DUTCHESS COUNTY REAL ESTATE

Upward mobility - it seemed to be on every body's mind a few years ago.  It wasn't very long ago that a McMansion seemed to be THE American dream - and, for some people, only luxury would do.  According to an article I was reading today, that's so 2005.  The homes we live in, the cars we drive - did this really make us the people we are today?  Perhaps many of us couldn't really afford our former lifestyles and today's economy is a true test of that.  Those who have been able to maintain it all through tough times will surely have less left now for retirement.  It's a whole different environment today and the reality is that none of us will ever probably be as financially secure as we had once imagined. 

Living above our means and being pretentious all these years, what did it do for us?  Did it help us forget the modest lifestyles we came from?  Did it help us erase the poverty we were born into?  Do you know what might have triggered you?  For me, my own upward mobility came from trying to tap into a part of my privileged childhood that my parents had to put on hold once my father lost his job and found himself extremely over-qualified in his field and having to settle for mediocre pay by the time he was 50 years old.  I was about 10 at the time - when they stopped sending men to the moon.  That's what dad did best as a highly qualified electrical engineer working in the aeronautical industry. I remember the beautiful homes we had lived in and how I felt like a princess before my parents downsized to a modest ranch when I was in junior high school.  

I'm not sure I ever saw it happening in myself as an adult. But, perhaps the pretense of having it all many years later made me feel less insecure as an adult.  It didn't help that my modest lifestyle as a teenager was still an impressive one compared to my husband's upbringing.  Together, we strived to achieve as much as possible and to better our lives.  And, I know we were not alone.  We were surrounded by a generation of baby boomers who had to have it all - and all for different reasons.  But, I suspect it was all about feeding our egos.  It seems most people I know live far better off than their own parents did.  I even wonder now what message did our baby boomer generation send to the children we were raising at the time.  This is a materialistic society which we created for them, as we were trying to achieve our own Yuppy status.  Do I want my children to live happy and carefree lives as adults?  I prefer to know that even with all their college education behind them, that my kids can afford to live happily, comfortably and carefree lifestyles without having to be workaholics and missing out on great life experiences because they have huge homes to maintain and are driving expensive cars?  Heck no. That's not what life is REALLY all about.   

As we became young urban professionals, many of us didn't even think twice about paying $4 for a cup of Starbucks coffee? And, now here we are today.  As I get closer and closer to being issued that AARP card, I must wake up each morning wishing I had a dollar in my retirement account for every cup of Starbucks I've ever sipped. Do I have regrets?  You bet.

And, all those years, I kept dreaming about a bigger and better house.  What was I thinking?  We've owned five homes - each bigger and better than the last.  Now?  Would you be surprised to know that a recent poll shows that the biggest white elephant of the 2000's is the McMansion. 

Most shameful financial fantasy?  - "The Secret"- the mega best seller which people insist was a way to think yourself to financial wealth (personally, I'm not surprised).  At least I didn't fall for that.  I can proudly admit I did not read it.

Yes, this article below sums it up and tells about these and other regrets many of us have today - and it actually inspired me to write this post. 

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/LearnToBudget/thats-so-2005-what-were-we-thinking.aspx?page=2

Are you living today for something that is so 2005?  Will you continue to strive to have it all?  Or, will you resign to being modest and humble?  - I am doing just that.    

What other lifestyle fads are fading away?  While thinking materialistically over the years, do baby boomers regret cash-out financing and how it allowed us to use our home equity to purchase new cars, take resort vacations, and pay off credit cards which helped fund extravagant lifestyles?  Using home equity to pay for upgrades, swimming pools, home additions - didn't this concept ultimately reduce most people's net worth?  Surprisingly, the above article touches on many real estate related mistakes.  

Our society is now transitioning from dreaming and wanting for the lavish lifestyle to the reality of living modestly.  I find that it has had a humbling experience on me.  In fact, I am really okay about it.  Perhaps it's because I lived my adult life as a parent striving for the best and always wanting more - for myself and my children, and had I not  - things might have been different.  If in the end, I might have only achieved two thirds of what I set out to accomplish, I will at least remind myself that I never anticipated hobnobbing with the jet-setters either.  My goals were somewhat realistic. 

What have I learned?  What if I never achieve all that I set out for?  Well, I am still the same person.  As I get older, I realize it's all about all the fine qualities I project from the inside out that make me who I am today.  It's not about material things - those only made me feel good about myself and usually the effect was only temporary.  Nothing I was able to buy made me who I am today.  My own drive, determination, focus and self-motivation got in the way of finding out that there is more to me than meets the eye.  The house I live in or the car I drive, it has nothing to do with who I really am.  I can't take it all back.  Those $4 coffees are a thing of the past.  I've watched my retirement account shrink. My big home is worth less than it was a few years ago.  But, it's not about net worth.  It's our own self worth which really matters more.  On judgment day that is all that will matter.  After all the disappointment of having to give up so much and settle for a modest lifestyle, my father once told me that it's not all about being the richest person in the cemetery.  He is physically challenged today, but still a very wise man.       

What seller is not anxious for an offer these days?  As a Realtor, I often come across remarks in listings indicating a seller is negotiable or eager for some action - like this morning, when I came across this listing stating "Owner Wants An Offer! Negotiable!"  ...And, what's so wrong about stating this in the listing remarks?  Nothing.  I've done it myself, after being directed by my seller clients to do so.  And, usually my clients have directed me to do this only after all attempts to properly market the property with great photos and accurate pricing have produced no results.

Negotiable?  What measures need to be taken first to ensure that the seller might not have to advertise how negotiable a property may or may not be?

See, upon reviewing the listing I came across this morning which I used as an example here, there's a little more than meets the eye. First, I noticed the property has been on the market for 73 days.  Then, I noticed the lack of a marketing photo of the property. So, is this the real reason why the seller might be anxious? Perhaps, the listing agent really hasn't done everything possible for this seller in an effort to promote the property. If this is the best that the agent can do, no wonder the seller might have to be negotiable!  

BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED 2ND FLOOR TWO BEDROOM UNIT AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY. LOVELY DECOR. MOVE IN CONDITION. POOL ON SITE. CONVENIENT SOUTHERN DUTCHESS LOCATION CLOSE TO I-84 AND RT. 9 CONVENIENCES.  $169,900

RELOCATING?  CALL CAROL 227-4400 ext. 358

SPECIALIZING IN DUTCHESS COUNTY RELOCATION

Carol Culkin, ABR, SRES, Associate Broker for Houlihan Lawrence, is your source for real estate in Dutchess County. Carol is an award winning residential specialist and has been a Dutchess County top Realtor since 2002. If you are looking for a Dutchess County real estate agent who will be your advocate while providing you top priority service, call Carol today at 845-227-4400 x358 or on her cell phone at 845-430-6543.  http://www.dutchesshomefinder.com/

I must admit, I was not too impressed with Poughkeepsie when I first moved to the Hudson Valley from a large Metropolitan city in the Midwest.  That was 10 years ago.  How things have changed.  Could it be that this town sort of grew on me, or is it the transformation that has taken place over time which makes me like this place more?  Okay, maybe it's a little bit of both. 

Perhaps I was a bit shallow back then too.  As I remember, I was first disappointed because there wasn't a Starbucks and yet Dunkin Donuts was everywhere.  Eventually, Starbucks found Poughkeepsie and the neighboring towns of Fishkill and Wappingers Falls too.  But, as it took time getting here, I found myself beginning to like Dunkin Donuts coffee even more. No longer a coffee snob, there's no going back to Starbucks unless my sleepy little head is crying out for a latte with a double shot of espresso just because I need a Ritalin equivalent. So, Dunkin Donuts is now my fave - could it be that I just adapted to simpler things?

Well, if I was a coffee snob back then, I was certainly NOT a high end shopper in search of Prada. I also remember being a bit annoyed because Target had not found Poughkeepsie on the map either. Today Target has become a big hit amongst local discount shoppers on a budget. But, before the arrival of Target bargain shoppers had to settle for the grungiest Kmart in the nation - I have been to many cities and this K-Mart was (and still is) the most worn out, ugliest and filthiest. I am surprised to this day that K-Mart has remained open with a competitor like Target.

Then came other brands too.  Panera has been here for about two to three years now.  But, don't go there at lunch time if you have limited time to spare.  Sometimes customers are lined up to the door. 

Coldstone Creamery is another huge hit with the locals. Both Coldstone and Panera are located in Chestnut Plaza - good luck finding a good parking space there. 

Restaurant chains seemed to have been long overdue back when I moved to Dutchess County. It was my biggest gripe when I first moved here. I was told that folks in the Hudson Valley prefer the Mom & Pop places and were resistant to national chains.  Well, if this were true then why have chains like Red Robin and Chili's become so well received? And, soon we will have our own T.G.I. Fridays - whoo hoo! At grand opening, I will have to wait until some of the novelty wears off before attempting to go anywhere close to that section of Route 9. 

As for recreation and fitness, our local gyms seemed to resemble the good ole boys club when I first moved here.  Even the Gold's Gym seemed to be filled with intimidating muscle-men who only lifted weights and drove pick-ups. Yes, it felt like a good ole boys club. Then Gold's relocated and expanded into a real fitness center where people work out without feeling intimidated, attend spinning classes, and the gym is utilized for indoor youth soccer. It's become a family place and the new parking lot is filled with BMWs SUVs and Volvo station wagons.

I loved to take long bicycle rides when I moved here, but the closest bike path at the time was all the way up in Amenia. Today, the Dutchess Rail Trail is being completed in stages and paths have already opened up between Hopewell Junction and Wappingers Falls. I am so pleased that progress has been made in the form of family recreation.

I think the very worst impression I had of this place when I moved here was in the City of Poughkeepsie.  It looked so unkept and almost forgotten at the time. The old historic city buildings had so much potential, yet retailers and businesses had left these locations long ago and the vacancy rate was so apparent. And, the riverfront seemed to be such a desolate place. 

And then it happened. Restoration of the Luckey Platt Building transformed this great architectural structure into apartments and retail space. Located at the corner of Main Street and Academy Street, this building sits at the heart of downtown Poughkeepsie. A neo-classical building, it was once a regional department store servicing the surrounding counties, and is considered the key to continued progress along the Main Street Corridor. The revitalization momentum up and down Main Street began to fast forward after Luckey Platt development began. Various rehabilitation projects surrounding Luckey Platt have been designed to reflect the late 19th century streetscape typical of Poughkeepsie's Main Street of yesteryear. The Main Street building facades have all been restored to the true original architecture of their time.  

Down the street, Metro North Railroad has invested millions into renovations of the Poughkeepsie train station where regularly scheduled commuter trains and Amtrak serve the community.  More and more, local residents are using the train station to connect to Grand Central, Penn Station, and even to points north.  Hence, an influx of newcomers moving to Dutchess County.

Adjacent to the Poughkeepsie Train Station, a once abandoned warehouse is now the renovated Dooley Square which has been converted to retail, office and restaurants. Located right on Main Street, a block from the Hudson River, the Poughkeepsie station and Dooley Square will soon be linked to a waterfront commercial venue and parks. Currently waterfront improvement and construction projects are underway to utilize the park system and link an entire waterfront commercial complex to a public walkway.

As Dutchess County and the City of Poughkeepsie continue to improve and develop, the transformation has become more noticeable.  As a Realtor, it's reassuring to know that I invested into an up and coming community.  Soon the City's Riverfront and the historic Main Street will offer unparalleled value and opportunity in housing and in business.  Dutchess County has transformed beautifully in the last ten years that I have lived here and it now has a great amount of appeal which attracts newcomers - mostly from the pricier places south of here (Manhattan, The Bronx and Westchester County).

Moving to Dutchess ....try these helpful links to gather more information:

http://www.pkny.info/moving.php

http://www.co.dutchess.ny.us/       

.                                       

RELOCATING?  CALL CAROL 227-4400 ext. 358

Carol Culkin, ABR, SRES, Associate Broker for Houlihan Lawrence, is your source for real estate in Dutchess County. Carol is an award winning residential specialist and has been a Dutchess County top Realtor since 2002. If you are looking for a real estate agent who will be your advocate while providing you top priority service, call Carol today at 845-227-4400 x358 or on her cell phone at 845-430-6543.  http://www.dutchesshomefinder.com/

When my previous hair stylist cut back to part-time it became impossible for me to work appointments into her schedule. So, I made a decision to find somebody else.  That was back in December.  I felt bad parting ways with somebody who I did business with for a number of years.  I even sold her grandmother's house as a direct result of our business relationship and I had gotten to know her family well. ...But, I must admit - I really did like the outcome of my first visit with my new hairdresser which was on the day this picture was taken for my business cards. 

This picture was taken immediately following our first encounter.  What the photo doesn't show is how fantastic the permanent color treatment turned out, with subtle red highlights called "chocolate cherry" ...it's very challenging to find a good color specialist who can hide the gey and won't turn my brown hair into a brassy orange.

Color treatments are very time consuming, so I try to allot.  But, I have one problem with my new stylist.  Today was the second time she kept me waiting 45 minutes to begin working her magic.  I tried to relax while I waited.  I seldom have the time to just sit and read People magazines, so I tried to enjoy myself.  But, 45 minutes????  I rushed out of my house in a frenzy because I didn't want to be late, just to wait, wait wait. The last time this happened, I actually had a listing appointment scheduled and had to call to explain that I was running late.  Thank goodness the homeowner was somebody who I know, somebody who I once mentored as a newbie real estate agent who eventually opted out of the business.  

Well, I could have let the situation slide, but it happened again today.  So, I have now made a decision not to go back to this American Board certified master hair colorist, even though she has great credentials.  See, she provides a service that is very similar to other master hair colorists, she's not the only one.  And, I have unlimited choices.  I'm rather busy myself with my own business and clientele and I find it disrespectful and discourteous to have to wait so long after my scheduled appointment time.  It's not like I was a walk-in.  Ironically, I purchase Aveda products with each visit too.  I paid a hefty $200 today at the salon with services and products combined.  And, that's the last time they'll ever see me there. 

Is there a lesson in all this?  You bet.  ...Be on time and have respect for your client's time.  ...Understand that your clients have options.  ...Be aware that your competitors are providing similar services and that chocolate cherry can easily be duplicated.  ...Anybody who might be considered a master at what they do must also realize that there are other reasons why people might want to continue doing business with them - and, skill is only one of many factors. 

A little common sense?  Business sense?  Dollars and cents?  Whatever. you might call it ...time is money for our customers too.  When I am the client - I won't tolerate anybody who wastes MY time.  And this was a great reminder, of how I must value and respect the time my clients put aside to meet with me. Today, I am showing 12 homes to one buyer - because I know he needs to utilize the time he has set aside on his one and only day off.  Got time?  You bet I do ...when it comes to servicing MY customers.  And, I'll even make sure we'll start on time!         

For a change it wasn't ME, caught in a sticky situation. Instead, I get to be the one laughing.  I was just minding my own business today and getting caught up with work at my office when the admin approached me to advise that the agent who had scheduled a showing for one of my listings today was on hold - she had called my office because she could not find the lockbox. The admin wanted to know if there was indeed a lock box for this property.

Funny, I was just there yesterday to meet with the sellers and I remember seeing the lockboxhanging from the doorknob.  Yet, the agent was insisting that there wasn't one. 

I knew my client was probably working down in NY City today and assumed that the nanny was there. So, I told the admin to instruct the agent to knock on the door because somebody was probably home.  Meanwhile, I called my client to let her know the agent was at the property and was trying to get in. She confirmed that there is a lockbox on the front door. I was going to suggest that she call the nanny to let her know somebody was there and to let them in.

Well, instead - when I reached out to my client I found out that the husband actually took the day off from work and was home.  She informed me that he had just advised her that it looked like the agent went to the house next door instead.  Well, no wonder she couldn't find a lockbox - that house is not for sale.

Quick - I told my client that she might want to tell her husband to go next door and let the other agent know that she was at the wrong house. Meanwhile, I asked our admin to call the other agent back and also let her know.

I didn't think anything more of this situation. I simply got caught up with other things.  But, much later in the afternoon I happened to ask the admin if she had been able to reach that agent. That's when she informed me of what had happened. When the agent was told that somebody should be home (nanny) she apparently knocked and when nobody answered she opened the door and yelled out. Nobody acknowledged her so she let herself in. When the agent answered her phone she told the adnin that she was standing in the basement - of the next door neighbor's house. Oh my gosh!  

I Haven't been able to shake this image. I am imagining it had to be one of those most eembarrassing Realtor moments. And, this time I am so glad it wasn't ME.