Carol Culkin

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...

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.

A showcase of the fine art created by art students of John Jay High School will be on display March 19th through April 17th at the East Fishkill Houlihan Lawrence office. The opening reception will be on Thursday, March 19th from 5-7pm. Please join the Houlhan Lawrence team in recognizing these talented art students. The East Fishkill Houlihan Lawrence office is located at 1989 Rt 52 across from the high school. For more information call 845-227-4400.

CIRCA 1903 CRAFTSMAN STYLE COLONIAL DESIGNED BY FAMED ARCHITECT ANDRE REID. KNOWN AS THE ETHOL HOUSE ON THE NATIONAL HISTORIC REGISTRY AND HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT & SOPHISTICATED RESIDENCES OF IT'S PERIOD. MADE OF HUDSON VALLEY STONE. BOASTS HARDWOOD & SLATE TILE FLOORING. NEW KITCHEN FEATURES MAPLE CABINETS, NATURAL SLATE FLOORING, GRANITE COUNTERS & STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES. CONVENIENT 2ND FLOOR LAUNDRY. ATTACHED GUEST QUARTERS OR POSSIBLE IN-LAW APARTMENT. TWO CAR GARAGE W/CIRCULAR DRIVE & A GENEROUS .67 ACRE CITY LOT. ENJOY COUNTRY ESTATE LIVING ON THE CITY'S CONVENIENT SOUTHSIDE.

WALKING DISTANCE TO VASSAR COLLEGE, PARKS. FIVE/TEN MINUTE DRIVE TO AMTRAK & METRO NORTH COMMUTER TRAIN STATION, MARIST COLLEGE, VASSAR/ST. FRANCES HOSPITALS AND POUGHKEEPSIE IBM. FIFTEEN MINUTES TO THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA (CIA). OFFERED AT $499,900 - (845) 430-6543.