From Rio back to the Hudson Valley...

The Hudson Valley Real Estate market usually slows down during the middle of winter and it’s when I take my two month vacation each year to Rio De Janerio.  One sure sign that the market is changing is that last year and this year my properties really had a lot of previews and I even sold homes these past two winters!  It’s an exciting sign of a changing Ulster County Real Estate market!
I rent an apartment each year in Ipanema and have been going to Rio for the past 15 years.  I have a lot of very close friends there and it’s always great to get back and see everyone each year.  I am in Rio during Carnaval each year and even get to parade and compete with one of the major “samba schools”, Vila Isabel.
I have been back less than a week and already have clients to take out to see homes.  I let sellers know that the “buyers who are out looking during winter are the SERIOUS buyers”.  This was a brutal winter and buyers that were out looking were serious and put offers in on properties and Ulster County Real Estate did not “flat line” this year.
Here is one of my properties that has been shown a lot these past few weeks.  I think it’s a perfect Victorian for someone looking for a move right in home!
Well, NOW it’s SPRING and it’s when I get VERY busy, so please let me know what I can do for you.  Many thanks, and hope all is well.The Hudson Valley Real Estate market usually slows down during the middle of winter and it’s when I take my two month vacation each year to Rio De Janerio.  One sure sign that the market is changing is that last year and this year my properties really had a lot of previews and I even sold homes these past two winters!  It’s an exciting sign of a changing Ulster County Real Estate market!

I rent an apartment each year in Ipanema and have been going to Rio for the past 15 years.  I have a lot of very close friends there and it’s always great to get back and see everyone each year.  I am in Rio during Carnaval each year and even get to parade and compete with one of the major “samba schools”, Vila Isabel.
I have been back less than a week and already have clients to take out to see homes.  I let sellers know that the “buyers who are out looking during winter are the SERIOUS buyers”.  This was a brutal winter and buyers that were out looking were serious and put offers in on properties and Ulster County Real Estate did not “flat line” this year.
Here is one of my properties that has been shown a lot these past few weeks.  I think it’s a perfect Victorian for someone looking for a move right in home!
Victorian dream home

Well, NOW it’s SPRING and it’s when I get VERY busy, so please let me know what I can do for you.  Many thanks, and hope all is well.

Two REALLY sweet AFFORDABLE properties!

The Ulster County market has so much great value right now, and things are FINALLY starting to sell!  I wanted to get the word out about two of the best priced homes listed right now, (both $140K)!

397 Joys Lane in Hurley is a well maintained and cared for brick home set back on a beautiful country road.  It's a small home, and the perfect spot for someone looking for a "close to everything" weekend place in Ulster County, without a second time job fixing something.  Take a look!

http://www.upstatenydreamhome.com/Web/AR297973/ListingSearch/details/?mls_id=NY-UCMLS&mls_no=20123517&display_page=1&lpp=6&index=1&total_listings=1&from=results

12 Delta Place in uptown Kingston is a very large FOUR bedroom home on a double city lot!  You can't find a place this large and is such great condition anyplace in Kingston!  In a terrific "walkable" (and desirable) neighborhoods, with hardwood moldings, stained glass windows, LARGE front porch, and an even bigger back deck that is perfect for entertaining!  Take a look!

http://www.upstatenydreamhome.com/Web/AR297973/ListingSearch/details/?secure=0&mls_id=NY-UCMLS&mls_no=20123010&display_page=1&lpp=6&index=1&total_listings=1&from=results&IDXSESS=jsii8027vqj45qatd3rofgog56&__utmc=31065467&__utma=31065467.1857371326.1338542663.1345808401.1346339692.56&__utmz=31065467.1345370489.53.14.utmcsr%3Dt.co%7Cutmccn%3D%28referral%29%7Cutmcmd%3Dreferral%7Cutmcct%3D%2FbBEJaxQh&__utmb=31065467.7.10.1346339692

 

Two GREAT properties!

I just really wanted to get the word out about two properties on the market right now.  The first is a "short sale" in Kingston.  This is a really BIG home in Kingston and close to EVERYTHING!  It's priced at only $150,000 and will sell fast at this price!  Here is the property...

http://www.upstatenydreamhome.com/Web/AR297973/ListingSearch/details/?mls_id=NY-UCMLS&mls_no=20123010&display_page=1&lpp=6&index=1&total_listings=1&from=results

The other is listed with an agent in my office.  I have shown this property a lot and feedback has been SUPER, (I am even hoping the last couple I showed this to will bring an offer soon)!  It's in the Town of Ulster and very close to Kingston!

http://www.upstatenydreamhome.com/Web/AR297973/ListingSearch/details/?mls_id=NY-UCMLS&mls_no=20122763&display_page=1&lpp=6&index=1&total_listings=1&from=results

Most of my buyers this Summer have really been asking for "VALUE" and I think these two are the best on the market right now!

Kingston..."Brooklyn on the Hudson"...

I always love when I have clients from the city come up to look at houses in Woodstock, and after talking to them think Kingston might be a better fit.  To give them an idea of Kingston, I may have them meet in the Kingston office instead of meeting in our Woodstock office.  My Kingston office is in a very historic area and there are lots of shoppes, restaurants, and plenty of historic buildings from when this was NY’s first capitol.

Kingston has an artistic urban vibe, but you can still find, (like I did) a home that is on a dirt road and feels miles away, but is just a few minutes from EVERYTHING you need!

Kingston is not for everyone.  It’s a very diverse community where the locals really want to meet new people.  Some of my buyer clients really don’t want that, and would prefer to bring supplies and really escape for a remote weekend, (yes, I can find that also for you)!

Here is a photo log from our company Flickr page of Kingston…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/coldwellbankervillagegreenrealty/sets/72157629650584396/

Here are two of my own listings I have on right now that I feel are really the BEST this city has to offer!

http://www.upstatenydreamhome.com/Web/AR297973/ListingSearch/details/?mls_id=NY-UCMLS&mls_no=20122194&display_page=1&lpp=6&index=1&total_listings=1&from=results
&
http://www.upstatenydreamhome.com/Web/AR297973/ListingSearch/details/?mls_id=NY-UCMLS&mls_no=20115144&display_page=1&lpp=6&index=1&total_listings=1&from=results
 

I take great pride in this city, and would really love to show you around to all it has to offer, (even if you have no plans of buying property here)!

Many thanks, and have a great weekend,

(Fridays are a Realtor’s Monday)!

 

Upstate New York Real Estate

Eat...MEAT!

For about sixteen years not only did I refuse to eat meat, but had become one of the most picky eaters on the planet.  I was an adult who had the appetite of a spoiled brat!  When I moved to the Hudson Valley from NYC it got even easier to not eat this or that and pass judgement on the people who did.  Family and friends also had opinions about my food lifestyle..."oh, he won't eat THAT" was often said at family holiday dinners.  Sometimes it was "oh, come on, just try this, you will love it".  It was like the teenage me with the crazy hair colors and styles was now rebelling with FOOD. 

Funny looking back at that.  How LAME!  I started going to South America and trying to explain to some of the sweetest people in the world "no meat" was almost impossible.  It was usually a beautiful plate of vegetables with MEAT on it that I would pick around and be grossed out that it touched the rest of the plate.  I was a mess and knew it, but had to change this because I hated looking this way, (typical American Gringo ASS) to people in another country who I really loved so much so I started to try and just eat what I was served.  I found out, IT WAS GOOD!

Back in Kingston a new butcher had opened uptown.  It was organic meat.  I knew if I was going to start eating meat again THIS was the way to go.  I could still be the picky eater and start eating healthy meat again!  The first time I stopped in  to Fleisher's it just smelled so amazing.  I had no idea what to order or what anything in the store even was.  The owner Joshua Applestone suggested BEACON.  Clever of him.  NOBODY can say "no" to BEACON! 
It was AWESOME and not the greasy fatty salty stuff I remembered.  I started to go in to the store more for my weekly gentle meat fix.  I always asked, "what's that?" and they would always explain what I was buying and how I should cook it.  I was discovering meat the way it should be discovered...learned.

Over the years I have learned so much, and just from being a customer.  Fleisher's also offers butcher classes and owner Joshua Applestone even was on tv teaching Martha Stewart how to butcher a pig!

http://www.marthastewart.com/265746/how-to-butcher-a-pig?video_id=0

They offered a class a while ago to the public and I was almost signed up, but then saw "see the slaughter of the pig" on the sign and decided I couldn't.  I really do understand if you eat meat, you should see how it is killed, but all I think I can do is catch fish.  Somehow deep sea fishing and getting monster fish on the boat with blood and gross really is the line for me.  Weird.

I now have a routine.  Stop in to Fleisher's Thursday or Friday and stock up.  I can't go in there on Saturday...way too busy with "weekenders".  I'm beyond happy that the store is PACKED on Saturdays, but I like stopping in during the week way better.  I stop in and still ask the guys behind the counter, "what is THAT and how do I cook it" or "I LOVE those" and they just are always happy to suggest how they like to cook it.  It always feels like such an old fashioned way to buy food.  Talking to a vendor about their product...what a concept.  I always walk out of the store feeling like I didn't just "buy something" but had a way cool food experience!

Can't make it to the Kingston or Park Slope stores?  get the book!

http://www.fleishers.com/about-fleishers/the-butchers-guide

"I EAT CANNIBALS"!

http://youtu.be/d4O1A-mmBWw

The rich history in Ulster County Real Estate

Ten years ago when I was searching for that perfect piece of Hudson Valley Real Estate, I was fortunate to find an old farmhouse on the Hudson River.  The house I have been loving living in all this time has a really great Hudson Valley history. 

Kingston at one time about 100 years ago was home to many brick companies along the river.  The bricks were built here and taken by barge to Manhattan to help build the city.  The house I live in belonged to the Goldrick family which was also on the site of the Goldrick brick company.  The longer I have lived here, the more incredible things I learn about Goldrick bricks, (they built the original Yankee Stadium that was just taken down)!

http://www.nytstore.com/Authentic-1923-Goldrick-Brick-From-Yankee-Stadium_p_7452.html

On May 12th my home is going to be on the Saugerties historic home tour!  I live in the Town of Ulster, but my home is considered the "Flatbush" part of Saugerties.  Saugerties was just featured in Hudson Valley Magazine as  one of the "7 top towns" in the Hudson Valley!  Ulster County Real Estate in Saugerties is a very smart buy right now!

http://www.hvmag.com/Hudson-Valley-Magazine/April-2012/7-Top-Towns-Best-Places-to-Live-in-the-Hudson-Valley-in-2012/

Here is the information about the Historic Saugerties Tour...

http://village.saugerties.ny.us/content/Calendars/View/1/2012/5;/content/CalendarEntries/View/2345

Hudson Valley happenings this SPRING!

So much going on around here this Spring!  Here is our latest newsletter...

http://conta.cc/H6sOhX

Just let me know if you want to see any of these properties or any on my website...

http://goo.gl/rc4pJ

My fave food and COFFEE!

Hudson valley coffee traders in uptown Kingston is where I spend almost every lunch break during the week.  Besides the most delicious coffee, they also sell really great sandwiches, Paninis, salads, and really something for any lunchtime craving.  The owners and staff are some of the coolest people in town, and can always give out great information for any local things happening you may want to know about.  The gallery space changes and always has a great art show up to enjoy while munching and wiring out!

They also do catering and I have used the for open house events, (guaranteed to bring agents and buyers)!
here is their blog...
http://hudsoncoffeetraders.wordpress.com/

A classic historic Victorian!

My latest listing is an elegant Victorian home on the "National Register of Historic Places".  The home is almost 6,000 square feet AND has a separate two bedroom downstairs apartment, (for added income).  Here is the full listing...

http://ulster.paragonrels.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=89bff569-c406-419e-bcfa-29bcc2ab9175&Report=Yes

This is the "Chichester House" and has a rich history.

The home is walking distance to so much of Kingston's nightlife, Farmer's market, and busy community.

Here is a recent NY Times story about Kingston's new "scene"...

http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/travel/kingston-ny-a-rest-stop-in-the-hudson-valley.html

Sooooooooooo much happening around this weekend!

There really is just so much going on all weekend, and I am trying to take a break from Hudson valley Real estate to take part in some of it all!  Last night kicked off the O positive festival.  Kingston has really wild art all over the city, and great bands are playing all over midtown.  It's a really cool event where artists perform and create for free heath care, (what a concept)!  You can read all about it and see some of the amazing bands here on their site...

http://opositivefestival.org/art-music-wellness/

Fresh off the stage from opening last weekend's B-52's concert in town, The Lady Esther Gin kicked things off in the parade last night on her giant toy horse!

This article was just in the New York Times all about Kingston's scene...

http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/travel/kingston-ny-a-rest-stop-in-the-hudson-valley.html?src=tp&smid=fb-share

Sunday in Rosendale, (the REAL Woodstock town) is a Brasil festival and parade...

http://dailyfreeman.com/articles/2011/10/08/entertainment/doc4e8f16921410b127562484.txt

&

http://www.chronogram.com/issue/2011/10/Arts+%26+Culture/Brazil-Fest-at-the-Rosendale-Theater

Of course, the real estate market is full of amazing places to live here in the Hudson Valley!  Please, let me show you some of the coolest places to live in the area!



A sweet AFFORDABLE listing...

An agent in our Kingston office has a house that I really love here in a very nice Kingston neighborhood.  It's a perfect first time home for someone looking for affordable value!  Here is the full listing...

http://ulster.fnismls.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=6dc5b049-cac2-472a-9123-625e18ccd4bc&Report=Yes

It's really close to EVERYTHING here in the city of Kingston which is a great way to enjoy Hudson Valley living with the convenience of a city!  Just let me know if you want to see it and I can schedule a showing for you!  many thanks!

Freshy fresh summer!

I am really getting into a routine this busy summer with my food hauls.  On Thursday or Friday I beat the crowd and get to Fleisher's for the weekend meat supply.  It's really such an amazing place and converted me after 16 year of being a vegetarian to now being a meat snob.  Martha even did a big episode there and the owner Josh showed her how to butcher a pig!

http://www.fleishers.com/

Saturday Kingston has one of the BEST farmer's markets in the Hudson Valley!  So much to offer on just one of the most beautiful blocks in the area...

http://www.kingstonfarmersmarket.org/

I try to not cook so much in the kitchen and either grill everything or eat at my fave local place Riccardi's hideaway.  Great food and people watching, Riccardis can often be dinner AND a show that reminds me of The Bronx 1940s...(complete with a NY Yankees crowd)!

http://riccardishideaway.com/

I've been SLAMMED this year with clients who want Hudson Valley real Estate, and it's easy to see why!  This is a great new property I have that is walking distance to the farmer's market...

http://animoto.com/play/ihWg9bWmrWc1ov4AHfqVww



Kingston Digital Corridor geek meeting night last night at Keegan Ales (http://www.keeganales.com/) was a blast! It was like a geek AA meeting! It's going to be held the first Wednesday of each month. They picked three people's business cards from a bowl and each person had to stand and speak for 45 seconds about who they are and what they do. After 45 seconds...BUZZ, and they are stopped, (think geek Gong show). Some of the things they are working on are very exciting, (working with Google to get Kingston wireless)!
Here is the story in the Kingston Freeman...http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2010/03/25/life/doc4baa9eae082f3676779034.txt
One of the group's success stories is a local media center...
http://www.seven21.com/
Here are some clips from my cell, (a Palm Pre)...
See ya next month!

OK, here we go....Tim Hurley blog

OK, I am starting YET another blog space! I'd like to use this space to post about Real Estate, Hudson valley happenings, places I travel to, things I am working on, and even just a place to vent, (the Real Estate world has been known to be filled with interesting DRAMA)!

I work at the BEST Real Estate company in the Hudson Valley! Please check out my page and our listings...

http://www.villagegreenrealty.com/agent/timothy-hurley/

Here is a super site for my city, Kingston, NY (NY's first capital)

http://www.kingstonnycalendar.org/

I am also involved with a exciting new project here in Kingston. The Kingston Digital Corridor, is a project for Realtors and city planners to market and brand Kingston as, "Brooklyn on the Hudson". We are trying to let people know that Kingston is a city very much like Brooklyn, but much more affordable! Please take a look at the site and project...

http://www.kingstondigitalcorridor.org/

Feel free to send me an email about any listings, or even if you just need to ask a question about Real Estate. It's really my passion and I love to share my experience and knowledge with people!

I am just getting back after being in Rio DeJanerio for six weeks. I try and post all my photos from being places on my Flickr page...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/strgyn

I also have a few video clips I may add to Flickr like these...

OK, that is good for today. What do you think? Send me an email or Facebook message and let me know! Many thanks, and hope all is well!
Tim