New York Sets Forth Increased Solar Initiative

Gov. David Paterson announced that New York State is embarking on a program that will quintuple the amount of solar power used in the State. The Governor's plan, dubbed the "45 by 14 program", is part of his efforts to get 45 percent of the state's energy consumption from renewable sources by 2015.

"The New York Power Authority's advancement of this, the largest solar initiative in state history, aligns with the state energy plan's direction to increase in-state energy supplies," said Paterson.

Paterson's initiative, described as one of the most aggressive in the country, aims to increase state solar capacity 500 percent and power 15,000 New York homes.

"A sustainable future for New York requires bold initiatives which will increase the deployment of clean energy," Paterson added.

Albany Area Foreclosures Drop by 50%

According to a new report by RealtyTrac, who sells distressed properties online, the Albany, NY Metro region saw bank home foreclosure filings drop by nearly half in 2009.

The Albany metro region includes Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady Saratoga & Schoharie counties

There were 1,220 properties affected in the region in 2009 as compared to 2,464 in 2008.

The area also had one of the lowest per-capita foreclosure rates in the nation. 

Although the filings were down significantly from 2008 to 2009, there had been a 26.3% increase from 2007 to 2008. This compares nationally to a 21% increase from 2008, and a 120% increase from 2007.

The per-capita foreclosure rate, one of every 311 households, ranked the Albany Metro Region #190 out of 203  in the Nation. These among areas having a population of 200,000 or more.

The per-capita foreclosure rate is highest in the 4 states affected most by the crash of the housing bubble that caused real estate values to plummet. They include: Nevada, California, Arizona and Florida.

Las Vegas topped the rankings for the most foreclosure filings at 5 times the national average.

While the housing bubble was responsible for the majority of foreclosure activity in the last several years, there is evidence to suggest that the newest wave of activity will be driven more by the economic turndown and high unemployment figures.

Market Friendly Selling Tips

So we all know that a poor economic climate can be a challenging time to sell your house, but if you do some basic research and commit yourself to the process, you will be successful.

Pricing your home properly for current market conditions is crucial to your success. If need get a professional appraisal, check your comps and make sure you have priced it right from the start. Don't waste that crucial "new to market" high traffic period by pricing too high and then having to come down. You'll just deter prospective buyers from calling.

Market your home effectively. You could have a perfect home that is priced right, but if it's not marketed properly it will not sell. Maximize your exposure. The combination of traditional print and great web presence is an unbeatable combination. For Sale By Owner Albany gives you both! Our popular magazine is distributed in high traffic locations in 5 counties, PLUS fabulous web exposure on 10 super sites, including our own!

Get your home in tip top condition. This is especially important in a challenging market. You want your home to stand out amongst the competition in your homes price range. Check for curb appeal, especially important because it is the first impression a buyer will get of your home. Inside the house, make sure you have minimized clutter, cleaned thoroughly and made any repairs.

Lastly make a commitment to sell. Allocate enough time to the process and be patient. Your success will be your reward!