Catherine Wilcox, Realtor

05/17/2025

Protectors Prayer

Nicholas Menster is one of the Secret Service Agents who helped saved the life of President Trump in Butler. He wrote this prayer in 2018... and we're releasing it in honor of National Police Week.

05/17/2025

The Protectors Prayer 🙏

Nicholas Menster is one of the Secret Service Agents who helped saved the life of President Trump in Butler. He wrote this prayer in 2018... and we're releasing it in honor of National Police Week.

08/20/2024

This survey is utilized after a disaster to collect self reported damages from survivors.

12/14/2023

This pertains to the New York State STAR Program. 👇

Dear All,

As the year comes to an end, some of you may be wondering about your STAR Checks. The Department of Taxation and Finance has until the end of the year to mail checks out to constituents, and checks may not arrive until the new year. We have been told by the Department of Taxation and Finance that even if your neighbor received his or her check, it does not mean that you should have also received the check at the same time.

To see when your check should arrive use this link: https://www8.tax.ny.gov/SCDS/scdsStart

For more information about STAR Checks, and to see if you are eligible, go to https://www.tax.ny.gov/star/ .

There is also a direct deposit option now, to register for direct deposit got to: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/star/star-direct-deposit.htm . Please note, even with direct deposit the Department of Taxation and Finance has until the end of the year to approve of any funds.

Please note, if you previously received HTRC Checks this was a one-year program for 2022 only; you will not receive an HTRC check for 2023 or other years.

If you do not receive a STAR Check, or direct deposit, a few weeks into the beginning of January you can contact my office for assistance by email [email protected] or call the office at 631-207-0073.

09/22/2023

05/04/2023

Those seeking to purchase a home work feverishly to save money for a down payment and to decrease their debt in order to raise their credit scores so they can obtain the best mortgage rates for their purchase.
This diabolical plan to punish responsible borrowers must be stopped before we end up with yet another housing crisis.

Financial officers from 27 states issued a letter to President Joe Biden protesting a new policy from the ...

04/25/2023

Shirley homeowners say a contracting company offered free dirt, but the fill is believed to be toxic, CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reports.

03/03/2023

Mortgage rates ticked back above 7% on Thursday amid growing fears that still-hot inflation could force the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates higher for longer. The average rate on a 30-year fixed home loan is now 7.1%, CNBC reports; when rates last hit that number in October, it was the highest level in more than 20 years. Rates dipped close to 6% in January, leading to a flurry of home buying. But that buying spree fizzled as rates went up, with mortgage applications now at a 28-year low.

• The monthly payment for a $400,000 home with 20% down on a 30-year mortgage is now $230 higher than in early February.
• That monthly payment is about 50% higher than the same period last year, when mortgage rates were around 4%.

02/22/2023

Senior Enhanced STAR Exemption deadline to apply is right around the corner.

Senior Enhanced STAR Exemption

March 1 is the deadline for Seniors to apply for the Senior Enhanced STAR school tax break.

School property tax reduction is available for senior New Yorkers age 65 or older who earn less than $93,200.

I would like seniors to know that the Enhanced STAR Exemption provides significant property tax relief. It is important for those seniors who become eligible this year to apply by the deadline to receive additional savings.

If you or someone in your household will reach age 65 this year you have got until March 1 to sign up for the Senior Enhanced STAR or School Tax Relief program that can save you hundreds of dollars or more on your school taxes. The Enhanced STAR exemption is open to those who have already signed up for regular STAR, are 65 or older and who have income less than $93,200 per year.

Please feel free to share this information with anyone you know who may be eligible.

Eligible seniors can apply to their local assessor’s office by March 1, which is the deadline in most municipalities. Seniors applying for the exemption will need to show proof of income.

02/04/2023

Moving Tip of the Month

The Least Expensive Time of the Year to Move

This month’s moving tip is to let everyone know that the least expensive time of year to move is the wintertime. Moving in the months of January, February or March will save you money on your next move. People that are looking to move this year will find that moving in the wintertime will save them 15-30% verses moving in the summertime.

Another little secret for someone moving out of state, is to book your summer move in the wintertime and you will save 10-15% over the people that book their move in the summer.

The busiest and most expensive weeks of the year to move are as follows:

1. Last week in JUNE
2. Last week in AUGUST
3. Last week in JULY

Info brought to you by: 👇
Looking for the #1 Moving Company on Long Island?
Call/Text Hall Lane Moving & Storage @ 631-543-6801