One of my favorite "luxury" Properties...

An agent from my office has one of my favorite properties on the market right now.  I was at this home yesterday and it really felt like I was on vacation at a French Provincial farmhouse.  It's on over 50 acres and really feels remote and private, yet is still a short drive to the Metro North train station and a little over an hour from Manhattan!  It feels like such a vacation home that I suggested the agent post it on Craig's List as a weekly rental.  I also suggested she hire a professional photographer and get better pictures because I think the ones on the listing don't do justice to such a unique home.  There is even a large studio on the property for (lucky) house guests!  Let me know if you would like to preview this home.  If you are looking for country luxury property, this is it!

http://webhosts.ihouseelite.com/Web/AR297973/ListingSearch/details/?mls_id=NY-UCMLS&mls_no=20114965&display_page=1&lpp=6&index=1&total_listings=1&from=results

(okay, this picture is this morning's sunrise from my home, but as I'm blogging this was happening and I had to share)...

Calling Saratoga fans

and investors!  I have two really great properties on the market right now in Saratoga Springs, NY. 

I enjoy Thoroughbred racing and follow horses and trainers all year long.  Saratoga Racetrack is America's oldest sports venue and the "best six weeks of Summer" in August.  Being a racing fan, I like to be as close to the "action" as possible and always stay at a motel that is right across the street from the backstretch.  I like get up really early morning and watch trainer's morning workouts while the Daily Racing form broadcasts the "morning line' across the street from the motel. 

After the races I leave the track and head across the street from the motel to the Horseshoe Inn for the all night party with racing fans.

The owners of the motel have run the very successful motel for many years, but are now ready to leave it and pursue their true careers.  They are both very famous Opera singers and it is time for them to focus on Opera once again.

Here is the full listing.  It's really an investor's smartest dream to find a property this close to the most famous racetrack in the world...

http://ulster.paragonrels.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=3f4d3438-e4c9-40a6-a7da-fda026156b7b&Report=Yes

The couple also owns a gallery space with stores and two apartments in Saratoga's hip and trendy art neighborhood.  This is a historic corner building that will definitely be a smart investment.  Here is that listing...

http://ulster.paragonrels.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=76f5283b-91e6-40bf-8b42-8393972dabcd&Report=Yes

My Hudson Valley disaster report...

The headlines on Kingston's local paper this morning said in bold print..."DEVASTATION".  As I carried buckets of water to the house this morning after three days of no power, I started to think of how well I have things right now. 

Coldwell Banker Village Green had five offices here in the Hudson Valley.  One of the five was in Windham and that town has been "wiped out" according to the papers.  Our broker has lost one of the most productive offices she owns...for now, (Joan is a fighter and will get things back soon).

Here is the Windham flood Story...

http://dailyfreeman.com/articles/2011/08/28/news/doc4e5aefbdbf82e061884086.txt

I live in a 127 year old house on the Hudson River and before the storm I watched huge yachts going up river to escape.  The morning after the storm I saw some return and other boats upside down tied to floating away docks.

Hurricane Irene arrived in the middle of some very challenging negations and stress for me.  Driving around the area really is one of those horrible things that makes us step back and see how much there is to be grateful for.

I am still without power, but come into the Kingston office to contact clients, check the news, and share stories with co workers who are also without power and have stories of their own.  I had some high water in the basement and it really drained back out fast. 

Back to Hudson Valley Real Estate...

I have clients who want to look at homes the next few days and I am calling to see if the properties are still able to be accessed.

Happy to be alive!

(pict from my cell after the storm passed)

What does a million dollars buy in the Hudson Valley?

I sometimes hear people who live in the Hudson Valley say, "I could get a million dollars for my home,  I have a view"!  Right away I wonder, "do they have privacy?  what is the view of?  what makes your home so special"?  It's one of the toughest challenges for me in today's market.  I understand the EMOTIONAL value of a home for someone, but in this tough market savvy buyers know exactly what they are looking for and what they are willing to pay for it.

I did a search this morning on the MLS to see exactly what sort of single family residential properties have sold for a million dollars or more.  Here are the thirteen sold properties in the past year...

http://ulster.fnismls.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=b32a11e3-1635-41b5-aa1b-3ba3fabe7e71&Report=Yes

The least amount of land on a property was 4 acres, (with Hudson River views).  The earliest year built was 1739, and newest was 2002.

Today's current market has 60 properties on the maket over one million dollars.  Here they are...

http://ulster.fnismls.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=10beb349-4e76-4d20-87ec-c49839e1b1a9&Report=Yes

I really am glad I looked all this up for the next time I have a buyer looking for luxury Hudson Valley Real Estate or am at a party and hear someone say, "I can get a million bucks for my house right now"!