We get a lot of inquires from people interested in buying a home or land in the Hudson Valley or the Catskill Mountains. They are often looking for advice on how to make the move and go about getting their questions answered. Many have never purchased property before and don’t know where to begin. Today we’re sharing some tips and tidbits (with lots of helpful links) to help you start on your journey of buying a house or property in Upstate New York!
To Buy or Build?
Deciding whether you want to buy a home or build one is usually the first question people contemplate when thinking about making a move upstate. There are pluses and minuses to both scenarios and deciding which is right for you is the first step to tackle when making your move.
Rebus design meeting with clients
Working with an architect to design and build custom is the best way to get the home you’ve been dreaming about. When we work with custom clients through the residential architecture firm Studio MM, we can design a home perfect for them and their family. Our design process is collaborative, driven by our clients’ needs, and a lot of fun! Check out the video below to see highlights from Cat Hill’s custom design process. You can learn more about how we work and what to expect throughout the design process here.
One of the benefits of buying a new home is time savings. Designing and building a new home typically takes 18-24 months so if you’re looking to move in right away, buying an existing home is probably best for you. The downside is that the home probably won’t check off all the boxes on your wish list. The good news is, we also work on renovations through Studio MM. We can help you update and rework spaces to create a home that works for how you and your family plan to live in your home.
Schematic Design for Wass House renovation by Studio MM
Looking for the best of both worlds? Check out our newest community coming later this summer, Catskill Terraces. We’re offering pre-designed custom homes that you can upgrade with add-ons such as a guest house, pool, or garage – so you select options that work best for you. Each home will be a unique architect-designed home that is site-specific and built with the same quality craftsmanship of all of our homes. And the best part is, they’ve already been designed so construction can start right after the sale is closed saving you 6 – 12 months! Sign up here to get the latest news on Catskill Terraces delivered directly to your inbox!
Concept sketch of Plan Sequence design for Catskill Terraces
Finding and Buying Land
There are a lot of aspects to take into account when looking for land in the Hudson Valley. The basics and fun items like views, water features, location, size, orientation to the sun…you may think of first. But there are other important factors to consider that are less obvious like Board of Health approval, septic systems, zoning approvals, watershed restrictions, viewshed restrictions, and wetlands. Here’s a rundown of the basic things to look for and questions to ask when looking for land.
The Cliffs at Kaaterskill
People often ask us what is a good point to engage a residential architect when designing a custom home. We like to get involved in projects early and usually start designing once clients have secured a property. But we’d love to be involved before you actually buy any land, if possible, just to make sure the property you are buying will work for the home you’re envisioning. If you’ve started your search for land and have specific questions, please feel free to reach out!
Working with a Realtor
Although these days we often suggest people looking for land start by searching on Zillow, if you’re looking to buy an existing home that is live-in ready or a fixer-upper that needs to be renovated, it’s best to seek help from professionals. Here are a few expert realtors in the area we recommend reaching out to for help.
Jeff Serouya (Berkshire Hathaway Hudson Valley Properties) has been the number one residential realtor in Ulster County since 2015. From enchanting Catskills homes to buildable land with infinite views across the Hudson Valley, Jeff has a wide selection of listings in the area and is a local expert you can trust. Check out his website for details and contact info!
Megan Brenn White (Keller Williams Realty Hudson Valley North) shares a wealth of information via her Instagram on real estate and upstate life, fields questions through Zoom calls (check out her YouTube channel for previous recordings), and the Upstate Curious app. Be sure to check out her two-part IGTV series called “What’s it like to move Upstate?” for some local insider info! Contact Megan and The Upstate Real Estate Team of KW Hudson Valley North here!
The Mendelis Saliba Team (Compass) We’re also very excited to share information for Lori Medelis and team who are now working in the Hudson Valley. A 15-year veteran of NYC real estate, Lori has a proven track record of success in Brooklyn. A Catskills homeowner herself, Lori is thrilled to expand her team’s capabilities—and share the joys of upstate living—by representing the Hudson Valley with a specialty in and around Saugerties, Woodstock, Kingston and New Paltz. Contact Lori and her team here!
Working with a Bank for New Construction
We often get questions about the process of building a new home using a construction loan. Typically you would purchase the land first and use that investment towards your loan downpayment. In order to appraise your future home, the bank will review a set of construction documents of the design. These are the same drawings your contractor will use to build your home.
Cat Hill under construction
Throughout construction, your contractor will ask for periodic payments based on the portion of the home’s construction that is complete. Your bank will send out an appraiser to review the work and approve the release of funds so you can pay your contractor. This is a general synopsis but details may vary based on individual situations. If you’d like to work with us to build a new home with a construction loan please reach out for more information!
TinkerBox under construction
I hope you’ve found the answers and information shared in this post to be helpful. I’ve tried to address the most frequent questions we receive, but every situation is unique so please feel free to reach out with your specific questions – we’re here to help!
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