Category: REAL ESTATE

Every Room Has A View in This Hudson Valley Home

Imagine enjoying your morning coffee, or happy hour cocktail, with this as your view…

That’s just one of the views from a house that I recently listed in Gallatin, NY. It’s a Colonial style home that was built in 2007. The 2.25 acre property features panoramic views, and the house is situated at the top of a hill so the views span around the house, from the front to the back yard.

This 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom house features a two story foyer with wrap around staircase, living room, dining room, and great room with open floor plan kitchen/family room. The large master suite has two walk-in closets and a large bathroom with soaker tub, separate shower, and two sinks.

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The house is located in the southern section of Columbia County, so it’s less than two hours from New York City. It’s also just a bike ride away from Lake Taghkanic State Park, and just a few minutes drive to Hudson and Red Hook

The house is offered at $269,000. If you’d like to see it in person, email me at Jmckinney@BeachandBartolo.com.

For more pictures and additional info, check out the listing on BeachandBartolo.com by clicking here.

 

For more local happenings, news, and events, follow ColumbiaCountyCurrent on twitter @CoCoCurrent.

Jeff McKinney is a Realtor in Columbia County, NY (Beach & Bartolo Realtors – 34 Main St., Chatham NY 12037). Connect with him on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Pinterest.

Good Advice for Home Buyers When Making an Offer

A recent article on RealtorMag had some valuable advice for home buyers when it comes to making an offer on a house. These tips are especially important in a competitive market, like we have been seeing in Columbia County lately.

Making an Offer: 5 Mistakes to Avoid

1) Delaying

“Time kills deals,” says Andrew Sandholm of BOND New York Properties in New York. “Dragging your feet means you could wind up paying more in a bidding war situation or missing out on the property altogether.” Buyers need to be ready with their paperwork, such as bank statements, a preapproval letter, and documents supporting proof of funds, from the day they begin house-hunting mode. That way they can pounce quickly with an offer when they do find a home they like.

2) Making an Offer for Their Preapproved Amount

Smart buyers are getting preapproved to show a seller they’re financially able to purchase a home. However, Chuck Silverston, principal at Unlimited Sotheby’s International Realty in Brookline, Mass., warns buyers against using that document to come up with an offer amount.

“Many buyers come in with a preapproval for the exact offer price, but when you’re competing against other offers, including cash offers, you want to show financial strength,” Silverston says. “An exact preapproval could make a listing agent nervous because not only does the buyer not have any wiggle room to negotiate, but they might no longer qualify if interest rates rise.”

3) Submitting a Lowball Offer

Lowballing a seller often backfires, particularly in a seller’s market. “A lowball offer that isn’t backed up with math or comparable sales data is disrespectful and could turn off the seller and possibly mean you will miss out on the property completely,” Sandholm says.

4) Waiving Inspection Contingencies

“I don’t care whether it’s new construction or even your mom’s house you’re buying from her – get it inspected,” urges Joshua Jarvis of Jarvis Team Realty in Duluth, Ga. Further, if you waive the inspection contingency in your offer, you may lose the earnest money if you later back out of the deal.

5) Not Presenting Yourself Well Enough

In a seller’s market, buyers need to take steps to make sure they look good in the eyes of the seller. “In today’s highly competitive environment, the listing agent is trying to determine which buyer will be the easiest to deal with,” Silverston says. Buyers may want to avoid pointing out every defect, making nitpicky queries, or questioning the seller’s tastes.

“Basically buyers who act less than enthusiastic will see themselves at a competitive disadvantage when sellers are comparing multiple offers,” he says.

SOURCE – realtormag.realtor.org

 

For more happenings, news, and events, follow ColumbiaCountyCurrent.com on twitter @CoCoCurrent, and me on Instagram @JeffmMcKinney.

Interesting Article on Brownstoner About Relocating From Brooklyn to Upstate New York

An article on Brownstoner.com titled, Relocating From Brooklyn to Upstate New York?, offers some tips and advice for Brooklyners considering a move to our area. Although I don’t think West Chester county could be considered “Upstate NY”, there is some good advice for anyone considering a move to Columbia County.

Here are two of the tips, including one from a colleague, and fellow Beach & Bartolo Realtor of mine, Victor Mendolia:

Beware of “unknown costs”: Victor Mendolia, from Beach and Bartolo Real Estate in Chatham, says property taxes Upstate can be surprisingly high. “This is particularly true when there is another layer of municipal government like incorporated villages or cities,” he says.

Use a local buyer’s agent: Young (Gia M. Young, real estate salesperson at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dobbs Ferry, ) says that a local buyer’s agent is more likely to know property tax assessments and zoning code implications. “The local agents also know each other and have established relationships, which may benefit their buyers,” she says. One place to find them is on Brownstoner Services.

Read the entire article on Brownstoner.com, and contact me (jmckinney@beachandbartolo.com) if you are considering a move to Columbia County.

 

For more happenings, news, and events, follow ColumbiaCountyCurrent.com on twitter @CoCoCurrent, and me on Instagram @JeffmMcKinney.

Capital Region Spring Home Show, April 7 – 9

The Home Show is a great resource for anyone who is currently renovating a home, planning their next project, or just daydreaming of ways to improve a space.

Nearly 175 exhibitors will be at the show with home improvement and remodeling exhibits, product demonstrations, and sample interior and exterior vignettes. The show will feature exhibitors from multiple interior and exterior categories including, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Windows, Landscaping, Sheds & Gazebos, Appliances, Solar, Hot Tubs, Energy Conservation, and much more.

Click Here to see the list of Exhibitors.

 

DATES/TIMES:
April 7, 8 & 9, 2017
Friday 11 am – 8 pm, Saturday 10 am – 8 pm & Sunday 10 am – 6 pm

LOCATION:
SportsPlex of Halfmoon
6 Corporate Drive,
Clifton Park, NY 12065

ADMISSION:
Free Admission
Free Parking

 

For more happenings, news, and events, follow ColumbiaCountyCurrent.com on twitter @CoCoCurrent.

January Home Sales: Highest Rate Growth in Nearly 10 Years

January existing-home sales show fastest seasonally adjusted annual sales growth in almost 10 years. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing-home sales increased 3.3 percentage points to a seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 5.69 million — up from an upwardly revised 5.51 million in December. This sales pace is 3.8 percentage points above January 2015 and is the fastest SAAR sales pace in nearly a decade.

The median existing-home price for all housing types in January rose 7.1 percentage points to $228,900, which marks the 59th consecutive month of year-over-year gains. Total housing inventory experienced a boost as well, with a 2.4 percentage point jump to 1.69 million homes for sale — a much-needed jump from the rock bottom levels seen in December 2016. Despite the strong numbers, inventory is still 7.1 percentage points below January 2016 and is the 20th consecutive month of year-over-year declines. Unsold inventory is at an unchanged 3.6-month supply.

Distressed sales, which include foreclosures and short sales, were at 7 percent — unchanged from December and a 9 percentage point drop from January 2016. Five percent of January sales were foreclosures, and 2 percent were short sales.

Single-family home sales were at a SAAR of 5.04 million — a 2.6 percentage point month-over-month increase and a 3.7 percentage point year-over-year increase. The sales price for single-family homes increased by 7.3 percentage points to $230,400.

Existing condominium and co-op sales rose 8.3 percentage points to a SAAR of 650,000 units, 4.8 percentage points higher than a year ago. The median existing condo price was $217,400 in January — up 6.2 percentage points from 2016.

Buying Patterns Across the Country:

The Northeast, South and West experienced strong growth, while the Midwest took a small hit.

  • In the Northeast, existing-home sales jumped 5.3 percent to an annual rate of 800,000, up 6.7 percent from a year ago.
    Median price: $253,800, a 2.5 percent year-over-year decrease.
  • In the Midwest, existing-home sales decreased 1.5 percent to an annual rate of 1.29 million.
    Median price: $174,900, a 6.5 percent year-over-year increase.
  • In the South, existing-home sales rose 3.6 percent to an annual rate of 2.31 million. Median price: $201,400, a 9.2 percent year-over-year increase.
  • In the West, existing-home sales ascended 6.6 percent to an annual rate of 1.29 million. Median price: $332,300, an 6.8 percent year-over-year increase.

 

For more happenings, news, and events, follow ColumbiaCountyCurrent.com on twitter @CoCoCurrent.