Marie Antoinette's Hudson Valley Real Estate Blog

Now Twittering ... I think!

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:46:00 -0600

Thank you, John Novak for your post. Could not be timed any better! It's good to know we have a Twitter group.

I read Steve Crossland's post earlier today and decided to follow him in. The "what are you doing" part is easy enough, but the rest of it? Confusing!

Immediacy and a Bit of Delayed Gratification Too

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:54:33 -0600

We can search the Web and see our words. It's what excites us ... our words ... our thoughts ... our very personal contribution to that massive, ethereal world of expression.

Blogging is right-now, in-your-face communication. Its immediacy is obvious, feedback and all. We have little patience in our high-speed world, and blogging does not disappoint.

Simultaneously, we are marketing ourselves and our businesses. However, if we step aside and turn off our egos, accepting delayed gratification, what enhances the value of our blogging and connects us to an unending matrix of thought? Linking!

I did not see the power of linking when I first began blogging. Eventually, I saw the hyperlink as a needed explanation to the text of a post ... like a footnote.

Then one day the realization hit. The link associates you with that particular linked-to source, whatever it may be. It connects you to colleagues, your business, your community and beyond.

When a neighbor mentioned that she hit my blog while searching for store hours, I was surprised. Looking back at my post, I had not used a tag; it was simply a link to better describe the store to the reader.

I know I have seen posts about linking on Active Rain, but I do not believe we fully see value until we each come to our own realization. There is just too much to read, synthesize and understand about the blogosphere. My Active Rain bookmarked section resembles the piles of magazines I mean to read someday. Anyway, even the simplest link can connect you and bring people to you. They seem well worth the bit of extra time it takes to create them.

Photos: stockxpert.com

Orange County, NY Real Estate

As the Seasons Change, So Do the Views … Well, Most of Them…

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:11:39 -0600

I was driving up the road today enjoying the seasonal views, which in the Hudson Valley means enhanced views of the mountains ... so much so that you have no doubt you are in a valley. In Cornwall, they seem to encircle you; you get the feeling that you are in one big bowl!

To provide enough water for its millions, New York City owns and maintains reservoirs in upstate New York. When it decided where to locate these reservoirs, it did not matter if a town stood on the desired spot ... open the flood gates, bye-bye town. Thankfully, Cornwall escaped this cruel fate.

I drove past the new road, leading to the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. The Town added an entry on Angola Road and will eventually close the access road from Route 9W. And the new road's entrance is opposite the historic Cromwell Manor Inn. From this vantage point the views are spectacular ... as I crest the hill, I can see the Hudson River flowing at the base of Storm King Mountain.

Up the road apiece, I reach the entrance to Jones Farm & Country Store ... my car wants to make a left ... but I fight it. Delectable pies, apple-cider donuts, fudge and one of the best little gift shops in the area, Clearwaters. And of course, farm animals ... one of my favorite stops along Angola Road.

My mission today is business, so I head toward the traffic circle and make my stops at Cornwall Plaza, the town's compact mall of stores, post office, banks, restaurants and offices, now adjacent to the new 55+ condo development (Canterbury Green), which is nearing completion.

The town looks so different when the leaves fall and the flowers fade, less perfect, less picturesque but nature shines through!

As I make my way back home, the only view that looks the same ... the for-sale signs! We have an impressive inventory of homes on the market in Cornwall, New York. If you are thinking of buying a home, now is the time, this is the place, and I am your Realtor.

Cornwall is my home, and I highly recommend it! It is a lovely town ... always has been. While sailing up the Hudson in 1609, Henry Hudson made an unexpected left turn. Cornwall's beauty drew him in, and it will you too.

Photo: luckyoliver.com

Cornwall, New York Houses for Sale by Marie Meyer

Orange County, New York Houses for Sale by Marie Meyer

Tagged! The Nearest Book Meme …

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:24:22 -0600

Sandy Shores tagged me for this meme. Sandy has a knack for writing those "right on target" posts, chock full of helpful information. I've learned a lot from Sandy, especially about real estate investing, so I am more than happy to comply.

Here are the guidelines:

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 56.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next two to five sentences.
5. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book or the intellectual one. Pick the Closest.
6. Tag five people to do the same

[The one book that this cannot be is the Bible]

Since I am sitting on my sofa, the nearest book is my end table book. It's a travel guidebook, actually "a traveler's life list" ... perfect for a quick read about some new and interesting place in the world.

1,000 Places to See Before You Die by Patricia Shultz, 2003.

Page 56, beginning with Sentence five:

"There's no choice in the set five-course menu, but you'll be happy to leave the evening in the masterful hands of the chef who relies entirely on whatever is available from the local waters and suppliers. She has achieved celebrity status by not adhering to strict gastronomic conventions; the success of each inventive dish derives from delicate and simple flavors. Breakfast is as much a joy as the evening's repast was a masterpiece."

The author is referring to the Altnaharrie Inn in Ullapool, Scotland.

Now back to my reality of a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast!

Okay ... time to tag five lucky Rainers (in alphabetical order):

Blogging for Hope … December 1, 2008

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 07:00:26 -0600

Stigma remains even in America. As a result, social and research support are not what they could be. It's okay to talk about HIV/AIDS. In fact, not doing so has lead to its spread in our country and around the world.

Additional information is now available for bloggers to unite for World AIDS Day - Monday, December 1, 2008. Visit http://unite.blogcatalog.com/participate/

This year's theme is leadership. HIV/AIDS has been a global epidemic for 27 years! An estimated 33 million people are living with HIV. In the United States, an estimated one million Americans are living with HIV.

You can also visit http://blog.aids.gov/ to learn more about using new media in response to HIV/AIDS and http://www.aids.gov/ to discover other ways that you can make a difference.

Blogging = Power!

Marketing a Commercial Real Estate Book

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:10:55 -0600

Via Josef Katz - Trump University {Marketing Maestro}:

If you look at the post I reblogged yesterday you can see we launched a new book. C Tann-Starr took the initiative to share the info with the AR community (thanks again). Today (and I probably should have done this a few days ago...) I wanted to share some of the behind the scenes info on our book marketing effort and ask for your help.

I have participated in a number of book launches over the years. But this one is shaping up to be different. When we checked the Amazon ranking for Commercial Real Estate 101a week or two ago the book was ranked #335,105 overall. Not very high but the book was not available for shipping. Today is a different story thanks to our marketing efforts.

Our goal is to get the book to #1 overall but at a minimum to #1 in Business and Investing and the Real Estate categories. The second goal has since been accomplished.

So how are we going to hit #1 without spending any money on media?

There are two main efforts. The first is a very direct approach to our clients and customers offering them bonus material for helping us out. Feel free to check out the promotion for Commercial Real Estate if you have an interest.

The second is to try and maintain our rankings and sales volumes by utilizing PR, social media, and networking.

So what does this all mean to you? Why should I care?

OK I'll get to the point. We are looking for some people to help spread the word via social media and networking. If you are interested in helping us out and learning more about our marketing efforts or you are just interested in having some fun then we can talk about the following:

Inside scoop on our marketing plan

Content for a blog post

A gift from Trump U. (to be discussed offline - sorry I can't give everything away...)

Bragging rights to say you worked with me… (OK Trump University)

and most importantly my/our gratitude for your help…

If you are interested in playing along leave me a comment or send me an email.

I will be Twittering sales rank info during the day and week to keep folks updated on our progress. Feel free to follow or join us and tag your postings #CRE101 so we can find you in our searches. I will share some results once the effort is completed.

So do you want to help us out?

Happy Halloween ... Forget the Leaves!

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:27:39 -0500

Lots of work to do removing gazillions of leaves before snow falls and they haven't finished dancing off the branches yet. Sometimes we make it in time and sometimes we do not. It's a much more enjoyable spring when we do! That sight of wet leaves peeking through melting snow or crocuses, poking through wet leaves, peeking through the melting snow is not the way to start the season.

View of the Schunemunk Mountains and more leaves to fall

Punkin and leaves

Leaves to the front of me!

And leaves to the back of me!

And forget about the leaves you cannot see! It's a big job ... but I wouldn't trade my trees!

Today, I decided to take pictures instead of rake, because it is such a pretty sight on a crisp, beautiful Halloween afternoon.

Happy Halloween from Cornwall, New York in the beautiful Hudson Valley.

Bloggers Unite for AIDS

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:45:12 -0500

2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. Participate in a Blogging Call to Action on December 1st. AIDS.gov and the National Institute on Drug Abuse are partnering with Blog Catalog to host "Bloggers Unite for AIDS." This event is an opporutnity to write about HIV/AIDS to promote public awareness and education and reduce stigma. For more information visit http://www.aids.gov/world_aids_day.html

Leadership is the UN theme for 2008 … urging governments to keep commitments they have made to fight this disease. It is critical that research and education continue.

Over one million Americans are living with HIV/AIDS today.

Worldwide, the figure is over 33 million.

Perhaps, HIV/AIDS has touched your life personally or perhaps not. Either way, helping to ensure that Americans understand that the disease still exists with new cases continuing to occur is a worthy cause. Blogging does spread the word!

For me, it did touch my life, losing people dear to me … men and women alike. I watched suffering and death in my personal life and in my work life … funerals and memorial services … far too many. However, this is not about me; this is about them, and I remember them by continuing their fight. Silence=Death and what occurred in the '80s to the mid '90s must never be allowed to happen again!

Please click on the link above if you would like to see what you can do to help.

Tagged! Why I Love Being a Real Estate Professional ...

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:20:36 -0500

Thank you Sandy Shores for tagging me! It is indeed an honor, coming from such a committed and professional Realtor.

There are many reasons I love our profession. The most meaningful have little to do with the business aspects of real estate. They are, however, what keeps my heart and soul in the business.

I love houses, and thanks to our profession I can know houses … all sorts of houses, especially old ones … where decades upon decades have left worn paths in the hardwood floors … where you can feel another time in history … where you can see a man’s hand in well worn wood … feel the homes soul … and be inspired or in awe or just take in the feeling lingering in the air.

Our profession has led me to discover first-hand, my town, my county, nearby counties and experience them in ways others cannot … invited into neighbors homes, learning about their humanity, their connections … their hopes. And helping them even for a brief period in their lives to reach that next level of needs or that big dream.

My job keeps me in touch with nature … the roads through mountains carved out centuries ago, winding through towns, villages, hamlets … opening into fields that meet the horizon or a hamlet that once had a reason for its location but now does not … suspended in time … when roads went around humanity and not through it … recognizing the preeminence of a man’s “castle.”

And on a personal level, I love it because I can be as non-conforming as I choose in conforming to a standard of excellence within the profession and because all of life’s experiences and education serve me well. The more I experience and know, the better I relate to people, the environment and my role in life. Nothing is wasted in this business.

In closing, I tag …

Deborh Pearce … a very creative professional whose posts are reflective of her artistry, wonderful sense of humor and enjoyment of life.

Patrice Estess … a horse lover whom I truly admire because of her rescue efforts and the kindness and care she provides these wonderful animals.

Teresa Berry … a marketing maven with the coolest ideas, always presented in concise and easy-to-follow style. That’s it she has style! And I can almost smell the java brewing when I visit her blog :-

Yes You Can!

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 08:17:44 -0500

Yes, you can sell your home now. How?

Price It Right

Prepare It to Sell

Please Call a Realtor

How do you price it right?

Look at homes currently on the market in your neighborhood as well as those recently sold. For how much did they sell, and for how much are they being offered?

How do you prepare it to sell?

You prepare your home to sell by staging it so that you will:

Attract buyers with curb appeal.

Welcome buyers to an inviting and tranquil interior space.

Make an indelible impression.

Why call a Realtor?

A Realtor will prepare an analysis of market trends in your neighborhood so that you will have the information needed to price it right.

A Realtor can offer a home staging consultation or direct you to a home staging consultant or maybe, you are a DIYer. You will know where to invest and not invest your time and money and where minor modifications can make a major difference.

By pricing your home to sell and preparing it so that buyers can envision it as their own, your home will sell … and that brings us to the fourth "P" … Profit!

MARIE P. MEYER, KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY, CENTRAL VALLEY, NY

Keller Williams works for me and not the other way around. Allow us to work for you.

Serving Orange County, New York in the beautiful Hudson Valley.

Photos: stockxpert

Calling Seth Godin!!!

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 17:01:46 -0500

Via Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc:

Hi folks. My good friend and fellow ActiveRainer, Margaret Rome, is getting close to launching her first book "Real Estate the Right Rome Way". I'm sure most of you know Margaret but if not....stop over and check out her profile.

Margaret and I joined AR at just about the same time, July of 2006. In fact, as far as I can, tell we actually joined on the same day. Her first post and my first post were both on July 8, 2006.

Margaret and I have always had a connection. We are very much alike and handle our businesses the same. I still believe we were separated at birth. Here are a few similarities.

We are both "solo" agents

We both specialize in listings

I have a TLW she has a TLH.

We both have tempurpedic craftmatic adjustable beds!!!

We are both soooooooo good looking.

Anyway....Margaret is really wanting to get Seth Godin to review her book and maybe write a blurb on the jacket. So she decided to have a little contest to see who could come up with a good idea to get Seth's attention. My idea was to get as many Rainers as possible to place this phrase in their next post:

Hey Seth Godin!!!! Come over and review Margaret Rome's new book"

I figure Seth has his Google alerts activated and if enough of us do this he will not be able to ignore us and will have to come over to see what's going on. If you are not familiar with Seth he is a master marketeer and a best selling author. Getting him to review Margaret's book would be HUGE!!

So.....if you would, next post you write, just take a minute and copy/paste this phrase....

Hey Seth Godin!!!! Come over and review Margaret Rome's new book"

.....and place it at the bottom of your post. Or the top. Or the middle. Let's show Seth the power of the Rain. How simple is that?

The Tao of Localism

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:11:30 -0500

Through Localism, you can provide a unique resource for potential clients and residents. You know your community, and you know who relocates to your community. Many of us have been farming an area for years. We know the type of information our market appreciates. We also know what potential newcomers wish to know about our area.

When I was mailing out post cards and flyers, I usually got some type of feedback. For example, one neighbor said, "I love the monthly flyer you send out, listing the home sales in the neighborhood ... but please, nix the recipe cards." I sent out only one and it was my last!

My neighbors like real information ... about the housing market, the local economy, historic houses, new developments, etc. Forget the hokey stuff.

One new customer who is currently living in NYC is most concerned with shopping and schools. Another is more interested in being able to walk to restaurants, movies and transportation. These are just two examples, but you get my drift.

We know our clientele very well. With all the information we have garnered, we can make Localism the perfect site for residents and potential residents alike ...a true neighborhood resource. As Realtors we have a competitive advantage when it comes to knowing people. We should use it!

In my area, Paddy Pizappi was an early adapter of the Localism pages (Orange County, NY). For me, she set the standard. Paddy has her finger on the pulse of her community, and she knows how to use it (actually, all ten of them) to stay in touch ... to be that local expert.

Why not be your community expert ... Localism is the way.

Photo: stockexpert

Cornwall, NY Housing Market … SEPTEMBER

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:26:12 -0500

Cornwall, NY Home Sales for the Month of September 2008

Cornwall (1930) … 1156 sq ft on .78 acre with 3 bedrooms and 1bath sold AS IS for $125,000.

Cornwall (1920) … 1406 sq ft on .11 acre with 3 bedrooms and 1bath sold for $200,000.

Cornwall-on-Hudson (1910) … 850 sq ft on .10 acre with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath sold for $207,760.

Cornwall (1952) … 1096 sq ft on .16 acre with 3 bedrooms and 1 bath sold for $225,000.

Cornwall (1955) … 996 sq ft on .30 acre with 3 bedrooms and 1 bath sold for $265,000.

Cornwall (1970) … 2080 sq ft on .31 acre with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths sold for $299,000.

Cornwall (1920) … 1769 sq ft on .14 acre with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths sold for $317,500.

Cornwall-on-Hudson (1963) … 2816 sq ft on .49 acre with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths sold AS IS (foreclosure) for $327,500.

Cornwall-on-Hudson (1938) … 2420 sq ft on .26 acre with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths sold AS IS for $335,000.

Cornwall-on-Hudson (1949) … 1556 sq ft on .15 acre with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths sold for $360,000.

Cornwall (1997) … 2160 sq ft on 1.6 acres with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths sold for $390,000.

Cornwall (1989) … 1834 sq ft on .93 acre with 3 bedrooms and 3 baths sold for $396,000.

Cornwall (1979) … 1914 sq ft on .46 acre with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths sold for $425,000.

Cornwall-on-Hudson (1998) … 2432 sq ft on 1.9 acres with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths sold for $450,000.

Courtesy of Marie P. Meyer, Keller Williams Realty, serving Orange County, NY and specializing in Cornwall and the surrounding area.

Data gathered from Greater Hudson Valley MLS.

And Back Home to Cornwall, New York - Pt.2

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:31:25 -0500

From Goshen to Salisbury Mills, New York - Pt.1

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:53:14 -0500

Just Colors - Cornwall, New York

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:00:32 -0500

Life in Blogs of Time

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 10:27:56 -0500

Where is my muse this evening? Still absorbing my day, I would imagine. Some days are designed purely for input. Today was one such day ... the most beautiful of New York autumn blue sky and sunshine, sparkling colors with peek-a-boo lights, stop by the side of the road, warm your face, take it all in kind of day.

No clouds, no existential angst. To be is all there is and it is good. And then I realize that I left my camera behind but decide to forgive myself, laughing that I see life in blogs of time. A journey I cannot share in the Rain as I would like to; words are all I have now.

I take country roads from Cornwall to Goshen, through Mountainville's valley and mountain views, interrupted by Washingtonville's main thoroughfare where I get a ticket at a sticker checkpoint. A Trooper slides a light meter over my driver's side window and tells me that the tint is too dark. Absurd scene ... not going to let this creep into my consciousness today. On through Hamptonburgh to Sarah Well's Trail ... one of my favorite winding roads ... pure country ... sprawling farms, farm stands, dotted with houses old and new, color, color everywhere ... no traffic at all and 55 mph speed limit ... open my too-tinted windows, turn up the music, full speed ahead! Life in the one lane!

Left turn into Goshen's traffic ... Goshen is the County Seat. Stop at my office, grab my commission check and head back to Cornwall, where I stop at my bank and deposit my check. Relief ... really down to the wire this time.

It's Friday and it's a beautiful day and right now, life is good. And I have my hat to prove it.

Just another day in the life of a Realtor ...

Orange County, New York

Photo: stockxpert (not the cat & the hat; that's mine)

Walden, New York Ranch SOLD!

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:38:51 -0500

Just Sold -- Walden, New York Ranch

Highland Avenue, Walden, NY -- sold by Marie P. Meyer, Light Realty LLC

Now with Keller Williams Realty, Central Valley, NY

Buying or selling? Give me a call. I'm always happy to help with your real estate needs.

845-401-4034 / info@mariepmeyer.com / www.mariepmeyer.com

Orange County, New York Real Estate

Maybrook, New York Townhouse SOLD!

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 11:22:26 -0500

MAYBROOK TOWNHOUSE SOLD!!

216 Country Club Drive at Country Club Heights, Maybrook sold by Marie Meyer, Light Realty LLC

Now with Keller Williams Realty, Central Valley, new York

If you have a townhouse or other property to sell, contact Marie Meyer. I am always happy to help!

www.mariepmeyer.com / info@mariepmeyer.com / 845-401-4034

Orange County New York Real Estate

Comments Aren’t Everything … Remember to Look at Your Stats

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:18:45 -0500

Your Active Rain Statistics information tells you a lot about traffic to your blog and your profile. Remember to take a look at it every so often. You can see how many views your profile has had and how many views/clicks various posts have accumulated.

Not all posts generate a lot of comments, but this does not mean people are not reading.

Statistics are management information. You can see which type of posts get more traffic. Use it to manage your blog. Which posts are really reaching out to the world. The numbers you see represent cyberspace and not just Active Rain.

So, if you are curious about your blogging results, "Statistics" is the place to look. You can find the Statistics link in the left column of "My Home."

It’s Like Everyone Is Talking at the Same Time!

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:09:48 -0500

I don't know about the rest of you, but I cannot keep up! I cannot even read them all ... let alone comment on all.

Who put this group together again? Oh! Right! C! Well, if you set out to amass the most prolific bunch of Rainy bloggers, you have succeeded! You deserve a gold star or something.

I'm reading as fast as I can :)

A Different Time and Camelot

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:20:02 -0500

Actually, it was a very short period in history, but for children, time moves slowly. It was the summer/fall of 1960 and the world was changing, and I could feel it. Until this time my only memory of a president was President Eisenhower. He and Mamie seemed to have always lived in the White House, and now, this would change.

At home my parents discussed Kennedy and Nixon and why they favored Nixon. It was the first time I recall having a difference of opinion, politically (and it would continue until they passed away). In school, the Sisters talked about Kennedy's Catholicism, and how historic it would be if he became president. And on the streets, everyone talked about Jack and Jackie, the "beautiful couple." And pill-box hats were all the rage.

A couple of evenings ago, I caught McCain and Obama discussing the bail-out issues. This is when Jack Kennedy came to mind. Back then we had Nixon and Kennedy ... one was charismatic; one was not. Today, it is McCain and Obama ... one is charismatic; one is not. Anyway, back to my story.

When Election Day came, the whole neighborhood was abuzz about voting for Kennedy. I sincerely believed I was the only child in the country whose parents had voted for Nixon. However, I admitted their action and took the ridicule, saying that they had a right to their opinion. And so Jack Kennedy was elected, and I enjoyed the Kennedy family tremendously. Those were hopeful years and everything seemed fresh and new. I remember feeling such pride that we had Kennedy and the rest of the world did not. Ha! Ha! ... Ha! ... Ha! Ha!

I do not remember the year, but at one point, President Kennedy and Jackie were scheduled to drive through my neighborhood ... a motorcade that would head down Second Avenue. I can remember racing down the block and arriving at the crowd at the corner just in time. There they were! It was thrilling and the entire neighborhood lined the streets or stood on stoops to catch a glimpse, and if they were not out there, they were hanging out of their windows. We were so very proud of our president and we loved him.

I remember Jackie losing a baby ... how very sad. And I remember Caroline and John playing in their dad's office. And then there was the Cuban Missile Crisis ... we were all taken from school and lined up at the church confessionals so that we could confess and die in the state of grace. We were then sent home, trying not to sin on the way, and waited ... I guess for the missiles to hit ... certainly they were headed for New York.

My last memory ... home from school that day for whatever reason, watching TV, waiting for my mom to return from the A & P. And then ... Walter Cronkite appeared on the screen, telling me my president had been shot. I changed the channels but it was the same on all seven of them. And when my mom came in the door --- she had heard at the A & P ... we ran to the apartments of the few elderly women in the building who were wailing. And the streets were filled with people crying and in school, I heard that they prayed that day.

I recall that the elderly woman who lived above me had a photo of Kennedy next to one of Pope John XXIII displayed prominently on her wall. This is how he was viewed.

My brother came home early from school and my dad from work, and we sat glued to the TV for what seemed like days ... until it was over. And we all seemed so much older. And it really was the end of Camelot ... short but Oh! So sweet!

The Two-Step Process to Selling Your Home

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:58:23 -0500

Step 1 -> PRICING

Look not only at recent sales but at homes currently on the market. A Realtor can help you with the pricing analysis.

Step 2 -> STAGING

Ask your Realtor about a home staging consultation ...

Attract buyers with curb appeal.

Where to invest and not invest your time and money

Welcome buyers to an inviting and tranquil interior space.

Minor modifications that make a major difference

Make an indelible impression.

Your home is equal to the sum of its parts.

By pricing your home to sell and staging it so that buyers can envision it as their own, your home will sell. If you are planning to sell in the near future, contact a Realtor today.

The owners of this Maybrook townhouse priced it to sell, and following a home staging consultation, they worked on the townhouse for two months.

The day they completed their work, they received the offer that sold their home.

A Few Before and After Photos of their handiwork:

To attract a buyer, contact Marie Meyer, Light Realty LLC, serving Orange County New York, specializing in Cornwall New York and the surrounding area.

Now with Keller Williams Realty, Central Valley, New York

Top photo of Stable Way, Cornwall-on-Hudson courtesy of Anthony Pizzuto.

Fallsburgh, NY Investment Property

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:58:33 -0500

Via Nan Gill:

Fallsburgh New York Investment Property

Nan Mia Gill, Broker, Light Realty LLC ... Bring Your Dreams to Light!

Orange County, NY

For the Chaotic

Marie Meyer, Orange County New York Realtor® (Keller Williams Realty) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 22:36:06 -0500

Close your eyes ...

Feel the cool breeze and hot sun

force a shiver

touch your heart

and tickle your fancy.

It's mother's touch,

unmistakable,

out of the blue

from somewhere beyond.

Sigh! Summer's end ...

And it just dares you not to smile.