DUTCHESS COUNTY REAL ESTATE

This is a rather uncomfortable subject. I am posting this reminder to all buyers - before you purchase a home , be sure to check the national registry for convicted sex offenders. At the onset of looking at property with my buyer clients, I provide them a packet which contains information about this. As it gets closer to making a purchase, it becomes the responsibilty of my clients to monitor the list of neighborhoods for a given zip-code. Unfortunately, there are laws protecting these creeps. So all I can do as a real estate agent is make a blanket statement and point my buyers in the right direction on how to do their own research - be sure to log onto the site below.  

http://www.familywatchdog.us/

The current average selling price in Dutchess County is just over $375,000. So, I am wondering just what this would buy in other areas of the country. I am creating this post to encourage other Realtors to share and compare. Here is what $375,000 looks like in my community - I am hoping to get a nationwide comparison:

CLOSED 11/2007 - $375,000	.55 ACRES	3 BR   2.5 BA	Built 1975   1942 SF

CLOSED 11/2007 - $365,000	3.9 ACRES	3 BR   2.5 BA	Built 1975   1639 SF

CLOSED 11/2007 - $385,000	.33 ACRES	3 BR   2.5 BA	Built 2000  1760 SF

Ok, 2 years ago in December I remember putting together a transaction around the holidays and making a statement that I had 10 pending transactions. This year that number dwindled down to 3 pending transactions in December. Yet, when I went to view the sales statistics year to-date, I was pleasantly surprised to see I did not fall that far down the rankings for sales volume. That's because all the other agents have produced less volume this year too. I like to see the positive side of things. However, I think I now have time on my hands to catch up with some reading as things start slowing down even more with colder months ahead.

One of my past instructors had once reccomended the book "Who Moved My Cheese" - she said it would be beneficial for preparing for a changing market. I made a mental note and filed it away because as the market changed I still stayed busy, so I had put this off, along with other reading material. I have only one tentative appointment this weekend. What will I do with the rest of my time? I am going to the bookstore this weekend.....   

For any of my agent friends (or anybody in general - this is supposedly a good self-help book on dealing with change), here is more information....

http://www.whomovedmycheese.com/

The story of Who Moved My Cheese? was created by Dr. Spencer Johnson to help him deal with a difficult change in his life. It showed him how to take his changing situation seriously, but not take himself so seriously. 

Occasionally, a client will appreciatively make a comment "I could never do your job". This usually follows some intense moment in their real estate transaction or after a client starts noticing my cell phone doesn't stop ringing. The fact that my clients notice how hard I work gives me a great sense of satisfaction.

But what is more gratifying than the recognition for working hard? How do I respond when somebody recognizes that real estate can be a stressful business? I am not going to complain about my job. I rather like it.   

I often tell people of the single most gratifying part of my business....first time home buyers! There is no greater feeling that can compare to giving somebody a set of keys to their first home. Yes, this can be a challenging business - but I am up for the challenges, especially that of finding somebody their first home!    

WAPPINGER FALLS NY - COMPLETELY UPDATED. CAN'T FIND ANOTHER UNIT IN MONTCLAIR AS UPDATED FOR THIS PRICE! NEW KITCHEN, BATHS, FLOORING, WINDOWS. TOTALLY TURN-KEY. BUILDING BACKS UP TO PRIVACY, WITH EXCEPTION OF TENNIS COURTS. CLOSE TO TRAIN AND COMMUTER ROUTES. SHOP TO SEE - THERE'S NO COMPARISON!  - $195,000  

It happened twice today. First, I was driving behind a motorist who did not completely clear the snow & ice from this past weekend's storm. Five minutes after thinking this was an accident waiting to happen, a chunk of ice flew off another car and went flying into the path of cars behind it - including mine. As I am on the road a lot selling Dutchess County homes, I see this frequently!

Maybe I am a little extra sensitive after being victim to this situation a few year back. I was fortunate that the chunk of ice that flew off a tractor trailer only broke my windshield wiper. In some states the fine is $1500. In all states, it could result in death - to somebody else!

Soon after my own mishap, I read about a freak accident in which a woman was killed instantly when a chunk of ice flew off a tarp on a truck and smashed through her windshield on Christmas Day. It brought back memories...and boy, I counted myself lucky by then.

With the winter weather finally here, driving conditions can be a little more dangerous. But not keeping the snow off the hood and roof of your car can make matters even worse. Not only does snow and ice on a car obstruct a driver's view, but if law enforcement catches you driving like that, you can face severe penalties.

Don't be foolish to think you'll be saving time by only clearing off your window. What if you could save a life?

Property owners and agents who represent sellers of vacant property should agree in advance about who will check the property on a regular basis. This is especially important during the winter months. While checking on one of my vacant listings today, I discovered the furnace was not functioning properly. Fortunately, the home has been winterized and the water was drained from the pipes. A heating service provider still needed to be contacted. All is okay. But this made me reflect back on a property I listed a couple of years ago. Then, a neighbor called to inform me that the door was wide open. It was the middle of winter. The agent from the day before apparently locked the door but did not ensure it latched properly. The wind blew it open. When I arrived the furnace was cranking out heat. I reported this to the out of town seller immediately as I figured he'd find out soon enough when his heating bill arrived. He was relieved that his neighbor was a such a good Samaritan...it could have been worse, his pipes could have froze! I have wonderful and supportive brokers. The Dutchess County homes which I list are checked regularly...when I can't get to them my brokers check on them. Between all of, we take on the property management role in the winter. It's still not 24 hours surveillance, so I instruct sellers to make arrangements with vigilant neighbors too.

                                                      OLD MAN WINTER HAS ARRIVED!

Often, relocations are happening this time of year. If you are considering a move to the Dutchess County Area, or are an agent from another part of the country trying to assist somebody with a move here, you might be interested in the link below which provides information for these various school districts:

http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/repcrd2002/c13_dist.html               

For budgetory reasons, many companies wait until year end (or the start of a new year) to transfer employees.

A new job in a new location! The opportunity can open doors and horizons for you and your family. It may be one of the most rewarding experiences of your career.

The critical decision to accept a new position is only the first of many which surround the relocation process. Such decisions may seem overwhelming. You need a real estate professional who specializes in relocation - an agent who can help make the  transition to your new destination smooth and successful. 

If you are moving to the New York City area, you might find home prices more expensive than in other regions of the country. I did, when I moved here from Ohio! However, Dutchess County is an affordable solution - and commuter trains make going to work a breeze. Many commuters find their time on the train to be a perfect opportunity to decompress, catch up on news, and read.

Your company may have made arrangements with a number of carefully selected relocation service providers. Handling all facets of relocation, these companies will be able to offer professional solutions to many of the questions you may have. You'll find that all share an ultimate goal - that of helping you and your family move quickly and easily.

If you're considering a move to or from Dutchess County:

I am a speciallist when it comes to employee relocation and Century 21 Anita Ferri Realty is a registered brokerage, affiliated with various relocation companies. What sets me apart from other real estate agents when it comes to relocation? Before beginning my real estate career, I previously worked for the largest relocation company in the world. I also had to move several times in the past due to corporate relocation, so I can relate personally and professionally to the needs of a relocating family. I understand the relocation process from every angle!

For more information about relocating to or from Dutchess County, please visit my website:

http://www.dutchesshomefinder.com/