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, May 28, 2009

Great post on Friend's blog

Here is an excerpt written on my friend David's blog after reading the article in the Post - I couldn't agree more with the soft wisdom of her generosity - "Speaking as a lifetime local, I'm always gratified to see people finding peace, comfort and, most importantly, easy acceptance in our communities, no matter how big a "who" they are. There are places where "live and let live" do exist, and I'm glad to live and work in a place where, by and large, those "Protected by..." security signs are just for show, and an unlocked door or car is no cause for worry. Celebrities among us probably do recognize that we whisper excitedly about seeing them in town, but they also know the great majority of us don't want to be a bother -- just a good neighbor, willing to lend some milk, a wrench or a few flower bulbs whenever they need them. It may sound corny, but this is what life really is like up here, so it's no wonder that more than nature and solitude attract people to the area. We represent a refreshingly real change from the superficiality of life in the spotlight. I hope we always will." Amen.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Homes We Sell

Homes Here, Homes Here, Get your Homes Here. Homes Here for Sale. We are country house speculators, buying up small pieces of land, building neat little small homes, and doing it all smack dab in the face of a Great Recession. We just closed on Johnny and Tina's Cottage 18, and Erin and Greg's Modern Ranch, hope to be heading into Contract on Cottage 21, are nearing contract consummation on Cottage 22 and had a great weekend showing our stuff off - new houses, old houses, small houses, smaller houses, houses with great land, houses with great, great land, etc... We buy land, develop small parcels, design mini-homes/cottages/farmhouses, and sell them complete, turnkey, move-in ready, with a warranty we honor seriously. As far as I can tell, regardless of where you are buying, no other design/build company in upstate NY is producing the diversity of architecture and a diversity of price levels than we are here at Catskill Farms. Here are some of the beauts we are currently bringing to market - and will be ready for a fall move in. Up above is a new 960 sq ft home we are just getting started, putting the footings and foundation in, clearing the future driveways and building area of trees and brush. We are placing it on a very pretty 5+ acres, has two bedrooms, has one bath, a full basement and lots of covered porch space. This house is just beginning so there is lots of room for some cool collaboration between us here at Catskill Farms and the future owner. This cottage is selling for $250,000. And this picture is a shot of some of interior florishes we feature such as wide plank floors, rolling barn doors, old school radiators and hand made custom closet hinged barn doors.

And here's a black and white of Cottage 13. The first version was built by Dean, and the 2nd draft is going up over in Lumberland NY, a few miles from Barryville, NY. It's 1300 sq ft, whole house audio, security and 8 frickin' acres.

And a new Cottage 18, renamed Cottage 22, redesigned on the inside, a wrap-around porch, an extra bath, 2 beds and a walkout basement. This cottage on 5 acres is selling for $250,000, and we could have a deal signed by the end of the week.

And the old school kitchen with radiator, open shelves and white cabinets.

Cottage 21 sitting pretty in the woods, just about finished and ready for sale. This 1300 sq ft with cathedral ceiling, big ass fireplace and too much style to capture in this brief and simple narrative. Looks like Norah and Jeffrey, just returned from overseas, are traveling up on Friday to review, and perhaps sign some contracts.

Well, there you have it - the next round of inspiration, provided by Catskill Farms, reinvigorating the architectural landscape of Sullivan County and upstate New York real estate.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

FAQ

We always get some of the same questions - and here they are - 1. Is the land included? yes, the land is included, and so is everything else, totally turnkey, including the grass. 2. How many acres do these homes come with? Very nice 4-6 acre plots with privacy. 3. Is this a custom home? Yes and no - It's custom in a sense that a lot of decisions about the home design and finishes are made as the house is being built - it's not custom in the sense that I pay for the whole project, and the client comes in at the end and pays for the house. 4. Do you have any houses left for sale? Yes, we have a 960 sq ft super nice cottage for $245,000, and a 1300 sq ft really great cottage for $320,000. But I doubt they will last. 5. Do you just get a conventional mortgage? Yes, we like to see qualified buyers who can put down 20% and have great credit. No sub-primers here. 6. Well, have to get to work this morning, more FAQ's later.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Posts Backdated

If our readers are interested in the rant and rave section, those posts have been backdated, but still exist.

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