Clear As Mud

Home buyers have traditionally focused on kitchens when they evaluate properties that they may want to purchase. In recent years, they have also turned their attention to the kitchen addenda known as mudrooms. Positoined as buffer zones between the outdoors and the kitchen, mudrooms serve as changing rooms, laundry rooms, closets, storage areas, and shoe repositories. Most recently, these utility areas have grown into sophisticated holding areas with built-in cabinets that match the kitchen's own for stowing brief cases, lunch boxes, back packs, baby carriages, and diaper bags. Sellers may want to cash in on this trend by retrofitting rear foyers and old mudrooms with upgraded cabinetry. Doing so will certainly boost their homes' appeal.

HINT: For convenience that is sure to please prospective buyers, outfit a renovated mudroom with a washer and dryer.

Are you thinking of selling your home and wondering if you can increase its value by doing some updating? It is imperative not to spend unnecessarily, or you will not realize a return for your investment - you may loose money. As a Realtor and Principal Broker of Vantage Point Realty, my years of experience working with buyers in your community has taught me what "bell and whistles" are important. I am a member of 3 Multiple Listing Services. I will provide you with a free market analysis, and indicate how you can enhance and "stage" your home to achieve the best possible results.

I can assist you in meeting and exceeding your real estate needs. Give me a call to arrange a meeting.

Call Stephanie at 518-392-8484

and visit us at our website at:
www.ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

or e-mail me at
Stephanie@ColumbiaCountyHomes. com

Talking Up A Property

Sellers may be largely unaware of one of the most useful services that real estate agents can provide them. This work, which goes on behind the scenes, involves increasing the awareness of their client's properties to other agents who may have potential buyers. Essentially, this amounts to a public relations effort, the goal of which is to disseminate as much information as possible to as many potentially interested parties as possible. It also helps for an agent to stress the most appealing features of a client's property with the intention of garnering interest. Houses that are "talked up" to other agents have the best chance of selling, which is a result that does always tend to be noticed.

Hint: Networking provides real estate agents with one of their most effective home-selling tools.


An experienced Realtor knows how to market your property, including the best way of "Networking" it to attract interested, qualified buyers. At VantagePoint Realty, I will use a number of effective venues when marketing your property. Our presence on the Internet leads the way in our market area. I will meet with you, provide you with a free market analysis of your property, and make recommendations as to what complement of marketing strategies will bring you the most potential buyers.

As an active member of the Columbia-Green Board of Realtors and 3 Multiple Listing Services, I have the experience to assist you in determining how to show your property to its best advantage.

I can assist you in meeting and exceeding your real estate needs.
Give me a call to arrange a meeting.

Call Stephanie Samuelsohn at 518-392-8484

and visit us at our website at:
www.ColumbiaCountyHomes.com,

or e-mail me at:
Stephanie@ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

New Or Old

Any buyer must make a choice between purchasing a newly built home or an older home. One obvious advantage to buying new is that you get to choose everything from wall colors to countertop materials. In addition, brand new appliances and home systems are less likely to require repair and often come with warranties. New homes also include the latest technological features, amenities, and safety features. An older home, on the other hand, may provide savings in terms of property taxes and list prices. They are also more likely to be on larger lots of land, located in mature neighborhoods closer to metropolitan areas. In addition, older homes often display craftsmanship that was intended for homes expected to last lifetimes.

Hint: Older homes sometimes come with such pleasant surprises as hardwood floors that have languished for years beneath layers of vinyl or carpet.

Old or new? The choice is yours, and as a Realtor and Principal/Broker of VantagePoint Realty, I am dedicated to assisting you in finding the best home to suit your needs and desires. Let my years of experience benefit you!

As an active member of the Columbia-Greene Board of Realtors and 3 Multiple listing Services, I have the experience and expertise to assist you in determining how to show your property to its best advantage.

Call me to arrange an appointment. My office is conveniently located. I look forward to working with you! I can assist you in meeting and exceeding your real estate needs.

Call Stephanie Samuelsohn at 518-392-8484

and/or visit us at:

www.ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

or e-mail me at:

Stephanie@ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

Set In Stone

When purchasing a residential property, never take it for granted that fences, stone walls, and other border indicators necessarily mark the boundaries of the property accurately. Only a property survey conducted by a professional surveyor should be relied upon to locate property lines. Without a survey, prospective buyers may be relying on the wrong information. If so, any assumptions that they may be making with regard to future expansion possibilities may be called into question. While the cost of a professional survey is not consequential, it can certainly pay for itself many times over if it serves to uphold the buyer's assumptions about adding on to the house at a later date.

Hint: Homeowners often build walls and fences without having their properties surveyed, which could spell trouble for subsequent owners of the properties.

If you are considering the purchase of a home, you may feel overwhelmed by the numerous aspects of acquiring property. As a Realtor and Principal Broker of VantagePoint Realty and a member of 3 Multiple Listing Services, I have a successful track record helping buyers achieve their real estate goals with the least amount of confusion and stress.

Contact me to schedule an initial meeting. My office is conveniently located. I'm looking forward to meeting you!

Call Stephanie Samuelsohn at 518-392-8484

and/or visit me at:

www/ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

or e-mail me at

Stephanie @ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

Buyer's Desires

Move-up buyers have desires that go far beyond great rooms with fireplaces. They want a little bit more sizzle with their steak. For instance, no longer satisfied with dark, windowless laundry rooms in the basement, move-up buyers look for second-floor laundry rooms that are closer to bedrooms and the point of need. If possible, a home laundry should be more than a mere addendum to a bathroom. It should be a stand-alone room with counters, cabinets, and a sink. Beyond that, buyers also look to a room dedicated to watching movies, listening to music, and watching TV. These home theatres/listening rooms should be able to accommodate big-screen TVs and be wired for sound, preferably surround sound.

Hint: Mud rooms are also high on move-up buyers' lists of desirable features.

With the availability of low rates and a wide range of mortgage programs available to buyers, it may be the right time to consider 'moving up'. If you currently own, you may find that the price that you can obtain for your property will allow you to upgrade the size and or the style of your current home. At VantagePoint Realty, we are trained to determine the value of your current home and advise you of your options. Call us to arrange for a complimentary market analysis of your property.

I can assist you in meeting and exceeding your real estate needs. Give me a call to arrange a meeting.

Call Stephanie Samuelsohn at 518-392-8484 and/or visit us at:
www.ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

or e-mail me at:
Stephanie@ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

Home Sweet Home

At the heart of the American Dream, homeownership represents both the largest financial investment most of us will ever make and a significant lifestyle choice. Thus, whether you are selling or thinking of buying a house, you have a vested interest in being well informed about the wide range of issues surrounding the ownership of a home. These include market conditions; lifestyle considerations; legal and tax issues; buying and selling strategies; financing; and the various structural, mechanical, and cosmetic aspects of the home. Regardless of whether you are a buyer, seller, landlord, or renter dealing in single-family homes, condominiums, co-operatives, commercial real estate or apartments, this column will provide you with useful real estate information in the weeks that follow.

P.S. A real estate professional can provide clients with accurate and up-to-date pricing information, which can be used to set realistic purchase and sale limits.
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As an active member of the Columbia-Greene Board of Realtors and 3 Multiple Listing Services, I have the experience and expertise to assist you in determining how to show your property to its best advantage.

I can assist you in meeting and exceeding your real estate needs. Give me a call to arrange a meeting.

Call Stephanie Samuelsohn at 518-392-8484

and/or visit us at: www.ColumbiaCountyHomes.com,

or e-mail me at Stephanie@ColumbiaCountyHomes.com