5 Halloween Home Safety Tips

 

Halloween is this weekend! With spooks and candy galore, it's a fun holiday for celebration— but it's a time where safety should not be overlooked. This Halloween home safety checklist will help you avoid the most common mistakes homeowners make on their property during this time of year.

1. Perfect Lighting

Ensure all exterior lights work properly and are well lit to guide children safely around the exterior of your house. Consider using an outside motion sensor light or glow sticks to add a spooky but safe ambiance.

 

2. Remember Fire Safety

Avoid using too many flammable materials such as spider webs and other types of netting, as they tend to cause issues. Also, ensure that if you're using any extension cords, they are the correct ones for outdoor use.

 

3. Keep Your Pets in Mind

Please keep your pets safe by keeping them inside or in an enclosed area where they can't escape. If you know your pet will be scared by spooky decorations outside, then it's best to avoid setting those up around your home! Don't want your fluffy buddies to get too spooked this season.

4. Decoration Safety

Avoid setting up any decorations that have loose parts or stick out too much. If anything is blocking the pathway to your door, it could result in trips, falling, or serious injury. Keep all decorations up high enough so that children can't reach them, and inspect each ornament before putting it out on display.

 

5. Clean Your Yard

Check your yard before the big night. Remove anything that could be dangerous for trick-or-treaters, such as obstacles or leaves on the ground. Take the day before to make sure there's a clean and clear path towards your candy.

 

Contact Us For Property Tax Reduction on Long Island

Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com

Why Are My Property Taxes so High?

 

It is not uncommon for people to wonder why their property taxes are so high. When you compare the tax rates of other states, they are usually lower than in New York. And, let's face it, property taxes on Long Island are not always cheap. Why is that the case? We have a few answers for you and what you can do to help lower these prices.

 

Close Proximity to the City

Property tax rates vary across different towns and cities on Long Island, but they all remain high due to the high demand for living space close to New York City. Commuting to and from the city is easy through public transport, such as the LIRR, and by driving.

 

Higher Home Values

Rising home values have resulted in higher assessments and property taxes for homes. Specifically, the way property taxes are calculated is based on two factors: market value (based on recent sale prices) and assessments (the price that assessors set for each property). With this, it's no wonder that your property taxes go up every year.

 

Local Municipalities

Local municipalities can increase or decrease your property tax rate based on how much they need for schools, road work, and services from government-funded programs such as police and fire departments. These factors tend to change every year, so keep an eye out for how they affect your property taxes.

 

What You Can Do

It can be stressful dealing with increases in your property taxes every year. You've got a lot on your plate to juggle, and those high bills are not something you want to have to deal with. Luckily, the team here at P.T.R.C., Inc. is ready to help you get those numbers lowered!

Since 1990, we have worked with both homeowners and taxing authorities with an unsurpassed ability to communicate, facilitate and achieve great success in the assessment challenge process.

Contact Us For Property Tax Reduction on Long Island

Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com

Outdoor Fall Adventures on Long Island in 2021

 

Fall is a wonderful time to get your fill of outdoor activities in. The weather is not too warm and not too cool, making for the perfect temperature. Plus, along with fall comes many fun outdoor activities that only come around this time of year! So buckle up because we’ve got a long list of all the autumn adventures to be had this year on Long Island.

Pumpkin Picking

Can’t have autumn without pumpkins! Whether you decide to paint them, carve funny faces, or place them around for decorations— going the entirety of fall without collecting a single pumpkin is a crime! Now is the perfect time to visit a nearby pumpkin patch with the whole family.

 

Hiking

Many hiking trails throughout Suffolk and Nassau county are perfect for exploring this time of year. Remember to always follow the provided path and wear solid footwear as the walkway may have a few leaves on it— which could lead to slips and falls.

 

Apple Picking

There are many farms and orchards throughout the island that are still open for apple picking! However, be sure to give it a go as soon as possible since apple season doesn’t last longer than mid-October. The sooner you go, the better apples you’ll be able to grab.

 

Fall Festivals

No matter where you live on Long Island, there is always bound to be some local fall event going on during October. From street fairs to shopping opportunities, don’t miss the chance to enjoy the outdoors until the weather gets cold. Here are a few examples of what you have to look forward to the rest of this month!

Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com

Is There a Limit to How Many Times I Can Grieve my Taxes?

 

Every year, your property taxes go up. And for Long Island homeowners, this is something that they have to face every year. But luckily, there’s a way to get your property taxes lowered— through our grievance process! And, of course, you must be wondering: if my property taxes go up every year, can I apply for the grievance process every year? 

The answer is yes!

 

How Often Can I Grieve My Property Taxes?

As we stated above, you can apply to get your property taxes lowered every year! For those who have already reduced their taxes in the past, the grievance only applies to the current tax year and future years, so you cannot grieve taxes you have already paid. And the best part? Your property taxes can not go up because of a challenge, and we only charge for successful cases.

More About P.T.R.C., Inc’s Grievance Process

As a homeowner, you have the right to file a property tax grievance, should you disagree with the taxes owed. It starts from you submitting your signed application, and the team here at P.T.R.C., Inc. will confirm that we received your application within the deadline and if you’re eligible to file the grievance application.

P.T.R.C., Inc. will represent you before the Board of Assessment Review (B.A.R.) in Suffolk County or the Assessment Review Commission (A.R.C.) in Nassau County. Based on the decision rendered by the A.R.C. or B.A.R., P.T.R.C., Inc. will either accept the reduction or proceed to the Small Claims Assessment Review (SCAR). SCAR is the only way to obtain a reduction if denied at the board level. We have proven extremely successful here! A $30 court filing fee is required for SCAR to purchase an index number which guarantees your case to be heard.

P.T.R.C., Inc. will then purchase the index number and complete all necessary paperwork on your behalf. Once your appeal is filed, it is up to the Supreme Court to schedule a hearing (This can take up to several months because of the numerous SCAR appeals being filed). We will prepare all the necessary documentation, including a Comparable Market Analysis, to be used in the appeal process. We will also appear on your behalf and present all the needed evidence to succeed.

Once successful, depending on the municipality and your hearing date, a reduction granted can be reflected/adjusted in several ways. Such as, the deduction can be reflected on your tax bills, in which case you would pay your taxes based on the lowered assessed value, and thus no refund will be due to you. Another method would be that a refund check can be issued for any overpayment of taxes due to the reduction. An additional process can be a partial adjustment in your assessed value and a partial refund. Many factors can influence how the different municipalities reflect/adjust your property tax bill; each city and reduction can be unique.

Homeowners, Contact Us For Property Tax Reduction on Long Island

Here at P.T.R.C., Inc., we are determined to help our clients pay the lowest amount of property tax as required by law. Contact us today to see how we can help you: info@ptrc.com