When Nathalie Fontaine and her family decided to relocate from Japan to New York seven years ago, they were looking for something unique, within commuting distance to Manhattan, and an international school nearby. They found their perfect match in Rye at 33 Mount Holly Drive. Distinctive architecture set the home apart, with a hand-hewn cedar splits roof, skylights, walls of windows, and a raised living room. The design had a contemporary feel, with a fabulous open plan. The property was just 40 minutes from NYC via Metro North, and conveniently located near the French American School of New York. This house was idyllic. “It was a sanctuary nestled in the woods, providing privacy, and a special kind of charm,” Nathalie says. Fiona Dogan was the listing agent for their new home. They hit it off immediately and stayed in touch throughout the years.

Downsizing Your Home

When it came time to sell the house, Nathalie and her family turned to Fiona. By then, their children were grown, and as empty nesters, Nathalie and her husband wanted to move to New York City to experience the city during a different life stage.
“We spoke to several agents to see what they had to offer. No one understood the house like Fiona did. She recognized the special qualities of this home, and knew how to highlight them effectively. She understood how to market, explain it, and how to sell it,” Nathalie says.

Prepping Your Home for Sale

Fiona advised staging the home to make it buyer-ready, a suggestion that was initially met with some resistance. Nathalie admits, “I was proud, and thought – ‘what’s wrong with my decor?’ But Fiona knew how to neutralize our space to transform it so that a buyer could envision themselves in the house.”

Fiona also understood that staging can make a significant difference when selling. Buyers are more willing to visit a staged home they saw online, reports the National Association of REALTORs. According to a 2021 survey from the National Real Estate Staging Association, staging also impacts sales: buyers are willing to offer an average of $40,000 over the list price for staged homes. Seller agents also notice a decrease in time on the market for these houses.

 

Strategic Planning to Sell Your Home

Fiona’s transparent and straightforward approach made the process smooth, and mitigated stress. Nathalie appreciated Fiona’s honesty and expertise. “We planned to leave the country for a while, and everything was booming in the market. Things were changing quickly, so the timing was important. Fiona assured us that we had options.”

Fiona’s deep understanding of the market dynamics and her strategic advice were invaluable. “As foreigners and expats, our knowledge of the U.S. real estate market was limited. We decided to try and sell the house off market first,” recalls Nathalie. “Fiona explained the process. She watched the market. Last December [2023] we decided to go for it and put the house on the market. She listened and assuaged our fears.”
The real estate trends in the New York Metro region and Westchester County highlight the importance of strategic planning when selling a home. A strong demand for residential properties has led to low inventory, driving competition among buyers and often leading to bidding wars and over-asking price sales.

Fiona’s confidence in finding the right buyer proved well-founded. The home sold in a week, with three potential buyers and two competitive offers. “We achieved our financial goal, with an over-asking price. We were so happy,” Nathalie says.

‘Highly Recommend Fiona’

Today’s dynamic market conditions highlight the importance of having a knowledgeable agent who can navigate these rapid changes. Reflecting on their journey, Nathalie says she would highly recommend Fiona. “Her expertise and ability to connect with her clients on a personal level set her apart. She’s very professional, fun, and friendly. Her individualized approach was helpful because the experience of downsizing can be traumatizing — it was tough to leave our beloved home.”
Fiona Dogan’s expertise, professionalism, and personal touch made all the difference for Nathalie and her family.

Whether buying or selling, Fiona’s clients can trust that they are in the best hands. Looking to buy or list? Contact Fiona.