Real estate advice for everyone, from first-time buyers to retirees.
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Nervous Newcomers
You’re currently renting, but are eager to join the legion of happy homeowners. Is now a good time to buy?
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In a word, yes. Market conditions are perfect for first-time buyers, says Amy Levine, a broker with the Stone Ridge office of Westwood Metes & Bounds in
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“First-time buyers should absolutely be in the market,” agrees Linda Michetti of RE/MAX Realty Center in
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Renovating for Resale
You’re thinking of putting your house on the market. Which renovations will help make your home more attractive to buyers?
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The rule “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” does not apply to real estate, stresses Michetti. “Old kitchens, bathrooms, and flooring only decrease the value of your home when it comes time to sell,” she warns. “Homes that are dated and functionally obsolete sell for much less than the same house with modern updates.”
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While updating kitchen, baths and siding is always a good idea, Levine cautions that each house is different. “If the floors in your house are looking a little worn or your carpet has gone out of style, then you might want to spend your money on new flooring.” And Bert Freed of the Kinderhook Group (which has offices in Chatham and Valatie in
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Sheryl Vogel of Keller Williams Hudson Valley Realty in
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Empty Nesters
The kids have finally flown the coop, but you’re not quite ready to retire. Should you downsize?Â
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“If pre-retirees have a house that is ‘too big’ for them, then to sell is a question of their personal convenience and cash flow,” says Lisa Hayes of Creative Financial Planning in
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Bert Freed thinks it’s a great time for empty nesters to sell their homes. “Big houses are being bought by the baby boomer generation,” he declares. In his sales area, these eager buyers include second-home owners,
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Cashing In
If you need money now — say, for a kid’s college education — should you borrow against the equity of your home?
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“With interest rates rising, now is not the most opportune time to be securing a home equity line of credit,” says Hayes. “That’s because the monthly payments can go up as interest rates go up.” In other words, in this market, it is probably best to bite the bullet and take out student loans. But if you do decide to borrow against your home equity, the amount of money available from the bank will depend on what your house is currently worth, notes Michetti. “In a market such as this,” she suggests, “the bank appraisers will tend to be more conservative.” But as long as you aren’t looking to max out your equity, she says, it really shouldn’t matter.
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Looking towards Retirement
Is investing in real estate a good retirement strategy?
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“Real estate as an investment is one of the tools for building your retirement over the long term,” says Paul L. DeLisio of
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However, Hayes warns against using your primary residence as an investment. “Your home is an asset, true,” she acknowledges. “However, it is not to be bought and sold based upon economic cycles. After you have your home, and you’re looking to invest in real estate, there are many ways to do this. There are real estate investment trusts (or REITs), there are mutual funds, and yes, there are direct investments such as buying a home or piece of land. But to do the latter requires much patience, information, and ideally, experience.”
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Similar to an investment company in some respects, REITs concentrate their holdings in real estate; the yield is generally liberal, since these trusts are required to distribute as much as 90% of their income. DeLisio also thinks they are a good bet for those looking for a relatively painless way to invest in real estate. “That way, investors don’t have to bother with the headaches of home ownership, whether that means fixing the roof, replacing the boiler, or finding responsible renters.” The downside to REITs is that they provide little, if any, capital appreciation.
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Fixing to Flip
Is now a good time to buy a fixer-upper and try to flip it?
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Flipping isn’t always an easy proposition, because real estate doesn’t always go up in value, notes DeLisio. If you are considering flipping, Hayes suggests asking yourself, “Does the house make economic investment sense, knowing that a fixer-upper requires capital and time?” Say you come across a house that needs a lot a work, but is being offered at a price that’s way below the assessed value of comparable homes in the surrounding area. If it still looks like a good deal once you calculate the cost of labor, materials, and carrying costs, then it just might be a good investment. “There are always opportunities in any market, if one is vigilant and looking,” Hayes concludes.
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Levine points to a four-bedroom, two-bath home located on six acres in
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Linda Michetti of RE/MAX says that buying a fixer-upper is a good bet, even in today’s market conditions. “Any market is a good time to buy a fixer-upper,” she says. “Buyer’s markets are even better. With the market leveling, most homes in need of repair are the last ones to sell, making them an even better opportunity for an investor who is looking to flip.”
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Not so fast, says Bert Freed. “Right now is not a good time to flip,” he declares, because “the market is not distressed.” In his opinion, “The market here is a lot better than the national market. From Glens Falls/Saratoga all the way down to
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In Conclusion…Â
In the long run, real estate markets tend to be cyclical: they go up, they go down, they level out, and eventually go up again. But it’s important to remember that for many of us, home ownership offers significant emotional benefits. Our home is where we raise our children, plant our gardens, cultivate our friendships, and make memories that last a lifetime. And you can’t put a price on that.Â
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