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

Well, Sooooorrrrrry Alice. Instead of posting a comment and contributing to my blog libraries and archives, Alice (lisa's mom) told Lisa behind my back my blog was becoming 'kinda cocky'. That's interesting feedback, because as far as I'm concerned, my blog posting has been a nervous and unfamilar attempt to stem the neanderthal actions of a few unnamed persons. I don't think those from afar can appreciate how real the thoughtless slights can be, and I know for a fact that if I wouldn't blog about them, they would remain localized, unpublicized and forgotten. But I do blog about the absurdity I encounter from 'professional' people because that's my life, and I blog about my life and my blog is not some whitewashed sales brochure - it's my life in the middle of the sticks building cool houses and the day to day interplay of stress, accomplishment, discouragement, victory, defeat, human nature and rationalization. Is it too far out to say I'm not perfect and overcompensate for some complaints I receive by blogging about how great we are. I think the issue revolves around not communicating effectively how beat up we can be at times, and the hype, optimism and aspiration-gloating is not so much bravado, but a band-aid to keep the enthusiasm up so we can work 7 days a week navigating a host of harrowing twists and turns in order to develop, design, build and sell very cool affordable well-designed cottages in the woods. Considering we are by far the most successful design/build firm around, and considering we are probably the most successful real estate company around even though we aren't a real estate company, and considering we are always stretching the limits of what is possible, what is achievable. I live in the middle of nowhere, and we are building selling and hiring in the middle of a depression. If I need to be a little over the top in order keep the courage up, then so be it. A frequent Saturday evenings Martinis don't hurt either (lisa just went in to make #2 for me).

I mean for chrissakes, like Kathy Griffin would say from the D-list - Suck it.

Talk about bravado - we sold a house today, if not a few houses - which means we are batting about 66% - 2 out of every 3 families/persons/couples who get the full-court Petersheim charm sales process (patent pending) end up buying. Now, match that.

Today, Richard and Nancy, an older couple who have more world experience under a fingernail than I do, living in the Congo, Ecuador, and a dozen other jungles studying monkeys, plants, natives and other interesting specie. Nancy told a story about Richard (after he was caught tasting a leaf off a bush in the front yard of the house they are thinking about buying) when he ate a plant in the Congo and his teeth turned black for a year.

Well, believe it - the phone just rang, and after a tasty drink at the River Mart, Nancy and Richard are on their way up Mail Road, then Crawford Road, down to our house because (their words, not mine), they are ready to take it to the next step - meaning, HELLO CONTRACT, and since we never lose a deal once it gets started, hello new Catskill Family member - boy, talk about a crowded bathroom at this point.

So there you have it - the Barryville Cottage - probably the most well-priced value oriented piece of Sullivan County ass that has come on the market in 5 years.

Congratulations Nancy and Richard - scientists, explorers, sailors and experimenters.

Shine on You Crazy Diamond.

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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).