Negative Home Equity? Feeling Like A Ball And Chain To Your House? - 07/27/09 03:32 PM
So, you need to sell your house?  Okay, maybe you don't NEED to sell, but maybe you want  to sell.  For whatever reason, you're selling - because of a job opportunity resulting in relocation, a divorce, a lifestyle change, your retiring or perhaps getting remarried.  But, wait.  What happens if you owe the bank more than what a buyer is willing to pay?  Do you wait to sell?  Why put your life on hold and be miserable? 
To sell, do you NEED to get X number of dollars just to break even on what you owe the lender? 
Of course if you sell below the loan amount, you'll have to pay … (61 comments)

Was I Called On For A Pricing Opinion ...Or Invited Here For A Debate? - 07/25/09 08:40 AM
Most homeowners don't realize that when they interview a real estate agent to list their house for sale, the agent is also interviewing them too.  As Realtors, we don't always take every listing that comes our way.  Well, okay ...maybe some of the most desperate of agents do.  Not me.  The truth is, we CAN be selective about who we do business with.  While I don't normally turn down business, there are a few reasons why I have.  The obvious would be because I felt the homeowner might not abide by fair housing laws.  Another reason I might turn down business is if I felt there was something unethical and/or unlawful.  The … (23 comments)

Is Your Business Recession Proof? - 07/18/09 04:25 PM
Not a day goes by that I don't think long and hard about this economy.  And, it's not even because I'm a Realtor working in what's got to be THE hardest hit professions.  Even if I resign to the idea that the real estate market "is what it is" or don't tune into the news to remind myself of how bad things are, there are constant and subtle reminders everywhere I go.  
The trips to the grocery store seem to be getting more expensive.  While cruising around my hometown in Central New York today, I drove past an abandoned factory which was once one of many major local employers.  Weeds are growing high in the parking lot that surrounds it.  Many other … (9 comments)

New Listing - Town of LaGrange - Dutchess County, NY - 07/14/09 06:30 PM
UNIQUE HOME SITUATED IN THE DESIRABLE POND HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD!  EXQUISITE QUALITY FEATURES INCLUDE BRAZILIAN CHERRY FLOORS, WIDE MOLDINGS, ENORMOUS DREAM KITCHEN W/CHERRY, GRANITE & STAINLESS TOP OF LINE APPLIANCES, SOARING CEILINGS COMBINED WITH EXPANSIVE WINDOWS, 1ST FL MASTER SUITE W/LIMESTONE BATH. 4CAR HEATED GARAGE W/HYDRAULIC LIFT. SECLUDED 6 AC. WOODED LOT.  NEAR TACONIC STATE PKWY. BEST OF BOTH WORLDS - NEIGHBORHOOD SETTING WITH SECLUSION. $767,900.  CALL CAROL CULKIN @ 845-430-6543. 
RELOCATING?  CALL CAROL 227-4400 ext. 358  SPECIALIZING IN DUTCHESS COUNTY RELOCATION
 
Carol Culkin, ABR, SRES, Associate Broker for Houlihan Lawrence, is your source for real estate in Dutchess County. Carol is an award … (2 comments)

Dutchess County NY - Town Information - 07/12/09 08:25 PM
Are you considering a move to Dutchess County?  Are you wondering where you might want to live?  If you are new to this area or just visiting, please take a few minutes to browse the links below for information specific to each Dutchess County town.  You'll see that each community has its own uniqueness.
Dutchess County is  located in the beautiful Hudson Valley region of New York and is conveniently situated between Albany and New York City. The area continues to attract businesses and new residents.
Many residents commute to jobs in Westchester County, Connecticut or Manhattan because Dutchess offers more affordable housing than in other … (0 comments)

Town of LaGrange - Dutchess County, NY - 07/12/09 03:48 PM
 
The Town of LaGrange in Dutchess County is a scenic Hudson Valley Community located approximately 75 miles north of New York City.  LaGrange has long been attractive due to the close proximity to a major north/south route, and the bucolic, scenic countryside. The town is mainly a residential area with most conveniences located in nearby Poughkeepsie.  LaGrange includes the communities and hamlets of Arthursburg, Billings, Freedom Plains, LaGrangeville, Manchester Bridge, Moore's Mill, Noxon, Red Oaks Mill, Rombout Ridge, and Titus.  
The town of LaGrange's name derives from the ancestral estate of the Marquis De Lafayette, who toured the area in … (0 comments)

Do Real Estate Agents Dare To Answer These Short Sale Questions? - 07/11/09 04:43 PM
Do you have the answers?  Maybe somebody out there can help.  When it comes to the pitfalls of a short sale, nobody seems to have all the answers to my client's questions, not even me.  Why do the answers seem to conflict?  Could it be that things are just constantly changing?  Or, are the questions and answers just very specific to each situation?  As a Realtor, why is my knowledge so limited?     
Excuse me for not having all the answers myself.   I do not profess to being a short sale expert.  I consider myself to be a home marketing expert.  I market homes … (9 comments)

Poughkeepsie, NY - Information & Home Sales Statistics - 07/05/09 03:35 PM
Poughkeepsie (pronounced /pəˈkɪpsiː/) is one of the original towns of Dutchess County. The county's first house was erected here by Peter Pieterson Lassen in 1688, where its footprint can be observed in Bowdoin Park. Poughkeepsie, founded in 1687, lies on the east side of the Hudson River, halfway between New York City and Albany. Poughkeepsie has a number of notable institutions for arts and entertainment and is the home of two state-of-the-art hospitals, St. Francis and Vassar Brothers, both with heliport facilities.
Vassar College
Distance to New York City: 81 MilesMetro-North Commute to Grand Centra: From Poughkeepsie Station - 107 minutesArea: 31.2 square … (2 comments)

Dutchess County, NY - Demographics Statistics - 07/05/09 03:00 PM
Dutchess County is located in the Mid-Hudson Valley, halfway between New York City and Albany.  The area continues to attract businesses and new residents. Employment and business opportunities continue to increase. Many residents commute to jobs in Westchester County, Connecticut or Manhattan because Dutchess offers more affordable housing than in other suburbs closer to New York City. Commuting to points south is made easy via I-84, the Taconic Parkway, I-87 and Metro North commuter trains.  
Considering a move to Dutchess Count?  The link below offers insight on Dutchess County:
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36027.html
 

 
RELOCATING?  CALL CAROL 227-4400 ext. 358
 
Carol Culkin, ABR, SRES, Associate Broker for Houlihan Lawrence, is your source … (1 comments)

I'm Having A Senior Moment ... To Compliment My SRES® Designation - 07/05/09 11:52 AM
As many of you who regularly read my posts already know, my parents are facing some lifestyle decisions. Health issues have caused my Mom to temporarily give up her role as caregiver for Dad, and after 55 years of marriage they are now separated from one another for the first time.
It doesn't make it any easier knowing that health care providers have been lackadaisical.  We're talking about human life! 
And, as I am solely overseeing this eldercare dilemma, the biggest question: Where should they be living?
First hand experience.  This will only make me even stronger as a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®), It's all … (7 comments)

I Met Up With My Favorite Home Inspector Today At A Vacant House! - 07/04/09 07:20 PM
When I heard that my blog buddy Charles Buell, Seattle, WA, Home Inspector  was going to be traveling through the area this weekend, I readily agreed to meet him at a vacant house.  Heck, I had nothing else to do on this 4th of July weekend, with my husband and son away in Maine on business.  So we arranged to meet at a vacant house. 
 Hey ...not so fast ...just in case your mind is in the gutter.  This happens to be a vacant house that Charlie's son and daughter in-law are hoping to purchase, and I am honored to be their real estate agent.  
 So, there I was ...finally … (43 comments)

 

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