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Westchester County Real Estate Experts Find Firm Footing In First Quarter

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Westchester County real estate experts found the first quarter provided firm footing for a springboard they expect will be a solid second quarter.

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Sales of single-family homes fell 1 percent compared to the first quarter in 2014, according to the first quarter report of Houlihan Lawrence. The median sales price slipped by 0.4 percent compared to the first quarter in 2014.

“For both buyers and sellers, this is a rock solid market that should inspire the confidence to move forward,’’ the Houlihan Lawrence report said.

“The weather definitely had an impact,’’ said Dottie Herman, CEO of Douglas Elliman. “It was freezing and there was a lot of snow. People were hesitant to come out. I think the spring market was delayed a bit, but now you’ll see some consistency.”

Sales fell 17 percent in the lower section of the county. In the communities of Scarsdale, Bronxville, Eastchester, Edgmont and Tuckahoe the median sales price  fell 3 percent.

Sales in Eastchester declined 32 percent. Scarsdale (29 percent) and Bronxville (17 percent) also saw steep declines.

The median sales price for a single-family home rose 23 percent in Eastchester, Scarsdale home prices rose 5 percent, while the median sales price fell 17 percent in Bronxville.

"In Bronxville we're seeing some upward pressure on lower-priced homes,'' said Joe Houlihan, of Houlihan & O'Malley in Bronxville. "They're being absorbed pretty quickly. The detached homes are doing the best in that market."

Realtors are hoping more homes come on  the market during the next few months since inventory is tight. There are fewer homes for sale in nearly all pricing sectors and 8.4 percent less than at the end of the first quarter in 2014.

Cathleen Smith, the president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Westchester and Connecticut, said homes in the $750,000 to $1 million especially are coveted.

"That's a real hot spot,'' Smith said. "There was just recently a home that was listed for under $1 million and in three days it had multiple offers and went for more than $1 million. There's a lot of activity at that price point."

Buyers also are being selective in the homes that they purchase. Many newcomers to the market are seeking homes that are turn-key ready.

“Buyers frequently pass these days on homes that could use a little TLC,’’ said Barry Graziano, branch manager and associate broker for Houlihan Lawrence who is based in Chappaqua. “They don’t seem to be jumping at every house.”

Elliman’s Herman said steady growth, which is what Westchester County has experienced the past few years, is the model realtors prefer.

“Sustainable growth is what you want to see,’’ Herman said.

Graziano added homeowners considering selling need to have their property perfect.

“Preparing  your home and showing value will help you sell faster,’’ he said. “Buyers today are looking for value.”

Houlihan added: "When the sellers price their home right to the market, that's when they do well. I encourage sellers to price it propertly and they get better served that way."

Click here for the first quarter report from Douglas Elliman.

Click here for the first quarter report from Houlihan Lawrence.

Click here for the first quarter report from Julia B. Fee.

The first quarter report Westchester Real Estate, Inc. is attached as a PDF.

 

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