Buyers Fleeing New York

But Homes For Sale Scarce

By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

The real-estate market in Margaretville and Andes, in southern Delaware County, are “on fire right now,” said Michele Stoeger, executive officer, Otsego-Delaware Board of Realtors. “Everyone’s working for downstate people.”

And the flames are lapping into southern Otsego County, said veteran realtor Joan Fox. “I haven’t seen demand like this – ever.

“We have agents in four counties – Otsego, Delaware, Schoharie and Chenango,” she continued. “Across the board, primary- or secondary-home market, the demand is incredible, and it’s outstripping the supply of houses available.”

Even Cooperstown, four-plus hours from Manhattan, is feeling the heat. “It’s almost like a little frantic,” said Amy Stack of Stack-Page Properties. “People are trying to get into places. There are no places to show them.”

Veteran realtors liken what’s happening now to what happened after 911, when urbanites fearing a repeat of the Twin Towers’ attack moved Upstate from New York City.

Margaret Savoie, owner of Cooperstown’s Don Olin Agency, agreed with Stack that “there’s a low inventory, but some houses have been on the market and not selling. We can accommodate them.”

With landlords used to serving the 13-week Dreams Park market, “there are no rentals” for people looking to rent year ’round. However, “interestingly, some people are looking for land.”

And, by the way, today everyone also wants high-speed Internet and cellphone access. “If a property has access to high-speed Internet service, it’s very attractive,” said Fox.

Until Monday, June 1, Governor Cuomo’s emergency declaration closed real-estate offices, and many local real estate offices added photos to their online listings, even virtual tours.