Irondequoit Library Proposal

April 23 is the day to vote on the proposed Irondequoit Library located on the town hall property.

Whether your vote is yes or no, please get out and voice your opinion.

Polls are open from 9am to 9pm.
Unless you received a post card indicating otherwise, polling places are as follows:

• Residents in the West Irondequoit Central School District vote at the St. Paul Fire Department at 433 Cooper Road.
• Residents in the East Irondequoit Central School District will vote at the Ridge Culver Fire Department at 2960 Culver Road.

Call the Town Hall switchboard at 585-467-8840 or Town Clerk at 585-336-6045 for more information.

Visit the Irondequoit Library Proposal website for more information.

Click here for an article in the Messenger Post.

Save Money on Your Taxes with the STAR Exemption

The STAR Exemption is a New York State reduction in schools taxes for homeowners. Are you taking advantage of this savings? The deadline to apply is March 1, 2013. Facts Worth Knowing: 1. The STAR Exemption only applies if the property is your primary residence. 2. To qualify for the Basic STAR Exemption your combined household income must be lower than $500,000 a year. 3. The Enhanced STAR Exemption is available to those homeowners aged 65 or older who meet the income requirements. 4. You only need to apply once to receive the STAR Exemption every year. Click here for the STAR Exemption Form. Bring the completed form along with your deed to your town assessor's office.

Want to Become a Real Estate Agent?

There is much more to being a real estate agent than showing houses and writing contracts. It is a personal business based on building relationships and learning how to become an advocate for your clients. We are a community-minded real estate brokerage established in 1971. We offer hands-on training for new agents.

The real estate market is stable and improving and 2013 is the time to learn how real estate can add to your life.

Earn money while having a flexible schedule, be involved in your community, work in a field that is about helping others.

To learn more register for our no-obligation informational session.

Call or email Erica Walther to reserve your spot.

266-5941 x20 or erica@waltherrealtors.com

Steve Walther

REALTOR/Broker

 

Greg Walther

Associate Broker

 

Erica Walther Schlaefer

REALTOR 

Ken Burritt, Ellen Chor, Joe Guadagnino, Pat Gunther, 

Elena Mulcahy, Bruce Rouse, Mercedes Simmons

                                                                                                     

A Step in the Right Direction?

There was an article published yesterday in the Democrat and Chronicle covering where Irondequoit stands in economic development and community projects. The article entitled  "Irondequoit May Be at a Tipping Point" written by Justin Murphy begins by offering two scenarios for Irondequoit's future- that the town will succeed in advancing the business and social community or it will fail. Speaking about the town board's proposal for a new joint library on town hall property he writes that the project will come to fruition and benefit the town  "or it will fall victim to the same bitter resistance to change."

It is discouraging to read this because it points out once again how the public views the town of Irondequoit. While there is optimism in the article as well, it is frustrating that the town is viewed as obstinate to change and unwilling to compromise and move forward with progression on all levels. This negative image needs to be changed. We need people, including our current residents, to feel confident again. We cannot afford to continue on with this negative image.

The article reflects the critical stage of different proposed projects for the town of Irondequoit and how they will impact the town as a whole. More importantly it points out how badly we need positive changes to bring Irondequoit back to life. I don't want people to view our town and it's government as incapable of making decisions that will lead to development. I don't want people to view our community as resistant to change and unable to move forward for the better of the majority of the citizens who are screaming for change and progress.

The last week has been full of positive news for economic growth in Irondequoit. I was invited to last Thursday's workshop with the town board regarding the I-Square Development. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the town board initiated a decision to have the lawyers representing both parties get together and hash out a plan, inferring that the 25 year PILOT may be a go.

My optimistic side believes that I-Square is back on track, that the proposed new library will be the spark to finally get that unresolved conflict closer to a conclusion, and a feeling of progression may turn Irondequoit's image around. But I need to see results.

2103 could be the year the Irondequoit community has been waiting for. It could mean breaking ground at I-Square and seeing the new Cooper Road Extension built. We could witness the future of our town take shape and look forward to all the great advances that will come with building our community up once again.

Annual Referral Trip Giveaway

We drew the name for our annual Referral Bonus Program.

We are happy to announce that Mark and Traci C. won a NYS Spa Getaway Weekend.

They can choose from: 

Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Skaneatlas

Otesaga Inn, Cooperstown

Mirror Lake Inn Lake Placid

Thank you to everyone for giving us referrals. 

We wish you peace and prosperity in the new year!

Home-Showing Disasters

"You never get a second chance to make a first impression." This phrase can be applied to not only people but house showings. It is crucial to make sure that your property is in top-notch condition when a prospective buyer is taking a tour. We are currently in a buyers market- there is generally an over-supply of houses v. prospective buyers. If a property does not show well, it is very easy for a buyer to dismiss it and move on to the many other options waiting for them.

It can be difficult for sellers to look at their own home through the eyes of a buyer. However, this is critical. When a Realtor makes suggestions about improving condition, it is to ensure that your house sells.

What do you think is most likely to turn a buyer off when viewing a potential home?

The follow list is from an article in REALTOR Magazine.

The Top 10 Worst Home-Showing Offenses

1. Leftover home owners

By far, one of the top offenses cited by buyer’s agents was home owners still lingering around when agents arrived with clients to preview the home. Awkward encounters ranged from buyers finding sellers taking a shower, asleep in the bed, to even the “stalker sellers” who liked to follow buyers and the agent all over the home to see what they thought.
With the exception of the “stalker seller,” many of the home owners who were still at home blamed their listing agent for not giving them enough advance notice about the appointment prior.

2. Pets and their messes

Numerous agents also cited the not-so-friendly dog and kitty encounters as a top offense. Even pets left in a crate can pose a distraction since they might make noise the entire time others are in the house. Plus, if they seem mean, the buyer might not even step in the room.
Vicki Robinson, ABR, CRS, broker with Fonville Morisey Realty in Raleigh, N.C., says she recently was given showing instructions from a listing agent who told her the family’s “friendly dog” would be at home. But when Robinson unlocked the front door with her client for the showing, a pit bull was staring down at them from the top of the staircase, growling. “We closed the door and left!” she says.

3. Bad smells

A displeasing smell can really turn buyers off. Common offenses include cooking smells lingering around the home, such as garlic, fried bacon, or fish. Also, watch for cigarette smoke and animal smells, agents say.


4. Critters running wild

Wild animals and pests roaming around is a surefire way to send buyers running. Agents described worms crawling on the floor and bats and raccoons lounging in the attic. “I showed a house in Utah once with a baby alligator/crocodile [in a cage] in the dining room,” Kristi Hutchings, ABR, SFR, with the Wendy K Team The Real Estate Group in Utah.

5. Odd home makeovers

Do-it-yourself disasters were also prevalent, like doors opening the wrong way or unprofessional paint jobs. Also, rooms not being used for their intended purposes can confuse buyers, such as an office being used as a bedroom even though it has no closet, says broker Elaine Byrne with Elaine Byrne Realty in Austin, Texas.

6. Dirt and clutter

There were a number of offenses cited when it came to cleanliness: Dirty laundry piles, unflushed toilets, dishes on the counter or in the sink, unmade beds, clothes scattered about, soiled carpets, dirty air conditioner filters, and overflowing trash cans.
“One of the worst things I have seen is piles and piles of clothes in every room,” says Chris Leach, ABR, with Medel & Associates Realty in Riverside, Calif. “It was like an obstacle trying to walk around the mess.”

7. Personal information left in plain sight

Sellers should be careful not to leave in plain sight important documents that may pique buyers’ curiosity. Some agents say they’ve seen personal information like bank and credit card statements—even mortgage payoff notices—left on the kitchen counter.


 8. Too dark

Dark or dimly lit houses aren’t showing the home in the best light.
“Particularly [homes lit with] CFL bulbs,” says Yvette Chisholm, ABR, CRS, associate broker with Long & Foster Real Estate in Rockville, Md. “By the time [the bulbs] light up, the buyer is gone.” Energy efficient bulbs need time to warm up before they are at their brightest, so staging professionals usually recommend agents arrive early to a showing to turn on any light fixtures with CFL bulbs at least 10 minutes prior.

9. Keys missing from lockboxes

All too often, agents arrive at a listing appointment with their client only to find there’s no key to get in. “I actually had a [seller’s] agent who wanted me to open the door for my clients by going through the dog run as a large dog barked like crazy,” says Hutchings.

10. Distracting photos

Watch the photos displayed on the walls too, agents warn. Tara Hayes, ABR, e-PRO, with Rector-Hayden, REALTORS®, in Winchester, Ky., recalls showing a family a home that had life-sized, nude photos hanging, which left her clients racing for the door covering their eyes.


To read the complete article visit REALTOR On-line Magazine

Progress - Property Values - Community Morale

Before the second meeting and final vote for the I-Square PILOT, I wrote an email to the Irondequoit Town Board members. I decided to share the letter publicly now that some time has passed. It is copied below. I did not receive a response from any of the board members.

 A lot has happened in the past couple of months.  A new town board member was elected, Irena Skrobach-Scoglio . She makes promises to help with the progression of the I-Square project. There has been a public workshop and video developed by I-Square to educate the public on the PILOT and why it is beneficial to them but ultimately to the town and its citizens as a whole. You can view the information and sign a petition on their website by clicking here.

There was a lot of outrage expressed when the PILOT was not passed. There has been a ton of discussion from both sides about what is best for the town. Regardless of what you think about the Nolan's seeking PILOT approval, the fact that we have something to discuss as far as economic and cultural progress in our town is amazing in itself. 

The letter I wrote reflects my opinion as a real estate broker and a life-long resident of Irondequoit. It is important for everyone to understand the present and FUTURE impact that a project like I-Square will have on our community. Some of the benefits Irondequoit will reap in the future are: retaining residents, obtaining new residents, rise in property value, job creation, boost in morale for community, a community gathering place, spending money in Irondequoit vs. other suburbs, supporting our residents small businesses.

  I was also inspired to share my thoughts when I saw the large pine tree standing in I-Square where the new road will eventually lie. They are having a tree trimming party December 1 from 10 am to noon. What a great opportunity to create new town traditions. I envision the lit up tree with the finished buildings in the background, benches, street lights and tons of people gathered together. Our own Rockefeller Center.

While it's true that none of know exactly what the future holds, we should have some faith and see this opportunity for what it is- a gift we have been waiting for.

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To the members of the Irondequoit Town Board and Supervisor D’Aurizio,

I am a real estate broker. Our company has been based in Irondequoit for 41 years.

Over the past decade I have helped people buy and sell their homes in Monroe County. Most of my business is done in Irondequoit. A lot of my past and present clients are long-time Irondequoit residents. In the past several years I have seen many native Irondequoit residents decide to leave our great town to make a life in another suburb of Rochester. There are several reasons, but the most prominent is that Irondequoit  does not have a shopping district, a town center, restaurants, and other amenities that are found in different communities. The younger generations want to see progress- change with the times. They want to have a quaint area for strolling, shopping, and gathering. And now that prices have come down, many first time buyers are able to afford homes in other areas. Irondequoit is still a very affordable place to buy a home, despite our taxes. If people choose to start their lives here, when it’s time to move up, many are deciding to buy their second or third home somewhere else. I recently worked with someone I went to high school with. They sold their West Irondequoit home and  moved to Penfield. They felt that Penfield had more to offer them and their growing family.  It saddens me to see our town continually lose its roots. We used to be such a deep rooted community and now more than ever we are becoming a transient community.

I-Square is the hope that I have been looking for to revitalize our town. We have so many wonderful features- water, parks, schools, and pretty neighborhoods. But we are missing the final piece of the puzzle. We need to see more shops, restaurants, arts and businesses. The location of I-Square was such an eye-sore. It was run down and looked horrible and did not leave a very good impression of our town. It screamed negligence and lack of development. And young people do not want to see that. They have plenty of other places to live.

I-Square will bring people in and will keep people here. The completed project will add value to our town and will help sell our community to those who want to be in Irondequoit and those who are just discovering Irondequoit. This value will filter over into our property values. Over time assessments will be raised creating more revenue.  Hope will be restored that Irondequoit will get a second wind. We sell many homes of residents who have lived in their homes 50+ years. We sell the homes of parents of classmates, either my generation or my father’s generation. The sad part is that as these folks leave or pass away, we are not seeing their children remain residents of the Irondequoit. Please let the Nolan’s continue on with their endeavor to breathe new life into Irondequoit. LET PROGRESS HAPPEN!

People keep saying that you were burned by the Medley Centre. You’re being cautious. Let the “precedent” be that if someone wants to invest their own money into the town, government and citizens alike will be supportive.  Mike and Wendy Nolan are the real deal. Who else would invest 13 million dollars of their own money, without asking for a dime from anyone, to create a project that will better our community? It will create jobs, create a buzz, fill a HUGE void in our community. I grew up next to the Nolan’s. The Walther family knows them personally. They are upstanding members of society and completely legit. Look what Mr. Nolan did with his own business. Take a look at his beautiful home on Kings Highway North. He built it from the ground up on a vacant piece of land so his family could remain in this great community.

Mr. Nolan will follow through on his plan and then some. He’s a no nonsense, straight shooter who is looking to make this project a complete success. He has been fully prepared for any and all meetings. He has looked to you for help in making the development portion go more smoothly and with a hands-on, work-together approach.

The PILOT is essential to making I-Square and all its beautiful plans become a reality. It will enable the Nolan’s to keep rents lower so that small businesses can afford to a be part of I-Square and not get pushed out.  Let’s finally seem some reality in all the talk for making Irondequoit a better place to live and raise our children. I want my children to grow up in this town feeling all the great things I felt as a kid. I want them to have a Casey’s toy store, a book store, a venue to watch plays and hear music. I want them to love all that is Irondequoit including this beautiful town center.

Do what is right and vote YES on the PILOT. What the Nolan’s are doing is a gift. They are private citizens investing their own money into our town. What are you waiting for? This opportunity will never come around again. Please make this happen and let the Nolan’s continue on with their project. I want to see people moving back into Irondequoit. I want to see residents put their house on the market in order to purchase a bigger home in Irondequoit. I want to hear people say, the way they used to, that they will never leave this town- that there is no better place to live than Irondequoit, NY.

Regards,

Erica Walther Schlaefer

Broker, REALTOR