dutchess county homes: When it comes to marketing real estate, social media should not be an option - 10/16/11 04:35 PM
Google me, Google my competition.  If they cannot promote themselves nearly as well online, then chances are they have not embraced technology enough to be promoting their listings effectively.  Many agents still shy away from social media. I have had other brokers and colleagues tease me about being on Facebook too much. Imagine that.
Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin - I'm everywhere, all the time.  It doesn't mean I am sitting around with too much time on my hands and not working out in the field. No, not the case.  Most of the time I'm updating my Facebook status or tweeting from my smart phone while briefly stopping throughout my … (6 comments)

dutchess county homes: Landmark Case? ...Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union VS. The State of New York - 03/30/10 11:49 AM
How fair is this?  Did you know that in New York, anyone obtaining a mortgage must pay a tax of 1.05% of the cost of the loan amount? Currently, a Dutchess County home-buyer who finances $300,000 is taxed $3,150, an amount which it typically added to the buyer's closing costs.
My source tell me that in other states throughout the United States, home buyers seeking mortgages through credit unions are not subjected to mortgage recording TAX.  True or False?  (Maybe some of the other Active Rain members will confirm). 
 And, how great would it be if home-buyers here in New York could avoid having … (7 comments)

dutchess county homes: Dutchess County - No Longer A Declining Market - 11/18/09 08:29 AM
Is there good news on the horizon for Dutchess County homeowners?  Two mortgage representatives told me this week in separate conversations that the Dutchess County area is no longer deemed a declining market by the lenders they work for.  One rep was specific to state that the term being used now to describe the local market is "soft." 
I don't think we'll see any robust changes in the near future.  Up until now Dutchess County had been considered a declining market for the last 18-24 months.  It may remain soft for some time., but this is a little better than declining.  Have we hit bottom?  Will the market turn around?  … (3 comments)

dutchess county homes: Poughkeepsie Area Market Overview - 11/12/09 01:31 AM
Local real estate statistics were recently published for October 2009.  The market update below shows that closed sales and the number of purchase offers accepted are UP since last October, while the inventory of available homes for sale has declined.  This is great news for sellers, and should serve as a caution for home buyers who are waiting to time the market.  In fact, the average selling price has not even changed significantly since last year.    



October 2009 Sales Statistics
SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED 
                                           Oct '08         Sept '09      Oct '09        1 Yr. Chg / %
Closed Sales                        131              136             155               UP         18%
Average … (1 comments)

dutchess county homes: Town of LaGrange - Dutchess County, NY - 07/12/09 08:48 AM
 
The Town of LaGrange in Dutchess County is a scenic Hudson Valley Community located approximately 75 miles north of New York City.  LaGrange has long been attractive due to the close proximity to a major north/south route, and the bucolic, scenic countryside. The town is mainly a residential area with most conveniences located in nearby Poughkeepsie.  LaGrange includes the communities and hamlets of Arthursburg, Billings, Freedom Plains, LaGrangeville, Manchester Bridge, Moore's Mill, Noxon, Red Oaks Mill, Rombout Ridge, and Titus.  
The town of LaGrange's name derives from the ancestral estate of the Marquis De Lafayette, who toured the area in … (0 comments)

dutchess county homes: Poughkeepsie, NY - Information & Home Sales Statistics - 07/05/09 08:35 AM
Poughkeepsie (pronounced /pəˈkɪpsiː/) is one of the original towns of Dutchess County. The county's first house was erected here by Peter Pieterson Lassen in 1688, where its footprint can be observed in Bowdoin Park. Poughkeepsie, founded in 1687, lies on the east side of the Hudson River, halfway between New York City and Albany. Poughkeepsie has a number of notable institutions for arts and entertainment and is the home of two state-of-the-art hospitals, St. Francis and Vassar Brothers, both with heliport facilities.
Vassar College
Distance to New York City: 81 MilesMetro-North Commute to Grand Centra: From Poughkeepsie Station - 107 minutesArea: 31.2 square … (2 comments)

dutchess county homes: Dutchess County, NY - Demographics Statistics - 07/05/09 08:00 AM
Dutchess County is located in the Mid-Hudson Valley, halfway between New York City and Albany.  The area continues to attract businesses and new residents. Employment and business opportunities continue to increase. Many residents commute to jobs in Westchester County, Connecticut or Manhattan because Dutchess offers more affordable housing than in other suburbs closer to New York City. Commuting to points south is made easy via I-84, the Taconic Parkway, I-87 and Metro North commuter trains.  
Considering a move to Dutchess Count?  The link below offers insight on Dutchess County:
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36/36027.html
 

 
RELOCATING?  CALL CAROL 227-4400 ext. 358
 
Carol Culkin, ABR, SRES, Associate Broker for Houlihan Lawrence, is your source … (1 comments)

dutchess county homes: Dutchess County - Purchase Offers Are UP 27% From This Time Last Year! - 05/05/09 06:21 PM
Think it's a buyer's market in Dutchess County?  Think again.  Here's the late breaking news from The Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing Service.  The numbers released today show that purchase offers are up 27% from this time last year.  The average number of days on the market is down by 7 days from March 2008.  This is another subtle indicator that the local market is picking up.
Buyers who have been waiting might now be finding themselves very disappointed.  While prices have fallen considerably and interest rates are at an all time low, the market has started to shift a little and some agents are even reporting … (5 comments)

dutchess county homes: Dutchess County Homes Sales Are Picking Up! - 04/10/09 06:03 PM
The Poughkeepsie Journal reported this week that the real estate market in the Mid-Hudson Valley is beginning to pick up pace.  In March, accepted purchase offers rose 27.2%.  Homes sold faster in March 2009 compared to a year ago with the average days on the market decreasing by 7.7 percent to 120 days.
One local broker had been quoted for the article to say "new federal first-time home buyer tax credit of up to $8,000, combined with mortgage rates at 5 percent and even below, are the keys".
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20090408/BUSINESS/904080323/1003/NEWS11
Personally speaking, my office recorded almost twice the amount of listing appointments this week compared to 3 weeks … (3 comments)

dutchess county homes: Dutchess County Stats - 02/05/09 05:39 AM
Hello Dutchess County Home Buyers!  Are you there?  I know that a lot of you see the national news reports on TV and think the bad news about the housing market is a measurement of what's happening right here in Dutchess County, NY. But, don't be fooled!
HERE"S A FACT:
JANUARY 2009 was the first month in many when the average sales price had not decreased from 1 year before.
So, If you snooze you may lose.
Need proof the local market is a good one to invest in?  Well, here in the chart below you will see that people ARE confident in investing in real estate in the Dutchess County … (5 comments)

dutchess county homes: Good-bye Employee Relocation Packages And Employer Buy-Outs - 01/28/09 05:50 AM
The comments to yesterday's post about IBM layoffs in Dutchess County have generated some interest. Of course, Dutchess County is not exempt from troubles that face the rest of the nation. People are loosing jobs all over the country. But, for Dutchess County, IBM is THE only major employer - followed by the hospitals and medium sized colleges.
Some of these IBM employees might be able to find other work outside of the area. If they want to remain in the computer, semi-conductor or engineering fields they will most likely move away. This could lead to a rash of relocation. But, not all of these moves will be employer sponsored. … (7 comments)

dutchess county homes: Opportunity of a Lifetime for First-Time Buyers - 01/23/09 06:32 AM
Calling all first time home buyers - the time is closing in on the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. The maximum tax credit of $7,500 is available for first-time home buyers only, for homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009. 
Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
The tax credit works like an interest-free loan and must be repaid over a 15-year period.
In Dutchess County, a closing could take 8-10 weeks from start to finish. This does not take into account the time … (11 comments)

dutchess county homes: Another Pleasant Valley Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday..... - 10/15/08 07:50 AM
Nobody who's ever ventured north of NY City or Westchester County would ever imagine this! Only 70 miles away from the Big Apple is a beautiful and peaceful landscape. Manhattanites who come up here for a weekend drive usually fall in love with the Upstate NY countryside. Often I've heard it said - "I  feel like I've died and gone to heaven". No wonder one Hudson Valley town was named Pleasant Valley!
Many stay long enough to check out the local real estate market -  and eventually they become residents who commute to work in The City. The smart thing, for those who have jobs that are conducive enough is to figure out a way to telecommute. Some … (5 comments)

dutchess county homes: I Am Going To Be An SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist. - 09/06/08 01:44 AM
I am happy to announce that this REALTOR® will have an SRES® designation by the end of the week. I have helped many seniors and their families and realize how well I relate to this group, especially with my own parents in their 80s. So, it only makes sense for me to become a Seniors Real Estate Specialist.
For more information on the SRES designation, you can pop onto the SRES site http://www.sres.org/ 
From that site, the question is posed:
Why are 50-plus clients moving? To be closer to grandchildren. To start that vineyard they've always dreamed of. To address health concerns. The list goes … (11 comments)

dutchess county homes: Hopewell Junction, NY - Ranked #31 Most Desirable Places In 2005 - 08/11/08 04:44 PM
Are you considering a move to Hopewell Junction, NY? You'll be sure to find it a great place here! In fact, Hopewell Junction was ranked #31 on Money Magazine's Most Desirable Places to Live for 2005. One of the reasons for this is that Hopewell Junction is the closest town to the Dutchess County southern border. This makes the commute to NY City approximately one hour. Cross the border of the county south, and home prices are significantly higher.
Hopewell Junction has great schools, including one Blue Ribbon elementary school. The hamlet of Hopewell Junction offers an array of businesses, services and everyday conveniences. There are great parks and recreation … (1 comments)

dutchess county homes: Manhatten Housing Prices Up 18% - Go North! - 05/22/08 01:52 AM
With so much doom and gloom about the housing market these days , I am at least reading positive reports about Manhatten housing prices being up. In the first quarter of this year, the median price for a Manhattan home rocketed up 18%, to $872,000, compared with the same period last year, according to an April 17 report by ResidentialNYC.com.
This being said, there's a quieter and slower pace just a little over an hour asway where a home buyer can find some great deals. In Dutchess County. there's always been an influx of NY City commuters buying into more affordable lifestyles. For those who prefer not to commute … (3 comments)

dutchess county homes: Buyers: Don't Underestimate Your Time Frame! - 05/21/08 03:17 PM
When planning to purchase a home to coincide with a particular date such as the expiration of a lease, or the sale of another home - it is important that a buyer understands the importance of a well thought out time frame. Just how long the home buying process might take depends on many factors.
A home buyer should consult with a real estate agent to determine what the average time frame is for the locale. A buyer cannot assume when moving from a state where the typical home sale closes in 4 weeks that it is the same way all over the country. 
First time home buyers often make the mistake of underestimating … (5 comments)

dutchess county homes: From State To State - Real Estate Is A Different Game! - 04/11/08 05:05 PM
I specialize in relocation and feel it's important to mention - the process of a Real Estate transaction differs from state to state. So many agents do not know this. So many buyers and sellers need to be educated to this fact. A transaction in Ohio can close in 4 -6 weeks, while a transaction in NY can take 7-9 weeks (attorney state).
Always use caution when planning to simultaneously coordinate two transactions involving two different states. There should always be a back up plan.
 
(3 comments)

dutchess county homes: Hudson Valley Spring Home Show - 02/27/08 11:58 AM
The area's largest home show showcases products and services for homeowners. The Home Show is an event designed for homeowners in all stages of remodeling, landscaping and decorating their homes. This event includes exhibits with merchandise, sample interior and exterior vignettes, and product demonstrations. With a combination of new products and expert advice from the pros. The Home Show inspires homeowners with countless ideas on enhancing their home's comfort and functionality, as well as its aesthetic appeal and overall value.
Admission: Adults: $7.00,  Children under 16 are FREE
http://www.acshomeshow.com/HGExpo/HHS.html
(2 comments)

dutchess county homes: Relocating To Dutchess County? - 02/24/08 12:53 PM
Living in Dutchess County provides a wonderful balance of lifestyles. You will enjoy two distinct worlds. The closeness to New York City will fulfill the fast paced metropolitan desires while you live in the relaxing bucolic country setting you will come to know as home. Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing Service is the premier computer information system for real estate in Dutchess County. The public website gives buyers the opportunity to learn search for their Dutchess County dream home.                    
To search for your dream house you can enter the Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing Service public website by clicking on the link below:
http://www.homeseekers.com/scripts/search.asp?_city_nm=Oakland&_org_id=MIDH
Or, click here for real estate sales statistics:
http://www.mydreamhouse.com/stats2.htm
And, … (0 comments)

 
Carol Culkin, Overland Park Residential Real Estate  (Diamond Partners Inc)

Carol Culkin

Overland Park Residential Real Estate

Overland Park, KS

More about me…

Diamond Partners Inc

Address: Keller Williams Realty Diamond Partners, 13671 S. Mur-Len Rd, Olathe, KS, 66062

Mobile: (913) 333-8310

Office: (913) 322-8345



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