. In addition to the low interest rates, SONYMA loans offer the following features:

* Down payment assistance of up to $10,000 is available;

* Availability of 40-year mortgages;

* Rate lock periods of 100 days (240 for new construction and rehabilitation properties);

* 97 percent financing for most property types and as little as 1 percent borrower own funds towards the down payment;

* No upfront mortgage insurance premiums and no borrower-paid points;

* No higher interest rates or add-ons for different property types, loan amounts over $417,000, properties located in declining markets or borrowers with lower FICO scores;

* Flexible condominium and cooperative project requirements.

SONYMA encourages responsible and sustainable homeownership and is proud that its delinquency rate is about 2 percent, substantially lower than the national rate of 10.5 percent.

Contact your Nothnagle Agent or one of our Mortgage Partners for more information.

Properly Pricing Listings is Critical in Today's Market

Great article from the Democrat and Chronicle about the realities of pricing listings in today's market. Here is an excerpt:

Much has changed in the market since the expiration of the federal tax credits at the end of April — pricing on a home, for one thing. These days, real estate agents say, the home should be priced right from the start.

"You don't get a second chance to make a first impression," said Sam Morreale, an agent with Nothnagle Realtors' Irondequoit office.

Some people think that they can lower the price as the market demands, but it's impossible to recreate that excitement of when a house is initially listed on the market, he said. Right now, there's a bit of a disconnect between what sellers hope to get for their home and the new reality of the market, Morreale said. When sellers look at their neighbor's home that sold four to five months ago for $120,000, it's hard for the sellers to grasp that their home is only going for $109,000 in this market.

"When you're a seller and it's your money, you're hearing it, but you're not believing it," Morreale said.

Sellers need to be aggressive — and realistic — with pricing and use data within the last three months, said Janet Campbell, an agent with Nothnagle Realtors' Spencerport office. Too much has changed "after-tax credit" and relying on data that is 6 months old is just not accurate.
The seller might even want to consider pricing the home a few thousand dollars lower than the comparable price to adjust for the lost tax credits.

The tax credits "did drive more sales and did drive prices a little higher," Morreale said.

After verifying the data, because sometimes there are sellers' concessions factored into the price, the sellers need to rate their home to see how it stacks up against current competition, Morreale said. Check on curb appeal and improvements compared with other homes in the same area, for example.

(From the 9/4/10 edition of the Democrat and Chronicle's Real Estate and Rentals section)

Nothnagle agents are up to date with current market conditions and trends. Interested in selling? Call a Nothnagle agent today to discuss pricing strategies that will help you sell your home in the shortest amouont of time for the most amount of money. Looking to buy? A Nothnagle agent can help you negotiate the best price on your next home.

Only Nothnagle Offers TWO TV Shows!

When we launched the "Showcase of Homes" in 1985, it was the first real estate TV show to air in the country. Now we've taken TV to a whole new level with Nothnagle.TV. Our #1 rated Showcase of Homes continues to deliver proven results but consumers want MORE! Nothnagle.TV allows you to create your own TV show, viewed in high-definition. Each show is customized by you, especially for you. Simply go to www.Nothnagle.TV, select your county/area, price range and get started. Only properties meeting your criteria will be aired. Connect direct with the listing agent if you want to get more information. Nothnagle.TV...another exclusive service only available at Nothnagle Realtors.