Friday, August 27, 2010

Hudson Valley history

Owning Hudson Valley Real Estate is very special, and may also bring you close to a piece of history.  Right near my office in Kingston is the only four corner intersection in the country with a stone house on all four corners, (from the 1600s)!  Here is a great local site with history news...
http://historical-travels.com/2009/12/05/kingston-stockade-district-in-kingston-ny/

One of the great preserved homes on that intersection is the Persen House.  I just had a friend visit from Ireland and we took the tour.  It was really fascinating and I kept thinking, "right here a block from my office"!
There are many famous local people who lived here too.  Politicians, writers, and artists.  One person who is from here is Sojourner Truth.  She was a slave with an amazing story.  My best friend is working on a park in her name and can give people more information about this fascinating American hero that Wikipedia can...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sojourner_Truth
Come and explore the local history of the Hudson Valley today!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Hudson Valley summer life is the BEST!

I have friends from Florida visiting right now, and there is almost too much to pick from for things to do while they are here!  Over the weekend we went to Saratoga.  Saratoga is the "best six weeks of summer" and "what Vegas wants to be"!  I follow the horse owners and trainers all year and can't wait for them to come to NY and race.  I had such a great winning weekend, and so did my visiting friends!  After the races we usually go to the Horseshoe for some live music and great food.
After a wild fun weekend, we hot really bad Hudson Valley weather yesterday and couldn't figure out what to do with ourselves.  We decided to go someplace I haven't been to since being a kid...HOWE CAVERNS!  It was a blast in the underground caves and a really fun kooky guide!
Now, on today's menu...
One of the greatest county fairs in the country starts here today.  The Dutchess County Fair happens in Rhinebeck, and is the most classic fair that happens.  Just across the Hudson from my house and where the big Chelsea Clinton wedding just happened!
Living in the Hudson Valley, I sometimes just get used to being here in a place that is THE summer vacation destination for so many people.  Being a Realtor and selling Hudson Valley Real Estate lets me help people live this exciting life also!  Just let me know if I can help you!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

I'm not always in the Hudson Valley

Winter here can be rough, (unless you love all the winter ski places we offer) so I take off to Rio every year for Carnaval.  I have been going to Rio for about ten years now, and spend about two months there.  Brasil is really home away from home for me in winter because it's their summer and I have lots of great friends there.  The economy in Brasil seems to be doing the opposite that ours is here.  One of my best friends there used to work on the beach by my apartment and was the classic "surfer dude".  Last year when I saw him, his hair was cut and he had a whole new look.  "I'm a Realtor now" he said!  He works at a really great company and loves it.  It was wild for me to hear how real estate works there and all the different laws.  Rio is having a real estate boom like NYC did, but they really can't build more, so people are selling at really crazy prices, (I should have bought years ago when it was cheap)!
Here is a site I like to read...
http://riotimesonline.com/
Selling Hudson Valley Real Estate may be my passion, but a break for the beach is my life!
P1080743

Thursday, August 12, 2010

The house that Ruth built?

Actually it may be the house that Mr. Goldrick built!  I just found out that bricks made at the property I live at were used to build Yankee Stadium!  Kingston was once several different brick companies along the Hudson river.  I live in Mr. Goldricks home and this once was one of the biggest brick companies in New York.  I just found an online NY Times page that is selling bricks from the old Yankee Stadium that was torn down...
http://www.nytstore.com/ProdDetail.aspx?prodId=32550
I have these bricks all over my property!  There was also once a church for the workers here, and my neighbors found what used to be the shoe store for the workers just down the hill in my woods!
Pretty cool!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Charming Deer Run

Curb appeal and class in the desirable Deer Run development!  Tucked away at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac is this very sweet home with a great backyard!  This house is in EXCELLENT condition and ready for you to MOVE RIGHT IN!  Close to the NYS Thruway, Woodstock, New Paltz, Metro North, and right in the middle of the Hudson Valley!  Make this home yours today!
http://ulster.fnismls.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=a6df09cc-c5ee-48e0-93c6-4d4cfb52d3fe&Report=Yes

My fancy new site!

Not sure if I have blogged about my new site or not, but if so, I'll mention it again!  My new website is a great tool to log on and search the MLS for all the properties that are on the market today.  I have listings, and some local links on there too.  It's a great way to just site and pick thru the market!  Enjoy...
http://www.upstatenydreamhome.com/

Things that can sell a home...

There are many creative things people are doing right now to sell homes.  "Staging" is one of the very popular things agents are doing for clients.  I have many local professional staging people I can refer to clients, and think it always helps.  I also have learned about a design consultant who has a great reputation with Realtors and I can't wait to use him.  Selling Hudson Valley Real Estate can be challenging and buyers really need to see some of the great qualities that make a Hudson Valley property different than most.  Allan Skriloff is one of the ways a home can be made to look perfect for a buyer.  Here is his site...
http://interioranalysis.com/

Friday, August 6, 2010

It's why I live here...AND LOVE IT!

Here is the county's latest plug...Come live here if you don't already!  the Hudson Valley is where it's at!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct_jyziYGJU

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Rumors and hear say...

I have heard agents buzzing about local banks that plan on releasing a load of foreclosures in the Fall and they expect it to hurry the local Hudson Valley Real Estate market.  More fears without FACTS?  I'm going to try and find out where this buzz is coming from.  There are QUALIFIED buyers in the market with great jobs who are watching the news and afraid to buy homes for no reason at all.  I'm starting to believe that like the stock market people like to buy when prices are high.  Prices and interest rates are at an all time low and while I have some buyers going to contract on homes, I also see plenty who are just afraid to pull the trigger because they think something is wrong.  Not only are prices super low, but I negotiate for buyers to save them THOUSANDS on their new home!  Come on people, it's time to buy!!  Big love!
Tim

Tuesday, August 3, 2010