If you only followed real estate headlines, you’d think today’s housing market is frozen, risky, or impossible to navigate.
But on the ground — especially in Westchester Real Estate markets like Chappaqua, Scarsdale, Briarcliff Manor, and surrounding towns — the data tells a very different story.
After working closely with buyers and sellers across Westchester County, here are the most common misconceptions I see, and what the numbers actually show.
Myth #1: “High Mortgage Rates Mean Buyers Should Sit Out”
Mortgage rates matter, but they are only one piece of the affordability equation.
In today’s Westchester Real Estate market:
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Inventory remains historically low in many desirable school districts
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Sellers are more open to negotiation than they were during peak bidding-war years
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Price reductions, seller concessions, and strategic financing options are back
Buyers who are financially prepared — with documentation ready and financing reviewed — often secure better overall terms today than during the ultra-competitive markets of 2021–2022.
Myth #2: “Sellers Can Still Price Like It’s 2021”
The market has shifted, but it hasn’t collapsed.
Homes that are:
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Properly priced for today’s conditions
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Well presented and move-in ready
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Positioned realistically within their local Westchester school district
are still selling — and in some cases selling quickly.
What no longer works is aspirational pricing without a plan. Today’s buyers are highly informed, factoring in Westchester property taxes, mortgage rates, and long-term affordability before making offers.
Myth #3: “The Market Is the Same Everywhere”
National housing headlines flatten a market that is anything but flat.
In reality:
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Westchester school districts drive demand and pricing
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Property taxes vary significantly town-by-town
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Street-by-street and neighborhood-level data matters more than national averages
A home in Chappaqua behaves very differently from one in Scarsdale or Briarcliff Manor — even when headlines suggest otherwise. Local expertise consistently outperforms national advice.
Myth #4: “Waiting Automatically Leads to Better Deals”
Waiting can be a strategy — but it is never a neutral one.
What buyers often underestimate:
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Rising rents
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Missed appreciation in strong Westchester sub-markets
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Increased competition once buyer confidence returns
The buyers succeeding today aren’t waiting on headlines — they’re preparing financially, understanding Westchester property taxes, and working with clear local data.
What the Data Actually Says About Westchester Real Estate
Today’s market rewards:
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Preparation over perfect timing
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Hyper-local knowledge over national noise
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Strategy over emotion
For both buyers and sellers, the biggest mistake isn’t participating in the market — it’s relying on outdated assumptions.
Final Thought
This is not a market to guess in.
It is a market to understand — especially in nuanced, high-value regions like Westchester County Real Estate.
