The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recognizes that communities affected by Hurricane Sandy have already started or will begin making critical recovery decisions - long before any new Flood Insurance Rate Maps can be finalized in the affected areas. To that end, FEMA is working to prepare more up to date flood hazard information in the coming weeks to allow communities, residents and business owners to make informed rebuilding decisions. More than 35,000 homes and businesses will now be located in flood zone areas.  Use of this information will be required for certain FEMA-funded recovery and mitigation activities after release and is highly encouraged for other rebuilding efforts.   Click here to check your area flood map situation. Please remember these are being updated ... 02/10/2013

The Hudson Valley has been named in National Geographic Magazine as one of the places to visit in 2013.  Not that this is a surprise to any of us who live here or to those who have already visited.  Bob Seeger who created the Folk Music Clearwater Festival in Croton-on-Hudson says "The Hudson must surely be one of the world's must extraordinary streams!" Less than an hour from all of the excitement of New York City you can find skiing, antiquing, farm stands, hiking, museums and the list goes on and on.  The views throughout the year are breathtaking and the list of attractions are endless.  For your next get-a-way make time for New York's Hudson Valley. Click here to read the article from National Geographic.     01/16/2013

Photos by Debra Walsh, Copyright © 2013 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. 01/13/2013

Early registration discounts for the April 6, 2013 Warwick Valley Business Expo will end 1-18-13.  You may visit the Warwick Chamber site to download your registration form for entry as a vendor.   On April 6th you will be able to put your business and your product in front of thousands of people in just one day. Registration prior to 1-18-13 will be $195 per table for Chamber Members.  From 1-19-13 on registration will be $225 for Chamber Members and $425 for non-members.  The non-member fee will also include a 1 year chamber membership.  Prior to the opening of the doors that day there will be an hour of business networking between vendors.  Local businesses understand the value of doing business locally so they seek out other local businesses that can help them grow - right there at ... 12/22/2012

Last week I headed off with fellow Keller Williams Associates from different offices at 6 in the morning to spend the day at what we thought was going to be Staten Island.  (Hence my trip to the home improvement store for the right gear) As it turned out we were re-routed to South New Jersey.  We first headed to the large Keller Williams Office in Monmouth, New Jersey where we spent hours doing work in relation to the thousands and thousands of donated items.  After that we headed further south with multiple trucks that were loaded with the supplies.  We then helped hand out food and other supplies at one of the centralized shelters for the rest of the day.  When it came time to leave I wanted to be able to stay - it broke my heart to hear what these people had been through and were sti... 11/20/2012

 COUNTRY KIDS FOOD PANTRY, INC. 34 GOSHEN AVENUE WASHINGTONVILLE NY  10992 845-496-2119     Donate Your Free Turkey To Help Fight Hunger   Country Kids Food Pantry is collecting non-perishable food for needy families in our community.  This food will be given along with turkeys to these families for their Thanksgiving meals.  They are in particular need of canned vegetables, canned fruits, and stuffing mix.  If you wish to donate a turkey please call the pantry.  In addition to turkeys they will accept turkey breasts. So many people earn a free turkey or turkey breast from their cumulative shopping trips - please, please consider donating your turkey to those who are desperately in need. Thanksgiving is a time when we show gratitude for all that we have.  A turkey can make all the diffe... 11/17/2012

  ACTUAL RAILROAD TRAIN TO COLLECT TOYS FOR TOTS IN HUDSON VALLEY AREA DECEMBER 9   The Middletown & New Jersey Railroad is proud to announce that on December 9, 2012 they will operate their First Annual “Operation Toy Train” in the Hudson Valley Area.  Their mission is to collect donated toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation.  “Operation Toy Train” has been a program since 2009 in NJ.  In 2011, more than 10,000 toys were collected on the train.  All toys collected will be distributed to needy families in the area.  Along the route, the train will stop at 5 locations in NY where members of the public can drop off toys, see Santa Claus, experience a variety of working railroad equipment, and meet members of the Marine Corps. Members of the public are encouraged ... 11/16/2012

This email showed up in my inbox this morning.  I have been with Keller Williams just a little over two years since I merged my own company with them to help make things better for my clients in a changing market.  If I had ever doubted my decision (which I haven't) something like this would reaffirm exactly why I came to Keller Williams in the first place.  Keller Williams is always about the agent and how they can help you in any situation and this email further reinforced that for me.  How about you?     11/06/2012

Hurricane Sandy is on course to hit the East Coast and New York State sometime today or tomorrow.  In preparation for the storm’s potential impact, on Friday Governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency to help mobilize resources to local governments and rapid response efforts. New Yorkers should make sure they have a storm emergency kit ready and include items such as non-perishable food, water, cash, filled prescriptions, a battery-powered radio, first aid kit, supplies for any pets, flashlights and extra batteries. The Governor also encourages New Yorkers to check in with neighbors, especially the elderly or disabled, who might need assistance to ensure that their needs are met if emergency instructions are issued. Additional tips for New Yorkers include: Know how to contact all fami... 10/27/2012

For those who have been wondering how this will affect real estate sales, it will in fact affect very few home sales as it is a tax that will affect high income households.   For those earning $200,000 a year or more or married couples earning $250,000 a year or more, investment income above these levels may be subject to the 3.8% tax on a portion of that income.  Whether the tax applies or not will depend on several factors having to do with the amounts and kinds of income the household receives.  Overall this could affect 2-3% of all home sales.  The National Association of Realtors does not support this tax but contrary to rumors is not looking to have it repealed at this time.  While this does take effect in 2013 you would not see the impact on your taxes until 2014 when you file fo... 10/23/2012

This weekend is the annual Warwick, NY Applefest, a wonderful weekend whatever the weather, but thankfully tomorrow and Sunday's forecast is great! Tonight,Friday October 10th the Applefest gets underway with the Evening Carnival at the Stanley-Deming Park where the whole family can enjoy rides, music and food. Named one of the Top 100 Events in the nation, over 30,000 visitors will pour into Warwick over the weekend to enjoy the culture, huge assortment of apples,  lots of entertainment and great food. The event is FREE and sponsored by the Wawick Valley Chamber of Commerce Lots of Fun & Food!! • Over 200 craft vendors • Dozens of food vendors Plus • 50 local non-profit exhibitors • Music & entertainment on several stages all day!• Children’s Carnival • Farmers’ Market • Walk to Villa... 10/12/2012

  Just 50 miles from New York City in Orange County in the town of Warwick is the Village of Greenwood Lake. One of the best things about owning a Greenwood Lake home is there is so much to see and do. This pristine lake supports any recreation that can take place on the water – swimming, diving, fishing, water skiing, jet skiing, and boating by sail, canoe, kayak, paddle, motor, row, and skull. Greenwood Lake is Orange County's largest fresh water lake. The area is also home of the Appalachian Trail, Mt. Peter skiing area, and offers easy access to nearby Sterling Forest's Renaissance Festival, Tuxedo Ridge, the Village of Warwick, and Mountain Creek Ski and Waterpark. TO SEE AVAILABLE GREENWOOD LAKE HOMES, CLICK HERE.Located about an hour from New York City the Highlands region around... 06/26/2012

Tax Deductions for Vacation Homes Tax deductions for vacation homes vary greatly depending on how much you use the home and whether you rent it out. Read Vacant Homes: 8 Ways to Make Sure They’re Maintained Living near a vacant home doesn’t have to mean putting up with overgrown grass and unshoveled snow. Does your community use these eight common local laws, programs, and regulations to force owners to maintain vacant homes? Read Opening and Closing a Vacation Home Don’t neglect to budget time and money for opening and closing a vacation home before the season starts and after it ends. Read Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this. Copyright 2012 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® 06/22/2012

      Current market information for Condos/Townhouses, farms, raw land, multi-families and rentals is always available by request.  If you would like information to help you decide if this is the right time for you to buy or sell, please contact me at your convenience with no obligation at any time.  You may email me or call using the links on this page.  Have a great day! 05/19/2012

This totally renovated 3 bedroom 2 bath home is in the perfect location in downtown Warwick, NY and is now under contract.   Walk to the numerous restaurants, shops and galleries that Warwick has to offer as well as the fun festivals throughout the year.   Warwick is home to Applefest which will be in its' 24th year in October 2012 and draws over 30,000 visitors for this one day event.  Applefest has been named one of the top 100 events in the country. This home sits on a beautifully landscaped level lot with a stream in the back yard.  There is a very happy couple waiting to move in!   photo by Claudia Vaccaro 04/25/2012

Photos by Debra Walsh, Copyright © 2012 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! 04/21/2012

      Current market information for Condos/Townhouses, farms, raw land, multi-families and rentals is always available by request.  If you would like information to help you decide if this is the right time for you to buy or sell, please contact me at your convenience with no obligation at any time.  You may email me or call using the links on this page.  Have a great day! 04/14/2012

You have to watch this video.  Watching it made me burst into tears, but it had a good ending for a change which helped greatly.  Those of us in Real Estate see abandoned, abused and unloved animals almost everyday some weeks.  Since the economy has taken this downturn over the last few years not only people are paying the price - animals are too.  The only difference is they don't have a voice.  Organizations like Hope For Paws are animal's angels and need to be supported.  PLEASE give to these shelters and organizations who take in these abandoned and abused animals.  They take take in all types of animals, giving them the food and medical care they so urgently need.  They give them the love they need as well and that is PRICELESS.  Every single cent will help these sick and hungry an... 04/01/2012

      Current market information for Condos/Townhouses, farms, raw land, multi-families and rentals is always available by request.  If you would like information to help you decide if this is the right time for you to buy or sell, please contact me at your convenience with no obligation at any time.  You may email me or call using the links on this page.  Have a great day! 03/29/2012

Last week Governor Cuomo announced an historic agreement that will make New York state the first "all crimes DNA state in the nation."  This requires DNA samples to be collected from ANYONE convicted of a felony or penal law misdemeanor.  Also the bill will significantly expand defendants' access to DNA testing and comparison, both before and after conviction in appropriate circumstances, as well as to discovery after conviction to demonstrate their innocence.  "It is a proven fact that DNA helps solve crimes, prosecute the guilty and protects the innocent," said Governor Cuomo.  "This bill will greatly improve law enforcement's ability to keep New York communities safe and bring justice to victims of violent crimes, as well as those who have been wrongly convicted."  This will give law... 03/24/2012