(Utica, NY – Sept. 15, 2011) The website www.hocindicators.org, a community indicators project undertaken by The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Mohawk Valley EDGE and United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area, has been updated.

Data for the site is collected from national, state, county and local agencies and then analyzed by the Center for Governmental Research in Rochester, NY. The site provides a statistical snapshot of Herkimer and Oneida counties and measures key indicators in arts, culture and leisure, financial self-sufficiency, economy, education, health, housing, public safety, technology and transportation. The site went live with its initial data set in April 2010.

Among the findings with this update are:

• Oneida County tourism revenue brings in more dollars per capita than the New York State average (excluding New York City), and Herkimer County’s tourism revenue is about twice that of its comparison counties, Fulton and Montgomery.
• While funding for science and engineering research increased across the state, it decreased in our region, indicating the opportunity to grow this area.
• The ratio of technology and computer teachers in public schools is higher than the state average in both counties. This instruction helps to better prepare students for higher education and careers that are increasingly more high tech.
• In Oneida County, more non-white individuals rely on transportation other than their own personal vehicles to get to work. This may reflect the need for a strong public transit system.
• In both counties, a higher percentage of children tested for lead exposure had elevated levels than the state average.

“The information we see in this update certainly provides us with hard data that we, as a community, can address,” said Peggy O’Shea, Community Foundation President & CEO. “There is a great benefit to having this information in one place to see the ‘bigger picture’ and have an accurate view of the issues we are facing in order to tackle them at their root causes, rather than temporarily alleviating the symptoms. Given the interconnectedness of the indicators, teamwork and partnership among not-for-profit organizations, corporations and community members is critical to our ability to achieve positive results,” she concluded.

For more information about The Community Foundation’s work in Herkimer and Oneida counties, visit www.foundationhoc.org or call (315) 735-8212.

News from New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

(Albany, NY – Aug. 31, 2011) Onondaga County and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance announced a new pilot project to benefit those who buy property in the county.

The county and the state partnered to launch a new easy-to-use online real property transfer form. When fully implemented, the new form will save taxpayers $250,000 in state costs, and result in additional savings by municipal and county governments.

Form RP-5217-PDF will modernize the filing process for all parties involved in the sale of real estate. The new form is electronic and can be easily downloaded on any computer that has Internet access. It replaces the existing paper-only “quadruplicate” property transfer form, which users must order from the state.

The new form also eliminates redundant data entry and associated errors. Until now, identical data was entered as many as four times by local and state staff without standardized data sharing among governmental bodies.

“This pilot project reduces state and local costs for taxpayers and modernizes a part of the closing process for property sales,” said New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Commissioner Thomas H. Mattox. “It is an excellent example of the results that can be achieved when state and local governments work together toward a common goal.”

Ann Ciarpelli, Onondaga County Clerk, said, “We’re very excited to be part of the program to make the property transfer report a one-part form. We’ve already received several filings of the form and expect the usage to grow as more users become aware of the change. We’ve participated in various projects in recent years to improve the process associated with property transfers. This one-part RP-5217-PDF has many advantages for users and county offices, alike.”

Background

Onondaga County is one of five counties to partner with the State Tax Department to pilot the new form. The additional pilot counties are:

• Cortland

• Essex

• Orange

• Tompkins

The Real Property Transfer Report is filed with deeds whenever real estate is transferred from one party to another. Often, the form is completed by the buyer’s attorney and signed at the property closing. The attorney then files the deed and Real Property Transfer Report at the County Clerk’s Office.

In Onondaga County, property buyers or their attorneys can now access Form RP-5217-PDF through the link below and download it to their computers. Once the data about the sale is entered into the form, the data will be captured in a barcode on the form. The form can then be printed, signed, and presented to the County Clerk, along with the other required documents and fees.

During the pilot period of 3 to 6 months, the county will accept both the old quadruplicate form and the new one-part form.

More information regarding Form RP-5217-PDF is available from the Web site of the New York State Tax Department, where users can also download the form:

www.orps.state.ny.us/rp5217/

(Cazenovia, NY – Aug. 2011) Hunt Real Estate Corporation announces the addition of Thomas Tait to their team at the Cazenovia office. Tait, a lifelong resident of Cazenovia, serves as a REALTOR and will cover Madison and Onondaga Counties.

Since graduating from Nazareth College in 1990, Tait has served in an array of leadership capacities including Village of Cazenovia Trustee, Chief of the Cazenovia Fire Department, President of the Madison County Fire Chiefs Association, Member of the Town of Cazenovia Planning Board, President of the Cazenovia Rotary Club, President of the Cazenovia Civic Club and Vice President of the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation.

Tait has also served on the Greater Cazenovia Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, The Executive Committee of Cazenovia Area Planning project and founded the Village of Cazenovia Tree Commission. He received the Greater Syracuse 40 Under 40 Award, Madison County Firefighter of the Year Award, Cazenovia Preservation Association’s Community Appreciation Award, Rotary International’s Paul Harris Fellowship Award and Nazareth College’s Outstanding Alumnus Award.

Professionally Tait has served in a sales capacity for the past 21 years, the majority as a Certified Arborist with the F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Co. “My detailed knowledge of Madison County and the eastern suburbs of Onondaga County provide me with an excellent background for the real estate profession. In addition, my solid understanding of building construction coupled with my lengthy career in the fields of landscape development and arboriculture allow me to provide my clients with a skill set that is vitally important in today’s real estate market” Tait said.

“My interest in the real estate profession dates back to the mid 1990’s. I have always admired the idea of providing a caring, informative and diligent approach to clients who are buying or selling a home and for me now is the perfect time to joint Hunt Real Estate. In my personal and professional life I strive for quality in everything that I do. Those that know me know that loyalty is paramount. I am committed to serve those looking to buy or sell a home with a tireless work ethic, strong knowledge of the market and strict adherence to our Code of Ethics.”

Thomas Tait can be reached by phone, 315.657.0473 or e-mail, ttait@twcny.rr.com.

(Marcy, NY – June 14, 2011) June is Homeownership month. This year’s theme is “Rural Housing/Rural Jobs.”

Activities and events in communities across the country will focus on housing’s role in creating jobs and stimulating economic activity.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the sale of an existing median- priced home ($173,000 in 2010) generates $58,529 in economic activity. This includes $15,570 in direct real estate industry support (fees for real estate agents, title companies, mortgage brokers); $5,235 in furniture, home furnishings, landscaping, etc; and $9,987 in stimulated economic activity. New home sales generate even more economic activity, including the costs of construction materials and construction jobs, according to NAR.

USDA Rural Development has been very successful in helping rural residents live the American dream of homeownership. Through May 31 of the current fiscal year, which started October 1, 2010, Rural Development has financed approximately 80,000 home loans.

The Obama administration is committed to ensuring that America’s rural communities are vibrant and thriving economically. USDA has made an unprecedented commitment to this goal by supporting affordable rural housing.

During and uncertain housing market, USDA Rural Development has helped contribute to the nation’s economic recovery.

USDA Rural Development has two loan programs that provide affordable homeownership opportunities to rural Americans: the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan program, and the Single Family Housing Direct Loan program. Interested parties should contact the local USDA Rural Development office in Marcy at 315-736-3316 ext 4. A list of other offices is available at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/StateOfficeAddresses.html.

USDA uses sound underwriting criteria to ensure borrowers are able to repay their loans. By doing so we’re helping to keep people in their homes.

USDA is helping to build the foundation of a new rural economy that will be built on a set of pillars that combine the successful strategies of today and the compelling opportunities of tomorrow.

Expanding and preserving homeownership is a major part of the foundation for a stronger, more prosperous rural America.

While most Americans are familiar with the historic mission of the USDA, many may not know the Department plays a major role in helping to provide homeownership and home repair assistance to millions of citizens living in rural areas.

For more than 60 years, USDA has worked to increase homeownership opportunities for rural Americans through a combination of guaranteed (by lender partners) and direct loan funds.

A healthy American economy depends on a prosperous rural America, which supplies much of our nation’s food and water and safeguards our environmental heritage. Its role in establishing our nation’s energy independence is growing every day.

Direct Loan Program

The direct loan program provides government loans to low-income families or individuals desiring to live in an eligible rural area. Borrowers must be able to afford mortgage payments, including taxes and homeowners insurance, and have a reasonable credit history. Direct loans are for 33 years, although 38-year terms are available in some cases. Payment assistance also is available for many qualifying borrowers.

Guaranteed Loan Program

The guaranteed loan program is administered in partnership with private lenders and is designed to assist low- and moderate-income borrowers. In the program, the loan is made by a bank, credit union or other financial institution, and Rural Development guarantees a large percentage of the loan on the borrower’s behalf. The guarantee enables lenders to offer more affordable mortgage terms. The loans have a two percent guarantee fee and this can often be rolled into the mortgage, enabling lenders to finance up to 103.5 percent of an appraised home’s value.

The First Step

Rural Development operates an extensive income and property eligibility web site at http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do. Potential applicants can find out if the home they’re interested in is in an eligible area – the loan programs are restricted to rural areas – and find income limits for their locations.

Prospective homebuyers should call the USDA Rural Development Service Center in Marcy, NY at (315) 736-3316 Ext. 4 to obtain detailed information on the loan programs and assistance in helping prospective home buyers determine which program is right for them. The Marcy Office serves Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties.

(Utica, Ilion, NY – April 28, 2011)  Heroes At Home, a program created through the partnership of Sears Holdings Corporation and Rebuilding Together, announced the beginning of their spring 2011 Heroes At Home projects.

Heroes At Home is a key initiative for Rebuilding Together, the nation’s leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership, and is dedicated to improving the lives of the military and their families through extensive home rehabilitations.

This spring, Rebuilding Together Mohawk Valley has planned three Heroes at Home projects. Veterans that will be served are Herbert Hyer of Ilion, as well as Frederick Arcuri and Nattler King-Washington, both of Utica.

“We’re pleased to have the opportunity to assist these three veterans this spring,” said RTMV President Matt Wilson. “Being able to give back to those who have given so much means a lot to us at RTMV, and inspires a true sense of community.” Wilson added that the Hyer project will be Rebuilding Together Mohawk Valley’s signature Rebuilding Day
project this year, taking place on April 30, with the other two projects scheduled to be completed at a later date.

Hyer served in the U.S. Navy for 14 years before permanently retiring in 2008 due to injuries sustained on the job. Currently, he does not have access in and out of his home using his power wheelchair. In order to give Hyer that access, RTMV will install a 14-foot handicap ramp at the rear of his dwelling, and will install an awning to protect the ramp from the outside elements, allowing better, safer access year-round.

Arcuri served in both Europe and the Pacific during WWI, and lives with his wife in their family home. RTMV will be replacing a rotting rear entrance door, which has been sealed off. This will provide Arcuri safe and easy access to the outside.

King-Washington served in the U.S. Army, and was honorably discharged after suffering a foot injury. This injury has left King-Washington with limited mobility, and her greatest need is a remodel of her bathroom in order to make it more accessible and facilitate her use of it.

“If only the bathtub was fixed, I’d be so grateful and I couldn’t ask for anything more,” King-Washington said. RTMV plans to fully renovate her bath area, removing the old tile, affixing water-resistant walls and a fiberglass tub surround. New handicapped seating, grab bars and plumbing fixtures will be installed to make access and use of the bath possible.

“Heroes at Home is a key program that is essential to the mission and vision of Rebuilding Together,” said Gary A. Officer, President and CEO of Rebuilding Together. “Sears Holdings has allowed us to reach out to more veterans than ever before and make life-changing renovations to veterans’ homes. This fall we will experience even more homes and lives being impacted through the Heroes at Home program.”

Heroes At Home projects will be completed in more than forty cities across the country. The projects include renovations for our nation’s veterans who are unable to live in their current home conditions, due to injuries or obstacles that threaten their avenue to a safe and healthy home.

About Rebuilding Together Mohawk Valley

Rebuilding Together Mohawk Valley continues to generate support for low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled, members of the military, veterans and their families by providing home repairs, improvements or modifications.

To find out more about Rebuilding Together Mohawk Valley, how to refer a family or how you can help please visit www.rebuildingtogethermv.org, or e-mail info@rebuildingtogethermv.org.

Allan Dalton Addresses Agents and Leadership at the Quarterly Business Leaders Meeting

(Buffalo, NY — March 2011) Buffalo-based HUNT Real Estate ERA kicked off the celebration of its 100^th Anniversary Year by introducing a distinguished speaker series last week at the company’s quarterly Business Leaders Meeting held in the Buffalo/Niagara, Rochester, and Syracuse regions.

With over 700 people attending the 3 events in all HUNT markets, the meeting was hosted by Peter Hunt, Chairman and CEO of HUNT Real Estate Corp., featuring Allan Dalton, co-founder and President of RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network and author of Leveraging Your Links: How to do More Business Off and Online.

Ranked by National Association of Realtors (NAR) as one of the industry’s “25 Most Influential Thought Leaders”, Dalton is also recognized as a pioneer in creating innovative and effective marketing systems for real estate professionals and companies.  The key message of his address to HUNT ERA associates in attendance was “information share equals market share,” which is consistent with the mission of RISMedia’s Real Estate Information Network (RREIN) – a strategic partner of HUNT Real Estate ERA and real estate related content provider for HUNT consumers and agents.

The main purpose of RREIN is to create and foster relevant consumer-centric content that would stimulate the economy by sparking the right dialog between potential buyers and sellers of real estate.  Secondly, RREIN was established to empower both brokers and real estate agents within the network to create meaningful relationships with prospects by providing consumers with not only real estate information, but real estate analysis and expertise.

“Magnet and calendar campaigns are the thing of a past.  So is keeping information close to the vest.  Both are not relevant to consumer wants.  Analysis of real estate trends and knowledge of the local market is what consumers thirst for when they think about real estate or begin their next home search,” said Dalton.  “Through affiliation with RREIN, HUNT is uniquely positioned to provide their consumers and agents with just that.  Identifying and solving a consumer want and need is what marketing is all about.  Because consumers want information, giving them what they want will ultimately lead to market share gain.”

During his keynote address to the HUNT ERA agents and leadership, Dalton also provided detailed insight into how real estate professionals can effectively use social media and social networking to expand consumer’s interest in real estate and grow their business.  His focus was on changing from traditional pyramid order of social media strategy where data leads to information, knowledge and wisdom to the new pyramid where wisdom is key, leading to knowledge and information supported by data.  The subtle difference is in the critical thinking that’s required to interpret market conditions when formulating a relevant discussion with prospects and networking.  Dalton challenged the group on what their social media strategy looks like and emphasized that “if we don’t adjust our pyramid, then wisdom and knowledge will be manifested more through consumers than realtors and then we’re really irrelevant.”

To learn more about HUNT Real Estate ERA, visit www.huntrealestate.com.

Allan Dalton Addresses Agents and Leadership at the Quarterly Business Leaders Meeting

(Buffalo, NY — March 2011) Buffalo-based HUNT Real Estate ERA kicked off the celebration of its 100^th Anniversary Year by introducing a distinguished speaker series last week at the company’s quarterly Business Leaders Meeting held in the Buffalo/Niagara, Rochester, and Syracuse regions.

With over 700 people attending the 3 events in all HUNT markets, the meeting was hosted by Peter Hunt, Chairman and CEO of HUNT Real Estate Corp., featuring Allan Dalton, co-founder and President of RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network and author of Leveraging Your Links: How to do More Business Off and Online.

Ranked by National Association of Realtors (NAR) as one of the industry’s “25 Most Influential Thought Leaders”, Dalton is also recognized as a pioneer in creating innovative and effective marketing systems for real estate professionals and companies.  The key message of his address to HUNT ERA associates in attendance was “information share equals market share,” which is consistent with the mission of RISMedia’s Real Estate Information Network (RREIN) – a strategic partner of HUNT Real Estate ERA and real estate related content provider for HUNT consumers and agents.

The main purpose of RREIN is to create and foster relevant consumer-centric content that would stimulate the economy by sparking the right dialog between potential buyers and sellers of real estate.  Secondly, RREIN was established to empower both brokers and real estate agents within the network to create meaningful relationships with prospects by providing consumers with not only real estate information, but real estate analysis and expertise.

“Magnet and calendar campaigns are the thing of a past.  So is keeping information close to the vest.  Both are not relevant to consumer wants.  Analysis of real estate trends and knowledge of the local market is what consumers thirst for when they think about real estate or begin their next home search,” said Dalton.  “Through affiliation with RREIN, HUNT is uniquely positioned to provide their consumers and agents with just that.  Identifying and solving a consumer want and need is what marketing is all about.  Because consumers want information, giving them what they want will ultimately lead to market share gain.”

During his keynote address to the HUNT ERA agents and leadership, Dalton also provided detailed insight into how real estate professionals can effectively use social media and social networking to expand consumer’s interest in real estate and grow their business.  His focus was on changing from traditional pyramid order of social media strategy where data leads to information, knowledge and wisdom to the new pyramid where wisdom is key, leading to knowledge and information supported by data.  The subtle difference is in the critical thinking that’s required to interpret market conditions when formulating a relevant discussion with prospects and networking.  Dalton challenged the group on what their social media strategy looks like and emphasized that “if we don’t adjust our pyramid, then wisdom and knowledge will be manifested more through consumers than realtors and then we’re really irrelevant.”

To learn more about HUNT Real Estate ERA, visit www.huntrealestate.com.

Allan Dalton Addresses Agents and Leadership at the Quarterly Business Leaders Meeting

(Buffalo, NY — March 2011) Buffalo-based HUNT Real Estate ERA kicked off the celebration of its 100^th Anniversary Year by introducing a distinguished speaker series last week at the company’s quarterly Business Leaders Meeting held in the Buffalo/Niagara, Rochester, and Syracuse regions.

With over 700 people attending the 3 events in all HUNT markets, the meeting was hosted by Peter Hunt, Chairman and CEO of HUNT Real Estate Corp., featuring Allan Dalton, co-founder and President of RISMedia’s Top 5 in Real Estate Network and author of Leveraging Your Links: How to do More Business Off and Online.

Ranked by National Association of Realtors (NAR) as one of the industry’s “25 Most Influential Thought Leaders”, Dalton is also recognized as a pioneer in creating innovative and effective marketing systems for real estate professionals and companies.  The key message of his address to HUNT ERA associates in attendance was “information share equals market share,” which is consistent with the mission of RISMedia’s Real Estate Information Network (RREIN) – a strategic partner of HUNT Real Estate ERA and real estate related content provider for HUNT consumers and agents.

The main purpose of RREIN is to create and foster relevant consumer-centric content that would stimulate the economy by sparking the right dialog between potential buyers and sellers of real estate.  Secondly, RREIN was established to empower both brokers and real estate agents within the network to create meaningful relationships with prospects by providing consumers with not only real estate information, but real estate analysis and expertise.

“Magnet and calendar campaigns are the thing of a past.  So is keeping information close to the vest.  Both are not relevant to consumer wants.  Analysis of real estate trends and knowledge of the local market is what consumers thirst for when they think about real estate or begin their next home search,” said Dalton.  “Through affiliation with RREIN, HUNT is uniquely positioned to provide their consumers and agents with just that.  Identifying and solving a consumer want and need is what marketing is all about.  Because consumers want information, giving them what they want will ultimately lead to market share gain.”

During his keynote address to the HUNT ERA agents and leadership, Dalton also provided detailed insight into how real estate professionals can effectively use social media and social networking to expand consumer’s interest in real estate and grow their business.  His focus was on changing from traditional pyramid order of social media strategy where data leads to information, knowledge and wisdom to the new pyramid where wisdom is key, leading to knowledge and information supported by data.  The subtle difference is in the critical thinking that’s required to interpret market conditions when formulating a relevant discussion with prospects and networking.  Dalton challenged the group on what their social media strategy looks like and emphasized that “if we don’t adjust our pyramid, then wisdom and knowledge will be manifested more through consumers than realtors and then we’re really irrelevant.”

To learn more about HUNT Real Estate ERA, visit www.huntrealestate.com.

(Liverpool, NY – March 24, 2011)  Eldan Homes, a leader in local home construction for over 33 years, is proud to welcome Rick Dardeen to the company’s sales team. Dardeen will assist Eldan Homes customers with the purchase and planning of their new homes.

Dardeen relocated from Cincinnati, Ohio, and has over 25 years of real estate experience, representing quality residential homebuilders. He’ll work with customers for all Eldan Homes communities, and with those seeking to build outside of planned housing developments.

“Rick’s thorough knowledge of design trends, construction practices and mortgage financing make him a strong addition to our team, and we’re thrilled to have him here,” said Dan Barnaba, builder and president of Eldan Homes.

A resident of Liverpool, Dardeen attended Xavier University and has a Natural Sciences background. He and his wife look forward to calling central New York their new home.

For more information about Eldan Homes, Inc., visit www.eldanhomes.com.

(Liverpool, NY – March 24, 2011)  Eldan Homes, a leader in local home construction for over 33 years, is proud to welcome Rick Dardeen to the company’s sales team. Dardeen will assist Eldan Homes customers with the purchase and planning of their new homes.

Dardeen relocated from Cincinnati, Ohio, and has over 25 years of real estate experience, representing quality residential homebuilders. He’ll work with customers for all Eldan Homes communities, and with those seeking to build outside of planned housing developments.

“Rick’s thorough knowledge of design trends, construction practices and mortgage financing make him a strong addition to our team, and we’re thrilled to have him here,” said Dan Barnaba, builder and president of Eldan Homes.

A resident of Liverpool, Dardeen attended Xavier University and has a Natural Sciences background. He and his wife look forward to calling central New York their new home.

For more information about Eldan Homes, Inc., visit www.eldanhomes.com.