Thinking of buying a home with $600K in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam?

Thinking of buying a home on a budget?

With low inventory and high interest rates, the Lower Hudson Valley can seem like a daunting real estate market, although it’s a diverse region in terms of availability and pricing.

For many, buying a house can be the biggest purchase you have ever made. It's not only a choice of where to live, but also bonding with a community that you'll live with for years to come.

Driving around neighborhoods and touring open houses, you’ve found a house you really like and you're ready to make an offer. Then you find out you're competing with multiple offers and get outbid. It all starts over again.

Sometimes you have to make compromises, probably waive an inspection or appraisal. For some buyers in the price range, the wait can be as long as two years.

I remember we went on a house hunt in June 2020, when everyone masked up and a waiver was required before entering a house. We dared to make an offer the night after we looked at the first house on our list, and still think it's the best decision we've ever made, now surrounded with lovely neighbors.

Available homes listed below $600K

We featured properties in New Rochelle, Valhalla, Somers, Carmel, Suffern and Nyack as a sampling of what $600,000 will get you in six communities across Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties. The properties were on sale as of Sept. 20, according to Multiple Listing Service.  

Daniel M. Berger, broker and owner of RE/MAX Prestige Properties in White Plains, who curated the houses, said the price range of $500,000-$600,000 is “extremely tight and very difficult for buyers.” He suggested buyers to be patient.

“That’s how expensive it is to live in metro New York. That’s why in this price range it’s so hard to buy a house,” Berger said. “There are still houses available. You work with an agent who isn’t rushing you to buy but makes sure you buy the proper house. That’s my secret sauce.”

90 Woodland Ave., New Rochelle: Listed at $585,000, taxes at $15,434

Built in 1924, this 2,185-square-foot, four-bedroom, three-bathroom brick colonial-style house is within walking distance of downtown, waterfront park and Glen Island marina and harbor. It has a dining room that looks onto a side deck and an eat-in-kitchen with access to the rear porch and a garden. The bedroom and walk-in attic on the third level can be turned into office space or walk-in storage.

18 West Stevens Ave., Valhalla: Listed at $560,000, taxes at $12,108

This three-bedroom 1,148-square-foot home was built in 1955 and has been owned by the family since then. It has hardwood floors throughout and an updated bathroom and floor in the kitchen with access to a side patio. The living room looks out onto native plants, evergreens and a Japanese maple in the front yard. There is a single-car garage and basement.

109 Mahopac Ave., Granite Springs: Listed at $585,000, taxes at $10,683

Built in 1953, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom 2,000-square-foot colonial-style house has an updated kitchen and bathrooms. It has a brick fireplace in the living room that looks out onto a nearly 0.75-acre yard. 

40 Seminary Hill Road, Carmel: Listed at $530,000, taxes at $11,972

With a view of Lake Gleneida and walking distance to Putnam Trailway, this 2,150-square-foot, four-bedroom, two-bathroom colonial-style house was built in 1890. It has an additional room next to the kitchen that can be used as a home office or dining space. There is a two-story barn outside and a front sitting porch.     

55 Boulevard, Suffern: Listed at $599,000, taxes at $13,070

Built in 1925, this five-bedroom, three-bathroom, 1,800-square-foot colonial-style home is within walking distance of the train station, library and downtown businesses. It has an updated kitchen and a flat front yard and backyard.

97 Prospect Street, Nanuet: Listed at $600,000, taxes at $14,302 

Built in 1953, this 2,885-square-foot, four-bedroom, three-bathroom Cape Cod style house is close to the train station and downtown businesses. It has an updated kitchen and bathrooms, as well as a family room and craft room. It has a backyard patio and two side yards with a water filtration system and a sprinkler system.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester, Rockland, Putnam real estate: What will $600K buy you?