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

The Great Backfire – Trying to Sell It Yourself

Part 1

Many people are tempted to try and sell their homes themselves, thinking they’ll save time and the fee they’d normally pay to a real estate agent. Often, they’ll waste six months without a nibble – and end up calling an agent anyway.

If this has happened to you, now you are poised to choose a real estate agent – so be tough about it. One of the best ways to find an agent is through personnel referral. Talk to family, neighbors, and colleagues who have sold a home and were happy with their agent’s performance and professionalism.

Confirm that the agent’s agency has a professional looking website that is easy to navigate and features attractive photos of properties which are accompanied by compelling descriptions of the home or property for sale. Look for customer reviews of the agency and their agents on their website. 

After compiling a list of potential agencies, call them and interview them by asking pointed questions. For example, inquire if they are seasoned marketing professionals and conduct competitive market analysis on homes and properties currently on sale. Do they belong to multiple listing services (MLS) and employ a number of marketing techniques such as advertising and posting on social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter?  

Likewise, ensure that the real estate agent networks with other successful agents and has a proven track record for quick sales and strong prices.

And finally, once satisfied that your questions have been answered to your satisfaction, choose the top three agencies and schedule an appointment for a face-to-face meeting with them. Make sure that the agent gives you confidence as demonstrated by their ability and knowledge to sell your home or property. In working with a real estate agent, chemistry with that person is key. Check that you speak the same language and your share the same goals for a successful outcome.

A few years ago, I had a customer who was in her late 80’s and wanted to sell her big farmhouse, where she had raised five children, and downsize to a smaller home, which we had found for her. Next we found a buyer who was perfect - a young couple eager to start a family who fell in love with the property.

Two weeks before the closing, I received a frantic phone call from the woman who said she couldn’t sell her house. I suggested we talk about what was happening in person and said I’d be right over.

When I arrived she showed me the molding in the doorway of a bedroom where all the heights of her children and grandchildren were carefully recorded.  “This is why I can’ sell it,” she said.  “I just can’t leave it behind.”

I thought a moment and asked, “ If you could bring it with you could you sell it?”  “Yes,” she said, “I could let it go then.”

I called the buyer and they were fine with removing the molding.

Buyer and seller were happy and all it took was some careful listening and creative problem solving.

Stephanie W. Samuelsohn

518-392-8484

Check out our Website at:  ColumbiaCountyHomes