Ian Koscak, Realtor

08/01/2024

Open House 🏡 today from 5:30-7. Come say hello 👋 at 144 Westchester Ave 14609!

06/22/2024

In all my driving around Rochester as a Realtor, I finally spotted one of these Cyber Trucks from Tesla! A few times! I haven’t gotten to speak with the owner or owners yet, but what are your thoughts on this very unique looking vehicle? It’s much larger in person 🛻

05/04/2024

Life is amazing. One minute your at Target to pick something up and then BAM you find an amazing collector car show right in the The Mall At Greece Ridge
Here are just a few of my favorites! I met Bob who resorted what I think was the best car there, The DeLorean. And my old roommate Daryl was there too!

04/25/2024

I had an AMAZING time browsing through this hidden gem today I just discovered! For collectors of all things or deal hunters this place is endlessly fascinating. I spent 2 hours and still had more to see!

Go there NOW and support your local businesses and find something special you never knew existed!

Rochester's most unique shopping destination

04/18/2024

Over the past year or so, a lot of people have been talking about how tough it is to buy a home. And while there’s no arguing affordability is still tight, there are signs it’s starting to get a bit better and may improve even more throughout the year.

1. Mortgage Rates

Despite the recent volatility, rates are still lower than they were last fall when they reached nearly 8%. On top of that, most experts still think they’ll come down some over the course of the year.

Any drop in rates can make a difference for you. When rates go down, you can afford the home you really want more easily because your monthly payment would be lower.

2. Home Prices

The second big factor to think about is home prices. Most experts project they'll keep going up this year, but at a more normal pace. That’s because there are more homes on the market this year, but still not enough for everyone...



Ian Koscak - Lic. RE Salesperson - eXp Realty

Over the past year or so, a lot of people have been talking about how tough it is to buy a home.

04/17/2024

You may have seen reports in the news recently saying it’s more affordable to rent right now than it is to buy a home.

How Equity Changes the Game

If you rent, your monthly rental payments only go toward covering your housing costs and your landlord’s expenses. So other than saving a bit more per month and maybe getting your rental deposit back when you move, the money you spent on housing each month is gone – forever.

When you buy, your monthly mortgage payment pays for your shelter, but it also acts as an investment. That investment grows in the form of equity as you make your mortgage payment each month and chip away at what you owe on your home loan. Your equity gets an extra boost as home values climb – which they typically do.

Imagine you purchased a home for $400,000 at the start of this year. Chances are, since you bought, you plan to stay put for a while...



Ian Koscak - Lic. RE Salesperson - eXp Realty

You may have seen reports in the news recently saying it’s more affordable to rent right now than it is to buy a home. 

04/16/2024

If you’ve got a move on your mind, you may be wondering whether you should wait to sell until mortgage rates come down before you spring into action. Here’s some information that could help answer that question for you.

In the housing market, there’s a longstanding relationship between mortgage rates and buyer demand. Typically, the higher rates are, you’ll see lower buyer demand. That’s because some people who want to move will be hesitant to take on a higher mortgage rate for their next home. So, they decide to wait it out and put their plans on hold.

But when rates start to come down, things change. It goes from limited or weak demand to good or strong demand. That’s because a big portion of the buyers who sat on the sidelines when rates were higher are going to jump back in and make their moves happen.

As Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist for Bright MLS, explains...



Ian Koscak - Lic. RE Salesperson - eXp Realty

If you’ve got a move on your mind, you may be wondering whether you should wait to sell until mortgage rates come down before you spring into action.

04/15/2024

Have you been saving up to buy a home this year? If so, you know there are a number of expenses involved – from your down payment to closing costs. But did you also know your tax refund can help you pay for some of these expenses?

While how much money you may get in a tax refund is going to vary, it can be encouraging to have a general idea of what’s possible.

But if you do get a refund, here are a few examples of how you can use it when buying a home. According to Freddie Mac:

• Saving for a down payment – One of the biggest barriers to homeownership is setting aside enough money for a down payment. You could reach your savings goal even faster by using your tax refund to help.
• Paying for closing costs – Closing costs cover some of the payments you’ll make at closing. They’re generally between 2% and 5% of the total purchase price of the home. You could direct your tax...



Ian Koscak - Lic. RE Salesperson - eXp Realty

Have you been saving up to buy a home this year?

04/12/2024

If you’re about to retire, or just did, downsizing can be a good way to try to cut down on some of your expenses. Smaller homes typically have lower energy and maintenance costs. Plus, you may have enough equity built up to fuel your move. If you're thinking about moving to a smaller home, let’s go over your goals and look at your options in our local market.



Ian Koscak - Lic. RE Salesperson - eXp Realty

If you’re about to retire, or just did, downsizing can be a good way to try to cut down on some of your expenses.

04/11/2024

There’s no arguing it, affordability is still tight. And if you’re trying to buy a home, that may mean you need to look at smaller houses to find one that’s still in your budget. But there is a silver lining: builders are focused on building these smaller homes right now and they’re offering incentives. And that can help give you more options that fit the bill.

Newly Built Homes Are Trending Smaller

During the pandemic, homebuyers wanted (and could afford) larger homes – and builders delivered. They focused on homes that were bigger, so people had more space for things like working from home, having a home gym, bonus rooms for virtual school, and more.

But with the affordability challenges buyers are facing today, builders are increasingly shifting their attention to bringing smaller single-family homes to the market.

So, why the shift to less square footage? It’s...



Ian Koscak - Lic. RE Salesperson - eXp Realty

There’s no arguing it, affordability is still tight.