With nearly 30 years in the real estate industry, Monika Dvorak has watched buyer preferences evolve throughout Long Beach and the South Shore. One of the biggest shifts she’s seeing today is the growing demand for move-in ready homes.
“When I started, most buyers were focused on finding something they could afford and renovate themselves,” Dvorak said. “People were more hands-on and willing to take on projects.
“Today, many buyers have demanding careers and busy schedules,” she continued. “They have less time for renovations, so they’re looking for homes they can move right into.”
A licensed real estate salesperson with Douglas Elliman, Dvorak has been serving the Long Beach market since beginning her career in 1997. “I was always interested in homes and architecture,” she said. “It was just a calling”
Over the years, Dvorak has found that successful real estate transactions begin with understanding each client’s goals, whether that’s their budget, financing, timeline or lifestyle.
“People are more focused on their careers today,” she said. “Many would rather pay a little more for a home that’s already updated than spend months managing renovations.”
For many buyers, a move-in ready home offers both convenience and peace of mind.
“It’s definitely beneficial for both sellers and buyers,” Dvorak said. “These properties can sell faster, which is a plus for sellers. Buyers also avoid the stress of hiring contractors or finding another place to stay while work is being done. They can simply move in and enjoy the home.”
“A lot of buyers walk in and immediately start thinking, ‘We’d have to redo this, we’d have to replace that, and how much is it all going to cost?'” Dvorak said.
She noted that rising labor and material costs, along with longer wait times for skilled contractors, have made renovation projects less appealing than they once were.
“Labor and material costs have increased significantly,” Dvorak said. “It can take months to schedule contractors, electricians or plumbers. Many buyers simply don’t want to take on that challenge.”
She recently experienced this while marketing a property at Valley Townhouse in Oceanside that required extensive renovations. “It took a long time to find the right buyer,” Dvorak said “We did find somebody who worked in construction and was looking for himself. Most buyers would walk in and walk out because they felt the project was overwhelming.”
According to Dvorak, move-in ready homes aren’t limited to new construction. Many buyers are equally interested in renovated Tudors and older homes that have been thoughtfully updated with modern kitchens, bathrooms and mechanical systems.
She’s also seeing continued demand for Long Beach’s apartments, condominiums and co-ops as buyers seek lower-maintenance living. “Some owners are downsizing,” she said. “Others don’t want to worry about roof repairs, landscaping, snow removal or other maintenance. Condos and co-ops offer a lifestyle that’s much easier to manage.”
Many of these buildings offer desirable amenities such as fitness centers, swimming pools and convenient access to the beach, boardwalk, restaurants and the Long Island Railroad.
Parking remains one of the area’s most sought-after features. “People are looking for buildings where you can get parking right away,” Dvorak said.
“Many buildings constructed in the 1960s didn’t include guaranteed parking,” she explained. “By the 1980s, building codes required at least one parking space per unit, so those buildings tend to be more desirable and command higher prices.
“Especially during the summer, when Long Beach is filled with visitors, having your own parking space is a major advantage,” Dvorak continued.
Limited inventory has also influenced pricing in the condominium and co-op market. “It’s a very strong market,” Dvorak said. “Many homeowners find that what they receive from selling their house is comparable to what they’re paying for a condo or co-op.”
Dvorak has also seen continued interest in Long Beach’s West End, where many of the smaller ranch homes damaged after Superstorm Sandy have been replaced with elevated, modern homes that often include additional living space and parking.
Despite changing market trends, she believes Long Beach’s greatest appeal has remained the same. “Long Beach is a very unique place to live,” she said. “It has so much character, and there’s truly something here for everyone.”
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