What clients are saying…
So, imagine a property - 20 acres or so, old farmhouse (fully modernized), guest house, barns and outbuildings, fields, woods and pastures…with a small creek as its border. Now imagine that it’s been kept in the family and hasn’t been on the open market in 80 years. Dream come true? Agent’s challenge Right.
Our place went a year on the market with basically no interest. And then we met Arlena.
She listed a local commercial building and presented it beautifully. Lovingly, even. Her photographs and description brought us right in to the story of that property. That’s what we wanted: bring buyers into the story of our property. Help them see themselves as the next chapter.
Arlena promised us a listing with punch. Check.
She promised an open house that would engage. Check.
Inquiries. Viewings. Showings. Check, check, check.
We hoped the next chapter would bring a young family with hopes and a vision and that’s what we got (truly, a great story on its own). But Arlena came through in every way. Great communication and calm, supportive advice. We are lucky to have found her and glad to have had her help. We’ll recommend her with no reservation at all.
-Chris & Kathy, Schoharie
We feel so lucky that our paths crossed with Arlena and couldn’t have imagined a more perfect agent for us! Her knowledge of the area and the competitive market was invaluable to us; she very much got our vibe and was determined to help us find our dream home. She was very communicate and it really eased our anxieties. She assembled an absolute dream team for us with our mortgage broker, lawyer and inspection — as far as home buying goes, we felt like we hit nothing but green lights with Arlena and her dream team! As far as we’re concerned, Arlena was the best agent for us and we couldn’t be happier with the process and results!
-Harrison & Marnie, Kingston
We couldn’t have asked for a better agent than Arlena for purchasing our first home. Not only was she incredibly patient with us through many false starts, but when we kicked off the search in full she was so helpful, deeply knowledgeable, and always responded quickly to our many questions. Not only did she take the time to walk us through each and every part of the process throughout but she also played therapist in many ways, helping to reassure us and guide us through the closing process. We can’t recommend her enough and are so grateful to her!
-Alex & Amanda, Purling
Arlena made my first-time home buying experience an absolute breeze. She really understood my wish list and sent me listings that matched my criteria. In the end, we found the perfect home! She’s also incredibly punctual and organized. I highly recommend her!
-Marissa, Rosendale
We had a great experience working with Arlena. She helped us purchase raw land, which came with its own set of complexities. After due diligence was complete, she was able to help negotiate a credit toward the final purchase price. We appreciate Arlena's straightforward communication style, giving prompt and useful advice. Highly recommend!
-Matt & Pam, Roscoe
Arlena is an excellent agent - very knowledgeable and extremely responsive and dedicated to her clients. I highly recommend working with Arlena!
-Joanna, Valatie
Arlena is the best. She was incredibly knowledgeable/communicative throughout the process of buying our home and has continued to serve as an invaluable resource after the sale--recommending really high quality contractors/vendors in the area. I would highly recommend Arlena as your partner in all things buying/selling upstate.
-Adam & Zoe, Accord
Arlena was our ideal agent. She is incredibly knowledgeable about all the different counties in the Hudson Valley, there are a lot and we were looking across several of them! The search we thought was going to be overwhelming, Arlena made straightforward and as enjoyable as possible even in a difficult market. She was always ready to help guide us toward the properties that best suited our needs, and always confident of the homes value and potential. Her strong negotiating skills got us our dream home at the right price. After the purchase she seamlessly set us up with the perfect contractors and service people, making sure we were able to take over right where the previous owners left off. Our kids also LOVE her which was the cherry on top of an already great experience! Highly recommend to anyone looking for a first class agent.
-Domenic & Abra, Chatham
We worked with Arlena in buying land in the Hudson Valley. This was our first real estate purchase and from day one Arlena helped make the process very easy for us. She also helped us navigate the requests of the buyer during the closing, while protecting our own interests. Ultimately, we’re really happy we worked with her on our first purchase and will hopefully get to work with her again when we become sellers in the future.
-Tony & Andrea, Esopus
My husband and I wholeheartedly recommend Arlena to any prospective homebuyer. We were fortunate to be introduced to her through a friend, and we couldn't be happier with the outcome! In the midst of a challenging market, Arlena guided us to a property that perfectly suits our family's needs. One of the things we appreciated most about Arlena was her efficiency. She didn't waste our time showing us properties that weren't a good fit, which was a refreshing change from our past experiences with other agents. Moreover, her responsiveness in communication was outstanding, always keeping us in the loop and promptly addressing any concerns. Her local expertise was invaluable, and she patiently answered all of our questions with ease. Additionally, Arlena has a great eye for design, and we look forward to sharing ideas with her as we personalize our new home. Overall, Arlena made the entire home-buying process smooth and enjoyable. We're so thankful for her professionalism and guidance throughout the journey.
-James & Jessica, Accord
Arlena was so easy to work with from the start. Fast to respond, understanding, available. She listened to our needs and moved quickly when we found our house. She is super organized and on top of things but easy going and relaxed, a great combination. Arlena is also an amazing resource for a wide variety of upstate needs, from contractors and house cleaners to bars and restaurants. Could not recommend a better agent!
-Emma, Cragsmoor
Arlena came highly recommended to us from a friend after a few failed attempts with other agents in the Hudson Valley area. She was incredibly knowledgable, responsive, and reliable, which was particularly valuable as we searched for our first home in a really fast-paced, competitive, and unpredictable market. She made the entire process from searching to closing way less stressful than we expected — and even quite enjoyable and exciting at times with her positivity and unwavering support.
-Patrick & Regina, Port Ewen
We were so impressed with Arlena’s instincts, responsiveness, and professionalism. Within weeks of contacting her, we had bought our dream home. She took our loose vision for a future house and somehow brought us the perfect property on the first try. She answered all of our questions thoroughly and it was a pleasure to work with her! We feel very lucky to have worked with Arlena.
-Jacob & Morgane, Canaan
Arlena is the best and we are so happy to have had her with us during our house search. As first time buyers, we never thought we would find a house in our preferred location that checks most of our boxes- and Arlena got us just that! She has endless patience and hustled for us while still giving off very chill vibes. Her knowledge of the local market is very apparent and we are very grateful to her.
-Neil & Emily, Woodstock
Arlena was a joy to work with over several months earlier this year, after many false starts with agents who flaked on our upstate house search across several years of trying to make our dreams of owning "a house in the woods" a reality. She immediately understood our aesthetic, found us many great listings, was supportive and was extremely reachable and responsive to our questions and any issues that arose at all times. Unfortunately, there were more than expected, as we first tried to close on a house with a seller on a sale that ultimately fell through due to messiness on their part, after Arlena had spent countless hours on the deal. She helped us quickly find a new home that ended up being an even better fit for our family and where we are now the proud owners. Arlena is a kind, steady, knowledgable and patient presence who makes it much less painful (and even quite fun!) to navigate the upstate home market with.
-Matt & Leah, Kingston
Finding a house upstate is hard. Finding a house upstate that you love with all your heart is even harder. Actually buying that house seems impossible - until you bring Arlena into your life. She listens, acts fast, advises well, and fights for her clients like few others would. Arlena truly made all the difference for us and we couldn’t be more grateful for her endless support in buying the house of our dreams. We wholeheartedly recommend working with her.
-Alec & Uli, Saugerties
As first time home buyers, we couldn't have been in better hands than Arlena's. No question was too small - her patience, seemingly limitless. Timelines were always well communicated and we consistently felt prepared for what was next. On top of everything she did, all recommended vendors were so easy to work with, and post-closing vendors have been a dream too. We feel so lucky to have worked with Arlena!
-Glenn & Valerie, Roscoe
Arlena was fantastic through the entire process -- her knowledge of the area was spot on. So appreciative of the number of miles we covered looking for the perfect property and her no nonsense approach to entire process. Was seamless from start to finish. Handled every situation with professionalism and grace. Would highly recommend.
-Megan, Stamford
Arlena is the best! I can’t thank her enough for her patience and dedication to us. Many agents tend to say what potential clients want to hear, which is not helpful at all. Arlena doesn't do that, she'll truly advise on the needs of her clients even if it is a truth hard to swallow or if it is not exactly what the client wanted to hear. That is real and honest help! And that is what keeps clients satisfied with their purchase or sale. She will definitely be our agent for our next transaction. Thank you Arlena!
-Andres & Paola, Shandaken
Truly do yourself a favor and hire Arlena, you will not regret it. Arlena helped us purchase our first home and we cannot imagine doing it without her. She was knowledgable, responsive, and guided us through every step of the process. We had a particularly harrowing close process and I do not know how we would have gotten through it without Arlena. She fought for us every step of the way and was a true trusted advisor. I couldn't recommend Arlena enough!
-Brandon & Ali, Staatsburg
Arlena was exceptional to work with. She has a clear vision for the marketing of each unique property and has the resources and experience to help clients achieve their sales goals. She made it easy and we sold both properties within a few weeks of listing them.
-Rhianon, Freehold & Red Hook
Arlena helped us find our ideal upstate home with the ease, confidence, and "bedside manner" of a total pro. She has a deep understanding of the area and was able to point us in the right direction in terms of helping us find the right location and type of home for us. She was always eager to share her design expertise and renovation knowledge, too, which was helpful while visiting homes that weren't quite turnkey. We loved that she could see what homes COULD be, as opposed to what was right in front of us. As first time buyers, we had a steep learning curve and Arlena was helpful and generous with her time and knowledge, making sure we understood all the real estate jargon and that we were well-equipped to make competitive offers. Even after we closed, she was ready with a list of vendors and contractors who might be able to help us get settled in our new home. We'd recommend Arlena in a heartbeat!
-Max & Jess, Kerhonkson
Arlena was an absolute dream to work with. We recommend her 100%! Purchasing real estate is stressful—especially in this market. Working with an agent that knows the market and can advise when questions come up makes all the difference. She is also well connected and put us in touch with a lawyer and a loan company that got the job done. After we closed she connected us with a contractor that was fair in price and does great work. If you work with Arlena, you won’t be disappointed.
-Angeline & Ashley, Shokan
Arlena guided us through the buying process from start to finish! She completely understood our motivations for buying and what we are looking for, and therefore was able to proactively suggest listings we hadn't seen. Arlena arranged tours and recommended solicitors, surveyors and all the fun local hospitality spots as well. For a Brooklyn-based couple buying their first property upstate it was the perfect fit. She is super tapped in to the Hudson Valley / Catskills world, a marketing expert and we can't recommend her more.
-Richard & Christian, Woodstock
I couldn’t have asked for a better agent. Being a first time buyer, Arlena guided me through the nuances of the process. I felt assured at every step that she was on top of everything and had me in mind.
-Ryan, Roxbury
Arlena is everything you could hope for in an agent. She is super responsive, has a deep understanding of local trends, and a friendly, low- pressure style that made the entire process as stress free as it could possibly be. My husband and I fully renovated our house before listing it and Arlena gave us great advice on everything from market value to finishes that would make the property pop. She was on top of every detail and we never had to worry if things were getting done the right way. Arlena was a total pro from start to finish and I would recommend her with absolute confidence!
-Ryan & Lila, Neversink
I had no experience selling a house. Arlena patiently lead me through each step of the process. Her pleasant personality made a stressful situation much more relaxed. Her strategy for selling the house worked like a charm! We had many showings and many offers. Arlena is a knowledgeable and well respected agent. I recommend her without reservation. She is a delight to work with! Thank you Arlena.
-Patricia, Port Ewen
I am thrilled to share my positive experience working with Arlena for the sale of my land in West Shokan. From start to finish, she provided exceptional service and guidance that ultimately led to a successful sale well above an already optimistic asking price. Arlena was knowledgeable, professional, and communicative throughout the entire process. Her attention to detail was evident in the way she marketed the property, utilizing high-quality photos, well writen sales copy, and expansive social media outreach. Her negotiation skills were also impressive, as they were able to secure a final sale price that exceeded my already high expectations. I truly felt that she had my best interests in mind and worked tirelessly to ensure a smooth and successful transaction. In addition to her expertise, Arlena was also a pleasure to work with. She was friendly, responsive, and always available to answer any questions I had throughout the process. Her professionalism and dedication to her clients truly set her apart. Overall, I cannot recommend Arlena enough. If you’re in need of a knowledgeable and reliable real estate agent who’s going to go the extra mile to ensure a successful transaction, she’s the perfect choice.
-Scott, West Shokan
Arlena was the first and only realtor we ever spoke with regarding our first-time home buying experience and boy, did we get lucky! As a realtor, she is communicative, resourceful, and incredibly knowledgeable about local happenings. Arlena knows just when to engage with you as a buyer and is attentive to details we had no idea to look out for in a property. As a person, she is encouraging, genuine, and incredibly supportive, which was SO appreciated when it came to fixing up all the small things that could easily become overwhelming (see her Instagram for some major DIY inspiration!). We truly could not have asked for a better buying experience. Thank you, Arlena!
-Jamie & Hilary, Shokan
Arlena helped us find a home that was better than we could have ever imagined. We were initially very intimidated by the competitive real estate market, but Arlena was encouraging, patient, and honest with us. We trusted her instincts every step of the way. She went above and beyond and we couldn’t be more grateful.
— Jess & Kyle, Bethel
As Brooklyn folks wanting to live the best of both worlds, buying in the Catskills became the game plan. Like a gazillion other people we soon learned it was easier said than done! We had connected with Arlena through Instagram, and we really liked her responsiveness and vibe. It was more about the individual agent than the brokerage for us.
She knew what we were looking for as Brooklynites. Having been one herself, she could foresee what questions we would have in looking for a rural upstate house. As you can imagine, you need a shepherd to guide you not only through the buying process, but also life in rural upstate. Owning a home wasn’t new to me. Owning a rural home, now that takes some adjusting and planning.
Arlena answered all of the questions we had and, boy, did we have a lot of them!
I really do think we nailed the house we have now because of her. She was able to line up our shot quickly during a very competitive and low inventory market. Even post closing she has always lended an ear if we needed one. If you're an NYC person looking for an escape from the city hustle, she’s your shepherd!
— Vince & Audrey, Margaretville
I was a first time home buyer and was really nervous. Arlena was amazing and walked me through the entire process. From house hunting to closing Arlena was there! I love my farmhouse!
— Elissa, Esopus
Arlena helped me find my perfect, secluded dream spot during one of the craziest times in the market. I was a first time homebuyer trying to navigate a particularly difficult time for buyers in the Hudson Valley, but Arlena made the process smooth and easy to understand and always kept a positive attitude ensuring I never got discouraged. Her advice and recommendations were invaluable and I'm so thankful I had her in my corner. Arlena is an absolute gem - both as an agent and a human! - and I could not be more grateful to her for helping me find my dream home.
— Camie, Gardiner
We have used Arlena as a real estate agent in early 2021, at the height of the upstate real estate frenzy, and her knowledge and experience of the market have helped us secure an accepted offer and consequently buy our home in Ulster county.
She was always responsive to our questions and concerns during the whole process, which helped alleviate the stress that comes with looking for and purchasing a home and she has good tips and advice on a lot of real estate matters.
We highly recommend her and would use her service again in a heartbeat!
— Sabine & Steven, West Shokan
Arlena helped us find our magical upstate mountain escape! From the beginning she listened carefully to our needs and only brought us options that she knew we would adore. In fact, early on there were others we easily fell in love with, before she presented us the perfect home that we closed on. She truly knew what we were looking for.
Closing upstate seemed daunting, but Arlena held our hand through it, providing us references for local inspectors, banks and even helping us navigate a last minute permitting issue. She is truly knowledgeable about the area and is a subject matter expert.
We cannot thank her enough for such helping us find our home away from home, and we would easily work with her again!
-Michael & Ting, Round Top
I would highly recommend Arlena. She will make sure that everything goes smoothly, even dealing with difficult sellers. She is also not afraid to get you the best deal on your home or investment.