Downsizing Tips
Your children have grown and moved out and now you’ve got this huge house to clean and heat. Are you thinking it’s time to move to a smaller place, possibly closer to your adult children? This can be a difficult decision to make! After living in one place for many years, the decision to move – especially into a smaller home – can be challenging. If you’re thinking of moving to a smaller space, there are plenty of positives to help make the decision easy! Here are a few possible upsides to living in a smaller home:Debt PayoffIf your mortgage payment for your big house is larger than you’d like, you may find that opting for a smaller home can help you pay off debts more quickly. People with significant equity in their current house may find that they make money on the sale of their home and may be able to pay off large debts even more quickly.Less ClutterIf you’re the type of person who enjoys a calm and serene space, a smaller home may be just the ticket. With less room to stash belongings, you’re less likely to create cluttered spacesSmaller BillsA smaller home will likely cost less to cool and heat. Your smaller yard will cost less to maintain. You might pay less to maintain your home – for example, in a condo, you may not be responsible for replacing big-ticket items like the roof, siding, or driveway, though there may be a routine maintenance fee.Change Can Be HardIf you love your current home and have built up years of memories, it can be hard to leave it behind! While you can preserve memories via photos, scrapbooks, and memorabilia, moving away from your family’s long-time home can be difficult.Selling Your HomeIf you’re moving into a new smaller home, you’ll probably want to sell your existing home. Using a real estate agent can make the process of selling a home significantly easier, but you will likely still need to spend time preparing your home for the sale. This is where the Dawn Nowak Team can help! We can help you prepare to sell and move with our expertise and great vendor partners. Contact us at (585) 317-7749 to learn more!
Selling Your Home During the Holidays?
The holiday season often evokes images of cozy gatherings, twinkling lights, and festive decorations. However, for those considering selling their home, the holidays can present unique challenges and opportunities. While it might seem daunting to list your home during this busy time of year, with proper planning and a strategic approach, selling your home during the holidays can be a rewarding experience. Serious buyers are looking for a new home all year including the holidays! In this blog post, we'll explore some tips and strategies to help you navigate the process of selling your home during the holiday season. 1. Embrace the Festive Spirit: One of the advantages of selling your home during the holidays is the opportunity to showcase its warmth and charm during a time when many buyers are feeling nostalgic and sentimental. Embrace the festive spirit by tastefully decorating your home with holiday décor that enhances its appeal. Consider using seasonal accents such as wreaths, garlands, and twinkling lights to create a welcoming atmosphere for potential buyers. But don’t go overboard with decorations – your home can feel cluttered and smaller. Buyers need to see the home, not Santa decor. 2. Create Curb Appeal: First impressions matter, especially when selling your home during the holidays. Potential buyers want to picture the house as their own and it’s hard to do if a lot of holiday decorations are distracting them. Enhance your home's curb appeal by maintaining a well-manicured lawn, cleaning up debris, and adding seasonal touches such as potted plants or a festive welcome mat. Try to stay away from overdoing it, like 5 giant blow-up yard balloons. Additionally, if you have a showing at night, turn on the outside and holiday lights to highlight key features of your home and create a warm and inviting ambiance. It makes your home look cheerful. Also, be sure to have the driveway and front walk clear of snow and ice. 3. Price Strategically: While the holiday season can be a slower time for real estate activity, it's essential to price your home strategically to attract motivated buyers. Work with your real estate agent to analyze market trends and set a competitive price that reflects the value of your home. Consider pricing your home below market value to attract more interest and potentially spark multiple offers. Bidding war is always the goal! You will have fewer showings, but the serious buyers will be looking. 4. Flexible Scheduling: The holiday season is a busy time for many people, with holiday parties, travel plans, and family gatherings filling up the calendar. Be flexible with scheduling showings and open houses to accommodate potential buyers' busy schedules. Your Realtor can discuss offering virtual tours or video walkthroughs for buyers who may be unable to view the property. A professional home video is ideal this time of the year as buyers can tour the home to see if they want an in-person showing. 5. Highlight Winter Features: During the colder months, certain features of your home may stand out more to potential buyers. Highlight winter-friendly features such as a cozy fireplace, heated floors, or energy-efficient windows that can help keep utility costs down. Use a smaller or thinner Christmas tree so it won’t overpower the living room. When the tree is added, remove some furniture to make the room look open and spacious. Also, put up fewer decorations this year. Showcase these features in your listing photos and during showings to demonstrate the value they add to the home. Remember – buyers need to see all the great features of the house. 6. Keep it Cozy and Inviting: When showing your home during the holidays, focus on creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere that makes potential buyers feel at home. If you have a fireplace, turn it on to keep the temperature comfortable, play soft background music, and consider offering refreshments such as hot cocoa or cookies to make your home smell so appealing – all creating a memorable experience for visitors. You can also leave a plate of holiday cookies on the counter when you know your real estate agent is bringing prospective buyers through your home or for the open house. Also turn on all your lights, including your holiday lights and candles! Light makes a room feel larger. 7. Consult a Home-Staging Professional for more Tips A professional home stager can give you great advice on how to best showcase your home for a quick sale at any time of the year, but especially during the holidays. Every listing with Dawn includes a complimentary Home Staging Consult! Dawn owned WNY Home Staging for 10 years before becoming a full-time Realtor in 2015. 8. Work with an Experienced Real Estate Agent: A full-time Realtor who will be working over the holidays is critical. To be sure the home sells for the most money possible closes. Selling your home during the holidays requires expert guidance and support. Partner with an experienced real estate agent who understands the nuances of the holiday market and can help you navigate the process with confidence. Your agent can provide valuable insights, market your home effectively, and negotiate on your behalf to achieve the best possible outcome. Selling your home during the holidays may seem challenging, but with the right approach, it can be a rewarding and successful experience. By embracing the festive spirit, creating curb appeal, pricing strategically, offering flexible scheduling, highlighting winter features, keeping your home cozy and inviting, consulting a home-staging professional, and working with an experienced real estate agent, you can increase your chances of selling your home with success during this magical time of year. So, deck the halls, showcase your home's unique features, and get ready to welcome a new chapter in the new year. Happy selling! Give Dawn a call at: 585-317-7749 (Rochester) 716-288-6881 (Buffalo) or email her at: DawnSoldAnother@kw.com Visit our website at www.DawnSoldAnother.com
Questions and Answers: 7 Reasons to Live in Henrietta, NY
Questions and Answers: 7 Reasons to Live in Henrietta, NY Are you looking to buy a home in the Henrietta area? This cozy suburb provides affordable subdivisions, coveted school districts and one of the largest shopping areas in Monroe County. According to the 2020 census, Henrietta is home to more than 47,000 people. The community continues to place importance on education and preserving nature. The Dawn Nowak Team at Keller Williams is the team to assist you with your buying and selling needs in Henrietta. 1. What is the history of Henrietta The Town of Henrietta was established in 1818. Pioneers settled in the area and agriculture became their way of life. According to the community website, “The history of Henrietta began with the sale of land that is known as the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. This purchase opened up western New York State for development after the Revolutionary War.” The name “Henrietta” was given to the land in honor of Henrietta Laura Pultney, Countess of Bath. She was the daughter of a major investor of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase, Sir William Johnstone Pulteney. The town began to prosper after the Erie Canal was built in 1825, which allowed crops to be transported from upstate to New York City. Since then the town has grown from flourishing agriculture to servicing Fortune 500 companies such as Coopervision and Amazon. 2. Where to live in Henrietta? There are many options when looking for neighborhoods in Henrietta. From new builds to planned communities, there is something for everyone. " alt="" /> " alt="" />BERKSHIRE PARK Built by Faber Builders, Inc., Berkshire Park is just one of the subdivisions that Henrietta offers. It is Faber’s largest residential community to date, featuring more than 480 homes. Dawn herself lives in Berkshire Park and loves the community and parks. Faber has many projects in the area both past and present. RIVERTON Located along the Genesee River, Riverton is a planned community that is made up of more than 700 houses and 2 apartment complexes. The community does have an HOA fee - however, within that residents have access to basketball courts, pickleball courts, tennis courts, a community room, ponds, walking paths, playgrounds and three separate pools. Faber has plans in the works to add another 130 houses to the community; contact Dawn to request more information. QUEENS PARK Queens Park is another development created by Faber Builders. Located along Moore Road, the community was originally built in 2016 and featured 125 lots. However, the development has continued to grow with additional homes being built in phases. The homes feature both single-floor living or multiple-floor living to accommodate residents. Additional subdivisions in the area include Eagle Ridge, The Preserve, Harvest Ridge and Fox Field. Why Build in Henrietta? Henrietta has been known for its low tax base, making it a prime location to build a home. Being a blend of agricultural, residential and commercial areas, there are many options and locations when deciding to build. As property value has gone up and continues to go up in the area, it is an ideal time to build. 3. Why Relocate to Henrietta, NY? Excited about their new home in Henrietta, NY Henrietta residents enjoy a unique experience of living in the suburbs, yet being a short distance to the city, great shopping centers, businesses and restaurants. Conveniently located near a freeway, living in Henrietta provides easy accessibility to get around but is also a quiet and safe area. Crime Grade gives Henrietta an A+. It is a safe town that is good for families. Henrietta is proud of its top rated public schools, newly-built library and rec center and various parks and historic sites. Henrietta and West Henrietta are also among two of the most diverse towns to live in Upstate New York. (Best Neighborhood defines diversity as “a mixture of people with different race and ethnicity living close to one another.”) Henrietta has a diversity score of 91 and West Henrietta scored a 95. Since there is such a diverse population, Henrietta is home to innovation, unique experiences and shared knowledge and culture. The town has also created an ad hoc Diversity Committee with the goal of “creating guidelines and roles of a permanent Diversity Committee to help ensure our programming does not unintentionally exclude portions of our Henrietta community.” Henrietta is rich in history and the Historic Site Committee has established twelve preservation districts including The Andrew Short House and Tinker Homestead & Farm Museum. The Dawn Nowak Team can assist you from anywhere in the United States and connect you with top realtors in your preferred area. Contact The Dawn Nowak Team for more information. 4. Where to go to school in Henrietta? Henrietta has a variety of schools within its district including Rush Henrietta Central School District, School of the Holy Childhood and The Norman Howard School. Rush-Henrietta Senior High School was named among the top 10 percent of high schools nationwide for a fourth year in a row by U.S News and World Report. The ranking is based on College Readiness, College Curriculum Breadth, State Assessment Proficiency, State Assessment Performance and Graduation Rate. Henrietta is also home to one of the top rated colleges in New York State - Rochester Institute of Technology -as well as Bryant & Stratton College and Monroe Community College. Henrietta is also known for its athletic programs, Rush-Henrietta High School sends multiple athletes to D1 colleges every year in Baseball, Football and Track & Field, while Rochester Institute of Technology’s hockey team competes at NCAA Division I. Dawn Nowak personally sponsors the little league baseball team that plays at the Thomas E. “Bill” Farrell Baseball Complex in ties with the Rush-Henrietta Athletic Association. The field is located at 5970 West Henrietta Road and hosts teams of all ages. The Little League team prepares to go to Cooperstown to compete and it is the highlight of every season. Dawn loves baseball and her son also played baseball and graduated from Rush-Henrietta High School. She enjoys sponsoring the team and dropping off snacks to show her support. Little league in Cooperstown 5. Why do people want to live in Henrietta? Along with lower taxes and increasing property value, since Henrietta is home to such a diverse population, there are unique places and landmarks across the city that draw residents in. Theravada Buddhist Temple The Wat Pa Lao Buddhadham (Phood-taht-tahm) is a Theravada Buddhist Temple located on Martin Road in West Henrietta. For the past 20 years the beautifully-architectured temple has offered spiritual services to the community. The temple is currently fundraising money in order to expand. The Arc of Monroe provides a variety of services and programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Located on Brighton-Henrietta Townline Road, the mission of The Arc is to, “create an inclusive society where the people we support may live truly integrated lives and reach their full potential as a part of our community.” Shopping Centers- A huge draw to living in Henrietta is the close proximity to a variety of shopping. Located along Jefferson Road, Market Square Plaza is just one of the popular shopping centers with stores including Marshalls, Home Depot, Michaels, Kirklands and Old Navy as well as eateries like 110 Grill and Red Robin. Other popular shopping centers include Henrietta Commons, Town Centre and Henrietta Plaza. Overall, there is such a sense of community in Henrietta. With various landmarks and shopping centers it is a safe, accessible and inclusive place to live. 6. Where are the best places to go in Henrietta? Henrietta hosts a variety of restaurants, parks and activities for everyone’s taste. From beautiful nature reserves to beer flight specials at local restaurants, there are places for the whole family, date night and even solo adventures. RESTAURANTS Lovin’Cup Featuring live music and a rotating draft selection Lovin’Cup is a family run bistro located right next to Rochester Institute of Technology. Lovin’Cup is proud of its selection of food including simple and fresh choices and gourmet and original specials everyday. With a variety of events and drink selections, this is a cozy place to enjoy a nice meal. Fireside Grill and Sports Bar Located along East Henrietta Road, Fireside Grill and Sports Bar features good food, beer and indoor and outdoor seating. The restaurant features a giant fireplace that provides a warm ambiance to enjoy your meal. The bar is a great place to go to catch a game. With different specials offered daily, there is always a reason to go back. Dawn and one of our amazing client at FireSide Grill and Sports Bar Mama G’s Mama G’s is a family owned Italian restaurant that prides itself on only using the freshest and finest ingredients. Located along East Henrietta Road, this is a local favorite with classic staples such as spaghetti and meatballs, Chicken French and Chicken Parmesan. There are tables inside for a nice dine-in experience or takeout available. MacGregors Located along Jefferson Road, MacGregor's Grill & Tap Room specializes in beer, offers a variety of beer flights and features American traditional food. With pool tables, a dart board and full bar, the atmosphere is great to go out to dinner or grab a drink after work. Our team has firsthand experience with the staff at MacGregor’s: when the power went out at a party at the restaurant, the staff was more than accommodating to resolve the issue and keep the party on track. Namaste Cash & Carry Indian Grill A unique spot, Namaste Cash & Carry Indian Grill pairs a grocery store and an Indian grill conveniently together in one location. Namaste Groceries prides itself on carrying a wide array of authentic Indian products and fresh produce. While the Indian grill offers a selection of fresh traditional Indian foods. PARKS Since the town has continued to place importance on preserving nature over the years, there are many parks to explore throughout Henrietta. From nature trails to playgrounds every park has enjoyable amenities. Tinker Nature Park Tinker Nature Park is a peaceful escape from the suburbs. The handicap accessible park features 2 nature trails, a museum and nature center and a wildlife observation blind. Various wildlife can be seen throughout the seasons with a wildflower meadow visible in the summer and ski and snowshoe rentals available in the winter. (Please note- dogs are not permitted at Tinker Nature Park.) Martin Road Park Roxy & Sabre (Dawn's dogs) enjoying time at Martin Road Park Martin Road Park is a great park for the whole family. The park features tennis courts, a soccer field and playground on the property. Catch and release fishing is allowed in the pond at the park, beautiful for fishing and to relax by. Lookup Park A hidden oasis, Lookup Park offers a variety of options including a nine-hole disc golf course, a cabin, driving range and a dog park! Baldwin cabin is available to rent for events and features a full kitchen, central air and holds a capacity of 50 people inside. A permit is required if you are planning to bring your dog to the dog park. ACTIVITES iSMASH Rochester A completely unique experience, iSMASH Rochester offers smashing sessions, splatter paint and axe throwing. You can book experiences individually for various amounts of time or book them for parties and events. They even offer fun add-ons such as glitter bombs or color bombs to smash. Altitude Trampoline Park Located in South Town Plaza, Altitude Trampoline Park is fun for all ages with high flying trampolines, foam pits and battle beams. There are designated jump times for specific ages and passes are available for anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. You can also book birthday parties and events. Lasertron Lasertron offers not only laser tag but axe throwing, an arcade and full bar as well. Located on Marketplace Drive, right in the center for everything, Lasertron is great for family time, team building or a night out with friends. 7. What is happening in Henrietta? (Henrietta, NY Events) Henrietta has many projects in the works to continuously improve the community and hosts a variety of events for families and individuals to get involved. The town continues to evolve with some of the newest initiatives focused on sustainability, clean energy, composting and overall reducing our carbon footprint. Steps being taken to reach this goal include LED street lights, hybrid and electric vehicles for the DPW, building and engineering departments and improving building energy efficiency. Other upcoming projects include a Town Court, a new Facilities Garage and Sewer Garage for the DPW and a Town Hall expansion. The Coopervision expansion is another large project in the works in Henrietta. Located along Thruway Park Drive the expansion adds 152,950 square feet to its existing facility.The project plans to add 173 new jobs once completed. The project is expected to finish in 2023. Coopervision’s facilities in New York are powered by 100 percent renewable energy. Other upcoming projects include a Town Court, a new Facilities Garage and Sewer Garage for the DPW and a Town Hall expansion. EVENTS Since Henrietta is a melting pot, there are events and activities for everyone. From ice cream socials, to 55-plus walks, art and garden parties, there is an event or activity for every age. The town hosts a variety of events such as Yoga at Tinker Park and the Harvest Festival. All of the town’s events can be found here. In the summer months, Veterans Memorial Park even hosts a summer concert series every Friday. The Henrietta Library hosts events from baby storytimes to author meet and greets and book clubs. In addition, the Henrietta Recreation Center holds an assortment of special events throughout the year. A rec center membership is under ten dollars for Henrietta residents and provides access to the facilities that include a track, basketball court, table tennis and pickleball. The Dome Arena located on East Henrietta Road is another place to find unique events in Henrietta like tattoo expos and circuses. With activities and events weekly, it is never hard to find something to do. Contact the Dawn Nowak Team for more information.
Categories
Recent Posts
