Carol Culkin

Finally, two long awaited closings today - along the way, both transactions consisted of many, many bumps in the road. Everybody felt such relief to finally be sitting at the closing tables. I don't think I ever remembered feeling so deserving of a pay-check either. Yet, what was more gratifying is seeing the smiles on everybody faces (even the attorneys had fun). Regardless, of issues we had prior to arriving at this day and the stressful moments - all the parties liked each other in the end. The closings were more than just amicable it was upbeat and everybody was joking and having fun. I've been to a lot of closings and for the most part my transactions are amicable, but I never saw so many people enjoying eachother's company. Although I was looking forward to getting paid, I wasn't looking forward to my marathon day. But, by golly - I had a ball!

At the second closing, the bank made a huge error and it took 3 hours at the closing table. The seller didn't get funded. As we worked on the problem with the bank, the bank attorney (who drove an hour and a half from Long Island) said "why is everybody being so nice about this?" he stated- "not in Long Island this would go so smoothly!"

And the locals replied in unison - "This is Upstate NY, for ya!

Since my clients had closed on their home-sale earlier in the day, they were homeless and having to contemplate an overnight stay at a hotel. Just then the seller handed over the keys and said "go ahead stay at the house tonight". His attorney shot him a look but respected his client's decision. The funny thing, unbeknownst to the sellers, my clients noticed two broken windows during the walk through but decided not to make waves (even after their attorney and I had advised that they were entitled to a credit). But, now I am not so sure the outcome would have been the same had we gone after a credit. What a great example of KARMA!

From Wikipedia:

A random act of kindness is a purportedly selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual or in some cases even an animal. There will generally be no reason other than to make people smile, or be happier. Either spontaneous or planned in advance, random acts of kindness are encouraged by various communities. An oft-cited example of a random act of kindness is, when paying the toll at a toll booth on a highway, to pay the toll for the vehicle behind you as well.

Think you are going to be a couch potato this winter! Considering hibernating? Well, don't you know there are plenty of things to do in Dutchess County in the winter time? So, put on some layers and come outdoors! There are many winter activities waiting for you in the mid-Hudson Valley during the winter season - from hiking to cross-country skiing to snowshoeing. Not too far away in the Catskills there are many downhill ski slopes too - check out Belleayre, Hunter and Windham mountains. My favorite place for sledding is James Baird State Park in LaGrange. Below is a web-site link for outdoor winter recreation. Don't worry the weather outside sometimes only looks frightful. Part of the beauty of the Hudson Valley are the snow falls - that blanket of white landscape. Why not make the most of it???

http://cityguide.pojonews.com/fe/Recreation/stories/re_activities.asp

http://bearsystems.com/ski/ski.html

A favorite dining experience in the Hudson Valley - The Culinary Institute of America has become one of the top tourist attractions. Located in Hyde Park, the CIA is opened to the public. The campus operates five award-winning, student-staffed public restaurants - St. Andrew's Café, Ristorante Caterina de' Medici, the Escoffier Restaurant, American Bounty Restaurant, and the Apple Pie Bakery Café. Reservations are suggested for all restaurants except the bakery café. For reservations, call 845-471-6608, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The CIA give diners the opportunity to taste the cuisine of tomorrow's great chefs, today.

The CIA has recently announced the return of its annual fixed price or "prix fixe" menus for lunch and dinner.

Available from January 7th until April 30th, Monday through Thursday, guests can enjoy a three-course lunch for $22 or a three-course dinner for $32. Both include coffee or tea. Selected dishes from each restaurant's menu are included in the prix fixe offerings. For more information, log onto the web-site below.

http://www.ciachef.edu/admissions/news/news_story_univ.asp?iNewsID=687&strBack=/Default.asp&strlocationname=Home+Page

In putting together MLS statistics for a client presentation, I aim for a clear snapshot of what has happened in the Dutchess County real estate market over the last few years. I went as far back as 2003 - the last healthy year for sales. When analyzing the changes from year to year, the figures become rather astonishing!

Often in real estate, agents compare the current year to the year before. I feel it has a far bigger impact when you stack up the numbers as follows:

Purchase Offers 1st of Month

November 2002 - 2003 +14%

November 2003 - 2004 -10%

November 2004 - 2005 -50%

November 2005 - 2006 -20%

November 2006 - 2007 -15% (most recent)

So, while most agents might claim the market is down from last year, I show my clients that sales volume has been declining from year to year - since 2003.

Although the market in our area began changing a few years back, it wasn't until recent months that the media has started shedding light on the situation. At the onset of the changing market, I found when I consulted with sellers a few years ago, they would look at me like I had two heads whenever I recommend pricing realistically due to "noticeable market changes". Now, it's easy - one would have to be living in a cave to not "get it"...

Um, okay, many sellers STILL don't get it, but I think we do have TV here in Dutchess County!

Anyway, the above statistics really do help me as an agent in encouraging sellers to understand what has happened over time and what is still happening. I usually finish this presentation by tooting my horn a little and giving them a more optimistic report (in hopes they are going to hire me):

...Since 2004 I have been the top listing agent and top producer for my office - this means that during the most challenging times in real estate....

I am getting results! AND, I continue earning awards for sales!

So, I will come prepared for tomorrow's presentation.....

Mr. & Mrs. Seller, tell me why I wouldn't be the very best candidate for the job of listing and selling your Dutchess County home?

This is a warning to all homebuyers and sellers. By law a real estate agent must disclose to you who they are representing. Never make any assumptions that a real estate agent is representing your best interests unless you have it in writing. In New York (and most states) there is a state disclosure form that must be presented to you. If the agent you are working with does not present this to you - they are not doing their job and they could be breaking the law!

"New York state law requires real estate licensees who are acting as agents of buyers or sellers of property to advise the potential buyers or sellers with whom they work of the nature of their agency relationship and the rights and obligations it creates. This disclosure will help you to make informed choices about your relationship with the real estate broker and its sales associates".

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT BY LAW TO HAVE INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATION

- An agent that represents YOU, owes you Care, Confidentiality, Loyalty, Obedience and a Duty to Account.

-An agent representing the other party only owes you Fairness & Honesty.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!