Columbia County NY Real Estate by

R.H. BLACKBURN & ASSOCIATES, Inc.,   REAL ESTATE
17 Broad Street, Kinderhook, NY 12106
Office (518) 758-1788   Fax (518) 758-6211
blackburn@berk.com
Serving Columbia, Dutchess, Greene & Rensselaer Counties

For Sellers

If you are a seller interested in knowing what we can do for you to sell your property, here are things you will want to know.

The first question we are usually asked is: "what will it sell for?" We won’t pick a figure off the top of our head. We will come up with an expected market value of your property after inspecting it and entering its data (square footage, acres, amenities, condition, etc (up to a dozen qualities) in our own proprietary valuation program which has proved to be remarkably accurate. We will cross check this valuation with a comparative market analysis of comparable sold properties in the same area with similar characteristics. Between the two we will give you what we believe is a realistic valuation of what it will sell for in a reasonable period of time. If you list the property at a price near enough to that figure, it should sell.  

How well and how soon it sells depends a good deal on how it is presented to the public. Here are the multiple ways we do this.

1. We photograph your property, measure and computer generate floor plans, record all relevant data, and prepare a 2 to 4 page color brochure on glossy stock for distribution to all interested buyers and inquiring agents. This is an impressive publication (see sample) which buyers appreciate. Do we get results? Yes, our websites (rhblackburn.com and GreatPeriodHouses.com) are prominently listed (usually on the first page) on any internet search for real estate in our region (Google, Yahoo, MSN, AOL, etc). Our website attracts between 50 and 100 inquiries each day.
2. We take this same information and list it on all relevant Multiple Listing Services in our region (Columbia Northern Dutchess MLS, Greene County MLS, Mid-Hudson MLS, Capital District MLS). This gives any potential buyer or co-operating agent access to photos, plans, surveys, and all data. This has proven to be the most useful of advertising outlets. Like the website, anyone anywhere in the world can find your listing quickly.  
3. Our print advertising is done in premium real estate publications including the two major real estate for sale magazines in our area: HomeBuyers Guide  (monthly). We advertise in Berkshire Home Style and Capital District Home Style magazines which reach a discerning market.
4. We also publish in the latter magazines our monthly Real Estate Report, a guide to home ownership and the real estate market - a lot of very useful advice on how to sell, buy, renovate and enjoy your home. This report has earned us much credibility with buyers and sellers. All issues are also available on our websites and, for those who wish to sign up for this no-cost service, we email each issue to you.
5. We advertise in the Sunday New York Times in both the classified and the color Home Magazine as warrented. These have proven to be the most responsive print venues in New York City for selling properties in our region although 90% of inquiries these days come through websites.
6. When you are in our region you will see in public places our Great Period Houses posters, featuring the best period houses in several communities, a promotion for the communities, for home owners, and, of course, for our activities.
7. Real Estate signs placed on listed properties are especially useful for attracting buyers who may not have been searching for a house but like what you have. From a sign, buyers can access us by phone email and website.
8. We can arrange for broker and agent property tours so that other brokers are working to sell your property too.
9. We have convenient access (via our own database) to all property owners (and addresses) in our region so that we can make selective mailing to persons who may wish to know your property is available. Your neighbors may be a valuable source of reference to their friends looking for a home nearby.
10. We are your exclusive agent, we owe you the loyalty and trust you require when you entrust your property to us to sell. When we show the property I, as broker, or one of our sales persons will always be there to let buyers in and close up afterwards, then report to you the results. We cooperate with all other brokers who have potential buyers and arrange for them to see your property.
11. Handling a sale. We actively participate in the entire process from listing to closing. We are involved (with you) in assisting with the offer agreement, negotiations, contract, attorneys, inspections, financing, appraisal, repairs if any, final walk-through, and the closing. We frequently assist sellers and buyers after a closing.
12. We will be with you throughout the process and even after. Both sellers and buyers often ask us to keep in touch through our monthly Real Estate Reports which we can email to you automatically.
13. If you have any questions or observations throughout the process you can call (518 758-1788) or email me at any time (blackburn@berk.com). Being a writer (articles, books) I see my work in real estate as a service to the public as well as a business.
14. My education and experience is unusually broad which is helpful to sellers who realize they can have confidence in the accuracy and scholarship that goes into describing their property. Our expertise is evident in books we have written on regional history and architecture include A Visible Heritage, Columbia County NY, A History in Art and Architecture  and the recent Rizzoli books Dutch Colonial Homes in America and Great Houses of New England. Another forthcoming Rizzoli volumes will be on early New England architecture.
15. Our sales persons, Jeremy Weis, Matthew Talomie, Michele Saunders and Suzanne Davino are all professionals in their own right who also love to be involved in real estate.
16. As we say “knowledge pays, more than it costs.” The extra expertise we bring to selling homes, especially the period homes we specialize in, brings added value to your property, helping us sell it for more than others may be able to. Our expertise has been recognized by the leading real estate training school on this part of New York State where I  give the architectural history course for brokers, sales persons and appraisers.
17. Most important to you is the fact that selling your home is a very personal experience. For it to work well you need to know that we can offer you the trust, fidelity, understanding, and good counsel - discussed in complete confidence - to help you achieve your goals.

I am sure you have questions. Talk with me at 518 758-1788 (Kinderhook office) or email at blackburn@berk.com. Thank you for getting this far!

Best wishes, Rod Blackburn, broker