DUTCHESS COUNTY REAL ESTATE

I was very entertained this evening by Barbara Walter's interview with the Obamas. They are indeed a delightful couple. So genuine and amazingly down to earth for a president elect and soon to be first lady. And, I particularly enjoyed the end of the interview when they were asked about their choice of dogs.

One thing is clear, Barack does not seem to want a yappy or girly dog. He favors the big rambunctious type. And, they both agree that their girls will be required to do chores like making their beds and "scooping the poop"! Yes, Barack even told Barbara that his girls were warned - "you gotta scoop the poop!"

For more on this Obama interview:

http://news.aol.com/article/obama-girls-will-do-chores-in-white/241093?icid=sphere_newsaol_inpage

http://news.aol.com/article/obama-doesnt-want-a-girly-dog/261384

So, now I would like to recommend my favorite dog breed for the Obamas. I will be rooting for my breed tomorrow while watching the annual National Dog Show on NBC following the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Okay, President-elect Obama...how about my dog? Huh? A Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (Swissy)? My sweet dog Lexy weighs only 120 lbs and eats 6 cups of food a day. Now that's a lot of poop to scoop! But, the breed is very affectionate, great with kids and will keep the White House very lively! Oh, and by the way - our breeders, Jim & Cheri Barton live in Forest Hill, Maryland - not too far away from DC. You can visit the farm and see all their dogs in action before you buy. They'll even board the first-dog in their nearby kennel while the Obamas are off traveling!.... Now, how convenient is that?

....Now, here's a dog that's ALL DOG!     http://www.greaterswissmountaindog.org/

Swissy Facts:

The Greater Swiss was instrumental in the early development of both the Saint Bernard and the Rottweiler.

The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is steady, watchful and protective, but not aggressive.

Willing and loves to please, they are excellent with children.

Slow to mature mentally and physically - puppyhood can last up to 2 years.

Avg. Height: 23.5-28.5 (60-72cm.)
Avg. Weight: 130-135 pounds (59-61kg.)

                Swissy Puppy       Lex's father

                           so sweet & innocent!       tired after playing

So, which do you prefer???? What makes a house a home is what goes on inside....the people who make up a family, love, the memories (good times & bad), holidays and traditions. When I think of the holidays, especially Thanksgiving, the first thing that comes to my mind is PIE. I never can decide if I like apple or pumpkin, so I always have a slice of both. And, how about you? I am going to make it just a little difficult - what if you can't have both......Apple or Pumpkin????  

Look what I found in my archives! Here's a little Thanksgiving humor - just in time for the holiday! I hope you will enjoy. Drink responsibly and eat until your hearts content....most of all, be safe my friends! Happy Thanksgiving!

What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving? ~ Erma Bombeck

Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday.  People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year.  And then discover once a year is way too often.  ~ Johnny Carson  

Thanksgiving, man.  Not a good day to be my pants.  ~ Kevin James

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare.  They are consumed in twelve minutes.  Half-times take twelve minutes.  This is not coincidence.  ~ Erma Bombeck

I love Thanksgiving turkey.  It's the only time in Los Angeles that you see natural breasts.  ~ Arnold Schwarzenegger

Scrooge returns to the Bardavon 1869 Opera House for another holiday tradition in Poughkeepsie! A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens - is one of the most popular and enduring Christmas stories of all time!  Ebenezer Scrooge, a mean old miser, is given a second chance to do right after being haunted by three ghosts on Christmas Eve in this Dickens classic. Sunday December 7, 2008 3:00 pm.

Purchase your tickets in person at the Bardavon Box Office, 35 Market Street, Poughkeepsie: (845) 473-2072  $34 Adult, $31 Senior/Student, $28 Member

Bardavon 1869 Opera House        
35 Market St.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

http://www.bardavon.org/ev_dir/sub_preview.php?id=34     

Buyers! Here you have it! ...Do you think home prices might continue to fall? Well, nobody can predict this, not even the leading analysts. Are you willing to wait and take a chance? I am providing some fascinating statistics from the Mid-Hudson MLS. Just look at the average prices - this year, compared to last!

You decide.... 

Perhaps prices might not fall much more, maybe soon we'll start to see the market bottom out. If you wait too long the prices could go up. Nobody really knows for sure. But, maybe it's time to stop guessing and start recognizing the value in today's market! There's never been a better time to buy a home in Dutchess County!

                                                    OCTOBER 2007                        OCTOBER 2008     YEAR CHANGE

SMART INVESTORS RECOGNIZE A VALUE WHEN THEY SEE ONE! 

SMART INVESTORS TRUST THEIR INSTINCTS!                                                                                             Carol Culkin, Associate Broker          
  www.dutchesshomefinder.com                Century 21 Anita Ferri Realty
                                                                  845-297-7707 ext 39
                                                                  845-430-6543 cell phone

I was doing some admin work this evening and as I was putting my files back into my briefcase I was noticing that I have fewer files which are taking up almost the same amount of space as the transactions I was working on several months ago. And, back then I had more files!  

Todat my files are FAT!

I even have had to rubberband some of them together!

That's because every deal is taking longer to close and becoming more problematic these days. Much more documentation is required.

So, I guess this is a sign of the times - big thick folders.

I liked it better when my briefcase was full of double the amount of transactions and my files were skinnier!

Please don't think less of me for admitting that I am a news junkie - always have been. So, late this afernoon when I got home, I turned on the TV - in preparation of the evening news. I arrived home during the last few minutes of Judge Judy. As I turned on the TV, a blurb came across the bottom of the screen, just underneath my all-time favorite condescending judge as she was dealing with yet another feud between a dysfunctional plaintiff and defendant.

Like I said, I just got home ...and I wasn't really paying immediate attention to the TV. I noticed there was something about luscious eyelashes, but I just blew it off and went about my normal routine of sorting mail, checking for messages, etc.

Then I heard the announcement:

"Stay tuned to NY City Channel 4 News at 5pm, as we bring to you a segment on how to get  luscious eyelashes".

What? Did I hear right?

I stopped dead in my tracks. You mean they weren't promoting the newest story about the housing crisis or the increasing number of foreclosures being the leading cause for the housing crisis? They weren't encouraging viewers to watch upcoming news about the credit crunch? Did the reporters run out of stories about the crappy economy? Surely, I thought I even heard earlier today and over the weekend about the many jobs being cut at Citicorp - this means a lot of people working in the financial district of NY City will be out of work. Yet, the NY news station was wanting to tease viewers with an upcoming segment about how to get luscious eyelashes. 

Ahhh! I just remembered. THIS is just the topic that has been on everybody's minds lately!

Okay, I am being a little cynical!

Well, I have to give them credit! Maybe they realize that they might be actually loosing viewers due to the increasing and ongoing doom & gloom coverage about the economy and the housing market. I know even as a news junkie I've even been tempted to turn off the TV when I find myself growing sick and tired of the same old depressing news stories. Maybe it's about time the news stations stop promoting negative stories. But, seriously - luscious eyelashes? - how is a story like this an improvement?

Hmmm...well, I guess that's a seductive thought!

If only I could bat my luscious eyelashes and convince some buyers that there has never been a better time to buy a house! If only I could bat my luscious eyelashes and get the FHA underwriter to give final approval on my buyer client's loan! If only I could bat my luscious eyelashes and convince another agent that the low-ball offer I submitted on behalf of my buyers isn't really all that low considering the location of the listing and comparing it to recent sales! I guess, I should have stayed tuned, but something told me I had better things to do!

Dutchess Dance Theatre presents "The Nutcracker."  Saturday. December 6th & & 7th at Roy C. Ketcham High School, 99 Myers Corners Rd.,Wappingers Falls. Reserved seating $18, Senior Citizens and children under age 12 - $12. Box Office and ticket information, 845-226-1434 or 845-221-4834. Tickets will also be available at the door. Additional information at www.pinewoodschoolofdance.com

BEST BUY IN FOUR CORNERS COMMUNITY! SPACIOUS & IMMACULATE CENTER HALL COLONIAL. DRAMATIC FLOORPLAN W/2-STORY FAMILY ROOM & HARDWOOD FLOORS. KITCHEN FEATURES GRANITE COUNTERS & MAPLE CABINETS. 1ST FLOOR HOME OFFICE. MASTER SUITE W/SITTNG AREA. LIFESTYLE AMENITIES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY TO ENJOY. CONVENIENT SOUTHERN DUTCHESS LOCATION NEAR TSP & I-84. SELLERS HATE TO LEAVE THIS ALMOST NEW HOME DUE TO JOB TRANSFER. PRICED TO SELL! $524,900

Call: Carol Culkin Cell Phone - 845-430-6543

C21 ANITA FERRI REALTY CHESTNUT PLAZA 2020 ROUTE 9 SUITE 31
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY 12601       Office Phone: 845 297-7707 ext. 39

Are you thinking of cutting the fat out of your Christmas budget this year? Well, I for one am making a change. I will be doing things differently. I probably will keep within the same budget as previous years but will wait longer to shop and because I hate the last minute rush, most of my family members will be getting gift cards. My goal is to defer for as long as I can and simplify. I hope this will allow me more time to enjoy the Christmas season and feel a little less of the holiday stress.

In two separate conversations today, others told me how they will be cutting back on Christmas this year.

One friend told me today that they are not doing any gift giving this year within the immediate family.

Another friend who is a broker/owner told me that he and his wife are doing something new and romantic. They are each printing a picture, placing it in a box, wrapping it up and putting it under the tree. The picture will be a visual of what they will be getting one another after the real estate market improves.

Don't let the economy kill your Christmas spirit - just be creative and think outside that gift wrapped box!

      DO YOU HAVE ANY CREATIVE LOW BUDGET GIFT GIVING IDEAS?