If you have a $725,000 house that's on the market for 90 days, I estimate you would lose approximately $19,058 in holding costs.
 Every day that your home is sitting on the market with no viable offers, you’re losing money.

To the average agent, it might sound like overkill that we spend so much time preparing our clients' homes for launch.  But in our opinion, there's no other option.

It’s never too early to start planning.  Start the conversation today

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Are Investors Really Buying All the Homes?

If you’ve been worried about competing with Wall Street for a home, here’s some good news: Institutional investors (those owning 1,000+ homes) make up a small amount of the market, and they’re pulling back, according to multiple outlets. At the peak of the pandemic housing boom in Q3 2021, institutional investors made up 2.2% of home purchases. By Q2 2024, that number had dropped to just 0.3%.

  • Institutional investors currently own 0.4% of the market.

  • Small investors account for around 18% of the market.

  • Total investor purchases, meaning all non-primary home buyers, hit 14.8% of home sales in Q1 2024, the highest share recorded since data tracking began in 2001.

    …

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Reader Q&A: Westchester County Home Buyers

What should I know about buying a co-op in Westchester vs. NYC? Is buying a co-op worth the hassle?

Westchester’s co-op approval process is similar to New York City’s, but a 2021 Fair Housing amendment requires Westchester co-op boards to disclose financial requirements and provide reasons for rejection. This gives buyers clarity on qualifications. While the process still includes financial scrutiny and board rules, co-ops remain an excellent, affordable path to homeownership and equity building!

How important are school districts for resale value?

School district rankings have a significant impact on home values, even for buyers without children. Homes in top-ranked districts…

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Mortgage Rates Dip as The Spring Market Approaches

Harbor Island Park, Mamaroneck

The U.S. housing market is experiencing a slight easing in mortgage rates, offering a glimmer of hope for prospective buyers as the spring selling season approaches. Today, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate hit a new low for 2025, dropping to 6.70%. Additionally,

  • Refinance activity hit its fastest pace since October 2024.

  • Mortgage applications increased 9% week-over-week, up 2% from last year.

  • Property tours are up 25% from the start of the year, according to Redfin.

Ralph’s Take

Mortgage rates have shown stability, a promising sign for both buyers and sellers as we head into the spring…

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Get Rewarded for Renting

Rocket Mortgage has introduced a new initiative, Rocket Rent Rewards, aimed at assisting renters in transitioning to homeownership by offering up to $5,000 toward closing costs. This program allows eligible homebuyers to receive a credit equivalent to 10% of their total rent payments over the past year when they secure a mortgage through Rocket Mortgage.

  • Eligibility: Renters who have consistently made payments over the last 12 months finance a home through Rocket Mortgage.

  • Benefit Calculation: 10% of the total rent paid in the previous year, up to $5,000.

Ralph’s Take

This is a strategic way to make homeownership a little more accessible for renters. Consistently…

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