I took this a couple of weeks ago before the heat wave had gotten really bad.  I was out checking signs and I spotted these flowers across the street and across an expanse of lawn on a neighboring porch.  The color was so beautiful and everything around was already turning brown.  This is a testament to the zoom on the camera as I couldn't really tell what kind of flowers these were by just looking across the street.  I snapped the picture because I had the camera with me and this was the first time I was trying out the zoom.  I thought it came out pretty good!                           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 William... 08/01/2010

Life is what you make of it.  So is the current real estate market.  Let's face it, it's tough out there. But there is something about the concept of how we create our own reality. One morning I woke up thinking, "Today will be a great day."  It turned out to be amazing. As you've probably gathered, it's a buyer's market in real estate.  If you are going to sell your home, you need to be proactive.  The days of snapping a few photos and putting a "For Sale" sign on the lawn are over.  If you are working with a real estate agency that is only doing that, it is doing you a great injustice.  The house for sale needs to be priced right and marketed properly to appeal to the home buyer.   CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE   Be a proactive seller.  Prepare your house for sale by staging it.  This means: C... 08/01/2010

With one of the hottest summers in years it is easy to forget that you can very easily get sun poisoning, an extreme sunburn or even heat exhaustion.   Any one of the 3 can be extremely dangerous.  Thousands every year are hospitalized for heat related illnesses and hundreds will die from them. HEAT EXHAUSTION This is caused after exposure to high temperatures with high humidity and usually strenuous physical activity.  With dehydration, without proper treatment this can lead to heatstroke which is a life-threatening condition.  Heat exhaustion is preventable by keeping yourself hydrated.  Symptoms include headache, chills, pale skin, weak pulse and cool skin. SUNBURN This is caused by prolonged exposure to the sun or tanning bed with little or no sunblock.  Sunburn can be extremely pai... 07/28/2010

Dear Debbie, Clari and I want to thank you for assisting us in the purchase of our new home in Montgomery, New York.  After our initial contact, you went above and beyond in helping us make the right decision for our future.  Your professionalism, courtesy and true caring for us made the experience rewarding and hassle free from the beginning until the closing.  We are so happy and can't thank you enough. Thanks again, Robert Corcoran   07/27/2010

                                        Creative Designs                                           Lawn Care &                                            Landscaping Lawn Maintenance Fertilization Programs                                                                Spring/Fall Clean Ups                                 Covering Orange Landscape Design                                & Parts of Sullivan County Indoor and Landscape Lighting                      New Lawns Organic Fertilization Available Outdoor Solar Installations Free Estimates and Competitive Pricing www.creativedesigns.biz  845-549-5237 MAKING THE ORDINARY EXTRAORDINARY!   07/26/2010

So my Bon Jovi video this week is one of my favorite songs and I think a favorite of quite a few of my friends too.  The video is a little racy so beware!  This was back in the days when they were pushing the envelope a little bit.  No matter what, they have "always" been my favorites and continue to be.  (Anyone recognize Bosco?) Enjoy the video! 07/24/2010

Minisink Valley   June 2010 Total Average List Price Average Sold Price High Sold Price Low Sold Price Average Days on Market Total List Dollars New Listings 27 $294,829 $7,960,379 Sold 20 $270,517 $257,235 $400,000 $30,900 132 $5,144,707 Under Contract 11 $300,281 158 $3,303,089 Expired 18 $273,531 346 $4,923,550                               07/24/2010

So the other day I am making my usual rounds of commenting on blogs and someone Craig Rutman has left a video for me to watch that left me speechless.  If you have not seen this video you MUST watch it.  Have you heard of Wingsuit Base Jumping?  I didn't even know there was such a thing.  You cannot watch this video without being astounded.  At least I couldn't anyway.  I have watched skydivers, bungi jumpers and thought those people were dare devils.  No more!  Those people are people looking for a little excitement.  The people on this video are true daredevils.  Check it out! 07/21/2010

Years ago when tanning beds first came on the scene they were cheered because it was believed that since it was controlled you were protected from skin cancer.  Since people first started using tanning beds it has become an addiction like drugs, gambling or alcohol.  There are people that cannot stop tanning.  It affects how they feel as a person and how they feel about their self image.                                            It has become the norm now to "tan for the prom," "tan for photos, "tan to attend weddings" and just about any other event.   There is no reason someone under 18 needs to tan for an event.  We did fine before tanning beds and we will continue to do fine long after they are gone.  Last year the World Health Organization classified indoor tanning as a definitive ... 07/19/2010

I have been extremely busy as of late and I believe there is a direct correlation to my connecting with Active Rain more than a year ago.  I was trying to remember how I came to Active Rain and it took me awhile but then I finally remembered that I was in a class with Amy Chorew.  She is fabulous by the way and if you ever get a chance to take a class with her don't miss it!  Who knew that those words I jotted on a piece of paper "Active Rain" would have brought me to this point where I am today.                                I was returning William Johnson's phone call regarding a conversation we had earlier about Real Estate business and I am going to stop here for a moment.  That in itself is something brought on directly by Active Rain.  Look how often we are talking back and forth... 07/18/2010

Again it reached 100 degrees yesterday.  While we pray for rain parts of the country are getting downpours.  My poor flowers just can't take the heat even with all the watering.  Prayers out to everyone in this awful heat, especially the farmers, may everyone be safe.  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.  Thank you for not plagiarizing! 07/18/2010

As promised it is time for the weekly Bon Jovi blog post.  This is a video from August 2001 at Giant Stadium.  Yes I was there up in the front and if you watch closely maybe you will even see me.  :-D   Like last week it was in the 90's that day and extremely hot.  The first band was Sugar Ray with lead singer Mark McGrath and they were great.  I never realized how many hits they had until that night.  Donald Trump was in the audience that night and we had better seats than he did!  Richie Sambora's family was sitting directly behind us.  It was a great night as all of the Bon Jovi concerts always are.  Enjoy the videos.  I added a Sugar Ray one for those who don't remember who they are. 07/17/2010

Fielding a Lowball Purchase Offer on Your Home Consider before you ignore or outright refuse a very low purchase offer for your home. A counteroffer and negotiation could turn that low purchase offer into a sale. Read Keep Your Home Sale from Falling Apart After finding a buyer, all you have to do to make it to closing is to avoid these five traps. Read 6 Reasons to Reduce Your Home Price While you’d like to get the best price for your home, consider our six reasons to reduce your home price. Read 6 Tips for Choosing the Best Offer for Your Home Have a plan for reviewing purchase offers so you don’t let the best slip through your fingers. Read 7 Tips for a Profitable Home Closing Be sure you’re walking away with all the money you’re entitled to from the sale of your home. Read Visit ho... 07/15/2010

How could you resist a face like that?  This was back when our grass was still green and not brown and crunchy.  Enjoy!             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.  Thank you for not plagiarizing! 07/14/2010

So for those who have been asking for the concert recap and yes the actual YouTube video from that night here it is.  The video is of the final song of the night and for those who know about the calf injury this is when that took place.  I thought it happened at the very end but after watching the video I realized it happened much sooner.   But Jon was a real trooper and sang to the very end. The opening band was Lovesick Radio which I had never heard of before but found I actually knew a few of their songs.  They were not bad at all.  Unfortunately when they came on we were all roasting in the terrible heat.  It was in the high 90's or more so we were just trying to keep from passing out at that point.  The new Meadowlands Stadium I didn't find to be really different from the old one a... 07/13/2010

This Month in Real EstateJuly 2010 ............................................................................................................................................... Commentary The U.S. housing market continues to benefit from the tax credit: home prices and sales remain above year-ago levels. As the summer progresses, however, the positive impact of government stimulus will wind down. Experts point to improved stability as a sign the market can likely hold its ground without further support from the government. However, economists indicate that the key for the housing market through the end of 2010 will be job growth and a manageable level of distressed properties. The economy continues its journey to recovery with two steps forward and one step back, but the ground lost ... 07/13/2010

So this time tomorrow we will be THERE!  We will be sweating and about to pass out probably because it has been over 100 all week but we will be THERE!  This first clip shows a little of what we will be seeing tomorrow night.  YAY!  I wish all my buddies could be there with us.  You will be in spirit I know!  The second one is another great song and there are sooo many.  Thank you Nick for getting us started!  I don't know if there will be an end now.  Bon Jovi on the blog may become a once a week thing! 07/08/2010

Clutter can happen about the home before you even realize it.  With today's hectic schedules you may be thigh high in clutter before you are even aware of it.  If you are going to be putting your home up for sale now or in the near future you want to be aware of those bad habits that may lead to clutter. DON'T BE AFRAID TO LET GO OF ITEMS If you are afraid to let go of things because you might need them later you will be overwhelmed with personal stuff.  Don't fall into that habit.  PROCRASTINATING ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR ABUNDANCE OF ITEMS Keeping an abundance of things around because you can't decide what to do with them.  Should I give them away?  Should I sell them?  Should I donate them?  Make a decision! BUYING MORE THAN YOU NEED Do not shop for things that you DO NOT NEED.  Do... 07/07/2010

Look what Nick Pappas has started.  I tried to keep my blog Bon Jovi free but it looks like this will be a Bon Jovi week since I am headed off FRIDAY! to see them in New Jersey.  Nick posted my all time favorite song on his blog this week and this is another of my favorite songs.  The video isn't too shabby either.  For the Bon Jovi lovers anyway.  Enjoy!   07/06/2010

Beautiful Penthouse Unit! Overview Maps Photos Description $181,900 CondominiumFor Sale Main Features 2 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms1 Unit Location 145 Deer CourtMiddletown, NY 10940 To get updates on open home dates and other property events, please click the "Like" button below: ReMax Benchmark ReMax Benchmark Realty(845) 783-0004Info@RemoRealty.comhttp://www.RemoRealty.com Listed by: Eric Tarasoff Our recent listings Beautiful Penthouse Unit!Just Reduced! 160 Wayne Ave, Stony PointBeautifully Maintained Home on 1 acre w/Goshen Schools!Owner Anxious! Wants To See Offers!Spacious Split Level w/Vaulted Ceilings! M/D Possiblities! Subscribe to our listing feed See more Middletown, NY real estate for sale 07/06/2010