<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
    <channel>
        <atom:link href="https://www.ragette.com/blog/rss/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
        <title>Westchester County NY Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>https://www.ragette.com/blog/</link>
        <description>Westchester County NY Real Estate Blog featuring Westchester Real Estate News, Market Trends, Community Information, and more. #blog-headings#</description>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.ragette.com/blog/what-those-westchester-county-price-cuts-really-mean.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.ragette.com/blog/what-those-westchester-county-price-cuts-really-mean.html</link>
        <author>ralph@ragette.com (Ralph Ragette Jr)</author>
        <title>What Those Westchester County Price Cuts Really Mean</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


What Those Westchester Price Cuts Really Mean









Nationally, more sellers are cutting asking prices as rising inventory, and pickier buyers collide. According to Realtor.com, price cuts showed up on about 1 in 5 listings last June, the highest share since at least 2016. Perhaps surprisingly, despite all the bidding wars, Westchester has followed suit. Let’s take a closer look at what our own price-reduction data actually shows.












January YoY:  January 2026 saw just 85 cuts — a 25 drop from 2025.










Most Reductions:  June 2022 tops the list with 538 reductions (26.2 of listings).










Fewest Reductions:  December 2023 bottoms out at 76 reductions (6.2).










Annual Reductions:  2024 had just 2,410 — down 4.8 vs. ‘23 and 51.8 vs. ‘21.










Tight Inventory:  January ‘26 had only 1,087 listings, 2 fewer than January ‘25.












Ralph’s Take






Those big percentage swings in price cuts sound dramatic but remember: Westchester is operating on tiny inventory. With only about 1,100 listings, even small changes in reductions show up as big percentage moves. The real story is the pattern: June is usually our peak month for price cuts, with two recent exceptions: September 2024 and October 2025. So yes, cuts are happening here like the national headlines say — just against a backdrop of chronically low supply.


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:32:00 -0500</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.ragette.com/blog/stop-over-spending-on-pre-sale-renovations.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.ragette.com/blog/stop-over-spending-on-pre-sale-renovations.html</link>
        <author>ralph@ragette.com (Ralph Ragette Jr)</author>
        <title>Stop Over-Spending on Pre-Sale Renovations</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


Stop Over-Spending on Pre-Sale Renovations







If you’re planning to sell your home this spring, you shouldn’t wait to start making updates. In today’s market, homes that feel well-maintained and move-in ready still stand out and sell for top dollar. To decide what’s worth doing, I recommend leaning on return-on-investment (ROI) data, which shows that smaller, visual improvements can pay off just as much as – or more than – major renovations. Here are the highlights from Zonda’s 2025 Cost vs Value Reportfor the New York market:










323 ROI: Garage door replacement (top performer in New York)










103 ROI: Minor midrange kitchen remodel (slightly pays for itself)










25 ROI: Solar power installation (limited resale payback)












Ralph’s Take






Practical upgrades shine; big glamorous projects don’t. This is exactly with what I tell my clients all the time: I have zero interest in spending your money just to spend it. If I can’t point to a strong, data-backed ROI, it’s not worth your time, your energy, or your cash. Our job is to cherry-pick the handful of projects that the numbers say actually move the needle when you go to sell.


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 11:23:00 -0500</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.ragette.com/blog/white-cabinets-thats-so-2025.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.ragette.com/blog/white-cabinets-thats-so-2025.html</link>
        <author>ralph@ragette.com (Ralph Ragette Jr)</author>
        <title>White Cabinets? That’s So 2025</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
White Cabinets? That’s So 2025











Wood cabinetry has surpassed white as the most popular choice in kitchen remodels, according to Houzz’s 2026 Kitchen Trends Study, which surveyed over 1,700 homeowners about recent renovations. Wood cabinets are now chosen in 29 of projects, just edging out white at 28, with medium and light wood tones leading the way. While white and off-white remain significant players, colorful cabinets like green and blue are still niche, though green has now overtaken gray. The study also highlights a continued preference for contrasting upper and lower cabinets and a surge in wood countertops on kitchen islands. Additional findings:












Popular wood tones:  medium 15, light 11, dark 3.










Popular off-white: 15; green 6 now tops gray 5; other colors each under 5.










Built-ins are big: 76 add them: pantries, beverage areas, seating &amp; wine fridges.










Typical costs: $20K minor remodels, $55K major, and up to $75K for large kitchens.










78 of renovators change their kitchen style.












Ralph’s Take






I’ve been saying this for years (just ask my mother) — the era of the all-white kitchen is fading. These days, home buyers are mostly more excited by contrast and character, not wall-to-wall white. Ever heard of a “tuxedo kitchen”? That’s when the upper and lower cabinets are done in different finishes for a sharp, tailored look. And for those who really want their kitchen to pop, give the island its own bold accent color and let it steal the spotlight.


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:13:00 -0500</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.ragette.com/blog/counties-new-york-homebuyers-love.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.ragette.com/blog/counties-new-york-homebuyers-love.html</link>
        <author>ralph@ragette.com (Ralph Ragette Jr)</author>
        <title>Counties New York Homebuyers Love</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


Counties New York Homebuyers Love









The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors (HGAR) ranked the New York counties that saw the biggest year-over-year increase in home sales in 2025, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Putnam County tops the list with the strongest sales growth and the tightest inventory, showing how intense buyer demand remains there. Several Hudson Valley and downstate counties — including Ulster, Rockland, Westchester, and Sullivan — also posted notable gains, underscoring that many local markets stayed competitive despite broader national housing headwinds. Key points:












Head-Over-Heels: Putnam - Sales up 15.6. 1.7 months of inventory










Fighting Over: Westchester - 45 days on market. 1.6 months of inventory










The Stealth Crush: Rockland -7.5 bump in closed sales, 99.5 of list price










Weekend Romance: Ulster -Sales up 8.3 (2nd highest increase)










The Rebound: Dutchess and Orange - Slight decline in sales (-1.7 and -2.1)












Ralph’s Take






Westchester County is still playing “hard to get”. While the surge in Putnam County sales may surprise people, Westchester remains the tougher catch: homes sell faster, inventory is leaner, and the average sale-to-list ratio is higher — proof that bidding wars haven’t really cooled. With so few options on the market, the good homes are still getting snapped up quickly.


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:51:00 -0500</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.ragette.com/blog/608-of-westchester-county-homes-sold-over-ask--what-it-means.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.ragette.com/blog/608-of-westchester-county-homes-sold-over-ask--what-it-means.html</link>
        <author>ralph@ragette.com (Ralph Ragette Jr)</author>
        <title>60.8 of Westchester Homes Sold Over Ask — What It Means</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


60.8 of Westchester Homes Closed Over Asking









In my last newsletter, I broke down the strongest performing price ranges in Westchester County. This week, we’re focusing in on school districts — and what I found was wild: In 2025, 60.8 of single-family homes in Westchester sold over asking — up from 56.2 in 2024.???? In every school district but four, more than half of single-family sales closed above list price. Five districts were above 70: Rye Neck (71.2), Lakeland (71.2), Elmsford (71.4), White Plains (72.0), and Mamaroneck (72.5). Additional highlights:












Highest Median Price: Bronxville - $2,750,000










Highest Average Price: Rye City - $3,038,695










Highest Median Sale-to-List: Mamaroneck - 107.8










Lowest Median Price: Peekskill - $560,000










Most Expensive Sale: Harrison - $13,500,000










Largest  Over Asking Sale: 77










Highest Share of Sales Over-Asking: Mamaroneck - 72.5










Total Closed Sales: Yonkers - 453












Ralph’s Take






It was another tough year for Westchester home buyers. Inventory stayed painfully tight, despite a 5.1 increase in sales, and even with mortgage rates finishing the year a full percentage point lower, competition didn’t let up. Sellers continued to hold the upper hand, with 61.1 of homes selling above their final list price, and places like Mamaroneck and White Plains leading the charge on over-ask bidding wars. In short: buyers got a small break on rates and affordability, but not on the fight to win a house.


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:40:00 -0500</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.ragette.com/blog/modest-prices-more-inventory-and-better-odds-in-2026.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.ragette.com/blog/modest-prices-more-inventory-and-better-odds-in-2026.html</link>
        <author>ralph@ragette.com (Ralph Ragette Jr)</author>
        <title>Modest Prices, More Inventory, and Better Odds in 2026</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


Modest Prices, More Inventory, and Better Odds in 2026









The most recent 2026 real estate forecasts point to a cooler but stable market rather than a boom or a crash. Zillow and Redfin see U.S. home prices rising only about 1–1.2 in 2026, as affordability slowly improves but high prices and rates keep demand in check. Mortgage rate projections cluster around the low-6 range for much of 2026, with only gradual easing expected. Slightly lower rates and rising inventory should bring more transactions as the market continues to normalize after the pandemic-era rollercoaster. 






Ralph’s Take






When you blend these forecasts together, you get a pretty clear picture of where I think the national market is headed in 2026: increased sales and a modest bump in prices. 






Here in Westchester County, and across much of the Northeast, the market still hasn’t really cooled. As I wrap up the 2025 year-end numbers, there’s some good news for buyers: annual sales were up, and single-family home appreciation is easing — from about 9 between 2023 and 2024 to 5.9 from 2024 to 2025. Even better, mortgage rates are now more than a full percentage point lower than they were at the start of 2024.


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 07 Jan 2026 12:31:00 -0500</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.ragette.com/blog/westchester-countys-hottest-price-ranges.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.ragette.com/blog/westchester-countys-hottest-price-ranges.html</link>
        <author>ralph@ragette.com (Ralph Ragette Jr)</author>
        <title>Westchester County's Hottest Price Ranges of 2025</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


Westchester’s Hottest Price Ranges of 2025






Where buyers actually showed up — and what it means for your price strategy.









If you want to know where the real market is, don’t start with closed sales — start with showings. I pulled every showing on listed homes across Westchester County in 2025 and grouped them by price range. The result is a clear look at which price ranges are truly hot, which are just warm, and where buyer activity starts to thin out. Most of Westchester’s showing activity was in the mid-market tier, with nearly half of the roughly 170,000 showings on homes priced between $400,000 and $900,000.






Additional Findings:












Heaviest Pool of Buyers: $600k to $700k with about 18,800 showings.










Tightest Competition: $500k to $600k averaging 17.1 showings per listing.












Above $1 million, demand becomes more segmented.












Highest Demand: $1M to $3M represented over one-fifth of all showings.










Over 14 Showings per Listing: $2M to $2.1M and $2.4M to $2.5M












Ralph’s Take






In addition to evaluating all comparable sales, I also analyze showing data to make sure my listings are strongly positioned in the market. Here’s a real example: Last Spring, the Scarsdale School District market had some wild hot spots. In Q2, homes priced between $1.250M and $1.275M averaged 53 showings, while homes between $1.275M and $1.30M saw just 9. My advice was simple: we position the home to where the buyers actually are. With two or more buyers competing, there’s a high probability of a bidding war that can push the final price up toward that $1.3M mark. 






If you’re considering a move in 2026 and want to know how your home should be positioned based on this data, I’ll be happy to walk you through it. I can pull these numbers at a more local level — by ZIP, school district, or elementary school area. ????


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 05 Jan 2026 11:26:00 -0500</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.ragette.com/blog/white-plains-affordable-housing-lottery-announcement.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.ragette.com/blog/white-plains-affordable-housing-lottery-announcement.html</link>
        <author>ralph@ragette.com (Ralph Ragette Jr)</author>
        <title>White Plains Affordable Housing Lottery Announcement</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
White Plains Affordable Housing Lottery Announcement











Downtown White Plains has launched a rare housing lottery offering 108 renovated condos at 6 Cottage Place and 99 Church Street. Priced from the low $200Ks and available to households earning up to 100 of the Area Median Income, these studio to three-bedroom homes include accessibility-adapted units and are located in a walkable, transit-friendly neighborhood. It’s one of Westchester’s most significant affordable homeownership opportunities in years.












Starting prices: mid $200Ks (Cottage) / low $300Ks (Church)










Open to households at or below 100 Area Median Income










Accessible units available for residents with mobility or hearing/vision needs










Deadlines: Feb 12 (Cottage) &amp; Mar 2 (Church); lottery in March












Here’s How to Apply: Applications can be submitted through homeseeker.westchestergov.com, with full details and downloadable forms also available at 6CottageCondo.com, 99ChurchCondo.com, and affordablewestchester.org. The lotteries for both buildings will take place in March 2026. Applications for 6 Cottage are due by February 12, 2026, and applications for 99 Church are due by March 2, 2026.


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:22:00 -0500</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.ragette.com/blog/wsj-when-home-sellers-set-prices-too-high-theyre-paying-for-it.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.ragette.com/blog/wsj-when-home-sellers-set-prices-too-high-theyre-paying-for-it.html</link>
        <author>ralph@ragette.com (Ralph Ragette Jr)</author>
        <title>WSJ:  When Home Sellers Set Prices Too High, They’re Paying for It</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 


WSJ: When Home Sellers Set Prices Too High, They’re Paying for It









According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, homes that underwent price reductions this year spent nearly five times longer on the market compared to homes that were priced right from the start. Not only that, but many of them ended up selling for less than similar homes listed more strategically. This “price and pray” strategy may have worked in the turbocharged 2021–2022 market. But in today’s climate, it’s a recipe for lost momentum and missed opportunity. Additional findings:












20 of active listings in October had a price cut.










57 of homes sold in 2025 (through October) had at least one price cut.










Many sellers cut their asking price by more than 5 after 3 months on the market.












Ralph’s Take






Many of my seller-clients have heard me say this before: pricing is part of marketing. The asking price doesn’t need to reflect what I, or even my clients, believe their home is worth. Instead, it’s a strategic marketing tool. The goal is to spark excitement, increase showing activity, attract multiple offers, and ultimately sell above asking. But that only happens when the price invites interest, not hesitation. Set it too high out of the gate, and you risk turning your biggest window of opportunity (those crucial first two weeks), into a long stretch of silence and markdowns. 


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 12 Dec 2025 10:17:00 -0500</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.ragette.com/blog/westchester-real-estates-largest-price-reductions.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.ragette.com/blog/westchester-real-estates-largest-price-reductions.html</link>
        <author>ralph@ragette.com (Ralph Ragette Jr)</author>
        <title>Westchester Real Estate’s Largest Price Reductions</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Westchester Real Estate’s Largest Price Reductions


These Westchester properties have had some of the steepest drops from their original list prices to today’s asking numbers. As market conditions shift and buyer feedback rolls in, sellers often need to adjust to stay competitive. The homes highlighted below represent the largest of those resets, just in time for Black Friday





49 Indian Hill Road, Pound Ridge


$7,500,000 → $4,300,000













4 Woodland Place, White Plains






$1,999,995 → $1,400,000



















14 Hamilton Avenue, New Rochelle






$1,400,000 → $999,000

















1430 Riverview Avenue, Peekskill






$1,229,000 → $890,000





















1 Scarsdale Road, 209, Tuckahoe






$699,000 → $525,000

















85 Euclid Avenue, Ardsley






$1,100,000 → $850,000










Ralph’s Take






Okay, it’s not exactly a Black Friday sale, but in the seller’s eyes, it’s definitely a discount. In this market, some sellers start off overly aggressive, and a price reduction usually signals a strategic pivot as they become more focused on generating interest and attracting serious buyers. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with the home, it just means the seller is motivated and ready to make a deal. And buyers take notice of these shifts, so if a price-improved home has caught your eye, I’ll be happy to show it to you.










 











 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 28 Nov 2025 05:35:00 -0500</pubDate>
</item>
    </channel>
</rss>