Smart Options: Decking When choosing decking materials, factor in the savings gained by low maintenance and longevity, even if the initial cost is higher. Read Deck Addition: Return on Investment A high return on investment makes a deck addition a worthwhile home improvement project. Read Care and Maintenance of Your Deck Annual deck maintenance will forestall major repairs, protect your investment, and boost your enjoyment of your deck. Read Smart Upgrades for Decks A few cost-effective add-ons can give a modest deck an edge and deliver a handsome payback should you sell your house. Read Evaluate Your House for a Deck Here’s how to plan a new deck that suits your property, meets your budget, and offers the best return on your investment. Read Visit houselogic.com for more articles lik... 06/08/2010

  Recently NAR received reports that brokers and agents have been contacted by individuals claiming to be U.S. Census workers requesting information about the owners or occupants of properties that the brokers or agents have listed for sale. In some cases, these reports indicate that the Census workers aggressively sought from brokers or agents such information and may have even advised that the brokers or agents were legally obligated to provide such information about property occupants.   NAR contacted the U.S. Census Bureau to learn more about their practices and the duty, if any, of real estate professionals to provide information about the occupants of properties for which they may be providing real estate services. Section 223 of Title 13 of the United States Code provides that it... 06/06/2010

Maytag has just issued a recall of 1.7 million dishwashers due to a potential fire hazard.  This includes Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Air, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa and Crosley brand dishwashers.   An electrical problem in the heating element may pose a serious fire hazard.  Consumers with these recalled products should stop USING THEM IMMEDIATELY unless otherwise instructed.  There have been 12 reports of dishwasher fires. Please check out the website to check model numbers, serial numbers and brand names. 06/06/2010

Is this not the most gorgeous cat?  Several days ago I posted the picture of a cute little dachshund puppy and had several people ask me what was next to the puppy.  Well this is what was next to the puppy but I wasn't ready to reveal until today.  Both animals belong to a friend of mine who is slowly accumulating a small farm.  LOL  She now has 3 dogs, several cats and a bird.  Unfortunately I can't remember the name of the cat so I apologize for that.  But I couldn't resist posting the picture because she is absolutely gorgeous!  She doesn't seem to mind being photographed either!           Photos by Debra Walsh, Copyright © 2010 Debra Walsh. All Rights Reserved.  These photos may not be reproduced, used or transmitted without the express, written permission of Debra Walsh of Keller W... 06/04/2010

The other day I was sitting in a parking lot prior to an appointment doing paperwork when BAM!  I was rear ended in the parking slot I was in.  After getting over my initial shock I got out and found to my surprise the other person was ignoring me.  After getting their attention which took me a minute or so, I said "You hit me!"  They said "I did not!"  This went back and forth for a moment so I told them to please get out and check out their car embedded in mine.  The person did and said "I didn't do that!"  To sum up a rather long story I told them to please just take care of it and we would be done with the problem.  Their answer was they weren't going to take care of something they didn't do.  So on the phone I went and along came the police.  After they did their investigation and ... 06/03/2010

With summer more than on its way, here are a few ways to help with higher utility bills: Change to a programmable thermostat - perfect for year 'round use and for every degree raised in summer and lowered in winter you will save on utility bills. Seal all air leaks around doors, windows and air conditioners with weather stripping. Make sure your ceiling fans have been switched to the counter clockwise direction which will give the rooms a cooler feel. Turn off and unplug anything that may generate heat or may not be in use during the day or evening.  A perfect example would be a toaster, blender, computers, TVs etc... Run the washer, dryer and dishwasher at night. Use cold water for all washer loads.  (Except whites) Turn your refrigerator temperature down slightly. Replace appliances w... 06/01/2010

INGREDIENTS: 4 Squares Baker's Unsweetened Baking Chocolate 1/3 Cup Canola Oil 1/3 Cup unsweetened Applesauce 1 Tsp Vanilla 2 Cups Sugar 8 Large Egg Whites 1 Cup Flour 1/2 Cup Planters Chopped Nuts (Pecans or your preference) DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a 13x9 pan with foil, grease and have ends extending over sides of pan. Micro chocolate in bowl for 1 minute.  Stir until completely melted.  Add oil, applesauce and vanilla & mix well. Stir in sugar.  Add egg whites & stir until well blended.  Add flour & nuts.  Spread batter into pan. Bake 25 minutes or until brownies start to pull away from sides of pan.  Cool completely. Remove brownies from pan using foil handles. ENJOY!! (Recipe is from Kraft) 05/31/2010

What do you think that is from?  Kind of interesting....     Photos by Debra Walsh, Copyright © 2010 Debra Walsh. All Rights Reserved.  These photos may not be reproduced, used or transmitted without the express, written permission of Debra Walsh of Keller Williams Realty in Goshen, New York.  Thank you for not plagiarizing! 05/30/2010

The other day I had to stop by a friend's house and drop something off.  When I was at her front door she told me I had to come in because she had picked up "something new."  Well after seeing this I had to run back to the car for the camera of course!  How adorable is this guy?  He is eight weeks old and is a pure bred mini dachshund.  Anyone who knows me, knows I can't resist animals especially babies!  Love him love him love him!!!   Photos by Debra Walsh, Copyright © 2010 Debra Walsh. All Rights Reserved.  These photos may not be reproduced, used or transmitted without the express, written permission of Debra Walsh of Keller Williams Realty in Goshen, New York.  Thank you for not plagiarizing! 05/29/2010

I was surprised to have gotten a picture.  This was one of those nights when the moon was so far away you could hardly see it through the camera. Photos by Debra Walsh, Copyright © 2010 Debra Walsh. All Rights Reserved.  These photos may not be reproduced, used or transmitted without the express, written permission of Debra Walsh of Keller Williams Realty in Goshen, New York.  Thank you for not plagiarizing! 05/28/2010

Ely, Minnesota Cloverdale, California Brevard, North Carolina Saugatuck, Michigan Kennett Square, Pennsylvania Bandon, Oregon Cuero, Texas Nyack, New York Medicine Park, Oklahoma Egg Harbor, Wisconsin These 10 were voted the coolest small towns by Budget Travel.  To qualify each town must have a population less than 10,000, be drawing attention because of the quality of life or the entertainment scene etc... Congrats to our own Nyack, New York!          05/27/2010

Content Provided By Anna Gibbs Anna Gibbs is a Business Coach serving clients in the Hudson Valley.  She works with individuals to help them achieve their professional & personal goals and to experience success in all that they do.  Contact Anna to schedule a FREE consultation and take control of your future today!      Heard that one a lot?  I bet you’ve even said it to someone else.  But do you believe it?  Do you make a habit of asking for what you need? “Ask and you shall receive”.  Period.  Believe in the power of that statement.  It doesn’t say, “Ask and I will think about it.”  Don’t be afraid to ask.  If you are not moving closer to your goals and your visions for your business (or your life) you are probably not asking enough! The universe responds to those who ask.  Asking for... 05/26/2010

INGREDIENTS: 1 Sheet Frozen Puff Pastry, thawed 1 Cup cold milk 1 Package Jell-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding 1/2 Cup Cool Whip Topping, thawed 1 Square Baker's semi sweet baking chocolate, melted DIRECTIONS: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Unfold pastry on floured surface and roll to 10 inch square. Cut into 9 circles with 3 inch cookie cutter or glass rim. Place on un-greased baking sheet.  Bake 10 minutes. Put on wire rack and cool completely. Put milk into large bowl and add pudding mix.  Beat two minutes with whisk. Gently stir in whipped topping.  Cover and refrigerate 15 minutes. Cut pastry circles horizontally in half.  Spoon pudding mixture evenly into bottom halves of pastry & cover with tops. Drizzle with chocolate.  Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate. ENJOY!! (Recipe is ... 05/25/2010

So this morning at 8 am I had a Dr. appointment and when I was leaving the building I noticed something very unusual and a little frightening.  Well I don't know about frightening since it was daylight but definitely on the weird side.  Lets take a look at the pictures and then let me know what you think.  If it was late at night I might have had to run to my car and lock myself in.  LOL  Someone didn't make it to the Doctor on time!       Photos by Debra Walsh, Copyright © 2010 Debra Walsh. All Rights Reserved.  These photos may not be reproduced, used or transmitted without the express, written permission of Debra Walsh of Keller Williams Realty in Goshen, New York.  Thank you for not plagiarizing! 05/24/2010

When it is time to have that open house are your sellers prepared?  You want that house to look its best no matter what size, shape or condition.  DO A WALK THROUGH Using an unbiased third party take a tour through the home.  Starting from the curb, check the appeal, anything that may appear unattractive or need fixing and especially be aware of any odors that may be offensive.  MAKE THE FRONT WELCOMING Add an attractive wreath or other decoration to the front door.  Make sure the front door is free of dirt and fingerprints.  Make sure the door opens smoothly with no creaking.  Clean the front walk and lawn.  Make sure the house number is clearly marked on the front door or mailbox. MAKE AS BRIGHT AS POSSIBLE Clean all bulbs, light fixtures and chandeliers as during the open house you w... 05/22/2010

  Pro-Active Inspections   Real Estate Agent listing a home? Having the home inspected before it’s listed is recommended.    With the current inventory, sellers need an edge.    Potential buyers will conduct an inspection. A Pre-listing Inspection will allow you & the seller to pro-actively identify what an inspector may find.  This will give you and the seller time to correct many items, thereby minimizing an inspector’s findings, which will make the house more appealing. Pro-active inspections performed prior to listing will help in many ways: Potential Safety issues may be identified and corrective action can be taken. The inspection will be conducted by an un-biased third party. The house can be realistically priced.          Note:  Different inspectors and their reporting technique... 05/21/2010

What makes a house a home?  The people that live in the house and everything they place in it are reflections of their lifestyle.  When it's for sale, your home becomes a product.  To capture potential buyers' attention, it is important to allow them to visualize living there, in "your" space.  Real estate staging allows that to happen. The secret is to turn the home back into a house. You, the seller, will be moving, so it helps to begin packing up personal belongings and collections.  This alone opens up each room by decluttering and depersonalizing.  Model homes sell lifestyles.  Everything looks nice and clean, and there is very little "stuff" in each room. All of our personal stuff translates into clutter, and clutter eats equity. Decide what is not moving with you and get rid of i... 05/17/2010

Photos by Debra Walsh, Copyright © 2010 Debra Walsh. All Rights Reserved.  These photos may not be reproduced, used or transmitted without the express, written permission of Debra Walsh of Keller Williams Realty in Goshen, New York.  Thank you for not plagiarizing!   05/16/2010

In reading a post today from Randy Ostrander it got me to thinking about people and their pets.   In all the years I have been in Real Estate pets have really never presented a major problem.  However in the past year my clients and I have been chased, jumped on and frightened by more dogs than in the last 7 years.  Do more people have more pets?  Are they more careless?  Are the dogs more ferocious?  Or are people less respectful and dogs less disciplined?  Today is the perfect example.  I had to go out to a seller's residence because the tenant's were not answering the door for a showing. When I got there the agent had left but another was on the way so I knocked and knocked and when I finally got an answer and was let in, the second I came through the door I was hit full length by a ... 05/15/2010

It looks like its going to be a beautiful day here in New York ! Who the heck wants to sit in the office on a day like this ? Not me ! But, to stay alive and prosper in this market how can I give up these precious hours and potentially miss out on meeting a new client and making it a successful day ? Since it's such a nice day, I am going to make sure I get into the office early and inform everyone that I  am available by my "Black Berry".  I am going to forget about the "online" social networking stuff today and I am going to go to a barbecue with a lot of old friends. I am going to bring a pocket full of cards, because I know a lot of people are going to be asking me about the real estate market. I'm gong to work on building some relationships with old friends. So get out of the offic... 05/15/2010