Wow, the coolest thing just happened.  I got a call on both my home phone and my cell phone from the Pine Bush Central School District . Now normally you might be concerned when a school calls you.  Is your child sick?  Is your child in trouble?  But this call was sent to let me know that all after school activities were canceled due to the expected icy conditions later this afternoon and evening.  I happened to see our new superintendent, Philip Stienberg at a meeting for our district's Focus on Youth Initiative yesterday and he was explaining a new notification system that he was able to contract for the district to make notification on school closings and other things more efficient.  The service is activated by a call from Mr. Stienberg and within minutes a call goes out to a specif... 12/11/2008

Beautiful Colonial with In-Law Suite! 135 Dubois Street, Pine Bush, NY 12566 View Map This unique colonial has room for all. Large eat-in kitchen with wood floors & lots of cabinets open to the family room with marble fireplace,formal dining and living room.Large master bedroom with huge walk in closet, master bath with jetted tub. In-law apartment with own entrance is bright and open with large kitchen & wood floors. Apartment has its own laundry and attic. This home has loads of storage with full attic, basement & 3 car garage.Close to Town. Details Asking Price: $479,999 MLS: 456341 Sq. Feet: 3450 Lot Size: 2.2 Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 3.5 # of Floors: 2 Garage Size: 3 Year Built: 2001 Contact InfoMarty Remo Broker/Owner Main 845-738-8115 Cell 845-656-2527 Dir 845-738-8115 ext 222 Ema... 12/08/2008

We had a special Saturday night in Pine Bush this past weekend.  It was the annual Festival of Lights with a whole bunch of great entertainment that started at 4:30 and ended with the tree lighting at 7:30 or so.  (The moment of the lighting was a bit flawed by a technical glitch but the celebration continued and the tree was eventually glowing)   The studio that my daughters dance with, The Dance Diamond, were featured as performers in the 6:00 PM time slot.   They did a great job in spite of the cold.   Here is the 1/2 A Karet Performance Group in front of the tree ready to startStep was a real crowd pleaser even with gloves on!Here they perform African dance with the able assistance of drummer, Mr Batiste.Happy Holidays!  The performers in front of my real estate office. Pine Bush is... 12/07/2008

Beautiful Colonial with In-Law Suite! 135 Dubois Street, Pine Bush, NY 12566 View Map This unique colonial has room for all. Large eat-in kitchen with wood floors & lots of cabinets open to the family room with marble fireplace,formal dining and living room.Large master bedroom with huge walk in closet, master bath with jetted tub. In-law apartment with own entrance is bright and open with large kitchen & wood floors. Apartment has its own laundry and attic. This home has loads of storage with full attic, basement & 3 car garage.Close to Town. Details Asking Price: $479,999 MLS: 456341 Sq. Feet: 3450 Lot Size: 2.2 Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 3.5 # of Floors: 2 Garage Size: 3 Year Built: 2001 Contact InfoMarty Remo Broker/Owner Main 845-738-8115 Cell 845-656-2527 Dir 845-738-8115 ext 222 Ema... 12/07/2008

Saturday December 6, 2008 in Orange County NY Saturday's Weather - Slight Chance For Snow Late Tonight (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Special Events Craft Fairs and Holiday Bazaars These are some of the many places to find unique gifts today around the county New Windsor - Bethlehem Presbyterian Church Arts and Crafts show - Corner of rte 94 and Jackson Ave. New Windsor, NY For Further Information Call 845-496-9187 Wallkill - Christmas Wonderland Fair Wallkill Reformed Church, 45 Bridge St Wallkill, NY Starts 10:00 AM For Further Information Call 845-895-2181 Warwick - Holiday Shopping Spree Warwick Fire Company #2, 200 West St Warwick, NY Starts 10:00 AM For Further Information Call 845-986-0573 Chester - Chester /academy PTSA Holiday Bazaar 64 Hambletonian Ave, Chester... 12/05/2008

This is a wonderful community event and if you are going to be in the area, you should consider stopping by.  Events like this are what help to make the Pine Bush area such a wonderful place to be.  I realize that we may not be ready for Christmas, but we better get ready, because it is coming!  Santa will be there, so do not forget to bring your camera.  For more information, please visit www.pinebushchamberofcommerce.org. 12/04/2008

Have heard that there are great deals in real estate right now?  There are, but we need to be careful about where we find them.  Foreclosures can be priced somewhat below the market but they are often houses that have been abused by the former owners.  If you consider that many of these houses were occupied by people who were in a very depressed state for a long period of time, you can imagine that the house was not cared for well and may in fact have suffered deliberate abuses such as removing plumbing or rendering the drainage system inoperable.  Banks also want to get the maximum amount possible from the sale as they have many expenses in addition to the amount owed on the mortgage.  Another issue with foreclosures is that they can take a lot extra time to gain approval and this can... 11/30/2008

11/17/2008

Saturday November 15, 2008 in Orange County NY Saturday's Weather - 100% Chance For Rain (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Special Events The Secret Garden - Pine Bush NY Come out to see the students of Pine Bush High School perform the classic play "The Secret Garden" Performances are at 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM. Opening Night was a smash hit! Don't miss it.  Pine Bush Central High School, Route 302, Pine Bush NY Craft Fairs, Flea Markets, and Holiday Bazaars These are some of the many indoor sale events located around the county to enjoy on this rainy day. New Hampton NY - Employee Association Building of the Mid Hudson Psychiatric Center, Rt 17M, New Hampton Starting 9:00 AM For Further Information Call 845-374-8700 Port Jervis NY - Deerpark Reformed Church, 30 E Main St, Por... 11/14/2008

Today is the day we honor our veterans.  We thank those who are here for their service to us, we think of the men and women who are somewhere in this world serving us right now, and we remember those who have left us forever.  We, real estate professionals need to remember the young men and women who are presently returned from service and do our best to help them find a home of their own.  Many vets are unaware of the benefits they can use to achieve the dream of owning a home. There are young people all over this country who need our help to make the dream happen.  Our broker has challenged us to place 50 vets in homes by the end of next year.  It would be great to see this happening all over the country.   This Flag Is The Original That Flew Over Fort Sumter SC During The Battle That... 11/10/2008

Tomorrow it will rain, actually there is a 90% chance but I am not betting against those odds.  A rainy Saturday could really be a real downer but I am showing houses tomorrow and I love to show houses in the rain.  Sure we might get a little damp running in and out of the car to the houses but a rainy day will reveal many secrets about a house.  Is the basement dry?  Does the roof leak?  Does the backyard turn into a swamp or worse does that quaint little stream turn into a raging river?  How was the roadway to the house?  The list goes on and on.   So although the rain will be a bummer for those of you planning to enjoy some of the great outdoor activities that the Greater Hudson Valley has available for you and I feel bad for you, i will enjoy the opportunity to see the houses on th... 10/24/2008

Come on out tonight to the Haunted Hospital at the High School in Pine Bush New York!   The Mixed Select and Women's Select Choirs have a Visit Filled with Terror at The Haunted Hospital planned for you on Friday October 24, 2008 from 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM.   Join the fear fest at the door to the PBHS Band Room.   Admission is $5.00 per person.   The haunting is a fund raising effort for these musical groups so please let them scare the price of the ticket from you. 10/23/2008

Saturday October 18, 2008 in Orange County NY Saturday's Weather - Mostly Sunny (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Special Events Parties Galore, Crafts, and More - Pine Bush NY Come to the Pine Bush Fire House on Route 52, Pine Bush, NY (going out of town towards Walden on the right just past Dunkin Donuts) to see many of the vendors for different home party companies, crafts and other items for sale.  9;00 AM - 3:00 PM. For further information call 845-744-8626 Villagewide Yard Sale - Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY Go to village hall at 325 Hudson Street, Cornwall-on-Hudson for a list of yard sales throughout the village.  9:00 AM - 4:00 PM The Junior League of Orange County Presents Fest I - Montgomery, NY Join the Junior League of Orange County for crafts, food, pumpkins, a cake... 10/17/2008

Saturday October 11, 2008 in Orange County NY Saturday's Weather -Sunny and 70 Degrees (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Special Events Autumn Craft and Vendor Fair - Middletown, NY Washington Heights Fire company is hosting this event at 10 Ohio Place, Middletown, NY from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM For further information call 845-978-0907 or 341-1143 Pumpkin Festival - Pine Bush, NY The Pine Bush Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Pumpkin Festival with a scarecrow making contest, pumpkin pie contest, live performances and fun.  Main St (AKA Route 52) Pine Bush NY.  10:00 AM - 4 :00 PM Event will center around the Farmer's Market Area behind the Cultural Center. Nature Hike with Wallkill Valley Land Trust - Pine Bush, NY Join Lynn Bowdery in exploring a 95 acre property that ... 10/10/2008

Calling All Leaf Peepers To "The" Weekend in the Greater Hudson Valley of New York.  Color on the trees has gradually been increasing this week and if you wait until next weekend you may miss the best colors.   I took these pictures at the intersection of Route 302 and County Route 48, the area known as Thompson Ridge, on October 9, 2008. As you can see the color already is really vivid on some trees and the others are sure to follow soon.    We have plenty of activities in the area to keep your weekend filled with fun.  The Pine Bush Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Pumpkin Festival this weekend. There are many pick your own pumpkin fields in the area if you would rather head out to gather a pumpkin or two yourself. Hiking trails are abundant and the beauty is everywhere.   Com... 10/09/2008

Wednesday was an "F" day for me.  F is not for Failure but for Fantastic.   I live in a local school district filled with wonderful caring people.   I started my day with a meeting of F.Y.I., the Focus on Youth Initiative for the Pine Bush Central School District area.  The Focus on Youth Initiative's goal is to empower youth through asset-building and to bring together people with an interest in helping our youth to grow and flourish. The committee consists of local law enforcement, business people, parents of children and other residents from the school district, teachers and administrators from the schools, clergy, and representatives of various youth organizations.  The initiative was started in 2001 by Chief McCann of the Town of Crawford Police Department and other forward thinki... 10/02/2008

Sunday September 28, 2008 in Orange County NY Special Events Sunday's Weather Looks Like It Will Be Wet (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) National Alpaca Farm Day Open House - Pine Bush NY Come see demonstrations and visit the alpacas of Crosswind Farm at their open house today starting at 10:00 AM at 262 Gillespie St Pine Bush, NY For further information call 845-361-4043 Woody Guthrie Tribute Concert to Kick Off The Big Read - Middletown NY The Paramount Theater 17 South Street Middletown NY will be the location of this tribute to the words and music of Woody Guthrie.  Sponsored by Orange Reads and Local Libraries.  This will start The Big Read and you can join others to read "The Grapes of Wrath". Concert is free but a donation of canned foods for RECAP is appreciated.  ... 09/28/2008

Saturday September 27, 2008 in Orange County NY Saturday's Weather Looks Like It Will Be a Bit Damp (click here for the latest NOAA Information.) Special Events Fall Festival - Goshen NY Come to enjoy the vendors, crafts, food and children's activities at the 35th annual Fall Festival at Goshen Christian School 43 Route 17A, Goshen, NY Rain or Shine from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM For more information call 845-294-6365 Dedication of the Soldiers Statue- Town of Wallkill NY Come to the dedication of the Soldiers Statue at the Town of Wallkill Memorial Park, Highland Ave Extension, Middletown, NY 10:00 AM  A celebration dinner is planned for 7:00 PM at Kuhl's Highland House, Highland Ave Extension, Middletown NY For more information call 845-342-4629 Quilt Show -Pine Bush NY See over 200 quilts o... 09/26/2008

Are you getting married soon?  Congratulations and Best Wishes. I have a bit of advice that I share with every young couple I know who are getting ready to take the plunge into the marriage pool.  Try to live on one salary.  I know it is not easy today but it is possible.  You will thank me if you follow this advice from the start. You see you will probably want to buy a house someday.  If you live on one salary you can bank the other salary for a down payment.  Be sure you use a little for vacations and such but save most of it for the future.     When you are ready to buy, find a house that you can afford on one salary.  If that means buying a multi family and living in one apartment while renting the other make that your first home. If it means buying a small house that you can trad... 09/25/2008

One of the great things about working with a buyer's agent in real estate is being able to schedule a tour of the listings available in your price range regardless of what real estate broker has them listed. One call from you and your agent will check availability, plan a route, call for appointments, and save you valuable time.  It is important to work with your agent to schedule these showings in advance.  Knowing the area allows me to plan a route to save time and gas. I always ask the buyers I am working with to call at least 24 hours prior to the time they want to go see houses.  Sure, sometimes, something comes up and we are able to work out a last minute request but in general I need to have some notice.  There are several reasons for this First and foremost, is that many residen... 09/21/2008