Saturday June 13, 2009 in Orange County NY Saturday's Weather in the Upper 70's but Possible Thunder Showers!  (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Special Events Yard, Garage, and Other Such Sales Port Jervis, NY - Grace Episcopal Church, 85 E Main St, Port Jervis 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM Call 845-726-3859 Pine Island, NY - The Hudson Valley Polonaise Society Garage Sale at the CYO in Pine Island Starts at 8:00 AM  Call 845-986-2572 Chester NY - Chester Historical Society at 1915 Erie Depot, 19 Winkler Pl, Chester, NY Starts at 8:30 AM Call 845-469-7645 Scotchtown (Town of Wallkill) NY - Scotchtown Presbyterian Church, 367 Blumel Rd, Middletown, NY Starting at 9:00 AM Call 845-692-4824 Maybrook, NY - Sales throughout the Community of Maybrook.  Just take a ride through the Village ... 06/13/2009

Has it happened to you?  I am talking about that feeling that a house is calling out for a buyer.  It is totally the opposite of the criteria they have given you.  It is more money than they want to spend.  It is in the wrong town but it almost compels you to send it to the buyer anyway.  I can almost see my buyers face as they open the email and find this "totally wrong" listing in their inbox.  They read my explaination that I know this is totally not what they asked for but occaisionally something will come on the market that just speaks to me for one of my buyers.  They might even think "Oh Boy!  I have hooked up with a crazy Realtor this time for sure" but then they really look at the listing and maybe it calls out to them too.  A smile slowly spreads and they start to think it mig... 06/05/2009

Buying Real Estate can be a confusing and uncertain time for anyone.  It is something that many people only do once or twice in their lives.  Why do the friends and relatives of people who are looking to purchase property think they are able to help with decisions that they have only worked through a time or two themselves?  Everyone it seems knows real estate and can give you the right advice on how to proceed.  I know that my friends and relatives all have their opinions of the best way to do everything. You can't believe the number of times that they have told me that they know better than I do about current market conditions, value of real estate, and how to handle negotiations. I will listen to them to hear their opinion but know that it is just that.  I want to have the best advis... 06/01/2009

Can you hear that??? The door just opened a little wider for the first time home buyer (or anyone who has not opened the door to their own home for more than 3 years).  Yes it is true...... The $8000 Tax Credit Can Now Be Used As A Down Payment On FHA Loans!  Move Quick To Get The Details. Click here to read all about it directly from the horse's mouth (or the IRS Web Site) Yes the $8000 Tax Credit that is currently in effect for homes that close by December 1, 2009 can be utilized through certain approved programs as part of purchase costs if qualified.  This is huge and reason for many of you to start the ball rolling toward home ownership today.  I work with a lot of first time home buyers and most of you are just trying to find a way to get a down payment together.  The people I wor... 05/29/2009

Saturday May 30, 2009 in Orange County NY Saturday's Weather Beautiful! (click here for the latest NOAA Information.)Special EventsYard Sales Yard Sales Everywhere The area is packed with garage and yard sales, it is a great way to enjoy a day and to help the environment by reusing something that others have no further use for.  Here are two larger community sales you may want to check out.Vails Gate - The Vails Gate United Methodist Church, 854 Blooming Grove Turnpike, starting at 9:00 AM Call 845-534-2077 For InformationWashingtonville - Bethany Presbyterian Church, Route 208, starting at 9:00 AM Call 845-496-3787 For Information   Music In the Park - Pine Bush, NY Bands will be playing all day at Verkeerder Kill Park, Rte 52 (Heading out of the village towards Walker Valley).  Starts... 05/29/2009

I was just remembering an old ad that said something like this - at ***** we work hard so you don't have to.  Well as a Real Estate Buyer's Representative, I work hard to make your journey to your new home easier.  I was at a Home Buying Seminar yesterday and there were a few questions directed at me regarding my work as a Buyer's Representative.  I thought I would answer those questions here so all of my readers could benefit. Question - With easy computer access to listings, why would I want to use just the one Real Estate Agent?  Isn't it just as easy to arrange with the listing agents to see the houses?      It is relatively easy to find listed properties on any computer today.  So what can I do as a Buyer's Representative that you as a potential house buyer not do?  Many of the buy... 05/29/2009

I spent this past weekend at a Civil War Reenactment.  The location of the event was incredible and it was also a music event of period songs which added so much to our enjoyment.  The site was at the Ashokan Center in Olive Bridge New York.  It would be worth your time if you plan to visit the area to see if they have any events planned for the time you will be there.  I am sad to say I could not find my camera all weekend so I will have to wait to post pictures until A friend sends them to me but I wanted to share some significant memories with you before they get lost in the business of life.  Memorial Day takes on a special significance when you are remembering and honoring the many men who gave their lives for a cause they believed in on both sides of the Civil War.  As Reenactors ... 05/26/2009

I had the pleasure of attending the Senior Music Recital at Pine Bush High School which was followed by the F.A.M.E. awards and scholarship presentation reception on Monday May 18th. The program for the evening included a great group of graduating seniors who each performed a musical selection of their own choosing.  We heard some really lovely vocal pieces and some great instrumental pieces too.  All of the students did a great job on the last performance on the Pine Bush High School stage.Following the performances these students joined some music students from all of the schools in the Pine Bush Central School District for a reception hosted by Families Assisting Music Education, a non profit group that supports the music programs within the district in many ways.  F.A.M.E. raises fu... 05/20/2009

I know we all want to shout from the rooftops about the wonderful opportunities there are out there right now for people who are in the position to buy.  I find myself caught up in the excitement of the latest announcement just as we all are   The latest buzz has been about the possibility of the use of the $8000 tax credit as a down payment rather than waiting for after the closing.   The truth of this is that the goal is there to allow it to happen but the mechanics are yet to be worked out.  Until they are worked out we don't want to count on this as an option in finding and helping to fund a home purchase.As hopeful home buyers it is important to know your options and what is truly going to help you.  We all hear so many things about how you can get into a foreclosure property so ch... 05/20/2009

I work with a lot of home buyers.  Buying a home is different than buying just about anything else.  I am not talking about the cost although it is probably one of the highest ticket items you will ever buy.  I am talking about the emotional aspect of the search and eventual decision on which house is the right house for you.  It will "take you on a roller coaster ride" as you determine the best option for you for now and for your future.   The high number of homes available in any given price range right now makes it even more important to you to have an experienced guide to help you through the maze and find the right property.  It is like wondering aimlessly through an amusement park without a map.  You may find that you walked from one end to the other to get to one ride only to fin... 05/17/2009

I have had a very very busy week and many of my fellow Realtors all over the country are reporting the same thing.  The buyers are out in force looking for just the right house.  Most days this week I have been out with at least one buyer client and some of my days included two buyer tours.   Don't Get Knocked Out Of The Spring Market Rush If you are waiting for the market to hit rock bottom before you rush in to scoop up the deal of a lifetime I would not wait much longer. The better quality, correctly priced houses are coming on the market, being shown, and offers are being accepted within days of listing and we are, once again, facing multiple bids on these properties. This means more than one buyer has decided that they want to buy the house and the sellers are able to look through ... 05/07/2009

When most people today start looking for a house to buy or a piece of land to build on they turn to the Internet to help with research. They visit sites that let them search on their own because they feel that they don't want to be pressured by some pesky real estate agent.  They try to educate themselves about the market using one of the many "self help" sites available to do research and ask questions.  They try to make a go of it armed with all this information they have gathered.They find a few properties on line that interest them.  They may spend a few hours comparing values using the handy on line tools.  They try to determine the value before they waste time actually seeing the property.  When they are finally fully prepared, they call the real estate company listed on the ad an... 05/06/2009

This is the perfect time to buy your first home.  I find many people are confused by everything that they hear about real estate in the news and the process of buying a house.  If you are want to live in New York's Hudson Valley I can help at a free, no obligation seminar.  Please consider joining me for this informative event.  First Time Home buyer Seminar The Mystery Revealed Wednesday May 20, 2009 Doors Open At 6:00 PM Program Begins 6:30 PM Find All The Clues To Help You Into Your First Home Mortgages, Grants, and Other Financial Information. Maximizing Your Search To Find The Best Place For You. Making An Offer And Negotiating The Deal The Closing Process In New York Call 845-800-7086 or Email For Location and Reservations If you are unable to make the above date and time I would ... 05/03/2009

Do You Teach School In Orange County New York?  Have you ever wondered how you would get ahead enough to afford a home here?  I am interested in keeping our counties excellent educators right here at home.  Now is the time to find a starter home that will move you out of that rental and onto a path that will build wealth and eventually lead to your dream house.   This Spring and Summer are going to be a time when there are so many opportunities out there for the intelligent buyer.  In addition to all the normal tax advantages that home ownership offers over renting we have a limited opportunity to take advantage of the $8000 TAX CREDIT for first time home buyers who close on a house before December 1, 2009 if qualified.  Interest rates are lower than they have been but this won't last f... 05/02/2009

Saturday May 2, 2009 in Orange County NY Saturday's Weather Chance of Showers - Low 60's (click here for the latest NOAA Information.)Special Events   Looking for Bargains and Unique Items? Here Are Some Area Sales Events Town of Wallkill - Orange County Fairgrounds is the location for a Flea Market starting at 8:00 AM - 100 Carpenter Ave, Middletown Newburgh - Spring Flea Market at Chadwick Lanke Lake Newburgh, NY 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Call 845-564-7815Warwick - Thrift Shop at Christ Church, 50 South St Warwick, NY Starts 9:30 AM Call 845-346-6676Middletown - Indoor Yard Sale at the United Presbyterian Church, 50 E Main St Middletown, NY 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Family Fun Day - Pine Bush NY The Boys and Girls Clubs of The Town of Wallkill & Pine Bush are hosting a Family Fun Day at the Pine Bus... 05/01/2009

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 I am living quite well, I am able to give my children things like voice lessons and help with college,  and I don't have to worry that I will be taken down by the first month without a closing or if my husband is laid off from his work and can't get a... 04/28/2009

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 they were checking out locations, photographers, DJs and the rest of the vendor tables as if the wedding were right around the corner.  The truth is they know that the good locations and the good service providers book up early.  Planning is the key to getting want... 04/27/2009

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 that in the "Buyer's Market" they have all the time in the world and hold all the cards.  Let me tell you my friends .... here in the Greater Hudson Valley of New York the market is moving quicker than you think.  Maybe it is Spring or maybe people are realizing that the... 04/22/2009

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.  If we realize that many more people are out there who could and would take advantage of the current market, low mortgage interest rates, and all the other advantages of home ownership if they were aware of this $8000 bonu... 04/08/2009

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 during the week that means much busier weekends for me and more time away from my family during the times that we could be doing something together.  I like these longer days a lot.  Today after 4:00 PM I will be taking out a buyer to look at several houses.  A month ago we would have bee... 04/06/2009