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Month: April 2016

Home Inspectors Help Ensure That Houses Being Sold Don't Have Unforseen Problems

April 7, 2016November 8, 2017

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Larry McGann has been operating Spire Inspections in Ballston Lake for 12 years.Courtesy Spire Inspections

By Sarah Jean Worden

When buying or selling a home, licensed home inspectors are an important cog. They look at the structure of a building and determine its soundness. They examine other issues so buyers, sellers and real estate agents don’t get caught up in unexpected predicaments.

Dave Digges of Amtec Inspections LLC in Clifton Park said getting a residential home inspection by a licensed inspector is comparable to taking out an insurance policy on one of the biggest investments a person will make. It’s also why banks require it.

What people often refer to as a home inspection is actually a structural inspection, he said, which does not cover typical “after-market additions to the home, like water softeners or an unattached shed.

“Newer homes tend to have a whole lot less problems than a house that’s 100 years old,” said Larry McGann of Spire Inspections in Ballston Lake.

Although he said most home inspections are called for when a person is buying, some will call him if they are thinking of selling a house in order to educate themselves about the value and possibly gain some leverage over price negotiation.

An inspector will closely examine a house to determine if there are plumbing or electrical issues. They check the safety of the roof, windows and insulation.

Showcase Of Homes Committee Already Busy Planning Event This Fall; 17 Homes Committed

April 7, 2016November 8, 2017

The 2016 Saratoga Showcase of Homes Committee is busy planning this year’s edition of its home tour, with more than 17 homes committed to the event.

Now in its 21st year, the event has contributed over $900,000 to local charities.

The 2016 Saratoga Showcase of Homes will be held over three weekends this fall, Sept. 17-18, Sept. 24-25 and Oct. 1-2. It features local builders showcasing new construction.

Tickets will remain at $20.

The committee has an extensive marketing and promotional campaign in development, which includes official media sponsors in newspapers, magazines, online, radio, television, billboards and social media.

Company sponsorships are now available and showcase home reservations are currently in progress. For a sponsorship opportunities packet or for information on entering a new home in the event, contact Barry Potoker, executive director, at 366-0946 or via email at bpotoker@saratogabuilders.org.

Business Report: It's A Good Time For Finding A Home

April 7, 2016November 8, 2017

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Kim Salerno is the principal in Salerno Law PC in Ballston Spa.
Courtesy Salerno Law PC

By Kimberly A. Salerno, Esq

This is such an exciting time to be involved in our real estate market. The market is extremely healthy and, compared to last year, sales are higher than expected.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), “Total existing home-sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops… [are] 2.2 percent higher than a year ago.”

In the Northeast, we were spared the effects of the large East Coast blizzard and were able to maintain our real estate “bubble.” Our main challenge, however, continues to be a lack of inventory for potential buyers and being able to find the right property at an affordable price.

For example, I have a young couple I am representing who are purchasing their first home in Saratoga County. They are looking at homes in the $200,000-$300,000 price range. They found themselves in a multiple-offer situation (several potential buyers all putting in offers on the same listing and the seller can accept the “best” offer) on the first home they found and their offer was not accepted by the seller.

They found another home but again found themselves in a multiple-offer situation. This time they contacted me immediately so that we could “approve” the contract as quickly as possible. To further protect my client, I also added an “escalation clause” (if another offer came in their offer automatically increased $1,000.00 more than the highest offer). With these proactive measures in place, my clients were the successful bidders.

Let’s take a step back from that contract and documentation.

Can you imagine being a first time home-buyer and looking for a home in this market? As their attorney, I must understand the nuances of real estate law, but it is even more important to understand your client fully. It is essential to be patient and listen to all of your client’s concerns, acknowledging their stressors and providing reassurance by answering all of their questions and guiding them throughout the transaction.

Saratoga Modular Homes Expands With New Capital District Design Center In Latham

April 7, 2016November 29, 2017

Saratoga Modular Homes LLC, headquartered in Saratoga Springs, is expanding in Latham.

The company has opened Capital District Design Center at Newton Plaza, 582 New Loudon Road.

The company specializes in the design and construction of custom modular homes, multifamily and light commercial buildings, said Cecil Provost, owner of Saratoga Modular.

They new entity is a sister company to Saratoga Construction LLC, a custom modular home company.

“What makes us unique is that we combine the efficiency and cost savings of modular construction with the custom designs, master craftsmanship and attention to detail of a custom home builder” said Provost.

“We treat each job, whether a simple starter home or a magnificent mansion, as a custom home. We spend a lot of time listening to the customer’s wants, needs, time frame and budget, and then develop a home plan and specifications that fit their situation,” he said. “And our advantage over traditional modular home dealers in the region is that we offer complete turn-key construction service from permits to completion.”

Provost said that the new office is already seeing success.

“We haven’t even run our first ads yet,” said Provost. “All we’ve done is put a ‘Coming soon to Albany’ note on our website, and our phones haven’t stopped ringing.”

Weichert Family Of Companies Launches A Property Management Group Called 'Aureus'

April 7, 2016November 8, 2017

The Weichert Family of Companies announced on March 29 the launch of its wholly owned property management company, Aureus Property Management.

Aureus builds upon Weichert’s more than 30 years of experience and proficiency providing in-house property management services by consolidating its property management businesses into this new entity poised to become the industry leader in personalized property management solutions, the company said.

The name, Aureus, comes from the name of the gold coins that served as the primary monetary unit in ancient Rome, company officials said.

“This reflects Aureus’s mission to deliver a level of service and trust that constitutes the gold standard in property management,” said a company statement.

The company offers a broad range of property management services for property owners, relocating employees and renters, including tenant screening, marketing, property maintenance and rent collection.

Mike Williams, who has more than 15 years of experience in managing commercial and residential properties for corporations and retail customers, will serve as president of Aureus.

Most recently, he served as president of Penn Property Management and previously was vice president of property management for the Long & Foster Companies. In his new role, Williams will oversee all corporate functions and service teams and hold ultimate responsibility for the company’s strategic growth and the execution of the Aureus value proposition.

Cyber Security Is A Relatively New Concern For Businesses, Local Insurance Brokers Say

April 7, 2016November 8, 2017

David Fragomeni says storage of client financial info may require cyber coverage.

By Jill Nagy

Even when insurance coverage is required by law, as with workers’ compensation or unemployment coverage, brokers always check to be sure those coverages are included in a client’s insurance portfolio.

According to local brokers, matters involving cyber security are relatively new for the industry. It can be complex, but necessary for many types of businesses.

Still, the traditional business coverages are always being dealt with. “A lot of folks don’t know that they need workers’ compensation and disability,” Diane Mjaatvezt of Sutton and Tarantino said.

Once the required bases have been covered, the choices of insurance options are almost dizzying and limited only by what a business owner is willing to pay, say local brokers.

Brian Whitney, manager of Cote Insurance in Saratoga Springs, begins with the typical business owner’s policy that covers liability, property damage. Then there are add-on issues to be addressed, like vehicle coverage, potential employment infractions such as discrimination or mismanagement of insurance benefits, and errors and omissions (particularly for licensed professionals).

Bruce Clements of Clements Insurance Brokers in Saratoga Springs, said business coverage “is much more complex than personal lines” and should be customized to meet the needs of different businesses.

Woman Goes From Dance Lessons As A Child To Ownership Of 'Bloom, A Movement Studio'

April 7, 2016November 29, 2017

Audrey Mangini, owner of Bloom, A Movement Studio, offers a number of different classes at her 153 Regent St. studio to meet the needs of a diverse population.

By Maureen Werther

Audrey Mangini, owner of Bloom, A Movement Studio, is someone who doesn’t like to be told “no.”

Mangini has been dancing since the age of two and she played soccer throughout her school career. When she suffered a knee injury requiring surgery at age 18, she was told that she would never be able to run again.

Within two months of the surgery, Mangini proved her doctors wrong. During that time, she also began taking Zumba classes to aid in her therapy and recuperation. She loved the classes and became an avid student.

When her father said, “You’re so good at this, why not just teach it yourself,” Mangini followed his advice and, within a few months, she became a certified Zumba instructor. But, she took her love of movement, dance, and fitness even further.

Bloom originally opened in 2005, under different ownership, at the Regent Street Arts Studio, 153 Regent St. in Saratoga Springs. The building has a long history as home to dance studios, and Mangini fondly remembered taking classes there as a young child.

Nurse Practitioner Practice Helps Patients To Deal With State's Medical Advantage Plans

April 7, 2016November 8, 2017

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Nurse Practitioner Diana Miller examines Rose Capen in an effort to work with her and her family in evaluating her health care needs both in and outside of the home.Courtesy Capital Region NP Consulting

By Jennifer Farnsworth

Diana Miller of Stillwater has always envisioned herself on the front lines, advocating for quality health care.

Since the passing of the state Modernization Act, permitting nurse practitioners to work independently, she has been able to turn her vision into a practice. She recently opened a practice that allows her to provide the care she feels so passionately about.

Capital Region NP Consulting in Family Health focuses on providing patient assessments for Medicare Advantage patients and in the comfort of their own home.

Medicare Advantage plans, sometimes called Part C or MA plans, are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. People that join a Medicare Advantage plan still have Medicare. They get their Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance) coverage from the Medicare Advantage Plan and not original Medicare.

Miller said the focus area is to provide patient assessments for Medicare Advantage, in order to allow those 55-plus to age healthy in the home, with the objective to measure the appropriate care levels when there are requirements necessitating transition care management.

The state Modernization Act, having taken effect Jan. 1, 2015, is now resonating throughout New York State, with the greatest impact felt in rural areas like northern Saratoga and Warren counties. The legislation eliminated the requirement for experienced NPs to have a written practice agreement with physicians.

Business Briefs: April 2016

April 7, 2016November 8, 2017

C.T. Male Associates was honored with a gold award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York in category of Surveying and Mapping Technology for the Empire State Plaza grand staircase rehabilitation high definition 3D laser scan project at the State Museum and Archives in Albany.

Winners were honored at the 49th annual Engineering Excellence awards gala at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City in March. In conjunction with the gala, ACEC New York’s scholarship program awarded more than $50,000 to engineering students in the state.

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The LA Group in Saratoga Springs received a historic preservation merit award from the New York Upstate Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) for its work done on the Grey Towers National Historic Site facilities master plan. The site is in Milford, Pa.

The LA Group was hired by the U.S. Forest Service to develop a comprehensive plan outlining steps for the preservation, development, and evolution of the renowned national historic site.

The final plan was reviewed by a jury of landscape architecture professionals and selected to receive the merit award because the project represented “significant quality, innovation, and professional impact.” The firm was also recognized for its “efforts to provide access and modernization to the site while maintaining the integrity of historic context.”

Built in 1886, Grey Towers is the ancestral home of Gifford Pinchot, the first director of the U.S. Forest Service.

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HomeBridge Financial Services Inc., a residential mortgage lender, will host a grand opening wine and cheese event from 5:30-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 28, at at 125 High Rock Ave., Suite 202, its Capital Region headquarters in downtown Saratoga Springs.

The event will feature giveaways, a raffle for an iPad mini, as well as a $500 coupon toward closing costs.

Staffed by branch sales manager and mortgage loan originator Heidi Ives, mortgage loan originator Christian LaBier and mortgage loan processor Melissa Hurd, the new location allows for further expansion of the HomeBridge organization into Upstate New York and New Jersey.

Those who would like to attend are asked to respond by April 25 to Ives at hives@homebridge.com or 438-1217.

Saratoga Women In Business Group (SWIB) Is A Growing Saratoga County Networking Entity

April 7, 2016November 29, 2017

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From left, Dorothy Rogers-Bullis, Rachel Spensieri and Heidi Ives are group cofounders.Courtesy Saratoga Women In Business

Just 12 months after its inception, the Saratoga Women in Business (SWIB) group is already making its mark in the Spa City.

The group targets female business leaders in the greater Saratoga Springs area and offers free bi-monthly fellowship opportunities, complete with wine, light hors d’oeuvres, and door prizes sponsored by area businesses.

“We formed this group because we believed that women needed an avenue to meet other successful female professionals in our area,” said Heidi Ives, sales manager at HomeBridge Financial Services Inc., and one of the group’s co-founders. “Men do a lot of their networking on the golf course, so we wanted to create an equivalent fun, casual atmosphere where women could meet each other and learn more about one another’s businesses.”

SWIB has over 140 members in its LinkedIn group and reports an increasing number of women attending the bi-monthly gatherings. At the most recent networking event on March 30 at The Gideon Putnam Hotel in the Saratoga Spa State Park attracted over 60 women professionals.

“We were thrilled to have such a great turnout,” said Dorothy Rogers-Bullis, owner of drb Business Interiors and another of the group’s co-founders. “The fact that we have more and more women joining our group and doing business with one another as a result is proof that professional women truly want to help one another succeed.”