Front Door & More

To boost your home's curb appeal, there are a few improvements that provide bigger bang for the buck than a coat of paint on the front door. If your front door has seen better days, think about replacing it with a more attractive unit.

According to one independent study, a new front door increased the perceived value of a home by as much as 6.6%. While you are at it, replace the handle and lock with substantial brass, pewter, or brushed aluminum hardware to make the best possible impression on potential buyers.

Inside the home, it pays to update the flooring with new carpeting, vinyl sheeting, or even tile if worn-out surfaces might provide would-be buyers with reasons not to buy.

Hint: Sellers should also upgrade kitchen and bath counters, faucets, and fixtures, if necessary. These rooms sell homes.

Relying on the advice and experience of a seasoned real estate professional can alleviate the potentially overwhelming process of first-time buying. As a Realtor and Principal/Broker of VantagePoint Realty, I have a successful track record of working with buyers. I will walk you through the process so that you will understand your options, and feel confident with your decisions. You will benefit from my knowledge and experience whether looking for a second home, vacation home or primary residence. Contact me for an initial meeting.

I can assist you in meeting and exceeding your real estate needs. I am looking forward to meeting you!
Call Stephanie at 518-392-8484

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

e-mail me at: Stephanie@ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

Real estate agents are not magicians

As knowledgeable, skillful, and hardworking as real estate agents may be, they are not magicians. They cannot take an unappealing house and make it attractive to prospective buyers at a good price solely on the basis of words. A lot of the responsibility for selling a home rests with the seller's ability to boost its curb appeal with proper landscaping, paint, and repair/maintenance. Unless they are looking for a fixer upper, most prospective buyers are drawn to homes that meet their needs and that they can move into with a minimum of fuss. If this means that sellers must treat interior walls to fresh paint in neutral colors and replace worn carpeting, then that is part of a successful deal.

Hint: If a home is well cared for inside and out, prospective buyers are more likely to assume that it is worth the asking price.

If you are motivated to sell, or to purchase, please contact me, Stephanie W. Samuelsohn, Realtor and Principal Broker with VantagePoint Realty. I have a successful track record of assisting sellers and buyers. I will arrange an initial meeting. You will benefit from my knowledge and experience. The office is conveniently located.

Call Stephanie at 518-392-8484

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

See our website at: http://www.columbiacountyhomes.com/

Buying a Home? Bewildered? Overwhelmed?

You are not alone! Numerous people find the process of buying a home intimidating. No two buying experiences are the same. Working with me can help ensure that your home buying is a successful, enjoyable experience.

Conveniently located, where full-service is not only the expectation - it is my guarantee!

For further information on all of the services available to you, contact the office or visit my website today.

I am fully licensed in both NY and MA and bring with me skills for service and dedication.

Your Hopes, Your Dreams...Our VantagePoint.

Call us today at 518-392-8484

Would You Remove Your Own Appendix

...much less overhaul your vehicle's engine? The fact is that, whether a Doctor or a Car Mechanic, most people turn to those with professional experience to get the results they want. In the case of selling a home, there is too much riding on the outcome to hope that a homeowner can do the job himself or herself. While potential FSBO's (homes 'for sale by owner') nearly uniformly focus on saving money, experienced Real Estate agents usally pay for themselves by getting higher prices more quickly. They do this by setting a realistic asking price, advertising the property thoroughly, networking more effectively, qualifying buyers better, and negotiating a better selling price, circumventing potential problems.

I am fully licensed in both NY & MA and bring with me the skills for service & dedication.

Your Hopes, Your Dreams...Our VantagePoint

HINT: From getting a property ready for market to negotiating with buyers, experienced real estate agents take the emotion out of the home-buying process and produce bottom-line results.

Green Homes Sell

As the price of energy rises, it is no secret that buyers are showing a decided preference for homes that will cost them less to heat and cool.  Water conservation and electrical costs are other important considerations.  

So, if you are looking to make home improvements that will increase the value of your home in the eyes of potential buyers, start in the basement.  Replace the furnace or boiler, if necessary, with the most efficient model that you can afford.  If your hot-water heater needs replacing, check out the new on-demand, tankless devices that save both space and energy.  

Make sure your home’s insulation is sufficient, and invest in energy-efficient replacement windows.  Then advertise your energy-efficient improvements to potential buyers.

If you are planning a home improvement project, it’s essential to look at ways to include energy efficient changes as well as cosmetic ones.   I can provide information and resources on energy-efficient financing whether you’re buying, selling, refinancing, or remodeling a home. 

My office is conveniently located, where I will serve as your personal guide through this exciting process.  Let’s get together and talk about your home buying and/or selling plans.

Call me at 518-392-8484

VantagePoint Realty

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 4 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

Been There - Done That

Any real estate agent who is sensitive to his or her clients will discern that the mindset of older sellers is quite different from their younger buyers and sellers by providing valuable insight derived from years or experience, older buyers and sellers are more likely to be more circumspect. After all, they may have purchased and sold a number of homes during their lifetimes, and may be reluctant to sell the home in which they raised their family. Added to this understandable anxiety may be questions about how the transaction fits into their larger estate planning picture, as well as uncertainties over what may be their last house.

HINT: Nearly 60 percent of Americans age 55 years and older currently own their own homes.

No matter your age or lifestyle circumstances, you can best realize your real estate objectives with the guidance of an experienced and knowledgeable real estate professional. As a Realtor and Principal Broker of VantagePoint Realty, I will walk you through your transaction step by step, alleviating unnecessary stress. No detail is too large or too small for me to handle. Contact me to arrange an initial meeting. Let's discuss your real estate needs and desires, and how I can assist you in achieving your dreams.

I'm looking forward to exceeding your expectations!

Call Stephanie at 518-392-8484

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

You can also e-mail me at:
Stephanie@ColumbiaCountyHomes.com