Catskills - Sullivan County - Ulster County Real Estate -- Catskill Farms Journal

Some press on the upcoming house of the year for country living including this one for our regions newspaper.  Note the new shirt.

Times Herald Record Article

Upstater Article

For our first foray into Red Hook, Dutchess County (our 2nd in Dutchess County), we found this superb piece of land looking into the Catskills.

Almost 5 acres, but with a long driveway, super expensive septic and a costly 'getting electric to the site' project, this land - home (3 or 4 beds) pairing will approach $700,000.

So, if you got 7 large burning a hole in your pocket, let's talk.

Nice feature article about Sullivan County in New York Magazine.  If only instagramesque photos made it so - then life would be good indeed.

Good article, good review of towns.  A little rosy in its upward mobility projection for Sullivan County but hey,  nothing wrong for aiming high for us country folk.  For those of you who don't know, Sullivan County is where Catskill Farms got its start back in 2002 and since then we have built about 90 homes there, and introduced about 90 families to the glories of rural living in Sullivan County.

Catskill Farms got skipped ( though since Rob Christofaro (What Up Rob!) was a 2009 client of ours we kind of got mentioned), but since all roads lead to us for even an amateur web search, it's better to make 'em dig a little and we are sure to directly see any uptick window shopping from this article.

Though if there is one thing I've learned about press and press exposure - the impact is a lot less than one would think, even with a big mention on a big platform.  I used to whore all over town for a mention which never came, and now it's like it's almost better it doesn't happen so I don't have to field all the cursory interest stemming from the article's mention.

So here we are again, reading an article that was written pretty similarly the last time Sullivan County was the next up and coming, hip, tongue in cheek, place to be back in 2006.  I'll tell you something, if this is going to a banner couple of years, we are ready for it for sure.  Don't think any company is better positioned to grab the tiger's tail of renewed real estate enthusiasm then us here at Catskill Farms.

It's weird how in good design, until the final piece is put together, the final floor is finished, the final paint is applied - how in good design, until the final stroke is brushed on, the house just isn't complete.

I see that in a lot of homes, and this one we are just finishing up in Stone Ridge had the same feeling as we were coming up on the final homestretch.  I would stare at the front of the house and just feel something was missing - I thought shutters, more porch, more something but I just couldn't pick it out, which is rare for me.

And then the window trim got painted a color that complimented the roof and that was it - wallah - wonder no more.  James, our project manager, in house designer and project administrator, and the homeowner Amanda brought it home with this final brush stroke of inspiration (forgive the pun).

The subtlety of design and site execution on this home is important.  The front yard/grade comes up just below the siding, keeping a large home low slung in a way.   The concrete and earth fireplace chimney, the way the deck stays low and slope higher as it goes out of vision.  Neat little porch roof at the front door.

The home is defined by a high open spaced living dining and upstairs landing.  Wood planks ceilings, cable rail, intricate and hand hewn/built stair case.  Dark on Light.

Butcher block countertops and a fun working kitchen.

Lots of light, lots of chimney.

Dueling barn doors on the 2nd floor.

Master bedroom wood stove.

Master bathroom.

Rear entrance with stone to catch the mud.  I believe that a dutch door that the top and bottom open independently - and that's always fun.

Heres the front entrance, with high beaded board - perfect for art and hooks.

This project started with a young family and a fire and concludes with what I'm hoping is a true and meaningful happy ending.

For more project pics -