Sharon Quataert Team with Century 21 Apex

09/22/2026

Everyone needs a place that’s just for them. Not the shared living room or the busy kitchen, but a smaller, quieter place that’s all your own.

Maybe it’s a she shed in the backyard, a reading nook by the window, a library with a door (or even a hidden one), a spare bedroom turned office or studio, a comfy chair with good lighting, a finished basement corner, or a porch swing.

These spaces do not have to be big or fancy; they just need to be distinctly yours.

Where do you go to get some space in your own home? Tell us below. If your house doesn’t have a spot like this but you’ve been wanting one, keep it in mind next time you think about moving. Some homes have the perfect little room just waiting to become your own retreat.

09/18/2026

🕷Forget Halloween. The spiders come out when they want to come out, and that, my friend, is now. As nights get cooler, spiders look for warmth, so you’ll see more of them in the house, garage, and basement. But don’t fret, they may have bark, but they mostly won’t bite.

Almost certainly harmless:
American house spiders, wolf spiders, funnel weavers (grass spiders), orb weavers, cellar spiders (daddy longlegs), and jumping spiders make up almost all the spiders you’ll see around a New York home. Wolf spiders might look scary, but they don’t build webs, rarely bite, and aren’t dangerous. Orb weavers are the big, colorful spiders you’ll spot outside in late summer and fall, and they’re very helpful in the garden.

What’s more of a concern this time of year are yellow jackets and rodents. Yellow jackets get more aggressive as their colonies peak in late summer and fall, which is why you’ll want to be mindful when apple or pumpkin picking. And mice, chipmunks, rats, or other rodents are looking for warmth as it gets colder, so those little naughties will find a way in. Both cause more real problems for homeowners every fall than spiders. Promise.

If you see a lot of spiders suddenly, it's usually a sign that there are other insects around for them to eat. Handle that food source, and the spiders tend to look elsewhere. We’ve got a handy resource guide if you need a professional to take care of any of the above.🕸

09/17/2026

🏡 TWO HOMES. TWO DAYS. ONE WEEKEND TO HOUSE HUNT. 👀

We’ve got TWO open houses happening this weekend, so if “just browsing” turns into “wait… I could actually live here,” we’ve got you covered.

📍 Saturday — 205 Kinmont Dr, 14612
⏰ 11am-12:30pm

📍 Sunday — 32 Wendy Ln, 14626
⏰ 1:30pm-3pm

Come take a look, picture yourself here, and maybe find the one. 🗝

09/17/2026

✨ NEW LISTING ✨ Your next chapter starts here!

This move-in ready Greece Colonial offers 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1,624 sq. ft. and all the space you need to live, host, relax & grow.

🍳 Eat-in kitchen
🌿 Deck made for morning coffee & summer hangs
🛏️ Primary suite with walk-in closet
✨ Partially finished basement
🔨 Major updates already done - roof, windows, furnace & A/C, and baths!

This house is ready for someone to make it a home. Could that be you? 👀

📍 32 Wendy Ln, 14626 - Asking $274,900

09/17/2026

Join our grand opening on October 1st from 4-6! 🤩

The Sharon Quataert Team with Century 21 Apex has relocated its residential real estate office to 1239 University Ave in Rochester, establishing a centralized location. bit.ly/3TdoE4X

09/16/2026

If you find yourself side-eyeing that very big tree every time the wind blows, you are not alone. It seems every established neighborhood in Rochester has taken a hit several times this year. Most of the time, the type of tree is the culprit, not just the weather.

Fast-growing, soft-wooded trees like silver maple, willow, and Bradford (Callery) pear are popular because, well, we are impatient and they grow quickly. That speed comes at a cost. Their wood is weaker, their branches are narrower, and they are far more prone to splitting and snapping in wind, ice, or heavy snow (hello, Rochester weather!).

In contrast, native hardwoods like sugar maple, oak, hickory, and beech grow slowly, putting their energy into stronger, denser wood. They live much longer and stand up to storms much better.

If you're not sure about a tree in your yard:

Be on the lookout for narrow, V-shaped branch angles as opposed to wide, more structurally sound U-shaped ones. Narrow angles are a structural weak point.

Check for large dead limbs, cracks, or leaning that have gotten markedly worse lately.

If a tree is near your house, garage, or power lines and you’re feeling (rightfully) uneasy about it, have a certified arborist check it out. An annual inspection costs little compared to the cost of storm damage.

If you're planting new:

Choose native, slow-growing hardwoods like oak, hickory, beech, and sugar maple. They take patience to grow but reward you with strength and storm resistance for years to come. 🌳

09/15/2026

🏡 NEW LISTING IN GREECE 🏡

Move-in ready + room to grow? Say less.

This spacious split-level offers just over 1,500 sq. ft. of living space, with 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, and plenty of room to make it your own. Whether you’re starting out, growing your family, or just need a little more space for all your stuff (we’re not judging 😂), this one has you covered.

📍205 Kinmont Dr, Rochester NY 14612

Contact us today to schedule a showing!

09/15/2026

Join us for our Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on University Ave! ✨🥂

After 40 years in Rochester real estate and 11 years at our flagship location in Greece, the Sharon Q Team with Century 21 Apex has found a new home on University Ave, and we want to celebrate this milestone with you.

▪️Thursday, October 1st | 4 to 6 PM
▪️1239 University Ave, Suite 1, Rochester, NY 14607

Ribbon cutting starts at 4 PM, followed by food, drinks, and catching up with friends, clients, fellow agents, and city officials.

We would love to see you there!

09/14/2026

Making your house feel like home doesn’t always require a contractor. The key to avoiding costly repairs is knowing which projects you can tackle yourself and which ones need a pro.

Good DIY territory:

Painting a room or wallpapering. Swapping cabinet hardware and light fixtures. Installing floating shelves or even making pre-fab shelves look built-in. Refreshing landscaping and garden beds.

Caulking and re-grouting. Small trim and molding touch-ups. Tiling if you’re more experienced with DIY.

Leave it to a licensed pro:

Anything electrical. Plumbing beyond a faucet or showerhead. Structural changes, including the removal or alteration of walls. Roofing. Anything involving gas lines. Foundation or major water intrusion issues. HVAC installation or major repair. Anything requiring a permit, which is more projects than you might think.

Cosmetic updates are fine to do yourself, but anything involving your home’s systems, structure, or safety should be handled by a licensed professional to ensure it’s done right.

One more thing to keep in mind: a DIY job gone wrong can actually hurt your home's value when it comes time to sell, while the same project done professionally can add to it.

09/11/2026

Girl power in this office is growing by TWO! 🎀

Our very own Brittany and Danielle are both expecting sweet baby girls, and we spent the day celebrating these two amazing mamas-to-be! 💕 One is stepping into motherhood for the very first time, while the other is getting ready to add a little girl to her current boy mom status!

We can’t wait to welcome two more little princesses to our work family and watch these incredible women take on their newest adventure. Our office is about to get a whole lot more pink! 🩷👶🏼✨