I stumbled across this graffiti while walking along the canal in Pittsford recently. I'm not usually one for defacing public property, but at least this has a positive message!     *****   I am proud to help buyers in the Greater Rochester, New York area find their dream homes. As a Certified Buyer Representative (CBR), I have the training to help you through each step of the home buying process. First-time buyer? Contact me for a free first-time home buyer consultation, where I'll walk you through the home buying process! If you are considering purchasing or selling a home in the Rochester area, don't hesitate to contact me. I pride myself in providing the best possible service for my clients! When you work with me...     Contact:Kristen WahlRealtor®Office: (585) 279-8274Cell: (585) 45... 10/28/2012

According to Business First Pittsford's school district scores in English/foreign languages, science and social studies are Upstate's best, according to Business First's breakdown of test scores in those subjects from fourth grade through high school. 01/11/2012

Introducing a new addition to the Homes for Heroes family! “I feel a need to help spearhead a movement in our community to give back to our Heroes without hesitation. It is a way for me to feel part of the solution and to say thank you for all you have done and continue to do. It helps me to keep fresh the sacrifices that have been made by the Heroes from our community and nationally. Those who have given their all and continue to give without question deserve thanks from those who are in a position to offer their services.” 01/18/2011

It's time for another look inside the market in eastern Monroe County. Again, I collected information for sales in Brighton, Pittsford, East Irondequoit, Webster, Penfield, and Perinton in the past week. However, I decided to begin focusing my weekly reports on homes that went under contract rather than closed. Why? Two reasons. First, many sold homes aren't recorded immediately upon closing, which means my numbers could end up being very skewed. And second, contracts are actually a better indicator of the current market conditions than closings. Closed homes could have gone under contract months ago, which doesn't reflect on which properties are moving now! Instead, at the end of every month, I'll look back on what sold in that month. So, without further ado, here are the listings that... 01/23/2010

Thanks to our new MLS system, I now have access to better charts and statistical information. As a result, I've decided to begin posting some market information on a weekly basis. Every Friday, I'll compile information on the previous week's sales and post them here. Because I do a large portion of my business in the eastern suburbs, I'll focus on the following areas: Brighton, Pittsford, Penfield, Webster, East Irondequoit, and Perinton. Here are the statistics for this past week, as well as a chart showing the list price, sale price, and days on the market for the sold properties: As the charts show, there were 13 single family homes that sold in Eastern Monroe County last week. The sale prices ranged from $106,000 for a small ranch in Perinton to $872,200 for a 3,600 square foot new ... 01/15/2010

    Home Buying 101   There is so much to consider when you are buying a home.  First and foremost when you are planning to buy a home find a qualified agent that you will enjoy working with.  Someone who listens twice as much as they talk and someone who is not spread too thinly so  you get the one on one attention you deserve.        Secondly, get Qualified to buy a home.  The last thing you want to do is end up unhappy in your new home because you are suddenly house-poor.  Leave enough breathing room so you can continue to pay for  all the things you like doing and having.  Otherwise you will feel like a prisoner in your own home.     Next, enjoy the entire home buying  process, take it all in and remember to have fun.  Once you choose a home, here is how it ALL goes down:     The ag... 11/16/2009

Last night, a young couple that I've been working with for several months found a beautiful home in their price range. The kitchen was simply stunning with Shaker style cabinets and a beautiful tile backsplash and floor. Both bathrooms were updated and the hardwoods were in great condition. It was so beautiful that it was easy to overlook that Rt. 490 was in its back yard. The highway was so noisy that we found ourselves yelling at each other in the driveway.My advice to my clients was to forget the house. Granted, it is unlikely that we will find another house this attractive in their price range but if they buy a house in good condition, they will be able to do the cosmetic improvement and upgrades as their economic situation improves. On the other hand, if they purchase this house, t... 08/20/2009

Earlier, I wrote about some very bad photos in the Rochester MLS. Now, I'd like to provide a few tips to get your home ready to be photographed to put on the market.Looks are everything in today's real estate market. The current public watches tons of HG-TV and their expectations are often unrealistic. A colleague recently described the current Rochester market as a beauty contest. And just as a fashion model spends hours primping before a photo shoot, plan to invest plenty of time and effort preparing your home to look its best.The first step is to do some serious cleaning, starting with windows. The more natural light that comes in your house, the better it will photograph. Yes, dust will show up in photos. It's also important that appliances and plumbing fixtures sparkle. Take extra ... 02/26/2008