Hudson Valley Web Design

I just wanted to pass on a blog I wrote on the importance of hiring a local company to design your website.  My advice for the most part is to design it yourself (no one knows your market better than you).  If you want to plunk down a few bucks and have a professional do it , make sure you hire a company that has experience in your market.

There are lots of reasons why . . .

Read my blog on Hudson Valley Web Design

Ulster County Real Estate Blog is Alive!

So this outside blog thing looks pretty decent.  At first word of it, I ran (figuratively) to my ActiveRain account and fired up my outside blog to launch my Ulster County Real Estate Blog.  The ActiveRain crew did a great job on the integration.  One or two clicks, and my outside blog was cranked up.  I uploaded two pictures and applied a domain name UlsterCountyRealEstateBlog.com (obviously) and bam!  I was alive with a brand spanking new blog already filled up with all my posts from AR.

I am curious to see how the new outside blog will fare in the search engines.  Yes blogs are syndicated by nature and aren't as susceptible to duplicate content penalties (which is a lot different than you might think) but now my posts made in AR live in three places, activerain.com/blogs/loudog, localism.com/agents/loudog and now UlsterCountyRealEstateBlog.com.  In terms of SEO, having the custom domain name is definitely going to help, but if the domain name is new (UlsterCountyRealEstateBlog.com is about a year old), it won't carry the same authority as the AR blog you are currently using because of the age.  We will have to wait and see how these new outside blogs rank.

If you need help setting up your outside blog, Brad Andersohn posted a real good how to blog over at Active Brad. 

Finally, the Hudson Valley gets their very own Bigfoot

Just recently, the fascination of the popular Bigfoot legend has made itself known in the Catskill region of Upstate New York.  Recent sightings of creatures believed to be members of the Bigfoot family have drawn the attention of Bigfoot hunter Tom Biscardi.

As a kid, I always wanted to believe in Bigfoots and there is still a small part of me that is dying to see some real proof but without my personal inspection of the evidence, I have to rank them up there with UFOs and Ghosts.  I do have to admit though, some of what they say it very convincing.

"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence". - Dr. Carl Sagan

Tom Biscardi, founder and chief executive officer of Searching for Bigfoot Inc., put together an eight man team and headed towards the Catskill Mountains as a result of a sighting reported by a local family that said they saw multiple creatures resembling that of a Bigfoot on their property located on Tool House Road in Catskill.

Taking into consideration our area and topography, the area where the Bigfoot was sighted (in my mind) is the perfect place for a Bigfoot to live.  Based on my vast knowledge of the species acquired from science fiction books and late night television, the Catskill Mountain range holds all the physical characteristics fitting of the ideal "Bigfoot Haven"

Biscardi's Bigfoot busters arrived in the Hudson Valley last Thursday after some local experts substantiated the rumor.  The evidence that brought the Bigfoot research team to our neck of the woods was the finding of a bedding area (referred to as POD) as well as the sounds of distinctive footfalls picked up by a bionic ear described as that unlike the sound of a common woodland creature.

The initial sighting was made by Hudson Valley local, Patty Williams.  Williams told local newspapers that she first saw a Bigfoot at her Catskill home about four months ago near a tree line and in proximity to a pigpen.
 
Also in the local paper Williams was quoted as saying that "It had a juvenile with it about my height."  She went on to describe how the Bigfoot went into the pigpen, ate the animal feed but did not seem to bother the animals at all.

Her most recent Bigfoot sighting occurred while leaving the home to visit a friend one evening.  She spotted the creature standing alone in her driveway at a height of 7 feet.

Biscardi, who claims to be on an expedition to find America's first King Kong, has been tracking Bigfoots on and off for 35 years plans to stake out the 3.8 acre parcel using state of the art tracking equipment.

According to Biscardi his plans are to capture and transport a Bigfoot to an area where it can be studied by a team made up of a medical doctor, veterinarian and other Bigfoot experts. After the 90 day study period, the plan is to release the Bigfoot back where it was found only now with a tracking device.

Hudson Valley Quality Deer Management Association

What part time home owners can do with all that extra land

Here in the Hudson Valley, there is a very good second home market made up mostly of New York City residents looking to escape city life to a second home out in the country.  One of the most sought-out property-type is the old farm house on a large land parcel.   As a Hudson Valley real estate agent, one of the things I do is to prepare the city dweller for their new life in the "sticks".   I dedicate a good amount of my due diligence process to explaining the differences between city life and country life so there aren't any unexpected discomforts after the purchase. 

One of the biggest differences between city life and country farm house living is in the amount of property you need to care for.  For part-time homeowners, keeping up with 100 acres is no easy task.  If money is no object, it could be easy to hire a property management company to care for the land.  This becomes especially important if your newly bought farm has a good amount of open fields and meadows.  Open areas such as these can quickly turn into over-grown brush fields that seriously inhibit your enjoyment of the property.  A property management company can have a landscaper or local farmer mow the fields a few times a year to keep them manageable. 

Another big difference in country living vs. urban survival is the amount of wild life, more specifically, coyote, bears and deer.  At first, the wild life is an attraction for the new country home owner, but after a few dumped over garbage cans and some chewed up landscaping, country home owners look to find alternatives to wildlife cooperative living.

A very good option for country homeowners is to have their property managed by a Quality Deer Management expert (QDM).  The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) is a national association that brings together landowners and hunters for the good of the white-tail deer.  Quality Deer Managers primary goal is to create biologically and socially balanced deer herds.  While most quality deer managers are hunters, they are conservationists first and look to perpetuate the species by strengthening the deer herds. 

The process by which they manage the herds is a complex system of habitat management, food supply and harvest selection.  Each system is different based on the type of property you are attempting to manage.  In most cases, food plots are strategically planted on the property to keeping wildlife away from areas where they can damage landscaping or run out in front of cars.  Selective harvesting of the deer herds contribute to the genetics of the remaining deer while keeping the over all herd in control limiting the chance of disease usually associated with over population.

The benefit for the homeowner is astronomical.  More times than not, the QDMA will do the management for free.  The property gets maintained by a professional who really cares about the environment.  Fields don't become overgrown and unmanageable.  The deer, bear and coyotes will stay away from landscaping, roads and pets.  Finally through the process of deer management, the homeowner can feel good that he/she contributed to the good of the species.

Here in the Hudson Valley, the Hudson Valley Quality Deer Management Association (HVQDMA) is very active and ready to talk to landowners of any kind who have a similar perspective on wildlife and conservation.   While QDM is a great solution for second home buyers in the Hudson Valley, landowners everywhere can benefit from having local QDMA branch talk to you about managing your property.

D&H Canal Show, Stone Ridge New York

Local historian Charles William Cullen will be giving a slide show presentation in historic High Falls. The highlight of the presentation will be the now-defunct 135-foot-long suspension bridge/aqueduct that once spanned the Rondout at a location locally known as "The Ledges". The Suspension aqueduct was a fundamental component of the Delaware and Hudson Canal, more commonly known as the D&H Canal.

Ground, on the D&H Canal was officially broken on July 13th 1825. After three long years of construction by a team of over 2,500 men, the canal was opened for use in October 1828. The Canal began in High Falls, New York on the Rondout Creek at an area later referred to as Creeklocks, located between Kingston and Rosendale. From High Falls, the canal proceeded southwesterly along the Rondout Creek to Ellenville New York, continuing through the valley of the Sandburg Creek (about one mile south of Napanoch), Homowack Kill, Basher Kill and Neversink River to Port Jervis on the Delaware River. From the Deleware River the Canal moved there the Canal Moved northwest on the New York side of the Delaware River. Due to a flaw in Roebling's design, the aqueduct's wooden portion of the aqueduct's suspension cables burned in 1917. The remaining metal was taken for scrap shortly after.

The presentation will be 10 am directly after a 9:30 am coffee hour, Saturday June 14th at the Bevier House Museum, located at 2682 Route 209, Stone Ridge. Tickets are just $5. For more information: Contact Charles William Cullen at 845-687-4869 or ccullen@hvc.rr.com

Rondout Valley Growers Association's Orchard Dinner and Wine Tasting

Stone Ridge Orchard and Stone Ridge Wine & Spirits are hosting their 5th annual Rondout Valley Growers Association's Dinner and Wine Tasting. Accommodations will be rustic but elegant, so formal attire is not required. Hors d'oeuvre and champagne begin at 6PM and dinner will be served at 7PM. Music by The T Xiques Trio featuring T Xiques on drums, Matt Finck on guitar and Lou Pappas on bass.

The Orchard Dinner is the Rondout Valley Growers Association's first major fundraising event of 2008 and promises to be the event of the summer.   The format is an open air "tented" seating arrangement under the Stone Ridge Orchard's stately old Oak tree.  The menu is a delightful combination of signature culinary delights created by local Hudson Valley chefs.  The foods used by the chefs are locally grown farm products paired with a premium selection of New York state and Hudson Valley wines. Proceeds from the event directly support Rondout Valley Growers Association's general marketing efforts for Rondout Valley farms and farmers.

Stone Ridge locals Tim and Laurel Sweeney, owners of Stone Ridge Wine and Spirits, have donated the New York state wines to pair with each food item. The following chefs/restaurants have contributed by preparing a selection of culinary excellence:

• Salah Alygad of Friends and Family ll Hillside Restaurant
• John Novi of the Depuy Canal House
• Bart Greenbaum of Oscar Restaurant
• Tim Celuch of the Northern Spy Cafe
• Spenser Mass of The Country Inn of Krumville
• Brian Gribbon of High Falls Café
• Marcus Guiliano at Aroma Thyme Bistro
• Essell Honeshel-Watson of Alternative Baker
• Sprout Creek Farm
• Events That Matter

	Purchase ticket: General Admission , $80.00
	Purchase ticket: RVGA Member, $60.00
	Purchase ticket: RVGA Grower Member , $50.00

Rondout Valley Growers Association's 5th Annual Orchard Dinner and Wine Tasting
Saturday, June 28
Time: 6-9 PM
Where: Stone Ridge Orchard, 3012 Rt 213, Stone Ridge, NY

Kingston NY, more than just real estate

Rich in heritage and nestled between the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains is Kingston NY. The Kingston NY real estate market offers a tremendous amount of value to home buyers looking for the perfect combination of historic atmosphere and everyday convenience.

Located just off of exit 19 of the New York State Thruway, Kingston real estate opportunities boast a serene alternative to big city living without sacrificing the amenities often associated with urban living. If you ever get the chance, I strongly encourage you to visit us so you too can enjoy the unique experience of deep rooted American history melded with modern day accessibility.

Early on in American history, Kingston NY, the first capital of New York State has attracted those interested in both short-term tourism to life long commitments. The attractions that most steadily withstood the sands of time are Kingston's stone houses, our magnificent Hudson River waterfront, and our growing economic vitality. Kingston is proud to be the home of some of the oldest buildings in the United States. The original New York State Senate House, the Old Dutch Church, the Rondout II Lighthouse and the Fred J. Johnston House are just a few of Kingston's historic places.

The Stockade District of Kingston NY is one of Kingston's biggest draws. Throughout the historic district, the buildings have been lovingly restored and landmarks have been clearly defined. Walking tours are often the best way to see the city providing history buffs with a firsthand look at some of the old-world architecture. The Rondout Waterfront allows you to travel the river or simply sit in West Strand Park where you can be part of an atmosphere that cannot be equaled.

Modern day Kingston is proud to have created a synergy between new development and its unchanging historic significance. Kingston's technologically advanced Business Park, provides prime industrial sites in an area that is absolutely perfect for commercial development. The complex is considered by many to be one of the most attractive of its kind.

The multi-faceted city of Kingston offers a great opportunity in real estate for both residential home buyers and commercial investors.

DEC Makes Woodstock NY Real Estate Purchase

One of Ulster County's most beautiful mountain destinations has had its' Forest Preserve lands near its southern terminus (boundary) on Woodstock's Overlook Mountain significantly increased.  The newly acquired real estate parcels are contiguous to existing state lands within the Overlook Mountain unit

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has made a three lot real estate purchase on Overlook Mountain in Woodstock that will help protect the mountain, as well as make it an even more popular attraction for mountain bikers, hikers and nature enthusiasts.

In an announcement on Tuesday made by DEC commissioner, Peter Grannis, the Woodstock NY real estate purchase totaled 330 acres at a price of $784,000.

Peter Grannis went on to talk about the importance as one of the most recognizable escarpments on the Catskill Mountain range looking back from most areas within the Town of Woodstock New York.  He also confirmed that the DEC will continue to help protect properties similar to Overlook Mountain throughout the Catskill Forest Preserve.

The acquisitions of these three real estate parcels equates to permanent protection for the lands and increases the Catskill Forest Preserve's Overlook Mountain Wild Forest Unit.  The DEC has long been trying to acquire more land on Overlook Mountain indicated as one of the more important goals of the New York State Open Space Conservation Plan of 2006 (PDF).

About the Mountain

Overlook Mountain Wild Forest covers 590 acres, its rocky slopes make for a very interesting day hike. The summit is covered with red oaks (trees usually found on lower slopes and in valleys, not 3,100' above sea level), and some red spruce/balsam fir trees (those typical over 3,300'). In 1871, the Overlook Mountain House opened its doors to guests, joining numerous others in the Catskills. This hotel had the distinction of being the highest, at 2,920'. The Mountain House could house 300 guests and, despite burning down twice, prospered until around the time of the stock market crash. In the following years, it was rebuilt (but never opened to guests) and eventually looted and abandoned, leaving the ruins that can still be seen along the trail.

Also involved in the real estate deal was the Open Space Institute (OSI) and the Woodstock Land Conservancy.

The land acquisitions do enhance and protect the overall integrity of both the Overlook unit and the Overlook corridor.

Team Ulster Real Estate

When I first started here at Prudential Nutshell Realty (just Nutshell Realty before the Prudential affiliation) back in 2004 the company had 6 people, a fax machine and a company dog.  Our market consisted of 142 companies all battling it out for a piece of the Ulster County Market share and we were the proverbial "low-man-on-the-totem-pole".  The majority of the companies we were up against were seasoned veterans that guarded their territory like trained attack dogs.  At the time, our small company was hardly a threat, especially to those that hovered in the top 10 spots of our market of 142 companies.

Just to give you a little background, before I joined Nutshell Realty (2002), I designed, developed and sold a real estate web application that had a website front-end with a backend app that was part CMS and part CRM.  Within the first 6 months, I sold the product to about 30 of the top companies in the Ulster County Real Estate market (and a few outside Ulster County almost by accident).   At the time, Nutshell Realty was just starting out and wasn't in the top 30 but was interested in adopting a web presence that would dominate the Ulster County Real Estate market.  Now out of the 30-40 real estate clients I had acquired thus far, this was the first time I had ever heard the word dominate from any of the companies I was working with when it came to the web.  In 2002, having a real estate website was something a real estate company did just to keep up with their competitors.  With this type of focus on dominating the online market of Ulster County, it was clear to me then that Nutshell was about to change the way real estate was done in Ulster County.

Fast forward to 2004.  The market is starting to climb and everyone around me is making a ton of money using the web application I created.  It was time for me to sell my company and jump in.  Out of the 45 real estate companies that were now my clients, I had to choose which of them I was going to jump in with.  You would think the choice would be easy.  I am a technology guy, I would just select the company that emphasized technology right?  Not quite.  What was more important to me was the environment in which I would be working.  By this time, I have been in several real estate offices and have seen the office culture of most of them.  In most cases the culture is made up of cut-throat money hungry agents that would step on their dying grandmother to collect a commission.  At Nutshell it wasn't like that at all.  The 6 people, the dog and the fax machine made up one of the best Ulster County real estate teams I have seen.  Now when I say team I mean it.  These 6 people worked together helping one another out whenever needed without asking for anything in return.  This was the true definition of team real estate.  Needless to say, I was going with Nutshell Realty.

Now in 2008, we are 4th in the market (Based on Volume) and dominate most of the available keyword terms in our market.   Our company, now 25 agents 5 managers, a multi-tiered network, 2 in-house servers still work as a team.  The cut-throat atmosphere common in many real estate companies doesn't happen here.  So yes, technology is important but what is more important is the team of people that get behind it.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts located a quick 90 minutes from NYC is a state-of-the-art performing arts venue located at the site of the original 1969 Woodstock Festival in Bethel New York.  The summer line-up at Bethel Woods is looking good.  Some of the artists scheduled to perform are: Cyndi Lauper, The B-52s, Rosie O'Donnell, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band, Billy Squier, New York Philharmonic, Chicago, Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Donna Summer, Steve Miller Band, Joe Cocker, Tony Bennett, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, The Allman Brothers Band and much more.

Read My Latest Blog on this great Venue.