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Country Homes = Fear

Country Homes = Fear published on 5 Comments on Country Homes = Fear

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The NY Times featured an article on Friday titled “Home, Sweet…Yikes!“. Apparently, I’m not the only one suffering from nyctohylophobia. That’s right, there’s a word for it. It’s a fear of dark, wooded areas. The article didn’t say if the phobia only effects neurotic New Yorkers or if people are inflicted in other parts of the country as well.

If you’ve read our about page, you’ll know that we tried to live in the country and failed miserably. Like the folks in the Times article, I ran from my car to the house at night, kept my shades drawn and woke up to eerie sounds in the middle of the night.Continue reading Country Homes = Fear

Weekender: Hyde Park

Weekender: Hyde Park published on 4 Comments on Weekender: Hyde Park

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For me, there are two reasons to visit Hyde Park: the restaurants and the antiques.

The restaurants are CIA, the Culinary Institute of America. There are 5 restaurants on the campus and reservations are suggested for all but the Apple Pie Cafe. These places are worth the trip, even just for the day. I only like to eat, not cook, but CIA offers one day programs such as “An Indian Feast” and “Gluten Free Holiday Baking”.Continue reading Weekender: Hyde Park

Buying A Second Home Before Your First

Buying A Second Home Before Your First published on 3 Comments on Buying A Second Home Before Your First

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Since this site is dedicated to “affordable” real estate, you may be wondering “WTF? We can’t afford a first home. Why are they showing this weekend crap?” Well, that’s just it. If you’re stuck renting in the boroughs because the real estate train passed you by, at least you may be able to own something.

This advice is not for those of you paying $5000 for 1 BR apartments. It’s for those of you lucky enough to have a rent stabilized apartment or adventurous enough to be paying low rents in fringe neighborhoods.

Second homes are best for people who don’t get to travel anymore. Having less vacation time, kids and various responsibilities puts a damper on that 3 week trip to India. So, it’s good to have a place to go at the drop of a hat.Continue reading Buying A Second Home Before Your First

Weekender: Ellenville, NY

Weekender: Ellenville, NY published on 2 Comments on Weekender: Ellenville, NY

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We spent weekends near Ellenville when I was young. My childhood memories of the area are pretty crummy. It’s been run down for so many years, it’s depressing. But then again, I kind of like that. Because when you’ve hit rock bottom, there’s no where to go but up. So, I find Ellenville fascinating and inspiring. And it certainly seems as if it’s on the upswing!Continue reading Weekender: Ellenville, NY

Weekender: Woodstock, NY

Weekender: Woodstock, NY published on 5 Comments on Weekender: Woodstock, NY

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Woodstock is a pretty happening place. There are many restaurants, galleries and shops to choose from along the main drag. When you tire of that, there’s hiking, mountain climbing, kayaking, tubing, hang gliding or skydiving nearby.

Although Woodstock didn’t really happen in Woodstock, the hippies planted themselves there long ago and they’re not going anywhere. Jerry Garcia is alive and well and living in Woodstock. Hippies are a wonderful thing if you’re a tree hugging, left leaning, vegetarian like myself. I just want to shave my armpits. And not have to listen to folk music. That’s all I ask.

But I digress. Woodstock doesn’t really have too many negatives. Housing prices are a bit steep if it’s a second home. And perhaps the area may be too trendy and overrated compared to neighboring towns such as Saugerties.

If it’s legendary Woodstock you’re looking for, Yasgur’s Farm in Bethel is up for sale for a cool $ 8 mil.

Check out the Woodstock Film Festival this weekend! Get up there soon…leaf peeping season is almost over.

Chamber of Commerce
Town of Woodstock
Byrdcliffe Guild
Woodstock Times

Affordable Burb: Peekskill

Affordable Burb: Peekskill published on 1 Comment on Affordable Burb: Peekskill

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Ok, let’s cut to the chase. If you don’t want to have a 3 unit nuclear power plant in your backyard, stop reading now. Oh, it doesn’t bother you? That’s ok, if anything happens with Indian Point, we’ll all be dead anyway.

Peekskill is one of those Westchester neighborhoods that crazy real estate prices forgot. I’m pretty certain it’s because of Indian Point. It’s a luke warm place on the verge of happening, but whether or not it will actually take off is anyone’s guess. It’s current state is good enough for me. A couple of hip coffee houses, some art galleries, a bit of life.

PROS

  • Peekskill sits right on the Hudson.
  • About an hour to Grand Central on Metro North.
  • Nice old home inventory to choose from.
  • The home prices are a bargain.
  • Artists are discovering it, creating a vibrant community.

CONS

City Of Peekskill
Hudson River Towns
Peekskill Schools
Peekskill Bid

Weekender: Red Hook,NY

Weekender: Red Hook,NY published on 3 Comments on Weekender: Red Hook,NY

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Bard College

You can say that Red Hook is the poor sister of Rhinebeck, which is exactly what I like about it. It’s laid back, down to earth,vibrant and interesting. And less expensive! There are some great antique shops and restaurants, most of which don’t have websites that I can link to.

Red Hook is located just on the northern tip of Dutchess County, almost in Columbia County. The country side is beautiful and it’s within 15-30 minutes of Rhinebeck, Tivoli, Germantown, and Hyde Park for further exploration.

Amtrak services nearby Rhinecliff. Many people actually commute to the city, although it seems nuts to me. Homes range from under $200k to over $2mil.

I’ll cover Tivoli another day, but I just have to say, it’s worth the drive for lunch or dinner. Like High Falls, it’s a teeny, tiny town bursting with awesome restaurants, including my favorite vegetarian, Luna 61, formerly located in the village of Red Hook.

Red Hook
Red Hook Chamber of Commerce
JFive Homes
Rhinebeck Farmers Market
Red Hook Concerns

Dutchess Salvage and Antiques

Dutchess Salvage and Antiques published on 1 Comment on Dutchess Salvage and Antiques

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Hoffmans

Hoffman’s Antique Barn, located behind a movie theater at 19 Old Farm Road in Red Hook, is my upstate Eddie. They have windows for $9, wooden mantles for $195 and tables of small items listed from $2-5. There are plenty of doors, sinks and tubs as well. 845-758-5668

The Stormville Antiques Market is this weekend! Another favorite of mine for bargain hunting. The show opens at dawn and that’s when you should try to get there. Although some vendors are still setting up, others sell out of their best stuff by 8am. And traffic is killer by 9am! Good to go up Friday night and get an early start.

A shout out to Junk To Jems, from Long Island. He’ll be at Stormville this weekend in booth #265. I was going to do a write up about him this week, but it’s going to be next week instead. People line up at his booth before he even arrives.

Historic Mansions of Dutchess County

Historic Mansions of Dutchess County published on 1 Comment on Historic Mansions of Dutchess County

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If you’re an old home fanatic like myself, you can spend the entire weekend touring the historic mansions in Dutchess County. Wilderstein is my favorite, a dark Queen Anne style home still undergoing restoration. And if you’re in the area, Wing’s Castle is not so far and it is a must see!

Hudson River Valley National Heritage
Staatsburgh
Olana
Vanderbilt
Wilderstein
Montgomery

Salvage Road Trip: Albany

Salvage Road Trip: Albany published on 6 Comments on Salvage Road Trip: Albany

I recently took a trip up to Albany looking for inexpensive salvage. Here’s what I found:

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Stoves at Historic Albany Warehouse

The Historic Albany Foundation Architectural Parts Warehouse is a private, non profit working to promote the preservation of Albany’s buildings. They do not ship, nor do they have inventory on their website. They are chock full of doors and windows and have some great antique stoves and good prices.

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Silver Fox Enterprises

Next I hit Silver Fox Enterprises. This was like shopping in style for salvage. It was bright, well organized, spacious and clean. And the best part is the prices are pretty good! They transform salvaged items into functional home furnishings, kind of like what we intend to do, but haven’t gotten around to yet. On weekends, there is live music and vendors.

Next I went up to Troy, about 8 miles north of Albany. There’s a whole “antiques district”, which is about 2 blocks long. Because these were antique furnishings and not salvage, the prices were higher. However! You would have to search far and wide for prices this good closer to NYC.
Bournebrook Architectural Salvage, across from Bournebrook Antique Center (closed) has tubs and sinks which are in great condition. They also have some vintage refrigerators, mantles, stained glass and hardware.

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