Rochester, NY

I'm so excited. I received an e-mail from RealtyUSA today announcing that they've unveiled a mobile search! I tried it out on my phone and it worked like clockwork... which means it must be for any cell phone with internet capabilities, however basic. You can see thumbnail photos of the property, all the pertinent information, the description, and even directions. It appears you can also look up an agent or office, although I've yet to play around with that feature.

Maybe it's just me, but I think this is the best thing since sliced bread!! There have been countless times I've been showing houses to clients and they've expressed interest in a house that didn't show up in my search. Now, instead of fumbling for an explanation and getting back to them later, I can whip out my phone and show them almost instantly! Way to make me look good!

Plus, it's not just for agents! Anyone can go to m.realtyusa.com and look up properties on the run. Kudos to RealtyUSA for embracing technology!

Summer is on its way! Tomorrow, May 1st, the Erie Canal opens for boaters! It marks the beginning of the canal's 184th season of operation.

As someone who grew up in the canal town of Macedon, I always looked forward to the time when they filled the canal. It meant Summer was on its way, complete with sunny days, boating, and festivals.

So what's happening along the canal this year? Here's just a sample of some the events and activities:

Pittsford

Schoen Place - A canal landing with great shops and restaurants
Sam Patch - Take a ride on an authentic Erie Canal Packet Boat!

Fairport

Canal Days Festival - June 5 to 7
Colonial Belle - Another boat tour on the canal, which also offers lunch and dinner cruises!

Palmyra

Pirate Weekend - August 7 to 9
Canaltown Days - September 19 to 20
Port of Palmyra - A lovely marina that also houses a great coffee shop, Muddy Waters Cafe

Macedon

Mid-Lakes Erie Macedon Landing - Rent kayaks, paddleboats, and canoes thoughout the season!
Lock 30 - One of the few places along the canal that allows tent camping

You can also hike, bike, or rollerblade along the canal trail. It stretches along the 100-miles of canal spanning the Rochester region. Some areas are better than others, with the stretch from Greece to Pittsford being paved, but the entire length is very well maintained.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy the Spring weather!!

I am proud to help buyers and sellers in the Greater Rochester, New York area find the homes of their dreams. If you are considering purchasing or selling a home in the Rochester area, don't hesitate to contact me. I pride myself in providing the best possible service for my clients!

When you work with me...

Visit my website at www.YourNYDreamHome.com to learn more about the services I offer!

• Sellers: Find out how much your home is worth by requesting a FREE Home Evaluation!
• Buyers: Become a savvy consumer by requesting FREE Home Buying Tips!

Contact:
Kristen Wahl
Realtor
(585) 455-5524
KWahl@RealtyUSA.com

I have been encountering quite a few people in the Rochester area lately who want to sell their homes but are holding off to complete improvements. I completely understand their reasoning, and it's true that a potential buyer's first impression of a home is very important, but holding off too long at this point can be just as harmful as listing too soon. It's a tightrope many sellers must walk this time of the year.

The following graph shows the inventory in the city of Rochester. In early January, there were approximately 1,100 homes on the market. Now, there are over 1,300. In a span of just a few months, the inventory increased by over 200 homes... and that doesn't even include the suburbs! Now take into account that the weather has just recently started to improve. As it continues to do so, more and more sellers will enter the market. It happens every Spring and Summer.

What does this mean to you if you're considering listing your home? It means that the longer you hold off, the more competition you'll face. You may think you're doing the right thing by waiting to complete that paint job or replace that floor in the bathroom, but it might end up hurting your bottom line instead. So, if you can complete those jobs soon, good! It's always a plus to have your home in tip top shape. But if they're going to take you into the Summer months, it may be better to list it right now and beat your neighbors to the punch!

As always, it's best to speak with a local real estate agent about your situation. They've seen tons of homes and will be able to tell you which of those projects are worth doing. They can also give you an idea about the inventory in your neighborhood and help you take advantage of the Spring market!

So, enjoy the Spring weather, and remember... there's no better time for action than the present!

I am proud to help buyers and sellers in the Greater Rochester, New York area find the homes of their dreams. If you are considering purchasing or selling a home in the Rochester area, don't hesitate to contact me. I pride myself in providing the best possible service for my clients!

When you work with me...

Visit my website at www.YourNYDreamHome.com to learn more about the services I offer!

• Sellers: Find out how much your home is worth by requesting a FREE Home Evaluation!
• Buyers: Become a savvy consumer by requesting FREE Home Buying Tips!

Contact:
Kristen Wahl
Realtor
(585) 455-5524
KWahl@RealtyUSA.com

The stats are out for 2008 for the individual towns and suburbas around Rochester that make up the metropolitan Rochester area. What's interesting about these numbers is that last year there were six towns that had home sale prices higher than the prior year!

Take a look at these stats and you'll see why home sales in Rochester are stable, especially in this economy!

Here is the pdf: http://www.homesteadnet.com/pdf/2008tenyearmedsalepricemocty.pdf