April Sullivan Sales Data Posted
Hey, everybody. My monthly Current Market Analysis for the Sullivan County real estate market is now posted. Please check it out and then drop back here to add your comments about what you’re seeing here. Thanks.
NYRI Gets its Magic Trump Card
This past week, the Dept. of Energy handed out the gift that NYRI (New York Regional Interconnect), the proposer of a high transmission power line through Sullivan County, has been waiting for. Basically, the U.S. Dept. of Energy has designated a large swath of the east coast, including all the NY counties that the NYRI…
DetailsAlliance Commits to Swinging Bridge Refill
This week, Alliance Energy Renewables, soon to take over ownership of the hydropower reservoir system in Sullivan County (including Swinging Bridge), promised this week to refill the Swinging Bridge Reservoir "to the levels prior to the dam repair." That’s great news. While Mirant, the current owner, started the refill this spring, there’s been a lot…
DetailsNational, Regional Existing Home Sales Data Shows Downturn
If you watched the news last night or this morning, you probably saw reports about the latest Existing Home Sales data released by the National Association of Realtors for March. The media sure likes hyperbole — lots of verbs like ‘plummeting’ and ‘crashing’. I really wish they would put a little more thought into their…
DetailsBethel Woods Line Up Takes Shape; Dylan, Chicago on Tap
Tickets for the New York Philharmonic at Bethel Woods (www.bethelwoodslive.org)went on sale yesterday. They’ve also officially announced that Bob Dylan will perform on June 30th. The rest of the summer is starting to take shape, with the following as the probable summer line-up, with additional acts likely to be added over the next few weeks.…
DetailsCasino Decision Not Likely Until At Least 2008
The Times Herald Record reported this morning another glitch in the casino approval process. (See article.) The Dept. of Interior and the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) have struck a deal whereby they’ve agreed to not litigate the NRDC-led court challenge to the environmental approval until after the Interior Dept. has completed its review process…
DetailsSpring Lull Sets In, Great Time to Shop
Every year, I’m always a little surprised when things get slow between Easter and Memorial Day. For second home buyers, it seems the perfect time to shop. The weather is better, the days are longer, and if you find a house you can close on it in time to enjoy it for the summer. The…
DetailsSwinging Bridge Refill Reports
I’ve heard from a few different people who either live on Swinging Bridge, or regularly drive past, that the lake is refilling. One person said it was up 19 feet, another thought it was about halfway. I’d appreciate anyone who lives on Swinging Bridge, or who has knowledge about what’s going on, to add a…
DetailsAre Listing Agents or Sellers the Price Problem Culprits?
This past week I met with a friend of a friend who’s looking to sell her house. As an exclusive buyer agent, I don’t list property, so wasn’t fishing for a listing. She wanted some ideas about what she could do to make her house more appealing to buyers. Eventually the conversation came around to…
DetailsMarch Sullivan Sales Data and Analysis Posted
Hey, everybody, its that time of the month again. My Current Market Conditions Report, with sales data through March 2007, is up. Please check it out and come back and post your comments on what’s happening in the real estate market here in Sullivan County.
Subprime Mortgage Meltdown – Impact on Sullivan?
The news media has been flooded with reports over the last few weeks about the meltdown in the subprime mortgage business. The big surprise is that so many people see this as a big surprise. Who could possibly think that the ‘Wild West’ lending practices of the last few years wouldn’t have consequences? The culprit…
DetailsHigh Speed Rail for Sullivan County?
Yup, I bet that headline got your attention. High speed rail between Sullivan County and NYC has been as much — or even more — of a dream for Sullivan County boosters than casinos. The Mid-Hudson News reported today (see report) that Sullivan County’s 2 state legislators, Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and State Senator John Bonacic,…
DetailsJust Announced – Philharmonic To Open Bethel Woods 2nd Season
Mark the date! July 7th. The NY Philharmonic will be back to open the 2nd season at Bethel Woods. Tickets go on sale at 10AM on April 23rd for the Philharmonic. The rest of the concert and event season will be announced at a later date. For more information, www.bethelwoodslive.org.
Corzine Signs Law Forming Township, School Consolidation Commission
Ok, Jon Corzine is the governor of New Jersey, not New York. But maybe legislation, like a cold, can be catching to a nearby neighbor. Blow the wind this way, Jon. New Jersey has been struggling with property tax reform for months. One part of the final property tax package in the Garden State is…
DetailsA Green Counterpoint to My Casino Shift
I expect to get flamed about my pro-casino comments (below). But that doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned by (generally) green principles. Sullivan County isn’t unlike a lot of other areas, with a polarization between pro-development and pro-environment forces. But we here in Sullivan County have a tremendous opportunity to distinguish ourselves as the ‘green showcase’ in…
DetailsWhy I’ve Tilted Pro-Casino — We Need Hotels!
For years, I’ve labeled myself ‘casino agnostic’. I’ve neither shared the economic salvation euphoria of the casino proponents, nor the doom and gloom predictions of casino opponents. If the casinos came, fine — this is a big county with plenty of room for everyone. If they didn’t, that was fine with me, too. The renaissance…
DetailsNYRI Agrees to Consider Alternate Routes
The proposed NYRI (New York Regional Interconnect) power line project, proposed to run through the western part of Sullivan County, has faced tremendous opposition from residents along the route, as well as county and state politicians. Until now, NYRI has refused to consider alternate routes. Well, that was before Congress and the NY Governor’s office…
DetailsSwinging Bridge Refill to Start This Week, Future Uncertain
The fate of the Swinging Bridge Reservoir (and the other 3 reservoirs in the Mirant system, Toronto, Rio and Mongaup Falls) has been front and center in the news here for the last week. And given all the conflicting information, its probably easier to pick a party nominee for President than figure out what the…
DetailsFebruary 07 Sales Data and Market Analysis Posted
My Current Market Conditions analysis this month is very interesting. How can sales plunge 36% over a year ago, while prices are actually holding? Doesn’t that go against everything you learned in Economics 101? There are reasons. You’ll have to read my Current Market Conditions to find out. I’m sure you’ll have your own thoughts,…
DetailsHelp Redesign My MLS Search
The MLS Search capability is the most popular feature of my website. Dozens of people drop my every day to search for properties. If you’re reading this blog, you’ve probably spent time there, too. I use an MLS Search system provided by a 3rd party company, IDX Pro. Its the best ‘off the shelf’ system…
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