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

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

Would You Remove Your Own Appendix...

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 usually 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.

Call 518-392-8484

CALL US ....WE SHOULD TALK

The value of any Real Estate Firm is its ability to provide seamless access to the best information, quickly and accurately. Here at VantagePoint Realty, we specialize in this ability; we have the tools, including award winning web sites, updated and cross-linked to countless search engines, allowing us to be head & shoulders above the competition. Call us; see why now, more than ever, it's so important to follow success!

Call Us - 518-392-8484

The value of any Real Estate Firm is its ability to provide seamless access to the best information, quickly and accurately.  Here at VantagePoint Realty, we specialize in this ability; we have the tools, including award winning web sites, updated and cross-linked to countless search engines, allowing us to be head & shoulders above the competition.  Call us; see why now, more than ever, it's so important to follow success!

Call Us VantagePoint Realty  518-392-8484

or

e-mail: info@ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

Visit our Website:  www.ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

When considering your next real estate transaction

When considering your next real estate transaction and looking for real estate representation call us.   Keep in mind that we will do everything possible to make your buying or selling experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.  With our experience in assisting with home buying and selling you can be sure you are receiving the best representation possible.

Owning property is one of the most exciting investments you can make, and it should be a fun and rewarding experience.  If you are moving out of the area or downsizing, and need to sell your home, we can help you prepare your home for sale, pricing your home right and marketing it effectively.

If you have questions and would like to talk, please give us a call 518-392-8484.  We are conveniently located in Old Chatham, New York.

Visit our website: www.ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

                           Your Hopes, Your Dreams...Our VantagePoint

Add Value to Your Home

A few suggestions that add value to your home:

1) Clean, Organize, and Neutralize Your Space: Unclutter your house to make it look bigger and cleaner.  Buyers need to be able to envision their own belongings in the home, so avoid using bright colors and too many personal effects.

2) Keep your lawn green: Get your lawn in shape. A patchy lawn takes away from the home's overall appearance. Your local hardware store has supplies to re-seed those unhealthy areas.

3) Add insulation to save energy: The most inexpensive way to increase your home's energy is to add insulation which can reduce heating and cooling costs by more than 25%.

4) Update Kitchen Appliances: The kitchen is often the room that buyers gravitate towards first, and an updated kitchen can help sell your home. You don't have to remodel your kitchen to give it a new look. Updating your appliances to the current standard and replacing cabinet doors and hardware can make a big impact at a relatively low cost.

5) Update those bathroom fixtures: A little change can go a long way when it comes to the look of your bathroom. Updating simple fixtures such as your sink and faucet can give any outdated bathroom style. And, according to Bankrate.com, minor bathroom remodels typically return over 100% of the initial investment.

6) Build a fence: If you're trying to sell a house, the appearance of a fence adds value to the home overall. Buyers with children or pets will appreciate the privacy and security of an enclosed backyard.

7) Repair the gutter: Ensuring that your gutter is clean is crucial in protecting your home against water damage.

8) Light up the outside: An easy and inexpensive way to increase your home's outdoor space is to add lighting. It makes it more appealing and safer.

9) Store and organize: Ample storage space is a plus, especially when it comes to garages and closets.  Efficient closet structures can help keep your clothes organized  and can save space.

10) Polish off the basement: Rather than adding an additional room, it is more cost-efficient to remodel your basement. This adds value and usable space.

Remember:

Your Hopes, Your Dreams...Our VantagePoint

Call Stephanie Samuelsohn, at VantagePoint Reatly at 518-392-8484

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

Check out our Website:  www.ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

Would You Remove Your Own Appendix...

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 usually 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

Columbia County Homes

results.

A Make or Break Decision – The Right Price

Part 2

The second toughest decision in the process is next – deciding upon a price.

Often home sellers base their property’s sale price on emotion and sentiment. A home represents a lot of special memories to the seller and they respond accordingly by overpricing.

This is where your real estate agent’s cool head and vast experience comes into play.

First, a real estate agent will visit your home or property making careful notes on its pros and cons that will contribute to a selling price. Next, the agent will carefully study prices realized from comparable homes in your area and determine its current value. Once sharing that with you, your real estate agent will develop a strategic marketing plan, customized to sell your home.

Depending on the condition of your home, your real estate agent may recommend some upgrades or modest cosmetic changes that enhance the attractiveness of your home. Trust in their suggestions because having worked with a variety of clients whose homes or properties range in size, style, age, and value – they know what sells. 

Call Stephanie Samuelsohn at 518-392-8484 to learn more.

Also check out our website: Columbia County Homes

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

Tips to Add Value to Your Home

1) Clean, Organize, and Neutralize Your Space: Unclutter your house to make it look bigger and cleaner.  Buyers need to be able to envision their own belongings in the home, so avoid using bright colors and too many personal effects.

2) Keep your lawn green: Get your lawn in shape. A patchy lawn takes away from the home's overall appearance. Your local hardware store has supplies to re-seed those unhealthy areas.

3) Add insulation to save energy: The most inexpensive way to increase your home's energy is to add insulation which can reduce heating and cooling costs by more than 25%.

4) Update Kitchen Appliances: The kitchen is often the room that buyers gravitate towards first, and an updated kitchen can help sell your home. You don't have to remodel your kitchen to give it a new look. Updating your appliances to the current standard and replacing cabinet doors and hardware can make a big impact at a relatively low cost.

5) Update those bathroom fixtures: A little change can go a long way when it comes to the look of your bathroom. Updating simple fixtures such as your sink and faucet can give any outdated bathroom style. And, according to Bankrate.com, minor bathroom remodels typically return over 100% of the initial investment.

6) Build a fence: If you're trying to sell a house, the appearance of a fence adds value to the home overall. Buyers with children or pets will appreciate the privacy and security of an enclosed backyard.

7) Repair the gutter: Ensuring that your gutter is clean is crucial in protecting your home against water damage.

8) Light up the outside: An easy and inexpensive way to increase your home's outdoor space is to add lighting. It makes it more appealing and safer.

9) Store and organize: Ample storage space is a plus, especially when it comes to garages and closets.  Efficient closet structures can help keep your clothes organized  and can save space.

10) Polish off the basement: Rather than adding an additional room, it is more cost-efficient to remodel your basement. This adds value and usable space.

Visit us at:  ColumbiaCountyHomes

Call Us ....We Should Talk

The value of any Real Estate Firm is its ability to provide seamless access to the best information, quickly and accurately.  Here at VantagePoint Realty, we specialize in this ability; we have the tools, including award winning web sites, updated and cross-linked to countless search engines, allowing us to be head & shoulders above the competition.  Call us; see why now, more than ever, it's so important to follow success!

Call Us VantagePoint Realty  518-392-8484

or

e-mail: info@ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

Visit our Website:  www.ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

The Two Secret Ingredients in a Quick Sale

A fresh coat of paint may help, and skillful marketing is certainly important, but only after a key ingredient is in place—a realistic asking price.  Buyers are comparative shoppers, and an overpriced house won’t fool anyone.  How do you figure out a realistic price for your home--With the help of a second ingredient, probably the most important—an effective Broker.  They determine a realistic price upfront, through careful analysis.  Only then will they advise you about such things as fresh paint, and go on to aggressively market your home.  If you want a happy ending, the one place to begin…is with a topflight broker.  Why not begin now ---with a call to me.

Stephanie W. Samuelsohn

Call me:       518-392-8484

E-Mail me:    info@ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

Visit our Website:  www.ColumbaiCountyHomes.com

People tend to think the winter season is 'off- time' for buying or selling a home. 

Nothing could be further from the truth. There is an honesty and warmth that animates both sellers and buyers alike during this season - the result is a greater willingness to share and to agree.

So, instead of 'putting off' until after the Holidays, call us. You may end up enjoying a very special New Year's celebration.

Do call us, join in our journey through these "interesting times."

Call VantagePoint Realty and ask for Stephanie 518-392-8484 or

E-Mail me at Stephanie@ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

Check out our NEW website"  at:  www.ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

Aggressive Selling Strategy

Circumstances in the real estate market dictate that sellers list their homes with agents like me, who will market their properties aggressively. These efforts begin with a market analysis, which involves comparing the home to similar homes in the area that have sold recently, forming the basis of a listing price that appeals to prospective buyers and ensures sellers of a proper return on their investment. Then it’s my responsibility to "get the word out" by advertising on the Internet, in newspapers, in magazines, and listing the property on Multiple Listing Services and connecting with buyers and brokers on the Internet. Aggressive marketing increases the likelihood of selling a home in a challenging market. We are on many websites, such as:


ColumbiaGreeneNorthernDutchessMLS.com ~ Berkshirerealtors.com ~ Realtor.com ~ Google.com ~ Trulia.com ~ ColumbiaCountyHomes.com~ TimesUnion.com ~ Hot Pads.com ~ Homes.com ~ Albany.Backpage.com ~ RealEstate.yahoo.com ~  Oodle.com ~ CLRsearch.com ~ Zillow.com ~ NewYorkStatemls.com ~ HotFrog.com ~ Gaylesbiandirectory.com ~ IQRealEstate.com ~ RealEstateActive.com ~ HomeHippo.com and, and, and more......

HINT:  It has never been more imperative that sellers price their properties correctly in accordance with the prices of competing properties and local market conditions.

Visit us at: http://www/ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

E-mail me at: Stephanie@ColumbiaCountyHomes.com

Call me at: 518-392-8484