MY House Is For Sale .....April Fools! - 03/31/09 06:39 PM
There's just something about the yard sign.  It seems to gather a lot of attention from the neighbors.  Everybody always wants to know where you're moving to and why you're selling.  I've always been one of those sellers who cringes at the thought of a yard sign.  Prior to entering into the business, I had already sold four of my own homes.  So, I totally understand when sellers tell me they hate the sign.
When I started my real estate business, I did what every new agent does.  I sent out letters to my sphere of influence letting them know.  I wanted something really catchy, something that would really capture everybody's attention. 
My … (13 comments)

Shouldn't House Hunting Be Classified As A Sport? - 03/30/09 08:33 AM
... The thrill of victory... and the agony of defeat.  I mean, shouldn't house hunting be classified as a sport?  Recently, I spent three weekends hunting with the same buyers.  We went deep into the country to hunt for the ideal home.  I typically work in the more populated areas of my county.  But, this house hunting excursion really felt like a "hunt" and I had so much fun venturing into new and unfamiliar territory.   
On second thought, maybe those winding roads through the upstate NY countryside were not really all that fun to navigate after all.  See, climbing those hills and meandoring the curvy and … (46 comments)

Building Relationships With A Warm Heart, Kind Words And Sunbeam Hands - 03/29/09 07:47 PM
As a real estate agent, I play an integral role of a caregiver.  As I get to know my clients and build business relationships, I begin to grow attached personally.  My goal is for everything to go smooth and I strive to do the best job possible- because at the end of each successful real estate transaction, a new friendship usually begins. 
But, what happens when things don't go as smooth as I might have had in mind?  Perhaps there is an occasional client who gets a little stressed out and easily frustrated.  Problems can sometimes arise when the other party in a transaction becomes difficult to deal with - there is … (3 comments)

When Will The Market Hit Bottom? - 03/27/09 11:29 AM
It's becoming an all too familiar question.  Start talking about the economy with anybody, and the topic always turns to real estate.  Inevitably, I am asked - "when will the market hit bottom"?  Isn't this similar to a few years back?  I remember when escalating real estate sales and increasing prices had people shaking their head in amazement.  They would tell me - "the bubble is going to burst."  The media had started spreading the news of the possibility, but at the time everybody seemed skeptical - nobody really knew for sure, or when it would happen.
Fast forward to today.  Those of us who have concerns about the economy, our home vales, and … (11 comments)

Do You Feel Like A Prisoner In Your Own Home? - 03/22/09 02:14 PM
That would be ME! I don't believe I am alone these days when I say I feel like a prisoner in my own house.  The truth is, I am not happy living in my current home anymore.  My house is large and presents too much of a responsibility for two career minded people who are off working most of the time.
On the surface, life appears to be good.  But, we are imagining ourselves in some other place right now.  Like a condo or townhouse.
Our plan was to only live here for 5-7 years.  We needed the space when there were two teenagers living with us.  I … (45 comments)

Making Your Home More Affordable - 03/20/09 05:01 PM
You're able to pay your mortgage on time but due to a decrease in the value of your home, you think you are unable to refinance to take advantage of today's lower mortgage. Maybe you're wrong. Are you struggling to make the monthly mortgage payments because your interest rate has increased or maybe you now have less income due to a hardship?
Use the self-assessment tools provided on the website below to see if you are able to benefit from President Obama's comprehensive strategy called "Making Home Affordable".
http://www.makinghomeaffordable.gov/
                                                               1989 Route 52               East Fishkill, NY 12533               www.carolculkin.houlihanlawrence.com
               Office:  845.227.4400   Ext. 358            Cell:  845.430.6543         
… (6 comments)

Found THE House? Now, Imagine It While Naked! - 03/18/09 06:01 PM
I've had the opportunity over my real estate career to view houses which have changed ownership a few times.  I always find it amazing how each homeowner will completly transform a house into something a little different by using their own sense of individual style to make it their own.  Sometimes there is a noticeable improvement and I find myself awestruck by the many updates and obvious vision that the new homeowner must have had starting out.  However, there are other times when the previous homeowner had more exquisite furnishings and maybe a better eye for a tasteful decor.  The new homeowner sometimes had no clue that without the beautiful furnishings the house is really just a Plain Jane. And, perhaps they might not have the resources … (7 comments)

Selling? Make Your House Smile... - 03/16/09 09:06 PM
They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  In the world of real estate marketing, photography is like the new open house.  If you're trying to sell your property, be sure to take full advantage of the photo opportunity.  Expect that most of the previewing and weeding process will happen online.  For goodness sake - don't neglect to showcase your home.  And, don't tolerate mediocre photography from your real estate agent either. 
If you want buyers to say "wow," you have to make your house be ready to smile and say "cheese."
There is no doubt that while you're trying to sell your house, you might … (5 comments)

Pet Peeve - Agents Who Only Publish Their Office Phone Numbers! - 03/15/09 07:33 PM
Yes indeed!  This is a rant.  But, I'll keep it short and sweet.  Yesterday I received a call from an agent advising me that she had written an offer for one of my listings.  My listing already had an accepted offer which is now the subject of a contract dispute and everything is in limbo at the attorney's office.  I will know more on Monday.  The other agent is aware that my deal might be a little shaky because when she called the other day to tell me she'd like to show the property and wanted to know how far along the offer was, I explained that … (18 comments)

This Is Why Every Realtor Should Know Their Inventory! - 03/14/09 05:19 PM
I was assigned an area tour. The instructions came from the relocation department. A Florida doctor had been invited by a local hospital to interview for a position. It's just an interview with no formal offer. No contact information was provided in advance. I was to meet the nice doctor and his wife at a cafe as they would be concluding a luncheon meeting after two days of interviews with various hospital administrators. They would be ready to check out the area to see if they can imagine themselves living in the Hudson Valley.
I was to drive them past some community highlights and select about … (47 comments)

I Can Walk, Talk On A Cell Phone & Chew Gum At The Same Time. - 03/13/09 02:44 PM
When it comes to our handy dandy hand-held electronic devices, have we become a nation of technology junkies?  We walk around daily like a bunch of zombies with cell phones to our ears. We stand staring blankly into the palm of our hands reading little Blackberry messages. Are we so oblivious to the rest of the world with these little gadgets in our hands.  Sit on a bench at the mall for 5 minutes and observe the crowd.  Watch as people in a metropolitan city walk down busy streets.  We are a society fixated on our phones.  "Cell phone zombies" ...walking, talking, shopping, talking, dining, talking.  How impressive that we can walk, … (9 comments)

 
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Carol Culkin, Dutchess County

Poughkeepsie, NY

More about me…

Century 21 Alliance Realty Group

Address: 1136 Route 9 # U-1 , Wappingers Falls, NY, 12590

Office Phone: (845) 297-4700

Cell Phone: (845) 430-6543

Email Me



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