Let's start out strong and finish up strong! I did the research a couple days ago and have been on the move ever since, so stats are as of January 27th.
Currently in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service there are 73 - only 73! - active listings. Of these 19 are in the Village and 11 are considered waterfront. (Think of it - with 107 closed last year we can run through the inventory fairly rapidly, I would hope!) Only 4 really new to the market listings have come on since the first of the year.
Waiting to close or at least under contract are 21 single family homes. Two have come under contract recently. (January is a tough month - and this year it was a cold cold month with lots of illnesses going around.)
Four homes have closed already, however! Two were waterfront, one had good acreage, and the fourth was a new build.
Since there is so little to report, I looked at other categories. As of the 27th there were 3 condos listed as active. In the town/village 2 multi-families were on the market (meaning 2-4 family homes). Five commercial properties were listed - 2 for sale and 3 for rent.
The category with the most listings (other than single family) is "Lots/Land/Farms." In the Town section there are 23, and only one in the Village. Of the total number (24) three are considered waterfront.
As I always say, it is easier to buy a home than to rent one. There are six homes listed as residential rentals, and that's the highest number in the Central New York MLS for any one town west of Syracuse. Craigslist and other listing internet sites have taken over this section of the market. However, if you want representation by a Realtor, as many homeowners in Skaneateles prefer, then listing your rental through the MLS accomplishes that. You don't have to take the phone calls or qualify the tenants.
Since this may be my last post prior to the Super Bowl, I have to say "Go Seahawks!"
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Friday, January 23, 2015
Open House Alert! 4856 Onondaga Road, 13215
Just look at that sunshine and green grass! This time of year we have to be reminded that those days are coming again, and wouldn't it be lovely to have this huge back yard?
The open house this Sunday will be from 12:00 until 3:00, so that should give you plenty of time to get there. I won't be there....Amber Spain, who has recently joined our Skaneateles office, will do the open house. She's the one who opted for three hours, and more power to her! I was supposed to be in Manhattan for a weekend with the grandsons, plus Alex and Rachel. They were devastated by a stomach virus that lingered into this week so they decided to spend it resting up instead of galavanting with me.
Amber is excited about getting her license, but it's not like she is coming into the business with no experience. She had her own marketing firm for a while and has bought and sold her own homes, as well as renovating them. We met when her brother bought a house through me last spring. She had already started her classes online while maintaining a full-time job and being a full-time (is there any other way?) mother to her two children. I am glad she's onboard with us - she brings an energy to our office that Peter, Chris and I appreciate.
So come meet Amber - and see the house! Two bedrooms on the first floor and two rooms upstairs, as well as a basement that is a walkout to this gorgeous yard. The price is right - $104,900 - and with all the upgrades and new appliances you are getting a home that (hopefully) will require little work. Check out other photos: ML#S322475.
Monday, January 19, 2015
2014 Statistics and Analysis
Going back through the listings I see that indeed there were 107 sales in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. Of these, 30 were in the Village and 27 were considered waterfront. The median price overall and for the Village was around $310,000. Waterfront's price price was around $500,000. Six sales were over a million, way over.
This compares with 2013 with 116 sales of which 46 were in the Village and 20 were waterfront. The median price for the Village and overall was $300,000. For waterfront it was $840,000 with 8 properties selling over a million, but not multi-million.
The unusual year was 2013 for the disparity between Village and Waterfront sales. Generally they have each come in around 30, just as they did this year. The Village was really going strong in 2013 - gas prices were up, people were encouraged by the strong overall sales the previous year. This year it leveled out with a slight increase in price.
The waterfront had the highest priced sales ever. Perhaps it was the MacDonald property getting a good deal of press, with rumors of buyers flying in for the auction which encouraged other homeowners to add their incredible properties to the market. It was simply the year of the multi-million dollar homes. Nine of the ten highest-priced homes in the county were sold in Skaneateles.
I like to see how our neighbors did at this time of year.
Camillus (2014) 287 sales (2013) 274
Marcellus 60 60
Elbridge 57 49
Auburn 165 170
Onondaga
County 4,153 4,043
Except for Elbridge, the sales were hardly statistically different from 2013 to 2014. I find that fascinating. We are a stable county. Let's see what 2015 brings!
This compares with 2013 with 116 sales of which 46 were in the Village and 20 were waterfront. The median price for the Village and overall was $300,000. For waterfront it was $840,000 with 8 properties selling over a million, but not multi-million.
The unusual year was 2013 for the disparity between Village and Waterfront sales. Generally they have each come in around 30, just as they did this year. The Village was really going strong in 2013 - gas prices were up, people were encouraged by the strong overall sales the previous year. This year it leveled out with a slight increase in price.
The waterfront had the highest priced sales ever. Perhaps it was the MacDonald property getting a good deal of press, with rumors of buyers flying in for the auction which encouraged other homeowners to add their incredible properties to the market. It was simply the year of the multi-million dollar homes. Nine of the ten highest-priced homes in the county were sold in Skaneateles.
I like to see how our neighbors did at this time of year.
Camillus (2014) 287 sales (2013) 274
Marcellus 60 60
Elbridge 57 49
Auburn 165 170
Onondaga
County 4,153 4,043
Except for Elbridge, the sales were hardly statistically different from 2013 to 2014. I find that fascinating. We are a stable county. Let's see what 2015 brings!
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
The Last Twenty-Eight (2014)
So we went over 100 sales this past year - marvelous! Without further discussion, here are the last 28 closings.
3007 East Lake Road Town of Skaneateles $4,100,000
3285 East Lake Road Town of Skaneateles $4,600,000
2025 West Lake Road Town of Skaneateles $2,150,000
1740 Coon Hill Road Town of Skaneateles $1,050,000
4446 Old Salt Road Town of Niles $840,000
1351 Cherry Valley Tpke Town of Skaneateles $575,000
102 West Lake Street Village of Skaneateles $600,000
1666 Buffs Bluff Town of Skaneateles $380,000
150 Plunkie Point Town of Niles $360,000
125 Orchard Village of Skaneateles $385,000
66 East Elizabeth Village of Skaneateles $353,000
1 Lakeview Circle Village of Skaneateles $359,000
105 East Lake Road Village of Skaneateles $340,000
1703 Russells Landing Town of Skaneateles $349,000
242 Firelane 16 Town of Niles $302,000
1925 Amnaste Lane Town of Skaneateles $315,000
3816 Knightsbridge Road Town of Skaneateles $250,000
38 Onondaga Street Village of Skaneateles $255,100
3947 State Street Road Town of Skaneateles $210,100
2726 East Lake Road Town of Skaneateles $200,000
1382 Foxfield Drive Town of Skaneateles $204,000
41 Jordan Street Village of Skaneateles $199,500
1396 Thornton Heights Rd Town of Skaneateles $189,000
906 Mottville Road Town of Skaneateles $163,000
4684 Jordan Road Town of Skaneateles $111,000
4127 Jordan Road Town of Skaneateles $112,000
4741 Jordan Road Town of Skaneateles $93,000
936 Old Seneca Tpke Town of Skaneateles $72,000
3007 East Lake Road Town of Skaneateles $4,100,000
3285 East Lake Road Town of Skaneateles $4,600,000
2025 West Lake Road Town of Skaneateles $2,150,000
1740 Coon Hill Road Town of Skaneateles $1,050,000
4446 Old Salt Road Town of Niles $840,000
1351 Cherry Valley Tpke Town of Skaneateles $575,000
102 West Lake Street Village of Skaneateles $600,000
1666 Buffs Bluff Town of Skaneateles $380,000
150 Plunkie Point Town of Niles $360,000
125 Orchard Village of Skaneateles $385,000
66 East Elizabeth Village of Skaneateles $353,000
1 Lakeview Circle Village of Skaneateles $359,000
105 East Lake Road Village of Skaneateles $340,000
1703 Russells Landing Town of Skaneateles $349,000
242 Firelane 16 Town of Niles $302,000
1925 Amnaste Lane Town of Skaneateles $315,000
3816 Knightsbridge Road Town of Skaneateles $250,000
38 Onondaga Street Village of Skaneateles $255,100
3947 State Street Road Town of Skaneateles $210,100
2726 East Lake Road Town of Skaneateles $200,000
1382 Foxfield Drive Town of Skaneateles $204,000
41 Jordan Street Village of Skaneateles $199,500
1396 Thornton Heights Rd Town of Skaneateles $189,000
906 Mottville Road Town of Skaneateles $163,000
4684 Jordan Road Town of Skaneateles $111,000
4127 Jordan Road Town of Skaneateles $112,000
4741 Jordan Road Town of Skaneateles $93,000
936 Old Seneca Tpke Town of Skaneateles $72,000
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Predictions - 2015
Last year I predicted that there would not be over 100 closings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. I was accurate up to December 10th, when there was a sudden flurry of activity and we went over the 100 mark to 107. I like being wrong! It was true that we did not have the record-breaking year of 2012 (129 closings) or 2013 (116 closings), but over 100 is still excellent.
My rationale for such a prediction still exists. The rates are up a bit, the number of homes on the market are down, and that combination should make for a slightly less bullish year. Which it did. Today the rate for a 30-year mortgage is an easy 3.73% compared with last year's rate of 4.51%. The years before we were seeing around or under 3.0%. The number of active listings - an incredible 76! We haven't seen numbers like that for years.
Some of the explanation for this is of course the winter doldrums. Last year was horrible - no one wanted to go outside for months and months. Selling waterfront is difficult this time of year - but if you like the home in January you will love it in July!
So my prediction stands another year - under 100 homes will be sold in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. We just don't have the numbers.... Now - go out there and prove me wrong again!
And remember, because of the very few homes on the market - if you see it and like it, buy it! You may not get a second chance.
My rationale for such a prediction still exists. The rates are up a bit, the number of homes on the market are down, and that combination should make for a slightly less bullish year. Which it did. Today the rate for a 30-year mortgage is an easy 3.73% compared with last year's rate of 4.51%. The years before we were seeing around or under 3.0%. The number of active listings - an incredible 76! We haven't seen numbers like that for years.
Some of the explanation for this is of course the winter doldrums. Last year was horrible - no one wanted to go outside for months and months. Selling waterfront is difficult this time of year - but if you like the home in January you will love it in July!
So my prediction stands another year - under 100 homes will be sold in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service. We just don't have the numbers.... Now - go out there and prove me wrong again!
And remember, because of the very few homes on the market - if you see it and like it, buy it! You may not get a second chance.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Open House Alert! 125 Snowberry
Sunday, from 1:00 until 3:00, I will be at this lovely home in Scenic Meadows.
I went looking for photos and found these....One of the reasons I really like Scenic Meadows is the feeling that you are nearer the clouds up there. When it was developed I was still teaching, and I watched it grow after being, well...scenic meadows only. It's a large cul-de-sac, a perfect place for an energetic walk and set above 695 which gets you into Syracuse (or out of) within 15 minutes. When I was waiting last year around the corner from one of my listings, a neighbor asked my business. Safe, too!
This particular home is at the far end. It overlooks a long lawn and then woods. Great place for kids to grow up, or for adults to sit on the deck and watch the natural world.
Inside I know I will have the gas fireplace cranked up, as well as the heat. Ryan built these homes to be energy efficient, and they are. The morning room gathers the afternoon sunshine, as does the deck and patio below. There's a walkout lower level currently used as a playroom for the kids - and the adults. Upstairs are four bedrooms, two and a half baths, a mudroom and dining room.
Come say hello! Priced at $284,000.
I went looking for photos and found these....One of the reasons I really like Scenic Meadows is the feeling that you are nearer the clouds up there. When it was developed I was still teaching, and I watched it grow after being, well...scenic meadows only. It's a large cul-de-sac, a perfect place for an energetic walk and set above 695 which gets you into Syracuse (or out of) within 15 minutes. When I was waiting last year around the corner from one of my listings, a neighbor asked my business. Safe, too!
This particular home is at the far end. It overlooks a long lawn and then woods. Great place for kids to grow up, or for adults to sit on the deck and watch the natural world.
Inside I know I will have the gas fireplace cranked up, as well as the heat. Ryan built these homes to be energy efficient, and they are. The morning room gathers the afternoon sunshine, as does the deck and patio below. There's a walkout lower level currently used as a playroom for the kids - and the adults. Upstairs are four bedrooms, two and a half baths, a mudroom and dining room.
Come say hello! Priced at $284,000.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Resolutions - 2015 (Professional)
I like my business and my work. Over the years I have honed it into being what I want it to be. If I have an issue, I try to get an answer, either from people who have been in the field for longer than I have and/or people who work differently.
In the past I had to work out how to have a life and a career. I think anyone successful in this business has had to deal with that. I went to a Brian Buffini Turning Point on Long Island (conveniently placed) and got strategies that have served me well. I continue to hone those. I will never be the hands-off Realtor some people are, but I will be sane. I insist on it!
When I was a counselor, I used the "magic wand" image. If you had a magic wand and could make a change in your life, what would you do? Frankly, that's how I quit teaching! I wanted to wake up every morning not consumed by the horrific lives my students lived. I had ceased to be effective - it was time to change the system, or serve those kids in another way.
Just like with exercise, I want to be more deliberative in my work. Less guessing games. I changed my commission policy this year, I honored my wonderful clients/friends who bring me business out of the sheer goodness of their hearts (and because they know I always call people back). I celebrated a good year with clients and friends who are close to us - or have become so.
In 2015 I want to blog more, which means taking time to be reflective, sit at this computer and not always be mobile.
I want to become more proficient with technology, so I can visit the kids in Manhattan more easily and service my clients. I will still accept that Sarah Cole knows best about my media presence and be continually grateful for her.
Amber Spain has joined RE/MAX Masters in the Skaneateles office. She is a marketing expert and now will bring her professionalism and knowledge to RE/MAX as a Realtor. While she is getting started she will do open houses for my listings, be my "boots on the ground" when I am away, and will challenge me with her questions about the business and why I do things. I am thrilled! I want her to be so successful that by the end of the year I will be doing her open houses because we will have sold all my listings!
I want to be more proactive rather than re-active. Last year was so odd....nothing happened until mid-April and then I never stopped running, doing my usual amount of business but in 8 months rather than 12. I wasn't ready for that, and I didn't take the time to work out the logistics.
I won't change a lot of things that are inherently me. I will still do paperwork once a month in a marathon session. I will pile all my completed folders to the left of the desk - but it's time to take away the 2011 files!
As clean as the top of the desk is, the drawers will still be a mess. (See the previous blog and Cynthia Tucker's editorial.) I will still lie awake at 3:00 AM and worry about a deal or a client. I will not compromise my clients' confidentiality either - or ever!
I look forward to this year, as I have all the others since I took up real estate. It is constantly changing, completely challenging, and always engaging intellectually.
In the past I had to work out how to have a life and a career. I think anyone successful in this business has had to deal with that. I went to a Brian Buffini Turning Point on Long Island (conveniently placed) and got strategies that have served me well. I continue to hone those. I will never be the hands-off Realtor some people are, but I will be sane. I insist on it!
When I was a counselor, I used the "magic wand" image. If you had a magic wand and could make a change in your life, what would you do? Frankly, that's how I quit teaching! I wanted to wake up every morning not consumed by the horrific lives my students lived. I had ceased to be effective - it was time to change the system, or serve those kids in another way.
Just like with exercise, I want to be more deliberative in my work. Less guessing games. I changed my commission policy this year, I honored my wonderful clients/friends who bring me business out of the sheer goodness of their hearts (and because they know I always call people back). I celebrated a good year with clients and friends who are close to us - or have become so.
In 2015 I want to blog more, which means taking time to be reflective, sit at this computer and not always be mobile.
I want to become more proficient with technology, so I can visit the kids in Manhattan more easily and service my clients. I will still accept that Sarah Cole knows best about my media presence and be continually grateful for her.
Amber Spain has joined RE/MAX Masters in the Skaneateles office. She is a marketing expert and now will bring her professionalism and knowledge to RE/MAX as a Realtor. While she is getting started she will do open houses for my listings, be my "boots on the ground" when I am away, and will challenge me with her questions about the business and why I do things. I am thrilled! I want her to be so successful that by the end of the year I will be doing her open houses because we will have sold all my listings!
I want to be more proactive rather than re-active. Last year was so odd....nothing happened until mid-April and then I never stopped running, doing my usual amount of business but in 8 months rather than 12. I wasn't ready for that, and I didn't take the time to work out the logistics.
I won't change a lot of things that are inherently me. I will still do paperwork once a month in a marathon session. I will pile all my completed folders to the left of the desk - but it's time to take away the 2011 files!
As clean as the top of the desk is, the drawers will still be a mess. (See the previous blog and Cynthia Tucker's editorial.) I will still lie awake at 3:00 AM and worry about a deal or a client. I will not compromise my clients' confidentiality either - or ever!
I look forward to this year, as I have all the others since I took up real estate. It is constantly changing, completely challenging, and always engaging intellectually.
Resolutions - 2015 (Personal)
Happy New Year to all!
I love a clean slate, "getting in on the ground floor" of anything, starting over. I have total faith in my own and the world's regenerative powers. Every day is a new day - but a whole year to look forward to and monitor and adjust is magical.
I started a bit early this year. In 1997 on New Year's Eve I quit smoking. I worked up to it by smoking about three packs a day for a week, buying the Nicorette gum, and planning it all out so I wouldn't fail as I had thousands of times before. It worked! The key ingredient was the concept that I was throwing all that money away, and if I saved the $2.50 I was spending every day to ruin my health, I could afford an actual vacation at the end of the year. That was before real estate, before I had any money or assurance that I would have any...Since then I have loved New Year's Eve resolutions. But none have been as successful as my non-smoking campaign.
So this year instead of waiting I started early. I have resolved to walk an hour a day, every day. I had an administrator years ago who resolved to run every day, and did so for a year despite living in Glens Falls where it's cold and snowy a third of the year. He did it for one year, and then had to force himself to stop because it became an obsession.
On Monday the 29th I went to the Erie Canal in Jordan and walked west with Charlie. Lovely walk - cold but I was dressed for it, flat and easy walking. Half an hour out and then back to the car. Meditative, reflective, and exercise too! I threatened myself by saying that if I hadn't gone before 3:00 I would have to go to the gym, which I hate. The days since then I have needed no threat. I just go.
Tuesday I came down with a cold, Liam or Oliver's cold from Christmas but I am not sure which. I still went, but chose to be inside at Finger Lakes Mall. I know there will be challenges over the next year - those days when the world is calling and I need to answer the phone, days when my left foot needs its brace, days when the temperature dips and the snow accumulates. But I am working out solutions for those things. I can always walk around the house! (My old supervisor who took up marathon-running when he was in his 50s says that in the future the scientists will discover it's not the running, but rather the being outside that is the benefit.) Of course, if you see me walking in the Village around 11:00 at night you can guess it's been a very busy day and I am only then getting to my walking.
I also want to reference Cynthia Tucker's editorial about "Being Content with my Flaws." Very, very true. I imagine you can find it on the internet.
So I will walk, and if you call or text or e-mail and I take a half hour to get back to you wonder where I am. I might be at the Canal or the shoreline at Seneca Lake, or up and over our hills into the cornfields. If Charlie barks a "Let's keep moving" bark then you may surmise that we are out somewhere. And you can always ask me.
They say that in order to make something a habit it needs to be done 11 times. On January 8th I will be celebrating while I walk.
I love a clean slate, "getting in on the ground floor" of anything, starting over. I have total faith in my own and the world's regenerative powers. Every day is a new day - but a whole year to look forward to and monitor and adjust is magical.
I started a bit early this year. In 1997 on New Year's Eve I quit smoking. I worked up to it by smoking about three packs a day for a week, buying the Nicorette gum, and planning it all out so I wouldn't fail as I had thousands of times before. It worked! The key ingredient was the concept that I was throwing all that money away, and if I saved the $2.50 I was spending every day to ruin my health, I could afford an actual vacation at the end of the year. That was before real estate, before I had any money or assurance that I would have any...Since then I have loved New Year's Eve resolutions. But none have been as successful as my non-smoking campaign.
So this year instead of waiting I started early. I have resolved to walk an hour a day, every day. I had an administrator years ago who resolved to run every day, and did so for a year despite living in Glens Falls where it's cold and snowy a third of the year. He did it for one year, and then had to force himself to stop because it became an obsession.
On Monday the 29th I went to the Erie Canal in Jordan and walked west with Charlie. Lovely walk - cold but I was dressed for it, flat and easy walking. Half an hour out and then back to the car. Meditative, reflective, and exercise too! I threatened myself by saying that if I hadn't gone before 3:00 I would have to go to the gym, which I hate. The days since then I have needed no threat. I just go.
Tuesday I came down with a cold, Liam or Oliver's cold from Christmas but I am not sure which. I still went, but chose to be inside at Finger Lakes Mall. I know there will be challenges over the next year - those days when the world is calling and I need to answer the phone, days when my left foot needs its brace, days when the temperature dips and the snow accumulates. But I am working out solutions for those things. I can always walk around the house! (My old supervisor who took up marathon-running when he was in his 50s says that in the future the scientists will discover it's not the running, but rather the being outside that is the benefit.) Of course, if you see me walking in the Village around 11:00 at night you can guess it's been a very busy day and I am only then getting to my walking.
I also want to reference Cynthia Tucker's editorial about "Being Content with my Flaws." Very, very true. I imagine you can find it on the internet.
So I will walk, and if you call or text or e-mail and I take a half hour to get back to you wonder where I am. I might be at the Canal or the shoreline at Seneca Lake, or up and over our hills into the cornfields. If Charlie barks a "Let's keep moving" bark then you may surmise that we are out somewhere. And you can always ask me.
They say that in order to make something a habit it needs to be done 11 times. On January 8th I will be celebrating while I walk.
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