Tax Appeals

For all of you who appealed your taxes through us, we had our court hearing and provided the Board of Assessment with all necessary information.  You should receive their final decision by mid-November, they will be in touch with you directly.   Good Luck!

In this kind of  Sellers Market, lots of us are staying put and doing some remodeling/additions. 

The following are key elements that every remodeling contract should have:

1. The contractor’s name, address, phone number AND license number.

2. Details on what the contractor will and WON’T do.

3. A list of materials for the project in your contract.  This includes information about the size, color, model, brand name and product.

4. The approximate start date and completion date.

5. All required plans.  Study them carefully for accuracy.  Insist that you approve them and that they are identified in your written contract before any work begins.

6. Written notice of your right to, without penalty, cancel a contract within three business days of signing it.

7. Financial terms, spelled out in a way that you have negotiated and understand them to be.  This includes total price, payment schedule, and any cancellation policy.

8. A binding arbitration clause, which you’ll need in the event a disagreement occurs.  Arbitration may enable you to resolve disputes without costly litigation.

9. Everything you requested.  Consider the scope of the project and make sure all items you’ve requested are included.  If you do not see a specific item, consider it not included.  Never sign an incomplete contract.

10. A warranty covering materials and workmanship for a minimum of one year.  The warranty must be identified as either “full” or “limited”.  The name and address of the party who will honor the warranty (contractor, distributor or manufacturer) must be identified.  Make sure the time period for the warranty is specified.

   AND P.S.—Don’t wait until you sell to get your granite and that fresh coat of paint.  Do it and enjoy it!!!

Here’s your To-Do List:

Go down to the basement and change your filters right now.  Look at your hot water heater and see how much insulation it will need and then put it on your Lowe’s list along with batteries for your smoke detectors (even if they’re hard-wired!).  If you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector, put that on your list too.  HAVE your chimney cleaned (yes, it does need it) before you start burning this year!  Be sure your gutters are clean before the ice comes and UNDO your hoses!  Then take a nice warm bath and enjoy the day!

Pennsylvania Seller’s Disclosure

The PA Seller’s Disclosure is 6 pages of information about your house.  The next buyers are going to want to know everything you know about your house.  Have you ever had an insurance claim?  Have you had a leak?  How was it repaired?  Do you have all necessary permits?  Is there Radon or Radon Remediation?  If you would like a copy of the PA Seller’s Disclosure just to see what kind of info you are going to need, let us know and we’ll send you a copy.  Send us an email at jeri@gutner.com