The Home Front
A note from Danielle
feel tired, and making intentional choices that protect and grow your investment over time.
Spring is traditionally the most active season in real estate, and the homes that perform best aren’t the ones rushed to market, they’re the ones prepared well in advance. Small, strategic improvements, smart maintenance, and a clear understanding of today’s market dynamics can make a meaningful difference when the time is right.
As always, this month’s issue is designed to keep you informed and inspired from market insights and recent sales to client stories and a seasonal recipe to enjoy at home. My goal is to be a steady resource for you, helping you navigate the market with clarity and confidence, whenever you need it.
Here’s to a strong start and a well-positioned season ahead.
Warmly,
Danielle
Market trends in our area
5216 Park Meadow Lane, Canandaigua | $419,900
Why Build when you can move right in to this beautiful CANANDAIGUA home!
Minutes from Downtown Canandaigua, the lake with trails and parks nearby!
Charming & elegant features throughout with upgrades that will impress!
Highly desirable Canandaigua street!
The natural sunlight that pours through! OUR FAVORITE FEATURES:
The stunning and updated bathrooms!
The flat, tree lined backyard!
4138 West Lake Road, Geneseo | $875,000
Set on beautiful West Lake Road along the shores of desirable Conesus Lake, this exceptional property offers sweeping lake views and 20’ of deeded lake rights, just a short walk from the home
OUR FAVORITE FEATURES:
A stunning view of Conesus Lake from every room!
The guest loft or rental space above the garage!
The 3 season room with fireplace and hot tub!
�� This is a huge moment for Danielle Clement Homes, and we couldn’t be more proud.
Out of every single agent across the entire #GRAR network, DCH has been ranked #8 overall, placing our team in the Top 1% of all performers for 2025, an incredible achievement that reflects the strength, consistency, and impact of this brand.
This recognition speaks to more than numbers. It represents the heart we bring to our clients, the standard we hold ourselves to, and the leadership that drives everything we do Under Danielle’s vision, DCH continues to raise the bar for what exceptional real estate service looks like, and this ranking proves it!
The best Valentine’s Day Ingredients:
-3 large skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (cut into ½-inch medallions)
-salt and pepper to taste
-½ cup all-purpose flour
-2 tablespoons vegetable oil, or as needed
-1 clove garlic, minced
-1 cup low sodium chicken broth
-½ lemon, thinly sliced (Optional)
-¼ cup fresh lemon juice
-2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
-3 tablespoons butter
-2 tablespoons minced Italian (flat-leaf) parsley
Lemon Chicken Piccata Preparation:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C). Place a serving platter into the oven to warm.
Step 2: Season chicken breast pieces with salt and pepper and dredge them in flour. Shake off excess flour. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet; pan-fry the chicken pieces until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Work in batches and do not crowd skillet, adding oil as needed. Place chicken pieces onto the warmed platter in the oven. When finished with all of the chicken, drain most of the oil from the skillet, leaving a thin coating on the surface of the pan
Step 3: Cook and stir minced garlic in the skillet until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Pour in chicken broth; scrape and stir any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Stir in lemon slices and bring the mixture to a boil. Let cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reduces to about 2/3 cup, 5 to 8 minutes. Add lemon juice and capers; simmer until sauce is reduced and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes more. Drop butter into the skillet and swirl it into sauce by tilting the skillet until butter is melted and incorporated. Add parsley; remove from heat and set aside.
Step 4: Arrange chicken medallions on serving plates and spoon sauce over each portion to serve.
Eastern U.S. dominates 2026’s best first-time homebuyer markets: Realtor.com
Written by: Daniel Banta
Realtor com released its 2026 ranking of the best markets for first-time homebuyers on Wednesday, revealing a list dominated by cities in the eastern United States, with Rochester, N.Y., claiming the top spot
The report highlights that while affordability remains a major hurdle nationally, specific markets like Rochester, Harrisburg, Pa., and Granite City, Ill., offer a rare combination of attainable home prices, solid economic forecasts and desirable local amenities
Notably, for the second consecutive year, no markets in the western U.S. appeared in the top 10, as high prices continue to outpace local incomes in that half of the country.
Affordability in the East
Realtor.com notes that its top picks offer “ a mix of affordability, abundant for-sale inventory, local amenities and solid metro-level housing forecasts and economic outlooks.”
The 2026 rankings underscore a distinct geographic shift for budget-conscious buyers. Nine of the top 10 markets are located in the eastern half of the country, though largely away from expensive coastal areas. Rochester, ranked first, boasts a median listing price of just $139,900. Harrisburg follows in second place with a median price of $151,999, while Granite City ranks third, offering the lowest median price on the list at $119,000.
According to Realtor.com, these markets stand out because they remain financially viable for young buyers. In all 10 featured markets, a median-income buyer aged 25 to 34 would spend less than 30% of their income on housing costs assuming a 10% downpayment and a 6.25% mortgage rate. Nationally, only 35.2% of markets evaluated met this affordability benchmark. “The markets that rise to the top in 2026 pair comparatively attainable forecasted home prices with strong local amenities and a supportive economic backdrop,” said Realtor com Chief Economist Danielle Hale in a press release. “For first-time buyers, that combination can mean a more manageable path to homeownership ”
1.Rochester, N.Y.
2.Harrisburg, Pa.
3.Granite City, Ill.
4.Birmingham, Ala.
5 North Little Rock, Ark
6.Syracuse, N.Y.
7 Baltimore, Md
8.St. Louis Park, Minn.
9.Pittsburgh, Pa.
10.Garfield Heights, Ohio
Six of these locations are principal cities within their metro areas, challenging the assumption that first-time buyers must retreat to distant suburbs to find affordability. Realtor.com noted that these centrally located markets offer “everyday convenience” such as shorter commutes and access to nightlife and shopping without the steep price tag often associated with urban living.
Strategic advice for buyers
While the list highlights specific geographies, Joel Berner, senior economist at Realtor.com, said in a statement provided to Scotsman Guide that the rankings should be viewed as a roadmap for strategy rather than just a reflection of current sales volume
“This report isn’t so much a measure of what IS happening with first-time homebuyers as it is a suggestion for what they SHOULD do,” Berner said. “The reality is that most people can’t uproot their lives and move across the country to buy a home (though there is some of this that happens), but the themes of this report are universally applicable. Specifically, targeting central cities or metro areas may be a strategy that works for FTHBs across the country.”
Berner also addressed the notable absence of western markets, suggesting that for potential firsttime homebuyers (FTHB) in expensive regions, patience might be the wisest financial move “Right now it’s tough to be a FTHB out West, as the desirable markets tend to be very unaffordable,” Berner told Scotsman Guide. “We are seeing that many would-be FTHBs are deciding to remain renters, and with the softness in rent levels in the West, it’s completely reasonable for them to do so. ”
Source: https://www.scotsmanguide.com/news/eastern-us-dominates-2026-best-first-time-homebuyermarkets/#:~:text=The%202026%20rankings%20underscore%20a,more%20manageable%20path%20to%20homeownership.%E2%80%9D
Parrish Street, Canandaigua
over asking SOLD $255,000
Kenwick Drive, Henrietta
over asking
Foster Road, Canandaigua
over asking
$500,000
Here's what our client's have to say...
We had a fantastic experience working with Amanda. She was always available, consistently communicated with us, and supported us through every step of the process Her dedication and professionalism made the entire experience smooth and stress-free ”
-T.Aroriode, Pittsford
Amanda and Danielle were absolutely the best. They understood leaving a house that I lived in for 46 years and downsizing into a smaller house was an emotional change. But moving into an updated place softened the blow. I rate them an A+ for communication, availability and making the whole buy/sell process seamless.
-M. Kubarycz, Penfield
Amanda was an absolute joy to work with. Helped us every step of the way and was so accommodating. We were really impressed by how well she knew the market and how to get us into homes we loved.
-A. McGovern, Farmington
Danielle is more than just a realtor. She is a trusted advisor, a dream come true maker, a truly caring soul and the utmost of professionals She knows the local market and current trends in the industry and always has her clients interests at heart. She may even call in some seriously big favors on your behalf if need be. At the end of the day, Danielle GETS THINGS DONE! We wouldn’t use anyone else in the area to buy or sell real estate.
-M. Tew, Canandaigua
Danielle and Team are simply the best. We got connected with Danielle by a glowing referral and were not disappointed in the least. Danielle's intimate knowledge of the market, very proactive communication style, and astute negotiation skills proved to be a winning combination. It helps that she's a really great human to boot! If you ' re lucky enough to work with Danielle and her team, know that you ' re in great hands.
-T. DiMarco, Cananadaigua
