Hudson Valley Happenings Blog : December 2009

Let me tell you about a secret weapon you should have at your side if you are ready to start the search for a new home.  It is the most important thing for you to find as you begin your search. You may know exactly what you want, exactly where you want it, and exactly how much you want to pay for it or you may not have the first clue. Whatever your situation the first thing to look for is a great Home Buyer Representative.  But just how would you do that?????

First find someone who is willing to take the time to talk with you about buying a home in general....Not one who wants to rush you out for a showing on whatever house you called on.  Whether it is your first home or your tenth, buying a house is not something you do every day.  You need someone willing to talk you through the process step by step.

Then find someone you can connect with... Not one who talks down to you or has a personal style that does not mesh with yours.  This is different for everyone.  Some like all business and some need warm and fuzzy.  Since your agent will be spending a lot of time with you during the search and through the purchase, this person should be someone you enjoy.

Knowledge of the local area is important.  Someone who knows what is happening around the town can help you to avoid spending your money on that beautiful place you can get for a steal that ends up having a sewage treatment plant being built down the block.  Sometimes there is a reason for the bargain that you might now know.

Experience working with homebuyers is absolutely vital.  Not every Real Estate Agent has the knowledge and expertise to give Home Buyers the best service.  Many Real Estate Agent's primary focus is listing homes and they look for buyers to supplement their main income source.  Make sure the Agent wants to work just as hard for you as they do for their listings or find an Exclusive Buyer's Rep.

Now that you know the Secret don't settle for just any Agent to show you a house.  Find a good Buyer's Representative who can protect your interests. If you are looking to buy a home in the Greater Hudson Valley or Lower Catskill Region of New York State I would love to be your Secret Weapon.  If you are looking elsewhere I can find you someone who will have your back.  Give me a call, send a text, or email me today.  

Good Luck In Your Search For That Perfect Place!

The Greater Hudson Valley is a great place to live or to have a weekend place.  If you would like to start a search for a permanent residence or vacation home in the area I would love to help you.  Working with an experienced buyer's agent can help you to choose what is best for you.  I work in Orange, Ulster, or Sullivan County NY and I would love to be your Buyer's Agent. If you are looking elsewhere I would love to find someone in your chosen location to help you.  Give me a call  or send an email today.

There are so many reasons why this is the time for you to get down off that fence and make a move.  
Inventory is Up!
Interest Rates are Down!
First Time and Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credits are Available (You must be in contract by April 30!)

Just give me a call, send me a text, or email me to get started on the trail to that new place.  You can also get a jump on the search for a home in the Greater Hudson Valley of New York right now by clicking on the home search link below.  If you are looking elsewhere I would be happy to point you in the right direction towards a great Buyer's Representative in the area you want to live.

Yesterday I posted about the need for community in our lives.  Today I want to talk about the community of caring students and staff at Pine Bush High School in Pine Bush NY.  It is tradition here that the last two weeks before the Winter Break to do a charity fund and canned food drive. 




There is a canned food drive to benefit local food pantries and the other day when I was at school I saw the lobby was filled with boxes of canned goods.  Teachers even give bonus points for bringing in cans so it is not all selfless but just the same it is wonderful.





There are many other efforts going on to encourage giving.  These include a crowd pleasing teacher/staff sumo wrestling tournament during lunches, wish I could see that one :-) The goal this year was to try to raise $10,000.  Many of the clubs and teams also do their part. The National Honor Society members were each asked to come up with and carry out their own fund raising ideas.  



My daughter Nicole and her friends decided to bring in candy and baked treats to sell every day.  They carry around the treats in baskets like a mobile bake sale.  Nicole has raised more than $50 and hopes to reach $100 on her own.  They each came up with outfits to where during the fund raiser that symbolized some Christmas Spirit.  Nicole has worn some variation of Red and Green for almost two weeks now.  Those of you who know her, know she makes a fashion statement every day. The fact that she could come up with 9 or 10 outfits of the right color should not surprise you.  Today's outfit was my favorite.

So a sense of Community is alive and well at Pine Bush Central School District.  Good luck with the rest of the fund drive.  I can't wait to hear how much food and funds were raised this year.  

If you would like to find yourself in this community or any community anywhere give me a call, send a text, or email me and I will help you either find the right place or find an agent who can help you where you want to be.  

Where is your neighborhood?  Everyone wants to feel a sense of belonging somewhere.  This is why social media platforms like Facebook and MySpace have taken off. This is why ActiveRain is such an important part of my day. Reading what other's have to say about real estate and about many other aspects of the world I live in helps me to feel involved.  Everyone is searching for a community.

The longing for a place to belong.  My daughter Nicole was saying as much when she said that she could not wait for the rehearsals to begin for the Spring Musical.  The students who are involved in these productions are her real community for now.  I am happy that she became involved with this group because all kids seek a community whether it is a sports team, a school group, a childhood group of best buddies, or more negative "families" like gangs and troubled youths.  

Adults are looking for that sense of community too.  Unfortunately we are all so busy.  Taking time out for extras seems impossible but without involvement there is no community.  It is important for us all to take the time to become involved in something out there in the physical world.  Social networking is great but nothing beats hands on fellowship.  So as we all plan for this coming year make sure you consider some projects and groups to become involved with.  A little of your time will do wonders for you and your community.    

When I take buyers out to look at homes I see that they are looking for a place that feels like home.  They want to feel that feeling when they walk through the door.  They want to believe that the neighborhood will grow on them and become part of their life. I hope to find each one of them the right place but the community will only happen if they take the time to meet and remain involved with their neighbors.  

So go out and find your neighborhood.  Seek out your community.  It does not need to be the block your house is on but that might be a good place to start.  It needs to be a place where you can find people who you enjoy being around.  Find it and start to grow your community. You will be giving up some of that valuable time but the rewards will be more than worth it. 

If you are looking for a new home and need some help finding the right neighborhood for you please give me a call, send a text, or email me today.  I can help you no matter where you want to call home.

This morning there was a slip and slide on my sidewalk and I barely made it to the car.  I was getting a bit grumpy to say the least but then I looked up and saw the beautiful sunrise.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Hope you all have a wonderful Monday no matter what surprises your sunrise brings you!