The Catskill Farms

More Home for Your Buck

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:51:00 -0400

Buying a second home used to be an investment that made financial sense as well as something you loved and enjoyed, but with the rising real estate prices in many second home hot spots, finding something loveable and affordable is a little harder these days. Luckily, there are still plenty of good places you can both afford and also use as your escape from it all. The real estate markets discussed below, from the beaches of South Carolina, to the mountains of Colorado, to the country of Upstate New York, are places were your dollar goes far on undervalued properties but still give you a fabulous place to hang your hat.

Northern Coast of South Carolina: Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet, Surfside Beach

This area offers up the niceties of the South alongside a temperate climate and beautiful sandy beaches. The beach is not all this area has to offer, either. Fine dining, shopping and tons of festivals and events abound alongside more outdoorsy adventures like state parks and fishing. Water parks and amusement parks will keep the young and young at heart entertained while the ones that take play a little more seriously will find games galore in the local casinos. In this area, you can get a condo on the beachfront area known as the Grand Stand for $200,000.

Catskill Mountains of New York: Sullivan, Ulster, and Delaware Counties

The Catskill Mountains in Upstate New York are a quick trip from the hustle and bustle of New York but are miles away in personality. This area takes things a little slower, where the good things in life are appreciated and people actually do stop to smell the roses. The Catskill real estate region offers year round activities like skiing, theater, hiking, fishing, and antiquing. You can get a one or two bedroom county home, with features like wide plank floors and cutting edge kitchens, with acres rather than a yard in the Sullivan county real estate market starting at $200,000.

South Texas Coast: Laguna Vista, Port Isabel, South Padre Island

If you love the beach and playing golf, this spot will be heaven for you. The beaches that make up this area are some of the best along the entire Gulf of Mexico and there is no shortage of access to both lounging on the sand and hitting the waves. Eco-tourism is a growing trend in this area as well, especially since many dolphins and interesting birds call this place home. The only real downside to this region is the masses of spring breakers that flock here year after year. Inland homes and condos, many of them on golf courses, can still be had for around $200,000.

White Mountains in Eastern Arizona: Pinetop-Lakeside, Show Low, Snowflake

All the advantages and adventures of a mountain lifestyle are right outside the doorstep in the White Mountains. This is a quiet mountain range that offers beautiful scenery, mountain lakes and streams, and the solitude you can only achieve when you really get away from it all. Camping, hiking and fishing make this a summer playground for lovers of the outdoors. Most winters bring enough snow to hit the slopes at Sunrise Ski Resort, as well. You can still snatch up a two bedroom, two bathroom rustic mountain home with land here for about $260,000.

The North Fork Valley on Colorado's Western Slope: Hotchkiss, Paonia, Crawford

That cowboy you see walking down Main Street might be an honest to goodness rancher, or he may be an Academy Award winning Hollywood producer, in this unpredictable region. The splendor and isolation found in the North Fork Valley has attracted a large variety of residents, including a fair proportion of artists and musicians. This is where the mountains end and the mesas and desert begin, making this crossroads one of the most interesting and beautiful sites in the country. There is even a budding wine region and a healthy amount of organic produce mixed in with the ranches of the area. A three bedroom log home with land and amazing mountain views can still be had from $300,000.

Housing Market's Woes Spell Opportunity for Some

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:46:00 -0400

It seems that the last decade was a hey-day in the real estate industry until recently. Everyone is talking about the downturn in the housing market, with some even using the dreaded term "crash", and this has buyers and sellers scared. Granted, this situation is making it a lot harder to sell your home for what you would like to get out of it, but that simply means the pendulum is swinging from a seller's market to a buyer's - and it's often just part of the cycle.

Four major things contributed to the housing situation that America now finds itself in: quickly escalating real estate values that made people feel pressured to buy, predatory lending methods that got people into homes that were beyond their means, a rise in speculative real estate purchases (the ones looking to flip homes), and overbuilding. All of these events, especially when considered together, demand that a correction in the market take place after a while to offset their effects. This correction, however, is just that, a correction. Although a crash is never impossible, this is an improbable time for one. People are still buying and selling, interest rates are still at record lows, and real estate has historically been a good long-term investment.

The fact that prices are low, there is a high supply of homes and housing options, and interest rates are at record lows means a great opportunity for many. There are a few things to consider if you are thinking about buying now. Home prices have fallen and may continue to fall, but if history holds true you will not end up with a negative gain on a home if you keep it more than seven years. Also, interest rates are so low right now that any home buyer that can afford to put down 20%, has a decent credit score, and can afford a loan with a fixed interest rate, is looking at a good deal as far as mortgage payments go.

For those that can afford to invest in real estate right now, another consideration should be the market in the areas you are considering. California is getting hit harder than most areas with the downturn and the large fluxuations in prices there should be a sign to steer clear until it settles down a bit. Areas like the upstate New York real estate market, however, seem to be holding pretty steady for second homes, especially if you are considering Catskills real estate.

Investing in real estate can be a lucrative decision, but it can also be risky and turn out badly so there are a few situations in which real estate investments are not the right fit for you. If you are currently facing a high debt situation in your financial picture, paying that debt down is often the better option than investing. Also, if your job situation is the least bit shaky, don't get into a situation where you are dependant on that income every month and have no safety net.

Timeless Homes

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:56:00 -0400

Homes that never go out of style

Have you ever walked into a home and had the word dated flash across you mind almost immediately? Sadly, homes and home design often become overly informed by styles and trends and, in turn, produce things like red shag carpet and avocado green stoves. That is not the case for homes that maintain the style of their location, however. Many homes, like Catskill farmhouses in Upstate New York and Adobes in Santa Fe will always be in demand because they fit with their environment and are not based on trends but, instead, on tradition. Below are a few examples of homes that are representative of the history and heritage of the areas in which they reside:

Antebellum is a term that means "before war" and refers to the homes built in the South before the Civil War. Although this term is not technically an architectural term, it is used by many to explain the style of the homes built during the antebellum years along with the homes that mimic that style today. Some of the characteristics that are associated with this style are a symmetrical façade with Greek style columns, a covered porch, balconies, a central entry, a grand staircase, and evenly spaced windows. This is the style that defines much of Southern architecture, and will always be in demand and in style in Georgia.

New England architecture often conjures thoughts of a quaint Cape Cod style home sitting on a green lawn in misty coastal weather. These homes where some of the first built by English settlers in America and took influence from the homes they left behind in England while exhibiting the simplicity of most colonists. Little exterior decoration graces these homes that are usually symmetrical structures with a central hall, dormers, and shutters to close out the New England storms. With Cape Cod homes making up a great portion of the heritage and historical homes in Massachusetts, it is no wonder reproductions of these homes are still being built and cherished today.

Colorado, and especially its mountainous areas, is often characterized by a rustic architecture style. The association of this style with mountains and country is greatly due to the work of Gilbert Stanley Underwood, and American architect that built many National Park Lodges in the early part of the 20th century. The main stylistic element of these buildings is the use of oversized elements, such as masonry with large stones and boulders and immense timbers and logs, all pulled from the local environment. Steep sloped roofs and dormers are also major elements of this style since the snow usually stacks up in the winter. Colorado will always be home to the great outdoors and the style that fits in there, rustic architecture.

American farmhouses appear in a multitude of areas across the nation, but the Sullivan County houses are examples of some of the best. Farmhouses are traditionally homes that pull from other historic American architecture styles and usually have local variations with touches created by locals. These were homes that were built to last and exhibit great craftsmanship. Some of the elements of style universally found in farmhouses are covered porches, dormer windows, and white trim work on sturdy wood construction. The farmhouse is a decidedly American home and, whether it is an old home that has been renovated or a new-old home by builders working in the Catskill real estate market, is an enduring style in New York.

Adobe homes have become an icon of the Southwest and New Mexico. There history in this area has roots that go back much further than other American architectural styles since the native people of the area, primarily the Anasazi, where the originators of the style. Adobe style homes are named after the material with which they are built, which is earth toned and created with clay, sand, and water. Organic, rounded buildings with small windows and round exposed beam roof supports are traditional elements of the adobe home. These buildings seem to become part of the landscape as they are made with the materials that make up the land on which they are built and have forms that mimic the natural world around them. Indeed, it is hard to imagine living in anything but an adobe in New Mexico.

You Don't Have to Be Outdoorsy to Love Country Life

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:48:00 -0400

Ways to fill your days in Sullivan County

Sullivan County, and the Catskill Mountains in which that county resides, is known as a great place to hike, fish, camp and do other outdoorsy activities. However, that is only part of what makes this pocket of Upstate New York so great. Sullivan county real estate is a hotbed of activity since it is a beautiful location where you can own a house and land not too far out from the city. The outdoorsy types are not the only ones to hang their hats in the country of the Catskills, though. Having your social calendar filled is any easy feat for all sorts in this diverse area. Check out these small samplings of ways to pass your time in Sullivan County:

Performing Arts

Leaving the city doesn't have to mean you can't enjoy live theater. In fact, with the North American Cultural Laboratory in Sullivan County, cutting edge performing arts might be easier to come by than ever before. Don’t worry about missing Broadway, either, because the Forestburg Playhouse and Tavern is there to fill all your show tune needs. If live music is what tugs at your heartstrings, then Tusten Theater, with its mix of jazz and contemporary, is just the place for you. Lastly, for those that love the vocal prowess of Opera, the Delaware Valley Opera is sure to please.

Art Galleries and Studios

Sullivan County abounds with artists and this is one community that welcomes and supports them. There is no lack of galleries, co-ops, and even individual studios that represent the work of locals. Visiting all the venues for art in this area might be a hefty endeavor, but a weekend of discovering potters, painters, sculptors, and others might find you before you even realize it. You could even find your own inner artist with the art classes offered at the Catskill Art Society.

Museums and Historical Sites

The 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair has become an important cultural event in America's history and the Museum at Bethel Woods allows visitors to experience and understand this event in a hands on way. Fort Delaware is a living history museum that provides a step back in time with a historic setting and events like blacksmithing and candle making. Check out the history of the region at the Sullivan County Museum and also learn about Frederick A. Cook, who explored the North Pole. The diverse and significant history of the area is right at your fingertips with trips to these museums.

Antiquing

One of the joys of country life is the abundance of antique shops and what would be better for filling your Catskill farmhouse than antiques. The Country Bum'kin is a new player on the antiques scene but is a good one; they have all types of pieces from a multitude of periods and styles. If you want one shop that has a lot, a visit to the Antique Center of Callicoon may be in order. With their 3 floors of offering you should be able to find that perfect piece for your Sullivan County home. However, with over thirty antique shops in the county, finding your favorite spot for antiquing should be like shooting fish in a barrel.

Agritourism

One of the hot new ways to spend your leisure time is to enjoy the fruits of other's labor and maybe even get your own hands dirty. Agritourism is where people tour farms, orchards, wineries, and other agricultural companies. Apple Pond Farm and Renewable Energy Education Center is an organic farm that provides farm vacations and tours and teaches about many aspects of living off the land, including cheese making, renewable energies, and spinning. After a long morning of working the farm at Apple Pond, head over to Basha Kill vineyards to see the grapes on the vine and taste the amazing organic wines they go into.

There is no lack of things to keep you occupied in Sullivan County, regardless of your interests and personality. Maybe that is why Upstate New York real estate and is such a popular market right now. Come pay the Catskills a visit and you may find yourself wanting to stay forever in your own Catskills home.

Old New Style in the Home

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:32:00 -0400

"Old New" sounds like an oxymoron, doesn't it? How can something be old and new at the same time. Actually, the concept is quite simple. New construction or new items with historic or antique charm and style. I am sure you have seen the style on the cover of interior decorating magazines while standing in line at the grocery store. Modern rustic, urban country, and distressed are other hot words on the home front these days, but they all mean the same thing: new old.

Flipping through all those catalogs you get in the mail from places like Crate & Barrel and Pottery barn is sure to illustrate the desire for things that are not shiny and perfect. Instead, people want to fill their home with pieces that exhibit character, such as a seemingly well-worn chair or a desk with some nicks and scratches. The beauty of items that seem to already have some living behind them is filling up everything from Upstate New York homes to Santa Fe adobes.

The benefit of new old over just plain old is two fold. The first benefit is cost; everyone loves antiques of some kind, but very few people can afford to fill their houses with these rare pieces. Antiques that are just what you are looking for are usually expensive and, additionally, rather hard to find, which brings us to the second benefit. Driving down to the nearest furniture store and finding just the right piece that you can get in an array of colors is a lot easier than trying to scour multiple antique stores across the state to find something that might work.

Touring around Upstate New York real estate you will came across many fine examples of the new old style as you look out the car window at Sullivan County homes. Many of these homes are based on the Catskill homes of yesteryear, and in fact some of them may be an older renovated farmhouse, but many of them are new homes. These homes, produced by builders such as Catskill Farms, take the amenities of a modern home, especially in the kitchen, and mix them with the style and craftsmanship of the past to create beautiful and lasting homes for the modern family. In fact, much of the wood used in their homes is actually salvaged wood, so history is built right into these houses.

Again, the benefits of new old furniture over honest to goodness antiques are substantial, and this is even more so with a home. Sure that old farmhouse is quaint, but it also needs a lot of maintenance and it boasts a big beautiful coal burning stove that you have no idea how to start. Having a home that is built in the tradition of historical Catskill real estate but with whole house audio, cool kitchens, and built in alarm systems instead of leaky pipes and squeaky stairs is truly the best of both worlds.

People are buying old new homes, distressed furniture, and even jeans that come off the rack looking like they spent a decade on a farmer. If character is what you want, then you can find it easily enough today without having to sacrifice the benefits of new construction. Whether it is one of those Catskills farmhouses that tickles your fancy, or that great pottery barn iron bed, old new is a great way to make a house a home.

City Girl In the Country

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:31:00 -0400

No doubt about it, I am a city girl. I have lived in cities all my life. So, the idea of moving to the country, or at least the concept of buying a Sullivan county home, has been something of a shock to my friends, family, and even myself.

When I started to really consider buying my first place, though, I was suprised by how far my money went. In all honesty, putting my hard earned cash into a condo where the homeowner's association could tell me what color my doormat had to be or how loud I could rock out to the Beatles while scrubbing my floors, left a sour taste in my mouth. Add to this the reality of condo life when everyone is aware of your constant comings and goings and people sit around and talk about what they hear through the thin walls. It is not that I have anything to hide or be ashamed of, I just want a more private life than that with any property for which I foot the bill and risk.

Then there was the size issue. I have always prided myself on being adaptable and flexible, but this time the price per square foot sticker shock just didn't subside. I don't want to have to work hard and long hours in order to be able to afford an elaborate closet that is passed off as a home. I want room for my art, my antiques, and my pets.

The question of adding some greenery to my life then surfaced as I looked at condo after condo. I am not too great of a green thumb but that shouldn't stop me from trying. I like flowers, trees, and even just the feeling of laying in the grass on a summer's day. I want to be able to make snowmen in the yard in the winter, plant bulbs in the spring, and have a yard to play catch in for the dog I may one day acquire.

So, with all these concerns and desires, where was this woman to turn for proper placement of a down payment on a house? The answer, for me, was discovered in the land of Catskill farmhouses. Here was an opportunity to have a nice little house for me to make my own. Sullivan county real estate afforded me the option of having a perfect place for all my antiques and my attempt at a garden. I would be able to have a yard, in fact acreage, and a porch on which I could sit with friends relaxing the weekend away with conversation and iced tea.

Upstate New York real estate also ended up being a perfect fit for the active side of my life as well. I would be able to snowboard on the weekends and then take a short drive home on Saturday night instead of having to rent a place in the mountains. I could hike in the summer, buy local produce, and have friends come stay for a while. Life in the country never seemed less boring.

I never thought I would say this, but this city girl is in love with the country, Catskill real estate to be exact. The house is perfect, designed to meet my needs, and it makes me feel like I really got something in my first home. However, I am still, in part, a city girl with my condo and my 9-5 downtown during the week. Maybe one day, though, my farmhouse in Sullivan County will be more than my weekend home and will be the setting of a nice quiet ex-city girl life.

Tips for the New Home Buyer

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:30:00 -0400

Buying a home carries with it great responsibilities and the burden of choice. A home is not only a place to rest your head but an investment in your future. When you have saved your hard earned money and you are getting ready to make the leap, there are some things you will want to consider.

The first thing you will want to consider is the location. As the old adage goes, “location is everything.” It is good to research the neighborhoods you are considering. If you have children, you will want to see and understand the rankings of the local school system. If you are planning on using public transportation to go to work, you will want learn how frequently the bus or train travels to your area as well as how close a terminal is to your house.

If you are working in a big city like New York, you may want to consider buying a home outside of the city. Many people are finding that they would rather buy a home in one of the surrounding areas and rent an apartment in the city. You may much prefer buying a home in the upstate New York area, something like Sullivan County homes, where you can enjoy the majesty of the region on the weekends and spend time gardening rather than investing your time and money into a condo, where you have to answer to other condo owners and the condominium management. A piece of Catskill real estate allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and really relax, usually at a fraction of the cost of buying property in the city.

One should also be careful when selecting a real estate agent. Research your agent and make sure you can trust them. You want to find a person or company that puts your needs over their financial objectives and really listens to you and understand your hopes and needs. This is especially important if you are working over a distance, such as when you are looking at upstate New York real estate but live in the city.

Ask questions about the yearly property taxes. If you live outside a larger city, your property taxes will most likely be much less than if you own property in the city. Research the area and verify that your agent is being completely forthright with you regarding property taxes; some agents have silver tongues and you discover after you have moved in that the taxes are outrageous.

When you are examining a property, make sure that you thoroughly look the structure over. Look for leaks and seepage, unusual settlement or sagging floors, doors or windows that do not close properly, and non-working electrical outlets. It is always recommended to hire your own property inspector to appraise the home before you buy.

A good idea is to meet with someone who is very familiar with home buying and generate a list of things you want and things you do not want. Furthermore, put asterisks next to things on which you would be willing to compromise. For example, if you want a house with a front and back porch, but would sacrifice a back porch if you could have a garden, mark it down. It is always good having these notes next to you when you feel overwhelmed by choices.

Remember, your house is your kingdom, so take time and choose wisely when you are shopping for a the castle of your future.

Buying a second home for the average joe

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:24:00 -0400

There comes a time in many people’s lives when they would like to have a second home. We typically tend to think that only the very wealthy can afford to buy a second home; however, there are places in beautiful locations where an average joe like you can afford a second home.

You might be asking yourself: why would anyone need a second home? Well, many people invest in a second home as a financial investment or as a get-a-way vacation home. Think about this: it is the middle of June, there are no long weekends for months to come and work is getting under your skin. Luckily for you, you’ve bought a second home in the Catskill Mountains, so you take a few of your vacations days and escape it all. You wake to glorious misty sunrises in the lush New England landscape and sleep with your windows under a blanket of a million stars! Not to mention, you are only miles away from the fantastic nightlife of New York City.

Perhaps you make enough to consider a second home but you also want to invest in a CD or the stock market. You might want to consider a group-buy of a home. If a few people invest in a vacation home, you can treat it like a personal time share, where each of you pick times that you would like to vacation in your home. Everyone will have an equal chance to relax and blow off some steam.

In an area like the Catskill Mountains, an investment in a second home is a very safe bet. Based on trends of catskills real estate, property value will increase on your investment and while it increases you will have a lovely retreat.

The truth is, the average price of a home in America is 250,000.00, but this average does not include the price of a home in a major city or typical vacation spots, where it can be much, much more. Catskill real estate is relatively inexpensive when compared to most resort areas or even a city like Denver, Colorado. A consumer can buy one of many catskill farmhouses for under 225,000.00 or have a large, beautiful home designed to his or her taste for the high 300’s. When you buy a house in upstate New York, you are in the heart of an historic and lovely part of the country that is close to the prime shopping locations of Buffalo, Erie, and Manhattan. Not to mention that in the winter, you are just a car ride away from some of the East Coast’s best ski areas.

Perhaps the best thing about owning a second home in a breath taking location like the Catskill Mountains is that it can serve as a retirement home when you are ready to quit the rat-race and pass away the evenings in your rocking chair while you read or knit next to a beeswax candle. Can’t you just see yourself doing it now?

The Catskill Park: As Unique as They Come

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:53:00 -0500

Most of us have heard about the Catskill Park. Perhaps we've heard it mentioned in passing, perhaps we've studied its past in seventh grade history, perhaps we once went by it on they way to Grandma's house. Whether we've heard about it or actually seen it from afar, if we haven't visited it, we've simply been missing out.

Catskills Park is located in - you guessed it - the Catskill Mountain in range of New York. Comprised of over 700,000 acres - including 98 peaks that reach over 3,000 feet - this park encompasses the counties of Delaware, Sullivan, Greene, and Ulster.

A park that is part private and part public - roughly half of the land is home to permanent residents that own Catskill farmhouses and similar country style homes while the other half of the land is protected as part of Forest Preserve (and, additionally, to protect the region's reservoirs) - this land is unique and certain to be around for years to come in a variety of aspects.

Though Catskill Park does have a historical past, in the early days, it simply wasnâ€™t used very often: thus, it is well maintained. Native Americans did inhabit it, but only used it occasionally, mostly for hunting. The influx of German, Dutch, English, and Irish settlers, however, saw the lands much more utilized. These settlers found that Catskills Park was perfect for a variety of activities, including logging, railroading, blue stone excavation, fishing, trapping, hunting, leather making, and even early mountain tourism. Among the more unusual activities that Catskill Park featured were World War II pilot training and wintergreen and blueberry harvesting.

Catskill Park contains the "Blue Line," a term often used by locals. The Blue Line dictates the boundaries of both the Catskill Park and the Adirondack Park. Any state-owned area that falls within this Blue Line, according to New York's constitution, must be "forever kept as wild forest lands." The Blue Line is called so because - when the boundaries were created - a blue pen was used to draw the lines on a map.

It is estimated that 50,000 people live in Catskills Park year round while another half of a million visit annually. Many of these visitors have vacation homes and second residences in the area and many residents enjoy escaping the city to their Sullivan County homes.

The Catskills Park offers a variety of activities. In some areas of the park, hunting is permitted (when in season). Camping, hiking, biking, and scenic drives are also popular: the park has several state run campgrounds and over 300 miles of all purpose trails. For those simply seeking to catch a glimpse of Mother Nature, wildlife runs rampant in the area. Bobcats, minks, coyotes, black bears, and fishers (North American Martens) are often visibleâ€¦.some of these (ahem, black bears), preferably from a distance.

Places to Visit in Sullivan County

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:58:00 -0500

With springtime approaching, many people find themselves coming out of their winter slumber, ready to get out and about and do things. Some people hike, some people bike, and some people simply find themselves looking for something new. For anyone looking for new places and new faces to spice up your springtime, consider visiting the following:

Kittatinny Paintball: For anyone who enjoys the feel of combat without actually having to join the army (let's face it, no one likes boot camp), the Kittatinny Paintball and Adventure Center may be right up your alley. Not your run-of-the-mill paintball park, this one exists on a mountaintop complete with forests galore. Overlooking the beautiful Delaware River, players get the unique experience of arriving at the park via a military troop transport truck That puts mom and dad's regular ol' Chevy to shame!

Holiday Mountain Ski Area: Who says you need to go to Colorado or Utah to ski? New York may be known for its cities, but that doesnâ€™t mean it's not a skiers paradise as well. At the Holiday Mountain Ski Area, snowboarders and skiers can have a hey day while those coordinationally challenged can snow tube. A terrain park and ice skating rink is also on location. The Holiday Mountain Ski Area closes at the end of March so get there while it's hot, er, cold.

Basha Kill Wetland: Anyone who loves wildlife knows that this wetland is the land for them. Made up of more than 3,000 acres, this land has over 30 types of fish, 200 different bird species, and innumerable plants, reptiles, mammals and insects. Not only are these lands great for wildlife viewing, but they offer a serene atmosphere for boating, hiking, meditating, cross country skiing, or simply sitting and reflecting.

Jerry's Three River Campground: As summer approaches, water fanatics emerge from hiding, wearing swimsuits and - in some cases - speedos (yikes!). For any of you that are aquatic minded - and think, perhaps, you should have been born with fins - Jerry's Three River Campground is just what you're "wading" for. This company features a variety of trips, those that are just a few hours to those that last a few days and allows guests to swim, raft, and relax over the white water and under the stars.

The Upper Delaware Scenic Byway: Sometimes people just want to get in the car and drive: the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway offers you this opportunity and then some. A highway that runs along the outskirts of Sullivan, Orange, and Delaware Counties, this stretch features 70 miles of beautiful scenery. For those who aren't all about staying in the car, cafes, shops, museums, and even theatres can be found along the way.

Your Second Home: If you find yourself spending a lot of time enjoying the activities and beauty of Sullivan County on a regular basis, a visit with an upstate New York real estate office might not be a bad idea. Being able to enjoy all the Catskills area has to offer and then heading to one of the quaint and quiet Sullivan county homes sounds like a much better ending to an adventurous day than a drive back to the city. And if you are spending time in a Catskills home, that just means you can wake up and have a new adventure all over again the next morning.

Check back soon!

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:06:00 -0500

Check back regularly for more stories on Catskill Farms

Busy Saturday and Market Profile

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 12:15:00 -0500

Wow - who would know that a major real estate and mortgage crisis is on hand? Saturday was a good day for Catskill Farms, signing up a gentleman for our first mini-house at $195k, and most likely signing up Anna and Pablo for a cottage on 5 acres (we sold all our land so we are looking for more).

If you lost count, CF now has a 5 house waiting list, which should give some comfort to the entire Catskill Farms family. It's an enviable position for us all - owning real value, - that appreciates ahead of the market and depreciates behind it - in front of the fire, drink in hand - a toast to good long-term decisions the entire family has made.

When the market was overheated, realtors were arrogant, tradesmen non-committal, and the entire sales process bogged down by too much activity. Now, I get 5 calls a week from people looking for work (good people), realtors are bombarding us with listings to buy, land is becoming more reasonably priced.

At the moment, CF is negotiating to buy a bus garage in eldred, where we would hope to build storage units and build out the large garage into lofty open office space, so small businesses have a place to go when they out grow the garage and basement.

We are also actively looking and buying small and large parcels of land (we are still a small business so large overpriced parcels are still out of our reach). We hope to buy the entire price slide down, so we can continue to offer affordable getaways at all price points.

Carr Farmhouse Roofing

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 12:11:00 -0500

Back in the old days, these shingles would have had to be humped, bundle by bundle, up a ladder. In this case 68 trips up and down the ladder - I don't know if you ever lifted a bundle of shingles - but they ain't light, and definitely don't get lighter with each bundle trip.

In construction, many things - like siding, roofing, etc..., are measured in squares - a square is 100 sq ft, or a 10 x10 area. So this roof has 23 square of roof, or 2300 sq ft. 3 bundles of shingles make 1 sq, so for this job we needed 69 bundles.

These boys from across the Delaware River (PA) use rock-climbing harnesses and straps on steep roof pitches like this. It's a good idea, allowing more movement and flexibility than other safety processes.

Mrs. Ann Vaughn

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:38:00 -0500

Polaroid snapshot taken by Mrs Vaughn. Mrs. Vaughn was the woman who I bought the land from in Barryville/Eldred and built 9 homes, - Farm #7, Barn #1, Modern #1, Arts & Crafts #1, Farm #8, Cottage #1, Cottage #2, and Cottage #3.

This photo was taken when I closed on the land. Mrs Vaughn is over 90 and is a widower for the past 20 yrs when her husband Vincent passed away. They bought the 55 acres I eventually purchased from them in 1968. The Vaughns were from Eastern Europe and I believe their families had land taken from then during WWII, so they took their ownership seriously.

A lot of people offered Mrs Vaughn good money for this land over the years - and her retort was always along the lines of 'he's got enough money', 'he's a criminal', 'you own enough land', until one day I found out about the land through her 95 yr old boyfriend, and eventually agreed to buy it from her.

Note my Walmart sweatshirt - a thoughtful Christmas present from my step-mother.

Rest in Peace, Bella

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:34:00 -0500

As most of you know, I once owned a dog named Bella - part german shepard, part lab, part rot and several parts undefined. She was a good dog, a real construction dog, and she left us this past May, after getting hit by a car.

Bella was sort of my business partner, and she went pretty much everywhere I did. She was happiest driving around, and it's hard to believe I never left her behind on any job sites - but even when she was out in the woods, I guess she kept an ear tuned to my doings, because when it was time to go, she was there - which is impressive since many mornings I can be at 5 or 6 different job sites.

She was a funny dog - like when she would sit too close to the fireplace, her skin flaky, and be too lazy to get a drink of water until the last dying minute when she would lazily saunter over the water bowl and drink for half an hour. Or when she would fart, and quickly and quizically look at her backside like she was not responsible. Bella was the type of dog people volunteered to dog-sit.

Here is a pic of my dad, my uncle and myself, all with our respective companions, sitting on the front porch of the first house I built - Farmhouse #1.

Last night, for my new small project, I had to name a private road so we could get 911 addresses processed for the homes and homeowners. I named it 'Bella Drive', and it was unanimously approved. Next spring, I'll spread her ashes under a willow tree I am planting on the property. She always liked the shade.

Let it Snow!

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:30:00 -0500

It snowed 3" Friday night - kind of catching everyone by surprise. Quite nice though - with the snow hanging off the trees and erotically bending their branches.

Note the firewood - which wood benefit my family more if I brought it into the house.

This is my house - sort of an andirondack swiss mountain cottage.

Snowy Saturday

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:27:00 -0500

Big day, regardless of the weather - Since the baby doesn't stop for weather, neither can we!

Here are the framers, working through the weather to get the job done. Don't try these high elevation gymnastic at home. Here the framers are lining up the lumber that will be the roof rafters of the Carr Farmhouse.

And here are the Carrs -

Arts & Crafts

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:25:00 -0500

Swiss Hill Farm

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 14:24:00 -0500