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Median Sales Price For Single-Family Home In Peekskill Falls 5 Percent

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.

Photo Credit: Flickr/www.aag.com

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.”

Westchester’s northern section -- defined by Houlihan Lawrence by the school districts of Croton-Harmon, Hendrick-Hudson, Lakeland, Peekskill and Yorktown -- outperformed the rest of the county. Sales in that region increased by 19 percent, compared to the first quarter in  2014, and the median sales price grew 20 percent.

Sales especially were brisk in Croton-Harmon, which saw a 167 percent increase in sales. Sales were up 12 percent in Yorktown, but fell 50 percent in Peekskill.

The median sales price for a single-family home grew 27 percent in the Lakeland School District, the highest increase in the region. The median sales price increased 9 percent in Croton and 2 percent in Yorktown.

The median sales price fell 26 percent in the Hendrick-Hudson district and 5 percent in Peekskill.

The median sales price for single-family homes in the region is $405,250, the highest figure since 2008, when the median sales price was $440,000.

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 are especially 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 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, associate broker for Houlihan Lawrence and the office manager in Croton-on-Hudson.

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.”

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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