We also scoured popular neighborhoods from Canandaigua to Lake Ontario and did the math to find the best recommendations for your budget and lifestyle. Then we put everything together in this comprehensive guide to which Rochester neighborhoods are the best fit for you \u2014 and why it\u2019s important to research what seems like a particularly good deal.<\/p>\n Rochester was incorporated as a city in 1834. Much of its architecture dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries and includes Victorian, Italianate, Craftsman, and American Foursquare homes. As the fifth-oldest metropolitan area in the country, Rochester\u2019s housing stock is made up of nearly 60% pre-World-War-II-built homes<\/a>, while in the suburbs and surrounding towns and villages, older homes top out at about 22%.<\/p>\n Most of Rochester\u2019s housing stock is made up of single-family homes with an average price of $100,000 to $199,000<\/a> as of late 2019. Some homes are being revitalized and sold to a new generation of homeowners and can be found in the $50,000 to $75,000 price range in neighborhoods like the 19th Ward, bordered by the Erie Canal and Genesee Street.<\/p>\n With so many homes over 75 years old, there are challenges in keeping them from falling into disrepair. The Rochester Land Bank Corp<\/a>, established in 2013, is just one of the entities that has been acquiring derelict homes, many of which are sold to developers. They, in turn, revitalize the properties and make neighborhoods more desirable to buyers.<\/p>\n One example of this lies within Rochester\u2019s tiny house movement<\/a>. Small, inner-city homes from the turn of the last century are a hit with Millenials looking for cheaper digs. In places like the 19th Ward, investors<\/a> are buying up vacant homes and rebuilding them with open floor plans and sustainable materials that make the most of the space at hand.<\/p>\n The inner city is indeed on the upswing, but it does have a long way to go, according to Van Camp, who notes that a perceived good deal may be a bad sign when it comes to an area.<\/p>\n \u201cRochester is trying to give financial incentives for people to move in, but the crime rate in the inner city has escalated,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just like anywhere else; condition and location are critical. This also ties into the school districts.\u201d<\/p>\n School districts are so important, many families search outside of the city limits, where top-rated schools can be found.<\/p>\n According to Van Camp, everything on the east side of the city and in the towns and villages on its outskirts can resonate with potential homeowners.<\/p>\n Modern loft spaces<\/a> in redeveloped office buildings are a hit with Millennials, according to Van Camp. Here, walkability is key, and downtown\u2019s proximity to the historic districts of Park Avenue and East Avenue make the location good for those who like a high-energy environment, great restaurants, nightlife, and plenty of local culture from museums to festivals.<\/p>\n This area, however, is not conducive to young families, particularly as the Rochester Public School system does not get high marks from residents due primarily to recent budget cuts<\/a>.<\/p>\n Once farmland, Webster<\/a>, located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, has seen much in the way of new development in recent years, yet continues to retain its humble charm. The shops of local craftsmen and eateries line its main thoroughfare, while new and larger homes in the $200,000-and-up range (as of late 2019) dot its landscape.<\/p>\n For families who enjoy summertime outings at the lake and want their kids to attend some of the highest-ranking schools<\/a> in the area, Webster hits all the marks. Developments here feature luxury homes with granite countertops, two-story foyers, hardwood throughout, and large master suites<\/a>.<\/p>\n According to Van Camp, bidding wars have taken place for homes in these areas, which are extremely desirable among those looking for quiet, safe neighborhoods. Properties are also in the $200,000 range as of late 2019 and tend to be bigger, with wide swaths of land around them.<\/p>\n These areas offer a real sense of community with a rural feel and are considered some of the most ideal places for raising kids in the area. \u201cTheir school districts<\/a> are in high demand,\u201d says Van Camp. \u201cFamilies here typically settle on larger, newer homes, with three bedrooms and up.\u201d<\/p>\n Homes on Lake Ontario were once a sure bet when it came to desirability. However, in recent years, buying lakefront property has become a bit of a double-edged sword.<\/p>\n The lake has seen record-high water levels and flooding, due in part to particularly wet winter and spring seasons. Another large factor though, is the 2017 change of plan by the International Joint Commission (IJC)<\/a>, a committee managing U.S.\/Canadian waterways to balance the needs of property owners while keeping the wetlands viable. Since then, some property values on the waterfront have flatlined.<\/p>\n \u201cThe northern part of Webster, Sodus Point, and Pultneyville have become a lot less desirable,\u201d notes Van Camp. She reiterates that it\u2019s not all doom-and-gloom for those who wish to live near the water, but that it depends on the actual location of a property itself \u2014 homes with rock breakwalls will have more value retention because the ground underneath them is solid. However, without a breakwall in place, properties are not safe.<\/p>\n Van Camp has seen firsthand what can happen. While checking out a waterfront home in Sodus Point for a client based in New York City, she explains, \u201cThe house had five to eight feet of grass in front of it, but there was no soil underneath. Without it, there was a 35-foot drop into the lake.\u201d<\/p>\n Van Camp recommends waterfront properties located in Irondequoit Bay and the Finger Lakes region. But if you\u2019re still interested in homes around Lake Ontario, make sure you do your homework first \u2014 your decision will have to be made on a case-by-case basis. \u201cYou really have to look at each home to judge,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Home inspector Tom Sansone agrees that some homes fare better than others in lakefront areas. \u201cMoisture is an issue, which can not only cause damage to the foundation<\/a>, but the furnace and electrical. Both need to be replaced when compromised by flooding.\u201d<\/p>\n He adds, \u201cThe weather at the lake also tends to be nasty in the winter months, which is tough on the exterior of homes here. We see wind damage on the outside as well as moisture damage everywhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n The biggest group of buyers in Rochester is Millenials, who made up 36% of sales<\/a> in 2018, followed by Gen-X and retirees looking to downsize.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve got a number of seniors looking to find developments with finished basements and only one floor \u2014 they want places that require no maintenance,\u201d Van Camp says. \u201cYounger people are looking for homes under $200,000, like split-levels<\/a> and raised ranches, which were popular in the \u201990s. They tend to be less desirable in terms of design, but they\u2019re selling because of the lower price point.\u201d<\/p>\n So how do you beat out the competition? Here are some tips.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re pre-approved for a specific loan amount, when searching stay within that range. Bidding wars have ensued for properties in Rochester, and buyers who have mortgage<\/a> preapproval<\/a> and proof of funds have a higher ratio of their offers getting accepted than those who don\u2019t.<\/p>\n Within the first 12 to 24 hours of hitting the market, a house can have multiple offers<\/a> on it. Make yourself available, wherever and whenever you can, and if you see something, act on it. A house won\u2019t wait for you.<\/p>\n The fewer contingencies you have in your offer, the better the chance that the seller will accept your offer \u2014 contingencies are often seen as possible roadblocks to a successful deal.<\/p>\n In a seller\u2019s market, know that you\u2019ll have to sometimes offer over asking price \u2014 and be sure to show the seller you\u2019re willing to work on their timetable, not the other way around.<\/p>\n The months from November to March tend to be slow due to the holidays and the weather, with February ranked as the quietest month<\/a> for real estate transactions. As winter breaks and the region begins to warm up, the competition does, too.<\/p>\n Historically, buyers who put bids in over asking price in March and early April are still not winning their desired homes<\/a>, as there is scant little in the way of new listings, but don\u2019t get discouraged.<\/p>\n According to HomeLight\u2019s Best Time to Sell Calculator<\/a>, home sales in Rochester and surrounding areas hit their peak in midsummer. Sellers who put their homes on the market in April see them sell on average eight days sooner in July than if they list during any other month.<\/p>\n Real estate is changing, which concerns Van Camp. She predicts a shift in how the market works with homebuyers and sellers in the next few years, particularly in light of Amazon\u2019s move into real estate<\/a> and the increase of homes that are for sale by owner<\/a>. As more sellers consider this option, understanding the pros and cons of for sale by owner<\/a> becomes essential.<\/p>\n \u201cI fear that people underestimate the need for a good Realtor,\u201d Van Camp said. \u201cThey may use an attorney instead of a Realtor in the transaction. Attorneys do not do what we do, by any means.\u201d<\/p>\n If you\u2019re ready to put down roots in the Rochester area, top local agents can help you save more than $20,000 on a home, according to data from HomeLight<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Get](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/buy-house-in-rochester-roof-666x381.png\")
<\/a>There\u2019s something for everyone when it comes to Rochester homes<\/h2>\n
![\"Be](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/buy-house-in-rochester-class-666x381.png\")
<\/a>A breakdown of Rochester\u2019s hottest locales<\/h2>\n
Downtown<\/h3>\n
Webster<\/h3>\n
Villages of Fairport, Victor, Canandaigua, and Farmington<\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/buy-house-in-rochester-lake-666x381.png\")
<\/a>The changing tides of lakefront property<\/h3>\n
![\"Rochester](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/buy-house-in-rochester-snow-666x381.png\")
<\/a>Tips for landing a home in Rochester\u2019s competitive market<\/h2>\n
1. Make sure your financing is in order, and don\u2019t look for something you can\u2019t afford.<\/h3>\n
2. Be prepared to shop around.<\/h3>\n
3. Cut down on the contingencies<\/a>.<\/h3>\n
4. Go with the flow and be realistic.<\/h3>\n
![\"Don't](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/buy-house-in-rochester-break-666x381.png\")
<\/a>5. Wait until the weather breaks.<\/h3>\n
Work with a top Rochester-area real estate agent you can trust<\/h3>\n