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Housing Market Update January 2017

Submitted by Joseph Pettinella on February 22, 2017 - 12:16pm

2016 was the housing market's best year since the great recession!

Mid-Hudson Valley Housing Market Update

Submitted by Joseph Pettinella on February 10, 2017 - 4:56pm

The local Mid-Hudson Valley housing market activity has steadily improved over the past several years, and we finished up 2016 with more sales than we have seen for many years.  Increases in homes sold compared to 2015 were significant in most areas.  Dutchess County sales were up by 23.8%, Orange was up 25.3%, Putnam up 19.1%, Ulster had a 22.9% increase and Westchester a 7% increase.

In the Mid-Hudson Valley the median prices of homes rose at a moderate level compared to last year. Take a look at the chart to see how prices have changed in our area year over year, and how they compare to prices 5 years ago.

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Time Challenged? 4 Must-Dos to Prepare Your Home to Sell

Submitted by Joseph Pettinella on January 31, 2017 - 5:29pm

There is a lot of good advice on the internet on how to get your home ready to sell, and it's all good.  But taking all the advice can be very time consuming and can put a pretty good dent in your pocketbook.  We've found that many of our clients just don't have the time and/or the money to do all the things they would like to do to make their house the best it can be.

If you're one of those people who is seriously time-challenged, then here are four things you can accomplish that will have a major impact on getting your home sold in the least amount of time for the most money.

1.  Go through every room with some boxes, and pack away anything that you won't need again until you are in your new home.  This includes personal items, family photos, knick-knacks, clothes and shoes that you won't need until next season . . . anything that would be considered 'clutter'.  Think empty . . . the emptier your closets the better.  'Less is more' applies to every room and every closet in your home. 

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The Future of Homes & Neighborhoods - What Will Change?

Submitted by Joseph Pettinella on January 31, 2017 - 11:22am

There is no doubt that there is a major focus on living healthier and smarter. Technological advances and changing demographics are shaping a new vision for how we live in our homes. Architects and builders are looking to design homes of the future with more healthy and sustainable materials that are resilient to natural disasters, require less maintenance, and have flexible living spaces that can accommodate multiple generations and communal gatherings.

Homeowners will demand healthier environments with no harmful paints and adhesives, as well as energy and water conservation features. There will be more emphasis on natural light and the adoption of biophilic planning. There will be a focus on utilizing materials that have greater longevity and will last through generations of homeowners.

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Follow The Scenic Hudson River

Submitted by Joseph Pettinella on January 30, 2017 - 5:07pm

"Follow the River" a tourism slideshow of our scenic, historic mid Hudson River Valley.  Come visit . . . you'll want to stay forever!

The Repair Cafe - Another Great Hudson Valley Initiative

Submitted by Joseph Pettinella on January 26, 2017 - 5:15pm

Repair Cafés are a FREE community movement in the Hudson Valley where residents bring their beloved but broken items, and together with volunteer Repair Coaches, they fix them!  One of the great reasons to live in the Hudson Valley is being part of our communities where people work together and care about each other.

The Repair Cafe goal is to reduce how much stuff goes into the waste stream, to preserve and pass on traditional repair know-how, and to foster community, sustainability, and resilience.  The Repair Café idea was born in Amsterdam in 2009 and was brought to New Paltz by volunteer organizer John Wackman in 2013. His dedication, enthusiasm, and success inspired others to launch Repair Cafe events in their communities.

Repair Cafes are currently conducted in New Paltz, Gardiner, Kingston, Poughkeepsie, Rhinebeck, Rosendale, and Warwick.

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