Photos by Debra Walsh, Copyright © 2010 Debra Walsh. All Rights Reserved.  These photos may not be reproduced, used or transmitted without the express, written permission of Debra Walsh of Keller Williams Realty in Goshen, New York.  If you would like to use an image please contact me directly.  Thank you for not plagiarizing! 09/22/2010

This Month in Real EstateSeptember 2010 ............................................................................................................................................... Market Update The housing market was off to a rocky start as the second half of the year began. Much of the volatility, however, was anticipated and attributed to the now-expired tax credit. Despite softened sales this last month, home prices continued to gain -  thanks in part to record low jumbo loan rates, which are fueling more interest and activities in the higher end of the market. Meanwhile, the economy still has a lot of ground to cover before achieving its full, sustainable recovery. Consumers, while remaining on the cautious side, have increased their spending, which is supported by a gradual im... 09/21/2010

For those of you who watched America's Got Talent this season you know who Micheal Grimm is.  Through the whole competition Michael Grimm was a standout for me with his fantastic voice, his love for his family in Mississippi and the story of their hard times from Hurricane Katrina.  Week after week he just got better and better and wound up in the finals with 10 year old Jackie Evancho who sings opera with an unbelievable voice for someone her age.  Both deserved to win but America definitely got it right.  Congrats to Michael! This week Michael was on the Ellen DeGeneres show and introduced his girlfriend Lucy.  Watch the video, it will touch your heart strings! 09/19/2010

40 Drake Road in Middletown Overview Maps Photos Description $264,900 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms1 UnitInterior: 1734 sqftLot: 2.00 acre(s) Location 40 Drake RoadMiddletown, NY 10940USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below: Marty Remo RE/MAX Benchmark Realty(845) 476-8115Info@RemoRealty.comhttp://www.RemoRealtyGroup.com Listed by: RE/MAX Benchmark Our recent listings The Ultimate Mother/Daughter- Essentially 2 Homes- Over 4600 Sq Ft!4 Roosje Lane in Rock Tavern7 Felter Hill Road in Monroe14 Dogwood Hills Road in Newburgh304 Nina Street in New Windsor Subscribe to our listing feed See more Middletown, NY real estate for sale 09/18/2010

Toyota Prius Honda Insight Honda Civic Hybrid Ford Fusion Hybrid Volkswagen Jetta TDI Audi A3 Toyota Camry Hybrid Lexus HS 250H Smart Four Two Ford Escape Hybrid The Toyota Prius at number 1 gets an estimated 50 mpg and even with all the recalls was still tops in the Kelley Blue Book's survey earlier this year.            09/18/2010

The best way to stay in constant contact with your SOI (sphere of influence) is through e-mails.  Grabbing their attention really needs to be done in the title and in that first sentence or two or you will be in that trash bin.  To make sure your e-mail is not only read but clicked through on your links just a few simple things can help get this done. Subject line - Your e-mail subject line determines whether or not the rest of the message is ever read.  Be straightforward.  Grab their attention and be interesting. Use Action words - Grab their attention. Studies have shown again and again that including a direct call to action can significantly improve response rates. Opening line - Everything that applies to your subject line will apply to your opening line.   Most successful e-mails ... 09/17/2010

As we all know Craig's List is getting more and more undesirable because of the spamming and scamming.  We have all had enough.  Bobsfreelist.com (as seen on Google, Ask.com, and Yahoo) is a new Classified site that encourages the free posting of Videos and photos to promote the sale of goods, services and listing jobs.  Bob is user friendly like Craig or E-bay, but offers many more posting options.  Post as often as you like, whenever you like.   I posted my first ad today and it was easy and took me no time at all.  For the time being I am going to try it out and see how the response is.  I thought it would be worthwhile to pass along so if you are already familiar with it the input would be appreciated! 09/15/2010

  In New York State Real Estate transfer fees are $2 for every $500 up to one million dollars in home sales.  Over one million dollars it is 1% or more depending on the county.  The mortgage recording tax is $1.00 for every $100.   Click here to see the rates in other states for transfer fees.  Then there is the mansion tax on homes sold of one million or more of 1%.  For example a home sold for 1.5 million would yield the state $15,000 just for the mansion tax.  09/14/2010

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DETAILS OF THIS RENTAL!   Search For Homes!     09/13/2010

For those looking to buy a new phone and you are looking for information this might be a site for you to turn to.  When I was at Verizon recently Jamie & Gregg told me about PhoneScoop.com as a site to turn to for phone news, forums, phone specs etc..Under search if you enter the name of a specific phone it will bring up the phone with a picture, all the specs, reviews, forums, where you can shop for it and more.  Now a days you definitely don't want to purchase a phone spur of the moment.  You want to know exactly what it does and how it can help you in your business and if there are any known problems that may plague a particular model.  You can also register at no charge which will let you submit your own reviews and participate in the forums.    09/13/2010

37 Maples Lane in Middletown Overview Maps Photos $214,900 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms1 Bathroom1 UnitInterior: 1142 sqftLot: 1.10 acre(s) Location 37 Maples LaneMiddletown, NY 10940USA To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below: Marty Remo RE/MAX Benchmark Realty(845) 476-8115Info@RemoRealty.comhttp://www.RemoRealtyGroup.com Listed by: RE/MAX Benchmark Our recent listings 37 Hampton Road34 Sutherland Drive in Highland Mills24 Burrow Drive in Highland Mills40 De Palma Drive in Highland Mills22 Valley Ave in Central Valley Subscribe to our listing feed See more Middletown, NY real estate for sale 09/12/2010

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today alerted consumers that Midland Farms, located in Menands, New York, is voluntarily recalling certain milk products due to the potential of improper pasteurization. Proper pasteurization heats milk in order to effectively eliminate all pathogenic bacteria, such as Listeria and Salmonella. The recalled milk products are all sold in plastic containers and are marketed under the brand names Midland Farms, Corrado's Market, Jersey Dairy Farms and Trade Fair Premium. They all possess the plant code 36-1661. The products also possess a black ink date code near the top of the container. The recalled products were sold in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island. The products involved in this recall include: Re... 09/12/2010

Once again my busy schedule has interfered and time has gotten away from me and I am behind on the Bon Jovi posts.  This clip is from The Sex in the City episode that drew a whole new crowd of watchers to the show who had never seen it before.  Yes I am one of the few and far between who has never seen a single episode of Sex in The City or the movie other than the episodes with John in them.  I would never have even known about these except whenever he is in anything my phone rings off the hook with all my friends calling to let me know.  I love them all for that!!  Many things I would have missed are taped on my DVR thanks to my friend's late night phone calls. The other clip is also a clip of John in bed but quite different.  I hope you enjoy them both! 09/11/2010

Hard to believe that tomorrow will be 9 years.  Nine long years of pain, missing loved ones, friends and family members.  Eight long years of loved ones away at a war that looks to have no end.  All for a day whose memories are like yesterday.  Those neighbors, friends, family members will be forever missed.  Those who fight overseas for our freedom and those terrible deeds done on 9/11 can never be thanked enough and we keep you in our hearts and our daily prayers.  May God keep you safe from harm each and every day. 09/10/2010

A report released this week by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that there are still booster seats out there that may not protect your child in a crash.  Out of 72 seats tested 21 were recommended as best bets because the belts fit well across most vehicles while 7 models were good bets and 8 were not recommended. This was the first instance where the best bets had a larger number than the not recommended boosters.  Last year there were only 9 that were recommended as best bets. Models that failed were: Eddie Bauer's Deluxe Eddie Bauer's Deluxe 3 in 1 Even Flo's Express Generation 65 Sightseer Safety 1st All in One Alpha Omega Elite Harmony Baby Armor Those that failed were found to have poor belt fit.  The belt was either too loose, was too close to a child's neck or too... 09/09/2010

Several months back somehow or other in a Craig Rutman post he mentioned something about Bon Jovi and the conversation went back and forth for awhile.  At one point he said he had a shirt given to him directly by John.  Kidding around I said he should give up the shirt since he doesn't even like Bon Jovi!  (whhhhaaattt???)  So now we finally know what has happened to Craig.  He is just plain bonkers.  Any whooo after that I never even thought about it again.  Then Nick Pappas started with his Bon Jovi music posts which led to my Bon Jovi posts-something I had always said I would keep off my blog.  Which I had for over 400 blog posts I might add.  Proof positive I have will power!  On one of these posts Craig wrote:   Clearly, you are the unofficial president of the Bon Jovi fan club. I ... 09/08/2010

INGREDIENTS: 1/2 Cup white wine or chicken broth 2 Tblsp Garlic-hot pepper vinegar 1 Garlic clove crushed 1 Tsp grated ginger root 1 Lb fresh shrimp peeled & deveined 2 Tsp cornstarch 2 Cups hot cooked rice 2 Tsp cold water 2 Tblsp chopped green onion DIRECTIONS: In skillet combine wine, vinegar, garlic and ginger root.  Stir in shrimp and cook until shrimp turns pink.  In small bowl combine cornstarch and cold water.  Stir into shrimp mixture.  Continue cooking until sauce thickens and coats shrimp.  Stir constantly. Serve over hot rice.  Top with onions. Serves 4 - Serve with brightly colored vegetables and fresh pineapples. ENJOY!! (Recipe is from Pillsbury) 09/07/2010

I came across this video of a gentleman with a very unique hobby.  Have you heard of Elgin Park?   I found it very interesting and apparently millions also find it very intriguing as well.  Too bad it is as small as it is for I believe it would make a terrific attraction that would have year 'round attendance looking at the cars, buildings etc...Check out the video and enjoy! 09/06/2010

Radon is the natural byproduct of Uranium decay. It is a radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless, tasteless and non combustible. It is everywhere in nature and varies in dilution daily, weekly and monthly. Radon comes from within the soil, ground water and oceans and is 80% naturally occurring. Only 18% comes from man made sources. Radon can build up in your home as a result of the surrounding soil and bedrock gases being pulled into your dwelling by the negative pressures created by your home’s ventilation system. Radon can become dangerous to humans resulting from the amount of the dose, the part of the body exposed, and amount of time exposed. It is the second highest source of lung cancer.  However, exposure tends to be very long is these cases. (Years vs. months) When tested in... 09/05/2010

As most of you know I got a Droid phone recently AND switched to Verizon which for me was huge.  I had been with Cellular One for over 10 years and with Nextel about 5.  Two weeks ago I started having trouble with my beloved Droid and dreaded going to the Verizon store because the one I had been dealing with was all the way across town and it was always a madhouse there.  Now when I say madhouse let me clarify that.  There was always a line a mile long, yet many Verizon "employees" always seemed to be standing around chatting about their day and most of the people on this line when it was their turn were there to complain about something and it never seemed to end well.  When I headed out to grab a bite to eat I realized a new one had opened up right near my house.  This was on a Sunday... 09/04/2010