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Waterfront Homes in Nyack and the Hudson River Valley

Your guide to riverfront living — from private Hudson River estates to Nyack & Piermont's storied waterfront village.

There's something I always tell clients the first time they stand at the edge of a riverfront property and look out at the Hudson: this is the view that changes how you think about home.

I've been helping buyers and sellers navigate waterfront real estate in Nyack, Piermont, Upper Nyack, South Nyack, and throughout Rockland County for years — and every transaction in this niche has taught me something the MLS data can't. Waterfront homes require a different kind of  expertise. The way light moves across the river at different times of year. Which properties carry dock rights. How tidal patterns affect a home's foundation. What the difference is between a river view and true waterfront access — and why that distinction can move the price by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

My background in sales, marketing, and design-driven industries gave me an eye for lifestyle positioning that I bring to every waterfront listing and every buyer search. I understand how to present a property on the Hudson River so it commands the right price — and I understand what buyers are actually looking for when they say they want to live on the water.

Whether you're looking for a private estate with 700 feet of shoreline, a charming Piermont cottage on the water, or a home with unobstructed Hudson River views — I can help you find it, understand it, and close on it with confidence.

What Makes This Waterfront Market Unique

The Hudson River waterfront in Rockland County occupies a rare position in the New York metro area real estate market. You're about 20 miles from the George Washington Bridge, surrounded by protected Palisades parkland on one side and a living, working river on the other. That combination — access to the city, escape to the water — is what drives demand for these properties year after year.

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Here's what buyers should know about the Hudson River waterfront market in Nyack and Rockland County:

  • True waterfront properties — with deeded river frontage — are extremely limited in supply. When they come to market, they move quickly and often above asking price.
  • River view properties (elevated lots with Hudson views but no direct water access) represent a broader tier of the market and tend to offer exceptional value relative to their lifestyle quality.
  • Communities like Nyack, Grand View-on-Hudson, Piermont, and Palisades each have their own character and price points. Knowing the difference between them — and what's right for your lifestyle — matters more than the zip code.
  • Waterfront homes carry unique considerations — from flood zone classifications and dock permits to riparian rights and foundation requirements. I guide every client through these specifics so there are no surprises at closing.

Waterfront Neighborhoods

Upper Nyack is home to some of the most coveted estate properties on the west bank of the Hudson. With long stretches of private shoreline, large lots, and a quiet residential character, this is where you'll find the area's most significant waterfront addresses — including properties with their own docks and 700+ feet of river frontage. These homes rarely come to market, and when they do, they command record prices. Ellis Sotheby's has sold the highest-priced homes in Rockland County in 12 of the last 13 years, and Upper Nyack is central to that legacy. This neighborhood provides access to the Palisades Interstate Park at Hook Mountain for access to Nyack Beach State Park and stunning pathways that run between the soaring cliffs of Hook Mountain and the sparkling waters of the Hudson River.

For buyers who want proximity to Nyack's vibrant downtown — its farmers markets, independent restaurants, and art galleries — alongside river access, South Nyack and the village of Nyack offer excellent options. Many homes here feature Hudson River views from elevated streets, and select riverfront properties provide direct water access along the village shoreline. This is also where the famous Memorial Park meets the water, giving the entire community a sense of openness and connection to the river.

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A small, artsy hamlet tucked between Nyack and Piermont, Grand View-on-Hudson offers some of the most dramatic elevated river views in the entire region. With southeastern exposures and radiant sunrises over the water, properties here attract buyers who want a quieter, more private setting without sacrificing the views. The community has long drawn artists, writers, and creative professionals looking for a life that feels intentionally removed from the city.

Piermont is one of the Hudson Valley's most distinctive waterfront villages — with a mile long pier that juts directly into the Hudson River, making you feel like you’re walking across the river. The architectural variety here is remarkable: Victorians, colonials, contemporary builds, and converted boathouses all within walking distance of the village's galleries, restaurants, and marina. Waterfront homes in Piermont carry a premium, but the lifestyle they offer is unlike anything else in Rockland County.

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Nestled high above the Hudson River, the charming hamlet of Palisades offers a rare blend of natural beauty, rich history, and close-knit community. With its tree-lined roads, creative spirit, and small-town warmth, Palisades feels like a timeless retreat—where neighbors know each other, history comes alive, and every season brings a new way to enjoy the landscape.

Dating back to the Revolutionary War era, Palisades is home to treasured landmarks including the historic DeWint House, the oldest house in Rockland County and a former headquarters of George Washington, along with several historic districts and scenic treasures such as Peanut Leap Cascade.

Dating back to the Revolutionary War era, Palisades is home to treasured landmarks including the historic DeWint House, the oldest house in Rockland County and a former headquarters of George Washington, along with several historic districts and scenic treasures such as Peanut Leap Cascade.

Working With Me — Buyers & Sellers

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For Buyers: Find Your Place on the Water

Buying a waterfront home is a fundamentally different process than buying a conventional property. The due diligence is deeper, the variables are more nuanced, and the emotional pull of a river view can make it tempting to move faster than you should.

My job is to be the calm, strategic voice in that process. I'll help you understand what you're actually buying — not just the square footage and the views, but the flood zone designation, the dock and riparian rights, the shoreline condition, and what the property will look like in every season. I've watched the river long enough to know which properties shine in summer and which reveal their true character in March.

When the right property comes to market — and in this niche, they don't stay long — I'll make sure you're positioned to move with confidence.

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For Sellers: Your Property Deserves the Right Audience

Waterfront properties on the Hudson River attract a specific buyer — often someone relocating from Manhattan or Brooklyn, looking for a lifestyle shift that doesn't require giving up access to the city. Reaching that buyer takes more than an MLS listing.

With Ellis Sotheby's International Realty behind me, I have access to a global network of luxury buyers and the marketing platform to put your property in front of them. My background in fashion and television production shapes how I think about presenting a home — the photography, the narrative, the positioning. A riverfront property has a story. I know how to tell it.

Property Listings

For Sale
MLS® 973726
Courtesy of Julia B Fee Sothebys Int. Rlty

$9,750,000

2 Fargo Lane, Irvington, NY 10533
8 Beds 11 Baths 11,653 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
MLS® 981378
Courtesy of Ellis Sotheby's Intl Realty

$5,950,000

34 Lawrence Lane, Palisades, NY 10964
4 Beds 3.5 Baths 3,463 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
MLS® 982383
Courtesy of Ellis Sotheby's Intl Realty

$5,249,000

216-217 River Road, Nyack, NY 10960
6 Beds 3.5 Baths 4,446 Sq.Ft.
Pending
MLS® H6319857
Courtesy of The Marketing Directors, Inc.

$4,565,000

4 Lighthouse Landing Unit: 403, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
3 Beds 3.5 Baths 2,318 Sq.Ft.
Pending
MLS® 878770
Courtesy of The Marketing Directors, Inc.

$4,495,000

4 Lighthouse Landing Unit: 404, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
3 Beds 3.5 Baths 2,528 Sq.Ft.
Pending
MLS® H6327153
Courtesy of The Marketing Directors, Inc.

$4,245,000

4 Lighthouse Landing Unit: PH504, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
3 Beds 3.5 Baths 2,138 Sq.Ft.
Pending
MLS® H6276960
Courtesy of The Marketing Directors, Inc.

$4,095,000

4 Lighthouse Landing Unit: 411, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
3 Beds 3.5 Baths 2,317 Sq.Ft.
Pending
MLS® 801474
Courtesy of The Marketing Directors, Inc.

$3,995,000

4 Lighthouse Landing Unit: 310, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
3 Beds 3.5 Baths 2,357 Sq.Ft.
For Sale
MLS® 968348
Courtesy of The Marketing Directors, Inc.

$3,995,000

4 Lighthouse Landing Unit: 204, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
3 Beds 3.5 Baths 2,356 Sq.Ft.
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Waterfront Real Estate Questions

Prices vary significantly based on the type of waterfront and the community. River view homes in Nyack Village and South Nyack can start in the $600,000s, while true riverfront estates in Upper Nyack with private dockage and significant frontage have sold for $3 million to over $5 million. I track this market closely — reach out for a current snapshot.

A river view property offers visual access to the Hudson — often from an elevated lot — but the shoreline itself is not part of the property. A true waterfront home has deeded frontage on the river, which typically includes riparian rights and may include dock or mooring access. The distinction matters both for lifestyle and for value: waterfront frontage is a finite resource on the Hudson, and true riverfront properties trade at a significant premium.

Some are, and some are not — it depends on the specific property's elevation and location relative to the river. Flood zone designation affects insurance costs and, in some cases, financing. This is one of the most important due diligence items on any waterfront transaction, and I walk every buyer through the FEMA flood maps for each property they're seriously considering.

Well-priced waterfront and river view properties in this market tend to move quickly — often in days, not weeks. The inventory is naturally constrained by geography: there's a finite amount of Hudson River shoreline in Rockland County, and buyer interest from New York City consistently outpaces supply. If you're serious about waterfront, being pre-approved and working with an agent who knows these listings is essential.

Ready to Find Your Waterfront Home?

The Hudson River waterfront is a market I've spent years learning — and I'd love to put that knowledge to work for you.

Whether you're beginning a search, thinking about selling, or just trying to understand what your options look like in this market, I'm always happy to talk. No pressure, no pitch — just an honest conversation from someone who genuinely loves this stretch of the river.

Let's Talk Waterfront

Let’s Find Your Dream Home

A thoughtful, client-focused approach and strong understanding of market positioning shape every real estate experience. Drawing on a background in sales, marketing, and design-driven industries, Catherine helps buyers and sellers navigate important decisions with confidence, clarity, and personalized guidance.

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Contact Details

CATHERINE HOTALING

[email protected]
845.536.1313 

ADDRESS 76 N Broadway Nyack, NY 10960