10 Real Estate Markets to Watch in 2012: Rochester, N.Y.

I love talking to reporters but often cringe when I read what they write. This article didn't give me any reason to cringe. It's nothing but good news for Rochester. Enjoy the article!

10 Real Estate Markets to Watch in 2012: Rochester, N.Y.

Rochester's Strong Real Estate Market

The Greater Rochester Association of Realtors reported this morning that the number of accepted purchase offers in the fourth quarter of 2011 were up 93 percent, signaling a strong start to the market this year.

Generally, purchase offers result in a close the following quarter.

Home sales in the fourth quarter were up 5 percent over the same quarter of 2010 with 2,243 closings.

I personally am having the busiest January I can remember.

Rochester is Great!

It sure seems that the whole world is learning what we've know for quite some time....Rochester, NY is an awesome place to call home.  Just this week, the city was ranked by The Street, a financial news website, as being poised for greatness in 2012!

In the past six months, Forbes ranked Rochester first on the "Best Places to Buy a Home" list.  MSN says Rochester is at the top of the nation when it comes to "Most Livable Bargain Markets."  And Core Logic, a provider of consumer, financial and property information, analytics and services to business and government, recently released information indicating that Rochester had the fewest number of Underwater Home Owners!

Way to go Rochester!  I'm happy to call you home!

Feb 1st Deadline for Sr Citizen STAR Tax Exemption.

If you are a senior citizen, aged 65 or older and own and occupy a house in the city of Rochester, you may qualify for a reduction in your school taxes.  This year, the senior tax exemptions will range from a 50 percent reduction for those with 2010 incomes of $29,000 or less, to a 5 percent reduction for those who didn’t earn more than $37,400. Applications must be in the City Assessor's Office by Feb. 1, 2012.  


Seniors renewing should already have received applications in the mail. Additional applications can be obtained by calling the City Assessor’s Office at 428-6994, going to City Hall at 30 Church St., Rm. 101A, or by downloading the application at www.cityofrochester.gov/assessment and clicking on “Residential Property Exemptions” in the menu to the left. 

City Assessor Thomas G. Huonker reminds residents that Enhanced STAR, New York’s school tax cut program for seniors 65 and older, is also available. Enhanced STAR is offered in addition to the City’s Senior Property Tax exemption. Seniors will automatically receive the Enhanced STAR exemption if they are approved for the City’s Senior exemption. If a resident doesn’t qualify for the Senior exemption, he or she may still be eligible for Enhanced STAR if they did not earn more than $79,050 in 2010. The deadline for Enhanced STAR is also Feb. 1, 2012.