It is that time of year again when another group of Red Hook High School Students will start a new journey so congratulations to you for making it this far.  And, not to be forgotten. the family members, friends and teachers who helped you along the way.

I know that this is an exciting time for you. I too had two children who graduated from Red Hook High School.

So, whether you plan to enter the workforce or go on to college, I want to wish you the best.

Red Hook High School is to be commended for making the list again and again of the Newsweek top 1500 top High Schools in the nation.

RELOCATINNG TO RED HOOK? LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO RED HOOK CENTRAL SCHOOLS

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team

845-249-2945 or 845-758-6842  jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com           

  SEARCH FOR A HOME IN THE MID HUDSON VALLEY

 **** Informational only; deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team

845-249-2945 or 845-758-6842  jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com           

  SEARCH FOR A HOME IN THE MID HUDSON VALLEY

 **** Informational only; deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

In some of my previous market reports I gave tips to sellers as to how to gain a competitive edge in this challenging market; one of the tips was: Do not take offense if a buyer makes a low-ball offer.

The present real estate market in the Dutchess County area is what is called a buyer's market. Properties are on the market longer, the inventory is large and there are fewer buyers.

You can imagine how surprised I was when one of my buyers placed an offer and the seller was so offended that the consideration of a counter offer was out of the question.  This offer was by no means out of the realm of the type of offers I have been seeing this year, and with good negotiation a meeting of the minds would have been possible.

In this particular incident it was especially surprising because this property was in the price range that would have required a jumbo loan, a category in which there are even fewer buyers, but my buyer was paying cash.

I make a point to tell my sellers that a buyer will probably make a low offer but don't get offended by this, instead view it as the beginning point of a negotiation process instead of the end.

So what should a seller do next when facing this situation?

• Review the offer with your agent
• Take a look at the most recent sale of similar properties
• Make a counter offer.

Your counter offer will give the potential buyer a clear indication as to whether you are willing to budge on the price. or not.  At this stage your counter offer might be accepted or you might have to do this back and forth a few times.  The key is this, don't get offended and you might find that you can arrive at an agreement.

In the case I mentioned above, because of high inventory and cash in hand the buyer moved on to another property, and did not see any reason to waste time on a seller who took offense to an offer.

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team

845-249-2945 or 845-758-6842  jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com           

  SEARCH FOR A HOME IN THE MID HUDSON VALLEY

 **** Informational only; deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

 In May the properties sold in Hyde Park were in the $100,000-$300,000 and this was no surprise since the majority of the inventory fell within that price range.

With 14 offers and 2 pending sales, one can conclude that the market is picking up.  This is prime real estate season in the Hudson Valley.

 HYDE PARK REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT - SINGLE FAMILY HOMES  March 2009

 ****Source of data Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing Service Inc (MHMLS)

If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in the Hudson Valley ,or to get an answer to a real estate question please contact me.

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

      SEARCH FOR A HOME IN THE MID HUDSON VALLEY

 **** Informational only; deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

I have been blogging about events occurring in the Hudson Valley because this is New York's 400 year celebration, the Qradracentennial.   This week I had the opportunity to witness a flotilla going up the Hudson River.   It included a replica of the Half Moon the ship in which Henry Hudson sailed up the Hudson River; and the Nina one of Christopher Columbus  ship. 

                                       THE HALF MOON

                                                   THE NINA

                                       CLEAR WATER SLOOP

 So make sure to visit the Hudson Valley this summer.

Here is a short video of the Half moon accompanied by music from a cricket.

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team

845-249-2945 or 845-758-6842  jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com           

  SEARCH FOR A HOME IN THE MID HUDSON VALLEY

 **** Informational only; deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

During the month of May the Town of Rhinebeck and the villages of Rhinebeck  had a  combined sales of 3, with a price range of $285,000-$447,600.

Looking for a million dollar home? there were 14 properties available from $1,125,000-$5,500,000  

First Time Buyers seems to be a major player in todays's market.  In Rhinebeck there were about 30 properties in the 200,000-300,000.    

 Town of Rhinebeck Market Report For Single Family Detached Homes - May 2009

ACTIVE 62       DOM  122  AVG LIST PRICE   $905,269    AVG SQFT  2863     AVG $/SQFT  $ 316

OFFERS   1       DOM  128   AVG LIST PRICE   $899,000   AVG SQFT  4900    AVG $/SQFT   $ 183

CONTRACTS 1  DOM  36  AVG LIST PRICE   $419,000   AVG SQFT   2800    AVG $/SQFT   $ 150

SOLD   1          DOM  136  AVG LIST PRICE   $319,000   AVG SQFT   2136     AVG $/SQFT   $149

                                                AVG SOLD PRICE  $285,000                                  AVG $/SQFT   $ 133

  STREET                                                PRICE

Vlei Street                                          $ 285,000

Village Of Rhinebeck Real Estate Market Report For Single Family Detached Homes - May 2009

ACTIVE    18   DOM   202  AVG LIST PRICE   $480,717   AVG SQFT   2265    AVG $/SQFT   $ 212

Contract   1     DOM  325    AVG LIST PRICE  $995,000  AVG SQFT   2800    AVG $/SQFT   $ 355

SOLD        2      DOM  88    AVG LIST PRICE   $382,000    AVG SQFT   2794    AVG $/SQFT   $ 137

                                               AVG SOLD PRICE  $343,800                                    AVG $/SQFT   $123

STREET                                                                PRICE

South Street                                               $ 240,000

Stortini Drive                                             $  447,600

****Source of data Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing Service Inc (MHMLS)

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team

845-249-2945 or 845-758-6842  jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com           

  SEARCH FOR A HOME IN THE MID HUDSON VALLEY

 **** Informational only; deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

During the month of May the Town of Red Hook and The villages of Red Hook and  Tivoli had  combined sales of 4. 

The sale price ranged from $195,000-$470,000 and active listings from $75,000-$2,500,000.

So, what can sellers do to to gain a competitive edge?

1. Make sure that your property is priced right
2. Improve your curb appeal .
3. Offer a Home Warranty
4. Price , Price, Price

Buyers it's time to act!

1. Only about 6 months left for you to take advantage of the $8000 tax credit -you have to close on a property by November 30th. 
2. Large inventory with the majority having price reduction
3. Mortgage rates although relatively low are rising.

                                         Town of Red Hook Market Report - May 2009

ACTIVE 70         DOM  146   AVG LIST PRICE   $496,601   AVG SQFT  2506    AVG $/SQFT  $ 198

OFFERS  2          DOM  68    AVG LIST PRICE   $277,450    AVG SQFT  1985     AVG $/SQFT   $ 140

OFFERS  CS 2    DOM  363   AVG LIST PRICE   $359,500   AVG SQFT  1825    AVG $/SQFT   $ 197

CONTRACTS 3   DOM  100   AVG LIST PRICE   $394,333    AVG SQFT   2292     AVG $/SQFT   $ 172

SOLD   4            DOM     129   AVG LIST PRICE   $313,000  AVG SQFT   2294    AVG $/SQFT   $ 136

                                                     AVG SOLD PRICE  $286,250                           AVG $/SQFT   $  125

STREET                                                                 PRICE

  Manor Road                                                $ 195,000

  Kelly Road                                                  $ 225,000

  Alder                                                            $ 255,000

Southview Lane                                           $ 470,000

Village Of Red Hook Real Estate Market Report For May 2009

ACTIVE     9    DOM     104    AVG LIST PRICE   $328,767   AVG SQFT   1653   AVG $/SQFT   $ 199

OFFER       1   DOM    112    AVG LIST PRICE   $229,000   AVG SQFT   1056     AVG $/SQFT   $ 217

  Village Of Tivoli Real Estate Market Report - May 2009

  ACTIVE     2  DOM  268   AVG LIST PRICE   $ 257,250  AVG SQFT  1284     AVG $/SQFT   $ 200

****Source of data Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing Service Inc (MHMLS)

OTHER MARKET REPORTS  - 2009

Red Hook Real Estate Market Report -  April 2009

Red Hook Real Estate Market Report - March 2009

Red Hook Real Estate Market Report - February 2009

Red Hook Real Estate Market Report - January 2009

If you are looking to buy or sell real estate in the Hudson Valley ,or to get an answer to a real estate question please contact me.

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team

845-249-2945 or 845-758-6842  jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com           

  SEARCH FOR A HOME IN THE MID HUDSON VALLEY

 **** Informational only; deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

home

Picture from the Affordable and Workforce Housing Conference in  2008

 Get ready for the third annual conference held by Pattern for Progress.  Last year the theme was: Affordable and Workforce Housing.  This year the theme is: Housing the Hudson Valley - Exploring the Next Generation of Housing Issues.

The Guest Speakers are:

• Deborah VanAmerongen, NYS Commissioner of Housing and Community Renewal
• Dr Robert Burchell, Co-Director, Center for Urban Policy Research at Rutgers University

A new feature added to the conference is a Regional Housing Award; the first recipeints are:

• Anne Saylor, Dutchess County Housing Coordinator
• Ken Kearney a Developer of Affordable Senior Housing .

As a member of the Red Hook Seniors Committe I am familar with Mr. Kearney's project in Red Hook, The Red Hook Commons. 

There will be many discussions.  The Panel discussion, on issues such as: Foreclosure prevention, rental market trend and who is buying what now, should be enlightening.  I hope it will be well attended especially by the real estate community.

When:  June 12, 2009

Time:  8:00 AM - 12:00PM

Where:  Marist College

Cost: $ 55 for members, Non Members $70, discount rate for municipalities and Realtors

Registration Information

Directions

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

      SEARCH FOR A HOME IN THE MID HUDSON VALLEY

 **** Informational only; deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

 Related Blog Postings

• Affordable and Workforce Conference Part 1
• Affordable and Workforce Conference Part 2
• Affordable Senior Housing in Ulster County

 If you live in the Hudson Valley and have never visited Clermont State Park you are missing much.  Did you know it is truly one of the few historic sites in the Hudson Valley that is actually located right on the banks of the the Hudson River?  Yes this was the home of Robert Livingston who was instrumental in the introduction of the Steamboat.

This Saturday is the annual Hudson Bush Plant Sale And Exchange sponsored by The Friends of Clermont and is attended each year by hundreds of people.   There will be over 30 vendors with a variety of products besides plants.  Last year I purchased a blueberry brush and will probably get another one this year.

To get a feel for Clermont take a look at the very informative Friends of Clermont newsletter. Toward the end of the newsletter there is an opportunity to obtain membership,  or you might want to make a  contribution towards the wonderful restoration projects.

Where- Clermont State Park

When     June 6th 2009

Time       10:00AM - 2:00PM

Contact     (518) 537-4240

Sponsor   Friends of Clermont

Directions

Restoration Project at Clermont

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

      SEARCH FOR A HOME IN THE MID HUDSON VALLEY

 **** Informational only; deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.