While my primary focus is on the Monroe, NY Real Estate Market, I support home owners and buyers in most of Orange County, NY.  I recently shared the Monroe NY 4Q12 - 4Q13 market results, and thought I would also provide insight into a town that borders Monroe's southwest border, the town of Warwick, NY.       As with Monroe, one of the most often asked questions about the Warwick NY Real Estate Market is whether sale prices are increasing.   Recent Orange County reports indicate the entire area has remained flat in terms of prices.  But of course, real estate is extremely local, so the question is, did Warwick remain flat from 4Q12 to 4Q13, or has there been some price movement?   The last quarter of 2012 indicated an average sales price in Warwick of $313K, and the last quarter of 201... 01/24/2014

PIE EATING CONTEST  NOBLE PIES WARWICK NY If you can eat a blueberry pie in ten minutes with your hands behind your back than this is for you!  Come join Noble Pies on Sunday January 26, 2014 for their pie eating contest.  There are separate divisions for adults and children.  Check out the contest rules here.  The contest starts at 3 but be sure to be there a half an hour prior. Come check out the contest and enjoy some free samples!  Call 845-986-7436 to enter!   NOBLE PIES121 ROUTE 94SWARWICK NY  10990845-986-7436 01/20/2014

You and your family have decided it is time to sell the family home.  You have chosen a Real Estate Professional and it is now time to put your home onto the Multiple Listing Service.  There is a sign out front, you have painted, cleaned and decluttered. You have made arrangements for the pets during showings.  You have made sure your home is fresh and clean. You have gotten your first call and a showing is scheduled! The day arrives, there is a knock on the door and you hurry to answer!  And this is the mistake that is often made by a seller who is anxious to showcase their home.  While the seller is anxious to show all the wonderful attributes of their home the buyer is too uncomfortable to take note of these wonderful attributes. Recently my buyers and I were followed from room to ro... 01/15/2014

Early registration discounts for the March 29, 2014 Warwick Valley Business Expo will end 1-17-14.  You may visit the Warwick Chamber site to download your registration form for entry as a vendor. On March 29th you will be able to put your business and your product in front of thousands of people in just one day. Registration prior to 1-17-14 will be $195 per table for Chamber Members.  From 1-18-14 on, registration will be $225 for Chamber Members and $425 for non-members.  The non-member fee will also include a 1 year chamber membership.  Prior to the opening of the doors that day there will be an hour of business networking between vendors.  Local businesses understand the value of doing business locally so they seek out other local businesses that can help them grow - right there at... 01/10/2014

I recently received a note which made my day.  It was from someone I had helped who meant a lot to me. The fact that they took the time to write this note just further cements how much I like my job.  Thank you Sarah for writing such a kind and heartfelt note. Purchasing a house can be a daunting task, but not with Debbie by your side. Over my time working with Debbie, she was very attentive to our needs and preferences when it came to a home. After several months of looking, when we finally found "the one" Debbie helped us through the process of making an offer, going to contract, and eventually closing. Always only a phone call away, Debbie made us feel like we were her only client. I HIGHLY recommend her to anyone in the area looking for a new home. SHE can help you find it! Thank yo... 01/09/2014

Photo by Chris Walsh, Copyright © 2013 Debra Walsh. All Rights Reserved. These photos may not be reproduced, used or transmitted without the express, written permission of Debra Walsh of Keller Williams Realty in Highland Mills, New York. If you would like to use an image please contact me directly. Thank you for not plagiarizing. 11/01/2013

Photos by Debra Walsh, Copyright © 2013 Debra Walsh. All Rights Reserved. These photos may not be reproduced, used or transmitted without the express, written permission of Debra Walsh of Keller Williams Realty in Highland Mills, New York. If you would like to use an image please contact me directly. Thank you for not plagiarizing. 10/22/2013

 Photos by Debra Walsh, Copyright © 2013 Debra Walsh. All Rights Reserved. These photos may not be reproduced, used or transmitted without the express, written permission of Debra Walsh of Keller Williams Realty in Highland Mills, New York. If you would like to use an image please contact me directly. Thank you for not plagiarizing. 10/05/2013

Warwick NY  Real Estate and Community Information Warwick is a town of approximately 32,000 residents, located along the southwest border of Orange County NY. This unique community in the Hudson Valley is known for its rural charm, as well as its cultural amenities and commerce. Located a stones throw from New York City, and along the border of New Jersey, Warwick provides ample options for commuters. Location and Geography The town of Warwick is located on the southernmost tip of Orange County, north of the townships of Vernon and West Milford in New Jersey. It sits south of Goshen and Chester, and is bordered by Tuxedo to the east. Warwick is the second largest township in New York, with a total area of nearly 1o5 square miles. The town is home to Greenwood Lake, Orange County’s large... 09/16/2013

Warwick NY Market Report - June 30th 2013 Year to Date info for 2013 Currently there are 292 active listings in Warwick New York There are 67 homes currently under contract with 14 in the 1st quarter of the year and 53 went under contract during the 2nd quarter.  Year to date there have been 53 closed sales with an average sold price of $298,500 spending an average of 129 days on the market In 2012 during this same time period there were 70 closed sales with an average sold price of $299,500 spending an average of 141 days on the market.  Prices on homes vary as neighborhoods, location, age, size and style are very different. Homes during this time have sold for as low as $65,000 and as high as $1,250,000.  The market continues to move forward in a positive direction. Interest rates are... 06/30/2013

I have always loved selling old homes, as a Brit, I really appreciate older homes with the charm and character that they offer. Luckily I  live on the east coast in the Hudson Valley of New York, and was lucky enough to own my own 1700's cottage on the river until Hurricane Sandy hit last year, which sadly proved too much for our 300 year old which is now inhabitable, and can't be saved from the wreckers ball. Yesterday I discovered my dream home in Warwick NY, sadly I won't be buying it, but I hope to find a buyer who will become a friend and invite me over sometimes. As a Realtor I get to see many styles of homes from the modern mc. mansions and town-homes, of suburbia, to high rise luxury co-ops in Manhattan, but nothing makes my heart tick faster than finding an historic property wh... 06/24/2013

Recently my partner and I have listed a property for sale that has a cesspool instead of a newer septic or municipal sewer.  In our area that is not uncommon since certain areas have much older and historic homes.  Multiple buyers have loved the home when viewed with their Realtor.   When you receive this type of feedback this is exactly what you are looking for as a seller and as a listing agent.  Next of course would be discussion of an offer which has been nipped in the bud because of nervousness over the cesspool and the claim that "FHA doesn't lend for properties with cesspools."  I have never found this to be the case, but wanted to clear this up once and for all, for the seller and for future reference as there are many homes in the Hudson Valley that still have cesspools.    PRO... 05/28/2013

I've always said the folks living in the middle Hudson River Valley (the Warwick, Greenwood Lake, Florida area) know how to have some good. clean wholesome fun. For example, we've always enjoyed  the summertime evening "concerts on the lawn" in these cozy communities. We love going to the wineries, the small town celebrations, the Fourth of Julys. Upstaters seem to have a sense that a good seat can include your own lawn chairs, that musicians don't have to be famous, and that you can bring your dog and still be socially acceptable. May marks the start of the summer season in the Mid-Hudson. Farmer's Markets open up, spring festivals celebrate... Spring! And weather permitting, we'll get to enjoy them. Here's what's happening in the Warwick area: May 19, Warwick's Annual Winslow "Duck De... 05/17/2013

THE SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY PROGRAM   Assemblyman (D-Woodbury) James Skoufis is asking all eligible small business owners affected by Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene, or Tropical Storm Lee to apply for aid through the NY State Small Business Recovery Program.  This program was developed to assist individually owned and operated small businesses with 100 or less employees as they continue to recover from these weather disasters in the recent past.   Many businesses are still trying to recover, dealing with lost inventory in the hundreds of thousands or the complete destruction of their offices and buildings.  The potential aid from this program could help offset some of these enormous costs of rebuilding and restocking.   Grants and loans may be provided to help repair equipment, repla... 05/14/2013

SHOPRITE NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS! ARE YOU SOMEONE WHO:   Enjoys working with others Welcomes a challenge Is friendly & outgoing Is a team player Is professional, honest and hardworking     NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR;   Night Crew    Deli Clerk                           Cashiers                                 Produce Clerk    Non-Foods    Seafood                             Bakery                                    Dairy Grocery                                                   Shoprite from Home     AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:   Croton                    Monticello                        Carmel                   Monroe Bedford Hills           Liberty                             Warwick                 Newburgh Vails Gate               Fishkill                             Peekski... 04/20/2013

A few weeks ago while at a friend's house she said "watch this!"  She walked out on her deck, held out an apple and you can see what appeared.  Since I love animals this made my day.  I know a few of you are saying oh no! because they eat all the flowers and plants in site.  Anyway this leads to the point of my post.  It is almost time to upgrade my phone.  I have an Android Razr Maxx and it takes TERRIBLE pictures. I was 5 feet away when I took this picture and had to play with it to make it look this legible.  Sigh.....  I should be able to snap a picture with a camera phone and not have to "play with it."   I am looking to upgrade to possibly an iPhone and wanted to get some input on different phones and what you feel is a decent phone that also takes a fairly good picture.  I am not... 04/07/2013

As part of the budget that was passed last week by the New York State Legislature, homeowners will have to re-register to receive Basic STAR benefits by April 1, 2014.  2013 tax benefits will not be affected.   To try and prevent fraud in the STAR program, STAR will now be administered through the New York State Department of Tax and Finance.  Starting in 2014, homeowners with an income of less than $500,000 may reapply for the exemption on the first $30,000 of the assessed value on their primary residence.  This one-time renewal will eliminate those who are receiving the benefit improperly, either by having the deduction on more than one property or exceeding the maximum income level, by creating a statewide database accessible to all local enforcement officials.  Details about how an... 04/02/2013

Many families looking for homes that fall within the Warwick Valley School District in the southern part of Orange County, NY., are unaware that there are homes in surrounding areas outside of Warwick, which also fall into this popular school district. For example some homes in picture perfect town of Chester, NY on the southern side of Route 17 do, but unless you have a local Realtor, or a friend or family member in the know, you’d never know it. So how would you know this fact? If you search for a home on Zillow for example and plug in one of my listings 19 Long Vista, Chester, NY 10918, if I hadn’t mentioned the fact that this property falls into the WVSD, a potential buyer would never know. So why on earth would a family even consider a home in Chester if it was the WVSD that they w... 04/02/2013

Spring and Summer in New York is a fantastic time for New Yorkers and their families to take advantage of the numerous outdoor activities across the state such as hiking, boating and camping.  Thanks to a new law more New Yorkers will be able to experience fishing for the first time.   The new law increases the number of free fishing clinics throughout the state, allowing more New Yorkers to learn to fish without having to purchase a license. Click here to find a free clinic in your area and here to read more about the legislation. In addition to exploring New York State’s waterways by learning to fish, click here to check out what other outdoor events are happening at a state park near you! 03/15/2013

The past few months have been incredibly busy so I have missed the past few Active Rain get togethers and have not really had time to meet up with any of my local friends either.  This week I was lucky enough to connect with someone I haven't had a face to face meeting with yet.  We had been going back and forth by email and due to schedules and the weather had not been able to connect until this week. Kate Case and I had a wonderful lunch and as usual (for me anyway) because we sort of knew each other there was no nervousness or difficulty finding things to talk about.  She is very passionate about her business and does such beautiful work.  Anyone hiring Kate for her expertise in staging, interior design or color consultations will be extremely pleased with her work.  Please visit her... 02/16/2013