HARVEY BROWN

I recently attended a class on Defensive Driving Course in Rhinebeck, NY. at my local insurance company. True- it was a win/win venture; saving me money on my car insurance while making the roads safer in Rhinebeck NY for myself and others.

I would like to pass along this message to you-- Is the time you save worth the Risk and the Money?

In Germany they tested speed and time in two experiments, both demonstrating the same outcome. One driver was told to make the best time he could on a 1000 mile journey; the second driver was told to avoid risk and move as the traffic flow permitted. The fast driver finished 31 minutes ahead of the slow driver after nearly 1000 miles. After all the braking and passing the same conclusion came from the second test of 800 miles only a time of 21 minutes was saved. The fast driver used ten more gallons of gas on this 800 mile trip. What was gained and what was lost?

" Perhaps an elderly gentleman who had just completed a 50 mile ride to Des Moines with his grandson said it best years ago. The youngster, out to show grandpa how a car ought to be driven, kept the speed limit most of the way, passing frequently , and occasionally dangerously , until he finally pulled up in front of the hotel. Quite a trip, huh, grandpa said the grandson? Yep, said grandpa gravely I figure we saved all of one-tenth of a second. Now what do you suppose we should do with it?"

In the spirit of the holiday season and all good things, I would like to share an email with you from my friend Brenda who lives in Rhinebeck NY. When doing your Christmas/holiday cards this year, take one
card and send it to this address.

Holiday cards should be mailed to
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD. 20791-5456

All cards must be postmarked no later than Dec. 10. Cards should not be mailed or delivered to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

TO: If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful soldiers, who have sacrificed so much, would get. Don't worry about what to write. Something simple as "Thinking of you at the holidays and wishing you a speedy recovery or Thank you for your sacrifices." will suffice. (I write this for I remember how uncertain I was about what to say that first time I sat down to write the soldiers who are recovering at Walter Reed.)

When you are making out your Christmas/holiday card list this year, please
include the following:

TO: Holiday cards should be mailed to
Holiday Mail for Heroes
P.O. Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD. 20791-5456

Thank you, Brenda

Awareness that food plays a role in our life either too much or not enough is especially apparent this time of the year. The Battle of the Bulge may be a huge concern for you in this Holiday Season between Thanksgiving and New Years. There are many individuals close by who are facing the opposite situation especially the elderly and children. You can take charge of both your battle with the bulge and the hunger of others.

It is simple and something you can control.

The Starr Library,Rhinebeck,NY is joining other local libraries in a food fight. Yes a food fight to see who can collect the most canned goods to help restock the local food pantries before the holidays. Please help your local library win the battle by dropping off your donation at the Starr Library,Rhinebeck NY. The collection ends November 30, 2008. The success of this battle is enormous for everyone. It might even give you food for thought to conquer your own Battle of the Bulge.

What I am about to say is not telling you to act now and that this is the bottom of the housing price decline. It is however a telling observance which alerts you to keep your eyes open to opportunities in a fiduciary manner.

Comparing Y-T-D Average Selling Price using the August 08 Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing System (MLS) with August 07, it is down 9%.

Why is this a significant indication---- usually prices have increased in comparing year to year. Now instead of the usual double digit increase, it has turned into an almost double digit decrease. This swing is telling especially during 2008, it has been decreasing continuously over the months. To emphasize the point in the same Y-T-D Home Closings are down 20.5%.

Ok so what does this mean to the buyer whom I represent in the real estate process serving Rhinebeck , Millbrook NY and Northern Dutchess County?

After you have decided on your specifics for your home and reviewed the price you want to spend (pre-approval), you might search homes on my web site www.dirtroadrealty.com which are listed for 10% more than your target purchase price. It is an opportunity for the buyer to widen his scope and still remain with your budget, not spending a penny more.

Yes, it is a very good time to buy a home in Rhinebeck, NY or in one of the neighboring towns of Red Hook, Millbrook or Tivoli.. What makes it a Buyer's market in our area? 1. Prices have not risen as dramatically as they have in the past years and have even declined somewhat; http://www.hvmag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=B5549CFD24E64BAC93E11938AD51A18C&nm=Archives&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=509778CC36774CAB9080C48F5F3518B5

2. Inventory has remained on the market for a longer period of time and 3. Interest rates are hover at relatively low levels.

What makes this opportunity right for you? The key to opening the door of your home in this buyer's market is the affordability factor and your financial disposition. As Shelly Banjo writes in her article A good time to Buy a House if you can afford one " That is ,if you have a secure job, can afford higher down payments than were required a few years ago and can meet lender's much stricter income and credit requirements. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120503435496922429.html?mod=WSJBlog

Especially in today's market, the right real estate agent - or the wrong one - can have a great deal of impact on not only the outcome, but the entire process of purchasing real estate. Do you know if your real estate agent is working for you or the seller? http://www.bankrate.com/nyt/news/real-estate/agency1.asp

Traditionally, real estate firms represent and work for the best interest of the seller.

Listing agents (the ones with the sign in the front yard), and the company that they work for, represent the SELLER, not the buyer. Their job is to get the SELLER the highest price on the best terms. The job of the Exclusive Buyer's Agent (EBA) is to get the BUYER the lowest price on the best terms.

It just makes sense!