Monday Morning - Do Not Read This If You Have Not Had Children Yet LOL - 03/31/08 09:48 AM
Monday morning and the race is on.  

My husband arrived home at 1:30 AM from a trip to SC to check on our property and put one parcel on the market.   He needed to get up for work at 5:00 AM so I was awake at 1:30 and again at 5:00.   I tried to go back to sleep again after the alarm-snooze-alarm cycle but it was no good.   It didn't really matter anyway because Victoria, my 13 year old, had to get up at 5:30 so I got up and got the laundry going.   I … (7 comments)

This Weekend in Pine Bush NY - Beauty and the Beast - 03/31/08 06:51 AM
Coming This Weekend - Don't Miss It!Pine Bush High School proudly presentsDisney's                             Beauty and the Beast  Music by Alan Menken     Lyrics by Howard Ashman Linda Wolverton     Book by Tim RiceFriday ~ April 4 @ 8pmSaturday ~ April 5 @ 2pm & 8pmPine Bush High School AuditoriumAdults $10Students/Senior Citizens $7Tickets call 744-2031 ext 3194 ** tickets may also be available at the door *  
… (0 comments)

Am I Blushing? - A Home Buyer's Opinion of Services Rendered - 03/30/08 07:23 PM

I just received the following from one of my first time home buyers.  The house they bought was one that wasn't even in thier original criteria. It had a price reduction the day I was taking them out to see some other listings and I just got that feeling that this was the house for them.  It is so nice when it all comes together.   
When we met Paddy we knew right then that she was the agent for us. She was by far the best agent we have ever dealt with.  Her attention to what we wanted was remarkable.  She listened to everything we said … (5 comments)

Nervous About Buying A New Home In This Market? Come On In The Water's Fine! - 03/30/08 06:00 AM
Potential home buyers are nervous in this market.  There are a million reasons they don't think it is the right time to buy right now.  They hear all the bad press and get "advise" from friends and relatives that tells them to wait to buy until the market bottoms out.  They don't want to be stuck buying something that goes down in value.  They can't qualify for as much mortgage money as they could previously.  They have a house to sell and don't want to loose out by selling it in a down market.  
For the people who want to buy a new home there … (5 comments)

Stop Taking Listings - 03/29/08 06:44 PM
I wish that agents would stop taking listings that are overpriced.  You are not doing anyone a favor.  You are creating expectations for your clients that somehow someone will be naive enough to pay more than the market dictates on the property.  You make the buyers agents look bad when they show a house that is far below standard for the buyers looking in the higher price range.  You will spend tons of money to advertise and promote a listing that will not sell quickly if it sells at all.  You will end up with a disappointed client and nothing in your … (10 comments)

I Needed That But I'm Over It Now - 03/29/08 08:12 AM
The energy that is generated by living in a positive way will reward you.  Every time things start to go in the negative direction you need to acknowledge the feeling but give the moment it's due and move on.  At the office we say "I needed that but I'm over it now."  Dwelling on the negative creates a downward whirlpool which can steal everything from a person. 
Positive actions and attitude, living by the Golden Rule, these things may make you loose out on a listing sometimes or to do something without compensation but doing the positive brings more profitable opportunities … (13 comments)

Welcome to a Great Builder from Goshen NY- Pete Berman of The Ruby Group - 03/28/08 06:21 AM
Pete is a great person to know.  He is very active in the Greater Hudson Valley as a principle in The Ruby Group and as a community volunteer.  He is a wealth of knowledge and unsurpassed in his networking skills.  If Pete starts blogging it would be in your interest to pay attention to his blog.  
I wish Pete all the luck in his current and future endeavors and I look forward to seeing his next local building project.  Welcome to the Rain Pete, come on in the water's fine!
I'm Paddy Pizappi- Work with Me and You'll be Happy! 
Keep Smiling and Keep … (1 comments)

Missing Maximum Exposure- Timing Listing Entry On MLS Systems - 03/28/08 05:57 AM
Did you know that you missed maximum impact on your listing last night?
They say timing is everything and the time that you enter a listing on your MLS system can make make the difference between first day sizzle or missing the mark.  In most MLS Systems the hotsheet resets in the middle of the night so if you add a new listing or make a price change late in the evening it hits the hotsheet at night and gets cleared before most agents get to see it. In hot markets it really did not matter as much as it does … (12 comments)

Do You Play Well With Others? - 03/27/08 09:00 AM
I have worked in two different brokerages and have moved around within my current office several times and find that the best location for me provided me with "neighbors" who were positive agents willing to share.  Being around others who offer constructive advise to me and ask for my help has made my life more comfortable and my time more profitable.
We have lost several agents over the past few months and I have noticed that the agents who have left are the loners or agents with a negative view of the world in general.  I think the office is now a better place even though … (11 comments)

A STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO YOUR NEW HOME-GREATER HUDSON VALLEY OF NEW YORK SPECIFIC - 03/27/08 07:33 AM
•1)      Gather a "Financial Picture" of yourself: Your Monthly Income; Savings; Current Debt- Credit Card, Personal and Auto Loans; Average Monthly Expenses; and Any Gift Money Available.
•2)      Speak with a "Mortgage Representative" to get a target price range based on your financial picture.  Ask what the average monthly payment would be including principal, interest, PMI, homeowner's insurance, and taxes.
•3)      Find a "Real Estate Sales Person or Broker" you feel comfortable with to act as your agent during your search.  This agent will help you throughout the entire buying process.
•4)      Explore "Target Areas" by looking at average selling price, school district … (0 comments)

Must be Spring- Robin Party - 03/26/08 03:50 PM
The robins are back and they all decided to gather in my yard yesterday. 
There must have been over 100 of them all over. 
I wonder if they were thinking I was going to serve drinks with dinner.
Now if the warm weather would just get here! 
I'm Paddy Pizappi Work with Me and You'll be Happy!
… (2 comments)

Ideas for a seminar on owner occupied multi family properties - 03/26/08 05:41 AM
I am looking for ideas for a first time home buyer seminar on buying a 2 - 4 family property (owner occupied) as an option for affordable housing and a way to afford more house or a more desirable neighborhood than they would find if they limited their search to single family houses.  I have taken out many first time buyers lately who are very hesitant to explore this possibility and I believe they are missing out on a stepping stone to the "dream house" they are searching for.  I believe in this option because I lived it.  Owning multi family … (2 comments)

Task #1 On To-Do List - Make This A Day To Enjoy - 03/23/08 05:22 AM
There is so much to celebrate today.  Whether you are Christian and are celebrating the affirmation of your faith or not, we all have so much to be thankful for.  Sometimes, in the rush, we forget that we are lucky to be where we are.  Each trial we go through makes us into a new and better person for having endured the difficulties.  This day is about renewal and re-birth.
My wish for you on this Sunday is that you take the time to be with people who are special to you.  Avoid being drawn into business for just this day and spend … (11 comments)

Confessions of an Experienced Home Renovator - 03/22/08 05:48 AM
Yesterday, I spoke about the handyman special.  In responding to some of the comments I promised to reveal the adventures in home renovation that I experienced when we purchased our current home in 2001.  First some history on the road traveled to get to the purchase of our "fixer" in Thompson Ridge NY.  This is the 6th house we have owned in 18 years.  We have bought and lived in 4 of them.  The other two were investment properties. You may ask if I was crazy to keep doing this and some days I would agree.  The purchase and renovation of each … (3 comments)

Fixer Upper, Handyman Needed - Is This The Right Choice For The Average First Time Home-Buyer? - 03/21/08 04:25 PM
Many buyers come to my office with the idea that they can save a lot of money on their first home by buying something that needs work.  They may have been searching for homes on the Internet and come across several priced well below the average for the area.  What they are not prepared for is the reality of what a handyman special needs. 
These are usually houses that need major repair.  They are most likely not livable in their current condition.  They may need electrical, plumbing, or structural repairs.  In many cases they can not be financed with a conventional … (5 comments)

Before You Search For A House... Search For An Agent And Get What You Are Paying For! - 03/21/08 07:02 AM
Spring is a great time to look for a new home.  This spring, here in the Hudson Valley, we have a lot of houses on the market.  Buyers have a lot of inventory to sift through to find the perfect fit for them.  Most would benefit from finding one real estate professional to help them with their search.
Most buyers today begin their search for a house on the Internet.  They will look through the available inventory and call the listing agents of the properties they feel would work for them.  Often the houses they call on already have accepted offers because even … (0 comments)

First Day of Spring- Time to Spring Into a Search for your First Home! - 03/20/08 07:54 AM
Hello from my home in the beautiful Hudson Valley of New York.  On this first day of Spring I suggest you spring into action and start your search for a new home.  It is a great time to buy.  Prices are lower and interest rates remain historically low.
If you are toying with the idea of owning your own home but don't know where to start I would like to suggest you start with a buyer's agent who works in the area you are interested in. The agent will explain the home-buying process and help you to find the other professionals you will need … (4 comments)

Make Your Life Richer - Find Something You Are Passionate About & Volunteer - 03/20/08 06:43 AM
It is hard to find time to become involved with committees and volunteer efforts what with everything else a busy Realtor has to do.  I am here to say it is important to your business and to your self worth to find a little time to get involved in something that you can become passionate about. 
For a long time I was at home when my children were young.  I found great joy in my children and loved being home but I also felt the need to do something that allowed me to get out of the house and with other people … (9 comments)

Morning Has Broken in Thompson Ridge NY - 03/18/08 09:52 AM

Have a great day.
Contact me for information on how you can wake up to something like this view from your front door.
… (1 comments)

Stay in Touch with Your Lender During Your Search for a Home - 03/18/08 05:24 AM
Interest rates change daily and as a potential home-buyer you need to be aware that the rate quoted for a mortgage pre-qualifiation will not be the rate you may have to pay when you find "the house" two months later.  It can make the difference between being able to afford a property and being told you can not buy it because the rate has gone up.  It is vital to stay in touch with your mortgage representative during your search to insure you are looking in the right price range.
As I have said before in this blog, you need to ask questions of your … (6 comments)

Happy St Patrick's Day- Make it a great week! - 03/17/08 05:27 AM
Good Monday morning and Happy St. Patrick's Day.  As you can probably tell from my first name I am Irish on my mother's side.  Yes my grandfather came from Dublin in the 1930's and he truly loved this country his adopted homeland.  It still makes me happy to hear someone speak with an Irish lilt.  Today we are all Irish though so enjoy!
I am starting the week on a good note.  I had some great successes over the weekend and I joined a great new group for those of us on AR who like to look on the sunny side of the … (9 comments)

What Kind of Agent Wins in Residential Real Estate Sales? - 03/16/08 07:42 AM
I have heard some real estate agents say that if you can sell a computer you can sell property.  That selling is selling no matter what.  I don't agree with that theory.  I believe that selling property as a buyer's agent, on the residential level at least, is not like selling anything else.  I believe you must be more involved as an agent with your buyers than if you were selling them a home appliance or a car.
In this market, the agent who goes the extra mile with information and consideration will go far.  Most people are looking for someone to help … (18 comments)

New York State School District Confussion - 03/14/08 06:43 PM
When I first moved to New York State from New Jersey I was amazed to find how the towns, villages, fire districts, and school districts were divided up.  As a matter of fact even my mailing address was confusing as it was a Sullivan County zip code when I live in Orange County.  It made no sense to me at first.  I think other people might feel the same confusion I felt.  I thought I would explain how things work here in the Pine Bush School District.
There are portions of four towns in three counties that send students to the schools of the Pine Bush School District.  The … (0 comments)

Should I get a virtual assistant? - 03/14/08 05:03 AM
I Finally spent the time yesterday to set up my basic web site.  I know you are all rolling your eyes and wondering where I have been.  Well I have been out working with buyers and taking care of a million other things.  I do want to do more marketing of my buyer agent services and am thinking about a virtual assistant.  What is everyones opinion on using a virtual assistant?  Pros and cons and personal referrals would help here please.
Hope everyone has a profitable day and as always, keep smiling and keep selling. 
… (8 comments)

Quality of Life in Orange County New York - 03/12/08 03:58 PM
Orange County New York has so much to offer.  We are actively involved in improving the quality of life of all our residents.  There are many organizations that are working to make our county a better place to live.  Yesterday our brokerage visited the offices of the Orange County Citizens Foundation.  
The Orange County Citzens's Foundation goal is to preserve and enhance the quality of life in Orange County. It focuses on finding a balance between economic vigor and environmental vibrancy and acts as a catalyst to promote intelligent planning and decision making. It is committed to providing leadership and assistance in … (0 comments)

Time is not on your side unless you schedule it in - 03/11/08 05:44 AM
I can't stand daylight savings time!  I normally don't use an alarm clock.  It may seem strange but if I want to get up at 5:00 in the morning I just put it in my mind the night before and I wake up.  Well last night my youngest asked me to wake her at 5:00 to complete some homework she was unable to do last night due to a massive headache.  Well, you guessed it I woke up at 10 minutes to 6 this morning.  Why do we do this again?
My life is all about schedules.  I have my own business … (10 comments)

Are You Looking For The Right House? - 03/10/08 06:59 AM
It is so exciting to start looking for a new house.  Many buyers have come to me who are pre-qualified for much more than they would like to spend.  While I am thrilled when a buyer is realistic about what they can actually afford, a buyer also needs to be realistic about how much thier money can buy.  If you desire to be in a specific area or need at least 4 bedrooms you may not be able to find a house in the condition you want for your target price. 
Working with a buyer's agent can save time and disappointment by focusing your search … (0 comments)

Keeping Things Moving Towards Closing- Part 5 in a Home Buyer Series - 03/07/08 06:34 AM
A lot needs to happen between agreeing on the price and closing on your new house.  We have already discussed the need for home inspection and working with your mortgage representative.  What happens next depends on your location as common closing practices vary by state and sometimes areas within states have different local practices.  Working with a buyer's agent gives you someone you can depend on to follow up on all the details and keep things moving towards the day when you can take title on the property.
In the Greater Hudson Valley of New York State most closings involve three attorneys.  The seller, … (1 comments)

Touring the Houses For Sale is Important! - 03/04/08 06:22 AM
In our office we have our meetings on Tuesday mornings.  Immediately following the meeting we are encouraged to go on a tour of the houses recently listed by agents in the brokerage.  Unfortunately many agents do not take advantage of the opportunity.  They say it takes too much time out of thier day or that it is a waste unless they have a house they want to get feedback about.  Well it is not a waste of time.  You can find the right house for a buyer that you may have overlooked else-wise.  You get a better feel for the market … (12 comments)

Working with the Lender to get to Closing- Part 4 of a Home Buyer Series - 03/04/08 05:34 AM
As a prospective home buyer one of the first things you should do is to speak with a mortgage representative. When interviewing lenders try to find someone who takes the time to explain things and that you feel comfortable working with.  They should be prompt in their responses to you because they will be helping you and your agent to move the application through to closing.  It is easier to work with a local lender or a lender with local representation because they will know local values and practices.
Your lender will tell you how much they will lend you for … (2 comments)

Now You Need A Home Inspection - Part 3 of a Home Buyer Series - 03/01/08 06:25 AM
Why should you pay for a home inspection especially when you know people who can look at the house for you?  It is important to have someone who has training in all of the aspects of home inspections.  In New York state all Home Inspectors should be licensed.  If that is not the case where you live you should look for an inspector who is a member of ASHI. 
Where can you find an inspector you can trust?  Ask your buyer's agent for a list of home inspectors that they  feel comfortable with.  There are inspectors who can scare you into walking away from … (2 comments)

 
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Paddy Pizappi PineBush & Hudson Valley NY Real Estate

Pine Bush, NY

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RJ Smith Realty Real Estate Solutions

Address: 55 Main St, PO Box 668, Pine Bush, NY, 12566

Office Phone: (845) 744-2095 x 326

Cell Phone: (845) 800-7086

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My blog will deal with working with buyers, my life as a mother of 3 teenagers and how to fit real estate into the other aspects of my world. I will also speak on volunteer efforts to assist my community

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