“World's Most Complete Neighborpedia”
Sponsor a Community — What is Localism? | Register or Sign In
Explore:   What's happening in your neck of the woods?
Home Mary Shelsby

Mary Shelsby

Blog_tag

Market Report - Rochester, NY

02-06-08
Mary Shelsby
I was pleased to note that in the MLS today, there were more listings that went pending then expired. That wasn't the case many days in the later part of 2007. Today, 47 single family homes went pending. Average time on the market was 54 days, although I think that is high because of at least three listings on the market more than 200 days.

Average list price was $106,048, with a range of $10,400 (No! I didn't forget any zeros!) to $549,500. Here is an interesting statistic! For the four properties listed for more than $250,000, the average days on market was 22 days. Who says upscale property isn't selling in Rochester?
2 Comments
Blog_tag

How Does Christie Brinkley Do It?

02-06-08
Mary Shelsby


I have a whole new appreciation for super models like Christie Brinkley after this morning! You see, I spent this morning in a sleet and freezing rain storm with a light jacket on trying to look poised, happy and successful while a photographer from the Rochester Business Journal snapped away! I was recently interview by Mary Stone, their real estate reporter about the impact of the subprime mortgage situation on Rochester's real estate market. They needed a photo to go with the story and I agreed.

How'd I do? I don't think Christie has anything to worry about. Check out the Friday, February 8th edition of the Rochester Business Journal to see for yourself.

0 Comments
Blog_tag

Mayor Duffy Wants to Know What I Think!

01-31-08
Mary Shelsby

No I didn't get a phone call! Or a personal letter! But I did get a survey stuck into our storm door.
It's number crunching time at Rochester's City Hall and Mayor Bob Duffy has asked for neighborhood feedback regarding fees, taxes and services.


"What are the most important services to you and your neighborhood?", the survey asks. To me, that's pretty easy. Police protection and fighting crime are utmost important to me. Keeping our streets clear of snow is also a priority and I sure feel better about our city when it is clean and clear of liter.

Next, the survey asks, "What services are nice to have, but you could live without if cuts had to be made?" That's a little more difficult question for me. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I've not been to the library in more than ten years, so that is a service I could life without. But a city without libraries, is almost as bad as cake without ice cream. My husband suggested that trash pickup be changed to every two weeks instead of every week, but I think that would be pretty stinky in the summer.


There are more questions, like "What are the City services that you and your neighbors believe you do not need?" I don't have an answer for that one. I can see what the mayor wants some advice, but hopefully he also surveyed people much smarter than I am.


I wish I had better answers for the mayor. Nonetheless, I'm glad he asked. It sure feels like he cares what I think and if I had some good ideas for him, he'd listen to them. Bob Duffy is one of the many reasons I'm glad I call Rochester home.

0 Comments
Blog_tag

The State of The Finger Lakes

01-10-08
Mary Shelsby


Most people think we had a wind storm yesterday. Actually, it was me on a whirlwind tour of the Finger Lakes. I had clients yesterday from Costa Rica that love summers on the Finger Lakes and so we looked at property on five of the lakes. So this seems like an excellent time to give a market report.

Conesus Lake continues to offer some of the most reasonable waterfront property. Currently, there are only ten pieces of property on the market. We found everything from an adorable house on a tiny lot with with only 25 feet of frontage for less than $240,000 to a breathtaking lot with 130 feet of waterfront land and a so-so house for $370,000.

Honeoye Lake had the slimmest pickings with only one current listing, a 3 bedroom ranch for $269,000.

I had forgotten just how beautiful the southwestern tip of Canandaigua Lake is! Had I not had a car full of clients, I would probably still be sitting on the side of the road snapping photographs. The thing about Canandaigua Lake is it is easy to drop a cool million on a house with decent frontage. Currently, there are 16 homes listed, with a 5,000 sq foot beauty listed for $3.5 million as the most expensive home in the Eastern Finger Lakes (curious? click here for details www.RochestersBestHomes.com/720955 ) A less expensive way to own Canandaigua is to purchase property at Bristol Harbor or one of the other communities, but you will be sharing the lake frontage. A 2 bedroom home at Bristol Harbor is currently listed for $179,900.

Next, we visited Kueka Lake, where we learned an important lesson. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. From the photos, I thought we would be looking at an attractive waterfront home. The home was attractive, BUT it was a short hike to the lake and the waterfront was actually across the road. What do you expect for a mere $450,000? Thirty six properties are currently being offered on Kueka, ranging from $73,000 (a 1963 mobile home) to $1,098,000 for a 2005 built contemporary home with 3 bedroom and 4 baths (peek at www.RochestersBestHomes.com/726899 ) Average time on the market for the current listings is 144 days and average asking price is $515,000.


Our final stop yesterday was Seneca Lake. As we drove along the lake, the sun was low in the horizon and lake was bluer than blue. Simply gorgeous, even this time of the year! This was my first time to show property on this lake and so I'm not as familiar with it. I plan to explore the area more thoroughly this spring. Currently, there are 24 offerings on Seneca, with two listing in excess of $2.5 million. Current time on the market averages 126 days.

Without a doubt, it's early in the year for waterfront property shopping. Traditionally, inventory starts increasing between March and June. If you want to be kept up to date on Finger Lakes real estate offerings, drop me an e-mail or give me a call.

4 Comments