Finding a place you can call home is both exciting and nerve-racking. You need a devoted and competent Rhinebeck real estate expert to guide you through the process. Your goal? To get the most home for your dollar.

Not all real estate brokers are equal. They are independent contractors. They work very differently based on their experiences, education levels, skill levels, and even their dispositions. There is no exception here in Rhinebeck. To find the right one for yourself is the first step toward success.

Here are some factors to consider when you interview the potential agents:

Ask her/him if she/he will

• Provide an automatic update for the new listings in Rhinebeck real estate market and surrounding areas based on your wish list. That way, you will be well informed and get to know what is new on the market even when your agent is out of town.
• Evaluate the value of your chosen home so you buy the most home for your dollar.
• Negotiate the best possible deal for you so you avoid costly traps and pitfalls.
• Help you locate the most affordable financing in the market and for your situation.
• Coordinate all inspections, appraisals, title services etc. with the very best firms, so you can feel confident and focus on other important tasks during your move.

With a trusted local ally on your side, it is time to get familiar with real estate in Rhinebeck. Education is the key. Right?

Rhinebeck real estate market has the capacity to contain diverse home buyers based on their lifestyles.

• Old village homes. Rhinebeck is renowned for its well-preserved Victorian Homes. There is a whole village section that consists of this type of homes. They are sought-after and therefore more pricey per-square foot. You do not have a lot of land and/or privacy. However, you can walk to all the services the village has to offer.

• Homes with generous acreage in the town of Rhinebeck. If privacy is what you are looking for, this type of properties will suit you. They vary in ages and styles. You have a wide variety of choice.
• Suburban style developments. The houses were built roughly built around the same time and therefore they look alike from the outside. You will have a sense of neighborhood there, and often a cod-a-sack at the end. They are usually family friendly and residents are friends.
• One-story living. The typical one-story homes in Rhinebeck is ranch style houses. They are mainly built in the 50s to early 80s. They usually have rather generic layout and appearance. They are not sought-after in the Rhinebeck market place, so, if one-story living is your priority, you may find something very affordable.
• Fixer-uppers. You can find great fixer-uppers in Rhinebeck in every type of homes. Fixing up the old homes can be very rewarding. Fixing up a bank-owned property can be profitable. But be careful if you are not experienced. The cost can be high in Rhinebeck and you maynot get your investment back immediately in current market condition.
• New constructions. If you love new constructions, your choices in the village are limited. The zoning law is strict and the available lots are basically non-existent. There is, however, a section in the village near the school consisting of new homes. Outside the village, you will have more choices. Be aware, though, new constructions are more expensive per square foot as the cost of building has gone up noticeably in Rhinebeck.

A lot of buyers know what kind of lifestyle they want here in Rhinebeck, so they can narrow down the search quickly. If, however, you are open-minded with this regard, you need to move on to next subject: How much are you willing to invest? Do not ever over spend. If you think you can sacrifice your life for your house, think again. Too much financial stress will damage your sense of well-being, you relationship, and your family. Get pre-qualified for a loan as soon as you can. That way when you are ready to make an offer, you are ready to go. Sellers in Rhinebeck area will not consider your offer, if at all, seriously unless you are pre-qualified.

When the investment is decided, make two lists under your wish-list. One is what you need and the other what you want. The former is something you should not compromise, the latter, you can live without. When you can identify them, you will be less emotional when you need to give up certain things.

After all the prep work, you are to see houses. Look through all the listings your agents provide based on your criteria, and familiarize with all the terms. If you are local, drive through the neighborhoods where the houses of your interest are located. If you are coming from out of town, drive around as much as you can when you visit to get a general idea of Rhinebeck.

Here I’d like to share a story with you.

I once had a client from the city. She had a budget and knew she would like to find an charming older home in Rhinebeck, Red Hook, or Tivoli. She was not familiar with this area, or Rhinebeck real estate market, but liked what she saw and felt here.

We started our search and before long she realized with her budget, she could only afford a small charming older home which was in need of some work. And she would like to live in a village setting. We also need to move quickly so that she could get the $8000 tax credit to fix up the house. With all the essentials outlined, she was able to look through the surface and focus on the bones of the houses and location of them. We zeroed in on a small charming village home with great potential to expand. She revisited the house three times and each time she went back, she liked it more.

However, after my market research, this potential house was over priced at the time. I encouraged her to make an offer based on my research. The negotiation was bloody, but in the end, we got the house! I helped her with home inspection, the selection of mortgage broker, attorney since she was new to our town. Not any more! She is now a happy local resident with a lot of friends and a beautifully renovated place she calls home.

You need to modify your expectations along the way. Do not be afraid. When you do so, you will get closer to the reality and well on your way to home ownership. If there is one thing you should not compromise, it is LOCATION. You can change a house but you cannot change a location. Sounds like a cliche? But there is a reason for it to become a cliche.

I hope this post is helpful. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions. E-mail: fengwinham@gmail.com