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

Old School Real estate blog in the Catskills. Journeys, trial, tribulations, observations and projects of Catskill Farms Founder Chuck Petersheim. Since 2002, Catskill Farms has designed, built, and sold over 250 homes in the Hills, investing over $100m and introducing thousands to the areas we serve. Farms, Barns, Moderns, Cottages and Minis - a design portfolio which has something for everyone.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Big Barn in Narrowsburg

Up above, big Luke who just turned 3, is playing around our new decorating scheme at the office. and below is the trail of progress, as done by Catskill Farms and its team of high-performance subcontractors. Middle of September starts the excavation for the Big Barn, but we hit rock, but that's no prob since old Norm just rents a rock buster and then we use the chipped rock for our driveways.

Then old John comes over and in Tandem with Norm, gets the footings, foundation and concrete slab in (in between John and Rich come over and install the radiant heat and misc. plumbing and electric needed in the slab).

Then old Dean comes over and frames her up.

5000 sq ft, 4 bedroom rooms and lots of room to spread your wings, country style like. The owner is going for Country Industrial. The other month we went the other route, questing for Gay Rustic - Kevin the architect caught onto that one pretty quick. And is it even October 27th? and we are building and closing and selling and developing 10 other houses and properties. Now, that's good. that's organization. That's one to write home about.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Farm 11 - Sold (or, 'sounding like a broken record)

Our construction efforts were delayed in the Spring due to the rain, so instead of everything nice and neatly staggered, our 5 spring start homes all started about the same time, which was tough on the old schedule and definitely tough on the old wallet, since we pay for these homes until they are finished, when the client comes in with their cash and mortgage and takes a finished, ready to go home, off our hands. Farm 11 is a home James and I have been dabbling with for a few years. We designed the general look and feel and then Mimi and Eamonn came along and married it up with a great 12 acre piece of land. That was in Late May that we started, and now, here in late October, the furniture truck was seen leaving the premises on Friday. Our homes are so complete when we sell them, even the microwave clock reflects the correct time, the hot water temp has been checked repeatedly, the house has been cleaned at least 3x, duplicate and redundant walk-thrus, punchlists, etc... All appliances tested, etc... And we finish them on time. Consistently. It's a rare feat in an industry where delays and excuses not only happen, but are almost an integral part of the process. 1950 sq ft. 3 bedrooms and an office. Loads of covered porches and decks. 4 months to build. The above picture is of the homeowners and child and that's the famous Janice (or JT) in the background).

It's been so rainy this year that even the pictures of the homes are tough to schedule.

Good picture of all the outdoor living - upstairs deck off the master bedroom, a section of first floor deck uncovered, then a big wrap-around which probably a portion will see a screening in project next year.

And here's the initial inquiry on 2/27/11. "Hello Charles. My wife and I have been on a house hunt up in the catskills/woodstock areas. Came across your site and we really like what we see - had not even thought before about actually building a house, but would love to find out more. Can you let us know how we can find out more, and how we can set a date to come meet with you? We would be interested in a farmhouse, at least 3 or 4 bedrooms, with a gourmet kitchen, and all the nice features/design/architecture of your other houses. Thanks, Eamonn" Great layout and use of space allowed for this cross functioning mudroom, with stone, bench, bookshelves and closet.

The Hallway from the back office cross-sectioned through the front of the house.

James from the office took these pics so I'm at a loss as to his philosophical intention was with some of the angles... Here's a duel barn door hiding the 2nd floor laundry room.

2 of the 3 bedrooms upstairs got the siding treatment on the closet areas. Eamonn said the shelves in this room is one of his wife's favorite details of the house. Lots of room for toys.

The kitchen got a lot of James' attention. i guess cause it's a pretty hot space.

With open shelves, nice appliances and plenty of room to work, including a place to saddle up to without interfering with all the work going on.

The 3 bathrooms each had a unique personality, starting with the nautical mirror outside the kitchen.

And the masterbath -

And the guest bath -

Farm 11 - one we had in our pocket for some time, waiting for the right time and place and client to unleash its dynamic and unique presence. And now it exists, up on the hill, a few miles outside of Narrowsburg NY. (more pics to come)

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Halloween and Homes

Big Time Halloween party scheduled this year for Lucas and I so we picked out some serious Buzz Lightyear Costumes - these aren't pics of him or me , just snap shots from the Target site, but give us two weeks and we will be partying big time, and generally just making the universe safe for all other toys and less important creatures. Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue! We have a closing on Friday of Farm 11 (not shown just prior to the big day) and then right behind it is Farm 16. This beaut on almost 8 acres was inspired by Cottage 28, cept we added a bedroom on the 3rd floor and finished off the basement. We will be closing in late November.

Then we have Farm 18 just going into the ground.

and then Barn V gettin' dug. And in a sales contract.

And the Big Barn up the street.

Did some serious marketing the past month, with equal parts PR/editorial, Google Ad Words, Google SEO, Print Advertising, partnering with an Ulster Cty brokerage firm (CBVGR) and James has been charged with wearing a wood sandwich board everywhere he goes. Seems to be paying off - inquiries to our office have more than doubled.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Mid-Century Retro Ranch V in Pics

Halloween Clearance Special - For Sale - Under $200k. Name your price. 5 acres, with 1200 acres of explorable public land behind it. 1 bedroom. 1 bath. Radiant heat. Concrete floors. Wood burning fireplace. And 1 sensational carport.

Charles Petersheim, Catskill Farms (Catskill Home Builder)
At Farmhouse 35
A Tour of 28 Dawson Lane
Location
Rock & Roll
The Transaction
The Process
Under the Hood
Big Barn
Columbia County Home
Catskill Farms History
New Homes in the Olivebridge Area
Mid Century Ranch Series
Chuck waxes poetic...
Catskill Farms Barn Series
Catskill Farms Cottage Series
Catskill Farms Farmhouse Series
Interviews at the Farm ft. Gary
Interviews at the Farm ft. Amanda
Biceps & Building
Catskill Farms Greatest Hits
Construction Photos
Planned It
Black 'n White
Home Accents at Catskill Farms, Part 2
Home Accents at Catskill Farms, Part 1