Haven Homes LLC

05/11/2026

03/29/2026

One issue I’m especially passionate about is housing.

I regularly hear from young people who would love to move back to Cornwall—but simply can’t afford today’s home prices. At the same time, many seniors who are ready to sell and transition to more manageable, one-floor living are finding that those options are limited as well.

Right now, there are 26 homes on the market in Cornwall, and about 50% are priced over $800,000. That reality makes it difficult for many people—at different stages of life—to find a place here.

That’s why I’m proud that Cornwall is now recognized as a pro-housing community. This designation opens the door for the Town to apply for infrastructure grants that can support new housing opportunities.

If we want to keep our community strong and connected, we need to think beyond single-family homes. Thoughtful development that includes townhouses and apartments can help create more options—for young families, for seniors, and for everyone in between.

This is about making sure Cornwall remains a place where people can live, grow, and stay.

02/06/2026

☀️ The Stage Is Set for a Stronger Spring Housing Market ☀️

There’s some good news heading into spring, according to Homes.com Chief Economist Brad Case.

🔹 Buyer confidence is rising, especially among adults ages 25–44, the prime homebuying group.
🔹 Lenders are easing standards for traditional (conforming) mortgages and expect stronger loan demand in 2026, making it easier for many buyers to qualify.
🔹 Together, improved confidence and more flexible lending point to a more active and accessible spring market than we’ve seen in recent years.

📈 Americans are feeling better about their personal finances overall. The Personal Financial Outlook Index jumped from 50.6 in November to 56.9 in January (anything above 50 signals optimism). Interestingly, this confidence exists even while people remain skeptical about federal economic policy.

👥 The optimism is strongest among 25–44 year olds, whose confidence score hit 62.2, suggesting many feel ready to handle the costs of homeownership. Meanwhile, adults 65+ were slightly pessimistic, which may signal more downsizing or selling in that group.

🌎 Regionally, confidence is high across the country:

South: 59.6

Northeast: 56.7

West: 55.6

Midwest: 53.7 (still solid, despite recent price increases)

Bottom line: Buyers are feeling more financially secure, lenders are more open to lending, and spring could bring more movement — and more opportunity — to the housing market.

See why Homes.com is the #1 fastest growing real estate search site. Use our new neighborhood & school search to find your perfect home.

01/14/2026

A lot of people ask why housing feels so much harder today than it did decades ago.
This snapshot compares what it took to buy a home in the 1980s versus today in the Hudson Valley.
It’s not about nostalgia—it’s about understanding the real cost pressures families are facing right now.

01/06/2026

Most buyers think waiting is harmless.
It’s not.
There’s a cost to sitting on the sidelines.... it just doesn’t show up as a monthly payment, so people ignore it.
Right now, that cost looks like this:
People are fixated on a specific number.
5%. As if the market pauses until it shows up.
It won’t.
While buyers wait to save perhaps $100–$150 a month on future rates, the part of the market that actually creates leverage is quietly closing.
Sellers have been covering costs. Cutting prices. Being flexible.
Not because they’re generous but because demand hasn’t fully returned yet. That’s the opportunity.

And here’s what usually happens next:
Once rates move enough to change the headlines, buyers don’t trickle back in. They rush. Sellers stop conceding. Prices do the work that rates used to do. So, yes, waiting might get you a lower rate.
You’ll just pay for it in a higher purchase price and more competition.
The leverage buyers have today exists because rates aren’t perfect.
When rates “get better,” that leverage disappears.
This market isn’t about timing a number.
It’s about understanding when the balance quietly shifts...
And that shift is already happening.

05/27/2025

In a competitive market, buying your dream home often means going head-to-head with other buyers. So how do you come out on top? In this video, Mary Heed, experienced real estate agent and founder of Haven Homes LLC, shares her top strategies for winning a bidding war—without blowing your budget or losing your cool.

From making a strong first offer to knowing when to walk away, Mary breaks it all down so you can make confident, winning moves.

05/20/2025

Thinking about trading city life for the charm of the countryside?

You’re not alone. Many New Yorkers are making the move to the beautiful Hudson Valley in search of more space, fresh air, and a slower pace. In this video, Mary Heed, real estate agent and founder of Haven Homes LLC, shares what you really need to know before making the leap from NYC to the country.

From commuting considerations to property maintenance, she covers the key things that can make or break your experience.

05/15/2025

Thinking about selling your home? Don’t rely solely on Zestimates to determine your property’s value. In this video, Mary Heed, licensed real estate agent and founder of Haven Homes LLC, explains why online estimates can be misleading—and what you should do instead to get a true sense of your home’s worth.

Get the facts, avoid the pitfalls, and make confident decisions with Mary’s expert insight.