Hudson Valley Musing

Now that winter is officially here, I have turned my attention to summer with the hope of forgetting the expected frigid weather conditions.

One place I love visiting is Block Island in Rhode Island; with 17 miles of beach and a slower pace of life it really fits right in with my idea of vacation.

When I visit, I spend many hours just walking around the island, discovering new plants, visiting the the lighthouses, watching the boats and other tourists biking. after a nice long walk I always look forward to finding a place where my favorite ice cream is served, rum raisin. At the end of the day I am usually very tired (but a good tired) and with the air from the ocean I also get a good night's sleep.

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com  

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When you visit New York City I am sure you will be fascinated by the skyline.

Before taking your first trip to New York City you might consider reading Mitchell Hall's Blog, he has written extensively about the various neighborhoods, as well as the architecture. 

Yes for those of you planning to attend RainCamp, and this also happens to be your first visit to NYC make Mitchell's Blog your guide.

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Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com  

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             SEARCH FOR A HOME IN THE MID HUDSON VALLEY

The Sphere by Fritz Koenig is the only sculpture from the World Trade area to survive the 9/11 attacks.  Since then it was removed to the Battery Park area of NY where it stands as a memorial.  The damages to the sculpture were very visible, and on the day I was visiting there were little birds going in an out of the holes created by the event.

This was where my story began.  It was two years ago when the UN General assembly was in session and there were dignitaries from all over the world in attendance.  Around the city you would run into many barricades, and sirens provided the background music.

Some friends and I were still finding ways to have fun, after all NYC is an interesting place.  We finally ended up in Battery Park and were taking a look at The Sphere when out of the blue on what sounded like a bullhorn we were told to clear the area.  We froze in our tracks. What should we do next?   I noticed a bench and we all sat down hoping that this would have been enough clearing of the area.  What was all the fuss about? For me it was a bit scary.

Several security vehicles passed by, also passing were people who looked like they worked for the secret service. Then another group of people came by and from their appearance I could tell they came from several different countries.  What I later found out was that these were dignitaries from the UN on a sightseeing tour.  You could say I sat still and speechless for a while because I didn't want to find out the alternative if I didn't.

As much as I sometimes like excitement, that is not a NYC experience I wanted to repeat. So, whenever I hear the UN General session is occurring I know where I won't be found.

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com  

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             SEARCH FOR A HOME IN THE MID HUDSON VALLEY

Watching the massive snow storm in the Northeast and news clips of people stranded in cars or having to abandon their cars, got me thinking about car readiness for the winter season.

The realty is, the winter season can be rather harsh, so preparation is needed to avoid some problems that will come up.

Here are several maintenance and emergency preparedness tips to consider for your car:

• Has your car been tuned up recently? How old is your battery? Remember the winter weather takes a toll on your car.
• Are your wipers in excellent condition? Trust me, I know how important that wipers are;  They certainly got me through many rainy and icy winter days on the road.
• How about your tires? For the winter you might want to get new ones and make sure they are kept correctly inflated.  This is key in the winter - you face all kinds of weather conditions and not having good tires could cost you your life.
• Have you checked out your spare recently? Make sure this is in good condition because you never know when you will need it.  While you are doing that make sure your jack is in the car.
• How about your heating system? This had better be working well.
• Always maintain a full tank of gas, you just never know what may happen.

Now that you have checked the maintenance of the car, there are also other essential items you should have on hand in case of an emergency.

• Make sure to have food and water. I had many hour and a half trips turned into four to five hour trips due to accidents and roads in poor condition due to snow.
• A Warm Blanket, just in case you break down or if you are stuck in a traffic jam and you make the decision to turn the car off.
• Jumper cables or portable battery charger
• A flashlight
• First Aid Kit
• Well charged cell phone and charger
• Several ice scrapers.
• Sand or Kitty litter
• De-icer for your locks
• Boots and socks
• Change of clothes in case you have to check into the nearest motel

By having these items on had if you are caught in a storm or stuck behind an accident you will have what is necessary in the car to make you more comfortable or even help someone else out who failed to prepare.

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com  

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             SEARCH FOR A HOME IN THE MID HUDSON VALLEY

Ever in the mood for a corn beef, reuben or pastrami sandwich? The Carnegie Deli ,a New York Landmark, is just the place to satisfy such a desire.

I know some of the attendees to RainChamp NYC are from out of town and would like to have that New York experience. Well, this is one of those landmarks.

Here is an example of a pastrami sandwich, as you can see the portions are very generous.

 Every wall in the Carnegie Deli restaurant is covered with photos of famous and somewhat famous people, so you might find yourself trying to see how many famous people you can identify

 After you have taken a look at these walls you will truly appreciate that the Carnegie Deli is a landmark known worldwide. 

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com  

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             SEARCH FOR A HOME IN THE MID HUDSON VALLEY

Hyde Park NY Real Estate Market Report for November 2010

In Hyde Park NY during the month of November there were 12 single family detached homes sold versus 21 last month,  Most of the homes sold where in the the range of $100,000 -$235,000 with the exception of one house which sold for $530,000.

Hyde Park does have a wide variety of homes in various price ranges. With the extended and expanding tax credit I hope more First time buyers will take advantage of the available inventory, low mortgage rates, and tax credit.

HYDE PARK MARKET REPORT FOR SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED HOMES IN NOVEMBER 2009

                                                              DOM       AVG LIST PRICE     AVG SQFT         AVG $/SQFT

ACTIVE                20                 22            $296,600                   1977                  $150

NEW                      1                   6              $95,000                   1152                     $82

OFFER                   3               224            $155,674                   1786                     $87

OFFER CS             2               102            $178,950                   1163                   $154

CONTRACT            7               114            $257,627                   2156                   $119

                   SOLD                   12              118            $218,183                   1523                   $143

                                                                                            AVG SOLD            AVG $/SQFT

                                                                                                          $209,262              $137

   STREET                              SOLD PRICE

          River Road                             $129,900           

Fifth Drive                              $147,000

Cedar Lane                           $162,000

Pennington Drive                  $165,000

Prospect Drive                      $167,500

Circle Drive                           $179,000

Roosevelt Road                    $183,250

Birchwood Terrace                $194,000

Haviland                               $207,000

Circle Drive                           $212,500

Salt point Tpke                     $234,000

  Knightridge                           $530,000  

Here are the Hyde Park Homes now for sale

Jennifer Fivelsdal - JFIVE HOMES REALTY LLC - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com 

 Copyright © by Jennifer Fivelsdal, all rights reserved-Hyde Park Real Estate Market Report November 2009

Just a week ago I was delighted with the first snow storm; since then the snow has lost its thrill as the reality of winter weather sets in. 

With that in mind I wanted something cheerful for today and I think two singing birds fit the bill.

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com  

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             SEARCH FOR A HOME IN THE MID HUDSON VALLEY

DUTCHESS COUNTY NY REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT - NOVEMBER 2009

                                             SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED

                              AVG.                Median          # of Sales      DOM        Inventory

November 08     $338,422          $299,000              87                139              2197

October 09         $298,982          $265,000            155               128              2027

November 09     $294,228           $255,000            153               108             1927

 In Dutchess County NY during the month of November there were 153 single family detached homes sold, a 75% increase over last year same time. This dramatic increase could be partly attributed to the first time buyer credit and consumer thinking it would end in November.  With such and increase the sale dollar volume was up 52.9% even though the median an average prices fell.

Other good news; the inventory level dropped by 12.3% so did the days on market, down 22.3%

I was please with the trend of the absorption rate(time it takes to work off present inventory) as seen in the graph below.

                                 Nov -08                       Oct -09                    Nov-09

Absorption Rate :           25.25                       13.08                  11.14

DUTCHESS COUNTY NY CONDO/TOWNHOUSE MARKET REPORT NOVEMBER 09

                                    Single Family Attached (Condos/Townhouses)

                             AVG.                 Median          # of Sales         DOM         Inventory

November 08    $200,223               $150,000               25               150           372

October 09       $194,708               $183,000               25               111           386

November 09    $179,037               $172,000              27               109            386

The Single Family Attached Properties (condos, Co-op, townhouses) in Dutchess County NY during November did not have such dramatic changes as in the single family detached category.

There were 27 units sold versus 25 same time last year.  The median price was up 14.7% over last year however less than last month.  Days on market down 27.3%  but inventory was up slightly over last year although same as last month.

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The Dutchess County real estate market report keeps you informed of trends in the local real estate market. 

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com  

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      SEARCH FOR A HOME IN THE MID HUDSON VALLEY

*****Data to compile this report was obtained from the Mid Hudson MLS System

What is this RainCamp? which brings up another question why haven't you checked out ActiveRain the coolest website for real estate agents and brokers?

RainCamp is an event ActiveRain is holding in different parts of the country to help our industry be better prepared for the changing real estate landscape.  As we are all well aware many consumers now start their search for real estate on-line.

ActiveRain will fly in the best of the best to teach us how to revolutionize the way we do business.  How to dominate our market for search terms, as well as information on other cutting edge stuff.

Do you realize their are agents in other parts of the country who are literally begging for such an event?  This is an event you just can't pass up, and it  will not occur again in NY this year.  Now go over to www.raincamp.com learn more and register.

If you have questions you can also call me.  Maybe you want to go but would like to go with others; let me know  and we can see if carpooling is a possibility.

Yes this is an investment of time and money that will pay big dividends.

Still not convinced hear what some attendees at RainCamp SF are saying.

• Valesca Bogard
• Lori Mode and Bruce Durham

 A picture is worth a thousand words so here is a Video from the AR staff from RainCamp Seattle.

See you there.

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Associate Broker- Keller Williams Realty Team - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com  

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RHINEBECK NY REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT - NOVEMBER 2009  

  WILDERSTEIN HISTORIC MANSION - RHINEBECK NY

During the month of November in the town of Rhinebeck NY,  2 single family detached homes sold, and 3 in the village, this was an improvement over last month when the total sale was 1.   Price in November ranged from $190,000-$412,000.

Here is the break down for single family detached homes in the town of Rhinbeck NY              

                                  DOM     AVG LIST PRICE     AVG SQFT       AVG $/SQFT

ACTIVE          2           19               $389,500            1562                        $249

OFFER           2          132              $274,450             2137                        $128

CONTRACT    2            75              $574,450             2698                        $213

SOLD            2          133              $312,000             2072                        $151

                                                               AVG SOLD               AVG $/ SQFT

                                                              $295,000                        $142

STREET             SOLD PRICE            

White School House RD             $312,000

Wurtemburg RD                        $400,000

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 VILLAGE OF RHINEBECK NY REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT - NOVEMBER 2009                      

                                    DOM     AVG LIST PRICE     AVG SQFT       AVG $/SQFT

ACTIVE          2                  28            $353,500            1539             $230

Contract        1                157            $429,000            2800              $153

Sold               3                228            $391,000            1705            $229

                                                  AVG SOLD               AVG $/ SQFT

                                                     $355,167                      $208

STREET                   SOLD PRICE            

Arnett Road               $293,000

Livingston St             $360,000

Mill Street                 $412,500

****Source of data Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing Service Inc (MHMLS)

OTHER MARKET REPORTS  - 2009

Rhinebeck Real Estate Market Report - October 2009

Rhinebeck Real Estate Market Report - September 2009

Rhinebeck Real Estate Market Report - August 2009

Rhinebeck Real Estate Market Report - July 2009

Rhinebeck Real Estate Market Report - June 2009

Rhinebeck Real Estate Market Report - May 2009

Rhinebeck Real Estate Market Report -  April 2009

Rhinebeck Real Estate Market Report - March 2009

Rhinebeck Real Estate Market Report - February 2009

Rhinebeck Real Estate Market Report - January 2009

****Data for report obatained from the Mid Hudson MLS

Start your search here for homes for sale in the Rhinebeck NY

Jennifer Fivelsdal- Licensed Real Estate Broker-JFIVE Homes Realty LLC - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com  and www.jfivehomes.com  

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