Diana Corcoran - Rhinebeck Real Estate

Bathrooms are extremely important to buyers. My buyers that are looking at homes for sale in Rhinebeck want the bathrooms in the homes they view to be bright, clean, updated and neutral. It is my experience that buyers think bathroom renovations must cost a lot of money so they respond less enthusiastically to homes that need the bathrooms updated.

When I suggest to sellers they update a bathroom before listing their home for sale in Rhinebeck they almost always reply "oh, that is just too expensive!" I recently recommended to a seller that they update their guest bathroom in a condo they were going to list. I told them we could do it for less than $1,000 and that I thought it would make a big difference to buyers. They agreed to do so if the renovation cost was kept to less than $1,000.

I helped them shop for a new vanity, a ready made granite top with undermount sink, new faucet, new mirror and new light bar. The home owner stripped the wall paper and painted the bathroom themselves. We then hired a handy man to remove the old fixtures and install the new ones. We also had him remove the outdated medicine cabinet and patch the wall. The new vanity with granite top and undermount sink, the mirror, the light bar and new towel bars cost $700. The labor charge was $250 and the paint was $40. The total expense was $990.

This condo complex, The Woods, is mostly occupied by residents over 65 years of age. You will notice the vanity is a bit traditional but it was a great value and appeals to this age group. If the target buyer was younger I would have recommended a more modern vanity.

Take a look at the before and after photos and see what you can do for less than $1,000!

I think the results speak for themselves. So, if you are looking to buy or sell a home in the Rhinebeck, NY area remember it is possible to do a reasonably priced bathroom makeover.

Note: I forgot to take before photos of the exact bathroom but here is one that is a mirror image in same complex with exact same fixtures, mirror, light bar, etc. The before photo below shows the same wallpaper that was in the bathroom before the work was begun.

For all of your Rhinebeck NY real estate needs, call (845)224-5238 or visit my website at http://www.realestaterhinebeckny.com/

You can use the links below to search our Featured Listings or to search the entire Mid Hudson MLS.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is supplied by Diana Corcoran and is subject to change without notice. The "Rhinebeck/Red Hook Real Estate Blog by Diana" does not guarantee or is any way responsible for its accuracy, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Entries on this blog represent the opinions and ideas of the author.

Tivoli, NY located in Northern Dutchess County in the Mid Hudson Valley of New York has an affordable condominium complex named Tivoli Gardens. The complex consists of 6 buildings, all built approximately 1989. There are one bedroom, 2 bedroom and loft units available. Each unit has a single car detached garage.

The units range in size from studio size of about 530 square feet to approximately 1000 square feet for the two bedroom and loft units. There are first floor units which no steps and second floor units which are accessed via covered outdoor stairways. All units are all electric with heat pumps for forced hot air heating and cooling. A stacking washer/dryer combo is located in each unit. Each condo has either a cement patio or a balcony.

Tivoli Gardens is a quiet community surrounded by lovely lawns, trees and is within walking distance to the Hudson River and the village center. The community has residents of all ages. Pets are permitted. Tivoli Gardens is about a 5 minute drive to the center of Red Hook and less than 10 minutes to the center of Rhinebeck. Tivoli Gardens is also just a few miles to Bard College in Red Hook.

There are currently six units for sale in Tivoli Gardens ranging in price from $107,500 to $210,000. The monthly HOA fees are approximately $145. Tivoli Gardens is a great place for young singles or couples just entering the real estate market, for seniors looking to downsize or for parents with students entering Bard College. A quick calculation shows us that for a $100,000 mortgage at 6.5% for 30 years, plus $145 HOA fees and taxes the payment on a 1 bedroom unit would be about $900 a month. I can tell you after putting 5 kids through college that is much cheaper than the dorms!

If you are interested in seeing any of the units currently for sale at Tivoli Gardens give me a call at (845)224-5238 or use the links below to search for the listings.

For all of your

For all of your Rhinebeck NY real estate needs, call (845)224-5238 or visit my website at http://www.realestaterhinebeckny.com/

Diana Corcoran, Associate Broker, Acreddited Buyer Representative

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is supplied by Diana Corcoran and is subject to change without notice. The "Rhinebeck/Red Hook Real Estate Blog by Diana" does not guarantee or is any way responsible for its accuracy, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Entries on this blog represent the opinions and ideas of the author.

Spring has sprung here in the Hudson Valley. If you currently have a house for sale in the Rhinebck area it is time to think about boosting your curb appeal. One sure fire way to make your house sparkle is to power wash it.

Wash down the siding of the house, the front door, the shutters, the decks, the sidewalks and the driveway. You can rent a power washer for about $60-$80 a day and you should be able to do an average size home in one day. If you are really pressed for time, then just do the front of the house and the decks, driveway and walkways.

While you're power washing check and see if the front door could use a new coat of paint and if you are putting your outdoor furniture out on your deck or patio give it a good washing also.

When you are done power washing put out a fresh new welcome mat, place a few potted plants on your porch and stand back and see how great your home looks. Your $60 and your efforts will go a long way to increasing the curb appeal of your home. Remember, it is the first impression of your home that counts the most!

Photo by Kate Mereand

For all of your real estate needs in the Rhinebeck, NY area call (845)224-5238 or visit my website at http://www.realestaterhinebeckny.com/

Diana Corcoran, Associate Broker, Acreddited Buyer Representative

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is supplied by Diana Corcoran and is subject to change without notice. The "Rhinebeck/Red Hook Real Estate Blog by Diana" does not guarantee or is any way responsible for its accuracy, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Entries on this blog represent the opinions and ideas of the author.

Pine Plains, NYlocated in Northern Dutchess County, in the Mid Hudson Valley has a population of approximately 2,600 people. It is a very pretty small town which has a great lake for swimming known as Stissing Lake and Stissing Mountain (elevation 1,403 feet) overlooks the town.

There are currently 22 homes for sale in Pine Plains ranging in price from $235,000 to $4,200,000. 20 of the homes are under $680,000 and 2 are over $1,000,000.

There were no homes sold in Pine Plains in March. There were 3 homes sold so far in 2008. Pine Plains is an affordable place to live. The current average listing price for a home in Pine Plains (excluding the homes priced at over $1,000,000) is $353,000. The median price is $349,000. There are currently 7 homes for sale for $300,000 or less.

The town of Pine Plains recently approved a 55+ community called Towne Center which is currently under construction. I have visited the model condominium and they are very nice. There are currently 6 condos on the market ranging in price from $249,000 to $349,000.

Pine Plains is easily reached via the Taconic State Parkway. Take a Sunday drive to Pine Plains and see what it has to offer. To search for homes for sale in Pine Plains use the buttons below.

For all of your real estate needs in the Rhinebeck, NY area call (845)224-5238 or visit my website at http://www.realestaterhinebeckny.com/

Diana Corcoran, Associate Broker, Accredited Buyer Representative

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is supplied by Diana Corcoran and is subject to change without notice. The "Rhinebeck/Red Hook Real Estate Blog by Diana" does not guarantee or is any way responsible for its accuracy, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Entries on this blog represent the opinions and ideas of the author.

According to Mid Hudson MLS there are 74 homes currently for sale in Rhinebeck, NY. In 2007, 37 homes sold in Rhinebeck. A quick calculation tells us there is currently 2 years worth of inventory on the market. Mid Hudson MLS statistics also state that the median house price of homes sold in 2007 in Rhinebeck was 11.2% less than the median home that sold in 2006.

What does this mean for sellers? It means you have a lot of competition, buyers are expecting lower prices and your house for sale in Rhinebeck needs to stand out from the rest.

There are three things a seller must do to sell their home in todays market:

1. Price it correctly
2. Present it at its very best
3. Give easy access

Pricing your home correctly involves several things. First, you need to have a good competitive market analysis(CMA)done. Your listing agent should provide you with a CMA that shows you what homes similar to yours have sold for in the past 9-12 months. In my opinion, a CMA should also include a list of the homes currently for sale that would be considered your competition. There is a big difference between what you think your home is worth, what you "need to get" to satisfy your financial obligations and what price you need to list at to get your home sold. As a seller, you need to be realistic about what the market will pay for your home. If you need to get a lot more than what the current market dictates your house will probably linger on the market for a very long time.

Presenting your home at its very best is more important than ever. As previously stated you have a lot of competition. Buyers do not have to accept homes that need routine repairs, are outdated or dirty. They can walk right out your door and move on to all those other homes that are currently for sale. If those other homes are cleaner, brighter, more welcoming and in better overall condition you have just lost the contest. In a nutshell, a seller needs to declutter, clean until everything sparkles and make those repairs you have been putting off. If you didn't have the time, money or inclination to fix that leaky faucet or strip that old wallpaper chances are the buyer doesn't either. Simple renovations that can be done inexpensively can make a huge impact with sellers. A Homegain survey done in 2003 states that a simple bathroom upgrade of between $1,500 and $2,000 will give you a return of 138% and go a long way to improving the appeal of your home. Home staging can really help give your home a step above the competition. Here are some before and after photos of a home staging project. Which rooms would you respond to better?

Easy access is extremely important. If a buyer can't get into your home how can they fall in love with it and decide to buy it. Rules like "no showings on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday" or "48 hours notice required" or "listing agent must accompany all showings" or "owner must be home to give access" make it difficult for potential buyers to see your home. There is a good chance your home will be skipped over if the buyer can't see it when it is convenient for them. It may sound silly to say but if you want to sell your home you have to let the buyers in!

There is a very interesting article in this months issue of Hudson Valley Magazine about the real estate market in the Hudson Valley. I think you will find it interesting.

To see our listings of homes for sale in Rhinebeck, NY follow this link and click on Featured Listings. To do a complete search of homes for sale in the Hudson Valley follow this link and click on MLS Search or click on the buttons below.

"My dream is to find the home of your dreams." Give me a call at (845)224-5238 and let's start the search together!

**For all of your real estate needs in the greater Rhinebeck - Red Hook, Clinton, Tivoli, Pine Plains and Hyde Park NY areas contact:

Diana Corcoran, Associate Broker, Accredited Buyer Representative

dcorcoran@hvc.rr.com

http://www.realestaterhinebeckny.com

**Statistics based on data from Mid Hudson MLS.

The information herein has not been verified by the Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing Service, Inc. or by any individual(s) who may be affiliated with said entity, all of whom hereby collectively and severally disclaim any and all responsibility for the accuracy of the information appearing at this website, at any time or from time to time. All information should be independently verified by the recipient of such data. This data is not warranted for any purpose. The use of these search facilities other than by a consumer seeking to purchase or lease real estate, is prohibited.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is supplied by Diana Corcoran and is subject to change without notice. The "Rhinebeck/Red Hook Real Estate Blog by Diana" does not guarantee or is any way responsible for its accuracy, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Entries on this blog represent the opinions and ideas of the author.