DUTCHESS COUNTY REAL ESTATE

Many wanabee first time home buyers might be waiting until the end of the year to purchase a home because they think they will take advantage of the first time home buyers tax credit.  Think again!  A buyer has to close on a house BEFORE November 30th, 2009 to be eligible for the $8000 credit.

Take into consideration that once a property has been identified, it takes an average of 60 days to close on a house.  So, now you think you have until the end of September to find a house?  Right?  Think again.

Many of the houses that are for sale NOW in my local market are actually in pre-foreclosure status, which means the final decision is up to the bank, long after the current home owner agrees to a price (and long after contracts have been signed).  These purchases can take twice or three times as long.    

So, now you think you have until the end of May to find a house?  Right? Think again.  Don't you want time to look at properties first and feel educated about the local market before you just rush into making offers?  Personally, I don't like to see people rush into making decisions they could regret.  

The time is now.  Those who wait will be competing with all the other buyers who procrastinated, and with everybody competing against one another, there will probably be bidding wars.  A bidding war leads to a price INCREASE.  So, if your plan is to wait. DON'T.  The time to act is now!

Just last week, a buyer I have been working with lost his opportunity on a great property at a great price - to another buyer.  The market is heating up.  Some buyers don't belive it.    

There may not be a better time to buy a house than NOW!

Buyers....come out, come out - wherever you are!

Please remove shoes?  ...Gee, I hope I have my good socks on today (the ones without holes in them).  Do not let the cat out?  ...Cat?  Okay, I'll alert the allergy sensitive buyer, so she can start out on a NEGATIVE note.  These are just a couple of the common requests which are made as I try to schedule an appointment to show a house.  And, I can actually live by these rules. 

But.....24 hours notice?  Well, just forget it then.  See, the buyers live an hour away and just decided this morning that they want to look at houses THIS AFTERNOON - they won't be back here tomorrow. 

What? .....7pm is too late?  You want me to try to schedule the showing before 5pm?  Sorry, can't do it - the buyer works until 5. 

Geeze.  What are sellers thinking?  In a buyer's market it's not about accommodating the SELLER.  If a seller really wants to sell their house bad enough, they need to make it available and EASY to show.

And what about those security alarms? 

Last week I was provided confirmation for a showing appointment with the most unusual instructions...

Please remove shoes.  OK. 

THEN, turn off the alarm. OK

                    ...which is located in the 1st floor master bedroom

                                        ...to the right of the entryway

                                                             ...and behind the door to the master closet. 

WHAT?  As I listened, I was trying so hard to visualize the distance involved and imagine the amount of time I had to finally find the keypad to the alarm ...which just so happened to be so conveniently hidden behind the master bedroom closet door.  And, as I rehearsed this little skit in my mind, I tried to remind myself to take off my shoes and be careful not to trip over them as I sprinted to the keypad in a frenzy. 

I thought of my worst fear coming true.  Setting off the alarm, police cars swarming, cops with their guns drawn and insisting that me and the buyers come out with our hands up.

And, just imagine ...the real reason the police showed up to arrest us?  Perhaps it's because they discovered that we all have holes in our socks!

Sellers: Just turn off that alarm for showings.  And, while you're at it, just make it simple for me to sell your house!  Geeze!  

Will The Real Carol Culkin Please Stand Up!  Anybody my age or older, might remember that this was a line from an old TV game show - To Tell The Truth. 

As the game is played, there's a panel of four judges who have to identify the noteworthy REAL person of whom the name belongs.  Of three contestants, one has some small claim to fame, while the other two are impostors.  As all three contestants are interviewed, the two imposters tell lies to stump the panel, while the real person has sworn "to tell the truth."

Now, I personally have no claim to fame.  I am just an active Realtor relying on the Internet to connect with buyers and sellers.  Maybe it's just my own opinion, but my Internet activities seem to be very productive, at least  when it comes to generating business and nothing more.  People who know me in the business have even admitted to googling me to find my phone number.  If it were not for my Internet exposure, I would be at a huge disadvantage in this business. 

And, if my name was Mary Jones or Susan Smith, I might not be so easy to find in a google search.  I guess I would just have to resign to sharing that identity with many other individuals by the same name.

But, Carol Culkin at least seems to be a unique name.  Right?  Well, maybe it was!  Up until recently. 

Now, I find that there are at least two others out there, coming up on the google search.  I don't know either of them, but one has even emailed me in the past and we did compare some notes at one time.  Possibly, our husbands are distant relatives.  How ironic that she lives only two counties away and was once a real estate agent.  And, one thing I have in common with the other Carol Culkin is that she lives in Ohio - the same state I lived in, up until 10 years ago.  From information I gathered by reading various blogs, it looks like our daughters may have even gotten married around the same time.   

So, I think I'd like to be a contestant on To Tell The Truth. 

Will the real Carol Culkin please stand up.  I mean, the Realtor who goes by the name of Carol Culkin ...for, that would be ME.  

Since all three of us are coming up in google searches lately, I just want to make it very clear that I am NOT the Carol Culkin who openly writes editorials about Amy Fisher and Joey Buttafuoco, Women In Combat and The September 11th Memorial.  I might not mind that my name is associated with the latter two - but Amy & Joey???  Come on now! 

I guess I just want everybody to know that I am not the publicly opinionated Carol Culkin.  I am the one who prefers to keep a very low profile when it comes to anything that is not real estate related.  I am simply a Realtor who finds the Internet to be productive in a business sort of way.  Is that okay?

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Carol Culkin Email Carol   Phone: (845) 227-4400 x358 Cell: (845) 430-6543 Fax: (845) 231-1711 Address: 1989 Route 52 City: East Fishkill State: New York 12533 Country: United States http://www.dutchesshomefinder.com/

Houlihan Lawrence Houlihan Lawrence 1984 Rt. 82   East Fishkill  NY 12533 United States   Website: http://11wildwooddr.dutchesshomefinder.com

Spring is in the air!  The start of golf season is upon us.  For all the golf enthusiasts out there, Dutchess County has sixteen public golf courses that will appeal to the seasoned golf pro or the eager beginner.  Two are among the oldest in the country, two are designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and one is an Irish links-style course. 

For more information - click on this link http://www.golfable.com/golfcourses/county/Dutchess_County_NY 

Just don't expect to see me on a golf course.  I've tried it, and it's just NOT my game.  I actually have my own set of clubs.  I remember the day when I bought them, unbeknownst to my husband.  It was a spontaneous decision.  He was so surprised and happy that I was going to finally give golf a try.  I think he had visions of how we might grow old and grey together. 

That was more than 10 years ago.  I've used my clubs four or five times since.

The last time I went golfing was at College Hill's 9 hole course.  I was so frustrated.  I wanted to leave after the 4th hole.  My husband encouraged me to keep going, but after the 5th hole he finally decided to let me have my way, instead of letting me make a scene.  I guess the golf course is no place for hot-heads.  So we walked off the course over the hills, through the woods and back to the car.  Don't worry, I took him out to lunch to reward him for putting up with me.  

Funny, that I am in a business where money can bring out the evil in people and yet I can remain calm.  In a real estate transaction, I deal with my share of tempers but I am cool, calm and collected.  And, suddenly I find myself there on the golf course amongst all the cool calm and collected -and, it becomes evident that the game of golf just doesn't seem to bring out the best in ME. 

I just don't get it?  Why do I need a golf ball anyway to play the game?  I am much better at hitting those little clumps of grass called divots?  See, I really have the swing of it - just take away the golf ball and I think I could even be a pro.  Okay, maybe I just better stick to selling real estate on the weekends...     

What I've been hearing lately from the real estate consumer is that agents are not following up with their clients or potential clients.  I'm hearing it more and more.  And, I don't think it's all that coincidental that I am hearing more and more of agents who have found second jobs.  In this market, there is no excuse for not following up.  And, it's unacceptable for an agent to try to hide the truth from their clients.

Due to the decreasing amount of real estate transactions and lower average selling prices, many Realtors have had no choice but to take on second jobs to supplement their income.  It's no secret that the average paycheck for a real estate agent has been shrinking along with the frequency of compensation.  Many of the best agents in this business have taken 50% annual reductions in pay since 2006.  Many of my non-Realtor friends are out of work and collecting unemployment, while Realtors who are independent contractors (and the hardest hit of professions), are not entitled to such benefits.  To stay afloat, many Realtors have had no choice, but to get a job that produces a weekly paycheck.

Last month, a few agents from my office went out for breakfast and ran into one of our area's top real estate agent for our county.  He works for a firm I won't name.  It was early morning when they saw him - before the start of the business day.  He was spotted mopping floors in an office building.  The word is out, when he's not selling space, he's cleaning it.  He has apparently taken on a second job as a custodian.  I believe that's the politically correct title these days. 

A couple of years ago, another very good agent and a dear friend of mine took a job waiting tables.  As a single mom, she was simply doing what she had to do to get by.  Waitress by night, and Realtor by day.  I respected her position and remember commending her for it at the time.  In fact, I was proud of her for not being too ashamed to tell her clients either.  See, when a Realtor strays away from the business in search of supplemental income, it's kind of a dirty little secret.  God forbid, the competitor gets wind of this information - and uses it to gain the competitive edge.  Perhaps a seller especially, would think twice about hiring an agent who cannot be totally dedicated to managing their listing and eventual transaction.  And, that's exactly my concern too. 

Is it really possible for a real estate agent to moonlight and still provide the best services to the consumer?  I know from experience that this is a business that requires me to stay focused or at least be available to turn on a dime when there is a request to show a house.  Just yesterday, I had to stop what I was doing to meet a bank appraiser at a property.  When I was a new agent, my broker and many others in the area insisted on only hiring full-time agents.  The theory is, that in order for a Realtor to be successful, he or she must be dedicated.            

I believe some agents are just not being straight-forward enough to tell their clients that something else might stand in the way of regular follow up - like a second job.  Doesn't the consumer deserve the truth?  Perhaps people would actually understand it if a Realtor admitted to having a second job.  I see nothing wrong with this, as long as the agent can set some sort of expectations of when they will be available to follow up.  Is it really fair for a client to find this out after they've become dependent on a real estate agent who is suppose to be providing a 24/7 service?  How do Realtors expect to gain the trust of their clients if they are not abiding by the golden rule that "honesty is the best policy"?

The Poughkeepsie Journal reported this week that the real estate market in the Mid-Hudson Valley is beginning to pick up pace.  In March, accepted purchase offers rose 27.2%.  Homes sold faster in March 2009 compared to a year ago with the average days on the market decreasing by 7.7 percent to 120 days.

One local broker had been quoted for the article to say "new federal first-time home buyer tax credit of up to $8,000, combined with mortgage rates at 5 percent and even below, are the keys".

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20090408/BUSINESS/904080323/1003/NEWS11

Personally speaking, my office recorded almost twice the amount of listing appointments this week compared to 3 weeks ago.

These are all sure tale signs that buyers are beginning to take action.  If you've been thinking about buying a home in Dutchess County, wait no longer.  If you act now, you will take advantage of reduced prices and low interest rates.  It might not ever get any better than this! Now's the time.   

The Hudson Valley Renegades 2009 season game tickets will go on sale April 18 at Dutchess Stadium and via the club's Web site at hvrenegades.com.   Tickets go on sale at the Renegades box office at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. at hvrenegades.com. 

Ticket prices for all Renegades 2009 home games are: $14 for premium seats, $12 for box seats, $10 for reserved, $7 for reserved grandstand and $5 for general admission.  

Starting Monday, April 20 the Renegades Box Office will open officially for phone and walk-up ticket sales. The box office will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

To order your individual game tickets visit hvrenegades.com or contact the box office at 845.838.0094. 

Don't miss out on any of the fun this summer...call the Renegades box office today.

Can you feel the love?  President Obama is being dubbed "The Hugger In Chief".  A Man Hugger.  Back in January, news anchors referred to a clip showing the President hugging members of his White House Senior Staff -  they counted 9 hugs in total, as they jokingly called President Obama a "man hugger."

See the clip - http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4746449n

So, Is hugging really considered unacceptable? 

Everybody is talking.  Did Michelle Obama break royal protocol during last week's visit with Queen Elizabeth II?  The meeting began with a handshake that ended up in a hug initiated by the first lady, and it even caused the Queen to give a hug back - a hug that nobody expected. And, London was a little taken back.  See, they say it was a breach of protocol.  The Queen is not to be touched beyond a political handshake. 

Hey! ...Don't Get Your Panties In A Bunch!

Back here, in the good old US of A - I ask the question ....what's all the fuss about? 

Isn't it nice that we no longer have stuffy politicians with scowling faces portraying the image of our great country?  Isn't it nice to see a kinder and gentler President and First Lady?  Isn't this couple the epitome of the American people. They are far more down to earth than all the others before them who were born with silver spoons in their mouths.  Finally, the White House is occupied by real people who show signs of genuine affection towards themselves and others.  Real people who ...well, hug.  And, the President and First Lady are not even afraid of getting cooties!  

As for me, each time I hug somebody it's a genuine act.  Naturally, I don't think twice about hugging my family and friends.  But, in business I hug my clients, other real estate agents, my favorite mortgage reps and attorneys who I have good working relationships with.  Heck, hugging has become part of my day to day business and I believe it's even become part of our overall business culture as we begin to embark into this new century.   

After all, hasn't the hug become the new handshake? 

A hug is simply a gesture that shows people you care, that you're happy to be sharing the moment, and that you appreciate them.  A hug demonstrates peace between two people.  So, what can be all that wrong about world dignitaries hugging and striving for peaceful relations?

So, I ask ...what's wrong with a little hug?