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

Well, she's gone. Lot 45 at the Top Ridge at Chapin Estate is sold. She was a beauty and I am sure Shannah and Erik and baby boy will enjoy it immensely. If they enjoy it 1/2 as much as Lisa and I did, they will be well on the way. Chapin Estate is a 3000 acre high end project with a couple of lakes, lots of fancy houses, lots of wildlife of all strips and sizes, a snooty salesperson manning the sales office, and lots of hiking trails, biking trails, and all around nature preserve. Pretty neat. So, no email, internet, fax, access to my contacts, quickbooks, documents, printers during this harsh week of work and weather. We were moving so finding simple things like a pen, or an empty folder were complicated, and finding more specific things like my safe water test for Cottage 3 so I can get my CO and sell it to Cheri proved impossible. Although, it is interesting what can be accomplished without this lifelines: 1. Monday we bought and closed on the Bus Garage, that is our future international headquarters (or as Curtis calls it 'the bus barn.' 2. Tuesday we sold and closed on Lot 3 at Highland Farms to a family (Hello Gavin and Emily) who are planning to start building in April. 3.Thursday we bought and closed on 14 acres on Schmacher Pond Road, which we have then turned around and sold to Pablo and Ana, and Leah and Rob. We are starting their houses this spring. 4. Thursday we finished the negotiations for 50 more acres, signed the contract. We also got the contracts back from Cheri for her late March purchase (thank you cheri). 5. Friday we sold and closed on the Farmhouse at Chapin Estate. 6. We also had the keep the business running. Anyway, there's lots more, but I've lost interest in continuing this numerical list. It's over. It was good. And it was exhausting. I have a lot of lists in my life - "to do lists', 'punchlists', 'vendor lists', 'honey do lists' , etc... Cottage 8 buyers coming up today to review the plans of their house. First time they will have seen the plans. It's 6:44am, Saturday, typing away in the backhills of Sullivan County in the Catskill Mountains.

For all of you who have been trying to contact us over the last few days - we are offline, off the grid. No phones, no internet, no email and no faxes. We are moving, and when you move in Sullivan County, in the middle of nowhere, nothing goes according to plans. As I mentioned, we are closing on Lot 45, Chapin Estates this Friday. Since this used to be our home, and my home office, a disruptive move it was. Compounding matters was a crazy week of weather - starting with a rain storm the day we did most of the moving last week, a snow storm this week that quickly turned into water water everywhere when the temperature rose to 40 yesterday. And then last night it was super cold and now everything is a sheet of ice. Of course, Wednesday was the date for my cable and phone relocation but since the weather was treacherous, everything was cancelled. One thing is for sure - Lot 45 looked good before we moved, but after 62 hours of touch up painting, redoing the hardwood floors, doing about 100 hours of misc. punch list carpentry, this house is looking fine indeed. One thing that is more than evident as I sit in the Jeffersonville Public Library typing away on my blog - it's truely amazing we can build a house in 3-4 months when moving simple phone and cable lines has taken me over 2+ weeks. Hopefully back online by Tuesday.

The way it used to be, at the old farm we are buying- all they need now is the rabbit-ears inside to get great reception on all 3 channels.

We include these antenaes in all of new homes, just so there is no arguing about which channel to watch.

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Here is Mauricio surveying the finished interior of Cottage 5, our first mini-house. It really has everything a man could want - a bathroom, a bedroom, and a large combined kitchen/living room and dining room. It also comes with 2 porches and a full basement. This particular house is on 2 private acres with a stream. It's a couple of miles from Barryville and Eldred.

The black subway tiles set off the white fixtures complimented by the darkly stained wide plank floor.

Hand hewn beams from my old farm frame the front door and Maui. Notice the red carpet rolled out for him (it's actually orange heavy paper to protect the floors).

As I mentioned, the mini-house series has one goal - that is to provide a new old house at a price point that is impossible to find in Sullivan County. For somewhere under $225,000, these homes will be modest in size (under 1000 sq ft) but more than enough space to kick up your heels after a hard week in the city. What's more, I'm thinking with low mortgage rates, low price tags, great land, impeccably stylish homes, and a great warranty - it might just be enough to think you may be dreaming.

But alas, it's true. Catskill Farms is dedicated to expanding the housing choices for people looking for that much needed getaway.

Or, as Leah says, "It's bangin'".

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