The winter months continue to be a busy season for home sales in this thriving Hudson Valley market. That’s good news for both home buyers and sellers. Whether you're on the hunt for that upstate dream home, looking for an investment property, or moving to a new area, here are some key tips to keep in mind from Steven Domber, President of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hudson Valley Properties.
selling a home in the hudson valley
It’s a seller’s market for Hudson Valley homes in the median price range of $280,000 to $400,000 that are in good condition with a scenic location.
- Price it right.
“Good pricing is one of the best strategies that people have to pay attention to if they are going to get the best pricing for their home and sell it in the quickest amount of time,” says Steve. He adds that many homeowners make the mistake of listing at a high price, thinking they can chase the market down. “They feel it gives them more negotiating room, but it really does just the opposite.”
- Photography is everything.
Steve says that professional photos and videos of your home attract the attention of buyers, while amateur photography can have an adverse effect. “It’s important how you show the house on the internet. It needs to be done well. You need professional photography and—if you are going to use videos—professional videos.”
- Stage a home for sale.
“Declutter and stage it. Rip up smelly or bad carpeting and replace it. Do some painting,” says Steve. “Heed the advice of your realtor. A good realtor can bring in a team of staging or other consultants to help you get the best bang for your buck.”
buying a home in the hudson valley
- People are buying homes year-round.
In a good, healthy market as we have now, people are buying homes year-round because there is more of a sense of urgency to pounce when the right home comes up; nobody cares if it’s in the middle of January,” says Steve.
- Get out there and look.
Since they’re not lasting long on the market, you want to get out there and look at homes quickly,” advises Steve. “Chances azre, if it’s a great property, it won’t be there the following week.”
- Be a qualified buyer.
Steve says that being a qualified buyer gives you the competitive edge in buying your dream home. “You’re always a better buyer if you go in with a prequalification so the seller knows you are pre-approved for a certain mortgage amount.”
As the mid-Hudson Valley's leading real estate company for 26 consecutive years, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hudson Valley Properties serves buyers, sellers, and investors in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Westchester, Ulster, and Columbia counties. They recently acquired Westwood Metes & Bounds Realty, Ltd., a real estate brokerage in Ulster County. Some 60 agents and five offices were added through the transaction, making a total of 13 offices and 300 agents for the Hudson Valley market leader. Visit: bhhshudsonvalley.com
