Snow in October???  Are you kidding me???  This is not Alaska.... This is the Greater Hudson Valley of New York!   We had snow that stuck a bit yesterday afternoon and it is supposed to continue off and on all weekend.  The ground is probably too warm for accumulations (I hope) but really?  I can't remember snow this early in October before.  As a matter of act I can only remember it once long long ago at the very end of October.  This is bizarre.  I took a few photos yesterday just to prove it to myself more than anything else.    If this keeps up I may be packing it up and joining my friends in Florida very soon! Have a great weekend wherever you are. 10/16/2009

I had the pleasure yesterday of hearing about many awesome programs and possibilities for the young people in the Pine Bush School District.  I will be posting on many of them in the coming few days but one that I felt particularly excited about was the Spirit Club at the Pine Bush High School.  Pine Bush has been providing a lot of innovative new programs to excite the students about various career paths, leadership, and activities but the administration was feeling that the kids did not have the connection to the school, the feeling of community that students of the past had at the high school. Enter the Spirit Club.  A new invention which was promoted to the students at each classes welcome back assembly.  The adviser expected maybe 20 students to arrive for the organizational meetin... 10/01/2009

Last night we attended the 52nd Annual National Honor Society Induction at Pine Bush High School.  It was a wonderful ceremony that began with a candlelight processional to bring each student on to the stage.   There were 95 new members inducted, a record number for the school.   These students all have maintained an average above 90.0, have completed ten or more hours of community service, and have demonstrated excellence in leadership and character.  I am proud to say that my daughter Nicole was among the inductees.  I am also happy that a large number of the friends she is closest to also were inducted.  What a great group of kids! So congratulations to Nicole and to all the other new National Honor Society Members at Pine Bush High School.   The community is so proud of all of you. ... 09/25/2009

Saturday Sept 19, 2009 in Orange County NY   Saturday's Weather in the 70's and SUNNY!  (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Farmer's Markets Middletown NY - Farmer's Market is on Erie Way between Cottage and Grove Streets From 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM Pine Bush NY - Farmer's Market just off Main Street Pine Bush NY From 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM Port Jervis NY - Farmer's Market in the Front Street Municipal Lot From 8:00 Am - 2:00 PM Tuxedo NY - Farmer's Market at 240 Route 17 From 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Sugar Loaf NY - Farmer's market at Romer's Alley across from the Barnsider on King's Highway.  Starts at 11:00 AM Special Events Harvest Festival-Pine Bush, NY Come out to Pine Bush today for the annual Harvest Festival on Main Street Pine Bush From 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM.  Entertainment, vendors, fo... 09/19/2009

Selling your home may not be necessary.  I know that there are many of you out there trying to figure out the best way out of a mess you are in. You may be considering selling your home because you are so overwhelmed by the payments due to either loan adjustment or income changes since you bought the house.  Unfortunately many of you realize that with the lower house values today you won't be able to sell the house right now for the amount you owe.  You may be looking into trying a short sale or you may be thinking of just giving up and allowing the house to go into foreclosure.  It is never a happy day for a real estate agent to be called in to list a property that the owners really don't want to sell.  There may be an alternative for some of you and it is really working for others who... 09/18/2009

   FALL IS ON IT'S WAY TO THE GREATER HUDSON VALLEY OF NEW YORK.   09/17/2009

The Annual Pine Bush Harvest Festival is this scheduled for Satuday Sept 19th (Raindate September 20th) From 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM   This area was mainly farm country not so long ago and Pine Bush celebrates harvest time in a big way.   Old Post Card of a Pine Bush NY Farm Main Street will be closed down from Route 302 along the business district for foot traffic.   Old Post Card of Main Street Pine Bush NY There will be vendors selling crafts, art, jewlery, clothing, food, and just about everything else. The Pine Bush Farmer's Market will be at it's usual location and open for business.  Games and children's activities are planed.  Entertainment is available in various locations throughout the festival area. Pine Bush is a wonderful community that cares.  We have so much to offer to area ... 09/16/2009

This is your wake up call.  If you want to find a home and close in time to receive the $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit you need to be looking today!  You may be thinking you have plenty of time but with the average closing taking 45 to 60 days and the crowds of people who will be racing the clock to close before the November 30 deadline along with you it is essential  that you start your search right away. Although there are discussions about extending this Tax Credit no one can be sure it will happen.  Please don't count on the possible extension if you are in the position to buy soon.  This $8000 is a great bonus to home buyers who can use it to help improve their new property or save it to help with future expenses.   So contact me today.  I can help you through the whole hom... 09/13/2009

I speak with many people who feel they will never be able to buy a home of their own and you know what?  Unfortunately many of them won't.  Oh it's not that they couldn't.  It is that they defeat themselves before they start. This is the third post in a series to help you prepare to become a home owner.   When we close our eyes and imagine the house we want to live in we all have different pictures.  Most of us will see a dream home.  Many people are realistic enough to know that they can't afford the dream house but what exactly can they afford?  If you don't know where you should start, how are you ever going to get to your goal. Don't allow self defeating thoughts to stand in your way. Avoiding Self Defeating Road Blocks I Can Never Afford To Buy A House - You should be a meet with a... 08/25/2009

I speak with many people who feel they will never be able to buy a home of their own and you know what?  Unfortunately many of them won't.  Oh it's not that they couldn't.  It is that they defeat themselves before they start. This is the second installment in a series will help you to prepare to become a home owner.   The next thing you will need to work on is your credit score.  You may have bad credit.  A low credit score will make obtaining a mortgage difficult (if not impossible).  You may have no credit.  Some might think that always having paid cash is a good thing but without any credit history the banks will have no way of gaging if you are a good risk for a mortgage loan.  There are things that you can do to improve that credit score and certainly ways to establish credit if yo... 08/24/2009

I speak with many people who feel they will never be able to buy a home of their own and you know what?  Unfortunately many of them won't.  Oh it's not that they couldn't.  It is that they defeat themselves before they start. This series will help you to prepare to become a home owner.   Well first you will need to save some money.  The first self defeating notion I have heard when people think about saving for down payments and closing costs are that they can not possibly save enough so why bother?  I think many people believe incorrectly that they need a lot more in the bank than they do.  There are many programs to help with savings and there are mortgage products out there that can get you into a home for less money than you think.  No you don't need 20% down on a house.  There are ... 08/24/2009

Saturday Aug. 22, 2009 in Orange County NY   Saturday's Weather in the 80's with Heavy Rain Predicted!   (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Farmer's Markets Middletown NY - Farmer's Market is on Erie Way between Cottage and Grove Streets From 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM Pine Bush NY - Farmer's Market just off Main Street Pine Bush NY From 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM Port Jervis NY - Farmer's Market in the Front Street Municipal Lot From 8:00 Am - 2:00 PM Tuxedo NY - Farmer's Market at 240 Route 17 From 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Sugar Loaf NY - Farmer's market at Romer's Alley across from the Barnsider on King's Highway.  Starts at 11:00 AM Flea Markets, Yard Sales, and Rummage Sales New Windsor NY - St Thomas Episcopal Church 37 Old 9W, New Windsor is having a yard sale From 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Town Of Wa... 08/22/2009

Many of the First Time Home Buyers who are in the market today are facing losing out on many offers prior to finally winning the bid for the house they will buy.  I have worked with quite a few lately who have been in multiple offer situations on properties.  In this market many buyers are coming in thinking they are not going to have any problems finding a house to buy and that they are going to get a great deal on that house.  They have read all the articles about so many foreclosure and short sales that they feel they are truly in a wonderful position to bargain their way into that Sweet Deal! But reality often hits when that first offer is not accepted and the house goes to another hopeful home buyer. I have lived with many buyers through this disappointment and can tell you from ex... 08/17/2009

In a press release issued August 10, 2009 Governor Paterson announced The New York State Mortgage Certificate Program which will allow qualified first time home buyers to convert 20% of their mortgage interest into a tax credit that can be deducted from your Federal Tax liability for the life of the loan as long as you occupy the home as your primary residence. This means that you will be allowed to reduce the actual amount owed by 20% of you interest paid.  You will still be able to use the additional 80% of your mortgage interest as a normal tax deduction.   This would mean that a qualifying homebuyer with a $200,000 mortgage with the interest rate of 5.5% for example would be able to claim a tax credit or $2186.00 as a direct tax credit which would save them $182.00 per month in the ... 08/11/2009

Saturday Aug. 8, 2009 in Orange County NY Saturday's Weather in the 80 with SUN!  (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Special Events Yard Sales and Farmer's Markets Middletown NY - Yard Sale Fundraiser for Juvenile Diabetes, 77 Upper Road, Middletown, NY starting at 9:00 AM Call 845-386-5729 for information Maybrook NY - Yard Sale at the Maybrook VFW Post 2064, 209 Main St. Maybrook.  Starts at 9:00 AM Call 845-427-5881 for information Pine Bush NY - Farmer's Market just off Main Street Pine Bush NY From 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM Visit the Art Tour today too! Sugar Loaf NY - Farmer's market at Romer's Alley across from the Barnsider on King's Highway.  Starts at 11:00 AM Art Tour - Pine Bush NY Come on out to see some fantastic Artists featured in the Pine Bush Chamber of Commerce Ar... 08/08/2009

Are you having difficulty making your mortgage payments?  Do you feel like you are walking a tightrope each month trying to set aside enough to pay the mortgage and all your other living expenses?  Lately many have been facing the horrible realization that they are not going to be able to continue to pay their mortgage.  I have received calls from several of my clients asking about Loan Modification.  I am advising them to speak with their current mortgage servicer.  Even if they called as little as one month ago and got nowhere, many are finding a very different answer today.  What seemed to be impossible might just be possible.  You worked hard to find that home and you really want to stay there.  Some of you may be able to find relief and stay in the house through Making Home Afforda... 07/23/2009

  Saturday July 18, 2009 in Orange County NY Saturday's Weather in the low 80's with a slight chance of showers  (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Special Events Yard, Garage, and Flea Markets Bullville, NY - Yard Sale at Bullville United Methodist Church, Rte 17K, Bullville NY  9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Call 845-361-2721  Middletown, NY - Orange County Flea Market, Orange County Fair Grounds, 100 Carpenter Ave, Middletown NY Starts at 8:00 AM Call 845-227-1154 Middletown, NY - Thrift Sale at North Congregational Church, 157 Linden Ave,  Park on North Beacon Street,  Starts at 9:00 AM Call 845-343-6686 Maybrook, NY - VFW Post, 209 Main St.,  hosts an indoor/outdoor yard sale 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Call 845-427-5881 Goshen, NY - Twice blessed Thrift Shop at the Goshen Christian School, 43... 07/17/2009

Dear Mr or Ms House Seller,I am a Buyer Representative.  My goal is to find the right house for my clients and in the process hopefully find a buyer who will want to buy the house you are selling.  I know that it is frustrating when I call for an appointment and you get all ready to show your home then I call and say that I need to cancel.  I am deeply aware of how exhausting it is for you.  Please understand that it is equally frustrating and disappointing to me to work hard preparing to show your home only to have my buyer client call to cancel or to tell me at the last minute that they no longer need to see the house that they put on their list because they have decided sight unseen that it will not do for them.  I also know that it is frustrating to you when I call through your agen... 07/01/2009

Wow can it really be summer?  It does not really feel like it with the cool wet weather we have had lately in New York but today is the official start of the season.  What are your plans?  If you are thinking about taking advantage of the $8000 tax credit available to first time homebuyers then your plans should include finding a Buyer's Representative Real Estate Agent who can help you find a home and get into it before the current deadline of December 1st.   It may seem like you have a lot of time but the clock is ticking.  The average time that I spend with Buyer Clients from first contact to closing is a minimum of two months and that is for someone lucky enough to find something the first day out.  Most Buyer Client's and I develop a long term relationship that can find us together... 06/20/2009

Shop With The Listing Agents - You will get a better deal, NOT!  The Listing Agent owes their loyalty to the property owner not the potential buyer.  Many buyers today are unaware that they have the option of working with an agent who will provide them with representation and assistance during the search for and purchase of a home.  Buying A Foreclosure Is The Best Way To Get A Deal - You may also be setting yourself up for frustration, a long wait to get the deal done, and a bunch of not so pleasant surprises like long neglected maintainance issues, bad plumbing, or any of the multitude of other issues that go along with an AS IS sale. In This Market You Should Try A Really Low Offer Because Seller's Are Desperate - There is not one set strategy that will work with most listings today.... 06/18/2009