How The Great Points Race Made Me A Winner! - 04/30/09 05:49 AM
I love that the AR Guys, as I affectionately call the wonderful founders and staff of ActiveRain, put in the point system.  I know that to some it seems like a childish game to collect points and relish milestones but to me they are a measure of my commitment to laughing, learning, and sharing with a great pool of teachers, inspirational leaders, and with consumers who will learn about me and my services through my words on the screen.  Early on I made a commitment to read and comment on at least 10 posts a day (this is how many posts … (27 comments)

Mom's Rules For Tattoos Or Think Before You Ink! - 04/29/09 06:59 AM
I guess I am in an advice giving mode, yesterday I spoke about credit card use and how to tame the use of credit.  Today's subject is totally off topic but it is near and dear to me right now, so here I go again.... When one of my daughters was little she took a magic marker and colored at least 90% of her whole body a brilliant shade of blue.  We have photographic evidence of this but I would be arrested for some major Internet crime if I ever posted them and my daughter would probably consider some other major crime … (23 comments)

Taming Your Use Of Credit Will Get You Ahead. - 04/28/09 07:14 AM
I am not nor have I ever been a financial adviser, accountant, or any other financial professional.  I have not earned a degree in finance nor been licensed for any financial profession.  I start this post out that way because I am about to give you a financial philosophy.  It is a personal philosophy born of years of trial and error (sometimes more error than I like to admit).  I have borrowed ideas that seemed to work for others and tweaked them to fit my own philosophy.  I am not raking in the dough or piling up huge amounts of cash but … (10 comments)

Let's Get Loud Baby Let's Get Loud! New Grads, Newly Married, Not Ready For Buying A House? - 04/27/09 07:07 AM
It's been "playing" in my mind all morning. (Warning clicking here will embed it in your mind all day - as JoLo performs the song). It's a song that is used to get a crowd excited and pumped up on the dance floor.  I guess it is side effect of how I spent some of my day yesterday at a wonderful bridal fair speaking with women and men who are planning their weddings.  Truly nothing beats the energy and enthusiasm that these engaged couples put into planning their big day.  Many were there who don't plan to marry until 2011 yet … (28 comments)

To Do Orange County NY - April 26, 2009 - 04/26/09 08:08 AM
Sunday April 26, 2009 in Orange County NY
Sunday's Weather - Mostly Sunny And Mid to Upper 80s
  (click here for the latest NOAA Information.)

Special Events
Fundraiser Garage Sale - Monroe NY
Edna's Foundation of Hope which raises funds to combat a rare form of cancer, will benefit from this Garage Sale at the Monroe Woodbury bus garage, 27 Mine Road, Monroe.  Starts at 9:00 AM
For Further Information Click Here

Grow A Butterfly Friendly Garden - Warwick, NY
Come to this workshop on growing a garden that will attract butterflies, honey bees, and other pollinators … (4 comments)

To Do Orange County NY - April 25, 2009 - 04/24/09 07:36 AM
Saturday April 25, 2009 in Orange County NY
Saturday's Weather Sunny and In The 80's - Yes We Have Arrived!
 (click here for the latest NOAA Information.)

Special Events

 Hike-athon and Earth Day Celebration- Cornwall, NY
Hike a variety of trails, both guided and independent hikes are planned.  While there please visit the Earthday Expo and Family Fun Fair. All the fun starts at 10:00 AM at the Outdoor Discovery Center of the Hudson Highlands Museum, 174 Angola Road, Cornwall, NY at 10:00 AM.  
For Further Information Call 845-534-5506

Looking for Bargains and Unique Items? Here Are Some Area … (0 comments)

Are You Getting Married? - Come Sunday For A Chance At Free Honeymoons And Other Prizes - 04/23/09 06:55 AM
Attention Greater Hudson Valley Of NY Area Bride's To Be..... You are invited to attend a Free Bridal Expo at Lippincott Manor 69 Lippencott Road, Hamlet of Wallkill, NY Sunday April 26, 2009,from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.  Many prizes will be awarded including 3 Free Honeymoons click here to register or just come While you are there please stop and visit my booth where I will be promoting using your wedding to help provide the down payment for your first home.  Did you know you could ask your guests for cash presents and put them in a dedicated account to … (2 comments)

Don't Be Fooled By What You Heard... Real Estate Is Moving And You Had Better Run To Catch It! - 04/22/09 07:20 AM
Do you hear that?  It is the sound of the crowds rushing in behind you.  If you have been looking around at real estate for a while and holding off to see what the market will do you may find that houses are moving more quickly.  When I call to schedule appointments I am hearing a lot more of "that has an accepted offer" and I am getting calls telling me that some properties scheduled for a weekend home tour have accepted  an offer before I can get my buyers out there.  There are some buyers who are under the impression … (6 comments)

Are You Letting Your Personal Taste Or Your Clients Ethical Values Lead You In The Wrong Direction As An Agent? - 04/19/09 07:25 AM
I was with my family this weekend helping out with a Civil War event at a local museum.  Many of the visitors were curious as to why I choose to take on the time, effort, and expense of this hobby.  I do it for many reasons but one of the greatest is that each member of my family enjoys Civil War Reenacting.  We all have different reasons we enjoy it but since we all do it is nice to have something that brings us together.  These questions got me to thinking about my Real Estate work.  I act in my clients … (8 comments)

A Lesson From A Car Salesman - Provide More Service And You Will Win! - 04/11/09 08:03 AM
There was an ad on the radio yesterday that made me think about the real estate community and our response to the downturn in the economy and more specifically, the real estate market. So many Brokers are cutting service to the bare minimum in order to stay afloat in this sea of trouble.The ad I heard was for a car dealership and they were doing what I believe needs to happen in all service industries and actually, in all business period.  We all have seen many auto dealerships closing up shop because they were not able to make ends meet.   … (52 comments)

What $8000 Tax Credit??? Are You Kidding Me???? - 04/09/09 06:00 AM
I was with my accountant yesterday and learned something totally mind blowing!  He had done the taxes for at least 6 first time home buyers who had no idea about the $8000 Tax Credit that is currently available to them.  Are you kidding me????  Someone out here is not doing their job and I think that someone is our real estate community!This was one small accounting firm in a small town.  If we take those statistics and multiply them by all the accounting firms and tax prep services there must be thousands of people who have bought without knowledge of this incentive. … (13 comments)

Listing Agents Please Don't Buy That Listing - It Does Do Harm - 04/08/09 07:35 AM
Here is yet another twist on the horrendous practice of some listing agents to "buy" a listing by overpricing it.  I don't care if the seller told you that that was what they wanted to get for the property.  I don't care if you told them that the correct price was much lower than your initial asking price but they would not listen.  What I care about is that nobody wins when this is happening in the market.It happens all the time but is really a problem in a declining market.  People have inflated ideas of the worth of a property.  An … (14 comments)

A New Form Of Identity Theft--Agents AND Consumers BEWARE of Craigslist Scam - 04/08/09 06:15 AM
Has this been happening to your listings?  Make sure to check the rental listings for anything suspicious.  Thanks for the heads up Debe.
Via Debe Maxwell Talk Charlotte with Charlotte's Realtor® (Helen Adams Realty):
A New Form Of Identity Theft--Agents and Consumers BEWARE of Craigslist Scam
PLEASE:   RE-BLOG to spread the WORD!
I post all of my listings on Craigslist from my website, among many other sites.  I began receiving calls about my 'rental' that was on Craigslist.  It was regarding a brand new listing that was posted there and the home was NEVER listed for rent and won't be--it is strictly FOR … (5 comments)

Special Needs Boy Scout Troop Forming - Sponsored by Our Local Air National Guard Unit - 04/07/09 07:55 AM
Every day I am sent updates and announcements for upcoming events in the Greater Hudson Valley of New York because of my involvement in youth based volunteer efforts, real estate, and my Hudson Valley Happenings with Paddy Pizappi blog.  This morning I received a special one regarding the formation of a Cub/Boy Scout Troop forming for special needs boys.  This troop will be sponsored by the 105th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard  out of Stewart Air Base in Newburgh.  I feel the need to pass on this information to my readers in hopes that some lucky young … (8 comments)

The Joys Of The Spring Real Estate Hunt - Longer Days Mean Easier Viewings - 04/06/09 08:00 AM
Glad the days are getting warmer and the daylight is hanging around a bit later these days.  It is hard being a real estate agent in the Northeast US during those short winter days.  People can't just meet you after work to see a house if they want to view the outside, and it is never a good idea not to see the outside of the house on that first viewing in my opinion.  There are too many things that can be seen in the light of day that will affect your opinion of a property.  If people can't see houses … (9 comments)

Foreclosure Lists For Sale - No Guarantee You Understand.... - 04/05/09 06:29 AM
What about these Foreclosure Lists?  I had a Buyer Client ask me if I had access to the foreclosure lists he keeps hearing about.  I thought about how to answer him carefully.  Of course I had been sending all the foreclosure homes on the MLS to him but he was looking for the "special deals" that everyone keeps telling him he should be looking at.  You know, the houses being bought for pennies on the dollar.I told him that there are companies out there that for a fee will sign him up for daily emails with lists of homes that have … (8 comments)

Your House Is Out There - Don't Miss It Because You Never Saw It! - 04/04/09 05:34 AM
Have you ever seen the bonding of a buyer to a house?  I am not talking the excitement of finding something they like that they can afford.  I am not talking about walking through a model home and falling "in love" with all the bells and whistles.  I am talking about seeing the connection of a person for a house that goes beyond explanation.  They walk into the house and it is theirs from that moment. The paperwork is just a formality.The house is often very different from everything they told you they wanted.  It is often in need of at … (13 comments)

To Do Orange County NY - April 4, 2009 - 04/03/09 02:55 PM
Saturday April 4, 2009 in Orange County NY
Saturday's Weather Chance of Rain or Oh No Say it Ain't Snow
 (click here for the latest NOAA Information.)

Special Events

Tag Sales and Thrift Shops
Newburgh, NY - come on out to St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 19-25 Fullerton Ave, Newburgh, NY for a pancake breakfast followed by a vendor fair Starting at 9:00 AM
For Further Information call 845-561-2556

Warwick, NY - visit the thrift shop at Christ Church, 50 South St, Warwick, NY starting at 9:30 AM
For Further Information call 845-346-6676

 Wildlife … (3 comments)

Spring Fresh By Taking Care Of You - 04/03/09 06:36 AM
This morning anything is possible!  I have been "holding my breath" for weeks now anticipating possible bad news from my medical test yesterday.  I have been fearing the results for so long that I delayed having the test.  Projects have been ignored.  Potential business was approached with caution.  Planning for the future in limbo.  In truth I was living in fear without even realizing it.  
I woke up this morning without a familiar tightness in the back of my neck.  I have been cleansed by yesterday's test and the wait for results doesn't really have me in the same panic because … (42 comments)

It Is A Waiting Game Now....What Do You Say To A Buyer Waiting For A Response To An Offer? - 04/01/09 05:22 AM
What do you say to keep them from freaking out completely while they wait for a response to an offer?  I have several Buyer clients that are not so patiently waiting for the sellers to tell them what they think of the offers they have made.  Anxious does not even come close to how they feel.  They really want me to push but I tell them to push too hard might be what pushes the seller over the top and makes them lose the property.  I remind the listing agents that we are waiting and I tell them that the buyer … (14 comments)

 
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Paddy Pizappi PineBush & Hudson Valley NY Real Estate

Pine Bush, NY

More about me…

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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