Being a Realtor most people think I am automatically against For Sale By Owner.  Personally I think my profession has nothing to do with it.   Think of this scenario;  Would you want your parents selling their home as a For Sale By Owner?   In todays world I think this is one thing that should definitely be left to the professionals.  It is your most valuable tangible asset as are your Parents.  Although your Parents aren't a thing so to speak they could be put right up there with the most important things in your life depending on who you are.   What you would have to do on your own as a For Sale By Owner:1.   Put your personal home phone or cell number out there for any stranger's personal use2.   Let strangers into your home without knowing their true intent; this can prove dangerous... 06/10/2009

 Imagine climbing those steps everday?  I love castles of any kind and this one really caught my eye.  Definitely not a place you would want to miss a step going down or not pay attention in the dark!                                                                 GRI, ABR, CHMS, REM                                                                Minisink Valley Homes                   Office 845-355-8439                                                                            debbiewalsh40@yahoo.com                                              http://debbieminisinkvalleyhomes.org.mlxchange.com                 Subscribe to Orange County NY Real Estate Blog by Email   03/29/2009

The other day I got a flat as I was driving my durango to an appointment.  Unfortunately for me they were brand new tires.   Oh the horror!  Luckily as this happened I was just in front of the Post Office so I was able to pull into that parking lot.  I shudder to think what would have happened were I on a highway instead of a side road.   Anyway as I was sitting there waiting for my brother-in-law to come help me out since my appointment was with him I was surprised by what I noticed.  I wound up sitting there for about 35 minutes or so with a very flat tire which was extremely noticeable because the whole truck was tilted down to the right due to the flat.   The durango sits up pretty high because it is a 4 wheel drive vehicle.  It was also quite cold  so I kept my gloves on and my coa... 03/22/2009

SPRING CHECKLIST Change Batteries in Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide DetectorsClean Security Systems and Check BatteryClean Central Air Systems or Air ConditionersCheck Attic FansChange Furnace FiltersClean All Windows Inside and OutRemove Storms, Replace with ScreensClean All Gutters and Down SpoutsCheck your Roof, Chimney, Skylights for LeaksClean ChimneysInspect Trees for Broken Branches That You Can't Reach, Take Down Weakened Trees PROTECT YOUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET!!                      GRI, ABR, CHMS, RECS, REM      Minisink Valley Homes                   Office 845-355-8439                                     debbiewalsh40@yahoo.com       http://debbieminisinkvalleyhomes.org.mlxchange.com   Subscribe to Orange County NY Real Estate Blog by Email   03/21/2009

Slate Hill, NY Listing - $275,000 - Rich in Character!!!Location: Slate Hill, NYSPACIOUS LIVING IS YOURS in this 4 bedroom Raised Ranch on almost 1 acre. Step inside to hardwood floors & updated appliances. Living room is wired for speakers. Private area downstairs for the visiting in-laws or older child. Enjoy the seasonal country views while also enjoying the AG pool in the summer. Good commuter location with easy access to the highway.InformationContact InformationKatheryn DeClerck, Associate Broker845-629-3504Contact Reply FormForward to a FriendView Other FlyersPricingPrice: $275,000.00Property Location852 S Plank RdSlate Hill, NY 10973View MapFeaturesBedrooms: 4Bathrooms: 2.5Year Built: 1973Lot Size: .970Garage Size: 2 Car GarageSchool District: Minisink Valley School DistrictSqua... 03/09/2009

Love to hike and see the early signs of Spring?  The Orange County Land Trust will be holding a family-friendly guided  nature hike on Saturday March 14, 2009 in the Town of Wawayanda.  Everyone is encouraged to wear mud boots of some kind.  Hunter Farm Preserve is 60 acres of rolling fields, woodlands, streams and two ponds.  The walk will center on exploring the fields for early signs of Spring and the ponds for beaver activity.  Orange County Land Trust Naturalist Gary Keeton will lead this outing.  In case of bad weather call 845-343-0840 x12 for rescheduling information.  Reservations are not required.         Hunter Preserve is open year-round to the public and admission is free for walking, birding, photography and educational purposes.  There will soon be a Tadpole trail for chi... 03/07/2009

How could you not love a face like that?  What a cutie pie!      Photo by Debra Walsh, Copyright © 2009 Debra Walsh. All Rights Reserved.  This photo may not be reproduced, used or transmitted without the express, written permission of Debra Walsh of Minisink Valley Homes in Slate Hill, NY.  Thank you for not plagiarizing.        GRI, ABR, CHMS, REMMinisink Valley Homes                                             Office 845-355-8439                                              debbiewalsh40@yahoo.com         http://debbieminisinkvalleyhomes.org.mlxchange.com    02/16/2009

What a way to find out you are on the front page of the business section of your local paper.   A reprint of a picture used last year that you didn't know they were going to use again.   Well, I guess a bad picture of you is better than no picture at all of you and your business sign in the county paper.  To view the article click here.  I attended a class today at the local board of Realtors and if ever there is a place to be recognized when you are in the paper that is it!                    Originally this picture was from an article that was commenting on how Realtors and Mortgage Brokers work together to market properties to help sell them quicker when conventional methods aren't always doing the trick in these tougher times.   Behind us was a beautiful, mint condition colonial tha... 02/11/2009

Photo Gallery Great 3/4 BR home on almost an acre with updated kitchen appliancesLiving room is wired for speakers; great hardwood floorsanother view of the living roomsliding door in the dining room leads to the deck and the spacious backyardhallway bathroommaster bedroom has a full bathmaster bathone of the other bedroomsview of the yardabove ground poolparcel mapDescriptionWonderful country setting of almost an acre. There are amazing seasonal countryside views. A traditional bilevel style home with 3-4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, hardwood floors, family room, full bath in the Master suite. Easy access to highways, good commuter location makes this home a winner.FeaturesBedrooms: 3Bathrooms: 2.5Year Built: 1973Lot Size: .970Garage Size: 2 Car GarageSchool District: Minisink Valley School ... 11/10/2008

Photo Gallery Great 3/4 BR home on almost an acre with updated kitchen appliancesLiving room is wired for speakers; great hardwood floorsanother view of the living roomsliding door in the dining room leads to the deck and the spacious backyardhallway bathroommaster bedroom has a full bathmaster bathone of the other bedroomsview of the yardabove ground poolparcel mapDescriptionWonderful country setting of almost an acre. There are amazing seasonal countryside views. A traditional bilevel style home with 3-4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, hardwood floors, family room, full bath in the Master suite. Easy access to highways, good commuter location makes this home a winner.FeaturesBedrooms: 3Bathrooms: 2.5Year Built: 1973Lot Size: .970Garage Size: 2 Car GarageSchool District: Minisink Valley School ... 10/28/2008

One of the first things I like to do as a new school year begins is to mark up my calendar and scheduler for the days that the children have off from school.  Of course there can be changes during the year but at least it avoids being clueless.  For parents with young children who need to have childcare available on days when school is not in session it is essential to be ready for those oddball days that come up like Superintendents Conference Days or Staff Development Days that don't follow with the standard holiday breaks that your school follows.   For your convenience I am displaying the school year calendar for the Minisink Valley Central School District here.  Take a minute this morning to get all the dates down so you won't be surprised.  (I have even heard of children who migh... 08/26/2008

As illustrated by this nightmare scenario unfolding in Orange County, New York, buyers who attempt to purchase new, to be built, construction without expert services of a Buyer's Agent are taking a huge risk.Dreams delayed and maybe lost, 19-home development remains unbuiltThis is the story of trusting individuals who took a builder at his word. Based on the builder's promises and apparent good reputation, these families invested their time, money, and emotions in a dream that was never fulfilled.As pointed out in the article, there are steps and precautions that can be taken to minimize the possibility of falling victim to a similar situation. Adhering to these steps may seem daunting to the average homebuyer, but these steps are procedures routinely performed by professional Buyer's A... 11/18/2007