School Information:

Quality of education is one of the most important factors when moving to a new area. As a local neighborhood expert, I can help you evaluate schools in the area that meet your unique needs. 

You can find out information on each school district website, at NYS Education website:  http://data.nysed.gov/profile.php?county=66

Or check these links:

http://www.greatschools.org/find-schools/

http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/

http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/

http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/districtsearch/

http://data.schoolbook.org/

http://familywatchdog.us/

Senior Citizen’s, Veteran’s, STAR, and Disability Exemptions

The School Tax Relief (STAR) Program, which became law in 1997, provides a partial exemption from school property taxes for owner occupied, primary residences such as one, two and three family houses, condominiums, cooperative apartments, and manufactured homes (also known as mobile homes in Real Property Tax Law). The deadline for filing new and renewal exemption applications is March 1.

To learn more about the Star Program, follow this link: www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/exemption/index.htm. 

To learn more how Star Program works for cooperative apartments, read here: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/publications/orpts/manuals/vol4/app_b_coop.pdf

To file Application for Star Exemption, fill up attached application form & mail it to your local assessor's office: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/current_forms/orpts/rp425_fill_in.pdf

Check Instructions for Homeowner Benefits Application 2016/2017" 

http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/finance/downloads/pdf/payment_operations/exemptions_appl.pdf

NYS ORPTS Municipal Profile. Office of Real Property Services (Westchester County): 

http://orpts.tax.ny.gov/cfapps/MuniPro/muni_theme/county/county.cfm?swis=55

Property Tax Grievance procedure:

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/223MGuA8_fk.

To learn about steps to take follow this link: http://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/contest/grievproced.htm

To file application to review assessment of your property outside New York City, follow this link :  https://www.tax.ny.gov/pdf/current_forms/orpts/rp524_fill_in.pdf .

New York City residents - Contact the NYC State Commission - 212-669-4410

Property Tax Freeze Credit

The property tax freeze credit is a tax relief program  for NY state homeowners.  The program encourages local governments and school districts to comply with the tax cap and develop approved government efficiency plans to reduce costs.

Beginning this year and extending through 2019, a new property tax relief credit will provide direct relief to qualifying New York State homeowners.

For each year you are eligible for the property tax relief credit, you will automatically receive a check. To qualify, you must:

• live in a school district that is complying with the New York State property tax cap
• receive either the Basic or Enhanced STAR property tax relief, and
• have an income of $275,000 or less.

This year:

• Upstate—each eligible taxpayer will receive $185.
• Downstate—qualifying taxpayers will receive checks for $130. (For the purposes of this credit, downstate includes the counties of Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, and Westchester.)
• The property tax relief credit will be in addition to the existing Property Tax Freeze Program. 

To learn more about your check, see 2016 property tax credit checks.

Beginning in 2017, the property tax relief credit will be a percentage of a homeowner’s STAR benefit, with lower incomes receiving a higher percentage benefit.

The credit will be fully phased in as of 2019.

 To learn about Property Tax Freeze Credit and Eligibility go to: 

http://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/property_tax_freeze.htm

Get your Free Annual Report 

If you are preparing to buy a home, even before applying for preapproval, it is a good idea to check your credit history. In 2003 Federal Government required that each of the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian and Transunion provide, upon request, a free credit report every twelve months to every consumer. The goal was to allow consumers a way to ensure their credit information is correct and to guard against identity theft. Get your free annual credit report at: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action.   Remember it's absolutley free! Never use any service that asks for your credit card! 

To check crime statistics in the area of your interest check these  links:

http://www.familywatchdog.us/

http://www.crimemapping.com

http://www.crimereports.com

ePropertyWatch is the service offered directly to homeowners by CoreLogic. Now, for the first time, they bring this capability directly to homeowners. Now you can conveniently monitor your home for liens, value changes, and neighborhood activity yourself. It's free and safe. Follow this link: http://www.epropertywatch.com/. Or find the information about your property here: http://www.epropertywatch.com/epwApp/resources/behind-epw/. 

Check for local amenities:

You can find out what is within walking distance of the home by following this link: www.WalkScore.com.

Find the best places to live in NY:

Are you moving to NY and want to learn more before you make your move? Check this link: http://www.areavibes.com.

Learn about Making Home Affordable Program (MHA) and address other lending and servicing needs beyond primary modifications or refinances. Find resource documents and tools on the following pages that are specific to each Program by visiting Making Home Affordable website: http//www.hmpadmin.com/portal/programs/index.jsp.

Westchester Arts Events: 

www.artswestchester.org/events/categories/music

Property Reassessment Has Finally Arrived in Greenburgh, Ossining, & North Salem. Fairness, Equity, and Transparency

 To find out more, read this article: http://mmrc.tylertech.com/

Search for Child Care Programs

Choosing child care is an important decision. You know what is the best for your child and your family. To start your search on your own, follow this link http://on.ny.gov/2n9heME. You can search the entire database of regulated child care providers in New York State (with the exception of day care centers in New York City). This search engine will allow you to look up a specific provider by name, or all the providers in a particular county or even zip code. It also lets you search by different types of care, such as family day care or day care centers. You will see information on the program including contact information, address, capacity, when it first opened and the current status of its license or registration.

To find a licensed day care center in New York City by borough, simply follow this link: http://on.nyc.gov/2o6GWRc.

 Visit my Blog:

http://imr10583.featuredblog.com/?p=4

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