Summer in the Hudson Valley...(so many choices)!

So many times here when I'm not selling Ulster County Real Estate, I will have a weekend off and instead of leaving town, just stay here because we have so MANY things happening around HERE to do!  When I have clients who buy their own Ulster County Real Estate, I sometimes check in and let them know about a concert or festival I don't think they should miss.

I live just across the Hudson River from The "Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome".  It's a really cool place with vintage biplanes that put on shows and even sell tickets to go up and fly in one!  I worked for a lot of years as a mascot for WPDH radio station and have gone up in the planes a couple times in the Eagle costume!  I am pretty afraid of planes, but for some reason a biplane felt more safe and comfortable.  On most weekends in Summer, I can look up and see the planes flying or doing tricks over the Hudson.  Check them out at ...

http://www.oldrhinebeck.org/

Another cool way to enjoy the Hudson River is to get out on a boat!  I like to go out on the Rip Van Winkle that leaves Kingston's Rondout waterfront.  The boat sometimes goes past my home and I always hear how much fun people are having out there!  Sometimes when I am on the boat, I point out to people my piece of Hudson Valley Real estate as we sail by the house!

http://www.hudsonrivercruises.com/

One really amazing outdoor sculpture park is Opus 40 in Saugerties.  It's an incredible blue stone sculpted work that is something you never forget.  Occasionally they have concerts there and you will find no other venue like this to enjoy.  It's an incredible story of one man's life work...

http://www.opus40.org/

Want to cool off?  Here is a list of places in the Hudson Valley from Hudson Valley Magazine, (my favorite is Kingston Point Beach here in Kingston)...

http://www.hvmag.com/Hudson-Valley-Magazine/May-2013/Beaches-and-Swimming-Holes/

Like trains?  There is no better way to take a ride and enjoy some breathtaking Hudson valley scenery!

http://www.catskillmtrailroad.com/

Need a place to stay while you are here having fun or looking at Ulster County Real Estate?  My two favorite places are...

A great lighthouse in Saugerties...

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.saugertieslighthouse.com/

and the  1950s house Inn in Rosendale...(I have had clients stay there and they LOVED it)!

http://www.the1850house.com/

Here is this morning's sunrise at my place...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Rio postcard and how to pick a house Upstate...

As many of my clients and blog readers know, I take a two month trip to Rio each year in the middle of winter, (when the market is slowest).  This year's trip was really special.  I compete in Rio's Carnaval and parade in one of the 12 groups (samba schools) that fight to win each year.  The groups all have to write a new song, theme, and dance each year and they are judged on about 40 categories from four different judges who give from 5 to 10 points, (ten being highest).

This year our parade was almost PERFECT and we won!  We have not been champions since 2006 and it's pretty incredible to be on the winning team!

Here is the video... (the small group of dancers in the front at about nine minutes tell the story of what the parade will be).

Vila Isabel's parade 2013

Here is a photo album from the news...

Vila Isabel in the news...

 

Each year when I get back in March, things are starting to pick up and I become busy with clients looking for that perfect upstate home.  With so many different towns and communities it can really be a challenge to decide which place is right for you.  I have had plenty of clients tell me they want one type of property when we start out, and wind up with something completely different from what they thought they were looking for.  That is where I come in and help guide lost clients.

Here is a GREAT article that explains some choices...

Choosing the RIGHT place...

Here is one of my favorite listings on the market right now that is in a very popular neighborhood and will probably not be on the market for too long!

Country Club Lane property...

 

Many thanks and think SPRING!

 

Yes, Realtor ads are the MOSY CHEESEY!

Being in a business where I always have to do advertisement can be a challenge.  I have sent out postcards years ago when I started doing Real Estate that I look at now and cringe.  My manager has one up in her office of a "just sold" card I sent out when I sold an OLD dentist office in Saugerties to a first time homeowner, (she has since turned it in to a beautiful village home).  "If I just sold THIS, I am ready for ANY challenge"...(brutal).

Having to come up with new and interesting descriptions of properties are another hurdle.  It really does seem sometimes like every adjective you use on a property can sometimes not actually sound human...(who talks like us Realtors)?

Then there are the head shots.  No matter how great a head shot, I always think "that is NOT me"!

Ellen DeGeneres just did a pretty funny spot-on bit on Realtor ads that is pretty hysterical!  Watch this clip and the CALL ME TODAY to help you with you Hudson Valley Real Estate needs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-H3kD3vLks

 

Hudson Valley Summer horse life...(and a couple listings)

While Saratoga is described as "the best six weeks of Summer", Saugerties also has a major horse competition and venue as well.  HITS, (horses in the sun) is a really big annual event that brings a LOT of visitors here to the Hudson Valley, (Bruce Springsteen even came to watch his daughter compete)!  The horses mostly compete in jumping courses with the Catskill Mountains as an awesome background.  The venue also has an end of season concert and this year Michael McDonald is playing on September 9th. http://www.hitsshows.com/

I previewed a GREAT horse farm yesterday in Saugerties on TWENTY acres that is PERFECT for anyone looking for property for horses.  Here is the property...

http://goo.gl/lCCiV

I spend as much time as I can in Saratoga during racing season, and this year had an excuse.  I have two really great listings in Saratoga!

The first is a motel I have stayed at for years now because it's right on the backstretch and as close to the horse "action" as you can get!

http://goo.gl/qYSLO

The second is a restored historic building with three store fronts and two 2 bedroom upstairs apartments.  It's in Saratoga's "arts district".

http://goo.gl/AjZgK

This weekend is the "Travers Stakes" and I will be in saratoga all weekend and hopefully not only win big, but sell both of these great properties I've had so much "action" on during this season!  "AND they're off"!!

http://nyra.com/saratoga/stories/Aug202012c.shtml