Pleasant Valley, NY - Price Reduced by $30,000 - 02/28/08 09:43 AM
EXQUISITE QUALITY! A UNIQUE HOME IN A VERY PRESTIGIOUS UPSCALE NEIGHBORHOOD. BRAZILIAN CHERRY FLOORS, SOARING CEILINGS, EXPANSIVE WINDOWS, WIDE MOLDINGS. ENORMOUS DREAM KITCHEN W/CHERRY, GRANITE & STAINLESS TOP OF LINE APPLIANCES. 1ST FL MASTER SUITE W/LIMESTONE BATH. 4CAR HEATED GARAGE W/HYDRAULIC LIFT. SECLUDED 6 AC. WOODED LOT. NEAR TSP PKWY. BEST OF BOTH WORLDS - NEIGHBORHOOD SETTING WITH SECLUSION. SUPERIOR SCHOOLS! $849,900.  
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Price Reduced - Wappingers Falls, NY - 02/27/08 08:14 PM
MAGNIFICENT SPLIT, COMLPLETE WITH UPDATES & AMAZINGLY WELL MAINTAINED. BEAUTIFUL NEWER OAK KITCHEN, TASTEFUL BATHROOM UPDATES, WOOD & CERAMIC FLOORS, FORMAL LIVING ROOM BOASTING A MAJESTIC STONE FIREPLACE. SCREENED IN SUNROOM OFFERS CAN BE CONVERTED TO ALL YEAR LIVING SPACE - OVERLOOKS LANDSCAPED PRIVATE & FENCED YARD. LOCATION, LOCATION - JUST A FEW MINUTES TO SHOPPING, METRO-NORTH TRAINS, I-84, RT9 & EVERYDAY CONVENIENCES. $334,900
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Hudson Valley Spring Home Show - 02/27/08 07:58 PM
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.
Admission: Adults: $7.00,  Children under 16 are FREE
http://www.acshomeshow.com/HGExpo/HHS.html
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An Evening With BB King & Special Guests At The Mid Hudson Civic Center - 02/27/08 07:48 PM
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/
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Is This Green Enough For You? - 02/24/08 09:25 PM
A unique architectural site & tourist attraction in the Millbrook area that shouldn't be missed is Wing Castle. Using salvaged materials from antique buildings, this stone fortress was built and fashioned as a medieval castle by the actual residents, owner/architects Peter and Toni Wing. The castle with 7 towers and moat took more than 23 years to build and they are still not finished.
At the age of twenty-one Peter Wing returned from Vietnam and started building a home for himself and his family using recycled materials. For thirty years he and his wife are proud owners of a medieval castle visited by hundreds … (6 comments)

Relocating To Dutchess County? - 02/24/08 08:53 PM
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=MIDH
Or, click here for real estate sales statistics:
http://www.mydreamhouse.com/stats2.htm
And, … (0 comments)

Why I Can't Wait Until Springtime In The Hudson Valley - 02/24/08 08:20 PM
Innisfree was designed as the private garden for Walter and Marion Beck (heiress to a Minnesota mining fortune). In 1960, Innnisfree was opened to the public, as provided for by the Beck's will. The artistic gardens at Innisfree, near Millbrook, New York, were created in the 1920s to reflect the philosophy and aesthetics of Chinese gardens. Experiencing Innisfree means taking an inspiring journey and exploring nature through ancient Chinese artistic tradition. The Innisfree Garden boasts an international heritage and a global reputation. Known primarily for its beauty. This is one of the most beautiful and unique gardens in the world: two hundred acres of woods and gardens wound … (1 comments)

Poughkeepsie, New York - Just Listed - 02/21/08 07:22 PM
MOVE IN CONDITION & VERY CHARMING TOO! NUMEROUS UPDATES WITHIN LAST 2-4 YEARS INCLUDE ROOF, WINDOWS, SIDING, TREX DECK, EXTENDED DRIVEWAY. FEATURES UPDATED BATH, CENTRAL AIR, 1ST FLOOR LAUNDRY/OFFICE. FULL BASEMENT, ATTIC & HUGE OUTDOOR SHED FOR AMPLE STORAGE. WALK TO ARLINGTON BUSINESS DISTRICT SHOPS & RESTAURANTS. CLOSE TO BUS ROUTES & ONLY 5 MINUTES TO/FROM METRO NORTH TRAIN STATION. LOCATED IN A VERY SOUGHT AFTER SCHOOL DISTRICT. MUST SEE! $262,500
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Sellers....beige is never boring when you are trying to sell! - 02/21/08 03:05 PM
I am amazed at how many people get decorating ideas from HGTV. I do credit the shows like "Designed To Sell" and "House Hunters" for helping real estate agents to set sellers straight. People do need to understand how to stage a house for a successful sale. But, I have also noticed many of the other shows which offer wacky decorating ideas and so-called color trends that are a little too extreme and most likely some could be turn-offs to the average buyer - like these before and afters:
Before                                                              After 
     
       
    
When selling a house - BEIGE IS BEAUTIFUL!
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I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today - 02/20/08 08:43 PM
Do you remember Popeye cartoons? Wimpy is Popeye's friend - very intelligent, well educated, but very lazy and gluttonous. Wimpy is also something of a scam artist. He loves hamburgers. Wimpy attempts to con others into buying his lunch. Wimpy often tries to outwit others with his convoluted logic. His famous line is, "I'd gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today".
This line kind of reminds me of the attitudes of many past home-buyers who got in way over their heads, with mortgages they really couldn't, in reality, afford.    
                                                                          
How is Wimpy different than the rest of us? We are a gluttonous society, known for excessiveness. Americans of any generation would very much enjoy a … (6 comments)

When Sellers Clean & Prepare Their Homes - Give Them Feedback! - 02/20/08 05:51 PM
For every agent out there who has ever showed one of my listings - thank you for giving me feedback when it was requested of you! For those who have ignored requests for feedback - shame on you!
Common courtesy goes a long way in this business.
                                                   
I truly appreciate doing business with people who were bred to be well mannered and courteous to others. See, when you give me feedback you are not only helping me, your're helping me service my clients. Your feedback gives me the opportunity to provide peace of mind, or coaching - if needed. Why should you care about helping me or … (6 comments)

How To Have an Open House, Without Having An Open House - 02/20/08 04:25 PM
Most sellers I work with do not want open houses. They cringe when the sign goes in the ground and they grimace more at the thought of their inquisitive neighbors walking through their home. Occasionally, I do come across a seller who really wants to showcase their home via an open house. And, while I don't mind hosting an open house I do remind them of the new millennium and how real estate works now.
                                                            
Gone are the days when Mom & Dad would pile the kids in the back of the family station wagon to go looking at Sunday open houses - dad … (9 comments)

Hiking In Dutchess County - 02/19/08 10:06 AM
Contrary to what I have recently posted in regard to things to do here in the winter, yesterday provided us with a fabulous break in the weather. An agent from my office told me how he spent the President's Day holiday hiking with his 6 year old son. As winter turns to spring, there are plenty of warm weather activities to enjoy in Dutchess County....I am partial to these hiking trails:
Appalachian Trail Description:30 miles of the Trail pass through southeastern Dutchess. 4,000 acres of protected parkland with hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and five overnight use areas. Location:Look for trail crossing signs … (4 comments)

Are You Old Enough To Remember Mortgage Interest Rates at 18%? - 02/19/08 09:27 AM
I may be giving away my age but the one thing I remember most about buying my first house in the early 80's was a 15% interest rate and how we were able to slide into a very nice home because of a first time buyer's program at around 6-7%. If not for this program, we probably would have waited a long time to buy. Like now, buyers back then were waiting with anticipation of interest rates falling. 
While many people waited, we moved-in, got settled - and very comfy. Meanwhile, rates shot up to 18%. Then, my husband got a job offer a few years later and we reluctantly … (13 comments)

Dutchess County, NY - Real Estate Is Holding It's Value! - 02/18/08 08:02 PM
If you are a buyer who has been waiting to time the bottom of the real estate market in Dutchess County, you may have already waited way too long. The reality is  - our local market is holding value. Waiting to purchase real estate here could be a huge mistake!
According to Mid-Hudson MLS, the average selling price of a home here in January 2008 was $371,990.
Compare this number to one year earlier - January 2007, when the average selling price was $348,553. 
See, our local market began changing before the rest of the country and before it became national news!
The average selling price in … (5 comments)

Dear Homeowners, Do You Mark Your Territory Like You're A Dog? - 02/18/08 06:34 PM
Today, while on a house hunting excursion with a buyer client who has little vision we noticed some bold color schemes. We continue to search for homes that boast plain, non-offensive decor choices and are in move-in condition. Purple, orange and anything outrageous are a turn-off to this particular buyer, so are certain housekeeping habits. I know paint is cheap but my client just doesn't want to start out with anything too outlandish. He wants a clean canvas.
Too funny...after a few bold colors today, my client turned to me and asked if it's possible that humans might make these awful selections to perhaps "mark their territory", much like … (6 comments)

Hudson Valley Restaurants Present: - 02/15/08 12:09 PM
Hudson Valley Restaurant Weeks March 9 - 21, 2008...Be sure to join us in a celebration of the culinary riches of New York's Hudson Valley, including Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, Ulster and Columbia Counties.
During the 12-day celebration, participating restaurants are serving up three-course prix-fixe lunches for $16.09 and/or three-course dinners for $26.09 Sunday through Friday. Beverages, tax and gratuity are additional. Come, enjoy the great dining experiences in the Hudson River Valley!
For a complete list of the participating restaurants: http://hudsonvalleyrestaurantweek.com/restaurants.php
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Dutchess County Wineries - 02/15/08 11:59 AM
Once a year, I enjoy visiting the wineries of Dutchess County. My favorite is Millbrook Vineyards. I always end up going home with a case of wine - which lasts me for several months. Here is a list of local wineries: Alison Wines & Vineyards 231 Pitcher Lane Red Hook, NY 12571 845 758 6335 845 758 5073 fax Set in a converted 19th Century dairy barn amid scenic Hudson Valley farmland, Alison Wines & Vineyards crafts sophisticated table wines from the Noble French varietals as well as delicious dessert-style wines from locally-grown fruits. Now in our sixth year, we are proud to … (2 comments)

Bush Throws Mortgage Holders 'Project Lifeline' - 02/12/08 05:11 PM
Right from CBS news this evening, the mortgage companies are agreeing to contact homeowners who are 90 or more days overdue on their monthly mortgage payments. The homeowners will be given the opportunity to put the foreclosure process on pause for 30 days while the lenders try to work out a way to make the mortgage more affordable to homeowners. 
The six participating banks are Bank of America Corp., Citigroup Inc. Countrywide Financial Corp., J.P. Morgan Chase and Co., Washington Mutual Inc. and Wells Fargo & Co. 
Dubbed "Project Lifeline," the program will be available to people who have taken out all types of … (5 comments)

Today, My Job Was To Just Listen... - 02/11/08 05:57 PM
This afternoon I consulted with a couple who is on the fence about selling. They've considered renting. After repeatedly canceled/rescheduled appointments due to indecisiveness, we finally met today. I sensed money issues. Today's meeting confirmed that. I arrived at their house with rental paperwork, suddenly worried that I hadn't brought an MLS contract in case they had decided again that they wanted to sell.
They warmed up to me instantly. I listened intently as they told me of their situation. They moved here from NY City in mid 2006. The commute is now killing him. He stays in the city 5 days a week. His wife is foreign speaking and is working toward a GED. … (3 comments)

My Favorite Place Of Worship - 02/10/08 08:41 PM
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 … (6 comments)

Winter Blahs Part ll - Bowling Centers in Dutchess County - 02/10/08 04:02 AM
To beat the winter blahs, we sometimes coordinate an afternoon or evening of bowling with our friends and their families. This always ends up being a good old fashioned fun time! Here is a list off Dutchess County Bowling Centers:
                                                        
Hoebowl Bowling Center (845) 471-1820 55 Taft Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Hoebowl Bowling Center
(845) 297-8110 1677 Route 9d, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
Fishkill Bowl
(845) 896-7830  110 Route 82, Fishkill, NY 12524
Southern Dutchess Bowl Pro Shop
(845) 838-0644 770 Route 52, Beacon, NY 12508
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Winter Blahs? - Find A Dutchess County Movie Theatre - 02/09/08 07:14 PM
I am not too fond of cloudy winter days...and a back condition prevents me from enjoyiing winter sports like I use to. So, I head to the movies a lot in the winter!   
My husband and I are actually movie addicts. We usually don't wait too long after a new release and enjoy the big screen. I like all kinds, except the sci-fi and hokey ones (I refuse to be so gullible!). As for "chic flicks", he hates them, so I tend to miss the days when my daughter would come home from college and we would go together (she now lives out of state permanently)! 
                                                          
Our favorites lately were Juno and … (3 comments)

Poughkeepsie, NY - 2nd price reduction in 10 days! Now $17,000 LESS! - 02/08/08 05:33 PM
Poughkeepsie, NY - Price Reduced!
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Where Do You Work? - 02/06/08 09:28 PM
I had a 12:30 hair appointment today and while the shampoo girl was was doing her thing she attempted to make small talk. "What are your plans for the rest of the day"? I told her I had to get back to work. She proceeded - "where do you work"? I hesitated - and then told her I was a real estate agent. I guess the question would have been easier for me, had she asked me what I do.
Where do I work?  Well, let's see...
I work at a real estate office....
I work at my home office....
I work at other people's homes....
I work … (19 comments)

Is There Any Way We Could Clone Listings? - 02/05/08 03:12 PM
I have multiple offers - something that does not happen often in today's market. Thank goodness for pristine condition and a seller that has realistic expectations. I was just thinking dreaming of how much fun it would be if I could just clone the most marketable listings so that I could have a sale for every interested buyer out there! Does anybody out there have a scientific brain?
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Super, Super Fat Tuesday in NY! - 02/04/08 06:13 PM
Tomorrow's a big day! How about them Giants???? New Yorkers get to look forward to the post Superbowl parade on Tuesday in lower Manhatten, while New Orleans gets ready for Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) - which is a reason we celebrate all over the country with Cajun culinary creations! But more importantly people - this day is also known as Election Day...
.....or Super Tuesday. 
Superbowl parade, Super Tuesday, Fat Tuesday - how about Super, Super Fat Tuesday!
Don't forget to vote!  

… (6 comments)

Dutchess County, New York - Just Listed - 02/04/08 04:57 PM
WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY - MAGNIFICENT CONTEMPORARY SPLIT, COMLPLETE WITH UPDATES & AMAZINGLY WELL MAINTAINED. BEAUTIFUL NEWER OAK KITCHEN, TASTEFUL BATHROOM UPDATES, WOOD & CERAMIC FLOORS, FORMAL LIVING ROOM BOASTING A MAJESTIC STONE FIREPLACE. SCREENED IN SUNROOM OFFERS CAN BE CONVERTED TO ALL YEAR LIVING SPACE - OVERLOOKS LANDSCAPED PRIVATE & FENCED YARD WITH POOL. LOCATION, LOCATION - JUST A FEW MINUTES TO SHOPPING, METRO-NORTH TRAINS, I-84, RT9 & EVERYDAY CONVENIENCES. $349,900 … (3 comments)

Sesame Street Live - in Poughkeepsie! - 02/02/08 09:39 PM
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 & … (2 comments)

Townhouse - Wappingers Falls, NY Price Reduced! - 02/02/08 03:43 PM
COMPLETELY UPDATED. CAN'T FIND ANOTHER UNIT IN MONTCLAIR AS UPDATED FOR THIS PRICE! NEW KITCHEN, BATHS, FLOORING, WINDOWS. TOTALLY TURN-KEY. BUILDING BACKS UP TO PRIVACY, WITH EXCEPTION OF TENNIS COURTS. CLOSE TO TRAIN AND COMMUTER ROUTES. SHOP TO SEE - THERE'S NO COMPARISON! $189,000
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If Presidential Candidates Were Real Estate Agents - 02/01/08 09:32 AM
If Presidential Candidates Were Real Estate Agents, which one would you want to do your next transaction with? Which one would you hire to represent you as a buyer's or seller's agent? This morning as I was getting ready to start my day and listening to the news in the background, it occurred to me that I have no favorites in this 2008 presidential campaign. So, I moved on to other thoughts and began thinking about real estate as I often do. Then I began thinking back and forth between politics and real estate. Which one of these candidates might have the qualities I would … (7 comments)

 

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