Fall Colors in the Hudson Valley and lower Catskill region of New York are at thier peek.  Don't miss the display.  10/03/2014

Pine Bush NY UFO Parade & Alien Festival Saturday April 27th 2013Aliens and Humans are both invited to the annual UFO Parade & Fair Join the residents of Pine Bush New York for the third annual UFO and Alien Festival. Last year the festivities were fun and totally unexpected. Earthlings are all invited to join in and dress up and be in the event. Great food, games and festivities make the entire day special. Events include the “out of this world” car show, a 5K race in the morning a film premiere, and author Linda Zimmerman speaks about her first hand UFO/Alien sightings from the 1930′s. My favorite event is the parade. In case you did not know, Pine Bush New York is in Orange County. Only 25 minutes from Newburgh NY it is an easy ride so you won’t miss out. Join in the event and visit ... 04/26/2013

Every day the signs of Spring in the Hudson Valley of New York are revealing themselves.  I see the tender buds on the trees in pretty shades of red and light bright green.  Flowers are starting to open and spread color across the landscape.  It is a great time to come visit my neck of the woods and see if it might be the place for your new home.  We have year round full time homes in great commuting distance to New York City.  We have many options for weekend and vacation home too.   Why not come out for a visit?  If you like what you see I would love to help you find your new place.  Call me for suggestions on accommodations and places to see that will match your wants and needs.   04/18/2013

               Pine Bush Area UFO Festival and Parade  OMG ~ Do you believe in UFO’s? Have you had a close encounter that is unexplained? Why do I ask? Well, it doesn’t really matter!!! It's really all about enjoying the festivities of this special weekend. If you do believe great... if not... just enjoy ... Living in The Hudson Valley is FUN! Pine Bush has always been known for having a flurry of UFO activity. Many unexplained lights “hovering around” have always been in question. All this happens just 20 minutes from Newburgh NY. Fun for Earthlings is here in Pine Bush NY as the 2nd Annual UFO Festival is on April 28th and 29th rain or shine. Where else in the area can you dress up as an Alien and Party? Alfie plays hide and seek.. Bizarre Art Exhibits…UFO speakers… Cosmic Chili and a... 04/11/2012

New York Residents..... Have you filed for a STAR exemption on your primary residence? I have been doing a little research in my neighborhood and found that there are quite a few houses that are not claiming a STAR exemption.  If you are the owner of a home that is your primary residence and the combined yearly income of the owners and spouse(s) who live there does not exceed $500,000 you should be claiming some relief on your School Tax Bill.  Some people it seems are unaware of the savings which can range from around $700 to $900 per year depending on the tax rate in your town.  Savings for Senior Citizens under the Enhanced STAR Program are even higher Information on STAR as quoted from NYState form RP-425  "The New York State School Tax Relief (STAR) Program provides an exemption fr... 02/14/2012

Are you searching for a house "on your own"?  Today we have so much information available on line it is possible for you to find all the listings in your area of choice, call the listing office for each listing that interests you, arrange for a showing by the listing agent, and put in your offer directly with the agent who listed the property.  Do you think you will save money and time by doing this?  Well in most cases this won't save you a penny and actually cost you time and money.  Did you know that when you look at a house with the listing agent they are looking out for the seller's best interests?  It would be so much better for you to have your own agent, a Reat Estate Buyer's Agent, to help you through.   Your Real Estate Buyer's Agent will help you to sort through all of the li... 01/10/2012

Are you thinking about buying a new home?  There are some great homes for sale out there at very reasonable prices. There are 82 homes available in the Pine Bush School District listed at $200,000 or less. As a matter of fact there are 33 houses priced at less than $150,000.  Interest rates are lower than they have been in years but there are rumblings that that won't last much longer.  Here are just a few examples.   This 2 bedroom home on an acre is listed for just $158,000.  It comes with a great back yard, a detached single car garage, and it was completely renovated just 6 years ago.  This home offers a great opportunity for someone who wants a move in ready starter home or something to downsize into.  Check out the full listing here or view on Realtor.com GHVMLS #518668  Another g... 01/05/2012

Happy New Year!  Today is January 4, 2012.  How are those New Year's resolutions going?  Mine are going fairly well... a few bumps in getting the routine adjusted but I think I am on the road to success.  My goals include taking care of me with exercise and good nutrition, taking care of my family with more focused scheduling, and finding and helping many more home buyers this year.  Working with home buyers is my passion and any one of my clients will tell you that I will go the extra mile. So is one of your goals for this year to buy a new house?  Do you have a friend or two who might be thinking about it?  With the low prices and unbelievably low interest rates available right now is the perfect time to get started or renew your search.  Get yourself moving before the Spring Market k... 01/04/2012

Are you looking for a new home in New York?  Like many of your fellow house hunters you are starting your search on line and that's a very good place to start.  I encourage all my clients to spend time looking at information about the areas they are considering moving to and to look at the on line listings of houses to get a basic idea of the housing costs in the area.  But have you ever bought a house before?  If so, and you are thinking about moving again, I will bet it was a while ago. So when I suggest there are a lot of things you might not know about searching for and buying a house I don't think you will argue with me.  Sure you can go from viewing those on line listings and call the listing agent to view the houses you like but there is a problem with that strategy, the listing ... 01/03/2012

Happy New Year!  What was your New Year's resolution?  I have a few but one I intend to start working on right now is to make sure people who want to buy, sell, or rent a residential property understand what Agency is and how it can affect the home buying process.   In New York every person who has contact with a Real Estate Salesperson or Broker regarding buying, selling, or renting property must be informed of the various ways Licensed Real Estate Professionals can work with them.  In fact the Real Estate Salesperson or Broker is required by law to provide a written disclosure which explains all of the types of Agency and to have the customer or client sign this form at the first contact.  There are separate forms for real estate sales and real estate rentals.   I have been shocked th... 01/02/2012

Short Sales are on my mind these days.  I have a great one listed here in Pine Bush and have had many requests to go out and look for short sale properties from buyers I have been working with too.   Let's talk the reality of value on a short sale property.  Many of the buyers that I work with are under the mistaken impression that they are going to get a fantastic bargain on short sales.  Some, in fact, have told me that they only want to look at short sales or foreclosures so they can get the best possible value.  Well the plain truth is that most short sales will sell at market value and the process can be long and frustrating for the buyer.  WHAT??? Yes the term "short sale" is used when the current homeowners owe more on the property than they can sell it for in the current market.... 12/08/2011

We all have dreams about the type of house we want to live in.  The location is perfect.  The condition is straight out of House Beautiful magizine. It has all the bells and whistles.  Unfortunately many people reach a little too far towards that dream and find themselves caught instead in a nightmare.   A home should be place where you can enjoy your family and freinds, and you can't do that if you buy a house that is truly beyond your means.  You need to carefully look at the reality of your finances, your lifestyle, and the bottom line monthly payments when deciding how much you can afford to spend on a house.  Think about the day to day expenses we all have, food, gas, clothing, utilities etc.  Then consider the things you like to do, sports, travel, dining out, entertainment, and a... 06/15/2011

Should I buy now or wait until things settle?  Well that depends your current situation.  Are you living rent free somewhere or are you paying someone else's mortgage?  What was that I said?  Yes if you are paying rent you are paying someone else's mortgage.  Someone else is getting all the tax benefits of owning real estate and you are footing the bill.  How long do you intend to keep that up? If your credit is in half way decent shape, you can pull together a down payment, and you have a desire to keep more of your hard earned money buying a home now is the way to go.  There is some great inventory out there and the interest rates are still very low.  We can't know how long this will last so what are you waiting for? If you are ready or even if you aren't sure if you are ready and wan... 05/18/2011

First Time Homebuyer are you are ready to take the plunge?  You have scrimped and saved, scarificed immediate pleasures for the long term goal and now is the time.  So how do you go about finding that perfect first home for you? You might start by looking at listings on line or driving around areas you like looking for real estate signs.  You might head out to see some open houses just to get the feel of the market.  You might call that number listed on the sign or email the agent who posted the listing on line but if you do that you are taking your chances because the listing agent is looking out for the best interests of the owner of that house not YOU! Whatever you do don't dive into house hunting alone.  You need a Buyer's Agent who will be with you from start to finish.  A good Buy... 04/04/2011

The curtain is about to go up on Pine Bush High Schools Fall Production, Promedy, a comedy about the misadventures of a high school prom.  From picking a theme to the anguish of rejection the students stumble their way through to the big night. All the stereotypical high school types are represented ... jocks and nerds, preps and rebels, and even a text obsessed cheerleader.   Opening night is this Friday, November 12 at 8:00 PM and then there are two more performances on Saturday, November 13 at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Tickets are on sale now (save $2 per ticket by calling 845-744-2031 Ext 3194) and will be available at the door. Come on out and have some laughs.   11/08/2010

 You are cordially invited to visit my village and enjoy!  The Pine Bush Harvest Festival is this Saturday Sept 18th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  Come on down to Main Street, Pine Bush NY for food, vendors, games, and entertainment.  We close off Rt 52 from Rt 302 through the next few blocks to create a pedestrian bazaar right down Main St.  Don't miss the fun!  Rain Date will be Sept 19th.  09/13/2010

I am hearing that interest rates are falling to the neighborhood of 4.5% for a 30 fixed rate.  What???? If you have been waiting for a better time to buy, hello it's here!   Inventory is up.... so many people selling house and not enough buyers willing to take the plunge means that you will have a lot to choose from.   Seller's have become realistic in pricing their properties and they are somewhat more flexible than they were in the past.... that does not mean they are giving things away but most of them will listen to offers with an open ear.   And Interest rates like these.... it is unbelievable.         So if you have been waiting to jump into the home ownership pool well.... Come on in.  I am waiting here to help you so give me a call today.  07/30/2010

The curtain is set to go up on the first production by the Pine Bush Performing Arts Academy, HONK!  I got to get a sneak peek at the dress rehearsal yesterday and you just don't want to miss this one.  It is filled with fun for children and adults alike.  Check out some of the scenes from this enjoyable musical celebration of acceptance,  The message clear that it takes all types of people (and animals) to make up this world and if everyone was the same what a boring place it would be! Performances are today Thursday July 29 at 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM and again tomorrow morning, Friday July 30 at 11:00 AM at the Circleville Middle School Auditorium, 1951 Route 302, Circleville, NY.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students/seniors.  All proceeds will be used to continue this wonderf... 07/29/2010

Saturday July 24, 2010 in Orange County NY   Saturday's Weather Chance of Rain but HOT HOT HOT  (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Special Events Sweet Corn Celebration - Pine Bush, NY Come to the Pine Bush Farmers Market for this celebration of Sweet Corn today from 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM.  Always some fun, great food, and entertainment on tap.  Right off Main St (Route 52), Pine Bush NY. For Further Information Call 845- 978-0273 or Click Here Learn About Hummingbirds - Cornwall, NY Take the kids to learn all about these flying jewels.  Walk outside to see them at work in the garden.  Program begins at 10:00 AM at the Outdoor Discovery Center of the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, 174 Angola Road, Cornwall, NY For Further Information Call 845-534-5506 or Click Here Car Show and... 07/24/2010

In the craziness that was the market a few short years ago you did not have to really work towards the goal of owning a house.  Heck if you were breathing and could sign your name you could practically buy a house without a penny down and the banks would cover the closing costs in you mortgage.  Today not so much, right?  BUT I have been seeing a resurrection of home buyers who are working and saving for their dreams.  My latest offer came from a couple who I started talking to over a year ago.  They looked at a house with me back then and we talked about what they could afford. They had some work to do in order to afford a house they could be proud to own. Well they called last week and we put in an offer on a lovely house this week.  It is much more house than they could have afforded... 07/22/2010