One necessary ingredient for a community to achieve economic success is affordable housing.  This has been a concern for leaders in both the public and private sector in the Hudson Valley area. One such organization who has been in the forefront of exploring ideas as to how progress can be made in this area is the non for profit, public policy group called Pattern for Progress. On June 11, 2008 the second conference on Affordable and Workforce Housing will be held at Marist College in Poughkeepsie New York. Here is the agenda  To register for the conference  please call 845-565-4900 or email rdegroat@pfprogress.org. ****To buy or sell a Mid Hudson Valley home call: Jennifer Fivelsdal - JFIVE HOMES REALTY LLC - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com www.jfivehomes.com or www.midhudsonhom... 06/07/2008

The area's largest home show showcases products and services for homeowners. The Home Show is an event designed for homeowners in all stages of remodeling, landscaping and decorating their homes. This event includes exhibits with merchandise, sample interior and exterior vignettes, and product demonstrations. With a combination of new products and expert advice from the pros. The Home Show inspires homeowners with countless ideas on enhancing their home's comfort and functionality, as well as its aesthetic appeal and overall value. Hudson ValleySpring Home ShowMarch 7, 8, 9, 2008Gold's Gym258 Titusville RoadPoughkeepsie, New York 12603Admission: Adults: $7.00,  Children under 16 are FREEhttp://www.acshomeshow.com/HGExpo/HHS.html 02/27/2008

B.B. King is the legendary 'King of the Blues', with 50 albums, an astonishing 18 Grammy Awards, and an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of fame, B.B. King is a legend and one of the greatest performers of our time. The King of the Blues and special guest Murali Coryell in an unforgettable evening. Sponsored by WDST 100.1. Magic City Productions. Friday, March 7th @ 8pm$42.50-$47.50.Mid Hudson Civic Center, 14 Civic Center Plaza Poughkeepsie http://www.ticketmaster.com/ 02/27/2008

Living in Dutchess County provides a wonderful balance of lifestyles. You will enjoy two distinct worlds. The closeness to New York City will fulfill the fast paced metropolitan desires while you live in the relaxing bucolic country setting you will come to know as home. Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing Service is the premier computer information system for real estate in Dutchess County. The public website gives buyers the opportunity to learn search for their Dutchess County dream home.                     To search for your dream house you can enter the Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing Service public website by clicking on the link below:http://www.homeseekers.com/scripts/search.asp?_city_nm=Oakland&_org_id=MIDHOr, click here for real estate sales statistics:http://www.mydreamhouse.com/stats2.... 02/24/2008

02/18/2008

While we were parishioners of a neighboring parish, I happened upon this beautifully restored chapel. while in the process of planning our only daughter's wedding.  Not any church would do. Some were too cold and sterile, others were worn and dated. Sad to say, some priests did not have much time or personality to make me feel welcome.  But, I managed to find the perfect place of worship which finally met my criteria. In a sense, shopping for the perfect setting for a wedding is much like looking for the perfect piece of real estate!  Our Lady of Rosary Chapel is located in The Town of Poughkeepsie.  Not too many local people even know of it because it's very secluded and off the beaten path.  The church, was originally built by The Smith Brothers (famous maker of Smith Bros. cough drop... 02/10/2008

Sesame Street Live - February, 29 - March, 2 Great family fun awaits, When Super Grover loses his superness, Sesame Street needs a hero! Never fear, Elmo, Zoe, Big Bird and friends are here. Get set to join The Fabulous Five, a new team of Sesame heroes, as they work to put the "super" back in Super Grover. Teaching lessons of healthy habits through song and dance, your favorite Sesame Street friends explore exercise, nutrition, sleep/energy and hygiene - all in a quest to get Super Grover ready for action. All your favorite characters live on stage, produced by Vee Corporation. Fri., 10:30am & 7pm; Sat., 10:30am, 2pm & 5:30pm; & Sun., 1pm & 4:30pm. $13-$24. Mid Hudson Civic Center, 14 Civic Center Plaza Poughkeepsie, NY ticketmaster.com   02/02/2008

On April 5-6 there will be a two-day event located in downtown Poughkeepsie, NY in the heart of the Hudson Valley which attracts approximately 25,000 people each year. This event is designed for children and their families to come together and enjoy interactive, hands-on learning experiences in a fun, safe, educational day for 25,000 children, their families and elected officials along with 250 volunteers and 150 business leaders. People from all parts of the Mid-Hudson Valley including Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, Putnam, Rockland, Columbia, Sullivan, Rockland and Westchester Counties come to this event! 10am-4pm both days - $6 per person/children under 3 are FREE! Tickets can be purchased at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center and the YMCA.http://www.kids-expo.org/home.htm                       ... 01/26/2008

I have myself to blame for being a risk taker. I didn't get a flu shot this year. I've never had one - I am a baby when it comes to needles. Luckily, I rarely get the flu. So, I am making up for it this year. I am just getting over a second bout with the flu - the first time was at the end of November. That time it lasted 3 weeks with residuals. That seems average for most of the other people I know who have contacted this season's flu. However, this last bout seems to be different - a more severe strain (effecting every bone in your body), but fortunately, a little more short lived. So, will I get a flu shot next year - probably not unless it comes presented to me in a "shot" glass or on a tablespoon. For more information about the 2007-2008 flu season log onto the following website:ht... 01/22/2008

Announced just today NY has about 80 million dollars of NEW federal money to assist homeowners with their heating bills for the balance of the season.  The program is called HEAP and is administered through New Yorks Social Services Departments.  Call your local county office to see if you quailfy for assistance, which is income based.  So even if you live in a high end area but have a financial setback you may qualify.This is a great program and unlike alot of things in New York, this program actually has gotten better with the recent crisis.  Short sale agents, please spread the word to your clients in need! 01/16/2008

So many brokers including myself have gotten away from taking earnest money deposits from buyers.  At least where I reside brokers do not prepare contracts and every binder stated that the binder was only in place until the contract was superceded by a formaly lawyers contract.  I know this is not the case in many states and even in other parts of New York.  The em in my area is only a show of faith, not part of any contract.  If the buyer walks there is no easy legal way for the seller to keep the EM without a court order and what broker wants to get involved in that?  EM's have become a real thing of the past in my area.  I wonder why is a show of good faith no longer required? It has become so common place that I do not even want to see a written offer until its a final offer, so eve... 01/14/2008

In putting together MLS statistics for a client presentation, I aim for a clear snapshot of what has happened in the Dutchess County real estate market over the last few years. I went as far back as 2003 - the last healthy year for sales. When analyzing the changes from year to year, the figures become rather astonishing! Often in real estate, agents compare the current year to the year before. I feel it has a far bigger impact when you stack up the numbers as follows:                                                                   Purchase Offers 1st of Month  November 2002 - 2003     +14%November 2003 - 2004     -10%November 2004 - 2005     -50%November 2005 - 2006     -20%November 2006 - 2007     -15%  (most recent)So, while most agents might claim the market is down from last year... 01/04/2008

The current average selling price in Dutchess County is just over $375,000. So, I am wondering just what this would buy in other areas of the country. I am creating this post to encourage other Realtors to share and compare. Here is what $375,000 looks like in my community - I am hoping to get a nationwide comparison:CLOSED 11/2007 - $375,000.55 ACRES3 BR   2.5 BABuilt 1975   1942 SF   CLOSED 11/2007 - $365,0003.9 ACRES 3 BR   2.5 BABuilt 1975   1639 SFCLOSED 11/2007 - $385,000.33 ACRES3 BR   2.5 BABuilt 2000  1760 SF  12/30/2007

This is Part 2 to my follow up of the blog posted above about 1 week ago.  Part 2 will detail some common mistakes made by lenders in the foreclosure process. I make these statements not to give legal advice should be viewed as opinion based on employment experience, and a lawyer should be consulted if you are facing foreclosure. My advice comes from hands on experience as viewed from the lenders point of view!What qualifies me to make these statements?  10 years running a private equity group that purchased non performing mortgages from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, The Resolution Trust Corporation and various private lenders.  During my time I traveled extensively throughout the U.S. in order to serve as a corporate witness during trials.  I have testified in both Federal... 12/26/2007

So this blog places me at #1 in my area if I did the math correctly.  1)A month ago I asked does it matter whether or not you blog for points.  Answer- it does not matter as long as your subject matter is timely and relevant to your area or area of expertise.2) Does blogging work?  Absolutley this free site has generated a few bpo's, and two clients, one of which will close a transaction in Jabuary 2008.  3) Why blog- Other than market exposure I blog because I tend to feel that I have alot of experience that can help others.  I also blog to make connections.  I have made some very good connections here on AR.   My best one in Chigaco and I am in New York4) Does #1 in my town mean anything? - Maybe nothing but I enjoy the chase and being chased.  AR is better that drugs and alcohol, and... 12/25/2007

Okay, i'm done, the mall was jammed this morning.  I really need to change the way I do things.  I am such the last minute man.  No parking, people fighting over parking, you could barely walk inside and now everyone is in a rush to get to their families etc for tonight.This shopping season is crazy.  Next year. I'm going to try to do it all online.  If any of you have done or are doing this I would love to hear about your experiences! 12/24/2007

Today while going to pick up rent from a tenant that has been calling as ready since the 5th I arrived to find out that her apartment had been broken into the night before.  After verifing the story with the local PD my wife and I decidied to do something we normally do through our church.  This tenants has 8 children.  All of their gifts and her rent and other money was stolen.  Only her rent will be replaced as that was in the form of a money order which was stopped in time.  This woman had no way to buy presents for her children who all do not reside with her because of her income and the size of the unit.  My wife and I decided to go shopping for the tenants children.  We set a limit and decided that we would buy each child, all 8 of them one gift i.e. toy or other play item and one... 12/23/2007

Just returned from the mall day 2 of shopping just before Christmas.  Upon arrival at 11 am the mall was busy but not that bad.  Boy by noon it was jammed packed.  Thank god I'm a fast shopper as I was able to do my price comparisons, pick up my items and be out of there by 1:30p.  The mall was very busy but it still seemed less busy than in years past.  A sign of the times I guess.From the Galleria I headed north to the stores in and around the 9 Mall area.  Both TJ Maxx and Marshalls were very crowded.  Maybe the discount chains are having a better year with the ecomny the way it is.  Makes me ponder.Update:  Back to the mall at 9pm to get what I had forgot.  Busy is the word very busy not packed just busy.  Macy employees reported a high incedent of theft in the expense perfume secti... 12/23/2007

I'm a last minute shopper so I figured i would do a mall report almost daily up until Christmas.  12/22/2007 was my second day of shopping.  I arrived at the mall at 5pm and stayed until 9pm.  The mall was not bad at all.  It actually seemed to be a little slow for this time of year and slower than last week.  Well i'm off to the mall gain today, and will report when I arrive home.  Hopefully I'll be a little closer to finishing today!  Waiting to the last minute again! 12/23/2007

What am I talking about?  Its called the Home Equity Theft Prevention Act. This act requires buyers of pre-foreclosures to register with the state and pay a fee for registration if they plan on buying a property that has been declared in default by the lender.  The law is very specific about the timelines for default and failure to register leads to major fines up to and above and beyond any equity that a court may find you guilty of taking.Let's face it we have all heard about the little old lady getting scammed out of her home.  if you reside in the Dutchess County New York area and think that your equity was taken by less than honorable means please call me and I can refer you to a local lawyer familiar with this law or you may call the NYS Dept. of Banking at 1-877-BANK-NYS  You can... 12/19/2007