Hudson Valley Musing

Crying out for help

 Today I had my hands filled with towels as I headed for the laundry room.  On the way I kicked over a plant,  what bad timing.  I really did not have the time for the mess.  There was dirt all over the floor and in the rug.  Well I couldn't just leave it, so I dropped the laundry and bend over to take a closer look.  I discovered that the plant was badly in need of water and had outgrown the pot.

Oh! maybe I was tripped by the plant it was crying out for help.

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Hudson Pointe is a luxury waterfront townhouse community in Poughkeepsie NY with stunning views of the Catskill Mountains, Hudson River and magnificent sunsets.

These townhouses are located between Route 9 and the Hudson River.  Sitting high on a bluff Hudson Pointe enjoys a front row view of the Hudson River and the Mid-Hudson Bridge.  It is a great location since you are within walking distance to the  PoughKeepsie Metro-North train station, Vassar Hospital and Shadows on the Hudson the waterfront restaurant, all visible from the complex.  There is also a waterfront park to be developed just below the townhouses.

The Developer Ginsburg Development Companies (GDC) is known for building many communities in the Hudson Valley, several with waterfront views of the Hudson River.  Some of these  luxury Poughkeespsie Townhouses were built in 2006 and the entire community consisted of 60 units with HOA fees of $367.  There were four models and I have been in 3 units, and  I can say they all look different.  Some buyers opted for upgrades, such as inlaid hardwood flooring, a garden level and a loft.  The standard square footage was 1500-2000, but with the addition of loft and garden levels square footage could exceed 3000.  One of the units I saw had a large master suite with California closets and vaulted ceilings, as well as the loft and garden level.  The townhouses were built to maximise the views so you will find many windows throughout.  

The lovely  Hudson Pointe Club House offers spectacular views of the river, and it comes with a pool, exercise facilties. gathering room and a deck.

 From Hudson Pointe you are really only minutes away from a variety of restaurants, the Bardavon and Marist college 

Hudson Pointe is served by the Pougkeepsie High and Middle School and Governor Clinton Elementary school.

Most of the shopping malls are south so head south on Route 9 and you will have many stores to choose from.

If you are in the market for a luxury waterfront townhouse in a great commuter location then consider Hudson Pointe, there are a few units presently on the market.

Hudson Pointe Luxury Waterfront Townhouses For Sale

Taking the long way home

I don't know about you but  sometimes I am just drawn to a path or a road I had never gone down before.  Yes I am curious and love discovering new places and things.  This can get me into trouble at times.  Taking one of these path are street meant taking the long way home at time. I often would get lost, a 10 minute trip would turn into an hour.

These days I make sure I have a GPS handy just in case I end up lost, yes these days I don't worry so much about taking the long way home.

 Buying an older home in Rhinebeck what you should consider

Many consumers looking for a second home in the Rhinebeck area usually want to find an older home from the 1700s-1900s. The wish list includes: clapboard siding, wide board flooring, period details, fireplace, 2 bathrooms, large rooms, pond or stream and a private lot.

Trying to satisfy such a wish list is not always easy and here is why.

• Many older Rhinebeck homes are not very private and are located close to the road or in the village.  This is not a surprise because when you think of the time period in which the houses were built modern transportation was not available and I suspect no one wanted to also spend hours cleaning a long driveway.  

• Some people tend to equate the age of the house with the presence of wide board flooring.  Although this is somewhat true, it is also important to note that many of the houses you might come across with very narow boards are as old as the ones with wide boards; and the narrow board is an indication that the homeowner was actually wealthier.

• Finding clapboard siding is not alway easy and might involve digging a little deeper.  Because the boards had to be maintained many owners opted for siding that was easier to maintain, so you will find many homes covered by unslightly tiles because these tiles were maintenace free.  These tiles were placed directly over the clapboard and I have known of many homes where these tiles were taken off and the beautiful clapboard was revealed.

• Privacy can also present a challenge, many of the older Rhinebeck homes were constructed close together and this was  done so neighbors could look out for each other.  Another issue that happens alot is that the land was divided up and sold in a manner that does not make much sense to us today. For example, you might find that you will need an easement across several neighbors properties to get to your home.  If this is the case you might have to chip in to pay for the maintenace of a private road.

•  I Know we all want to have more than one bathroom but in many older homes there is usually one bathroom and sometimes you will find an outhouse, therefore, you would have to add a second bathroom if you so desire.  This brings me to the subject of the septic.  Many times during an inspection a septic cannot be located and sometimes it is necessary to upgrade the septic system.

• Buying an older home in Rhinebeck can be rewarding but keep in mind it will be a labor of love and could require  deep pockets.  I have seen some finished product and I can say going through the restoration was well worth it.  It is wonderful to see a home restored to its former state.

Copyright © by Jennifer Fivelsdal, all rights reserved|Buying an older home in Rhinebeck what you should consider

Rhinebeck Real Estate Market Report

Very little snow in the Northeast this winter.  A big saving for municipalities already struggling with their budgets and it would have been a saving for consumers if the price of heating oil had not gone up.  Bad news for those depending on snow for a substantial part of their income.

And then there is me.  I should be happy this unusual weather is producing higher temperature , yes that's good.  My issue is; everything looks so dull, and I really missed the snow since it would change the landscape.  Fresh fallen snow is so beautiful that is until I have to drive in it.

Enough is enough, I just want an early spring please.

Rhinebeck NY Real Estate

In Rhinebeck 6 single family homes sold in the town and village during January 2012.  The sales ranged from $168,050 to $635,000.

How did the number of single family homes sold in Rhinebeck compare to the same time last year?  Last January 3 homes sold and they were all under $200,000.  This January the number of homes sold doubled, and they were more expensive homes.

I personally think the warm winter is good for the local real estate market. Buyers are out looking for a home.  The largest group are first time buyers and this is not a surprise for homes are more affordable and the interest rates have also fallen.

How can Rhinebeck home sellers benefit from this weather?  Don't wait for spring to list your home. Get in the market so the buyers who are now looking will have more of a choice and you might just avoid that spring competition.

                                         The side of Rhinebeck Post Office

Rhinebeck NY Market Report For Single Family homes January 2012

Town of Rhinebeck NY - January 2012 Home Sales

Village of Rhinebeck NY Market Report - January 2012

Village of Rhinebeck NY January 2012 home sales

Data for report obatained from the Mid Hudson MLS

Copyright © by Jennifer Fivelsdal, all rights reserved- Rhinebeck Real Estate Market Report January 2012

Red Hook NY real  estate market

In the month of January in Red Hook NY 3 homes sold, and what a spread in the price range $190,000 - $1,200,000.  The $1,200,00 was a lovely stone house and farm from 1733.  One house went under contract in the month of January, however there were 14 new listings.

Price Breakdown of the new listings

1    $100,000

3    $200,000  1 of the 3 was  a short sale.

2    $300,000

6    $400,000

1    $500,000

1    $600,000

Based on market data for the county and the individual towns, most of the homes sold in January fell in the range below $300,000.  What does that mean for you?  If your Red Hook home is priced above this range your days on market will probably be longer, then again there is always an exception to the rule.

If you are thinking of selling I strong recommend you put your house on the market sooner that later.  Before you do take steps to make it show ready.  A real estate agent can give you some suggestions.  I have always enjoyed helping clients get a sense of what changes to make, so that the home is more appealing and will sell for more.

Compare Red Hook January 2012 to 2011

                         Bard College Science Building  | Town of Red Hook

Red Hook NY Market Report For Single Family homes January 2012

Town of Red HookNY - January 2012 Home Sales

There were no sales in the Village of Red Hook in January

Village of Red Hook NY Market Report - January 2012

 Data for this report was obtained from the Mid Hudson MLS Services.

Copyright © by Jennifer Fivelsdal, all rights reserved-Red Hook Market Report January 2012

Hyde Park NY Real Estate

In Hyde Park during January  20 homes came on the market, just in time for the buyers  out looking due to the mild weather.  Looks like real estate will be having an early spring.

Break down of the 20 new listings in Hyde Park

9 under $200,000

7 in the $200,000's

2 in the $300,000's

1 in the $400,000

1 in the $500,000's

These homes ranged in age from 1825-2004 with square footage from 1362-3300.

I have mentioned in many Hyde Park report that this is a market with great buys, and a good commuter location.

How did this January compare to last year market?

In January 2011 28 new listings came on the market 8 more than this year.  Last year sales was also 1 less than this year.  The average sale price last year was $209,200 this January $246,100.

Hyde Park Single Family Home Sale For January 2012

 Hyde Park Home Sale in January 2012

Data for report obtained from the Mid Hudson MLS Services.

 Copyright © by Jennifer Fivelsdal, all rights reserved-Hyde Park Market Report  For January 2012

Dutchess County real estate market report

This is the first report for the new year and with this usually comes high expectations for the coming year.

During the month of January 88 single family homes sold, ranging from $50,000 for a short sale in Poughkeepsie to an 1820 estate for $1,225,000 in Clinton.  There was also the sale of a historic farmstead from 1733 for $1,200,000 in Red Hook.  Most of the properties sold were under $400,000, of the 88 only 16 were above $400,000. 

How did this compare to last year  same time?

Last year 91 single family homes sold  just 3 more than this year.

Average price increased by 9.9% over last year going from $274,780 to $301,983

Median price decreased by 3.8% going from $262,000 to $252,050

Another number to watch is the days on market which increased by 32.2% going from 146 days to 193

Single Family Detached Homes Sales in Dutchess County in January 2012

  In the single family attached market (condos townhouses and co-ops) there was a drop of 21.4% going from 14 units in January 2011 to 11 this year.  More significantly January sales were less than a third of last month's (December 2011) sales.

Average price increased 14.9% going from $174.031 in 2011 to $199,914 in 2012

The median saw a decrese of 17.2% going from $190,750 to $158,000.

Condos And Townhouses Report For January 2012

Things Dutchess County home sellers should consider.

• Wth the days on market increasing 32.2% in the single family detached market, it is important to price your home correctly.  How can you do this? look at the supporting data provided to you by your agent, the market doesn't lie.  It might shock you but those numbers represent what buyers are currently paying in the existing market.
• We have had an unusually mild winter,and as a result buyers are out shopping.  For some, the existing inventory is stale, so if you are thinking of selling your home don't wait for the official start of spring; get a headstart to avoid a more competitive market when everyone else decides to put their house on the market.

Buyer's Market

What a great time to be a buyer;the interest rate is low, recently under 4%, and prices on many homes have fallen.  I have had the opportunity to help several first time buyers purchase homes they can now afford.

If you are looking for a home in Dutchess County I would welcome the opportunity to help you find that home.

Call today to get started  845-758-6842  

It  is  snowing lightly in Red Hook, a rare occurrence this winter.  Today happen to be a regular scheduled winter market event at the Elmendorph.

There is always a variety of produce and and products to see.   At one of the recent event I picked up the black turnip which I really enjoyed, can't say the same for the rest of the family they just did not like the way it looked.

Another time I picked up some goat's milk soap yes there were unscented bars available.

So don't  let the light snow stop you from visiting the market today.

Time 10-2

Where Elemendorph Inn