Many of us are eagerly awaiting the longer days and warmer weather that spring has in store for us. Don’t worry! It won’t be long before we can enjoy the warm sunshine and grilling in the backyard again. While springtime is usually something to look forward to, what happens if you’re stressing about preparing your house for sale? The great news is spring can be the best time to sell your house for a few different reasons. Let’s walk through why it’s best to take advantage of spring, as well as a few tips for prepping your house for sale....

Charlie Oppler, the 2021 President of the National Association of REALTORS®, confirmed the 2021 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings will be all virtual mainly due to rising cases of COVID-19 in Washington, as well as around the country. You can find a full video from Charlie, complete with a transcript here. The official news release can be found here, where Oppler confirmed what went into this difficult decision. "After careful consideration, the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo will be held virtually again this year," NAR President Charlie Oppler, a Realtor® from Franklin Lakes, N.J., and the CEO of Prominent Properties Sotheby's...

New and exciting changes are coming to the NAR’s Core Standards for 2021. Fair Housing is an important topic we’ve been focusing on lately and how changes to real estate practice are becoming more inclusive and equitable. Before we dive into the updates, we’ve included some information below on what the Core Standards are and where you can find more in depth information on the requirements. The National Association of REALTORS® uses a set of standards to ensure all REALTOR® associations that are a part of NAR comply with requirements that are specific to local and state associations and commercial...

Have you heard of the ACT Initiative? On January 8th, 2020, the National Association of REALTORS® became an industry leader on fair housing by passing an action plan to advocate for fair housing law and policies. With the goal of protecting housing rights in the US, the ACT Initiative, or Fair Housing Action Plan, focuses on comprehensive training for agents as well as further education for the general public to ensure a level playing field for anyone looking to rent or buy a home.  We’re kicking off a new series on Fair Housing and the Fair Housing Act, starting with...

The new year has officially begun and everyone is on the edge of their seats wondering what 2021 has in store for us. The Ulster County Board of REALTORS® team has been diligently monitoring the ebbs and flows of housing trends as we closed out a historic year in 2020. There are many variables that have roused a flurry of predictions of what the housing market will look like in the new year, with the pandemic being a major catalyst for changes in housing inventory as well as demand. Not only are inventory needs changing, but mortgage rates, demographics, and...

New year, new normal, and new lifestyles also mean new must haves for homes in 2021. With the pandemic still rearing its ugly head, many of us cannot wait to say goodbye to 2020 and welcome 2021 with hope that things will get better in the future. If the pandemic has taught us anything, one thing is for sure that what was once considered ‘normal’ does not seem to be returning anytime soon. Many families are still working remotely, and kids are attending school virtually. As we ring in the new year, we also will ring in accessing our current...

There is something very special and comforting about finding your dream home for the holidays, and being in that home. This often means time to relax, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy all the things which make it your home, rather than just a house. By being able to take the time you traditionally would not have during a busy work schedule, and talking walks, reading by the fire, or creating delicious meals with your family and friends in your home, it’s a time when we are able to be able to enjoy the reasons you bought this...

The snow has fallen, trees have gone up, candles have been lit, and much of the holiday spirit is in full swing in Ulster County. While it is a time to give back, and spend time with family and friends doing the heart of this holiday season, this year will likely look different for many in our community. As 2020 has proven to be a trying and difficult year for the majority of our community, there are ways you can help to connect with both your family and community, and help spread some holiday joy to those who may have...

As the holiday season is upon us, and we start getting into the holiday spirit by decorating our homes, cozying up by the fire, and spending time with our family, it’s also the season of giving. As we have already started our lists of gifts for family and friends, in this new age of shopping and social distancing, it is easy to order out of convenience from big corporations. While many of these businesses have been thriving during the pandemic, looking to support your local Ulster County small businesses will be even more important this year. These businesses have been...

Typically, the winter season tends to be the slower buying season for Real Estate. This is often a time when the market turns into a buyer’s market. Buyers use this season to look for better deals, higher inventory, and take more time to look at properties versus the busier summer buying season. With the pandemic still looming, market experts have predicted that this winter will remain a seller’s market versus the typical buyer’s market. If you were waiting to buy this winter season, chances are the market will still be just as competitive as it was this past spring and...