Carol Culkin

Sesame Street Live - ELMO MAKES MUSIC! March 13, 2009 - March 15, 2009 Great family fun awaits, Mark your calendar for a musical event like no other-monsters making music! Elmo, Zoe, Big Bird and all their Sesame Street friends are taking to the stage to share their love of music in Sesame Street Live "Elmo Makes Music."

Jenny, an enthusiastic new music teacher, arrives on Sesame Street only to discover that her instruments are missing. Jenny's new Muppet friends quickly come to the rescue and discover ‘instruments' they never knew existed...rubber duckies, trash can lids and even cookie jars. Elmo and friends teach children that everyone can make and enjoy beautiful music together.

Adults will hear music they'll recognize and enjoy sharing with children, such as "The Hustle," "You Should Be Dancing" and "Rockin' Robin." "Elmo Makes Music" features nearly two dozen songs, including classics that children will love to sing along with such as "C Is for Cookie" and "The Alphabet Song."

All your favorite characters live on stage, poration. Mid Hudson Civic Center, 14 Civic Center Plaza Poughkeepsie, NY . Tckesta are available @ http://www.ticketmaster.com/

Calling all first time home buyers - the time is closing in on the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. The maximum tax credit of $7,500 is available for first-time home buyers only, for homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009.

Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

The tax credit works like an interest-free loan and must be repaid over a 15-year period.

In Dutchess County, a closing could take 8-10 weeks from start to finish. This does not take into account the time frame of a home purchase involving a bank owned property (foreclosure) or short sale - these transactions could take several weeks longer.

Don't miss out! For more information click on this link http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/

Time is of the essence for buyers who want to take advantage of this outstanding opportunity. Only homes purchased on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009 are eligible.

Each Sunday I look into the local paper and see that there are only 2 real estate firms who advertise on a regular basis. Some brokers are still advertising, while others are cowering in a corner, trying to hold onto their money with both fists and trying to convince sellers that buyers will find listings online. That's because online advertising is cheap and easy.

Okay, so statistics show 85% of home buyers DO shop online. BUT, what about the other 15%? Can a seller really afford to take a chance in this market by using a real estate firm that won't be offering full-blown advertising?

Guess what? I'm only one agent, but my phone rang last week because one of my listings was advertised in the Sunday paper. Is there power in print advertising? You betcha!

It's no coincidence that the 2 real estate firms which advertise on a regular basis in the local paper have consistently ranked as the top 2 leaders in market share for the area. Amd, my firm is one of those!

If you are a Dutchess County seller and your property has been on the market a long time, I urge you to do one thing. Track your showings. Which real estate firms are bringing buyers to your door? I can almost guarantee that it's the real estate agents who work for the companies that advertise in the Sunday paper week after week. Buyers are calling in on those ads and establishing a relationship with agents from these firms. And, agents like to promote their own listings first. So, doesn't it make sense to be listed with these firms which have a pool of buyers?

If your listing is soon to expire, you should be considering a change. If your listing recently expired, it's time for a change. If you are in the preliminary process of selling your property, don't make the same mistake others have - list your home with a real estate firm that markets real estate - in print AND online. After all, when you're paying Realtor fees, don't you deserve to get results?

SHOW ME THE MONEY? ...Look at the newspaper and you can see where money in real estate marketing is being spent.

In business, we have to spend money to make money. When selling your home, doesn't it make sense to list your property with a real estate firm that has an allocated advertising budget? How do you find out which brokers have money to spend on advertising? The answer is in the real estate section of your local paper.

The City of Poughkeepsie was founded in 1687 and is located midway between New York City and Albany, the state capitol, on the east side of the Hudson River, which recently has been declared to be a National Heritage Area. Poughkeepsie is a small city with a total land area of just 4.8 square miles. It is surrounded on three sides by the Town of Poughkeepsie and on the west by the majestic Hudson River.

The name Poughkeepsie is derived from the native Americans that lived in the area. The City has a long and important history. The courthouse on Market Street is where New York ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1788. Early in its history, the city was a major center for whale rendering, followed by breweries along the banks of the Hudson.

Some of the breweries were owned by Matthew Vassar, founder of the renowned Vassar College. Culturally, the Bardavon 1869 Opera House is the focus of many activities in Poughkeepsie, along with the Mid-Hudson Civic Center and the Cunneen-Hackett Cultural Center housed in the former home of Matthew Vassar. The Glebe House is a 1767 house that has been restored to represent a modest home of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The City's ethnic diversity can be found in the many riverfront and downtown restaurants. The City has a wide range of housing choices, including many historic homes and districts. It is a good place to do business. Best of all, it has a diverse and friendly population. The City is centrally located with excellent rail service to NYC and South, and Albany to the North. By car, the city can be reached via the Taconic State Parkway or NYS Thruway.

Educational Facilities - The City is served by the Poughkeepsie City School District. There are numerous private/parochial schools close-by: Oakwood Friends, Our Lady of Lourdes, Holy Trinity, Poughkeepsie Day School, Hebrew Day School and others. There is also easy access to Marist College and Vassar College. The yearly Kid's Expo presents interactive learning for the entire family.

Recreational Facilities - The city's most popular waterfront park is Waryas Park. There are picnic tables and a skate board park. The Mid-Hudson Civic Center/McCann Ice Arena has multi-purpose recreation with an NHL quality ice arena, concerts, entertainment and much more. The Mid-Hudson Children's Museum has hands-on permanent and rotating exhibits that combine science and art for ages up to 12.

Houses of Worship - Most all denominations can be found within the Poughkeepsie area. Some of them are: AME Zion, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Episcopal, Baptist, Assembly of God, Eastern Orthodox, Presbyterian,Temple Beth-El and Pentecostal.

For more info call: Carol Culkin - Dutchess County Relocation Specialist

Houlihan Lawrence Realty 1989 Route 52 East Fishkill,New York 12533

Office: (845) 227-4400 x358 Cell:(845) 430-6543

The Town of LaGrange in Dutchess County is a scenic Hudson Valley Community located approximately 75 miles north of New York City. LaGrange has long been attractive due to the close proximity to a major north/south route, and the bucolic, scenic countryside. The town is mainly a residential bedroom community area with conveniences located in nearby Poughkeepsie.

Educational Facilities - The Town of LaGrange is served by the Arlington Central School District. The following schools are within the town: Arlington High, LaGrange Middle, Titusville Intermediate, Overlook Primary, LaGrange Elementary and Noxon Road Elementary Schools. The town is also home to the private Brendon Montessori School.

Recreational Facilities - Central to Dutchess County, one of the area's hidden treasures is the 590 acre James Baird State Park. Located in the Town of LaGrange, the park has everything a nature enthusiast would want. The park also has a fully-equipped golf facility, regulation tennis courts, nature center and softball field. There are several miles of marked trails, picnic areas, and shelters. LaGrange offers a summer concert series at Freedom Park with free admission. The LaGrange Community Day is also held here, as well as many other functions.

Houses of Worship include the Valley Bible Fellowship Church, Full Gospel Center, Clove Valley Alliance, Lutheran, Methodist/United Methodist, Nazarene and Presbyterian. There is easy access to many other denominations in nearby towns.

For more info call: Carol Culkin - Dutchess County Relocation Specialist

Houlihan Lawrence Realty 1989 Route 52 East Fishkill,New York 12533

Office: (845) 227-4400 x358 Cell:(845) 430-6543