The Bougainvillea is a beautiful plant that comes in a variety of colors; these can be found in California, Florida and the islands.  This flower loves sunshine and will do especially well near the ocean.

As winter approaches I am already missing the colorful outdoor plants.  I remember when I was growing up we had several colors of the Bougainvillea surrounding the house.

If you happen to have this wonderful plants, here are some tips on the care of the Bougainvillea.

Thanks to Steve Hoffacker's post which made me think of my childhood.

Budds Corner is located between Route 9 and Route 9G in the town of Red Hook.  So named after the Budds family and there are still members of this family residing on this street.

On Budds Corner can be found a couple large farms.  I was once told that the corn crop need to be knee high by the the begining of July so when I go by in the summer I make a mental note.

This is also a great spot t to shoot some lovely sunsets.

One of my favorite spot on this road is going by a farm where a gnarly tree stands alone in the middle of the field.

Make a right off Budds Corner on to Pitcher Lane, Here you will find Grandiflora Nusery a popular place for plants a a favorite spots for many with second homes in the area. Next stop is the Greg Farm, a place where you can pick your own fruits; my favorite is Blueberries.

In a Barn on the Greig's Farm you will find Gigi Market,  here I find the only brownies I really love; everyone I have given them  to agrees.

Next door to Gigi's you will find Alison's Winery.

Enjoy this brief tour of the fall colors from Budds Corner to Pitcher lane.

Start your search here for homes for sale in the RED Hook NY

When you decide to buy a home in Dutchess County there might be several factors to consider.

• Your needs.  Do you need a one level home, such as, a ranch because you can't climb stairs or do you want a multi-level home with a bedroom on the first floor?
• Are you only interested in older homes?
• Are you looking for a house in move-in condition or are you open to a potentially large renovation project?
• Where in Dutchess County do you want to live, in a village or a rural town?

First, let us take a look at some of the older architecture to be found in Dutchess County

The Dutch houses  are some of the earliest homes in the area (1650-1800) The Luykas Van Allen House (in Columbia county) is an example of a Dutch home.  Because the Dutch had great influence on the Hudson Valley region these homes can be found in several counties.

 ITALIANATE    - 1855-1870

                                                      GREEK REVIVAL - 1825 -1855

       GEORGIAN - 1700-1790

FRENCH SECOND EMPIRE - 1855-1880's

There are many other types of architecture to be found in Dutchess County however the most common are:

Ranches

Raised Ranch

Split Level

Neo Colonial

Here is a slide show of homes you will see in Dutchess County, the slides are just examples and are not necessarily representations of properties presently listed.

Coastal sand dunes are fragile areas along a beach and are vital to the preservation of beaches as they help to limit soil erosion.  The blades of grass keep the sand from getting blown away by the wind.

So when using the beaches what can we do to protect the ecosystem so that future generations can enjoy the scenic beauty?

•  Avoid walking on the dunes
• Don't ride your bikes or any vehicles on dunes

I don't think this is too much to ask.

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com 

The saying goes: "spring a head fall back. " Yes on November 1, 2009 at 2:00 AM it will be time once again to set the clocks back one hour.  Caution, only in States where Daylight Saving Time is observed.

This is also a good time to make various preparation to deal with the winter weather and to check out safety devices to make sure they are in working order.

Since we never seem to have enough time it will be great to have an extra hour if just for one day.

I don't think many of us wait for 2:00 am to set the clock back, usually you will do this before going to bed.  If you have several clocks in the house make sure to change them all.  One yearr I did not do this and woke up in a panic because I thought I was late for an appointment.

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com  

 SEARCH FOR A HOME IN DUTCHESS COUNTY

I love to think outside of the box, so while on vacation in Cape Cod last summer I thought a windmill was the perfect measuring tool.  I achieved my goal, it made me feel so small.

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com  

I would have to say that condos make up a small part of the new and resale market in Northern Dutchess.    

Northern Dutchess condos are perfect for people downsizing because they don't want to take care of a house or as an investment made by parents to insure their  student have a place to live while at college. Also Popular  with young professionals.

1.  Condos are governed by covenants and bylaws and are enforced by the condo association.  When considering a purchase these documents should be reviewed prior to signing a contract; because you would want to know about any restrictions as well as what the HOA fees include.  Some complexes might even have additional rules and regulations

2.  Reserved fund - this fund is used to make repairs of common areas.  However if a major project is necessary; for instance repaving of the parking lot each unit owner will get a special assessment; this will be added to the monthly HOA payment.

3.  Maintenance - there is usually a property management company hired to take care of the complex.  It might be a good idea to investigate the management company.  I recently listed a a unit which was in excellent condition however the hallway was not well maintained, torn carpet.  The owner indicated the work should have been completed months ago but was still not done.  This affected the sale , the condition of the hall was a turn off for many potential buyers.

4.  Amenities - these differ from complex to complex, ranging from play area and swimming pool to tennis court and fitness center.

5.  Storage - Some condos have separate storage units  with lockers as well as garage, others have storage in the basement.s

6.  Laundry - Some allow washer and dryer in the unit, others have a coin operated laundry in the basement.

Keep in mind you will be living close to someone else so hope and pray you will get along.

 Search for Condos in Northern Dutchess and surrounding areas

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com  

 **** Informational only; deemed reliable but is not guaranted

In my last post I took you for a ride on River Road to the point where it becomes Annandale -On -Hudson.

Annandale- On -Hudson is a hamlet in the town of Red Hook and it has its own zip-code 12504 and post office housed on the Bard Campus.

On the way, you will go by a well known historic site Montgomery Place with it's beautiful gardens and a working farm.

You will also pass some old buildings that have been restored, then you will start seeing buildings on the Bard  College Campus.

Noteworthy sites include the gatehouse, Parliament of reality, Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts and Ward Manor.

Our next tour will include other buildings found on the Bard College Campus.

You could say, Annandale-On-Hudson is mostly Bard College.

Start your search here for homes for sale in the RED Hook NY

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com  

 **** Informational only; deemed reliable but is not guaranted

River Road is a very scenic route stretching from Rhinebeck to Red Hook.  You really don't have to guess as to which river it is near, the Hudson River of course.

On River Road you will find beautiful homes, estates, farms, open fields and fantastic views of the Catskill Mountain and Hudson River in some spots.

River Road is a route you will take if you get off the Kingston Rhinecliff Bridge and is heading to Bard College or to a performance at the Fisher Center.

On the way you will past  the well known Migliorelli farmstand, and Poet's Walk a park operated by Scenic Hudson.

River Road has many bends so you have to be careful not to get too carried away with the scenery.  You will get to a crossroad where Barrytown Road crosses River Road which then becomes Annandale Road.  Bard College is located in Annandale so my next Blog post will take you from this crossing right to Bard College.

View Larger Map

Start your search here for homes for sale in the RED Hook NY

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com  

 **** Informational only; deemed reliable but is not guaranted

This looks like it was about to storm but never did.  Maybe it was just the time of day the shot was taken, early evening.

Sitting on the white sands, listening to the waves and watching the cloud formation can really make me forget all the stresses in life, if just for a while.

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com