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hvparent.com n Hudson Valley Parent 25 she believes that a realtor's job is to not only help home buyers to understand their financial life but also their everyday life and how overextending themselves can be a bad move. "If one spouse loses a job or if a baby arrives, circumstances may change and you want to be able to avoid financial turmoil," Stevens says. Quintana agrees, "A lot of times dreams are bigger than the budget." This is especially true in the current market, as buyers from the New York City area, often with salaries outpacing local folks, are creating a highly competitive situation. "Buyers may not get the first house they put an offer on," she says. Get a feel for the community Stevens tells new clients to visit the property at least two or three times at different times of day. "Put your feet to the ground and really explore" she says. Visit local restaurants and coffee shops and get acquainted with the local scene. Walk around the neighborhood and see if it suits your level of convenience, privacy and other daily living concerns. "Get a feel for the neighborhood and the community," Stevens says, adding that she often takes clients Finding the perfect home for your growing family takes a lot of patience, planning and the right team. on a backroads tour of Hudson Valley to help them get a better understanding of the area. Olivia L. Lawrence is an editor for a news organization and is currently scanning the seed catalogues and planning for her summer garden.