Home Selling Myths

 

When it comes to selling your home, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there. In this blog post, we'll dispel some of the most common myths so that you can enter the home-selling process with your eyes wide open.

Myth #1: You Need to Spruce Up Your Home Before Putting It on the Market

Many homeowners think that they need to spend a lot of money on cosmetic upgrades before putting their homes on the market. But in reality, most buyers are more interested in the bones of the house — things like square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and location. As long as your home is clean and presentable, you shouldn't need to spend much money on upgrades.

 

Myth #2: The First Offer Is Always the Best Offer

Reality: Often, the first offer is a lowball offer from an inexperienced buyer who's just trying to get a deal. Don't automatically accept the first bid that comes in. Instead, counter with a fair price and see if the buyer will meet you in the middle. If not, move on to another potential consumer.

Myth #3: It Takes Forever to Sell a House

This isn't always true. It really depends on things like market conditions and pricing. In some markets, houses sell quickly — sometimes within days or even hours! If you price your home competitively and make it available during peak buying season, you could have it sold in no time flat.

 

Myth #4: Realtors Aren't Worth the Cost

Full-service real estate agents do charge a commission (usually 6%). Still, they also provide valuable services like marketing your home, negotiating with buyers, and handling all the paperwork involved in selling a house. Realtors have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which gives your home maximum exposure to potential buyers. So while you may have to pay a commission upfront, working with a realtor could save you money in the long run — not to mention help prevent many headaches!

 

Property Tax Consultants on Long Island

If you want to reduce your property taxes, we’re here to help. Based in Plainview, New York, P.T.R.C., Inc. specializes in minimizing clients’ property tax assessments with personalized service. Our number one priority is customer satisfaction.

Tips for Celebrating the Holiday Season on a Budget

 

The holidays are a special time for family and friends to celebrate. However, this busy season can also be a very expensive period. If you want to celebrate the holidays without breaking the bank this year, our team here at P.T.R.C., Inc. has some tips that can help you save cash.

Create a Budget and Stick to It

One of the best ways to save money during the holidays is to create a budget and stick to it. Determine how much you can realistically spend on gifts, decorations, and food. Once you have completed your budget, stay within it. Consider getting creative with your gift-giving or making your own decorations if you find you’re getting too close to going over your set amount.

Take Advantage of Sales and Discounts

Another great way to save money during the busy season is to take advantage of sales and discounts. Many stores offer great deals on holiday items leading up to the big day. If you plan ahead and purchase items when they are on sale, you can save yourself a lot of money. Additionally, many stores offer coupons and discounts that can be used on holiday purchases. Be sure to check for these before heading out to buy!

Reuse and Repurpose Items from Previous Years

A third way to save money during the holidays is to reuse and repurpose items from previous years. For example, if you have Christmas lights from last year that still work, there is no need to go out and purchase new ones. You can also use last year’s holiday cards as gift tags or turn them into new cards by adding your personal touch. Get creative with what you already have and see how much money you can save in the process.

Ready to Save Money?

You count on one of the leaders in property tax challenges! For decades, Property Tax Reduction Consultants on Long Island has strived to minimize clients’ property tax assessment with personalized service. Customer service is our number one priority.

The Ultimate Guide to Grieving Your Property Taxes for the First Time

 

Grieving your property taxes is a process by which you can challenge your tax assessment and potentially lower your annual property tax bill. It can seem daunting if you've never gone through the process before. But don't worry! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to grieve your property taxes successfully.

 

What Is a Property Tax Grievance?

A property tax grievance is a formal challenge to your property tax assessment. The assessment is the value that the municipality has placed on your property for tax purposes. In most cases, your estimate will be based on the sale price of your home. However, if there have yet to be any recent sales of comparable homes in your area, the municipality may use other methods to assess your property's value.

 

Why Would I Want to Grieve My Property Taxes?

The primary reason to grieve your property taxes is to lower your annual property tax bill. If you succeed in reducing your assessment, your tax bill will be lowered accordingly. This can mean significant savings, especially if your estimate was significantly higher than the sale price of your home.

 

How Do I Grieve My Property Taxes?

While this is a process you can tackle yourself, a lot goes into it. It can be complicated, from filing the correct paperwork to presenting yourself at a hearing to make the case for why you believe your assessment should be lowered. That is where we come in.

When you trust P.T.R.C., Inc., we can take care of everything for you! Simply submit your application, and we'll be in touch regarding our process to help you pay the lowest legal amount possible for your property taxes.

 

Ready to Save Money?

You count on one of the leaders in property tax challenges! For decades, Property Tax Reduction Consultants on Long Island has strived to minimize clients’ property tax assessment with personalized service. Customer service is our number one priority.

Tax Preparation Checklist

 

Tax season is coming up, and if you're like most people, it's a time that can be overwhelming. We are always running out of time, not enough money to pay our taxes, or something else comes up, and we just don't know what to do. But there's no need to worry! It's never too early to start preparing for tax season, so here's a checklist of items you'll need to begin your prep.

Gather All Financial Documents

You will want to gather every piece of information related to your finances, including W-2 forms, bank statements, 1099s, and other investment income records. You'll also want to gather information such as income earned, education expenses, and medical expenses to complete your taxes accurately. This will make it easier once tax season rolls around because you'll have all the information needed to complete the process.

 

Create an Organized System

You want to avoid scrambling to find everything you need once tax time arrives. After gathering all the necessary information and documents, it's time to create an organized system. Whether you need to create a spreadsheet, file everything in alphabetical folders, or invest in a tax helper service, consider ways to make the season much easier for you.

 

Consult With a Financial Advisor

Another important task you should do is find out what new tax laws are going into effect this year and how they will affect your taxes. You can consult a financial advisor or accountant if you have any questions about what changes may occur and how they might impact your finances.

Look Into What Deductions Your Eligible For

Don't worry — there might be ways to get your taxes reduced this year! It's essential that you know what deductions or credits are available to help lower your taxable income. This also includes property tax reductions!

 

Property Tax Consultants on Long Island

If you want to reduce your property taxes, we’re here to help. Based in Plainview, New York, P.T.R.C., Inc. specializes in minimizing clients’ property tax assessments with personalized service. Our number one priority is customer satisfaction.