Pine Bush, NY

What was true a year and a half ago is still true today. Foreclosures can be a good investment for some but it is buyer beware. Make sure you know what you are getting into before you sign on the dotted line.

I have had a lot of requests lately for "foreclosure listings". I know that there is a lot of news about how many people are in trouble with mortgages that are adjusting up to amounts they can't afford. Many of my buyer clients feel that they can get a real deal from a foreclosure. There are a few things to consider prior to buying a house that has been in foreclosure.

First, more often than not, the bank has bought back the foreclosure and has it listed at the going rate for houses that are comparable. They are not going to give away a home because it is worth more than the loan that was defaulted on. Another thing to think about is that many of these homes currently reaching the foreclosure market are worth less than the borrower owed to the bank due to the borrower having taking $ for closing costs and financing as much as 106% of the homes value at the time of purchase.

You must also consider that the people who owned this house and went into foreclosure have been in a very depressed state for a long time before the bank finally got them out of the house. Some of them are going through other personal and financial difficulties and none of them is taking care of the house the way it should be taken care of. Unless you are ready to work on a "fixer upper" you may not be the right buyer for such a property.

Another issue that I have seen a lot of in making offers on bank owned properties is that the process is slow, often someone at a distant location is handling the file and it can take a long time to get a response on an offer. Bidding wars also abound on these properties. Buying a home is stressful enough without adding to the stress by dealing with a corporate nightmare.

These properties are sold in "as is" condition and, in New York at least, there is no requirement for a property condition disclosure. It is difficult to know what lurks behind the walls or what is missing in some cases. Many defaulting owners will strip what they can from the house before they are evicted.

So yes you can sometimes get somewhat of a bargain on some foreclosures but more often than not you are just opening yourself up to a headache.

If you are looking for a home and want an agent who will look out for your best interests just let me know.

The Greater Hudson Valley is a great place to live or to have a weekend place. If you would like to start a search for a permanent residence or vacation home in the area I would love to help you. Working with an experienced buyer's agent can help you to choose what is best for you. I work in Orange, Ulster, or Sullivan County NY and I would love to be your Buyer's Agent. If you are looking elsewhere I would love to find someone in your chosen location to help you. Give me a call or send an email today.

Learning a bit about the recent sales in the area where you are considering a home purchase is extreemly valuable. During the month of October there were 18 homes that sold within the district. The selling prices on single family residential houses ranged from $159,000 to $425,000. The data available shows us that homes are selling for 91% to 98 % of the listing price at the time of sale. This tells us that homeowners are listing the houses that are selling at very close to market value. If you are out there looking at homes this is important for you to know. This is also something you will not learn from the listing agent or the homeowner trying to sell his home on his own.

It is important for you as a Real Estate Buyer to determine the value of a property you are interested in. Working with a Buyer's Representative gives you the upper hand in negotiations because they will prepare an analysis of the property you want to make an offer on using the most current data available. They can help you to determine a realistic negotiating strategy and help avoid mistakingly offering more than a property will appraise for.

The Pine Bush School District is a regional district formed from 7 townships in Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan Counties. It has a variety of residential settings including suburban developments, villages, and rural locations. Located at the base of the beautiful Shawangunk Mountain Range there is something for everyone here within commuting distance to New York City.

I work as a Buyer's Representative in the Pine Bush School District and surrounding areas. I would love to help you find and purchase the right home for you at the right price for this market. If you are looking here text, call, or email me today. I can also find you an excellent Buyer Representative anywhere else you may be looking. Just contact me today!

Excitement is building as the students from Pine Bush High School prepare for the opening night of the Fall production "Little Shop Of Horrors" That's right, they are doing a musical for a change this Fall and it is looking like it will be a smash hit! Come out to see Seymore, an orphan who works at a florist shop, be seduced into feeding a plant something he shouldn't.

Feed Me Seymore Feed Me

The performances are scheduled for Friday Nov. 13th at 8:00 PM and Saturday Nov. 14th at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Pine Bush High School is located on Route 302 in Pine Bush NY. Tickets are available by contacting me or at the door for all performances. Hope to see you there.

If you have been waiting to see what would happen with the home buyer tax credit your wait is over. Now is the time to start your search for your new home!





The news that you first time home buyers have been waiting to hear and a bonus opportunity for some move up buyers. The Bill for Home Buyer Tax Credit Extension has passed both houses and the president has promised to sign it into law. Buyer's who qualify must be in contract by May 1, 2010 and close by July 1, 2010 so let's start looking today!




This new bill contains some differences from the law that has been helping first time home buyers this year and was due to expire at the end of November. The bill calls for 10% of the purchase price or up to an $8000.00 Tax Credit for first time home buyers (persons who have not owned a primary residence within the past three years) but also allows for a $6500.00 Tax Credit for current home owners who have owned thier homes for five or more years to make move up purchases. Income limits have been increased to $125,000.00 for single tax filers and to $225,000.00 for joint filers. To qualify for the credit the house must be a primary residence purchased for $800,000.00 or less.



If you are interested in looking at homes in the Great Hudson Valley or Catskill Area New York Counties of Orange, Sullivan, or Ulster please contact me by phone, email, or text or use the search form below to get started right now. I work as a Buyer's Representative, believe me when I tell you want someone on your side when you are searching for a home to call your own. If you are looking elsewhere please allow me to find an agent to serve your needs where you want to be.