It’s an historic moment in the Catskills and Hudson Valley. There has never been this many buyers looking to purchase an upstate home. Some buyers are re-allocating resources originally earmarked to buy a city apartment while others are finding that working remotely may a long-term option. Even families are enrolling children in less densely populated schools in country settings where outdoor learning is an option. These are just some of the various factors contributing to what has become an overwhelmingly favorable market for sellers.
So, if you are considering selling your home in the Catskills or Hudson Valley, now might be the time to pull the trigger. But, before doing so, you want to select a listing agent that knows how to navigate this market and maximize the value you receive. To that end, here are five things to consider when making that choice.
Hire a Professional Photographer. If your agent doesn’t offer to hire a professional photographer, find another agent. There is nothing more essential to selling your home than presenting it to the public with high-quality imagery. This will dramatically increase eyeballs on your home. And eyeballs generate interest, showings and, ultimately, offers. We have a professional photographer on retainer so that we can quickly bring listings to market. Pro tip: A good photographer will want to shoot your home in the best possible light, both literally and figuratively, so if your home looks better at a certain time of day, pass that information along to your agent.
Look Beyond Social Media. While an agent with a large social media following can be impressive, it doesn’t necessarily translate into the ability to sell homes effectively. Of course, social media has value as a distribution channel but you also want to pick an agent that has other distribution channels including an impressive looking website as well as a connection to a deep pool of legitimate buyers with whom to share your listing. We split our time between Brooklyn and the Catskills and this enables us to tap into a large pool of NYC-based buyers that are actively looking for upstate homes.
Pick a Smart Pricing Strategy. There are different pricing strategies to consider when selling your home but you want to be sure you price the home according to what the market will bear. Your agent should be able to provide very specific guidance on this point. While there are many factors to consider (e.g. your level of motivation, the style of your home and the area in which it’s located, amenities, renovations, etc.), in a heated market you want to price a home to generate multiple offers so that it ends in a ‘best and final’ scenario. By fostering a competitive situation, you will maximize the value you receive. We recently sold a home for $200K above ask by implementing this exact strategy.
Reject Accompanied Showings. You want to make it easier for buyers to see your home, however, when you require the listing agent to accompany buyers, you add a layer of complexity to scheduling and ultimately miss out on some buyers seeing your home. On countless occasions, we've had buyers unable to see homes because the listing agent's schedule didn't fit the buyer's schedule. In this market, that is exactly the opposite of what you want. Furthermore, there is almost no value in having the listing agent at the house. Buyer’s agents in this market are trained professionals who will treat your home with respect and follow whatever rules you and your agent put in place for your showings.
You’re the Expert. You are the only bona fide expert when it comes to your home. A good listing agent will know that and ask a lot of questions to better understand what makes your home unique and in anticipation of the questions that potential buyers may ask. Ultimately an inquisitive agent will be best positioned to present your home to the public in the most compelling way possible.
​​​​​​​We’re always happy to hop on a call or visit your home to discuss our approach and to provide a valuation. Please don’t hesitate to reach out should you want to discuss further.