Where is your neighborhood?  Everyone wants to feel a sense of belonging somewhere.  This is why social media platforms like Facebook and MySpace have taken off. This is why ActiveRain is such an important part of my day. Reading what other's have to say about real estate and about many other aspects of the world I live in helps me to feel involved.  Everyone is searching for a community. The longing for a place to belong.  My daughter Nicole was saying as much when she said that she could not wait for the rehearsals to begin for the Spring Musical.  The students who are involved in these productions are her real community for now.  I am happy that she became involved with this group because all kids seek a community whether it is a sports team, a school group, a childhood group of best... 12/14/2009

This morning there was a slip and slide on my sidewalk and I barely made it to the car.  I was getting a bit grumpy to say the least but then I looked up and saw the beautiful sunrise.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Hope you all have a wonderful Monday no matter what surprises your sunrise brings you!     12/13/2009

Oh oh that smell... Can you smell that smell?  Yes the final walk through I covered for an out of town associate really paid off.   I had just finished telling the homebuyer that there is normally nothing to worry about when we pulled up to the house.  Of course it was not shoveled after the snow of the day before but hey no biggy we climbed over the piles left by the plows and went inside.  The first thing we saw was that there was a huge bag of trash in the kitchen, ut oh.  The tour of each room revealed that the family members who were supposed to leave us a broom swept home and take out all of Grandma's stuff had failed. Not just little things either there was a mattress, a pool table, old appliances that were not part of the deal! Oh my! I documented each room with my camera for th... 12/10/2009

But I thought this was a Buyer's Market??? Well just what is a Buyer's Market?  I have been working with some people who are under the wrong impression about just what a Buyer's Market means.  It is important that you understand what a Buyer's Market will get you and what it won't. A Buyer's Market means that there are more houses available for you to look at.  It gives you more choice. A Buyer's Market means that interest rates are low and you can afford more house than you could if interest rates were higher. A Buyer's Market means that a lot of the homes listed have very motivated owners who either need to sell or really want to sell. A Buyer's Market means it is a perfect time for you to find a new home, especially a first home, because you don't have anything that you have to sell ... 12/09/2009

Saturday Dec 5, 2009 in Orange County NY   Saturday's Weather Cold with a Chance of Snow  (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Special Events Breakfast With Santa - Chester, NY The Castle Fun Center on Rt 17M in Chester is hosting a buffet breakfast with Santa from 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon. Visit with Mr and Mrs Claus and some of the Elves. For Further Information 845-469-2116 Ice Skating - Bear Mountain NY Take some spins around the Ice Skating Rink at Bear Mountain State Park. From 9W follow signs to Bear Mountain Inn at traffic light.  Public Sessions - 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, Noon - 1:30 PM, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM, and 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM.  Rink is outdoors and uncovered.  Skating season goes through March 7th. For Further Information 845-786-2701 A ... 12/03/2009

All I want for Christmas is.....  Over the weekend I had the opportunity to spend time with some of the younger members of the extended family.  As they tore apart the Black Friday ads for toys and games I heard "I want this!" and "Can I have that?" many times over.  I remember the innocent joy of wanting everything I saw in the catalogs.  I wanted it all but I did not expect it.  I was prepared ahead of time by my parents to know that Santa could not possibly bring everything I wanted.  A little dose of reality saved me from tears Christmas morning.   Sometimes, when I am starting a home search with clients, I feel like they have just pulled out the Christmas Catalog and started checking something on every page.  Of course we want everything but unless you have an unlimited budget and ... 11/29/2009

What a year it has been!  Can we find things to be thankful for even within the downturns and uncertainty of the economy? Maybe your year has included some very painful moments.  Almost all of us are suffering, shocked by the burst bubble that we were happily living in.  We were happy to move along while times were good without much thought about the future.  It would take care of itself after all.  Missteps were taken by a lot of people based on the general buoyancy of the county.  Everyone felt they had the right to have it all without taking the steps to build a firm foundation to balance the future on.  Now we need to refocus on basic common sense and go back to building our futures rather than borrowing easy money from nowhere to teeter on.   My wish for us all this Thanksgiving is... 11/24/2009

What was true a year and a half ago is still true today.  Foreclosures can be a good investment for some but it is buyer beware.  Make sure you know what you are getting into before you sign on the dotted line. I have had a lot of requests lately for "foreclosure listings".  I know that there is a lot of news about how many people are in trouble with mortgages that are adjusting up to amounts they can't afford.  Many of my buyer clients feel that they can get a real deal from a foreclosure.  There are a few things to consider prior to buying a house that has been in foreclosure. First, more often than not, the bank has bought back the foreclosure and has it listed at the going rate for houses that are comparable.  They are not going to give away a home because it is worth more than the ... 11/16/2009

Saturday Nov 14, 2009 in Orange County NY   Saturday's Weather in the Mid 50s with Rain Likely  (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Special Events Breakfast on the Farm - Pine Island, NY Gather around the pot belly stove for a country farm breakfast with fresh eggs to order, bacon, hot cider, and coffee at the Rogowski Farm,327 Glenwood Road, Pine Island, NY from 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Today.  Breakfast is served Every Saturday and Sunday. For Further Information 845-258-4574 Ice Skating - Bear Mountain NY Take some spins around the Ice Skating Rink at Bear Mountain State Park. From 9W follow signs to Bear Mountain Inn at traffic light.  Public Sessions - 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, Noon - 1:30 PM, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM, and 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM.  Rink is o... 11/14/2009

Learning a bit about the recent sales in the area where you are considering a home purchase is extreemly valuable.  During the month of October there were 18 homes that sold within the district.  The selling prices on single family residential houses ranged from $159,000 to $425,000.  The data available shows us that homes are selling for 91% to 98 % of the listing price at the time of sale.  This tells us that homeowners are listing the houses that are selling at very close to market value.  If you are out there looking at homes this is important for you to know. This is also something you will not learn from the listing agent or the homeowner trying to sell his home on his own. It is important for you as a Real Estate Buyer to determine the value of a property you are interested in.  ... 11/10/2009

 Excitement is building as the students from Pine Bush High School prepare for the opening night of the Fall production "Little Shop Of Horrors"  That's right, they are doing a musical for a change this Fall and it is looking like it will be a smash hit!  Come out to see Seymore, an orphan who works at a florist shop, be seduced into feeding a plant something he shouldn't.   Feed Me Seymore Feed Me The performances are scheduled for Friday Nov. 13th at 8:00 PM and Saturday Nov. 14th at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM.  Pine Bush High School is located on Route 302 in Pine Bush NY.  Tickets are available by contacting me or at the door for all performances.  Hope to see you there. 11/08/2009

If you have been waiting to see what would happen with the home buyer tax credit your wait is over.  Now is the time to start your search for your new home! The news that you first time home buyers have been waiting to hear and a bonus opportunity for some move up buyers.  The Bill for Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension has passed both houses and the president has promised to sign it into law.  Buyer's who qualify must be in contract by May 1, 2010 and close by July 1, 2010  so let's start looking today! This new bill contains some differences from the law that has been helping first time home buyers this year and was due to expire at the end of November.  The bill calls for 10% of the purchase price or up to an $8000.00 Tax Credit for first time home buyers (persons who have not owned a p... 11/05/2009

Did you know that there are things that may come with the house you are buying that could add to the bottom line at the closing table?  Depending on what type of heating fuel you use there could be a charge for the remaining fuel being left behind by the seller.  Many people who move into more rural areas from cities where they are used to natural gas being piped in as needed may not be prepared for what can be  a $1000 + charge for heating fuels at the closing table. Understand that you would have to pay for fuel sometime but if you are unprepared it can come as a shock.  Somewhere along the line it was most likely mentioned that the fuel cost would be paid at closing but the full understanding of what that means may not have hit home. The last thing you need is for $1000 to keep you f... 10/29/2009

Sunday Oct 25, 2009 in Orange County NY Sunday's Weather - Sunny and in the Low 60s  (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Farmer's Markets Highland Falls NY/ West Point - Located in the municipal parking lot across from the visitor's center for West Point From 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Warwick NY - Located in the South Street parking lot Warwick, NY From 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Special Events HomeComing Carnival - Pine Bush, NY Today is the Homecoming Carnival at Pine Bush High School, Route 302, Pine Bush, NY.  There will be games, clowns, food, and fun for the whole family.  Carnival starts at 9:00 AM and ends at 3:00 PM Native American Ceremonies, Games, and Music - Cornwall on Hudson, NY The Wildlife Education Center of the Hudson Highlands Museum, 25 Boulevard, Cornwall on Hudson, NY is... 10/25/2009

Leaf Peeper Alert - Update It Is Almost The End of October! Hey all you New York City and Surrounding 'Burb Residents Don't Miss Out!   Head on up to Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan County NY this Sunday (looks to be a wonderful Fall Day!) to  catch these leaves before they are all on the ground!   If you are in the Pine Bush NY area on Sunday check out the Pine Bush Homecoming Carnival which is now rescheduled to take place from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the Pine Bush High School. 10/24/2009

Saturday Oct 24, 2009 in Orange County NY   Saturday's Weather in the Mid 60's with Rain Likely  (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Farmer's Markets Middletown NY - Farmer's Market is on Erie Way between Cottage and Grove Streets From 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM Pine Bush NY - Farmer's Market just off Main Street Pine Bush NY From 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM Port Jervis NY - Farmer's Market in the Front Street Municipal Lot From 8:00 Am - 2:00 PM Tuxedo NY - Farmer's Market at 240 Route 17 From 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Sugar Loaf NY - Farmer's market at Romer's Alley across from the Barnsider on King's Highway.  Starts at 11:00 AM Special Events OktoberFest- Bear Mountain, NY This is the last weekend for Oktoberfest at Bear Mountain State Park! Fun on both Saturday and Sunday Food, music, dancing, and... 10/23/2009

Orange County New York Homeowners who find themselves struggling to pay mortgage payments or in danger of foreclosure have a wonderful resource available to them through the Orange County Rural Development Advisory Corporation (RDAC) which has recently moved offices to Pine Bush New York.  At this week's office meeting we heard a presentation from Faith Piatt, a Housing and Financial Services Coordinator for the organization.  I just loved the quote on her business card:   "Helping Homeowners go from Nope to Hope" "Orange County Rural Development Advisory Corporation (RDAC) works to build a more stable living environment for Orange County, NY residents. through a variety of housing development programs and counseling services we assist and empower homeowners and renters alike." From the... 10/23/2009

It is Homecoming Week at Pine Bush High School.  They have a full week of Spirit Building activties and events.  The week will feature the annual Pine Bush Homecoming Football Game with Monroe-Woodbury on Friday Night and a Pine Bush Homecoming Carnival on Saturday Oct 24th Update - Due to the prediction of Rain the Homecoming Carnival will be held on Sunday Oct 25th from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM   So far the week has been highlighted by themed days to get the kids in the celebration mood.  Today was "DECADE DAY" and the idea was to dress up as a student from any decade.  Of course my girls went for this opportunity to dress up. As they walked into school I saw several decades represented.  So cool to see everyone coming together to celebrate homecoming.  You can feel the enthusiasm that the s... 10/22/2009

Lucky Me!  I live in a beautiful area.  Many people visit the Greater Hudson Valley and the Catskill Region every year just to see what I can see everyday. There is so much to see and do here.  We have hiking, biking, trail riding, lakes, rivers, small villages with crafts and festivals to share, cities with museums and cultural events.  You can have this all with a short commute to New York City.     If you have never visited this area and plan to come up some weekend. check out my To Do Orange County NY posts on most every Saturday or Sunday to find some great activities for your weekend visits or stuff to do if you find yourself at home here in the area with nothing to do.  Other local resources for fun events in my neck of the woods include each of  the three counties' tourism sites... 10/21/2009

Hey everyone I am putting on the Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month!  Thanks to Ann Cummings and Mike Mueller I am the proud owner of a Pinked Out Profile Picture.  I will be wearing this Pink Ribbon all month here and will be adding it as my profile picture on every other internet presence I have.  If you are on FaceBook become a fan of this page.  I urge all of my readers to go to the Breast Cancer Site daily to click on the link to Give Free Mammograms provided by sponsors. It won't cost you anything but a moment of your time.  It is also time for all you ladies who need to schedule that Mammogram for yourselves to do it.   This Information is from Breast Cancer Site: "The National Breast Cancer Foundation estimates that each year, over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast... 10/18/2009