Guide Me Home 2 The Hudson Valley New York - Home

OUR KIMUNITY – Save Money on Oil Heating Costs

2012-01-17T15:51:37Z

Last winter, we replaced our 550 gallon in-ground oil tank with a 275 gallon above-ground tank. As a result, the oil truck cometh twice as often as it used to, to fill up the tank. We are on automatic delivery and while we never paid much attention to it before, it is now obvious that we should be paying attention to what we are paying for heating oil. When I saw the oil truck backing down the driveway, my first though was, “Man, it seems like he was just here! We just paid an oil bill about a month ago! We can’t need oil again already!” I ran downstairs to check the gauge and it read ½ full.

We asked the delivery man what oil was going for that day and he said $3.94.9. Wow, that seemed really high – I know heating oil and what we pay at the pump for gas are related, and I know gas started to go up again as soon as the holidays were over, but I’ve always had a problem understanding why a rise in the cost of a barrel of oil today (or an orange crop for that matter!) affects the price of the product which is already in inventory. Anyway, I decided to ask the delivery man to hold off so I could call our oil supplier of 16+ years and find out if they were able to offer a better rate.

I explained to the customer service rep that we still had ½ tank of oil in the tank and asked if the company wanted to offer a better price or if I should just call around myself. She put me on hold for about 45 seconds and came back on and said, “the best we can do today is $3.69.9 a gallon”. That’s a whopping twenty-five cents a gallon! I thanked her, took her name and told the delivery guy he could go ahead and fill us up. While it was great to call and get this discount, I was a little disappointed that this company we’ve used for almost 17 years doesn’t automatically give its loyal customers the best price they can.

Lesson learned. From now on, we will call the oil company, get the scheduled delivery date and then call around and shop rates to get the best possible price. If they don’t put any weight into loyal customers who pay their bills, why should I give them an automatic pass to overcharge us?! The few people I’ve spoken to tell me I am crazy not to shop around – they do every month and it saves hundreds of dollars every winter!

The company probably wouldn’t want us to know either that the delivery guy told us to also tell the company that asking for the “economy oil,” will also save additional money. He said the only difference is that the oil is delivered in an unmarked oil truck. Huh?

Happy January… only 64 days until Spring!!

Posted by: Kim Simms

What's the Value of a (Hudson) River View?

2012-01-17T15:12:00Z

Wow, that's a loaded question! When pertaining to real estate, the answer to that question can be quite different, whether it's coming from a buyers, sellers, appraisers or real estate agents. This topic was the subject of a recent article in the Poughkeepsie Journal.

Having worked with numerous buyers and sellers of Hudson River view properties, I have recently asked this question of several appraisers as well as seasoned real estate agents. No one has a hard and fast answer, no magic formula. Do you tack on a per centage over and above what the house without the view would sell for? Or is it just a figure of, say, $20,000, $50,000, $100,000 or more? I admittedly find it a little difficult to be objective about this subject, as I live with a river view which I absolutely love and put a high value on.

In studying this topic, I have learned there are areas of the country where people value a view more, where there are more people who are "view crazy." Those areas will command more of a premium for properties with water or mountain views. For example, I remember reading an article about condos in Seattle where units with (quite minimal) water views sold for 40% more than those condos without a view. Here in the Hudson Valley, I have seen condos with minimal water views sell for no more than a similar condo without any view. Dramatic water views here in the Hudson Valley do warrant considerably higher prices.

There are many variables when it comes to views...fullness of view, obstructions, which rooms have a view, are the views from the main floor or just from the second floor, proximity to water, a property's scarcity. Just how spectacular is the view? What will the price difference be on a house directly on the river as opposed to the same house directly across the street with minimal river views? I had a house listed which had an absolutely gorgeous river view...except for the working quarry directly across the river -- which unfortunately was a deal-killer for most buyers. After a long time on the market, we did find a buyer to whom the quarry was a non-issue.

If a developer is selling homes in a subdivision where some of the new homes have views and others don't, I would say it's pretty easy to put a premium on the homes with the views. But in an area where resales are involved and there are many other variables...style, condition, upgrades, location, etc....that definitely creates more of a challenge. So the trick to selling these properties is to determine the least a seller will accept and the most a buyer will pay. (Is that really any different than any other property?) Once both parties have agreed to that, if a mortgage is being applied for, the bank's appraisal will be the next challenge. The appraiser will try to find comparable sales -- which can be a real challenge, especially in a market where there aren't many recent sales. If he or she can't find comps, then it may come to pricing the house without the view and adding the "value of the view"....which brings us back to the original question...."What's the value of a river view?"

If you have experience with this which you'd like to share, or simply would like to make a comment or have a question, e-mail me at

Dianne Minogue specializes in Hudson River view properties. Visit her website at www.hudsonriverviewhomes.com

Posted by: Dianne Minogue

OUR KIMUNITY – Acts of Kindness and Service

2012-01-13T11:46:23Z

I cannot let January go by and another year fly by without documenting some of my personal favorite highlights of 2011, starting with my favorite act of kindness and service.

I am honored to be affiliated with like-minded professionals under the umbrella of an organization whose commitment to community is one of its four core values. Houlihan Lawrence defines community as, “Caring for and contributing to the welfare of each other and our communities.”

I was grateful to have played a small part in the annual holiday food drive our East Fishkill office held for 11 families in need through Van Wyck Junior High in the Wappinger Central School District. The caring, generous souls in our organization, led by Suzanne (Martha Stewart) DeCosta, provided each family with: a 20 pound turkey, a spiral ham, 5 pound bag of potatoes, 2 pounds of carrots, 3 pounds of onions, canned peas, canned corn, gravy, pineapples, 1 pound of chopped meat, jar sauce, pasta, dinner rolls, 18 eggs, bacon, 1 box of cereal, bagels, bread, english muffins, cream cheese, butter, 1/2 gallon of orange juice, a gallon milk, 1/2 gallon of cran-grape, 2 liter bottle of soda, stuffing, cookie mix, brownie mix, and a big box of Cream Puffs!

We live in the same communities that we work so hard to serve. I am a proud member of this organization and endeavor to remember this feeling when I start the campaign to bring together people in need with people who want to help. It’s one of my 2012 goals. I come across people every single day who want to help but aren’t sure where to turn and I also come across people who can use a hand but don’t know where to go. It’s possible and necessary. My plan is taking shape…

Kim Simms is a full-time licensed real estate salesperson and residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate of East Fishkill, NY. She can be reached at .

Posted by: Kim Simms

OUR KIMUNITY – Things to Do in Dutchess County

2012-01-12T15:21:04Z

So far this winter it has only snowed once – and that was waaaay back in October before winter even officially started! Good winter weather means it’s easier to get out and enjoy some of the events and things going on in the area. There are so many things to do year round in the Hudson Valley, here is a very small sampling of January (2012) activities, including contact information and website links:

This Friday and Saturday night, comedic actor Steve Kramer performs at the Bananas Comedy Club in Poughkeepsie, New York. You may recognize Steve from Spike TV’s “Hype." Bananas is conveniently located in the Clarion Hotel-make an evening or night of it by adding the dinner and or overnight package. Call 845-462-3333 for reservations. I heard he is hilarious!

Monday is Martin Luther King holiday and there is no school. Scenic Hudson offers a “School’s Out Winter Fun Day” from 12-4 at Long Dock Park in Beacon. Their website encourages us to visit for an educational free and fun expernience with birds of prey courtesy of Bill Streeter, the director of the Delaware Valley Raptor Center. For more information call 845-473-4440. If I didn’t have to work, I would definitely go!Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award–winner Mavis Staples graces the Bardavon 1869 Opera House stage on Friday, January 20th at 8 p.m. The legendary vocalist invites you to join her for “An Evening with Mavis Staples” at this historic Poughkeepsie venue with tickets priced at $45.00 for non-members. For information call (845) 473-2072 or call the Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Who doesn’t love Mavis??!!If you are just looking for a fun family outing, take ride to Hyde Park’s Roller Magic for Crazy Hat Night on Saturday, January 28th from 7:30 to 1030 p.m. Not only is it great exercise, you can enter the hat contest for a chance to win a gift certificate. Rollerkating or Rollerblading, is good, affordable family fun! For more information call 845-229-6666. It’s far less expensive than the movies!!

Go ahead and get out if you want. The weather is great. These events and more can be found on the Dutchess County Tourism website.

Happy January… only 69 days until Spring!!

Kim Simms is a full-time licensed real estate salesperson and residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate of East Fishkill, New York. She can be reached at ksimms@houlihanlawrence.com.

Posted by: Kim Simms

OUR KIMUNITY – Extreme Commuting

2012-01-11T00:00:00Z

So the question is, how far will you go in your daily commute, so that you can earn a decent pay while living in an affordable community with the desired quality of life for you and your family? We think we are justifying a longer travel time by getting what we want most from life…or are we just fooling ourselves??

A buyer client I am currently working with needs to commute to New York City and recently he fell strongly in like with a home in New Paltz, Ulster County, New York. As I conduct my due diligence regarding the potential purchase of the house, and he does his with regard to the impact on his current lifestyle requirements, he mentioned that he came across this article titled Extreme Commuting.

I know, but look at the sunset from the screened-in porch.

Kim Simms is a full-time licensed real estate salesperson and residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate of East Fishkill, NY. She can be reached at ksimms@houlihanlawrence.com.

Posted by: Kim Simms

OUR KIMUNITY- January Cold Snap

2012-01-05T00:00:00Z

It’s 23° outside (in the sun!) as I write this. It feels abnormally cold - an abnormal response to weather that should be entirely expected in January in the northeast. You have to admit, this winter has been almost balmy compared to last winter. This time last winter, we had already paid Jimmy our snowplow saint enough money for a house payment!

While I am busy counting down to the first day of Spring (77 days), it occurred to me it would be a good idea to remind homeowners of a couple of ways to keep their heating pipes from freezing this winter. I first wrote this article a year ago and it’s worth repeating.

Recently, I was speaking to a general contractor who mentioned he was working on a house in the Millbrook, New York area that had suffered freeze damage to the heating pipes. Apparently, the owners, who live out of the area, use this home as a weekend getaway and they'd been leaving the thermostat set at 55 degrees while they were away. Because of the recent snowstorms, they had not visited the house in a few weeks and when they recently returned, they discovered the pipes had frozen and burst, damaging floors and ceilings throughout the house. They thought they had set the thermostat high enough to prevent this from happening.

This being the third such story I've heard about frozen pipes since December, and this Dutchess County winter starting out rather harsh, I decided to consult someone in the heating industry to gain their opinion on what is the best way to prevent this from happening.

A knowledgeable oil burner technician from a local reputable oil company offered his opinion on two ways to help avoid the problem/cost of repairing the damage from frozen pipes. First, he said that while 55 degrees may seem like a reasonable thermostat setting in order to keep your pipes from freezing while you're not home, it certainly depends on the style of the house. He gave an example of a Raised Ranch - most have one to two bedrooms built directly over the garage which is typically unheated.

When you have consistent low temperatures like we are having this winter, where the overnight temps are at and well below freezing and the daytime temps don't warm up to at least freezing, the house can't warm up long enough in the daytime to retain heat. If the thermostat is set on only 55 degrees, and the room below it is at near zero, eventually, you run the risk of having the pipes freeze. In his opinion, everyone should set their thermostat on at least 65 degrees during these weather conditions, regardless of the style house you have. Besides, he said that while most people believe they are saving oil, and he acknowledges that oil can be a costly heating system, you're really not saving at all because when you do get back and turn the heat up to heat the house, the system has to work twice as hard to heat the house. I imagine this could use more oil than you think you're saving and it could cause more wear and tear on your boiler.

Second, he said you can have an anti-freeze service done to protect your pipes from freezing. The anti-freeze protects your system up to between 20 and 30 BELOW zero. What surprised me is that I didn't know you can do this while you occupy your house and the heat is in use. This service lasts for 2-3 years and estimated cost is far less than it costs to fill up the typical 275 gallon oil tank! It sounds similar to winterizing a home - as real estate agents, we strongly advise local sellers to winterize their vacant homes during this season.

So I learned two very good options that I will gladly pass on to my clients and anyone else who is not sure what to do. I believe both these options would work if you own a home in Dutchess County: set your thermostat to at least 65 degrees, whether you are home or not, or, have an anti-freeze service done that will protect your heating system and home in the event of the coldest anticipated temperatures. If you want to save money, and who doesn't - what's less expensive: Options one or two, or having to have the inside of your home rebuilt because frozen pipes have burst?

For more information on winterizing your home and contacting local reputable general contractors and heat service companies, contact Kim Simms, a full-time licensed real estate salesperson and residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate of East Fishkill, NY. She can be reached at ksimms@houlihanlawrence.com.

Posted by: Kim Simms

Happy 2012!

2012-01-04T00:00:00Z

Starting a new year is like

a beautiful sunrise that you

just can’t take your eyes off of.

The thrill of expectations and starting fresh

from this day forward

is appealing, exciting, and powerful.

Step to the right my friend, Happy New Year.

Posted by: Kim Simms

Hot Spots in Fishkill: Sapore Steakhouse

2011-11-14T17:05:34Z

Recently, I was treated to lunch at a posh eatery in the Village of Fishkill. Sapore Steakhouse is one of those expensive and intimidating places one dares not visit unless it's on an extra-special occasion. The good news is that the lunch menu offers many of the same meal choices as the dinner menu, but at a slightly lower price. So at mid-day, you can enjoy delicious cuisine without breaking the bank! My lunch partner ordered the Caesar salad which I'm told was delicious, and I sipped a rich and yummy lobster bisque. We each selected the hanger steak entree, which was cooked to perfection. Every morsel just melted in your mouth. Of course, I couldn't pass up the scrumptious crème brûlée for dessert!

The overall experience is orchestrated by service that is personable and gives attention to every detail. Our waiter was clearly a highly-trained professional who understood and explained the menu and wine selections well. He smiled often and made us feel welcome.

My favorite little Village of Fishkill offers an eclectic choice of eateries and places to shop and sight-see. One of the advantages to living in the village is the proximity of classic vintage homes located within walking distance. Side walks are rare in this region so being able to walk to dinner or to a local coffee shop is a treat. I hope you will take some time to visit. If you have any questions, give me a call!

Tammy Benkwitt is a 20 year real estate agent serving Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties. She can be reached on her cell 914.714.2127 or email . Call her if you are thinking of buying or selling!

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

Once upon a hamlet....and how real estate investors are helping the market, the landscape, and all of us....

2011-11-01T17:02:00Z

There's a sleepy little-known riverside hamlet called Chelsea, located in the Town of Wappingers Falls, New York. It's a quiet little place comprised of just a few streets lined with picturesque frame homes. Two churches, a little post office and the firehouse are all on the same street. It's also home to the Chelsea Yacht Club, primarily a sailing club. Sailboat races on Wednesdays and Sundays plus the sound of the Metro-North train whistle all add to its charm.

It used to be that homes didn't go on the market too often here...rather, they were passed on through generations and stayed right in the family. Unfortunately, in recent years some have fallen into disrepair, most likely victims of the economy and real estate market.

A couple of contractors have recently bought and renovated homes here. Nearly complete at the time of this writing, they are giving a welcome facelift to this special hamlet. Another property was completely renovated by its owner, and it looks just like a house from Cape Cod, with its cedar shake siding. It has beautiful Hudson River views from its front porch. I live nearby, and it has been absolutely wonderful watching the revitalization.

While some buyers are still skittish about buying in this market, savvy investors have decided the time has come to plunk down their cash. These investors will help us dig out of this market by moving inventory, and they are breathing new life into some of these areas that have grown a bit tired. Good for them! Good for Chelsea! Good for us all!

Posted by: Dianne Minogue

Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation Walk

2011-10-04T10:41:33Z

This past Sunday was the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation Community Walk held at the James Baird State Park, Pleasant Valley. Over 500 walkers attended and this year marked their 9th annual walk.

Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation is a non-profit foundation with a mission to provide funds to support programs for people affected by breast cancer in New York’s Hudson Valley. Click here to watch an introductory video about Miles of Hope. Other events that the foundation holds throughout the year includes: Hoops for Hope, the Annual Spring Brunch, the Family Run and Goals for Hope.

Houlihan Lawrence is a proud sponsor of this event. Our agents walk as a team and walk in honor and memory of friends, family and neighbors. It is great to do something for our community!

You can see where your donations go or donate now.

Join us in the fight against Breast Cancer!

Barbara Dudley is a broker/manager at Houlihan Lawrence in East Fishkill, New York and can be reached at 845-227-4400 x 222, , or www.barbaradudleyRE.com.

Posted by: Barbara Dudley

Inspiration in Beacon, New York: Electric Projected

2011-10-03T19:17:00Z

This is probably a larger story than I can tell in a short space. I will do my best.

Once upon a time, the Hudson River was a prime location for factories. Manufacturers could build products, easily pack them on a nearby boat, and the majestic river led those goods to locations all over the planet. As our world changed, of course so did the river towns. The large brick structures that once were the economic centers for many communities were left abandoned for one reason or another. In many cases, these old buildings were vandalized and became an eyesore to once thriving downtown centers. This past Saturday night, I and about 100 or more people watched something truly unique that was inspired and created by community artists who wanted to give an old building renewed purpose and bring joy to a community. It is called Electric Projected.

Photo Credit:
www.ElectricWindowsBeacon.com

On July 31, 2010 artists took on the task of creating paintings that could cover the old windows of a defunct electric blanket factory. In 2011, the task was to create cartoon-like animations based on those very same paintings. A perfectly eclectic mix of ear-popping music was added to accompany the often colorful and amusing animations. The result was a series of short cartoons - each emanating from its respective window. The building not only served as a large outdoor movie screen, but the intricate cartoons were designed to use the windows and the brick as a template (check out this example). On October 1, 2011, after the sun set, those videos were projected in front of eager spectators who braved unusually cold weather to witness the event. I have to say it was well worth the wait.

Kudos to all the artists and local businesses that contributed to the Electric Projected project. Thank you for a great evening! I urge everyone to visit their website to see all who were involved and for more background information.

Below are a couple of short videos I took with my iPhone. They are best viewed in a large format and in low or no light. Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/kNligoBqKeI

http://youtu.be/-I9hSBQmj94

http://youtu.be/hHU_yDTatR4

Tammy Benkwitt is a 20-year real estate agent serving Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties. She writes this blog to provide both community and real estate information. Tammy can be reached at tbenkwitt@houlihanlawrence.com or on her cell 914-714-2127.

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

Renting Your Home Part 2: Homeowners Insurance

2011-09-29T15:29:51Z

RENTING YOUR HOME AND BUYING ANOTHER

Part 2 - Homeowners Insurance

In part 1 of this subject, I reported the general guidelines for obtaining a mortgage on a 2nd home while you rent your primary residence (click here or see 9/16/11: Our Kimunity - Renting Your Home and Buying Another, Part 1).

Since having the proper insurance coverage is the best way to cover yourself, your home, and tenant, I asked a 25 + year experienced insurance rep to educate me on the impact that renting your home has on your homeowner’s insurance policy. She said that the best way to minimize your risk of liability is for the homeowner (landlord), to replace their HOMEOWNER INSURANCE POLICY with a LANDLORD INSURANCE POLICY.

In the insurance company’s view, when you don’t live in the house you own, there is a much greater risk of liability that something will go wrong in the house. She cited an example of a tenant not reporting water leakage from a fridge (the ice machine broke) - they didn’t think it was a big deal and just kept wiping up the small puddles of water - and by the time they moved out, the floor under the refrigerator had buckled and cause extensive damage to the floors and adjacent cabinets. Had the owner been living there, it’s far more likely the homeowner would have addressed the leak as soon as it happened.

Although your Homeowner policy is less expensive than a proper LANDLORD POLICY, the risks are far greater than the additional premium. Plus, if the rented house has a loss that makes it uninhabitable to the renters, the policy will pay the lost rent to the Landlord. If you have a regular Homeowners policy there is no coverage.

Requiring the tenant to take out a TENANT insurance policy means the tenant has coverage for their own belongings. Additionally, Tenant’s insurance covers the tenant for temporary housing should they lose the use of the property they are renting. The Landlord’s policy does not cover the renter’s belongings!! Tenant’s insurance costs about $150 a year.

So if the point of renting the house is to get the money to pay the mortgage, it is imperative to have the Landlord’s policy. Seems to me, whether you want to rent your home with peace of mind, or live in and rent someone else’s house, you should get the right insurance policy. Your insurance company can’t fully cover you if you don’t have the correct policy. I didn’t know you could obtain the right coverage for such a reasonable cost. Happy Renting...

Kim Simms is a New York State Licensed Salesperson and Residential Real Estate Consultant with Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate Brokerage in East Fishkill, NY. She can be reached at

Posted by: Kim Simms

What to Do

2011-09-29T00:00:00Z

What to do...This a phrase that can be statement or question. If it is a question- well, you may be in a quandry-a crossroad that has you perhaps talking to yourself, thinking through the next step. If it is a statement, that's even better! It means you have a plan in place. Most of us get to that point by making a to-do list-an evil neccesity. But if it gives you a gameplan, and peace of mind, then so be it.

However, try not to lose focus of what gives you pleasure in life-in other words, don't let the to-do list run your life-integrate it into the activities and projects that you look forward to doing. Sounds simple, but it does require attitude adjustment; so instead of saying "hmmm...what to do?" just do it!

Posted by: Lisa Sanker

The Final Walk-Through: Why it is Important

2011-09-22T15:55:00Z

Eighteen years ago, I walked into my office and saw a colleague looking fretful and upset. She was to have a closing later that day, but that was not to be. The house had burned down to the ground the night before. There are many reasons why a buyer needs to conduct a final walk-through. Making sure the house is still standing before you buy it is certainly an important one.

Let's first back up a bit and recap how we get to the final walk-through. Pretend you are the buyer. You make an offer on a house, negotiate with the seller to an accepted offer, and then you hire a home inspector to spend a few hours going over the house with a fine-tooth comb and everything checks out. A contract of sale is signed, you get your mortgage cleared-to-close, and a closing date is set. Now it's time to schedule when you re-visit the house and make sure it is everything you expect it to be - according to the contract you signed. This visit is commonly referred to as the final walk-through and it is usually scheduled to take place as reasonably close to the closing as possible. If the closing is in the afternoon, you do the walk through that morning. If the closing is in the morning, schedule it for the afternoon or evening prior.

Once you are at the house what exactly do you check? One of the first places I run to is a sink. I start running hot water in various places throughout the house. If the house had been vacant, it may take a while for the water to scald my fingers. To save energy, the seller may have set the hot water heater to vacation mode or the furnace may be off. I turn on the heat and place my hands on the baseboards throughout the house to make sure they are warming up. Sometimes we find a real problem and perhaps the furnace needs repair. It can happen. If there is central air, I will turn that on too.

The buyer and I will open up all cabinets and closets checking to see if the seller forgot to take anything. Most real estate contracts of sale will have language that states the house should be "broom-swept" and clear of debris. Sometimes sellers are kind and go to extraordinary lengths to clean the house usually out of pride and common courtesy. However, it is unlikely the contract of sale will say the house must be sanitized. So if the house is not as clean as you might keep it, don't be surprised. Did you want all those paint cans in the basement? If they are recently painted colors, maybe you do. During a walk-through I did at an older house in Poughkeepsie, I counted 44 cans of paint that had been left behind by the seller! No buyer wants that many old cans of paint. We requested that the seller either remove the cans prior to the closing or compensate the buyer. The seller removed the cans which was fine. Leaving behind rubbish for a buyer to remove is unfair and is usually considered "debris".

I will check the appliances to make certain they are running. I won't start a dishwasher because it takes too long to run through an entire cycle. I might run a quick rinse cycle if available just to see the power go on at least. The same goes for the washing machine. We will look over the entire exterior and interior from ceiling to windows to floor doing our best to notice if anything has changed since the inspection. Are there recent cracks in windows? Any newly noticed large stains on the carpet or floor? Did the movers perhaps make a significant dent in the wall?

If your contract of sale requires that the seller perform any repairs to the house, you need to make sure those repairs were completed. Most situations like this will require that the seller provide a receipt for work done by a professional which is given to the attorneys prior to setting up the closing date. But if there was anything not requiring a receipt, you need to check.

New York State requires working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors installed in the house by the time of closing. Unfortunately, many sellers will run to the store and buy them just prior to closing and leave them at the house in their original, unopened packaging. If that happens, make sure you install them soon as possible before you move in to keep you and your loved ones safe.

What happens if you do spy a problem on the walk-through? Like most agents, I have a smart phone with video camera. If I find something on a walk-through that seems unusual, I am taking video and showing it to my clients attorney. We will also call the listing agent and ask her to discuss the problem with the seller. Sometimes there is an easy fix. However, if it's not an easy fix, the attorneys will usually discuss the matter and possibly agree to holding a certain amount of money in escrow until the problem is resolved. This way the closing - and both parties - can move forward.

Some home inspectors may offer to accompany you at the final walk-through for an additional fee. It's not a bad idea. Be sure to compare pricing when you first hire an inspector for the initial visit. In any event, it is essential that your buyers agent be present with you to witness that either everything looks good, or that there is something amiss that needs to be addressed at the closing table.

Tammy Benkwitt is a real estate agent with twenty years experience working with buyers and sellers in Dutchess, Putnam and Northern Westchester counties in New York. She can be reached at tbenkwitt@houlihanlawrence.com or on her cell 914-714-2127.

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

Our Kimunity- Renting Your Home and Buying Another

2011-09-16T11:40:40Z

PART 1 – MORTGAGE FINANCING

The current real estate climate has prohibited potential sellers, who bought or leveraged their current home at the height of the market, from being able to sell their current home today and recover what they paid for it. This has resulted in sellers, who need or want to sell, to consider renting out their current home and purchasing their next home, in their mind, “until the market recovers.”

I’ve had several conversations with potential sellers in just the last three weeks about the possibility of doing exactly this, which has raised several serious questions concerning homeowner and tenant insurance policies, mortgage requirements, whether or not to use a property management company, and municipal compliance with turning your home into a legal rental property.

I find that most potential sellers just don’t have the information they need to make an informed decision on whether or not to rent their home while they pursue the purchase of another.

After speaking with Michael Marinaccio, a 20+ year experienced and knowledgeable home mortgage consultant with Thoroughbred Mortgage, I found out that current mortgage guidelines (conventional loans) require a potential seller to have at least 30% equity in the home they want to sell, in order to use the rental income to qualify for a new mortgage on the home they want to purchase. If they do not have 30% equity in the home, the bank will not consider the rental income and the owner would have to qualify for the new mortgage with the current full monthly debt of the home they want to rent. A seller would have to know whether they could even qualify for the new loan with the additional debt of their current home. FHA loans have a separate set of guidelines.

Implications on being able to qualify for a mortgage are just one consideration. Over the next few blogs, I will attempt to help evaluate the feasibility of this particular real estate goal by offering information that impacts the ability to move forward or not.

Michael Marinaccio HMC, is a Mortgage Consultant with Thoroughbred Mortgage and he can be reached at 845-742-4638; or click here to visit his website.

Kim Simms is a New York State Licensed Salesperson and Residential Real Estate Consultant with Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate Brokerage in East Fishkill, NY. She can be reached at

Posted by: Kim Simms

Vacation

2011-08-16T08:36:20Z

There was a song from the 50's or 60's where that very word was sung out with great energy. It almost made you want to run out and take that vacation... something too few of us do today. It is, after all, a part of our culture. But it is very easy to put a vacation on the back burner! It has been proven through actual studies that we need to take vacations for our physical and emotional well-being. And who can argue with the euphoria that follows a walk on a beach, drifting on a lake in a canoe, watching your kids romping through Disneyworld? And when you (and your family) decide on where to go-try to leave the laptops and iPads behind-talk to each other, go play games together-reconnect and reenergize!

Posted by: Lisa Sanker

OUR KIMUNITY – Final Walk-Through When Buying a House

2011-08-08T13:55:57Z

I recently accompanied a client on the final walk-through of the house they were purchasing. For a buyer, the final walk-through is “your chance to make sure everything is right before closing the deal.” That’s a direct quote from an article, titled 15 Tips for the Final Walk-Through on HGTV’s Front Door website.

It’s typically done as close to the actual closing as possible. Sometimes the sellers are moving out right up until the day of the closing. You want to see the house one last time before you actually purchase it, when it is completely empty. It’s the chance to make sure that any repairs that the seller agreed to make have been done, that all of the items that the seller agreed to leave in the house are still there, like window treatments, lighting fixtures, garage door openers and the like, and the lights and appliances are in working order.

In addition to this helpful list of tips, I would also advise you to bring a digital camera and a notepad so you and your agent can show your attorney anything that needs to be remedied prior to the actual closing. These remedies are typically things that were previously agreed upon or can be the discovery of new damage. Sometimes the buyer’s attorney and the seller’s attorney, after discussion with both parties, will create an escrow account from the seller’s proceeds, to pay for those items in question.

The days surround the closing of your new home are exciting, exhausting and sometimes stressful. The more attention you pay to the home that is about to be yours, the better off you’ll be after it’s actually yours.

Kim Simms is a New York State Licensed Salesperson and Residential Real Estate Consultant with Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate Brokerage in East Fishkill, NY. She can be reached at and you can read other posts in her blog library by clicking here.

Posted by: Kim Simms

OUR KIMUNITY – DUTCHESS COUNTY REAL ESTATE REPORT FOR JULY 2011

2011-08-05T14:45:21Z

This July 2011 Sales Statistics Report is from our local Multiple Listing Service. Although this doesn’t represent all real estate on the market for sale or real estate sold for the whole county, it does represent the largest sampling of sales. This report includes Single Family Detached homes only. Condominiums, Town Homes, Land, and Commercial Properties are not included.

Kim Simms is a New York state licensed real estate salesperson and residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence East Fishkill. Contact her for additional information on this market report, selling your Dutchess County home, properties for sale in Dutchess County, and general real estate consultation. She can be reached at ksimms@houlihanlawrence.com.

Posted by: Kim Simms

Making a Difference

2011-07-19T17:23:59Z

There is a national "make a difference" day each year in the US; this day is highlighted in the media, and is so inspirational! Yet, shouldn't we all be ready to make a difference every day, in any way we can? The question may be, what can I do? The answer can be fairly simple, something that you have heard before...start small. One small investment of your time, and none of your money, involves donating blood.

There are drives everywhere in communities, at all times of the day-you can't miss them. If you are squeamish about the sight of blood- don't look. There is just a second or two of discomfort (the needle) and then there you are- donating the gift of life!

Volunteer opportunities abound; in animal shelters, food pantries, nursing homes and hospitals, to name a few. Any one of these would welcome even an hour or two a week-summer is wonderful time to introduce semi-bored children to the world of volunteering..so get out there and help. Participate in your community!

Posted by: Lisa Sanker

A Majestic View of the Hudson River

2011-07-15T17:31:35Z

It was a perfect summer day: clear blue sky, seventy-five degrees with a light wind. Total perfection. So of course I skipped out on the office meeting and scrambled up to the Walkway Over the Hudson yesterday. To balance out the fact the I missed a couple hours of work, I took some video (http://youtu.be/VPLzWZNUpaM) and decided to share my experience with everyone!

If this is the first time you are hearing about the Walkway, here's a brief primer. It is located in Poughkeepsie, New York and was formerly a train bridge that spans the Hudson River and opened as a pedestrian walking bridge in 2009. At 1.28 miles across, it is the worlds longest pedestrian bridge.

Access to the walkway can be found on both sides of the river. I chose to visit the Highland (west) side, and was pleasantly surprised by some of the enhancements made in order to make visitors and their pets comfortable. For starters, parking in the Haviland Avenue lot was a breeze and free of charge. Restrooms were available as were concession stands offering snacks for sale. I was happy to see accommodations being made for dogs. There were water stations where a thirsty pup could take a drink. I was also glad to see that someone was posting the ground temperature of the Walkway (it was at 114 degrees when I was there) so pet owners could judge whether the Walkway was safe for Fido's paws at that time. More importantly, there were several spots at the entrance and along the walkway where a pet owner could grab a plastic bag to pick up any surprises that a puppy leaves along the way. (A hot issue because irresponsible dog owners have not been picking up. We saw one such surprise when we visited).

Did you know that there are benches approximately halfway over the 1.3 mile span? Some people I spoke to over the last year or so complained that there was nowhere to sit. Now you can rest your feet and take in stunning views of the river. It took us about 30 minutes to walk about 3/4 of the way and we could have kept going if time were not a factor. Bicyclists and roller-blading enthusiasts were also enjoying the span but everyone was polite and us walkers didn't have any problems clashing with those on wheels.

Wear comfy clothes and sneakers, bring a camera and a couple of dollars to put in the contribution container located on the bridge. Check out the website for more detailed information and special events.

Tammy Benkwitt is a real estate agent serving Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties. She can be reached at or on her cell 914-714-2127.

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

Drive-In Theaters in Dutchess County!

2011-07-06T14:53:37Z

I almost hate writing about this because I know the lines are going to grow longer and my one of my favorite places will get even more crowded! But I'm in real estate and I can't help but brag about where I live! So keep this to yourselves... we have two drive-in movie theaters in Dutchess County!

For those of you who have never been, a drive-in movie requires a car with a working radio, a comfortable seat either inside or outside your vehicle, insect repellent, and comfortable clothing (pajamas are highly recommended)!

The Hyde Park Drive-In sits right across from Franklin Delano Roosevelt's home. (Come on, you know FDR would turn his radio to the drive-in station and peek at the big screen from his front porch if he could!) With drive-in movies you can save money bringing in your own drinks and snacks. Even though you can bring in your own healthy snacks, it's almost impossible not to order the French fries from the concession stand.

Just a short 15 minutes to the west in Poughkeepsie is the Overlook Drive-In. It offers the identical pricing and concessions.

The regular admission price for adults is $8.00, children between 5-11 cost $4.00 each and kids under 5 years of age are free. This includes two feature movies! (Tuesday night is bargain night. Only $5.00 for an adult.) You can't beat it.

Enjoy!

Tammy Benkwitt is a real estate agent and instructor with 20 years experience and serves the counties of Dutchess, Putnam and Northern Westchester. She can be reached by cell 914-714-2127 or email .

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

OUR Kimunity - My Summer Reading List

2011-07-06T09:02:20Z

In my never-ending quest to help raise the consciousness of this physical experience (isn’t everyone?), I offer my (partial) summer reading list. Actually, it’s not just a summer list. As I said, it’s a never-ending journey so I’ve started a couple of them already and will finish them when I’m done (I know, it sounds like a Yogi-ism, right?). I don’t own an e-reader - I still prefer to feel the book in my hands.

Fiftieth Anniversary Edition of You Learn by Living, by Eleanor Roosevelt. Subtitle: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life. I first learned about Eleanor Roosevelt and the work that is being carried forward in her name, through the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kil, which operates a Girls’ Leadership Workshop, while researching women and girls empowerment opportunities for my Girl Scouts.

The Shadow Effect by Deepak Chopra, Debbie Ford and Marianne Williamson. Subtitle: Illuminating the Hidden Power in Your True Self.

Infinite Possibilities by Mike Dooley. Subtitle: The Art of Living Your Dreams. This is a library book; I may actually purchase a copy of my own (or pay the library for this one).

Re-reading:

The Answer by John Assaraf & Murray Smith. Subtitle: Grow Any Business, Achieve Financial Freedom, and Live an Extraordinary Life. I first read this one about 2 years ago while vacationing in Aruba. Although I really enjoyed it, I can see that I missed quite a bit the first time around. Cold beach drinks with umbrellas and thought-provoking literature do not mix although at the time it seemed perfect.

All of these can be purchased on amazon.com which is where I purchase most of my books, or checked out at your local library. It’s All Good. No matter what you do to be a better person, just remember that you can, at every single moment, start right now right where you are. Happy Summer...

Kim Simms is a New York State licensed real estate salesperson and a residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence East Fishkill. You can contact her at .

Posted by: Kim Simms

Types of Real Estate Agents: Part One

2011-07-06T00:00:00Z

Did you know that there is more than one kind of real estate agent in New York? In fact, there are buyers agents, sellers agents, brokers agents, sub-agents, dual agents and designated agents. Which one should you work with? Well, that depends.

New York State real estate law requires us to discuss the various kinds of agents and who we represent at our "first substantive contact" with a new customer or client. For example, if you were to call a real estate agent inquiring about a home you saw advertised, that agent can tell you the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, but is not supposed to ask you questions or let talk about yourself until he or she explains the agency options available to you. For many, it's an awkward conversation. Most agents are lucky to be able to share this information before the customer hangs up the phone thinking they are being suckered into buying a bridge in Brooklyn!

In fact, many agents have a hard time understanding the complexities of agency relationships. The rules about what we are allowed to say and to whom we can say it and when can be mind boggling sometimes. Most of us have taken numerous classes to become better educated on the subject. So if you get confused, don't feel embarrassed because you are not alone!

We understand our clients are focused on either finding the right home or selling a property - usually the most expensive financial transaction in their lives. However, that is why it is so very important that buyers and sellers pay attention to what their real estate agent is supposed to be doing on their behalf. If you don't establish and understand your relationship with your real estate agent at your first meeting, it can cost you at the closing table. Agents are gladly willing to answer any and all questions.

In 1992, New York State mandated that all real estate agents not only explain agency relationships to clients and customers, it also required that we have our buyers and sellers sign a form acknowledging we had this discussion. Sometimes people are reluctant to sign the form. You should know that it is not an agreement or commitment between the agent and buyer or seller, just a disclosure. You are not obligated to continue to work with that agent because you signed the Agency Disclosure Form.

This is the first post in a series where I will try to explain, as succinctly as I can, what real estate agency relationships mean to you as a buyer or seller. Look out for upcoming posts and please feel free to ask any questions you may have in the comments section below.

Tammy Benkwitt is a real estate agent and instructor with 20 years experience and serves the counties of Dutchess, Putnam and Northern Westchester. She can be reached by cell 914-714-2127 or email .

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

Our KIMUNITY – Dutchess County Hot Air Balloon Festival

2011-06-21T13:30:38Z

This year’s Hot Air Balloon Festival, hosted by the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, takes place from Friday, July 1, 2011 through Sunday, July 3rd.

The 6 a.m. launches on Saturday and Sunday will take place at the Hudson River Rowing Association in Poughkeepsie. The Friday night and Saturday night 6 p.m launches take place at various locations throughout the Hudson Valley, including Beacon, Highland, Lagrange, Pawling, Poughkeepsie, Rhinebeck and Tivoli. You can visit the Chambers’s website and click on the balloon, “Launch Sites” to find out the exact locations.

Two years ago, I woke my family up at the break of dawn to travel to Poughkeepsie to witness the balloon launch. On an absolutely beautiful Sunday morning in June, we were speechless and in awe as we saw these monstrous balloons get rolled out, gassed up and launched over the Hudson River. In these pictures, you can see that the Walkway Over the Hudson is still under construction and it would open officially in October of 2009.

This event is free, enjoyable for the whole family, and worth getting up early to see. Enjoy the pictures.

Kim Simms is a New York State licensed real estate salesperson and a residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence East Fishkill. Contact her at for additional information on Dutchess County housing, communities, events, and general inquiries.

Posted by: Kim Simms

Gardening in the Hudson Valley

2011-06-20T08:29:56Z

“Summertime and the living is easy” as the song goes. If you are like me, gardening can take up a big part of my evenings and days off. Don’t get me wrong, I love to garden. Planning and organizing, however, can be overwhelming for the amateur gardener.

Ideas for your summer garden can be found by visiting any of our local formal gardens that are open to the public. You could also stop by Adams Fairacre Farms, a farm fresh produce, garden center and specialty shop in the Town of Poughkeepsie, which started as a small family roadside farm stand in the early 1900’s and now has store locations in Kingston, Newburgh and one currently under construction in Wappingers Falls. Or, join a local garden club to share ideas with new friends.

How about hiring someone to plan your garden as I did this year? Kitchen Garden Plans by Victoria will design a personal garden for you to include your choice of herbs, vegetables, fruits and flowers. You can find Victoria on Facebook.

My herbs are only a few steps from my back porch, the flower boxes are filling in and it’s time to check out what I can do in the Dutchess County area with all my free time. There are local concerts in the park, great golf courses and, of course, I can sit on my porch with a great summer read from the local Mid Hudson Library and listen to an old time favorite song, “Summertime."

Barbara Dudley is a broker/manager at Houlihan Lawrence in East Fishkill, New York and can be reached at 845-227-4400 x 222 or .

Posted by: Barbara Dudley

Which Smart Phone Should I Buy?

2011-06-16T14:06:02Z

I was a devout BlackBerry user. Being a very serious, business-minded person, there was no other option. No other phones would have looked impressive in front of important people. I was able to read my email and answer the phone. I could download a few "apps" that I used every so often. In addition to the $29.99 per month in data fees Verizon charged me, I had to pay another $14.99 to use the BlackBerry Enterprise Exchange which allowed me to get my corporate email. I hated paying that extra $15 per month, but I was super-professional. Wasn't that worth it?

I spoke with colleagues who purchased a Droid phone. They loved their Droids and the best part was that they no longer had to pay the additional $15 per month to Enterprise. Plus it makes a cool sound! It was soooo tempting to jump in and buy one. But how could I possibly turn away from my trusted BlackBerry? Even though the track ball was sticking and I would have to pull the battery out every other week because it was freezing on me. I just had to stick with it.

My iPhone Screen

Then, in February in 2011, Verizon offered the iPhone for sale. My contract was up, I needed to make a move, and I went for it. It was an easy decision. I would save $15 per month, and have the latest and greatest phone on the market. That was a good decision for me.

I am frequently asked by my colleagues which phone they should get. Their contract is expiring and its time for a change. So I am writing this with my real estate agent friends in mind, although the following great advice certainly applies to everyone!

Here are some questions you should ask yourself in order to find the right wireless phone for you.

Can you read and use the screen clearly and easily?

I've looked at new BlackBerry's and met with agents who had just purchased one. Surprisingly, the red on black, raised qwerty keyboards were difficult to read. Agents who wore eyeglasses found this to be a challenge. (I wear progressive eye lenses and also found it to be a strain.) One agent told me she was scared off from the iPhone because she was told by her adult children that it was "too much phone" for her. Even if you don't use all the features, make sure you can at least read the screen easily. I found the iPhone to be extremely easy to view and easy to bounce from my email to my contacts to my calendar, and so on. The touch screen took a little getting used to. But the iPhone seems to know when I am mis-typing a word and (magically) corrects it.

How many "apps" do I really need?

An "app" is simply a program that you add to your phone so that you can access it easily. There are thousands available and no one will use them all. How many you will use depends on you. Of course I use several related to real estate such as my MLS access and the Houlihan Lawrence app which allows me to access property information on the road. I can pull up Google and run a search for anything. It is equivalent to having a computer in my pocket. You may find that you will use more apps than you think. Some of the non-real estate apps I enjoy on my device are Kindle, Skype, and of course Angry Birds. How easy you can load and access an app depends on the device.

How easy is it to download an "app"?

The number of steps it takes to add a new program to your phone's home page does matter. Is it an easy process? How long does it take? When you get in the groove and want to get new apps added to your phone, it will bother you if its cumbersome or slow. On a Droid, you need to search for apps in the Marketplace and then download or bookmark them. For a BlackBerry, you can load an app easily, but you have to remember that it is sitting in your 'downloads' folder, then you need to move it to your home page if you want it easily available. Being a truly intuitive device, the iPhone has a button you press that reads App Store.

3G? 4G ? What is a "G"?

Aside from being the 7th letter of the alphabet, the "G" in wireless speak means "generation". I have the iPhone 3G or 3rd generation and I am very pleased with its performance and speed. Reports are that a newer 4th generation (4G ) iPhone will be released through Verizon in the near future. The improvements mostly have to do with speed and how fast can you pull up the internet on your phone.

Which is the best wireless phone provider?

This is going to depend largely upon where you live and work. Ask friends and colleagues what provider they use. In the southern Dutchess County region, Verizon is the way to go. I have not experienced dropped calls at all with Verizon in this area.

How much will it cost per month?

That depends on the carrier. Most people know to ask about rates when it comes to voice and text messaging. With smart phones, you will also need to pay a data fee. When you are researching providers, ask whether the data plan is a flat fee with unlimited service, or whether you are paying based on the amount of data (internet access which includes email) you will use.

How can I get a discount on the monthly fees?

Regardless of the provider company, tell them who you work for or any associations you to which you may belong. Odds are pretty good you are on someone's list and can get a discount. Most carriers offer these special rates.

Can I take pictures and video?

You may not think this is important, but when your granddaughter is doing something adorable, or you eat at a restaurant and you want to blog about it, it is indeed very handy to have a camera with high resolution quality and, again, easy to use. Its also important to find out how you access the pictures you've taken so you can move them to your computer, email, text or upload them to social media sites. Chase bank will allow you to deposit a check using the photo feature. (I've done it, and it works!) The iPhone has a camera in both the front and back which means you can make a face to face phone call - or take a picture of yourself hugging your favorite client- if you wish.

So make an appointment with yourself to spend an hour at a wireless phone store. Play with all the smart phones, try them out.

Which one is the easiest to use without having to ask someone? There's a clue right there! Don't be intimidated by the savvy salespeople who will direct you to phones they think are best for you. You are going to be living with this device for probably a couple of years, make sure you are happy.

Tammy Benkwitt is a real estate agent and instructor serving the Dutchess , Putnam, and Westchester regions. She can be reached on her iPhone at 914-714-2127 or tbenkwitt@houlihanlawrence.com .

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

Our KIMUNITY: How Do You Lose Partial Power During a Storm?

2011-06-14T08:45:49Z

This is a first for us. We’ve been living in Hopewell Junction for over 15 years now, and although we lost power before, we’d never lost partial power. That is until last week’s thunder and lightning storm that hit the Hudson Valley.

At first it was cool – quarter-size hail was pinging the roof and bouncing five feet high off the deck and accumulating so fast it looked like snow. I don’t know why, but I’ve always been fascinated by extreme weather conditions – as long as I wasn’t actually IN it.

When that show was over, I returned to another room in the house to catch up on my email. You could hear the booming thunder outside and see an occasional flash of light brighten the window. Suddenly, there was a really loud crack and I knew something had been hit by lightning. Several minutes later, my husband came in and announced there was no power, but was shocked to see I still had lights, TV and the computer on in the room I was in. How could that be? The clock on the stove worked, but the stove only heated to warm. One of the bathrooms had lights, but they only came on dimly. We were glad that although some of the power was out, the fridge was still working because the light inside was on. That proved to be wrong a little while later. The ceiling fan blades didn’t work, but the lights came on dimly. What was going on?

Turns out a tree had fallen in our neighborhood, caused us to “lose a phase” which created an “open neutral” which meant there were electrical volts floating in the area sending partial charges every which way. Not a good situation. We called Central Hudson, reported our partial power outage, which became a complete power outage once they sent an assessment team because they turned off the power to the entire house – too dangerous to have floating voltage wandering around unattended and misdirected.

Within the next five hours, someone came and chopped down the tree that had brought down the wires and Central Hudson came and fixed the wires and reconnected our meter.

Thank goodness we didn’t need an electrician, our house was not hit by lightning, that tree that fell did not fall on our house, and all we lost was what was in the refrigerator.

I am reminded of two things: We are truly blessed, and you learn something new every day.

Kim Simms is a New York State licensed real estate salesperson and a residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence East Fishkill. Contact her atksimms@houlihanlawrence.com for additional information on Dutchess County housing, communities, events, and general inquiries.

Posted by: Kim Simms

Our KIMUNITY - How Can We Help Make the World More Peaceful?

2011-06-13T08:32:01Z

My Girl Scout troop and I have been working on a Journey, called the aMaze Journey for the last few months. Journeys have replaced badges, in that they require more contemplation and take more steps to complete - each one building on the previous one - and culminates in a take-action project that solidifies the understanding of the concept and advances the goal.

So, the goal of the aMaze Journey is to think of ways to make the world a more peaceful place to live. It started with learning about the various relationships and relationship challenges we each experience on a daily basis, then moved to strategies and collecting tips for handling issues like conflicts, peer pressure, bullying, gossip, cliques, stereotyping and friendships.

Along the way, I kept reminding the girls that they are each unique in their own way and they can not let anyone tell them how they should feel. To have good friends, you need to be a good friend. Treat others they way you want to be treated. Expect success, encourage others to be their best and always, always, stay true to yourself.

Well, we are near the end of the Journey. My contribution to success of this project will be the gift of a music CD. I asked the girls to give me the title/artist for s song they feel is positive, puts them in a good mood, is encouraging and has an uplifting message - sorry Aliza, I don’t think "Can You Teach Me How to Dougie" will make the cut, although it is a fun song. I’ll be happy to share this list once I purchase them and download them to my computer to make the CD. At the end of each session, I read a poem to the girls to remind them of their greatness. This will be compiled in a scrapbook with pictures.

For the actual Take-Action Project, the girls have come up with a few ideas and we hope to settle on one or two of them and do them over the summer. One is to plant a peace garden. Another is to paint a room in a community location with peaceful colors. A third idea, one which we’ve actually started working on, is to make some public service announcements about how to handle the many relationship challenges we face. These girls are creative, compassionate and smart and it is my pleasure to say I am their leader.

Peace.

Kim Simms is a New York State licensed real estate salesperson and a residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence East Fishkill. She is also a Girl Scout troop leader. Contact her at ksimms@houlihanlawrence.com for additional information on Fishkill Girl Scouting, Dutchess County housing, communities, events, and general inquiries, or for information about troop openings and becoming a GS leader in the Fishkill Girl Scout community.

Posted by: Kim Simms

Feeling the heat? Move!

2011-06-08T16:05:40Z

The pool at Four Corners in East Fishkill

We moved from Westchester County to Fishkill, New York in 2002. At the time we paid $285,000 for a raised ranch on an acre of land that offered perks such as town water and sewer, natural gas, trees everywhere, and no ugly telephone poles in the streets. Granted, those are fairly boring perks. However, in an area dominated by septic systems, wells, and oil heat, that house got this real estate agent's attention, and I grabbed it in a seller's market.

My husband and I had previously only rented in a brick apartment building in New Rochelle with no air conditioning, and then owned a small condo in Peekskill. We never had a pool. So the fact that this house had central air conditioning, as well as two decks, and an above ground pool was a huge bonus!

As I write this, the temperature is heading toward 100 degrees and I am thankful to have central air conditioning and will likely jump in the pool later with my family. That got me thinking about how many other folks out there are like us and would appreciate having a home with these cool (excuse the pun)amenities. So, just for fun, I ran a search of available homes in the Southern Dutchess County area that have both central air conditioning and a pool. Here is what I found.

According to the Mid-Hudson MLS (Available homes with BOTH Central Air and a Pool)

List Price	Number of Active Listings
Single Family Detached
$200,000-$300,000	10
$300,000-$400,000	16
Single Family Attached	(i.e. condo, co-op, townhouse)
$100,000-$200,000	5
$200,000-$300,000	33
$300,000-$400,000	30

So there you go, 94 affordably priced homes that have central air AND a pool for sale right now. All located in the southern end of Dutchess County, approximately a 60 minute drive to White Plains. Many sellers are willing to make seller concessions in order to help buyers with closing costs and there are indeed mortgage opportunities for most people. If you dream of leaving the hot, steaming city and owning a home to call your own, here is your chance!

One other fast fact: Home prices in this area have now dropped close to 2002 prices. Take a look at the graph that shows a ten year market overview of the southern Dutchess area. It clearly illustrates that homes are now much more affordable than in recent years and indeed almost at 2002 levels. The market is basically back to where my husband and I began. Personally, I don't feel like I've lost anything. We are living our dream of owning a home we can comfortably afford and enjoy for many years to come.

I will always remember how we felt cooped up in our sweltering, tiny apartment during the summertime. Finding our home in Fishkill was one of our best decisions. If you want to know how to make the plunge, let's talk!

Tammy Benkwitt is a real estate agent and real estate instructor serving Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties. She can be reached at 914-714-2127 or email tbenkwitt@houlihanlawrence.com.

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

Our KIMUNITY – Things to Do in Dutchess County this weekend

2011-06-08T14:20:27Z

This is not a comprehensive list of course, but a small sampling of fun possibilities to do in Dutchess County this weekend. Get out and enjoy!

Thursday, June 9th through Sunday, June 12th

From their website, the Ponze Family Flying Trapeze

The world’s largest circus under the big top! Coleman Bros Circus of the Stars, Dutchess Stadium, Route 9D, Wappingers Falls. Go to the website and print free tickets for children under 12.

Saturday, June 11th

Family Fun Day & Autography Signing at Gold’s Gym located at 258 Titusville Road, Poughkeepsie (LaGrange), NY. Go meet NFL Superstar and Super Bowl Champion Santonio Holmes. There will also be food, fun, games, music and local vendors!

An exciting opportunity to meet, ask questions and see live demonstrations from Buddy Valastro: The Cake Boss The Bakin’ with Buddy Tour at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, 14 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie, NY.

Sunday, June 12th

From their website, “Strawberry Festival”

It’s time to pick strawberries! Visit the BSC (Beacon Sloop Club) Strawberry Festival, Riverfront Park, Beacon, NY. Fresh strawberry shortcake, free salis on the ferry sloop Woody Guthrie, entertainment with Pete Seeger and others, special children’s area, craft and food vendors.

Kim Simms is a New York state licensed real estate salesperson and residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence East Fishkill. Contact her for additional information on Dutchess County real estate market conditions, homes for sale, preparing your home for sale, events, and general inquiries atksimms@houlihanlawrence.com.

Posted by: Kim Simms

Our KIMUNITY - Eat Healthier & Exercise More

2011-06-07T06:43:39Z

After getting my summer clothes out of storage, I was eager to try on some of my summer wardrobe to see how well it still fit. Ugh. Wii™ have some work to do. Like most people, I’ve known for quite a long time that I should eat healthier and exercise more. As you get older, the absence of these lifestyle practices becomes very evident in your physical, mental and emotional reality.

It’s the perfect time of year to incorporate these two seemingly simple practices into my daily routine. I’ve never tried a diet before and I don’t plan to now. But I know I can eat healthier and exercise more. Dutchess County Farm Markets have officially opened for the season. I’m excited at the prospect of buying fresh, local fruits and vegetables and trying new recipes. The Dutchess County Rail Trail has completed Phase III is now open with 6.5 new miles trailing through LaGrange and Wappinger, linking to East Fishkill. I’ve been promised a new bike if I commit to going on the new trail with my husband.

EAT HEALTHIER

I was discussing this same subject with a colleague of mine and she suggested I look into the Glycemic Index if I want relative information about eating healthier. The what? I’d seen and heard the commercials without really paying attention to them. I asked her if it’s some sort of pill, drink or special potion like most of the gimmicky commercials and ads we’re bombarded with. She said it’s none of that. It’s simply changing what you eat. There are good carbs and not so good carbs. I went to the website for more information.

What is the Glycemic Index?

The website explains carbohydrates are not created equal,, and they all respond differently in our bodies. The glycemic index demonstrates this difference by ranking carbohydrates according to their effect on our blood glucose levels.

How to Switch to a Low GI Diet

The basic technique for eating the low GI way is simply a "this for that" approach - ie, swapping high GI carbs for low GI carbs. You don't need to count numbers or do any sort of mental arithmetic to make sure you are eating a healthy, low GI diet.

Use breakfast cereals based on oats, barley and branUse breads with wholegrains, stone-ground flour, sour doughReduce the amount of potatoes you eatEnjoy all other types of fruit and vegetablesUse Basmati or Doongara riceEnjoy pasta, noodles, quinoaEat plenty of salad vegetables with a vinaigrette dressing

This sounds doable.

EXERCISE MORE

Two Christmases ago, I asked for and received the Wii Fit Plus DVD. When the initial fun of creating a profile, weighing in, going through the exercises to test my balance, and receiving the recommended number of pounds I should try to lose, then setting up an actual workout calendar, I stopped. I would log on so infrequently that the voice would make a snide remark about how long it had been since I’d visited last and how much it had missed me. It’s as if it could see me!

During my brief exercise encounters, I did manage to find several work-out favorites. I think I’ll go back and look for them. They say there are only two requirements for exercising:

Start itKeep Doing It

Farewell Pepsi, Lays potato chips (original, of course!), white bread and mashed potatoes! Hello sleeveless tops, buttoned waistbands and shorts above the knees! I’m off to find some Doongara rice- I’ll keep you posted - here Wii™ Go!

Posted by: Kim Simms

OUR Kimunity - Everything has a Dharma

2011-06-06T09:27:30Z

A Woodpecker Pecking Wood

What’s your dharma?

Kim Simms is a New York State licensed real estate salesperson and a residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence East Fishkill. You can contact her atksimms@houlihanlawrence.com.

Posted by: Kim Simms

Today's Post - Grants for First Time Homebuyers

2011-06-03T12:26:17Z

June is NYSAR Housing Opportunities Month! I received an email from the New York State Association of Realtors (NYSAR), of which I am a member, reminding me of the opportunity to inform first time homebuyers that there is grant money available to assist with down payments and other reasonable closing costs normally associated with purchasing a home.

The NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation was created in 2003 with the goal of assisting individuals in becoming homeowners.

An invaluable resource to me for the most current mortgage information, of Thoroughbred Mortgage, an affiliate of Wells Fargo, told me this morning that approximately 77% of the mortgages written in Dutchess County, are FHA loans. That’s a huge percentage!! In light of this information, I thought it would be extremely helpful to also include the FHA Down Payment Grants website to inform potential first-time homebuyers about additional programs that offer grant money.

Of course there are income and purchase limits, restrictions on occupancy, and other criteria that need to be met in order to qualify for these programs, but keep in mind grant money is money that typically does not need to be repaid if all of the requirements are met.

With interest rates at historical lows and grant money readily available for qualified families, I think it’s worth a try, don’t you?

Kim Simms is a New York State licensed real estate salesperson and a residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence East Fishkill. Contact her at ksimms@houlihanlawrence.com for additional information on Dutchess County housing, communities, events, and general inquiries.

Posted by: Kim Simms

OUR KIMUNITY – Pre-Staging Your Home Part 3

2011-06-02T10:38:19Z

Part 3 of 3

In the first two parts, we talked about how homes for sale in three Dutchess County towns that are in close proximity to each other, in the same school district and price range, are competing for the same buyer.

Properly preparing your house for the market is one way to make sure your house will be considered by a potential buyer. In this market, buyers want homes that are priced at or below market value and are move-in ready; most won’t mind painting and minor cosmetic changes, but they do expect a home that’s clean, free of clutter, and not in need of repair before they even move in. We’ve been talking about how pre-staging your home is vital before you can stage your home. Let’s look at an even larger view of the market, county-wide. According to the Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing Service, April 2011 Sales Statistics showed that there were 1927 single-family detached homes for sale in Dutchess County and another 421 single-family attached homes, like condominiums, townhomes and co-ops. Competition for a financially-able buyer is stiff.

Any home, no matter what size, age, or location can benefit from these few suggestions, when preparing to introduce your home to the marketplace:

GENERAL PRE-STAGING TIPS

• It’s difficult to look at your home objectively and easy to overlook imperfections that are obvious to buyers when you live in and see your home every day.
• STEP 1: Declutter; Step 2: Repair/Paint; Step 3: Decorate Minimally
• Less is More
• Live Plaints tend to bring the outdoors inside
• Visual is the first sense a potential buyer uses when they approach your property; Smell is the is the first sense upon entering your home
• If you must paint only a section of a wall or ceiling, it’s usually better to paint the whole wall or ceiling so the surface is uniform
• Use flat paint on walls and ceiling paint on ceilings; gloss is for trim work
• If you cannot find matching missing hardware for furniture that will be displayed during staging, either replace with all new hardware or remove the piece of furniture from display
• As you’re cleaning floors, pay special attention to the transition flooring between each room; Buyers Notice!
• Use sheer window treatments in each room to allow maximum natural light exposure
• If your yard and the exterior of the house is unkempt and messy, a potential buyer could get the idea that it’s too difficult to keep up
• For painted walls, especially light-colored ones, taking a picture will help expose imperfections like dirt, grime, fingerprints and stains that might not be noticed with the naked eye. The same is true of cabinets, entrance doors, wallpaper.

Good luck in your quest to find a willing and able buyer in this market – luck is when preparedness and opportunity meet. If you’re serious about competing in it, take the pre-staging checklist to heart. If you can’t do all the work yourself, hire someone. Finally, once you’ve done all the pre-staging work, focus on what will appeal to the majority of the buyer population, like neutral wall colors, paint instead of wallpaper, hardwood floors over carpet. Kitchens and bathrooms still sell homes.

Contact Kim Simms, a full-time licensed real estate salesperson and residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate of East Fishkill, NY for more information on homes for sale in Dutchess County and surrounding areas, staging your home for sale, and current market conditions. She can be reached at .

Posted by: Kim Simms

Easy Living

2011-06-02T06:57:38Z

It's summertime-and the livin' is easy-at least that's the way the song goes. Don't we wish!

Life is not always easy, unless you live in Utopia; and where is that, exactly? While we cannot call that home, we do live in one of the loveliest areas of the state. The Hudson Valley is scenic at any time of the year-activities and events abound, hotels and restaurants too numerous to list.

Its history is that of a young America's growing pains, and so we have river banks full of amazing historic homesites, starting with Kykuit and Sunnyside in lower Westchester and extending up to Olana in Columbia county. Listing all the "places to see" would be a much longer article; and my point is to encourage those of us who live here to explore. Sometimes we don't even know what is in our own "backyard!" Summer is here, so make a list like this one at Hudson River Valley of places to see, if not every weekend, at least once or twice a month. Websites abound-the information is there-just Google it.

Posted by: Lisa Sanker

OUR KIMUNITY - Pre-Staging Your Home

2011-05-31T13:45:00Z

In part one, we took a quick look at how many other homes that a seller, who currently has their home listed for sale between $275,000 and $325,000 in the towns of Fishkill and Wappinger, is competing with. Let’s take this concept one step farther.

It would be safe to say that if someone were looking to purchase a home in southern Dutchess County, they might also consider the towns of East Fishkill and Beacon because all four towns have a close proximity to Route 9, the Taconic Parkway, I-84, and I-87. We will only add East Fishkill to the list here because most of East Fishkill is in the Wappinger Central School District, as are Fishkill and Wappinger.

According to the Mid Hudson Multiple Listing Service, there are 24 homes currently for sale in East Fishkill priced between $275,000 and $325,000. So between the three towns, that is 77 homes on the market so each individual seller is competing with 76 other homes! The age of these 77 homes currently on the market in these three towns averages 35-50 years old.

The three basic criteria for selling a home are still LOCATION, PRICE AND CONDITION. The location can not be changed. The price is driven by the market conditions and what someone is willing to pay for a particular house. THE CONDITION IS IN THE SELLER’S CONTROL.

When a buyer looks at one of these homes they want to know that they are buying a house that has been kept up, that is in good condition, and has possibly had updates to the roof, siding, windows and mechanicals. Simply put, in this market, homes that meet all three criteria are the homes that are being bought – and quickly. If a house is in disrepair, cluttered, dirty, AND dated, it simply won’t sell - at least not at the price the seller is hoping to get for it.

This extensive list for pre-staging your home and getting your home ready for sale includes items that can be done fairly inexpensively by the sellers themselves or can be hired out. I believe that in either event, the cost of making sure a home can be competitive in this market is still less expensive than a seller’s first price reduction. If a home can not compete because of condition or price, the seller will have to keep reducing the price until he or she finds a buyer willing to purchase the home in its current condition. With all of the homes on the market, it could take a very long time or even not sell at all. Keep in mind that the number of homes currently in competition with each other in these three towns is only as of today; more homes come on the market everyday.

Are you missing out on having serious buyers consider purchasing our home? You have to ask yourself that question and answer honestly.

In Part 3 we’ll look at how to actually stage your home once it’s been decluttered, cleaned and repairs have been made.

Contact Kim Simms, a full-time licensed real estate salesperson and residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate of East Fishkill, NY for more information on homes for sale in Dutchess County and surrounding areas, staging your home for sale, and current market conditions. She can be reached at .

Posted by: Kim Simms

OUR KIMUNITY – Pre-Staging Your Home

2011-05-26T14:21:15Z

PART 1 OF 3

Last weekend, while out showing houses with clients, I repeatedly thought about the importance of pre-staging a house before it’s introduced to the marketplace to attract a buyer. Don’t get me wrong, all of the homes I took them to met a few of the desired features on their list, like square footage, number of bedrooms, lot size, location, and in most cases even price, but upon arrival, my clients formed opinions as soon as we pulled in the driveway, and those opinions formed the basis for their expectations as we looked inside. This is about pre-staging – before you even think about where to position furniture, light scented candles and play soft back-ground music during an open house. Here are a few highlights of our tour:

As we approached the door of one, the door was dingy, dirty, marked up and in need of a really good cleaning and paint job. No one wanted to touch the door knob it was so grimy-looking. Not a good first impression. Looking out the window from the basement level of another, the stairway from the upstairs deck looked like it belonged in a fun-house. We all agreed we would not be using the deck stairs once we got outside. They wondered, “what else is in need of serious repair in this house?” and went looking for other problems. While in the basement (storage area) of a third, someone pointed out about a dozen different paint cans with the dried drippings on each can representing what we believed to be all of the colors in the rainbow. When we got upstairs to the bedrooms, sure enough, each room was a different color, including but not limited to, purple, lime green and pink. The worn carpets boasted a different non-coordinated color in each room. It was distracting. My client was thinking about how much it would cost to replace the carpets and repaint ALL of the rooms.After visiting this particular home, I went back and checked the special agent-to-agent remarks to see if I missed the note about this property being separated from a donkey and llama farm by a mere fence – it wasn’t in there. My clients ran when one of the llamas started toward us – they said they spit! Not sure how it smells out in the yard when you are upwind from the farm or if the two-year-old could safely play in her own backyard, which was fenced all around.Last, but certainly not least, there was a pretty old, but immaculately clean home that my clients did not have the chance to consider because one of them pointed out the urn of ashes holding a deceased family member of the seller, prominently displaced on the mantle over the fireplace. It’s all they could talk about on the way to the next house.

My clients and I were both disappointed with the results of the day because we had started the day with such high expectations. I know the sellers are probably disappointed that the showing did not result in an offer and they may even wonder why.

Do these sellers truly know what they are up against? They may not. As of today, in the towns of Fishkill and Wappinger, where we toured, there are 53 single family detached homes priced between $275,000-$325,000, which is the price range my clients will buy in. This means that each of the homes we looked at are in competition with 52 OTHER HOMES to attract a qualified buyer! Not only that, since January of this year, 31 homes have either been sold, are in contract, or have an accepted offer in Fishkill and Wappinger. So, an average of six homes per month are being sold in this price range, in these two towns!

By all accounts, this would appear to be discouraging news to a seller who needs to sell now, not a year or two from now.

There is hope. In Part II of Pre-Staging Your Home for Sale, I will share an extensive checklist that, if a motivated seller were to follow, could very well attract a qualified buyer right now.

Posted by: Kim Simms

OUR KIMUNITY - Dutchess County Memorial Day Weekend Events

2011-05-25T08:51:58Z

While Memorial Day is widely recognized as the kickoff to the summer season, it’s really about honoring our American military men and women who have lost their lives fighting for our country. In this country, Memorial Day was created to honor Americans who have died in all wars. Don’t forget to think about the selfless men and women who have served our country and lost their lives defending our freedoms. Thank the fathers, sons, brothers, sisters, mothers, daughters and all men and women who sacrifice everything for the love of this country through their service in the United States Military.

In compiling this short list, the best source with the most comprehensive calendar for Dutchess County events was the Dutchess County Tourism website. There were many, many more to choose from; these are just my picks.

In addition to the 13 towns that will commemorate Memorial Day with a parade and Memorial Day Service (see: Parades and Memorial Day Services), here are a few other worthwhile things to do this weekend.

HISTORY, CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT AND SHOPPING:

Friday and Saturday, May 27th and 28th:

Vanessa Hollingshead will perform her comedy routine at Bananas Comedy Club in Poughkeepsie. Showtime both nights are at 9 p.m. Cost is $15.00. Ages 16-100 welcome. (I don’t think they will ask you to leave if you’re 101!)

Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 27th-May 30th:

The FDR Presidential Library and Museum and Home of FDR National Historic Site will host a series of events this weekend, including a Friday night USO Show- an evening of entertainment, historic film footage and music. On Saturday, visit the Bivouac - Living History World War II Encampment (5/28-4/29/11), and on Sunday, attend the Memorial Day Rose Garden Ceremony. Click on FDR Presidential Library and Museum Memorial Weekend for details.

Saturday and Sunday, May 28th and 29th:

In the mood to shop for great deals? 600 vendors selling new merchandise, arts, crafts, antiques and collectibles can be found at the Stormville Airport Antique Show & Flea Market. Free parking and admission. Food concessions on site.Take a guided tour of Bannerman Island, listen to a history lecture and enjoy the Hudson River scenery while you cruise the water with Hudson River Adventures: Bannerman Cruise & Walking Tour Departing Newburgh. Don’t forget your camera!

Saturday, Sunday and Monday, May 28th -May 30th:

I’m personally going to make this one! Hosted by Nimham Mountain Singers, this festival promises dancers, drums, a five-time Native American Music Award Winner flutist and a Birds of Prey Show. I’m looking forward to visiting the vendor tables, including tasting authentic cuisine, doing some crafts, listening to some storytelling and learning some of the history of these tribes. For more details, click Native American Festival/Pow Wow on the Hudson: "The River that Flows Both Ways." Maybe I’ll see you there. Definitely bringing my camera for this event!

Monday, May 30th (Memorial Day):

See Parades and Memorial Day Services above

Have a Happy, Healthy, Safe and Enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend!

Kim Simms is a New York State licensed real estate salesperson and a residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence East Fishkill. Contact her at ksimms@houlihanlawrence.com for additional information on Dutchess County housing, communities, events, and general inquiries.

Posted by: Kim Simms

OUR KIMUNITY- Feeling Thoughtful 2day

2011-05-23T14:53:45Z

— Henry David Thoreau (Walden: Or, Life in the Woods)

Kim Simms is a New York State Licensed Salesperson and Residential Real Estate Consultant with Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate Brokerage in East Fishkill, NY. She can be reached at ksimms@houlihanlawrence.com.

Posted by: Kim Simms

How to live in a new community

2011-05-23T07:43:02Z

When you have finally found the house of your dreams, or the next best place, the list of things-to-do seems endless. However, once the furniture and boxes are in place and unpacked, start exploring your new neighborhood! If you have school-age children, that will come naturally, as they meet new friends, neighbors, and therefore, so do you. While this is an easy way to make new connections, you can expand your circle of acquaintances by joining clubs, organizations, church groups, and town governments, just to name a few. The people you will meet can become good friends and valuable resources; they can be the links that will round out your sense of home in a new place, one that goes beyond just a physical house.

You will feel a sense of belonging here as you greet a neighbor on the street, another parent in the grocery store, the pastor at the door of the church-and you will know that this is a good thing!

Posted by: Lisa Sanker

It began with a mother

2011-05-20T08:32:00Z

The real estate market in the Hudson Valley is much like it is elsewhere in the country; ups and downs, some bidding wars, some houses sitting on the market for no apparent reason, and a lot of anxiety. The following has absolutely nothing to do with real estate but a good laugh puts most things in perspective. Enjoy!

It began with a Mother's Day card. Alleged perpetrator, one Mitchell Benjamin of Los Angeles, California, sent a Mother's Day card to his grandmother, Blanche Benjamin of New York, New York. Aforementioned Mother's Day card clearly indicated that the suspect "missed his grandmother's home cooking." This statement allegedly launched Mrs. Benjamin into a plan which eventually resulted in a suspicious package, containing one brisket (aka pot roast) secured within dry ice, to be delivered via USPS overnight priority mail to LAX, arousing the attentions of a variety of bomb-sniffing canines. (Note to Homeland Security: Members of the K-9 unit, no matter how well-trained and professional they may appear, will abandon scheduled duties of alerting to WMD, illegal drugs or other contraband, enlisting colleagues to do the same, if a genuine New York brisket, albeit securely packed in high grade dry ice, is detected in the vicinity.

Upon observing the agitated behavior of the airport K-9 Unit, TSA agents bravely examined the object of attention, advising the LAPD to immediately and personally contact the addressee. Said addressee had been duly advised by his grandmother of the expected arrival of the package, lest it be left on the doorstep and enjoyed by local raccoons and passers-by.

When the representatives from the LAPD presented themselves at the door of our hero, he immediately asserted his innocence by saying: 'I haven't done anything.' When questioned, he did admit to knowing the person whose name was listed as the sender of the package, and that she was, in fact, his grandmother, and that she did, in fact, inform him that a package was in transit. When questioned as to the contents of said package, Benjamin replied, without hesitation: "My grandmother sent me a brisket."

Benjamin was then instructed to appear in person at the facility where suspicious parcels are kept out of harm's way of the public. He took custody of the brisket, and summarily prepared it for consumption ("warmed it up and enclosed it within slices of rye bread, also included) in accordance with instructions supplied by Blanche Benjamin.

Post Script: When reminded by members of her immediate family that the $200 spent on dry ice, bubble wrap, overnight delivery service, and the meat itself along with its side dishes and the electricity used to prepare them could have been applied to a restaurant certificate anywhere in the city of Los Angeles and its environs, Blanche Benjamin replied that she had only done "what any grandmother would do."

This was written by my friend Amy Benjamin, mother of Mitchell. Amy is an educator and writer who should be doing stand-up comedy.

Posted by: Roberta Lorio

Our Kimunity: Things to do in Dutchess County this weekend

2011-05-20T08:16:15Z

With the forecast for the weekend looking much brighter than this past week of almost continuous rain, you may want to get out this weekend and explore a few of the many activities Dutchess County has to offer. This list is in no particular order but represents an assortment of interests.

Go see the wildly popular, always entertaining, Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie on Saturday.Take the family to the Hudson Valley Fair at Dutchess Stadium through Sunday, May 22nd. Click here for discount coupons. There is also free entertainment including Saturday night fireworks.Take a hot yoga class on Saturday at Tadasana Yoga Studio in Wappingers Falls. This studio offers a yoga menu of assorted styles.For those interested in bird-watching, join the Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club on a field trip at the Thompson Pond Preserve/Stissing Mountain, in Pine Plains this Saturday.In the market for a home? On Sunday, I am hosting a public Open House from 1-4 pm at 10 Cedar Lane, Hopewell Junction. This is a gorgeous contemporary colonial with a grand, two-story foyer, hardwood flooring, oversized bedrooms and a massive master suite. Come take a look inside.

Kim Simms is a New York state licensed real estate salesperson and residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence East Fishkill. Contact her for additional information on this property or any other property listed for sale in Dutchess County, as well as real estate market conditions and reports. She can be reached at ksimms@houlihanlawrence.com.

Posted by: Kim Simms

OUR KIMUNITY: 101 + BEST MOVING TIPS

2011-05-18T13:28:55Z

In the process of compiling one list of really good moving tips from many lists, I came across this very helpful website, which lists 101 Best Moving Tips, a list also compiled from many sources.

While this website includes the plan for if you are using a moving company, it’s useful for anyone. I especially like the tips for packing and unpacking specialty boxes, like "Open Me First" boxes. As a real estate agent and consultant, I would add tips relating to turning on/turning off essential services on or as close to your actual move as possible. It would look something like this (and could be added to the LETTING PEOPLE KNOW category):

At least two weeks prior to moving, your real estate consultant should give you the names and phone numbers to coordinate your household utilities and services start dates as close to your actual moving date(s) as possible. These might include:

ElectricHeatGas/OilCableGarbage RemovalNewspaper DeliveryYard ServiceSnow PlowingMunicipal Utilites like water

Clearly appointing an end date for the services in the home you are moving from, and coordinating for the services you will need in the home you are moving to, as close to your actual moving date as possible, will enable you to relax and focus on other areas of your move.

I also like to include current coupons and gift certificates to local businesses that you can begin to use right away. Whether you’re moving out or moving in, everyone appreciates savings. Typical items might include groceries, fast food, curtains, paint, household items, tool rentals, etc.

While you may not need to do everything on "101+ Moving Tips" this list, I think you’ll find most of the tips are helpful for most - I know they were for me! Happy Moving.

For more information on moving to Dutchess, Westchester or Putnam County, including the most up-to-date market conditions, contact Kim Simms at Houlihan Lawrence East Fishkill, NY. Contact Kim at .

Posted by: Kim Simms

Our Kimunity - Camping Out at Sharpe Reservation

2011-05-17T07:19:31Z

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of spending the night with my troop and the entire Fishkill Girl Scout community at Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill, New York. What a great example of available outdoor venues for Dutchess County and the Hudson Valley. It’s home to the Fresh Air Fund which was created in 1877! According to their website, it’s an independent not-for-profit organization, created for the purpose of allowing children living in disadvantaged communities to get away from hot, noisy city streets and enjoy free summer experiences in the country. Sharpe hosts 3,000 kids each summer in the program.

In addition to being a Fresh Air Fund site, Sharpe Reservation is utilized for the remainder of the year by schools, clubs, churches and associations for meetings, conferences and retreats. Girl Scouts is one such organization. Every year, local Girl Scout communities hold weekend camp-outs and our community’s camp-out was last weekend. Camp Mariah, the Career Awareness Program site, is named after world-renowned R & B singer Mariah Carey, who generously supports the program which serves several hundred inner-city adolescents in the exploration of career paths and options. For as long as I’ve know about Sharpe, I always thought that Camp Tommy indicated that Mariah’s former husband, Tommy Mottola, was also a supporter, but Camp Tommy is named after Tommy Hilfiger, the famous designer. I could write a book on the amazing things that go on at Sharpe, but I’ll save that for another time. This is about Girl Scouting and camping.

The majority of my troop arrived on early Saturday afternoon with bagged lunches and their camping supplies in tow. The camping supplies list included everything from a mess kit to a sleeping bag, depending on if you were coming for just the day, or if you were braving the overnight high up on this mountainside in the middle of the woods. (For those of you who really go camping, I know this isn’t really considered "roughing it" because we did sleep inside the cabin and there were indoor bathrooms, but this was close enough to get the experience. I was never a Girl Scout but my previous childhood experiences involved a bunch of us kids sleeping outside in lawn chairs and blankets under the stars, waiting for the grown-ups to go to bed so we could raid my great-grandmother’s garden.) We resided at Camp Hayden Marks, although the girls kept insisting it was "Camp Nick," as in Nick Cannon, husband to Mariah Carey. There was a very kind security guard named Robert at the gate who, upon my inquiry as to whether or not he was the one in charge, gave me kind of a quizzical look before he started, "Well..." I let him off the hook by asking him that since he was in charge, if he could keep it from raining, which was the weekend weather prediction. He laughed and promised that he could pray but that once his shift ended at 10 p.m., all bets were off. (It did rain that night, but only after we were all safe and dry in our cabins. Thank you, Robert!)

The girls were given various jobs to do, everything from gathering twigs and small branches for a campfire, to filling buckets with water from the hose to wash the dishes in. In between chores, they went on a hike on one of the many nature trails, attended a day program of outdoor games, participated in a scavenger hunt, learned to build and extinguish a proper campfire, and practiced skits that they would perform that night around a giant campfire in front of the whole community.

They ate spaghetti, tacos and nachos for dinner, with the girls doing the cooking; it included cooking ground meat wrapped in heavy-duty aluminum foil over the open fire. They also roasted hot dogs and my co-leader, a passionate outdoorsy-type herself, taught them how to build a Dutch oven out of a box, some foil, wired hangers and duct tape, which she used to cook "monkey bread" in (aka cinnamon rolls). After dinner, we gathered around the campfire for an evening of comradery, bonding and Girl Scout tradition. We learned that there is a song (and dance) that accompany the retirement of flags and the Brownie Girl Scout troop who performed their first official flag retirement ceremony were so cute.

They took turns, troop by troop, from Daisies to Ambassadors, performing comedy routines, songs and short skits that kept us all entertained. The heat from the big fire felt good as the chilly, damp air settled on the camp with the darkness. We ended the night by singing the Girl Scout "Linger" song, whose lyrics contain sentiments of friendship, camping, and the wish to linger just a little bit longer together.

We retired to our cabin for the night where the girls chatted, giggled and told stories until only three of them were still awake. I fell asleep at about midnight to the sound of one of the girls (we’ll call her, "The Story Teller") telling yet another story but woke up again when I heard my daughter comforting another girl who was crying because of one too many scary stories from "the story teller." It was necessary to suggest that it was time for everybody to get some rest.

A heart-felt shout out to all of the beautiful-spirted women and girls who make up the Fishkill Girl Scout community, for another goosebump Girl Scout memory that will be nurtured and fondly recalled, for the rest of my life. It was a sweet time...

Kim Simms is a New York State Licensed Salesperson and Residential Real Estate Consultant with Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate Brokerage in East Fishkill, NY, and a Girl Scout troop leader with the Fishkill community. She can be reached at .

Posted by: Kim Simms

Spring Event for Local Foundation

2011-05-16T15:43:40Z

A few weeks back I attended the 7th Annual Miles of Hope Spring Brunch held at the Grandview in Poughkeepsie, New York. Five hundred guests attended this event and over $100,000 was raised to benefit the various programs of the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation.

The Grandview’s dining room was decorated in a “sea of pink” and the beautiful sunny day allowed the guests to enjoy breathtaking views of the Hudson River from the outer deck. There were numerous items donated by various local supporters for the raffle, silent auction and the Grand Prize. The money raised was a record amount for this event. Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit foundation that was established to provide funds to support programs for people affected by breast cancer in the eight counties of the Hudson Valley.

The Spring Brunch is held every year on the first Sunday of May. Mark your calendar for next year’s event. You can join in on other Miles of Hope events that are hosted during the year including Hoops for Hope, Family Fun Run, Goals for Hope and Walk for Hope. We “Hope” to see you at all of them!

Barbara Dudley is a broker/manager at Houlihan Lawrence in East Fishkill, New York and can be reached at 845-227-4400 x 222.

Posted by: Barbara Dudley

Our Kimunity - Boxers are Never Boring

2011-05-16T14:40:10Z

I love Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, and catch his program whenever I can. Of all his shows I’ve watched, I have yet to see one that deals with how to keep your dog from rolling in chicken "stuff"! (you fill in the blank). I’m not positive that’s what it is, but I know that occasionally the neighbor's chickens wander into our yard and I wouldn’t mind it so much because they supposedly eat ticks, which is a good thing, but boy, do they smell!!! Our high-energy female boxer (Mitzi) gets away from us every now and then and she will not return on command. Calm and assertive doesn’t seem to impress her when she’s out of eyesight. So home she finally comes, bounding into the house, taking the steps two at a time, lays down and immediately emits this smell that could easily get her qualified as a hazardous waste. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear she’s smiling. What do we do?

Well, it’s off to the doggie wash - Foam and Wash in Fishkill! Keep in mind that we just applied the flea and tick control several days earlier and now she needs to be washed. Again. We’ve tried washing her with the house hose and coconut-vanilla dog shampoo but that doesn’t do anything except make her smell like wet hazardous waste. I’m not sure if the Advantix flea & tick medicine will work once you wash it off. But we’ll worry about that later. First, we have to get her into the truck, but not before removing any article of clothing or personal belongings that might absorb her smell. This happens often enough that the last time we agreed the loser of the basketball game H-O-R-S-E had to take the dog to get washed. I lost. Where’s Mitzi?

While my husband prepared the truck, I changed my clothes and leashed the dog. With cloth seats, we try to tie her to something in the very rear cargo area so she doesn’t jump the seats and get the car smelling like her. Doesn’t work. By the time we reach our destination, she’s in between to two front seats laughing and breathing in my face. If I was merely the observer, this would be funny. I’m not and it’s not. Time to wash her. What I love about this place are the choices of different shampoos, from a mild oatmeal to the skunk remover. It has a spray hose to rinse her down, a blower to dry her and multiple choices of length of service and payment options. This is at least a $5.00 job. 30 seconds wetting her down, two-and-a-half-minutes shampooing (with the skunk remover and flea & tick), conditioner, one minute rinsing, one minute drying. So she won’t be completely dry - it’s almost summer time. It’s time to ask Cesar for help. Maybe I’ll write to him...

Kim Simms is a New York State Licensed Salesperson and Residential Real Estate Consultant with Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate Brokerage in East Fishkill, NY. She can be reached at

Posted by: Kim Simms

Our Kimunity- Current Mortgage News

2011-05-16T06:51:41Z

The purchase power of buyers looking to mortgage a home is such a driving force in the market right now, I’d like to offer the expertise Michael Marinaccio, a 20+ year mortgage consultant who provides a weekly mortgage update to keep real estate agents, sellers and buyers informed about the most current market conditions.

Friday, May 13, 2011:
Conforming 30 year fixed rate 4.625%

Mortgage Weekly Update
Friggatriskaidekaphobia is the official name for "fear of Friday the 13th."

In 2009, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac had raised their loan limits in "high cost" Metropolitan areas to as much as $729,750.00. As of October 1, 2011, this amount is going to be reduced to $625,000.00. This will have a negative affect on the buying power of many buyers as the cost of money above the new $625,000.00 limit is more expensive, as well as being more difficult to qualify for. Sellers in "high-cost" areas need to take this into consideration when they are pricing their home to sell. A home that is priced correctly will always sell quickly.

Over the next few months, it is possible that certain home owners really need to manage the buyer’s new lending environment if they are to sell quickly at the maximum price that the (new) market will bear.

Interest rates crept down a little this week with JUMBO money creeping under 5%. I would recommend that if you are in the market for a mortgage, that you lock your rate at these low levels. All of our programs have a "float down" option in the event that rates continue to drop.

Rates are for NEW Purchase Money & are subject to change without prior notification.

Michael Marinaccio HMC, is a Mortgage Consultant with Thoroughbred Mortgage and he can be reached at 845-742-4638; or . Click here to visit his website.

Kim Simms is a New York State Licensed Salesperson and Residential Real Estate Consultant with Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate Brokerage in East Fishkill, NY and a Girl Scout troop leader with the Fishkill community. She can be reached at

Posted by: Kim Simms

Read on the Front Porch

2011-05-13T15:32:28Z

The Village of Millbrook celebrates it 4th Annual Book Festival on Saturday May 14, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m . The festival is a full day of free programs designed to encourage reading and inspire visitors and residents to enjoy all the treasures of the picturesque Village of Millbrook!

I love to sit outside and read. As I suspect many people do. I have just the spot in mind after you check out the book festival and purchase some good reads, swing over to 31 Halcyon Road in Millbrook. There you will find the most comfortable front porch perfect for reading. Picture yourself with the newest page turner, a glass of lemonade and the spring breeze as your company. Ahhh ...

Stop by between 2 p.m. to 4 p.m . You bring the books, we will supply the front porch.

Posted by: Tina Vaitkus

Our Kimunity - Gardening

2011-05-13T00:00:00Z

I don’t have a green thumb but I love fresh flowers and plants of all kinds. I admire people who grow plants so effortlessly and every year I aspire to be a better gardener. Last summer, I tried growing vegetables on my deck, like tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini. Although I harvested a few cucumbers, I was in competition with my then two-and-a-half year old boxer who would innocently walk by the planter and quickly take a bite out of each one she could reach. I know it was her because of the under-bite teeth marks and when I lined up the size of the bite mark in the cucumber with her mouth, it fit perfectly. The zucchini never really understood what I expected of it and I think everyone had a tough time with the tomatoes last summer.

So as the memories of my lack of gardening talent fades, and as I watch the Hudson Valley come to life with azaleas, daffodils, cherry blossoms and forsythia, I am inspired to garden again. I primarily stick to annual flowers because they are easy to keep alive and vary greatly in color and variety (plus, they always seemed to adapt to my rigid "everybody gets watered and nourished at the same time and in the same intervals and if you can’t stick with the program, you’re out of here!"). Actually, last year, I began to talk kindly to them, encouraging them and pointing out how the universe must be perfect in order to produce such beautiful specimens of nature - I’m not sure if it worked, but they didn’t die prematurely.

This year, I’m going a step further. I’m going to make my own seedling pots! In preparation for a Girl Scout event, whose Spirit Day theme this year was, "Girl Scouts - Forever Green," I came across a YouTube video on how to make these pots from newspaper that can be planted right into the ground or larger planter. It’s an origami fold so no staples, glue or tape are needed. It’s environmentally friendly and biodegradeable. I recently found some seeds that I thought I had lost, taken from some really strong annuals I grew two years ago - I think I correctly identified the seed - so this week I will make my newspaper pots, fill them with Miracle Grow (and it will be if this works!), and plant my flowers. Wish me luck...if all else fails, I will buy them from the local stores, like Plant Depot, William Tell Hardware (and Gardening Center), and Blue Seal Feeds & Needs, like I usually do. Happy Gardening!

Kim Simms is a New York State Licensed Salesperson and Residential Real Estate Consultant with Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate Brokerage in East Fishkill, NY and a Girl Scout troop leader with the Fishkill community. She can be reached at

Posted by: Kim Simms

Our Kimunity - Hudson Valley Restaurants

2011-05-12T06:53:05Z

After a morning spent house-hunting in Fishkill, we agreed to have lunch at the new Aladdin Café in East Fishkill, an authentic Mediterranean restaurant that I’ve been meaning to try since it opened in March. Located in Hopewell Junction’s Heritage Square on Route 52, it’s conveniently located within minutes from the Taconic Parkway and has plenty of parking. I am not very knowledgeable about Mediterranean foods and spices, but I was willing to try something new on the recommendation of a friend that the family who owns it make the best Middle Eastern cuisine using tried and true family recipes. I took a friend who is very familiar with this kind of fare, to help me understand what I was ordering. I like beef, I like chicken and I like lamb (chops) so I was eager to sample food from the "Home of the Flavors."

We decided on the combination entree from the menu: one lamb khabob, one chicken kabob, and shwarma. It was served with a warm, delicious flavored rice topped with the chilled tabbouleh, a salad of finely chopped parsley, mint, scallions, lemon juice, bulgur wheat and olive oil. The plate was garnished with these beautiful, bright, lightly seasoned tomatoes cut into halves and a sectioned bell pepper. I’ve heard it said that we eat with our eyes first and this was a very colorful and visually appealing dish. It tasted as good as it looked - the meats, rice and salad were perfectly seasoned and everything seemed to compliment each other. While we did not have room for dessert at that point, we promised each other we would make a return trip soon to sample the Turkish coffee and delectable dessert offerings.

The wait staff was very attentive and welcomed the opportunity to explain the various menu items and the way they are prepared. I also learned that the meat is guaranteed halal in this establishment and this is vitally important in selecting the quality of meat that they serve..The decor is lovely and inviting with a Moroccan flair. Tina Qumbargi, the owner, took the time to stop by our table to say hello and welcome us to her restaurant. The story of how this restaurant came to be is both interesting and inspiring and I wish Tina and her family continued success here.

Kim Simms is a New York State Licensed Salesperson and Residential Real Estate Consultant with Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate Brokerage in East Fishkill, NY. She can be reached at

Posted by: Kim Simms

Retail Therapy

2011-05-10T12:17:41Z

You’ve found your new home and the price was surprisingly lower than you anticipated. You have some money left over for furniture and accessories. If you’ve shopped for new furniture lately you probably have sticker shock. There is another way: consignment shop shopping. Can you imagine a really spectacular sofa in fabulous condition, in a designer fabric for under $1,000? Chairs for far less than you can imagine? Accessories like mirrors and the like for under $100.00? You can save a bundle!

The Hudson Valley has its share of consignment, antique, and resale shops. There is one that I’ve experienced that is as good as any I’ve seen anywhere. The name of the shop is Simplicity. They have furniture, accessories, upscale clothing, shoes, handbags, costume jewelry and more. I’ve bought and sold. Not only is this a terrific way to find “finds,” but it is a great way to find new homes for those items you no longer want or need. You can even make money. Take a look at their website and join me in the fun of a unique and maybe profitable shopping experience. And as an added bonus – if you’re preparing your house for sale and you need to find a new home for some furniture items, clothing, accessories, or the like, this may be the answer.

Please call me if you have questions about Simplicity or any other antique or consignment shop.

Roberta Lorio is an Associate Broker at the East Fishkill office of Houlihan Lawrence located at 1989 Route 52 in East Fishkill, NY 12533. Her mobile phone is 917 453-2168 and she is available to go shopping.

Posted by: Roberta Lorio

Our Kimunity: Fishkill House Hunt

2011-05-10T12:09:14Z

Today, I will take a client to Fishkill, NY, to show her a condominium and a townhome, both priced under 200K. She wants to be near major roadways so she can commute back and forth to Southern Westchester County and New York City, for work.

According to their official website, "The Village of Fishkill was a significant crossroads in the overland transportation network in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Kings Highway, connecting Albany to New York City, intersected with a major overland route from New England to the Hudson River."

The same holds true today. Fishkill is Southern Dutchess County and people moving to this area who need to be close to major highways and trains can access: US Route 9, a major artery which runs north and south and is parallel with the Hudson River; I84, which runs east and west, the Taconic Parkways which runs north and south (and splits up into the The Sprain Brook Parkway and Bronx River Parkway down around Hawthorne/White Plains in Westchester County); and I87, which is also called the New York State Thruway in this area and is known as "the Major Deegan" when you get down near Yonkers and Mount Vernon.

A quick snapshot of the Multiple Listing reveals 178 "single family attached" homes (condominium, co-op, townhome & "other") for sale in Fishkill. The least expensive is a 1974 1 BR 1BA 800 SF co-op priced at $84,900 and the most expensive is a new construction 3BR 2.5 BA 3600 SF attached home priced at $579,995.

In addition to its communter-friendly Dutchess County location, Fishkill is also a perfect representation of area history, recreational facilities and fine dining. Our hunt today is for a condo or townhouse that is affordable, has good amenities, and is conveniently located. I’ll let you know how it goes.

For more information on the Village of Fishkill and surrounding areas, contact Kim Simms, a full-time licensed real estate salesperson and residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate of East Fishkill, NY. She can be reached at

Posted by: Kim Simms

Our Kimunity: Dutchess County

2011-05-09T14:24:29Z

When we first considered buying a home over 16 years ago, my husband and I talked about what kind of lifestyle we wanted and where we could live it, long before we even considered what style of home we needed (we would settle on a Raised Ranch because we moved my then-spry 82 year old grandmother with us, but that’s a whole different subject). We wanted a yard big enough to need a riding lawnmower where we could toss a ball or play badminton and volleyball and have barbeques with family and friends. Schools were a consideration for our future children, a sense of community and space, yet close to major roadways and trains and not far from New York City. It’s probably when we first adopted the mantra, "We work to live, not live to work!" a philosophy that has served us well.

We settled in East Fishkill, in Dutchess County, NY. Flash forward 16 years: I’m sitting in the East Fishkill Recreation Park, relaxing in my comfy chair, with the sun warming my face while the not-too-distant sounds of children laughing and playing, people walking their dogs, and the delightful smell of fresh-cut grass fill my senses. Our daughter is playing softball. My husband and I love watching her do something that feeds her passion. As we watch her up at the plate and hear her teammates encourage her to "Bring us home!" she smacks a triple over the center fielder’s glove, runs like her life depends on it, and drives home two runs for the Devils! Her expression doesn’t show the explosive feeling of fun and accomplishment she hides inside, but I know when her coach gives her one "up top," there’s no other place on earth she’d rather be at that moment - or us, for that matter. Yeah, this is the quality of life we envisioned over 16 years ago for ourselves and our children.

All-Star Tryouts for the town are this week. Looking forward to summer...

Click here for more information on East Fishkill and other Dutchess County towns. If you're looking for information on homes for sale in Dutchess County, including current market data, visit the given links or contact Kim at .

Posted by: Kim Simms

Springwood Estate: Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt

2011-05-06T12:23:57Z

In my previous blog I mentioned I would continue exploring some of the great mansions of the Hudson Valley Region. With spring finally arriving and summer just around the corner this is a great time to visit the local mansions and a place to start is the Springwood Estate in Hyde Park.

Springwood Estate is the site of the birthplace, life-time home and burial place of FDR, the 32nd US president. It contains the Presidential Library and Museum and the Rose Garden where Franklin, his wife Eleanor are buried. The property consists of 290 acres, with hiking and walking trails that lead from the upper level, where the house is located, down to the Hudson River. Springwood is a National Historic Site, administered by the National Park Service, US Department of the Interior.

The FDR home was considered the Summer White House during Franklin’s four term presidency. It was formed from an original farmhouse built around 1800 in the Federal Style and later in the mid 1800’s it was given an Italianate style with the towers added and the rear piazzas.

The Museum features exhibits on the Great Depression, World War II, the New Deal and the lives of both Franklin and Eleanor. There are multimedia shows and rare historic documents. The Library is the nation’s first presidential library. For information about visiting FDR’s home and Library check out the Visitor’s Site.

Hyde Park, about 90 miles from NYC, on the eastern side of the Hudson River, is well know as a summer retreat for the wealthy from this era. The Vanderbilt Mansion also along Route 9 in Hyde Park as well as the Mills Mansion in Staatsburg will be covered in my blog series.

If you are coming to visit FDR’s Home & Library on a Sunday be sure to check out any local open houses.

Barbara Dudley is a Broker/Manager at Houlihan Lawrence in East Fishkill, New York and can be reached at 845-227-4400 x 222.

Posted by: Barbara Dudley

Local Hot Spots: Sarah Taylor Park

2011-04-21T22:22:00Z

The sun is out and the temperature is starting to rise - hooray! That means it's time to start looking for great little places close to home where you can get some fresh air. Sarah Taylor Park is located in the Village of Fishkill, New York. It is a tranquil respite that offers a walking trail, a playground for the kiddies, a large ball field, picnic benches and a pavilion.

The park is tucked away behind Route 9 and cannot be seen from the main roads. To get there from Route 9 North, turn right on Elm Street, then right on Main and then continue around to Old Main Street. You will see the signs.

Here is a video of the park I took late last summer. (Sorry for the shakiness, I have since invested in a tri-pod!)

Whenever we visit a park, we make it a point to take with us whatever we brought in. So make sure you bring a garbage bag and leave this lovely park as pristine as you will find it! Enjoy!

Tammy Benkwitt is a real estate agent and instructor serving Dutchess and Putnam Counties. She can be reached at 914-714-2127.

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

Dear Buyers: The Secret to Open Houses

2011-04-05T16:01:21Z

If you are a buyer who is actively looking to buy a home, visiting open houses is helpful because it gives you the opportunity to see what kinds of homes are for sale and at which price points. Here are some tips on how to make the most of your open house experience:

Wear slip-on shoes. (I bet you didn’t see that one coming!) Oftentimes a seller will request that buyers and agents remove shoes when walking through the house. The house may feature clean, light colored carpeting or gleaming hardwood floors. If you are asked to remove shoes, this is likely a good sign the seller is caring for the home.

Say as little as possible. Yes, introduce yourself, smile. But until you know who that agent works for, don’t share any information about your motivation or financial ability to purchase a home. If you like the agent and want to work with that person, that’s perfectly fine. But you first need to know who’s working for whom before you start talking! Agents are required by law to disclose who they represent upon the first substantive contact. Pay attention to this discussion carefully, it’s important. If you are talking to the listing agent, the person negotiating on behalf of the seller, understand that anything you say will be shared with the seller. (Many buyers falsely believe that if they buy the house from the listing agent it saves them money because the agent receives less commission. This is usually not the case.) If the agent fails to discuss with you who they are working for, make sure you ask!

Have a photo ID handy. For safety reasons, many agents will ask to see your driver’s license when you enter the house. Most people understand this and it’s not a problem.

Complete the sign-in sheet. Each open house will have a sign-in sheet. It will ask your name, contact information and how you were alerted to the open house. That’s it. Some people feel that if they share their name and email, a salesperson will hound them endlessly. Let’s be honest, the agent will likely follow up with you the next day to see if you liked the home. However, if you no longer wish to be contacted, let the agent know and your wishes will be respected. Please remember that you are a total stranger walking into another person’s house. Agents have a responsibility to make a record of everyone that enters the property.

Announce if you are already working with an agent. If you have a great buyer’s agent who is showing you homes and working on your behalf, just let the open house agent know who that is. Most agents appreciate this honesty and will follow up with your agent instead of calling you. If you have the business card from your buyer’s agent, hand it to the open house agent.

Keep your group together. Let the agent escort you through the house and please have everyone in your party stay together. Again, the agent does not know who you are. Nefarious individuals have been known to rifle through drawers and attempt to steal from the seller. We know you are eager to do your own thing and may feel like you don’t need the agent. Sorry, but the agent is responsible for the property while he or she is there. The polite custom is to be patient, understanding, and stick with the agent.

Take notes. Bring a pencil and notebook, iPad, your choice. But you will want write down the pros and cons of the home that are important to you. If you want to take photos or video, check with the agent to see if the seller has given permission. (There may already be photos on-line or in a brochure – ask for it.) Also, ask the agent if there is a survey or any other relevant documentation available.

Never bring to an open house: pets, sporting equipment, food or drinks. I have seen an entire little league baseball team (attempt) to come through an open house! Leave the back packs and large pocket books in the car. Use some common sense. If you were the person selling the house, what would be your expectations of how strangers should behave?

Experienced agents have a pretty good idea of who to expect at open houses. We know people like to attend open houses for a variety of reasons. Visitors include neighbors who want to see what is for sale on their street, general curiosity seekers with a little extra time on their hands, and folks considering a new home but who need to sell the one they live in first. So what’s “in it” for us?

Hosting an open house gives agents an opportunity to be in front of the public. We want to develop relationships and talk about real estate in the areas where we work and live. If a visitor likes us and chooses either to work with us directly or refer us to a friend, that is helpful to our business. Sometimes the person wants information about the local real estate market for the future and we are happy to assist.

And then sometimes, the open house visitor may actually purchase the house. It’s rare, but it happens.

Tammy Benkwitt is a real estate agent and instructor working in Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties. She can be reached at 914.714.2127 or tbenkwitt@houlihanlawrence.com .

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

Earth Hour

2011-03-28T21:33:28Z

As you may recall I attended an Earth Hour gathering on Saturday.

The event was hosted by one of my clients Carolyn Klocker , Water Resource Educator for Cornell Cooperative extension.

The lights went out at 8:30 p.m. but the festivities carried on. Good food and great conversation all by candlelight. It wasn't until 10:30 that we realized we never bothered to turn the lights back on, but we did realize that it was fine that way. To read more about Earth Hour click here.

Carolyn in my opinion is on the cutting edge of where we all need to be, creating awareness, being aware of our environment and how our living impacts the environment.

Another client that is creating awareness is Goeff Ringler and Roe Co Builders LLC. These Eco-friendly builders have recently listed an Energy Certified Home in the town of East Fishkill. To find out more about what it means to have an Energy Star Certified home click here. Watch for open house information coming soon.

It feels good to know these people and to be a small part of the monumental effort to reduce our carbon foot print.

Posted by: Tina Vaitkus

Blackout!

2011-03-25T17:52:17Z

On March 26th many people will be turning off their electric in honor of Earth hour. I will be attending an Earth Hour celebration with my family and will let you know about it next week. I also have a brand new eco friendly Energy Star Qualified home listing that I will share.

Until then you can see a short video about Earth Hour below.

Posted by: Tina Vaitkus

How can I become a real estate agent?

2011-03-10T15:56:00Z

I am a full-time real estate agent - but with a small twist... I sometimes get to teach.

As a real estate instructor, I talk to other agents about our profession and how to improve their careers using technology better, or sharing an idea I learned from some other wise, old sage who taught me. Sometimes, it's just plain experience talking having made tons of mistakes over the years and letting my colleagues know how to avoid them!

One of the places I teach is at my local association of Realtors. Local boards not only provide educational opportunities to current real estate pros, they are also the best place to take a salesperson licensing class. The instructors are usually agents and brokers who are active and up-to-date with the state laws, trends, and have hands on experience with clients and customers.

I am one of several instructors who teach the salesperson licensing course at the Dutchess County Association of Realtors (DCAR). Many people don't realize how complex the real estate world is until they take this required course. It's quite an eye opener and I find it satisfying to walk people through the laws and practices that agents must know before they start to sell real estate.

In New York State, the Salespersons Licensing course requires 45 hours of classes and students have to pass a local and state administered exam. In order to become a broker, students must attend another 35 hours of what New York State terms "remedial" classes. So most people take the entire 75 hours at once. Classes are generally offered evenings over several weeks to accommodate anyone who is currently working in another profession. If you are considering real estate as a career, find your local association of Realtors and start asking questions!

If you want to know more about becoming a real estate agent, I am always happy to chat!

Tammy Benkwitt is a real estate agent and instructor. She helps buyers and sellers in Dutchess , Putnam and Westchester counties and can be reached on her cell phone at 914-714-2127 or tbenkwitt@houlihanlawrence.com .

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

Great Mansions of the Hudson Valley: Locust Grove

2011-03-07T14:48:59Z

Locust Grove is a romantic 19th century 180 acre estate that sits along the Hudson River in Dutchess County, New York. It was the home of Samuel F. B. Morse, inventor of the telegraph and is a National Historical Landmark.

Offering stunning views of the Hudson River, Locust Grove includes an Italianate villa housing, a collection of American and European fine art, miles of hiking trails - both carriage roads and foot paths, landscaped grounds and elegant gardens including flowering trees and perennial gardens. Self-guided tours are available for all visitors and trails are clearly marked.

Samuel F.B. Morse patented the telegraph in the early 1800’s using the dot-dash code for letters. His interest was not only in electricity, his passion for painting lead him to become a well respected painter of his time. In 1975 Locust Grove became a not-for-profit foundation to preserve the estate for “the enjoyment, visitation, and enlightenment of the public.”

The West Gallery of the visitor center can be used for weddings and private parties accommodating 150 guests while the smaller Reese Gallery and West Lawn can be rented out as well.

Situated on Route 9 in Poughkeepsie, New York, Locust Grove is 1 ½ hours from NYC. The visitor center is open daily from April 1 to December 31and Monday – Friday, January 1 to March 31. For information regarding tours, directions and calendar of events check out the Visitor Center.

If you are coming to visit Locust Grove on a Sunday be sure to check out any local Open Houses. Watch for other “Great Mansion” blogs coming soon.

Barbara Dudley is a Broker/Manager at Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate in East Fishkill, New York and can be reached at 845-227-4400 x 222.

Posted by: Barbara Dudley

The heart of your new home is through your stomach

2011-02-28T09:24:20Z

As you know I am a big supporter of granular research in discovering whether or not an area is a good match for your next home purchase.

Last week we talked about attending school events that are open to the public as a way to gather area school information.

This week I am encouraging you to eat your way into your new area…Hudson Valley Restaurant week is March 14-27. Yes, I know that is technically more than a week, but it does give you more time eat… errr …um… I mean, more time to conduct your research.

Perhaps influenced by our good fortune of being home to the Culinary Institute of America, the Hudson Valley is filled with great places to eat!

Recently promoted by Zagat , last year over 200,000 diners took advantage of this limited time of discounted three course lunch and/or dinner meals around the Hudson Valley.

I, for certain, will be visiting the Red Devon in Bangall, New York, to sample their Local Seasonal Favorites menu.

Click here to make your reservations now, and don’t forget to post a comment letting us know where you will be dining. You may even decide you love the restaurant so much you have to buy a house within walking distance! Yum!

Posted by: Tina Vaitkus

Experience Living Around Orange Lake, Newburgh, New York

2011-02-25T10:50:00Z

Thinking of living in the Orange Lake community, located in the Town of Newburgh? If yes, read a book called ”Around Orange Lake,” written by Patricia A. Favata. It regards the community and shares wonderful experiences in living on the Lake, winter or summer.

Message from the owners of 25 O’Dell Circle on Orange Lake:

”This small, private community is perfectly situated close to all the major arteries and venues without enduring the traffic and noise of the cities and towns. Orange Lake is a Private Power Boat and Jet Ski water park open to lake residents only, and offers year-round enjoyment with the Ice Skating, Ice Boat/Sailing, and Ice Fishing and in the summer swimming, boating, jet skiing and water skiing you won’t find anywhere nearby like it. Neighbors are from all ages and are close-knit, yet extremely respectful of privacy. The views and sounds of nature abound in this water sanctuary, and welcome the weary road-warriors of ‘Metropolis.’”

Thank you, owners, for such a beautiful depiction of living on Orange Lake in your property you now have for sale. Just to share a moment with you, I was there yesterday to visit the owners, and like they just wrote, I was amazed at the activity on the frozen lake this time of year. It was bustling with people ice sailing, ice fishing, ice skating, even a man-made ring on the ice ready for another round of ice hockey. So many people warmly wrapped up and clearly enjoying themselves socializing. Their property has a view of Orange Lake from their eat-in kitchen, dining room and living room, and an inside-and-out Pub-Style entertainment room or patio with open loft. There are wall-to-wall windows with glass doors in each room, with access to the very large patio outside. Just imagine having your personal dock for access to the “residents only” lake a few steps away to launch your own boat and jet ski.Yes, you can have this opportunity to make an offer on this Lake Orange Community property as Houlihan Lawrence has the distinct pleasure of listing this property for sale. This home was designed with fun and entertainment in mind for summer and winter. The features are one floor living with Master Suite, Princess Suite, additional bedroom or office with half bath, and laundry area. Mediterranean eat-in kitchen, dining area, living room, entertainment room with loft exercise area and much more. The outdoor patio enhances your outside living with many sitting areas, large firepit, Jacuzzi and outdoor bar and grill area.

It is the perfect getaway, or enjoy an all-around year living in this property. This is a perfect commuters dream near I84, Route 52, NYS 87, Route 9W. Just slightly over an hour drive to NYC, it is minutes to Beacon Metro North train station. Just call today for a private showing 914.489.1367. Also, when you come up to see this beautiful home, plan a visit to The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park or a visit to the DIA Art Museum in Beacon. Speaking of art, these lovely pictures above were taken by area photographer Janet Skinner. Visit her website for more information about her work.

(Photography courtesy of Janet Skinner)

Posted by: Verna Dawson

Experience The Tastes of the World at CIA

2011-02-21T14:34:52Z

One of the many places to visit in Dutchess County is the Culinary Institute of America, located in Hyde Park, New York.

Are you hungry yet? You will be when you visit The Culinary Institute of America “CIA” online and review the many restaurant menus, including the bakery goodies. The CIA is run and operated by students with the guidance of the highly regarded experts in the field. The Culinary students with guidance from teachers have produce not only the most tasty of dishes from around the world, but CIA has also produced the most amazing chefs in the world. When you think of CIA, do you think of Dunkin’ Donuts? Probably not, but here is an interesting article about a one million ”Dunkin’ Donut“ donation to CIA.

If you are an enthusiast, you too can learn to cook different cuisines from an expert and choose the appropriate wine(s) to compliment each meal. My experience; I found myself the first time at the ready with Chef’s hat and apron on to learn the cuisine I chose for that class. What I did not realize before the class, was that I was about to experience fun while cooking with others, and that learning a team effort can produce an exceptional meal. Yes, fun with classmates even while cleaning up and leaving the kitchen at the ready for another class. If you are in the mood for a more serious class to attend, there are boot camp courses. Be prepared to work hard. ”Boot Camp” it is not for the faint of heart.

Ok, by now you will have gone through a few online pages and wanted to experience the different cuisine without the required preparation and after dinner cleanup. If yes, the CIA has the following restaurants– make sure you check online for hours and specials:

American Bounty
Apple Pie Bakery Cafe
Caterina de’Medici
Escoffier
St. Andrews Cafe

Don’t forget to call and make your reservations. A wonderful place to add to your real estate experience after looking for your new home.

Interested in shopping? See the store on campus grounds or shop online for goodies.

Keep in touch and let me know your personal experience at The Culinary Institue of America. I can share some of your stories and/or photos in my next blog about CIA. You can reach me at or call me at 914.489.1367. Tune in for more interesting places to visit while looking for your new home!

Posted by: Verna Dawson

All that Jazz

2011-02-15T16:31:00Z

Last week I mentioned I would tell you all about the Dutchess County Music Educators Association Jazz Festival that was held on February 12 at Arlington High School. You might ask what this has to do with real estate. Well, often looking for a house means looking for a school district.

Just like when an employer is checking references for a potential employee, you call the references given, but you also do a little further investigation and contact others that perhaps know the employee. This helps the employer gain a well rounded insight into the potential employee’s work history, performance and merit.

Well, the same holds true for school districts. You can call the principal, meet with him or her, tour the school, meet some of the faculty and gain a pretty good understanding of the school.

However, you can attend a free public event to gain further insight. Often, schools host free events for the public like the Jazz Festival this past weekend. If your child is a musically-inclined one, this type of public event is a great way to gather information about a school’s music program. If your child is sports-minded, attend a school athletic event.

At this County Jazz Festival, seven different schools were represented, so it was like one-stop shopping.

The next time you are wondering about a school district, check the online reports and also check the school calendar to see if you may be able to fit one of these free community events into your schedule. That coupled with visits with the school administration and faculty can help you make an informed decision about the school that best meets your family’s needs.

Posted by: Tina Vaitkus

Experience Art at DIA in Beacon New York...

2011-02-15T16:21:05Z

One of the many places to visit in Dutchess County is the DIA Museum, located along the Hudson River in Beacon, New York.

This is easy to reach by the Metro North Hudson Line from NYC and from all stations up to Beacon. Your short leisurely walk from the train will take you to a fun and educational time at DIA. When inside enjoy the artwork so beautifully displayed. Make sure you register in advance online for your one hour tour by a curator who will gladly share their knowledge of each piece of artwork with you (included in the admission fee).

The City of Beacon is a short stroll away and features numerous restaurants and happenings.

DIA has many locations and programs for artists… If you are in a New York state of mind visit DIA in New York City.

Keep in touch and let me know your personal experience with DIA. I can share some of your stories and/or photos in my next blog about DIA. You can reach me at or call me at 914.489.1367. Tune in for more interesting places to see!

Posted by: Verna Dawson

Two hearts, two different houses?

2011-02-14T00:00:00Z

“Loving is not just looking at each other, it’s looking in the same direction.” ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Well… kind of. Many couples, while head over heels for each other, are not necessarily looking in the same direction when it comes to choices of home. When searching for a home, style preferences often become stumbling blocks for couples.

I love contemporary modern architecture. In fact, I recently received the architecture series Lego structure of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater. I had great fun while spending a snowy afternoon putting that awesome, sleek, heart-stirring wonder together.

My husband on the other hand is a classic Victorian architecture enthusiast. We often drive through the quaint villages of Pawling and Millbrook. He will “ooh” and “ahh” over the Victorian homes there– especially if it has a turret and a wraparound porch. We have to park the car and stare at it awhile!

Here is a fun quiz from our friends at Frontdoor.com that helps define your house style preference.

So, on this Valentine’s Day what is a differing architectural style couple to do? Enter your suggestions in the comments section below to be entered into a drawing for dinner for two at McKinney and Doyle. This restaurant is located on Charles Coleman Blvd in Pawling, New York, just a stone’s throw from some of those Victorian beauties!

Posted by: Tina Vaitkus

Weekend-ease easy weekend things to do

2011-02-11T15:17:00Z

Web TV has been a hot topic in real estate lately. In fact, our company Houlihan Lawrence neighborhood web videos were highlighted by Property Ad Guru. These neighborhood videos are a terrific way for buyers to get a feel for an area they are interested in.

In addition to high quality neighborhood videos, Hudson Valley Web TV is another great home buyer resource. It helps you track down local entertainment, community events and regional attractions. This animated view helps buyers gain a keen sense of upstate area offerings. Check it out and then let me know what activities you are going to try this weekend.

As for me, I will be attending the Dutchess County Music Educators Association Jazz Festival. I will let you know how it was, unless of course I see you there!

Posted by: Tina Vaitkus

Hidden Treasure of Flowers in Dutchess County

2011-02-11T00:00:00Z

Many of us are dreaming of spring flowers during this cold wintry time of the year. I know I am, as I sit in front of my blazing fireplace trying to stay warm.

Well, dream no more! Take a ride up to Battenfield’s Anemones Farm located in Red Hook in Northern Dutchess County where you can visit one of the leading wholesale growers of anemones in the world. Anemones, a member of the buttercup family, have been around for a very long time, even being mentioned as the lilies of the valley in the Old Testament.

Although Battenfield’s primarily produces these beautiful flowers for the wholesale market including hotels and resorts, one can purchase individual bouquets right from the cooler in the small shop in front of the greenhouses. Adding to the “out in the country” feeling is the honor system of purchasing these flowers. The bouquets are grouped by stem length and arranged by price starting at $4.00. You can simply add the amount due into the money box on the table. Make sure you wrap the flowers with the tissue paper provided so that your flowers stay warm on the ride home. Don’t forget to peak into the greenhouses. An amazing sight of anemones of different colors seems to go on forever.

To complete the day you might want to take a short ride to the neighboring village of Rhinebeck for a light lunch and perhaps a glass of wine at Gigi Trattoria or stroll through the Hammertown Barn for a unique gift or something special for yourself.

If you are coming to visit Battenfield’s Farm on a Sunday be sure to check out any local Open Houses. You never know, you may find the home of your dreams!

Posted by: Barbara Dudley

Try it before you buy it

2011-02-10T09:35:00Z

You test drive a car before you purchase, try on clothes and shoes before you take them home. Heck, you can even try out the iphone–yes, I have my sights on the new iphone now that it is coming to Verizon!

Why then would you not take the same approach in making one of the most expensive purchases in your life?

Try the house on…

We all fall in love with vacation spots and weekend getaway retreats. However, when we are deciding between staying a weekend or purchasing the home so we can stay there EVERY weekend and long weekends it is important to really know the house, neighborhood and local area before taking that big step.

I have sellers that have opened their minds and their homes to this very concept. They have let prospective buyers stay overnight in their homes as a way to help them make an informed decision. Check out this example of a house where the seller has opened to potential buyers overnight.

If you are visiting the house on a weekday afternoon, you may not know that at 6am every morning the neighbor’s dog provides a friendly wake up call–or perhaps to you that’s an unfriendly wake up call.

Alternatively, I had one client that shared this insight “After spending the night at one property, we woke up in the morning and looked out the window to see a small, lanky brown mammal scurrying through the snowy forest – a mink! We realized the area beyond the pool was much more natural than we’d thought, and came to appreciate the structure of the house, which had several large windows looking out on the forest. The experience reinforced a hunch that we’d be happier in the long run with a house that was more about the location and view. It proved a big help in our decision-making process. (p.s. I hope I identified the right animal – it certainly wasn’t a raccoon…but I admit my knowledge of upstate fauna is very limited. For now!)”

The Wall Street Journal suggests that weekend and 2nd home purchases are thriving, but the next time you find yourself just shy of making a decision, ask your REALTOR® if the sellers would consider letting you stay overnight. You will sleep better at night knowing you have tried on your selection to make sure it fits before making a very expensive purchase that is not easily returned.

Have you had an experience sleeping over at a house you were considering purchasing? Let me hear about it.

Posted by: Tina Vaitkus

Find Homes 'on the go' with the Houlihan Lawrence Mobile App

2011-02-10T00:00:00Z

Are you thinking about buying a home? Have you driven past a house with a “for sale” sign posted and wanted to know more? Well, Houlihan Lawrence has a “mobile solution” for that! (I can’t use that other cool catch phrase because it’s trademarked!).

It takes only a few seconds to download the application onto your smart phone. It works for BlackBerry, iPhone and Droid equipped phones. Download it today and keep it handy!

In the video below, using a BlackBerry, I demonstrate how to download the application and use a couple of the features. Enjoy!

Tammy Benkwitt has been a real estate agent for 19 years and assists buyers and sellers in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties. She can be reached at 914-714-2127 or email tbenkwitt@houlihanlawrence.com.

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

The unveiling of Weekend-ease

2011-02-09T00:00:00Z

Welcome to the unveiling of “Weekend-ease,” the Hudson Valley’s premier blog for the weekend and 2nd home market and a few other surprises as well.

Join me tomorrow to discover how to find the best fit by “trying on” a house before you purchase.

Posted by: Tina Vaitkus

Cool Hill in Fishkilll is a 'Hot' Spot to Sled!

2011-02-01T15:09:00Z

One of the best advantages of living in Fishkill, New York, is being near Brinckerhoff Elementary School. While I am sure the school itself is a fine educational institution, we found that it has an amazing hill to ride our sleds! Of course, it isn't a secret and many other families were out in force last weekend along with us flying down the mountain beating the winter doldrums!

I suggest topping off the day with a cup of hot chocolate in front of the fireplace! Or try out the local restaurants in the village. (See some of my previous posts on great local eateries.) Enjoy!

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

Our Kimunity - How to Avoid Frozen Pipes

2011-01-28T00:00:00Z

Recently, I was speaking to a general contractor who mentioned he was working on a house in the Millbrook, NY area that had suffered freeze damage to the heating pipes. Apparently, the owners, who live out of the area, use this home as a weekend getaway and they’d been leaving the thermostat set at 55 degrees while they were away. Because of the recent snowstorms, they had not visited the house in a few weeks and when they recently returned, they discovered the pipes had frozen and burst, damaging floors and ceilings throughout the house. They thought they had set the thermostat high enough to prevent this from happening.

This being the third such story I’ve heard about frozen pipes since December, and this Dutchess County winter starting out rather harsh, I decided to consult someone in the heating industry to gain their opinion on what is the best way to prevent this from happening.

A knowledgeable oil burner technician from a local reputable oil company offered his opinion on two ways to help avoid the problem/cost of repairing the damage from frozen pipes. First, he said that while 55 degrees may seem like a reasonable thermostat setting in order to keep your pipes from freezing while you’re not home, it certainly depends on the style of the house. He gave an example of a Raised Ranch - most have 1-2 bedrooms built directly over the garage which is typically unheated.

When you have consistent low temperatures like we are having this winter, where the overnight temps are at and well below freezing and the daytime temps don’t warm up to at least freezing, the house can’t warm up long enough in the daytime to retain heat. If the thermostat is set on only 55 degrees, and the room below it is at near zero, eventually, you run the risk of having the pipes freeze. In his opinion, everyone should set their thermostat on at least 65 degrees during these weather conditions, regardless of the style house you have. Besides, he said that while most people believe they are saving oil, and he acknowledges that oil can be a costly heating system, you’re really not saving at all because when you do get back and turn the heat up to heat the house, the system has to work twice as hard to heat the house. I imagine this could use more oil than you think you’re saving and it could cause more wear and tear on your boiler.

Second, he said you can have an anti-freeze service done to protect your pipes from freezing. The anti-freeze protects your system up to between 20 and 30 BELOW zero. What surprised me is that I didn’t know you can do this while you occupy your house and the heat is in use. This service lasts for 2-3 years and estimated cost is far less than it costs to fill up the typical 275 gallon oil tank! It sounds similar to winterizing a home - as real estate agents, we strongly advise local sellers to winterize their vacant homes during this season.

So I learned two very good options that I will gladly pass on to my clients and anyone else who is not sure what to do. I believe both these options would work if you own a home in Dutchess County: set your thermostat to at least 65 degrees, whether you are home or not, or, have an anti-freeze service done that will protect your heating system and home in the event of the coldest anticipated temperatures. If you want to save money, and who doesn’t - what’s less expensive: Options 1 or 2, or having to have the inside of your home rebuilt because frozen pipes have burst?

For more information on winterizing your home and contacting local, reputable general contractors and heat service companies, contact Kim Simms, a full-time licensed real estate salesperson and residential real estate consultant with Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate of East Fishkill, NY. She can be reached at ksimms@houlihanlawrence.com.

Posted by: Kim Simms

A Poor Man's Guide to "Staging"

2011-01-27T00:00:00Z

A real listing NOT professionally staged

Around this time of year you start to see real estate “experts” on television talk about what sellers should do to get a house sold. Often they will not hesitate in recommending a seller spend a few thousand dollars to improve curb appeal, purchase appliances, or make other improvements that will not result in a return on investment. I work in an area where the median selling price is $290,000 (December 2010). So we need to be frugal and thoughtful when it comes to spending money.

What can the prudent seller do to make a house sell faster while competing with many more homes in the same price range?

Pack, pack, pack away!

You are moving anyway and will have to pack it up eventually. Go down to the local grocery store and ask for free cardboard boxes. Start looking around your house for anything you are not actively using on a regular basis. That means the pretty Hummel’s, sports memorabilia, family photos and that George Forman grill you bought and used only once! You get the picture? Start a memory box for the kids school projects that you wish to keep (tucked away). Once filled and labeled, store those boxes carefully either in one garage bay, basement, attic, or rent some space. Be sure not to block areas where either you or a home inspector will need to access like an electrical panel, or plumbing, etc…

Check your Kitchen Carefully

Exactly how old and sad does that toaster oven look? If you are starting to nod, get rid of it. Remove anything from the kitchen counter you don’t use every day without fail. Also remove, or fold away any dish cloths or oven mitts. Remove everything attached to your refrigerator! (Buyers don’t need to see when you have your next doctors’ appointment.)

Remove personal pictures, and certificates from walls

You need to remove all the family photos from the walls. It’s difficult for a buyer to think of your house as their home while they are staring at your relatives. Also, consider removing diplomas too. I have seen buyers stare long and hard at college degrees trying to get a glimpse into what makes you tick.

Kids’ rooms

Way back in the olden days, I confess to having posters of David Cassidy on my walls! The new arch nemeses of every real estate agent today is the Jonas Brothers and every vampire lurking around on the big screen! Give your kids a hug and tell them that they can keep ONE medium sized poster, and pack away the rest. The same rules apply to those life-size posters (Fatheads) of football players.

Clean like your financial life depends on it!

Yes, yes, yes. If you ask me “should I clean even there”, the answer is yes! If the bathtub is dingy, make it sparkle. Buyers will open your dishwasher, ovens, and refrigerator if included in the sale. Clean between the hinges if you must! A buyer who walks into a clean home can immediately sense that the home is well maintained and that somebody cares. That is a huge, positive message to receive and creates an immediate emotional connection.

Offer a pleasant odor

When a buyer walks into a home, the very first thing they do is…breathe! It’s automatic, we all do it. Awhile back, I pulled up in front of a house with buyers in tow. From the street we could smell freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and laughed a bit at the obvious “staged” smell. Out of the nine homes I showed them, the “cookie house” was the one they purchased! It works! (By the way, do not leave burning candles to scent the house while you are away. It’s not safe and I will just blow them out when I arrive with buyers.)

Paint where necessary, remove wallpaper

If the walls are scuffed you need to paint. If the rooms are painted with dark colors, you need to paint. No getting around this one. It’s cheap and worth every penny of paint you purchase. Light, neutral colors, please.

Change the light bulbs, remove the heavy curtains

I am never surprised to notice how many people never change a burned-out light bulb. But replacing light bulbs adds light and lifts everyone’s mood. Warning: do NOT replace them with the eco-friendly yellow bulbs, not while you are selling your home. Those throw little light and can make a room look darker. Plus they take a few minutes to get completely bright once turned on. Buyers are not that patient. Pull down heavy drapes and clean the widows. “Light and bright” is the mantra you should get used to repeating!

Every house will have different specific needs. The above list is generic and applies to all. However, you should absolutely speak with a good local real estate agent to get some expert advice about any other possible improvements or repairs - before you spend a dime.

Tammy Benkwitt has been a real estate agent for 19 years and assists buyers and sellers in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties. She can be reached at 914-714-2127 or email .

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

Choosing a Real Estate Attorney

2011-01-05T22:11:00Z

In New York, attorneys play a critical role in the purchase or sale of real property. They are utilized by both buyers and sellers to make certain that ownership of the property is being transferred legally, and your rights are being protected under the law during the sales process. Therefore it’s important to shop around and choose an attorney so that when you locate your dream home, or find a buyer for a property you wish to sell, you have one ready to help you finalize the transaction. Here are some tips to assist you in your search for an attorney.

How do I find a real estate lawyer?

First, I would ask friends, family, and work associates who may have recently purchased or sold a property in that particular area. (If the property is located more than an hour away from the attorneys’ office I would pause before hiring. Find out if that attorney will charge additional time to travel to the closing. Also, a local lawyer may have specific knowledge of the community that may assist you in your transaction.) Your real estate agent will certainly know local attorneys. The local Bar Association or Chamber of Commerce should have a directory. Make it a point to call two or three lawyers and shop around.

What should I ask the lawyer when I call?

First, ask if real estate is his or her primary practice. Just like doctors who specialize in various types of medicine, lawyers often specialize in certain aspects of the law. You may have used a wonderful divorce attorney who championed you in the past. Ask yourself whether this is the same lawyer you should use when purchasing a new home. If that person will be tied up in court frequently and does not have a paralegal to assist, you may want to think about it. Ask how many real estate sales that attorney closed within the last twelve months.

Is there a paralegal or other staff available to handle situations if the attorney is in court or away from the office at a closing?

Even great real estate lawyers will be in meetings, at closings, or have professional obligations that won’t allow that person to come to the phone when you call. Paralegals or assistants can be invaluable resources and usually do much of the routine tasks anyway. You want the help when you need it. I find polite, friendly and efficient office staff to be an enormous plus.

How much do you charge? Is it a flat fee or based on some other formula?

Many lawyers I know who specialize in real estate charge a flat fee, but you should ask in advance. Fees vary.

What happens if the deal falls apart? How much will I owe you?

Unfortunately, buyers sometimes have difficulty getting a mortgage, or just get cold feet and you have to go back to the drawing board to find a new buyer. Find out in advance what your obligations will be to your attorney in the event your signed contract goes south.

May I call to ask you for advice in advance of the sale?

Some lawyers may ask you to sign a retainer agreement prior to investing his or her time to your sale. Many attorneys understand that people will have many questions throughout the process and will answer questions within reason prior to generating a contract. But you should ask this during the interview process so that there are no misunderstandings.

Are you a member of any local boards or associations or do you have any affiliations with local government?

Sometimes in addition to a full time real estate practice, attorneys can also hold positions in local government. That can prove to be an invaluable resource, or it can be a time-consuming job that pulls that person away from your transaction. It’s best to know in advance.

Have you ever appeared in court as the result of a real estate transaction that was in dispute?

Frankly, it’s a pretty rare occurrence. Most real estate sales and purchases go smoothly and whatever disputes arise are usually easily resolved. But it’s a good question to ask. You want to know how the person you are hiring to be on your side handles disputes and confrontation. (Do you hear the boxing gloves go on, or does a cooler head prevail?)

Do you own a title insurance company? Do you always use a certain title company?

Most buyers will use whichever title insurance company the attorney selects without considering possible cost savings. Ask whether or not specific competing quotes will be provided to you before title is ordered. Not all title companies charge the same amount. It’s worth it to check.

Do you use email?

Many more attorneys offices are using email which helps cut down on phone calls and misinformation. If this is important to you, ask.

How will you interact with my real estate agent?

Often agents have to be in contact with your lawyer to order a contract of sale, provide information about a repair that needs to be done, or a host of other reasons. It’s important that your agent not be a nuisance by prodding the lawyer all the time, and rather be a resource. Your agent can often assist the lawyer by running to town hall to pick up a document, hand delivering a contract, or being witness to the condition of a property (being the eyes and ears). Both parties should be working cooperatively to make sure your transaction runs as smoothly as possible.

Tammy Benkwitt has been a real estate agent for 19 years and assists buyers and sellers in Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties. She can be reached at 914-714-2127 or email .

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

NOW is the Time. The Past and Future are Illusions.

2011-01-03T11:43:51Z

Monumental events have always happened for me - particularly in years ending in double numbers. I am sooo absolutely excited about where I AM, where WE ARE as spirits living this human experience! I finally understand it is only necessary to live in the NOW. Not the past, not the future, but the only experience that is true reality - RIGHT NOW. Think about it - what influence can you impose from the past or in the future to be able to create what you want this minute? I love a good inspirational quote and this week’s quote is attributed to Oprah Winfrey: “…doing the best in this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.” Savor it!

Wishing Everyone Love, Peace, and all Good Things in 2011!! Kim

Posted by: Kim Simms

A Visit to Hyde Park, NY

2010-12-21T17:28:51Z

Whether you consider yourself a “foodie” or not, the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, has some fabulous sounding events coming up in their 2011 Dining Series. You can see their offering by visiting their website. From what I understand, these events fill up quickly so you must reserve early.

While visiting Hyde Park why not also take the time to tour the Vanderbilt Mansion. Situated along the majestic Hudson River, its 54 rooms are fully furnished and offer a rare glimpse into a past world known by few. If you have any interest in architecture, it’s a must see. This time of year the mansion is beautifully decorated for the Holidays.

Interested in learning more about the Hyde Park area? Read our complete town guide on our website.

Photo courtesy of the CIA

Posted by: Elizabeth Nunan

Relative Values

2010-11-19T16:08:34Z

The Relative Values Series in today’s Wall Street Journal Online highlights 3 homes on over 100 acres. One is a Houlihan Lawrence listing known as Half Moon House situated on over 141 prime acres in the heart of Hunt Country in Millbrook, New York. Read the full story here.

Posted by: Elizabeth Nunan

New DeCicco's Market Opens in Brewster, NY

2010-11-18T17:56:54Z

Photo Courtesy of DeCicco’s Market

While eating pizza at Gaetano’s in Brewster this weekend, I noticed that there was a new store where Linens ‘N Things used to be located. We decided to run over and explore. To our surprise, it’s a new grocery store - but not your average grocery store. To me, this seems more like a Whole Foods but with less “organic” choices. They have a coffee shop where you can order a latte to enjoy while you shop. They have both a meat and seafood section that seem to be full of numerous fresh choices. We bought some farm raised salmon that we later grilled and it was delicious. In addition to all the regular aisles of groceries, they have a hot food bar and a cold salad bar – each with dozens of choices of delicious looking food. After buying some groceries on our initial visit I knew I’d be returning – I just didn’t realize how soon. I ran in after I worked late this Tuesday night and checked the hot bar. Had I beat my husband home I could have pulled off calling it homemade but we enjoyed stuffed pork loin with vegetable pasta on the side. Thank you to DeCicco’s for coming into Putnam County and for being along my route home. I have a feeling they’ll be seeing a lot of me!

Posted by: Elizabeth Nunan

Dear Home Buyers: Spring Market is Here! (HUH? It’s November. What ARE you talking about?)

2010-11-18T14:20:00Z

Right now many people are moving their collective psyche into holiday mode. Am I making the pumpkin chiffon pie for Thanksgiving or is my sister making it again? Do I want to buy everyone gifts this year, or just the kids? It’s the kind of mindset that can distract us. So we procrastinate on the tasks that can be most important and have longer lasting implications.

In the lower Hudson Valley, the spring real estate market is only about 3-4 months away. Typically it begins right after the Superbowl, as long as the weather holds. That gives buyers time to get their financial house in order. Here are some steps home buyers can take right now to put themselves in the best negotiating position this spring:

Watch your spending! It’s tempting to buy expensive gifts for the ones you love – the stores make it sooooo tempting! Resist the urge to run up your credit card debt. Hold off making large purchases such as cars until after you close on your new home. Pay down as much existing debt as you can. Examine your bills carefully. Where you have loan balances, increase the amount of your regular payments – if even just a little. If you owe “official” paperwork to someone (i.e. a government entity) for something….get it done. Sometimes buyers need someone to co-sign a loan, or to borrow or even gift them money. If you think you may need financial help to buy a house, start talking to those folks now to see if this is an option. Learn what to expect when you become a homeowner yourself. Ask your friends and neighbors what they find most challenging and/or rewarding about maintaining a home. If school districts are important to you, start your research now. Go to the district’s web site to read what services it has to offer. Avoid searching on third party web sites which often have incorrect data. If you want the right answers, hear it from the “horse’s mouth.” Make an appointment to visit to the school in person. Your mortgage professional is happy to speak with you today to help you plan ahead. That person can run your credit report and give you invaluable advice about what you need to do in the coming months to be ready to buy. Make that call today!

Once your mortgage broker gives you an idea of how much of a home you can afford, start perusing websites to see what properties are available in your price range and in the town you wish to live. Start searching for a buyer’s agent who can represent your best interests when looking for a home!

Tammy Benkwitt has been a real estate agent in New York for 19 years. She currently serves the counties of Dutchess, Putnam and Northern Westchester. Contact Tammy at 914-714-2127 or .

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

Dear Prospective Renters:

2010-10-25T00:00:00Z

I know there are a lot of you out there, so listen up. In today’s market we are seeing many folks needing to rent a house or apartment while rebuilding their credit. I have represented numerous landlords and tenants over 19 years. What I have to share is relevant and will help you to avoid certain pitfalls, and hopefully get into an apartment you like and can afford.

Tenants have to first understand that very often, the rental properties you will be shown will not be in large apartment complexes that have faceless landlords and building superintendents. In this day and age, you will likely be considering a single family home where that landlord has a mortgage to pay along with taxes, maybe even homeowner association fees. If you miss a rental payment, it may cause that landlord to miss a payment causing damage to the landlord’s credit. Understand that you are a total stranger to that landlord. Full disclosure of financial information (verification of employment, credit report), references, pet information, and the number of vehicles anticipated is crucial. You also need to demonstrate that you will respect that property while you are living in it and keep it maintained appropriately as defined in the lease.

Seek expert help. It is recommended that a tenant retain their own real estate agent to navigate the waters. Will you have to pay your agent? That depends. Make sure you speak with your agent in advance about how he or she will be paid. If you want to make sure your agent stays loyal to you, make certain you relay to your agent that it is important to YOU that he or she is paid a commission to find you a property and get it through to a signed lease. No one works free of charge.

Choose wisely. Make sure you are choosing a rental that you can afford even if it means downsizing your quality of life. If you cannot afford a four-bedroom colonial, opt for the three bedroom raised-ranch if that is cheaper. This is especially important for anyone who needs to repair credit. (I was one of three children who shared one bedroom and one bathroom, and guess what - we survived!) Renting is generally a temporary situation for many people. Save your money for a house you can someday purchase instead!

Let’s talk money. Landlords need to see your credit report which you may easily obtain on-line, and usually free of charge. They will also need to see a photo identification to make sure that credit report belongs to you! (People have indeed tried to use someone else’s credit report in order to get an apartment.) If you are concerned about possible discrimination, show your photo identification to your tenants agent who can then attest to the landlords agent that they have verified you are who you say you are. Also have copies ready of your recent pay stubs, W-2’s, and in some cases bank statements.

What about my dogs? Unfortunately, humans who behave badly have pretty much ruined it for the best behaved pets. Many landlords are reluctant to accept dogs and cats for fear that the lack of human consideration will cause damage to the home. Prior to adopting any pet, consider whether or not you will be able to find a place for the pet, and you, to live. Before you decide to bring home that adorable puppy who will grow into a 100 lb ball of fur, think twice. No, think even more than that! A landlord will likely accept one dog or one cat with additional security. I once received a call from an agent asking if my landlord client would accept two pit bulls! The answer was a resounding “NO”. Common sense prevails here folks!

There is, however, only ONE exception where a landlord may NOT deny a tenant because of a pet. That is when the pet is a service dog meant to aide the tenant in some manner due to health. A tenant would need to provide a note (prescription usually) from a doctor stating that the pet is needed. The note does NOT have to state why the pet is needed (your health requirements are nobody’s business). But it does have to come from a doctor and can be verified by the landlord.

Bringing the kids? To say I don’t care about your children sounds harsh, but it’s true, I don’t. Your real estate agent should never share with anyone any information that violates Fair Housing laws, including the number of children you are bringing. Familial status became a protected class as an amendment to the federal Fair Housing Act in 1988. It is illegal to discriminate against families in which one or more children under 18 live with a parent or guardian. Further, pregnant women are also protected. When I say I don’t care, it means I don’t want to know. A landlord’s agent must also remain in compliance with important Fair Housing laws. I will never pass along information that is in clear violation of Fair Housing laws.

A landlord may ask how many people are living in the house. This usually ties to the number of cars on the property as one example of why it’s something important to know. A landlord can make sure the house is not a boarding house filled with college students. (Students are NOT a protected class.)

Here’s the rental application. Great, but I may not be able to submit it to my landlord. Why? It may be in violation of Fair Housing laws. Over the years and even recently, I have received forms from other real estate companies that ask the tenant questions which are clear violations of Fair Housing laws. Don’t ever complete a form that asks you: your age, whether you are married (accomplished by a field that reads “spouse”), your children and their ages. Be fully prepared to list on the application form whomever will be signing the lease, the number of people in the house, pet information, the make, model and license plate of your cars, your income(s), your employer(s), and references.

I’ll confess to sounding like a grouchy old real estate agent when it comes to rentals. Taking responsibility for someone else’s property is huge! Yes, for the duration of your lease it will indeed be your home, but for the owner, it’s a tremendous financial responsibility. If you are understanding, and volunteer the necessary information, your ability to lease a comfortable home will go much smoother.

Tammy Benkwitt is a real estate agent and instructor who lives in Fishkill, New York. She can be reached at 914-714-2127 or .

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

Leaf Peeping and Pumpkins

2010-09-30T13:12:28Z

With the arrival of the month of October, it’s time to get in the car and take a ride to enjoy two events in the Hudson Valley – leaf peeping and a visit to a pumpkin patch. Although spectacular foliage can be seen traveling the major highways, it always seems better when one travels the back roads of this area, especially if you remembered to bring your camera. There always seems to be just one more breathtaking view around the next turn.

The day will not be complete without stopping at a local farm stand to purchase locally grown apples, freshly pressed apple cider, or that giant pumpkin to decorate for the Fall. I’m sure you or your friends would say that one of their most memorable family outings as a child was to either a local PYO (pick your own) orchard or a pumpkin patch. Here in Pawling we are fortunate to go directly to Dykeman Farm’s own pumpkin patch. In addition to selecting the perfect pumpkin, winter squash and gourds, there will be weekend hayrides through their fields. On Sundays, Oct. 10th and 17th, the hayrides will be authentic horse-drawn fun.

Why limit such memory making to a single afternoon? Living in the area full-time or as a weekender let’s you build memories constantly. I can help you make that dream come true. Call me at 917-208-0630.

Posted by: Bruce L. Radler

Hiking in Hudson Valley

2010-09-27T15:00:08Z

As I bend down to tighten the laces of my hiking boots, what feels like a feather brushes past my nose. I look down to see a crimson leaf has fallen to the ground and I am exhilarated that it is once again fall in the Hudson Valley. For those avid hikers and even the novice ones, there are numerous state and county parks available to explore.

I live in Putnam County and together with my favorite canine companion Mo; I have explored many trails Putnam has to offer. The Walter G. Merritt County Park on Haviland Hollow Road in Patterson is a 600 acre park with gorges and waterfalls that I have enjoyed many times. I am fortunate to live down the street from one of the preserves operated by the Putnam County Land Trust. The trail I frequent is called Lindera Loop Trail named after Lindera benzoin or Spicebush. It is one of Putnam County’s first Handicapped-accessible trails. Check out the Putnam County Land Trust’s website to learn more about their preserves in Putnam. Off of Route 22 on Foggingtown Road in Brewster there is Bog Brook Wildlife Management Area (NYSDEC) which is 132 acres dedicated to hiking, bird watching, snowshoeing and more. For those hikers further west in Putnam, there is the most developed trail system in the county, Clarence Fahnestock State Park. For more information on hiking in all of the Hudson Valley check out www.trails.com.

If you’re thinking of moving to the Hudson Valley, please contact me for all your real estate needs at

Posted by: Lisa Tremblay

Pawling Classic Car Show

2010-09-23T12:13:05Z

This coming Sunday, September 26th, come rain or shine, the village of Pawling will play host to its’ annual car show in conjunction with the Dutchess Cruisers Car Club. Come view over 140 classic cars.

There is word that M&S Pawling, the local GM dealer, will be featuring the all new 2011 Cadillac CRT coupe. Tickets for a 50/50 raffle will be available. By buying one you will be supporting the new Pawling Green as well as the chance of to earn a little extra green for your pocket. You can always be a winner when you purchase a primary or secondary in the Dutchess County Harlem Valley.

I can help you find the best home for you and your family. Our office has several listings with a large garage; ideal for the car collector. Call me at 917-208-0630.

Posted by: Bruce L. Radler

The Melting Pot Opens in Poughkeepsie

2010-09-17T21:06:00Z

If you are ready for a dining experience not quite like any other, head over to Poughkeepsie’s latest eatery, The Melting Pot. My husband and I tried it last week and we can’t wait to visit again.

We arrived for our reservation (recommended) and were quickly seated in a section tucked away from the main dining room. In this corridor were booths almost completely partitioned off from everyone else. We didn’t see or (barely) hear anyone for the next two hours except for the staff. Our server, Julie, called it “Lovers Lane” which describes it well! After ordering a bottle of wine, we got a lesson in fondue-style eating. The server brought the fondue ingredients and poured them into a pot that sat on a heating element built into the table. She carefully stirred them together until they melted and reached the desired consistency. We were given plates full of tasty vegetables, breads, meats and fish to dip into the fondue with color-coded long forks (this is so no one gets confused and uses the wrong fork).

We ordered the “Big Night Out” which I highly recommend for its overall value and especially if you are celebrating. The “Big Night Out” includes four courses and serves two people. The first course is a delicious cheese fondue in which you can dip and eat breads and veggies to your tummy’s delight! Next comes the Melting Pot’s special lettuce wraps - or you can substitute those for one of several other salad choices. The entree is an assortment of chicken, pork, Ahi tuna, shrimp and lobster that you dip in a brew of water, oil and spices. This mixture is referred to as the “cooking style” and adds it’s own flavor to the entree which you then dip into an eclectic selection of special sauces. Topping off the meal is the chocolate fondue dessert. I’m not sure there is a word in the English language to capture precisely how decadent and absolutely sinful each morsel tasted, so I will leave it to your imagination. Just picture dipping a marshmallow - already encrusted in Oreo cookie crumbs - into a warm, gooey, chocolate Snickers candy bar. Next, dip a brownie or a piece of cheesecake and, well you get the idea! We could choose from a myriad of chocolate and white chocolate combinations for our dessert fondue. The staff made up their own delicious concoctions, too, and encouraged us to try them.

The service was friendly and attentive. Both the restaurant manager and owner introduced themselves and visited our table which was a nice touch. By the way, these folks know how to help their guests celebrate a special occasion. As we sat down at our table, we picked up a greeting card waiting for us signed by the staff wishing us a happy anniversary. The owner brought over a surprise champagne toast which was truly thoughtful. We saw birthday balloons on another table. The Melting Pot is clearly the new “go to” spot for everyone’s special occasions!

The Melting Pot is located in the Poughkeepsie Galleria, South Road (Route 9), near Macy’s on the lower level. Hours Monday through Friday are from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday from Noon to 10:00 PM. Phone is 845-632-6171.

Enjoy!

Tammy Benkwitt is a real estate agent and instructor who lives in Fishkill, New York. She can be reached at 914-714-2127.

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

18 Holes of Golf in New York State for under $25

2010-09-16T21:35:00Z

Yes, you read that right. There really is a course where you can play 18 holes that does not cost an arm and a leg. The Dutcher Golf Course, founded in 1890, by John Dutcher, is the oldest 9 hole municipal course in the USA. It was given to the town of Pawling by his daughter-in-law, Helen Dutcher, in 1955.

Having a home in Pawling, you can roll out of bed and on to the first tee. No need to call weeks in advance for a “tee time”. To be able to play 9 or 18 holes on an intriguing course set amongst the foothills of the Southern Berkshires less than 90 minutes from Manhattan is yet another perk to owning a home in the Hudson Valley. AHHH!

Let me help you find the perfect launch pad for affordable golf. I would love to make that dream come true for you.Please call me at 917-208-0630. FORE!

Posted by: Bruce L. Radler

Sept. 11th - The Largest Garage Sale in Dutchess County

2010-09-09T08:47:49Z

Come one, come all to one of the largest garage sales in the Hudson Valley!

This Saturday, Sept. 11 the Pawling Chamber of Commerce has signed up over 100 families for its 16th annual town-wide event. There will be tables set up in the center of town, as well as maps available showing where individuals will be staging sales at their homes. In the event of inclement weather, the rain date is Sunday, Sept. 12.

Garage sales are a wonderful way to dispose of many unnecessary items when down-sizing from a larger home prior to the move or once your arrive at your new location and realize there is no room for many of the items you said you could never live without! Hopefully, some new homeowner is looking for just what you have to sell.

And just think how short your trip home with the goodies you just purchased will be if you owned a home in the Hudson Valley. To see some wonderful properties, reply to or call me directly at 917-208-0630. I can help you make a country home a reality for your family.

Posted by: Bruce L. Radler

Wednesday Night Car Cruise

2010-09-07T17:46:00Z

Last Wednesday, while driving up Route 22 we came across the parking lot at Valley Diner in Wingdale packed with people stopping to get a look at more than 20 exotic classic cars. It seems that every Wednesday night the members of the Harlem Valley Car Club gather here from 6 to 9 PM to show off their pride and joy, as well as chat with old members, potential new ones, and car enthusiasts. By the way, if this diner looks familiar it was recently used in a big national television commercial.
This is only one of many events available for the automobile fan during the summer in the Hudson Valley. Friends from the city come up almost every year for the Pawling Car Show staged in the center of town. This year the event is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 26th.

Posted by: Bruce L. Radler

Pawling Farmers' Market - Part 2

2010-09-03T07:57:00Z

I just loaded the car with my purchases from the first half of the market (see my previous entry), and need to see what I can find in the second half to complete the menu for this weekend’s guests. Yes, having a country home means receiving calls from family and friends asking, “Do you have any plans this weekend?” Most times they are extending the invite to their home; now it’s our turn to reciprocate..

Returning to the market with empty bags (we have been using canvas bags for some time) I first visit Dykeman’s Farm Market’s booth (highlighted in my July 20th blog), I do see the same wonderful corn, tomatoes, squash and seasonal fruit offered up at their farm. Yes, we are spoiled living in the country so close to this great source of produce that can be obtained fresh daily.

At the next booth is Margery Schiffman from Conant Valley Jam Company with a variety of unusual jam made without sugar. “Please try some” she exclaims. “You will not be disappointed.”

At Ashnan Farms booth, owners Micah & Renannah Weinstein and Joe Vail offer an assortment of organically grown produce as well as free-range chickens.

The last booth is combination of wine from Millbrook Vineyards and dairy products from Ronneybrook Farms. Two ingredients necessary for any gathering. Visitors from the city really appreciate local ingredients and products as an exotic alternative to supermarket items. It’s the way we live in the country. You can, too.

I hope my little tour has peaked your appetite to stop by the market some weekend soon. This area of the Hudson Valley has lots to see and do, as well as many great homes available for either weekend or year round country living. I would love to make that dream house come true for you. Please call me at 917-208-0630.

Posted by: Bruce L. Radler

Pawling Farmers' Market - Part I

2010-09-02T13:04:00Z

One of the joys of owning a country home in the Hudson Valley is getting out to partake in the various local activities. These experiences add value and joy to home owning here. Over the next few weeks I will highlight several of these. The first that comes to mind are the various Farmers’ Markets that have developed over the past few years. Some are open twice a week, but almost all are open Saturday mornings.

Here in Pawling, the program is only a few years old, but it provides a good selection of both organic and non-organic produce, baked goods, preserves, dairy, flowers, plants and even wine. Let us start a tour and give you a brief description of what is there. Starting at the north end of the market you will find Brine Garden and Horticultural Consultants, Inc. Owners Duncan and Julia Brine have been written up in several magazines. Their website, gardenlarge.com contains an excellent description as well as a listing of upcoming tours.

The next booth is manned by Laetitia Ganam of 3 Petites Madeleines. Laetitia is a home baker who brings her creations to this market, as well as the Arlington Farmers’ Market.

At the next booth Mountain Produce Smokehouse features locally hardwood smoked cheeses and meats. After trying a sample I doubt you will go home empty-handed! Once you discover this provider you do not have to wait until the next market day. Visit their website: mountainproductssmokehouse.com or stop by their in-house store.

Prospect Hill Orchards from Milton, NY is next. They feature freshly picked fruits and homemade jams. You may even decide to take a ride to the orchard and pick the fruit yourself – this weekend peaches and nectarines are available.

Wild Hive Farm is the next booth on our tour. There you will find locally grown grains that they have just milled, as well as baked goods using these products. Wild Hive Farm was recently featured in the Wednesday Dining In/Dining Out section of the New York Times, as well as having their baked goods selected for the “goodie bags” distributed at Chelsea Clinton’s wedding.

This is only half of the market, and my shopping bag is full. Stay tuned for the second half of this great food experience.

Posted by: Bruce L. Radler

Girl Scouts - Our Kimunity

2010-08-25T16:18:32Z

As a Girl Scout troop leader, you try to give the girls tools to help navigate the curvy road that will be their life and try to help them understand that life is so much more satisfying when you are passionate about something. Few of us know what it is we are passionate about before the age of (let’s say) 40.

One of the goals of Girl scouting is to instill a lifetime commitment to community service. The current economy has affected us all and many people find themselves relying on food pantries for additional support. The girls in my troop, Fishkill GS Troop 10348, provided invaluable community service efforts while working on the fourth step of their Junior Bronze Award, which is the highest award you can earn as a Junior Girl Scout. The girls were amazing! Thanks to the generosity of The Smoke Haus Deli on Rt 82 in Hopewell Junction, and Pet Supplies Plus, located in the Shop Rite shopping plaza on Rt 9 in Fishkill, we held two pet food drives, collecting dog and cat food and cash donations. With the permission of both the East Fishkill Community Library and Blodgett Memorial Library of Fishkill, we placed collection containers in both libraries for pet food. They made homemade dog treats, chew toys and catnip socks out of old t-shirts and socks. We made signs and posters and wrote thank you letters. What a fulfilling experience for our girls to be able to be creative and learn leadership skills while making an immediate impact in our community.

Our troop supports Beacon ARF, a no-kill animal rescue shelter and The Fishkill Food Pantry. It’s been a very good summer and my absolute pleasure to have worked alongside these future leaders to achieve the award. I am so proud of them. We need more Girl Scouts like the girls in my troop and we definitely need more Girl Scout leaders.

For more information about troop openings and becoming a GS leader in the Fishkill Girl Scout community, contact me, Kim Simms, Fishkill GS Community Organizer, at .

Posted by: Kim Simms

So, How's the Market?

2010-08-24T22:59:00Z

Before all the statistics about housing are reported on the news, the actual sales have to happen first. What real estate agents are experiencing right now will help impact how the world economy behaves in a few months. So every once in a while, I will post a “sneak peek.” Here’s what is actually happening in my business during the last few weeks. There is something about buyers in today’s real estate market that is giving me hope.

To put it in perspective, a little history first. Approximately between the years 2004-2006, buyers were demanding homes that had all bells and whistles - “McMansions” with granite counters, stainless appliances, wood floors and so on. That urgent desire for all the amenities drove buyers into purchasing homes they could not afford. Buyers did not consider what might happen when their adjustable mortgage rates came due. (The reason for the decline of the real estate market is a much longer story. I am focusing on buyer choices at the moment.)

Recently, I have been hearing my clients sing a slightly different tune. While it is nice to have those extras, more buyers are poised to make purchase decisions based on what they can afford, and are willing to postpone upgrades to a time when they are more certain about their finances. Location, location, location first, Viking appliances later! Yes, buyers want a bargain, it’s their market and they know it. But common sense is back at the helm and it’s refreshing to hear!

The National Association of Realtors released a report on August 24, 2010 that explains the decline in housing sales in July 2010. Home sales (closed sales) declined as anticipated because many people took advantage of the home buyer credit which ended April 30 (buyers had to be in contract by 4/30/10 to qualify). In other words, people who might have otherwise purchased a home later in the year, closed on their homes in June in order to gain the tax credit. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors, explains the findings in this televised interview.

Again, here is what I am experiencing today. Almost like the “good old days” when you bought a starter home, fixed it up over time, and had a solid, common sense plan for paying it off, buyers are indeed buying, but using more caution and care. The difference is that in those “good old days,” 30-year fixed interest rates were much higher (I remember 10% in 1990), and today’s rates are closer to 4.625%. There are still many financial options available to first time home buyers such as low interest SONYMA loans in New York State. If you want to stop paying a landlord and own your home, talk to a real estate and/or mortgage professional. Get all the facts, then decide what is best for you.

Tammy Benkwitt is a real estate agent and instructor who lives in Fishkill, New York. She can be reached at 914-714-2127.

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

Apple picking in Dutchess County

2010-08-18T16:10:00Z

As the summer months wind down, we try to pack in all our favorite summer activities. It is also time to start planning for things that we might want to do over the next month or two. One thing I always planned on with my family was an apple picking trip. Dutchess County has a large number of apple orchards that offer a bounty of various apples including red delicious, empires, golden delicious, Macintosh and many more.

Apparently the unusually warm temperatures have ripened the fruit earlier this year, by about 2 weeks, and some orchards are open for picking now like Fishkill Farms located in Wiccopee. You might ask, “Where in the heck is Wiccopee?”, but don’t worry it’s real easy to find… just off Interstate 84.

Of course there are numerous orchards to choose from throughout the county. NYAppleCountry.com is a great resource which has tons of helpful information. According to their fast facts – New York State is number 2 in the country for largest apple production.

Most orchards offer other goodies like homemade donuts and pies, cider, other fruits (peaches, blueberries, etc.) and vegetables. Once you worked up an appetite from picking your bushels of apples, you can fill up on all the yummy other foods.

So make sure that you look at your upcoming schedule and don’t miss out on the delicious fun!

Oh, and by the way, if you want to learn how to make a yummy apple pie, check out the video below!

Posted by: Debbie Allan

What School is Best?

2010-08-18T15:54:00Z

Whether you’re opening a computer a newspaper or the mail this time of year, the words “Back to School” are everywhere and remind me of the inevitable question I am always asked about. As a Realtor in the Hudson Valley, I am often asked about the quality of schools in the various towns my buyer clients are moving to. Or, if my buyers are unsure of where they want to live, they also ask “Which school is best?” While I am not allowed to recommend one school over the next, I can offer resources for buyers to access to make an informed decision. Every child is an individual and their learning styles, needs and abilities are different so I always suggest visiting the various schools also.

As a parent of a college senior who went through the Brewster Schools, I often wondered did I send her to the right place? I asked myself “Should I have sent her to a private school or different public school?” I decided to ask Erika’s opinion of how she perceived her high school education. Below you will read her thoughts….I think I made the right choice.

“I’ve been out of high school for 3 years now. It seems like so long ago that I walked through the halls of Brewster High School, books in hand, yearning to learn, but also to have fun. Looking back, I realize that it wasn’t just the things I learned through curriculum that were most important; it was those teachers who brought them to life for me. There were teachers who I found I didn’t get along with, and teachers whom I adored. There were teachers who called me my mother’s name, and those who knew I was a Tremblay by the curl in my hair and the size of my eyes. But all of them brought to me a sense of motivation, inspiration, and a thirst to know more. I don’t remember the things I learned as single entities, I remember them as part of the person who taught them. Mr. Viglucci, was the only person able to teach my mother math, and helped me master derivatives, though I soon forgot them soon after; Ms. McTigue, who showed me how to write from my heart, not only my mind. Mrs. Fine, who helped me see my calling as a history major and introduced me to my favorite books and a love of Jane Austen. Mr. Scanlon, who always taught outside the box, never allowing us to take the straight and narrow path; Mr. Gallacher, Mr. Yurus and the entire history department, for not needing to say anything at all and still making me love everything about history. The relationships with these teachers were what taught me the most important lessons I could ever learn. So maybe in the end, it really isn’t what you know, it’s who taught it to you.”

For information regarding any New York schools you can visit www.nysed.gov. Other valuable resources are www.education.com, or visit my website at www.Lisatremblay.houlihanlawrence.com to see various individual school websites and my listings for sale in four different districts.

Posted by: Lisa Tremblay

Village of Fishkill Block Party Wrap-Up and Splash Down Beach

2010-08-17T15:53:00Z

Last Saturday night, the Village of Fishkill closed several blocks of Main Street to host a block party. It is a nice opportunity for the public to stroll through the street and have a taste of the various restaurant offerings from numerous local eateries. The choices ranged from raw clams, pizza, Indian and Mexican cuisine to the more common fried dough, hamburgers, and so on. But it wasn’t all about food. The kids had a blast as they bounced in the Dalmatian house, or flew down the slides. A local band playing music from the 1970’s, balloons customized into animal shapes, face painting, and the dunk tank (some brave soul was sent into the water on several occasions while we were there) provided entertainment for all! Local businesses and clubs were also on hand to share their services. Just for Kicks - a local martial arts school, Big Blue Swimming - a private swim club, and several others participated in the event.

The village will hold a block party a few times a year, so stay posted here for the next event! In case you missed it, you can find a few highlights in the video below.
Splash Down Beach in Fishkill, NY touts itself as “America’s Biggest Little Waterpark” for good reason. It is small enough where you don’t have to walk forever to get to a ride, yet big enough to offer the kind of water attractions most people enjoy. The Lazy River is probably the most popular, based on the number of people we saw there last week. (Who doesn’t want to jump into cool water on a hot summer day and float along aimlessly?) The kids water-park was age-appropriate and clearly fun for little ones, but adult supervision is a must. Even the very tall water slides like “Cowabunga” can be fun for small kids - as long as a grown-up holds them all the way down! One of the nicest features about living in Dutchess County is being able to live close to major attractions like Splash Down Beach. (Psst…the locals know to wait until after 3:00 PM to visit the park when the day camps have all left and it is less crowded. Don’t tell anyone!) If you aren’t quite brave enough to try the waterside, here it is!

Tammy Benkwitt is a real estate agent and instructor who lives in Fishkill, NY. She can be reached at 914-714-2127.

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

Second Homes Net Huge Rewards

2010-08-10T00:00:00Z

Why own a vacation home you ask? Well for me, it is my asylum from life’s hustle and bustle. Its where I go for that essential downtime – the sought after peace and quiet. When I am home, like most people, I am constantly on the go. So as I drive north on the Taconic Parkway to my upstate getaway - my home away from home - I can feel all the tension leave me. Once I arrive, the tranquility surrounds me and I immediately feel relaxed. I just love pulling up the driveway and seeing everything just how I left it the last time I was there…because its my place!

Another wonderful aspect of owning a second home is that it is a place where family can come to stay with us and we are able to spend real quality time together. We hang out talking, going for long walks, playing games, doing crossword puzzles together and enjoying evenings of storytelling and campfires. Its just nice spending that time together.

Of course there are other positive benefits of owning a second home. There is a feeling of pride in owning an additional piece of real estate and having a good, solid investment as it appreciates overtime – remember real estate is a long term investment! Another great reason is certainly the tax benefits that your accountant keeps telling you about – writing off the mortgage interest and property taxes.

And one more great incentive is you can go there whenever you want because its yours and no reservations necessary!

Dutchess County is filled with homes owned by weekenders. Just about 90 minutes from NYC – bordered by Connecticut on the east and the majestic Hudson river on the west, Dutchess County is filled with quintessential bucolic settings, an abundance of historical sites, charming villages and towns, an assortment of wineries, festivals, markets and shopping, fabulous restaurants, numerous golf courses and parks, a multitude of breathtaking vistas and much more. Click here to see map of Dutchess County.

For more information on homes for sale in Dutchess County, please call me at 845-705-5441 or visit www.DebbieAllan.com to search for a second home.

Posted by: Debbie Allan

Village of Fishkill: Eleven 11 grille and spirits & Block Party Annoucement

2010-08-09T14:26:00Z

One of the places I visit frequently in Dutchess County is the Village of Fishkill. In an age where sidewalks are few and far between, being able to park your car and peruse the many shops and eateries is a pleasure. The village is a small community that offers an array of residential choices ranging from condominiums to charming old Victorian colonials. It’s one of my favorite places to visit.

The restaurants in the village are numerous and offer so many choices of cuisine varying from Italian to Thai food. We recently ate dinner and lunch at the newest hot spot, Eleven 11. It offers everything from burgers to lobster macaroni and cheese (delicious)! A must-try appetizer from the Eleven 11 menu is “11 Clams,” a combination of steamed clams with sausage and chicken in a tasty broth. I wasn’t sure about this dish at first, but the mixture of the sausage, chicken and tomatoes on top of the clams make it a special treat. (Be sure to ask for a spoon and extra bread for dipping!) If you have room for dessert, try the crème brule or brownie a la mode!

Don’t miss: the Village of Fishkill block party on August 14 from 6:00-11:00 PM. The village closes Main Street from Route 9 to Jackson Avenue and fills it with music, food vendors, children’s activities, and more.

Tammy Benkwitt is a real estate agent and instructor who lives in Fishkill, NY. She can be reached at 914-714-2127.

Posted by: Tammy Benkwitt

Smile with a Firefighter: Pawling Fire Department Carnival and Community Day

2010-07-30T09:46:07Z

Gleaming fire trucks rolling through the Village of Pawling with sirens so loud you hold your ears. It’s not a brush fire or a family in trouble. It’s the Pawling Fire Department Carnival & Community Day.

To raise needed funds for vital community services, local merchants and civic groups have organized a two-day carnival at Lakeside Park, to be held on Friday, August 6th and Saturday August 7th. Featuring rides, food, music, health services, blood mobile and the obligatory fire safety demonstration, the events showcase Pawling businesses and nonprofits. Far from the sleepy railroad stop of yore, today’s Pawling is a great place to shop and live.

While you visit the Carnival, why not think of planting some roots in such a vibrant town, so close to New York City on Metro North, yet full of American charm at its best. Ideal for the second home buyer or those looking for a primary residence. Let me show you the best housing of Pawling and the lush surroundings of the Hudson Valley. Please contact me at 917-208-0630. Your family and friends will thank you. And don’t forget, first Prize in the Carnival Raffle is $2000.

Posted by: Bruce L. Radler

The Clintons are coming to town

2010-07-27T00:00:00Z

It’s reported that Chelsea Clinton is getting married at Astor Courts in Rhinebeck, NY on July 31. Known for its bustling tourist activity along the inviting tree-lined streets, Rhinebeck boasts charming old homes and gracious estates, lots of unique shops and fine dining choices, home to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds…and according to the Rhinebeck Chamber of Commerce, Rhinebeck has bragging rights to one of the country’s largest number of historical sites on record! Here is a great video that I found on the chambers website:

I decided that I would go take a look at this place while I was shopping in the area. I did a little homework beforehand and found that Astor Courts was purchased by its current owner in 2005 for a mere $3.2 million. Just this past fall, Astor Courts was on the market for $12 million after an extensive restoration. Built in 1902, this 13,000 square foot estate sits magnificently on 50 acres overlooking the Hudson River. Luckily, I was able to find the old listing which still had a nice slideshow. This place looks perfect for a secluded, storybook wedding. After looking at the pictures and reading through the AstorCourts.com website, I was pretty excited to take a quick trip to Rhinebeck. The drive over from the Taconic Parkway was quite pleasant and relaxing as I enjoyed the countryside scenery. As I drove closer to Astor Court, I thought maybe I would see some flurry of activity, but there was nothing going on. And I couldn’t see a darn thing! I really didn’t expect to see anything judging from the arial photo which shows a really, really long driveway.

It appears from everything that I could find out that Astor Courts is a wonderful place to have a spectacular wedding and certainly can accommodate a very large, distinquished guest list. I can only imagine that the owner was thrilled to learn that the Clintons chose Astor Courts as the venue for Chelsea’s big day. Best wishes Chelsea!

And if you need to buy a house, please call me! To find out about homes for sale in Dutchess County, please contact me at 845-705-5441.

Posted by: Debbie Allan

Where the heck is Wiccopee, NY?

2010-07-26T22:49:00Z

Located in southern Dutchess County in the town of East Fishkill, you’ll find an enchanting hamlet tucked amongst the surrounding woodlands and mountains. Wiccopee’s name comes from a Native American tribe that lived there in the early 1700s. Amidst the area homes you’ll find hiking trails, small lakes and streams, a few farms including Fishkill Farms and even some historical sites. But don’t let the natural setting fool you! Wiccopee is situated in close proximity to major highways, shopping, schools, the train station, the Hudson River and only a 60 mile drive to the city. What more could you ask for?

View Wiccopee, NY in a larger map

There are a variety of homes available to purchase in this country atmosphere, like this well maintained, classic five bedroom, Colonial home tucked in Wiccopee – 515 Van Wyck Lake Road.

For more information on this home or others in the Wiccopee area, please call me at 845-705-5441.

Posted By: Debbie Allan