Carol Culkin, Dutchess County

ORIGINAL OWNER. WELL MAINTAINED RAISED RANCH IN MOVE-IN CONDITION. CUL-DE-SAC STREET. THIS HOME OFFERS GLEAMING HARDWOOD FLOORS, AN EXTENDED LOWER LEVEL WITH GREAT IN-LAW SUITE/4TH BDRM POTENTIAL AND A THREE SEASON ROOM OVERLOOKING THE TREE LINED BACKYARD. ENTIRE LOWER LEVEL RENOVATED AND REMODELED JUST TWO YEARS AGO - INCLUDING NEW FLOORING AND DRYWALL. SELLER WILL WELCOME ALL REASONABLE OFFERS. FLEXIBLE CLOSING DATE. $269,900.

CAROL CULKIN, ABR, SRES (845) 430-6543 Helping Dutchess County Residents Avoid Foreclosure
Associate Broker, Helping Dutchess County Residents With Short Sales
Century 21 Alliance Helping Dutchess County Residents Move On

So, you've been offered a new job, which will result in having to move to a new town. Everything is happening so fast. There's so much to consider all at once. Sell your house, buy a house, new schools for the kids, arranging for movers - and the list goes on. Initially, you might have scanned real estate websites to determine housing affordability.

But, wait! Did you only glance at home prices without researching the taxes? Yes, don't forget those property and school taxes? While your at it, check out the state income tax - how does it compare to where you currently live? Have you mapped out any of the homes which appeal to you for a better understanding of commute times. Have you taken the climate and utility costs into consideration? And, don't forget that car insurance, grocery costs and gas prices vary from one part of the country to another.

You are sure to have huge regrets if you don't completely research the overall cost of living before making that decision to accept a new job out of town. Don't just base it solely on housing prices. If you wait to become more informed after already accepting the job then you might find yourself wondering if it is too late to reconsider?

I sell houses in the Hudson Valley and have been doing it for some time. I've also relocated five times prior to settling here. As a Realtor, I often point out all the wonderful attributes of my community. I promote the Hudson Valley as a great place to live. However, I cannot and will not go as far as saying that the Hudson Valley is an affordable place to live compared to other aresa of the country. For me, it's what I made of the situation. Yes, I had to go up in price to get the kind of house I wanted and the taxes are higher here than where I had lived in Ohio. But, I have learned to sacrifice in other ways.

Before moving here I did my research. I wasn't a Realtor back then. But, I learned from a past experience that a cost of living comparison is very important when considering a relocation. Knowing the cost of living expenses in advance prepared me for the move here. I remember being in sticker shock.

My advice to anybody considering an employee relocation is to be prepared to ask for more money, but only after doing some research and being able to justify the request to your employer.There are many websites that offer cost of living calculators. My favorite is the one provided at Homefair.com http://www.homefair.com/real-estate/cost-of-living.asp . This website also features many other great relocation articles and tools.

Considering a relocation? Put the brakes on. You might feel it's well deserved, but don't be too overjoyed with that new title or a huge pay increase until you can first be sure of how far your money will go at your destination city. Don't be in such a hurry ...or, you could sell yourself short.

HANDYMAN SPECIAL. THIS HOME OFFERS WONDERFUL POTENTIAL FOR THE BUYER WHO LIKES TO SHINE THINGS UP. THIS CAN BE A SHINY PENNY! GREAT FOR INVESTORS. GREAT BACKYARD. AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY. NOT A SHORT SALE OR FORECLOSURE - SELLERS WILL CONSIDER ALL REASONABLE OFFERS. $139,500

CAROL CULKIN, ABR, SRES (845) 430-6543 Helping Dutchess County Residents Avoid Foreclosure
Associate Broker, Helping Dutchess County Residents With Short Sales
Century 21 Alliance Helping Dutchess County Residents Move On

It was great that many homeowners who were teetering near financial collapse were able to get their banks to agree to loan modifications. Wait. Maybe it wasn't such a good plan for some. Many of these folks are falling behind again. According to a Bloomberg report in March 2010, 51% of loan modifications failed within 9 months.

You can read the article in its entirety by clicking on the link below.

http://www.bearishnews.com/post/3218

And, just today MSNBC reports - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38603412/ns/business-real_estate

More Homeowners Who Got Federal Mortgage Aid Fall Behind

Apparently the Federal Mortgage Aid turned out to be just a band-aid.

While previewing a house this week a seller asked me how the market is. I could sense her frustration since her meticulously maintained home has been on the market for months and is even priced right in my opinion. As a Realtor, people ask me all the time how the market is. All I can say is that it isn't getting any better. Brace yourself ...are you ready for the next round of foreclosures????

Foreclosures continue to drive down prices.

If you are one of these homeowners who is still facing financial hardship, do not delay. Stop the harassing calls from banks and other lenders. The stress can be worse than the realization that you need to move forward. Don't let pride stand in the way - ask your Realtor to tell you about the short sale process.

CAROL CULKIN, ABR, SRES (845) 430-6543 Helping Dutchess County Residents Avoid Foreclosure
Associate Broker, Helping Dutchess County Residents With Short Sales
Century 21 Alliance Helping Dutchess County Residents Move On

The cat's out of the bag and the news has broken. The Hudson Valley will play host to the wedding of the decade when Chelsea Clinton is married in Rhinebeck, NY at the former estate of John Jacob Astor IV. The Astor estate is known to be the most magnificent of the Hudson Valley mansions with beautiful views of the Hudson River below spectacular mountain backdrop. This venue offers such a breathtaking setting. Dutchess County residents can be very proud knowing that their part of the world was selected when there were so many choices the Clinton family probably considered. For more information click on the link below.

http://www.prlog.org/10770871-breaking-news-clinton-to-be-married-in-rhinebeck-new-york-according-to-the-hudson-valley-news.html