Ulster County Real Estate Blog - Lou Lynch

Your Modern Farmhouse Home Offers Marvelous Highlights At Mohonk View Lane

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:30:26 -0500

The presentation of quality and craftsmanship of days gone by is ever evident in the Modern Hudson Valley Farmhouse design. The structure brings together the charm of long ago and mixes it with the innovation of today presenting an edge on the American Farmhouse design with a modern country approach. This house is designed with a touch of class reflected by every shape, crisp clean line and gable roof. A vision of rustic charm surrounds this house and displays the reflection of the big white houses that were once observed along country roads dotting the hillsides.

This house offers the familiarity of home combined with the hint of mystery that will appeal to a special homeowner. This house is designed with efficiency in mind and therefore creates the perception that it may be a weekend dwelling or enjoyed the whole year through.

This house will take your breath away with a huge living space enhanced by the 28 ft distance from floor to ceiling. At one end of the room rests a rustic wooden fireplace prepared for that comforting crackling fire and on the other end the entertainment center that will offer you pleasure at your beaconing. The living space seems to transcend onto the two decks that on one end offer the picturesque view of the Shawangunk mountain range that seem to meet the farmlands below. The other end offers a pleasant reflection of an 18-whole golf course calling your name. These decks were constructed with parties and family gets together in mind and yet offers sweet seclusion when desired.

The large master bedroom appears to be far away from the rest of the home with a walk-in closet so large it could be a room of its own. The master bath and shower area offers peace and tranquility with its spa like appearance. The shower space and toiletry area are pleasantly divided into two separate locations. The six-foot long Japanese style tub superbly crafted for soaking and refreshing weary bones rests between his and her vanities and above windows that look natural and are easily operable to bring a glimpse of nature in with you.

See the Mohonk View Lane Website

Buying Land in Ulster County NY

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:10:46 -0500

Buying land in Ulster County NY has never been easier! If you are looking for Ulster County land, then UlsterCountyLiving.com is here to help. We offer a unique range of services with extensive experience negotiating Ulster County land for sale. Our highly trained, professional experts can help you navigate the land for sale in Ulster County to determine what parcels will suit your needs best. But our experience does not stop there! Sellers can also benefit greatly from our experience in selling Ulster County parcels. We can help determine a fair market price and get the necessary exposure to your offer for maximum sales leads.

Considerations for Buying Land in Ulster County NY

Our extensive experience with Ulster County parcels can save time and money by informing you of issues related to purchasing Ulster County land. One of the most commonly overlooked issues is that of zoning. Often this is missed by residential real estate professionals. What is your intended use for the land? Is it allowed? Are there any restrictions? We can point you in the right direction so when considering Ulster County land for sale, you have all the facts. You may need to consult with the zoning and building departments and possibly other land professionals. We can help ensure this goes smoothly.

Why Should you Buy Ulster County Land?

In today’s economy it is important to make sound investments, especially in regard to real estate. Buying land in Ulster County NY is a safe prospect because the land has a history of appreciating during favorable economic conditions and remaining stable during periods of unfavorable real estate trends. Part of the reason Ulster County parcels keep their value is the abundance of natural resources and stunning scenery that surround the area. This is a perfect area for retirement homes, second homes and for a primary residence for those in the area. The trees, meadows, open ranges and farm land make Ulster County land for sale a lucrative and compelling investment. Whether looking strictly for a real estate investment or your dream house, this is the ideal area for you. UlsterCountyLiving.com can help you with the entire process to find the perfect tract and make your Ulster County land suit your needs.

New Paltz New York Real Estate

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:05:49 -0500

Comprised of the Town and Village of New Paltz as well as the North and South Ohioville hamlets, New Paltz is the home of the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz. Originally settled by French Protestants near the Wallkill River, New Paltz’s Huguenot Street is the oldest street in America. This National Historic Landmark has seven stone houses and a fully restored 18th century church all lovingly preserved by the Huguenot Historical Society. New Paltz is indeed a melting pot with diverse communities of Italian, Dutch, German, English and Latino citizens.

Mohonk Mountain House, located just outside of town, is a glorious 251-room Victorian resort hotel that was built in 1861. Situated on over 2,000 acres of lush green forest, this popular lakeside attraction includes gardens, hiking trails and it’s very own 9-hole golf course. The nearby Mohonk Preserve with over 1,000 technical rock climbing routes along the Shawangunk Mountain Ridge was named “one of the Earth’s last great places” by The Nature Conservancy and sees hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. In early August, New Paltz’s Ulster County Fairgrounds hosts its ever-popular annual fair and each Memorial Day and Labor Day it hosts the Woodstock-New Paltz Art and Crafts Fair where over 300 craftsman and artists present their work to thousands of visitors.

At the heart of the downtown business district are restaurants, shops and galleries and the character of SUNY New Paltz is apparent throughout the area, offering both residents and visitors an exciting and welcoming environment.

For more information on New Paltz Real Estate visit NewPaltzHomes.com

The "REAL" Sales Cycle of the Real Estate Web Lead

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:31:35 -0500

Because most of you here at AR are web-savvy real estate professionals, the majority of you know that the sales cycle is much different now-a-days as most new business is now generated on the web. This biggest difference between today's real estate lead and the real estate lead of old is that we are contacting the lead much earlier in the sales cycle, so early in fact, the leads aren't even at the point where they are ready to talk to a realtor. This causes frustration for the real estate agents that do lead follow-up using traditional methods. It used to be that real estate agents didn't see or hear from prospective buyers until they were ready to start seeing homes. Now because of the nature of the web, we are getting lead information on buyers that are just starting the research phase of their home search. This results in leads being unresponsive to realtor contact causing the realtor to devalue the lead.

This type of behaivor on the part of the realtor will result in a significant loss in business. See my post on The REAL Sales Cycle of the Real Estate Web Lead on LouLynch.com

Analyzing real estate lead data from your website

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:13:24 -0600

There are a lot of benefits to properly analyzing the user data of the online real estate consumer before making the follow up call or email. Having a little inside information on your lead prior to aqttempting contact speeds the process of building rapport and ultimately put you in a better position to convert the lead to a customer.

Earlier today I posted a blog on my brand spanking new real estate technology blog at LouLynch.com.

Remembering the IBM Cuts of 93

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:50:33 -0600

IBM just recently cut several hundred jobs in the whirlwind of our rapidly declining economy. This is an all too familiar pain, especially for those in the Mid-Hudson region who recall the results of major cuts made in 1993. When businesses, such as IBM are forced to make cuts of these proportions, it has a lasting domino effect.

The Hudson Valley Area of Upstate New York

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:32:55 -0600

Very few places in the United States can compare to the Hudson River Valley in terms of beauty, architecture, and history. In fact, it has been designated a national heritage area by Congress. Currently consisting of the metro area of New York's suburbs, it was one of the initial regions to be colonized during the new world exploration, and once served as a battleground in colonial wars. This area has seen some difficult times, as well as what some would call the best of society. The beautiful Hudson River Valley, in comparison to Germany's Rhine River, has earned the nickname, "America's Rhine."

Alabama Condos and Townhomes

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:32:50 -0600

Alabama Condominiums and Townhouses (or Condos and Townhomes), are fast becoming the purchase of choice for many homebuyers that have not considered it in the past. In today’s real estate market and current economic climate, condos offer many advantages that might make home ownership a bit more attainable. Beyond affordability, condos have a number of advantages for certain types of buyers, ranging from entry level units for first-time home buyers to Luxury Condos for more mature and affluent home buyers.

Real Estate Consultant and friend Cal Carter is one of Alabama’s foremost condo experts. Cal currently services Gulf-Shores Condos, Orange Beach Condos, and the Fort Morgan Condo Markets (among others). Cal is a solid hard working professional that enjoys helping home buyer achieve their dreams of home ownership.

Gulf Shores Condos

Gulf Shores Condos is considered by Cal to be the “hidden gem in the Alabama real estate market”. He claims that many homebuyers forget that Alabama borders the Gulf of Mexico as it extends outward from the Florida Panhandle. The Gulf Shores area has approximately 32 miles of beautiful, sun drenched Alabama waterfront property. What makes this area in more special is that it is surprisingly affordable prices in comparison to other beachfront destinations.

Orange Beach Condos

Orange Beach Condos is similar to Gulf Shores in that the unique beachfront community also borders the Gulf of Mexico extending from the Florida Panhandle. This condo heaven boasts miles and miles of pristine white sandy beaches. Orange Beach is unmatched in both location ocean views.

Fort Morgan Condos

The Fort Morgan Condos area is the peninsula located to the west of Gulf Shores AL, and meanders along the world famous Emerald Coast. Fort Morgan has the same beachfront features of the other two more populated areas. The sandy oasis of Fort Morgan offers a more remote lifestyle for those interested in privacy and seclusion. If you are interested in any of these areas please give Cal a call. Alternatively, his website is top notch and is a great starting point for a homebuyer at any level of commitment.

Cal Carter | Phone: 678-617-7665 | Web: www.gulfshoreslife.com

Ulster County MLS

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:13:35 -0600

The Ulster County Board of Realtors only permits active members of the board to directly access the Ulster County MLS system. For public use, we make our website available so that home buyers can search virtually the same data we as REALTORS use to to research the Ulster County homes inventory. Our website contains almost all of the properties actively for sale and is updates via the MLS every four hours. The UlsterCountyLiving.com website was designed to help people easily find what is actively for sale in the Ulster County, Hudson Valley and Surrounding Area.

To Search Ulster County MLS Listings ON OUR SITE, Click Here

What is Multiple Listing Service or MLS?

A Multiple Listing Service is a real estate listings database that enables real estate brokers and agents search and find information about homes, land and other types of Ulster County properties. Real estate brokers and agents that represent Ulster County home buyers or look to cooperate with a seller's broker can utilize an MLS system to locate a property for his or her buyer. The Ulster County MLS usually contains all the real estate listings that are represented by real estate brokers who are both members of the Ulster County MLS system and of NAR (the National Association of Realtors). MLS systems are more commonly used in the United States and Canada, but are becoming the common tool of real estate professionals in other parts of the world.

Gunks Real Estate

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:38:36 -0600

Looking for an outdoor sport that challenges you to new heights? Try rock climbing in the Hudson Valley!

For over 70 years, the Gunks have been considered the rock climbing mecca of the east, with more than 1,200 routes, the Gunks have more rock climbing than any single location east of the Mississippi River. Unlike other climbing areas, the majority of routes are in the easy to moderate range, with a rating generally of 5.3 to 5.9, making it enjoyable for novice and skilled climbers alike. Being close to this time honored tradition for many years, the Gunks and nearby New Paltz New York have one of the most authentic rock climbing communities in the country. An easy drive from exit 18 off the New York State Thruway makes access a breeze.

In addition to being a playground for rock climbers, the Shawangunk Mountain range offers beauty that is enjoyed as a part of the scenery for many home owners lucky enough to live with in eye-shot. Visit my website to browse Gunks Real Estate listings.

The Sarasota MLS

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 17:54:13 -0500

I know this is all over the internet by now but I wanted to do my part in supporting Marc Rasmussen by further exposing the issue.

If you have 5 minutes, please read about how the Sarasota MLS board stole a successful domain from one of their own m

embers claiming breech of ethics at first then trademark infringment later (even though MLS is trademarked by Major Leauge Soccer). Marc acted on the advice of the NAR when registering the domain name and even went as far as to get permission prior to registering it. Read More

A Slice of Hudson Valley Country

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 11:32:13 -0500

The Kerhonkson Accord Chamber of Commerce is holding the 4th Annual Jennie Bell Pie Festival at Kelder’s Farm (home of the world’s largest garden gnome). The festival will take place Saturday September 27th at 12 noon. The farm is located along Route 209 in Accord.

Click here for a blog I posted on the Jennie Bell Pie Festival at Kelder’s Farm at NutshellRealty.com

The Ashokan Field Campus is officially SOLD! (updated)

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:13:33 -0500

A 374 acre parcel found just south of the Ashokan Reservoir was bought earlier this year by the Open Space Institute's land acquisition affiliate, the Open Space Conservancy, that is a part of the State University of New York at New Paltz. As part of the agreement, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, which maintains and operates both Ulster County reservoirs, has officially taken possession of the 219 acres in the town of Olive and 14 acres in town of Marbletown. The remaining 141 acres in Olive, have been acquired by the Ashokan Foundation.

There's a dual purpose in their land acquisition. One is to help with flood control and the other to meet EPA water quality standards so that the City does not have to filter Ashokan water.

[correction] When the Ashokan Reservoir is relatively full, DEP will sometimes release water before major rains and melts to create sufficient void to receive the additional incoming water in the west basin so the turbid excess will not overflow into the clear east basin and from there overflow uncontrolled into the Esopus via the spillway. The acquired land is an alternate path to the Esopus for these controlled water releases.

The local economic impact of the sale is that the DEP will pay property taxes on its portion which is a benefit to the tax base as the former owner, Campus Auxiliary Services, was exempt from paying taxes.

Correction provided courtesy of Jay Ungar
Ashokan Foundation, Inc.

Thanks Jay!

Ulster County Real Estate Website Launch

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:31:16 -0500

I am trying to get the word out about a new website I just launched. The website is a real estate website as well as a community guide (down the road). At this moment, it is positioned just to serve as an Ulster County Real Estate and community resource but have plans to open it up to other communities in the Hudson Valley.

Here is a blurb of information similar to that on my homepage:

UlsterCountyLiving.com is a free resource for anyone interested in Ulster County or Hudson Valley real estate. You'll come upon useful guides and real estate information, comprising of a directory of local information on everything from considerable restaurants to historic landmarks, tours and local events. Our concierge-type service will be helpful as you research one of the most attractive areas in Upstate New York.

Our real estate services are chiefly in Ulster County but can widen throughout much of the greater Hudson Valley. Our website makes it simple to research communities, or search the Ulster County MLS for listings. In addition, our convenient Buyers and Sellers Guides will be helpful in preparing you for the intricate details of your Ulster County real estate transaction.

Ulster County Real Estate Agent and Ulster County Expert - Lou Lynch

As a long time resident and real estate agent in Ulster County, I regularly provide stellar buyer and seller representation service, area knowledge for every client I work with. I have a well substantiated track record of success and a lengthy list of satisfied clients. For a greater insight, visit my website page to learn more about my programs and the level of real estate services.

Visions of the ValleyTM 2008/09 Photography Contest & Calendar

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:45:02 -0500

BENEFIT AUCTION Sunday, August 10th at the Rondout Valley Golf Club and Restaurant in Accord. Preview and Reception from 2pm to 4pm, Auction from 4pm to 6pm "Visions of the Valley 2008/09, Selected winning photos for the RVBA 2009 Calendar. click photo for larger image

Fields of Dawn by Rob Case (calendar back cover).	Frosted Fuel by Marilyn Horen (calendar month: January).	Frozendale by Chip Belmore (Calendar month: February).	Untitled by Matthew Pommerencke (Calendar front cover).
57 Visions of the Valley photographs, professionally matted and framed, including the 16 Visions selected for the RVBA 2009 Calendar, will be auctioned to benefit the RVBA Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $15 advance purchase, $20 at the door. Admission includes hors d'oeuvres and a glass of wine. Cash bar available. We are hoping for a terrific turnout from our membership (this is our only gathering in the month of August) but this event is open to the public so please bring friends and family! We would appreciate your RSVP so we may have an approximate head count for the Golf Club. Tickets are available for purchase at these RVBA member establishments: Rondout Valley Golf Club & Restaurant, A&M Hardware, High Falls Mercantile, Saunderskill Farm Market, Marbletown Hardware, Stone Ridge Wine & Spirits, White Wolf Restaurant.

Stone Ridge Library Vote

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:41:31 -0500

Stone Ridge residents will vote on Aug. 11 to select a pair of Stone Ridge Library trustees from among three candidates as well as deliberate on a proposed budget hike for the library.

A recent press release, reporting on the election, stated that library officials will propose an expenditure of 217,642, which is a 14.8 increase over the 189,567 budget passed in 2006 (the last year in which an increase was requested).

Suzanne Hauspurg, president of the library board, expressed that the library had no alternative but to ask for the extra money, citing increasing overhead in the operation of the library as well as dropping value in common stock held by the organization.

"Our oil bill will nearly double this winter, to more than 9,000," she said, "and other expenses are soaring as well."

Hauspurg said the popularity of borrowing Internet borrowing had increased vastly, requiring an additional circulation clerk. "On top of that," she said, "the troubled securities markets have hurt our endowment."

Town of Marbletown Assessor Barbara Galloway said the increase would bring a average household's library tax bill to between 50 and 60, up about 5 from 2006.

Candidates for the two four-year trustee seats are incumbents Hauspurg and Jim Hoover and challenger Alan Marker.

The election will be held from 2-8 p.m. Aug. 11 at the library. Absentee ballots are available at the library and must be returned by the close of business on Aug. 11.

For more information about the election or the budget, call Library Director Jody Ford at (845) 687-7023 or Hauspurg at (845) 687-0736.

Ulster County Board of REALTORS Golf Tournament

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:03:39 -0500

When: FRIDAY AUGUST 1st, 2008 Where: Apple Greens Golf Course Entry Fee: $95 (Full Event) $30 (Just Dinner) Call For Info: 845-338-5299 click here to download a flyer for your office or work place
The 17th Annual Ulster County Board of REALTORS DRIVE IT HOME Benefit Golf Tournament will be held FRIDAY AUGUST 1st, 2008 @ Apple Greens Golf Course. Proceeds benefit: ULSTER COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY. The tournament entry $95 per golfer and includes; Greens Fee, Cart, Continental Breakfast, Lunch, Beer & Soda and Dinner (Dinner Only $30). Registration Begins 9:15 AM with a shotgun Start 10:00 AM.
download an team application Foursomes will play a "Captain & Crew" scramble format with prizes for Low Gross scores in "Open" and "All Realtor" divisions. There will also be prizes for Longest Drive and Closest To The Pin. And, of course, brand new 2009 Ford Fusion donated by Johnson Ford for a Hole-In-One. 9:15 AM Registration Begins, Continental Breakfast served prior to play 10:00 AM Shotgun Start 11:30 AM Lunch is served at the Orchard Café (at the tee box of the 10th hole) 3:00 PM Following completion of play, scorecards are to be collected in the Pro Shop 3:30 PM Dinner & Awards Ceremony immediately following play

e-cards (TrueLogic) suspended me for the second time

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:42:10 -0500

Yeah, thats right, the e-card system kicked me off again. I posted the full blog over at REW. They tell me I am the only Prudential Affiliate that has been suspended, this can't be true especially under these circumstances.

I really look forward to hearing some of your opinions on the subject

Click here for the full blog (rant)

- Lou

Prudential Nutshell Realty

Stone Ridge Summer Events

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:03:57 -0500

Stone Ridge Community Fair August 16th

There will be a community fair and movie night held on the grounds of Christ the King Episcopal Church in Stone Ridge on August 16th. The fair will start at 5pm with food and activities and end with a movie on the back lawn at sundown. Food will be available for a nominal fee with free popcorn for the movie. It is a rain or shine event.

SUMMER'S END CHORAL WORKSHOP AND COMMUNITY EVENSONG
Open to all singers in the Hudson Valley
Held at The Episcopal Church of Christ the King, 3021 Route 213 East, Stone Ridge, NY
August 27, 28, 29 and 30

Led by James Ruff, Director of Music & Professional Tenor

Come join other singers from the Hudson Valley in short daily workshops to:

Learn valuable vocal techniques to help you develop your own voice - tone, range, stamina.
Explore the spiritual basis for your singing - help deepen your own sense of worship while singing in your choir.
Work on specific choral techniques to develop your sense of blend and group sound.
Foster your sense of community with other choral singers in the area.
Prepare your heart, mind and body for your choir's coming fall season.
Then, put what you've learned into practice by singing in a beautiful Community Evensong Service at the end of the week, followed by a group supper. Repertoire will include the Stanford Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in C. Choral rehearsals for this service will follow each daily workshop.
Schedule for the week:

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday:

6pm - 7pm - Choral workshop
7pm - 8:30pm - Evensong Choral rehearsal

Saturday:

5pm - 6pm - Choral warm-up
6pm - 7pm - Choral Evensong Service
7pm - community potluck supper

You must attend at least 2 of the 3 rehearsals (Friday rehearsal is mandatory!) to sing in the Evensong Saturday evening.

Registration Fee: $50, due 8/15/08. For more information, contact the church at (845) 687-9414 or email: church@ctkstoneridge.org. See our website at: www.ctkstoneridge.org

Living among Woodstock’s Black Bear Population

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:38:13 -0500

As a 35 year old, I have been living in the country all my life. Up until just a few years ago, I have never seen a Black Bear in a public area or close to my home. Now they are everywhere. Within the last few years, things have changed both in the population and the feeding habits of the Black Bear found in Woodstock and the Hudson Valley area. Bears are now more prevalent in public areas than ever and pose a small problem to those who are unfamiliar with exactly how to co-exist.

Read the Full Story on Woodstock Bears >>

Hudson Valley Web Design

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 06:06:52 -0500

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!

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:20:27 -0500

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

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:10:33 -0500

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

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:13:49 -0500

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

Lou Lynch (Mortgages.com) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:01:14 -0500

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