Scott Varley Teams Up With Broker Sally Raia For a Big Play in Herkimer
Through the eyes of a successful New York City real estate broker, the Village of Herkimer will shine like the little gem it once was – and will be again, according to Sally Raia.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Ms. Raia acquired her real estate license in 2002, then sold millions in townhouses, commercial real estate and NYC apartment leases over the years. But she ditched all that and her downstate digs to move lock, stock and barrel to the Herkimer area.
Raia said it was easy to see the potential the area has so she opened her third real estate brokerage, Mohawk Valley Homes and Gardens, at Palmer House1889. Her timing was absolutely impeccable: Herkimer was just awarded a $10 million development grant from New York State this February. Raia was part of the grant-application team that won the award.
Sally Raia’s forward-thinking vision about Herkimer not only dovetailed with a big boost from New York State, but as of March 1st, Raia is linking her brokerage with The Scott Varley Team, a powerhouse Keller Williams group headed by Scott Varley.
Raia said Mohawk Valley Homes and Gardens LLC will be managing Palmer House 1889. The new Keller Williams office with The Scott Varley Team will be located at 271 N Main Street, with a grand opening on March 1st, 2024.
“I’ve always been independent of any corporate structure but looking forward to the experience. Scott is the best at what he does and I only work with the best,’’ she said.
Upstate New York Is Seeing Increased Interest From Buyers Seeking Value & Lifestyle
Like Raia, Varley is a 30+ year associate broker who has sold more than $1 billion across Upstate New York. Based in Saratoga Springs, which in itself has seen an incredible boom in the past 15 years, Varley has been eyeing new opportunities in some of Upstate New York’s historic cities and villages. His territory spans from the Catskills to Ticonderoga to Cherry Valley and now Herkimer.
“With the shift to remote work and the increase in housing prices along with limited inventory, Upstate New York is getting a good hard look from people all over the region, state and country. Buffalo is the hottest real estate market in the country, according to Zillow. Rochester is also a value-laden region attracting newcomers,” Varley said.
“Meanwhile, the Albany-Troy-Schenectady / Capital District is a hot market and Saratoga Springs is seeing new condos selling for more than $1,000 per square foot: New York City prices in Upstate NY. This will only increase the viability and desirability of other Historic Villages like Herkimer,” Varley said.
“Together, Sally and I aim to be a major part of the future of Herkimer that truly is a Diamond in the Rough but ready to shine once again. Yes, Herkimer is a ‘Jewel of Multiple Facets’ no question about it!’’ he said.
Sally Raia Was Ahead of the Curve in Herkimer’s New Status as a Development Zone
For Raia, it’s been a fast and furious effort to help Herkimer make good on its historic downtown and housing stock. Once she took a good look at the village and especially Palmer House, she was sold.
“What brought me to the Village of Herkimer was all the possibilities I saw when I first walked up and down the entire historic North Main Corridor. I had recently bought an Old Italianate Townhouse in Little Falls initially as an investment property but decided to make it my home after I fell in love with the entire area. It reminded me of a storybook community, quiet and quaint, very different from what I am used to, however, after exploring the Village and finding out that it was a Brownfield Opportunity Zone, it was a no-brainer I had to stay!”
The Herkimer Play: Newcomers Will Be Attracted to Its Value, Lifestyle and Real Estate.
Like a lot of places across America, the housing market in Upstate New York is suffering from a lack of inventory. Buyers are out there searching for that first home or a place upgrade or a home to downsize to. What upstate New York has that other communities don’t are beautiful and affordable homes.
These communities also have so much to offer in terms of lifestyle, art, history, education, architecture, agriculture and more. It was only a matter of time before this canal community had the spotlight on it. The potential of what this corridor could offer was so exciting that Raia was thrilled to move here and plant a seed of prosperity, not only for herself but for anyone open to investing in what will be one of New York State’s most up and coming destination spots.
“My vision for the Village of Herkimer is to help provide the community with housing and help create a downtown experience that all can be proud of and more importantly enjoy. It’s about life quality and an acceptable standard of living for the entire community and for people who will want to visit the NYS Diamond District. This community has so much to offer it’s no wonder Governor Hochul recognized it,’ Raia said.
