Home Improvements and Efficiency
As the heating season wraps up across the Rochester and Finger Lakes region, lake-effect winters have a way of exposing exactly where a home is losing energy, and now is the right time to act.
A free NYSERDA home energy audit is a strong first move; it produces a room-by-room efficiency report and a roadmap for prioritizing upgrades.
Where to focus:
- Attic insulation, rim joists, & air sealing — among the highest-return improvements in NY homes
- Furnace & boiler maintenance — or replacement with a cold-climate heat pump, which handles both heating and cooling in upstate temperatures
- Windows, exterior doors, and weatherstripping — especially important for older homes and lakefront properties exposed to wind and moisture
- Smart thermostat — pairs with any HVAC upgrade for better year-round control
Available incentives for 2026:
- NYSERDA Comfort Home Program — tiered rebates on insulation, air sealing, and heat pump installations statewide
- RG&E Smart Energy Rebates — utility rebates on qualifying heat pump systems for Greater Rochester-area customers
- NYSERDA EmPower+ — no or low-cost improvements (insulation, heat pumps, electrical upgrades) for income-eligible homeowners in Monroe, Ontario, Chemung, Steuben, and surrounding counties
- NY State Solar Tax Credit — 25% of installation cost, up to $5,000, carried forward up to five years; pairs with a 15-year property tax exemption on added home value and a state sales tax exemption on equipment
- NYSERDA Battery Storage Incentive — $200/kWh of usable capacity (up to $5,000) for upstate homeowners, applied at installation
Taking action this spring allows homeowners to spread costs, improve comfort before summer, and strengthen long-term property value in a market where energy performance increasingly matters to buyers.
Market Breakdown
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The Market Is Moving — And It's Moving Fast
Here's what the numbers are telling us across Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, and surrounding counties:
What's Happening Right Now
- Homes in Monroe County are going under contract in about a week, and selling for nearly 9% above the asking price
- In Genesee, Livingston, and Ontario counties, most homes are selling within 2–3 weeks, with sellers regularly closing above their list price
- Orleans County is moving at a slightly slower pace, with sales just under asking, but it remains the exception in an otherwise competitive region
Why It's Happening
- Inventory is lean; there simply aren't enough homes to meet buyer demand
- When buyers outnumber available homes, competition drives prices up
- List-price-received percentages remain high, meaning sellers aren't negotiating down, and buyers are competing up
What This Means For You
🏠If You're Buying:
- Get pre-approved before you start seriously looking; it's not optional in this market
- Know your number and be ready to move quickly when the right home appears
- Work with your agent to understand what a clean, competitive offer looks like in your target area
- Ask Your Agent: What does a strong offer look like in the area I’m targeting?
đź’° If You're Selling:
- Low inventory gives your home real leverage right now, but positioning matters
- Pricing right from the start (not high) is what creates the competition that gets you over asking
- This kind of market doesn't last forever; timing and strategy are everything
Ask Your Agent: What’s my home worth in today’s market, and what would it take to maximize my return?
The Bottom Line: It's a competitive market. Homes are moving fast, and prices are holding strong. Whether you're buying or selling, the right preparation and the right agent make all the difference.
Whether you have questions about real estate, current mortgage rates, or are simply curious about what your home’s equity might look like, we’re here to help. Click ‘Connect With Our Team’ to get connected with one of our Strategic Partners.
Is a real estate move not top of mind right now? When you are facing a home repair or are looking for a reliable service provider, just reach out. We’d love to connect you with one of our 100+ trusted local contractors and specialists.
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