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I am proud to announce the Lake Legacy Initiative whereby every lakefront home sold by KMP Homes helps protect Cayuga Lake. At closing, 5% of KMP Homes' real estate commission gets split between the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network and the Community Science Institute. Both organizations are 501(c)3 non-profits and the funding impact is outlined in the graphic below. Further, to learn more about how your day-to-day at-home habits and practices impact your watershed, explore the Lake Friendly Living program at https://www.cayugalake.org/lake-friendly-living/ and sign up to Take the Pledge. It is important to note that most, if not all, of the Finger Lakes' have adopted the same Lake Friendly Living program and it has become a regional program of stewardship. 
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If you recently received a Notice of Reassessment from your town or taxing authority that your property assessed value has increased and you're wondering if that means your property taxes will increase too, check out my post below to learn more about 1) How Gaps in Budget Revenues Lead to Property Tax Levies, and; 2) How an Increase in Assessed Value May or May Not Increase Property Taxes Owed. When Accuracy Matters Get a 100% No-Obligations market valuation of your lakefront property in as little as 48 hours: How Gaps in County and Municipal Budget Revenues Lead to Property Tax Levies (Clip 1 of 2) How an Increases in Assessed Value May or May Not Increase Property Taxes Owed (Clip 2 of 2) Have you ever looked at the Zillow home value estimate for your lakefront property and thought "Really, Zillow, are we talking about the same home?". You'd be right to be skeptical whether the value seemed too low or even too high. Below, I detail why and how those automated valuation models (AVMs) can be inaccurate and what the best course of action is when accuracy matters most to you.  Zillow's Zestimate(R) algorithm struggles with valuing lakefront properties for several reasons: Lakefront is highly unique inventory and the AVM works better on cookie-cutter homes with lots of comparable sales. Every lakefront lot has a different shoreline, frontage, slope, view and water depth and Zillow's algorithm can't calculate most, if not all, of those variables. It certainly cannot determine how much of the shoreline is accessible, if at all. It can't see shoreline improvements, permanent docks and boat houses, or seawalls. Zillow relies on historical data and when there isn't recent and similar sales, estimates tend to drift. That's usually the case for lakefront. I've listed a few real examples of wide-ranging value drifts on this website here. Valuing lakefront is a skillset, not an algorithm. Even some tools provided to REALTORS(R) for valuing real estate have difficulty incorporating these distinct properties and agents should use caution utilizing AI tools for these very reasons. When Accuracy Matters Get a 100% no-obligations market valuation of your lakefront property here:  1. Start with an honest post-mortem 2. Revisit pricing expectations 3. Refresh photos, staging and presentation 4. Reset the listing's market clock 5. Consider a pre-listing inspection 6. Offer an extra incentive 7. Align the strategy *BONUS TIP: Use my exclusive Lakefront Property Checklist to identify, describe and showcase the most compelling features of your lakefront property that most agents miss! Contact me to get started. View the full article here:
NAR REALTOR NEWS According to the National Association of REALTORS, more than half of real estate professionals say buyers are disappointed when the homes they visit don't live up to what is presented. Even relatively minor issues could turn buyers off and prevent an offer. Here's what real estate pros from around the country say are the worst showing offenses they see:
For the remaining 20 items listed and full descriptions of each, view the full article here:
NAR: 25 Home Showing Offenses That Could Cost You Offers Why April and August are the Best Months to List & Sell Lakefront Property in the Finger Lakes3/3/2026  If you're considering selling a lakefront property in the Finger Lakes, timing matters — a lot. Based on 2023–2025 market data, April consistently emerges as one of the best months to list and sell lakefront homes.
Here’s why savvy sellers are timing their listings for this spring window. 1. Lower Inventory = Less Competition In April, the Finger Lakes market enters a unique period:
That means less competition for your listing and a better chance that buyers who are looking will zero in on your property. This supply constraint doesn’t last long — but while it’s here, it works in your favor as a seller. 2. Faster Median CDOM (Cumulative Days on Market) Across the past three years, April shows a strong trend:
Lower days on market means: ✅ Buyers are motivated ✅ Listings are well-priced and compelling ✅ Less time between list date and contract When inventory is lighter, serious buyers act quicker — and that’s reflected in the CDOM data. 3. May & June — Good Market, But More Competition Spring is traditionally strong in real estate — and the Finger Lakes is no exception. Here’s what happens after April:
For sellers who list in May and June, this can translate into: 🔹 More comparing 🔹 Longer decision times 🔹 Potentially more price negotiation That’s not to say these months are bad — just that the edge the seller had in April begins to soften. 4. August – A Second Sweet Spot August deserves a moment of recognition. By this point:
This creates: 🌅 Renewed buyer urgency 📉 Lower active inventory than peak summer months 💡 Better opportunities for sellers willing to list later in summer In many years, August’s combination of motivated buyers and tightening selection brings homes back into a brisk selling rhythm. So What Does This Mean for You? If you’re considering selling lakefront property in the Finger Lakes… Best Windows to Consider: 📍 April — Prime Seller Market
When You Might Face More Competition: 📍 May & June
Final Thought Selling lakefront property isn’t just about the beautiful views — it’s about strategic timing. And the data from the past three years shows a clear advantage for sellers who list in April. If you want to position your property for competitive offers and a faster sale, spring — especially early spring — is your moment. Ready to talk strategy for your lakefront listing? Let’s connect. |
