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

Well, it was just over a year ago that I finished this house - as it turned out, one of the most popular designs we ever came up with - so much in fact that I had to start saying no to prospective homeowners who just had to have this design - my god, it's not the only nice farmhouse in our portfolio. I think people really love the porches. The problem with this house is that, according the homeowners, this house sucked - and here we are now, browsing one of the most glowing reviews of a house one can come by - Check it out below -

"We fell in love with this absolutely charming home. Modeled after an English Country Cottage this cedar sided 2-story home sits on 4+ private acres. The property itself is just wonderful combining a forest landscape with a rolling pasture bordered by a pristine mountain creek. Situated to take advantage of the position of the sun the owners have built an enclosed garden with reclaimed hinges and copper finials...charming...charming. The home starts off with a large front porch. The interior is so impressive. The well-thought out floor plan encompasses functionality as well as character and charm, including high ceilings, wide-plank wood floors, crown moldings and schoolhouse electric fixtures. The brick fireplace is the main focus of the large living room. Real barn beams divide the living room from the formal dining room/playroom. The large eat-in- country kitchen has a wonderfully uncluttered appeal. A separate pantry with barn doors accommodates kitchen overflow. There’s a half bath off the kitchen and a rear door that opens to an oversized screened-in wraparound covered deck. The 2nd level has a master bedroom suite with full bathroom. There are 2 large additional guest bedrooms and another full bathroom. There is a walk-out full basement, again with high ceilings. The heating system is propane hot water and is extremely efficient. The home is alarmed for heat as well as for safety. This is the kind of home that is best viewed in person. .Pure Country Charm and Elegance... A must see. MLS #26146"

I just have to wonder how bad a house can be if the owners are listing the house at a price 20% higher than they paid, after a year of the most dismal declines in housing values ever. But mostly, shouldn't all those deficiencies I've been hearing about for a year be disclosed to the new buyers?

Anyway, I've always thought it was a great house - not perfect, but really great. And by the price the homeowners are asking, I guess they couldn't agree more.

It's not really any of my business, but a $360k-$390k price is probably more doable. And if it was listed with Catskill Farms Realty (which doesn't exist yet), we could have it sold in no time.

The most quirky thing about satisfaction, -be it with art, houses, wives, or life in general, - is that it is all about perception. One man's perfection is another's disaster, one man's happy place is another's hellhole - as a builder, a truer thought has never been thunk, and navigating this truism is always a challenge.

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The thing you forget after a few years after transplanting from the city is that strange magic of driving around up here, with the small towns, shops, and destinations. The newness, the unfamilarity of not just place, but emotion as well - far removed from the urban grind -that stomach-churning feeling of small town America, with it's closed up buildings, convenience stores and rural landscape. It feels remote. Strange. New and Compelling. So, what got me thinking about this was on my drive up to see the house we are building for Peter Soronen, the dress designer (http://www.petersoronen.com/, for all you clothes horses). Up to 17 West, past Liberty, Livingston Manor, hopping off at Roscoe and crusing up 206 past Downsville, and up into the Catskill Park, with it's big peaks, valleys and little towns. As I mentioned, Peter is building a gothic Cottage, with steep roof pitches, rake details, and a mix of board and batton siding and clapboard. The house sits up on a hill, on 17 or so acres, about 5 minutes outside of Walton, NY. This is our first job as a builder in Walton. The house is framed up, and we are starting the tyvec, roofing and faccias.

Tucked pretty nicely up in the woods. That's James comin' down the driveway.

And a farm sitting between Peter's house and the town of Walton.

Pretty picturesque for a cloudy, rainy June day.

There you have it - one of the 4 new homes and 2 renovations we are building currently - really honestly, without even breaking much of a sweat.

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That's right, a comment received and published. But like I said previously, this whole waiting for comments in order to be validated is tough, and definitely stressful. I've been tempted to make up a few just for show (but haven't done so, I swear).

Lisa took us all on her Sunday morning round trip to Dianes diner in Damacus, PA, then to the Callicoon Farmers Market, then to the Agway, and then full circle all the way back to Eldred. Brave enough to join us were the owners of Cottage 7 and Cottage 14 who live next to each other over a few miles west of where we, the Petersheims, reside. It's tough going out these days since the Post article, with the papparazzi and constant requests for autographs on personal body part regions. Now, I say brave enough because anytime someone travels with me you never know what to expect. There was time when I was sitting quietly in Highland Town Hall when I was out of the blue verbally assaulted by two women. There was the time I walked in Fred duh Shed with my 5 month old baby in my arms and the CRAZY owner Michelle, came across the store in her 6" strides - I was expecting a big welcome since I do have quite a few homeowners who I refer to her, when instead she says 'I'm not comfortable with you in my store", stunning and perhaps embarrassing me in front of some friends. Having no fucking idea what she was talking about having not seen her in years, I called her a freak, which is an understatement and went on with my business. Funny thing about it I was just remarking to Lisa how it was kind of impressive that she was still in business after 5 years, - us both knowing firsthand how difficult that is. There was the time I called a local excavator for a small job, and his wife spends a few minutes insulting me, my staff, and our business. And then you never know when the guys I dissed earlier might pop up, tude in hand. So, you never know what you get when you go out in public with me - in other towns/cities, I would be getting the key to the city - here, I get snubbed, insulted and conspired against. But no big deal - Like Gib McKean the local real estate legend said one day over lunch - "God save us from small towns." Probably one the biggest obstacles up here in the sticks is the counter-intuitive way things work - there is very little reward or support for a growing business, no business network, no civic organizations, no building associations, - so it's a bit lonely but I'd rather be lonely than broke, but there does seem to be much more of a network for mediocre businesses, then good ones. In a normal place, more businesses would try to position themselves to be of service to us - instead, mostly what we find is a tendency to 'spite one's noses right off one's face', but, without a doubt, it's been my ability to see and act through this that has enabled Catskill Farms to find the labor resources necessary to fuel a growing business. Me, I don't really care if I have to suffer a lot of small slights from companies that work for me, because, in the end, the big picture stays foremost on my mind - that being, my ability to start, finish and sell as many homes as I care to build - regardless of the economy, available resources or competition. Here we are, rounding the corner from Main Street to the field where the Market is.

And a pic of Lucas in a mirror in the car, sleeping.

Pablo and Ana cheese shopping at Callicoon Wine Merchant, definitely one of the best, if not the best, wine/cheese and the like store in the region.

Is that Lisa and Lucas, or Brittany S. and her oldest?

Now, here is a place where I totally always get in trouble for 'taking it too far', since in my mind, how can't the simple observation be made that Pablo is hanging out in front of the 'fruity' section of the wine store.

And the olives, chips and sauce -

The 'What's for Sale' chalkboard -

Window flyers, with the annual Tractor Parade just around the corner.

A delicate portrait which I titled "Fake Grass and Hanging Sausage"

A look down the street -

The owner of this historic landmark shot and killed a waitress last summer while intoxicated. He received 6 months in jail - now that says more about Sullivan County's old boys network than I ever could. Don't people get 6 months in jail for driving drunk twice?

Lettuce. Funny I have two bowls I frequently eat from-, one says Lettuce Dance, and Corn to be Wild.

One of Lisa's favorite market vendors.

Fresh spring onions, or scallions.

Some doggy treats.

Lil' Lucas smiling.

And some friendly flowers.

And Lisa ending the day with some uncalled for gesture, and a great sign behind her - "Certifed..." , and all the readers can fill in the blank.

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