
Have you ever found yourself on Instagram scrolling through listings of beautiful farmhouses, modern estates with views of the Catskills, or 17th-century stone houses that make you think you could call the country home? Then you’ve probably seen the work for Annabel Taylor, the Hudson Valley’s favorite real estate agent.
Among the top 1% of agents in the region, she’s known for her particularly stunning listings, all featured on her Instagram for her over 50K followers to use for design inspiration, mood board material, and general upstate daydreaming. “What we’re selling, especially in a second home market, is a fantasy,” Taylor says.
And these homes are dreamy. Think seductive wallpaper, perfectly curated bookshelves, chickens in the backyard, shearling rugs in bathrooms for cold nights. The properties all fit into a category of bucolic luxury that’s become increasingly popular for New Yorkers looking to escape the busy (and cramped) city. With over $20 million in annual sales volume, Taylor knows a thing or two about increasing your home value. Here are her top tips for anyone looking to sell in the near and distant future.
It’s Amazing What a Fresh Coat of Paint Can Do
We’ll often paint a house—inside and out—before we list it. A fresh coat of paint or a new color can transform a space and create value for a seller. For example, White Dove by Benjamin Moore is a big hit right now. A farmhouse painted White Dove is just perfect. Anything by Farrow and Ball is valuable. Something like Dead Salmon is a bold favorite of mine. It’s a deep pink that reads as neutral.
I try not to give blanket statements about paint colors because colors look very different in different settings. It depends on whether something is north or south-facing, where the windows are, etc.
Staging Should Be Custom to Your Space

Spending money on generic staging is a waste. Styling is something my team spends a lot of time and energy on pre-listing. It’s worth its weight in gold as it can be the difference in creating a frenzy around a house or not.
I have several stylists on my team whose sole job is getting our houses ready for market. That can mean restyling existing furniture and art, bringing in new furniture and styling materials, renovating kitchens or baths, painting, etc. So if we can spend, let’s say, $20-50K on styling, our seller can see $200K+ in return. It’s a no-brainer.
What’s On The Inside, Counts

In a house, there are a few key items that I think get a buyer’s attention. Kitchen appliances are a big one, especially a nice range. Bathroom tile and fixtures are another one. If they’re dated or not stylistically in line with the rest of the house, that can affect prices.
Invest In Landscaping From Day One

Landscaping takes years to mature, so by the time I’m involved, it is often not something we can make a real difference in valuation with. The homeowner needs to pay attention to it from day one, long before they even start to think about selling.
Still, since buyers in the Hudson Valley value privacy and quiet, landscaping is often the key to achieving that. For example, if your home is on a busy road or you have close neighbors, consider screening with trees and shrubbery. That can add a lot of value.
The Right Lighting Can Go a Long Way

When it comes to lighting, you can do a lot with a little. They certainly affect value as they contribute to the overall look of a home. But the fixtures don’t need to be expensive.
Get a Realtor Early… Even Earlier Than You Think

How you live and experience a home often differs from how we sell a home, so meet with a realtor sooner rather than later. An experienced realtor can tell you what changes will significantly affect your ultimate sale price and which projects you had in mind won’t. Oftentimes, people are surprised!