THE REAL STORY ABOUT BUYER & SELLER BEHAVIOR IN THE FINGER LAKES RIGHT NOW
Hi there —
One theme has come up over and over in my conversations with agents across the Finger Lakes this month:
“Why are buyers acting so cautiously while some sellers still think it’s 2021?”
If you’ve felt that disconnect, you’re not alone — the region is experiencing a subtle tension between buyer realism and seller optimism.
BUYERS AREN’T GONE — THEY’RE JUST MORE SELECTIVE
Across Canandaigua, Geneva, and Penn Yan especially, agents are noticing:
• buyers are slower to decide
• pre-approvals are more conservative
• condition matters more than ever
• lifestyle buyers remain active but value-conscious
Buyers want certainty — not speed.
SELLERS ARE SPLIT INTO TWO MINDSETS
Mindset 1: The Realistic Seller (Canandaigua, Geneva, Hammondsport)
• listens to data
• prices strategically
• prepares the home well
• understands interest rate dynamics
Mindset 2: The “Try-the-Market” Seller (Seneca Falls, Waterloo, Dundee, rural areas)
• anchored to pandemic-era pricing
• wants to “test the waters”
• may not have a clear relocation plan
• assumes lakefront demand applies universally
LAKEFRONT MARKETS PLAY BY THEIR OWN RULES
Across Keuka, Seneca, and Canandaigua corridors:
“It’s quiet… until suddenly it isn’t.”
These buyers make decisions based on timing, emotion, and lifestyle, not pure economics.
THE REAL CHALLENGE FOR AGENTS
It isn’t inventory — it’s managing expectations on both sides.
Agents are juggling:
• cautious buyers
• optimistic sellers
• emotional lakefront markets
• rural properties needing explanation
• scrutiny on condition and value
This isn’t a hard market — it’s a high-communication market.
WHAT’S WORKING FOR AGENTS NOW
Agents gaining traction are:
• leading with clear communication
• resetting buyer timelines
• pricing to the present market
• using data without overwhelming
• staying visible and consistent
IF YOU’RE FEELING THE TENSION…
You’re not imagining it — and you’re not alone.
If you want to talk through your buyers, listings, or how these patterns show up in your part of the Finger Lakes, I’m here.
Sometimes a short conversation brings all the clarity you need.
Reply anytime — I’d love to connect.