What's Happening in the Ulster County Market Today.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE ULSTER COUNTY MARKET TODAY.

Historically, summer slows activity, but we are experiencing a good number of serious local and dual-residence buyers taking advantage of a larger inventory going into the Fall season. We usually experience an increase in the number of showings after Labor Day that will give an indication of where our market is heading. Buyers are out and about in respectable numbers, but the down side for sellers is that the inventory hit a high this spring. There have not been this many homes available for buyers in many years. As a result, buyers have the upper hand and we anticipate a Buyer's Market for some time to come.Nationally it probably will take another year or even more to settle down after the sub-prime credit crisis which has had a serious impact on the real estate market. It will take a long time for the massive over-supply of inventory to be absorbed across the country. But, in Ulster County, we did not have major new construction, and we are very connected to the strength of the NYC real estate market, which has, for the last 2 years, remained an exception to national trends. The fundamentals of the market in Ulster County are markedly different from those across the country and even across the Northeast. Though we now have a relatively larger inventory of available homes, we also have a historically conservative outlook on development of raw land and Ulster County property owners who highly value and protects natural open spaces. Supply is only going to get tighter in Ulster. This trend is enhanced by our proximity to NYC as we continue to grow in the desirability of our communities as more and more potential buyers learn about them on the Internet. The finite supply of buildable raw land will continue to increase the demand for real estate here, despite the national malaise which exists elsewhere. Location! Location! Location! Real estate markets are made locally and Ulster Rocks!As for demand, Ulster is still a magnet for city dwellers and home buyers seeking a rural lifestyle as telecommuting becomes more viable for a greater number of generation X, and next, money earners. Many potential buyers have been postponing their purchases here, trying to time the bottom of the market. That latent demand is building and is expected to burst forth sooner rather than later. The signs this Summer are very clear.
In the long term, prices will again rise, as they have historically over 3 decades. This is the time to take advantage of the lull before the storm as wise buyers begin to enter the market. Buyers leverage in negotiations and substantial reductions of asking prices have made it a great time to be a buyer. Sellers without real motivation are taking their homes off the market. This will help bring more balance to the market for sellers. More motivated and realistic seller pricing, and a continued edging up of the mortgage interest rates will trigger more buying. Many buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines for up to two years now are starting make their moves and are swooping in to pick up bargains while they can. Especially in the upper ranges, we note, financially savvy buyers are seeing opportunities peaking. There have been more sales over a million dollars than ever before. Although the national market has been hit hard, the increased inventory has made The Law of Supply and Demand work in favor buyers and now is the time to strike a great deal! Buyers are becoming aware that we are in a Classic Buyer's Market now and are returning to capitalize on that reality. Over the long haul, the up-trend will accelerate sharply again in coming years.

The median selling price of a home went up from $245,000 in 2005 to $247,000 in 2006. In 2007, the median was up again to $250,000
Through July 31, the median selling price of homes (not inclusive of condos and mobiles) in 2007 was $255,000. Now, mid-year 2008 it's $247,000, a minor decline.

There are currently 2135 active homes on the market as of mid August with a median asking price of $289,000. For up to the minute market conditions and more personal insights phone me at (800) 293-0232 x 112. For access to ALL ULSTER COUNTY Multiple Listings and AUTOMATIC e-mail ALERTS ON ALL NEW MLS LISTINGS which meet your criteria...check out our web site: http://www.ddooley.westwoodrealty.com/
Westwood is Ulster County's Consistent Market Leader, based on closed residential sales on MLS from January 1, 1993- June 30, 2008.Integrity, Commitment and Service are our most important values. We are your Ulster Professionals. WE MAKE YOUR DREAMS REALTY!

Panasonic Lumix

Panasonic Lumix FX35
Panasonic Lumix FX35 vs. Kodak v705Published by RES at 9:59 am under Tips & AdviceWhen I recommended the Kodak v705, I did so without reservations.It took a long time for me to find a point and shoot camera that I felt comfortable recommending to real estate agents. There were several criteria that needed to be met and the Kodak met all of them.Cost: Must be less than $400.Portability: Small enough to carry with you at all times.Simplicity: Works right out of the box without reading instructions.Ultra-Wide Angle: Not your basic 28mm wide angle lens, “extra” wide for capturing small rooms.Lots of you purchased the Kodak v705 based on my recomendation. So many, I wish I were making some form of commission, that’s for sure. But the Kodak v705 has been discontinued and no replacement has been announced.Enter the Panasonic Lumix FX35.The Panasonic Lumix FX35 was announced in January, but was not officially launched to the public until last week. Mine arrived yesterday and I tested it this morning. For me to recommend a camera for the average user, it has to do one thing very well, take a great photo right out of the box without changing a single setting. Why? Because I know most people will never take the time to learn how to use all of the feature of any camera. So, if a camera doesn’t allow you to take a good photo with it’s basic, default settings, I can’t recommend it.How does it compare?Cost: $239 - $349 online.Portability: It is slightly smaller than the Kodak v705.Simplicity: The photos below were taken using the default settings.Ultra-Wide Angle: The Panasonic Lumix FX35 has a 25mm wide angle lens.You must not underestimate the importance of a really wide angle lens.It took me a long time to find a replacement for the Kodak v705, mainly because most of the “wide” angle lenses touted by camera makers are 28mm. The Kodak was 23mm and really showed off rooms in a home. A 28mm lens doesn’t come close enough. The Panasonic Lumix FX35 touted a 25mm lens, so that caught my attention. As you can see from the photos below, it gets very close to the viewable range of the Kodak, but with better color quality.House shot from sidewalk: click on photos to view large originals.The photo above on the left was taken with the default settings on the Kodak v7o5, the one on the right, with the Panasonic Lumix FX35. As you can see, the Kodak caught a slightly wider angle, but the Panasonic has much richer, truer color. This was shot near sundown. No question, the Panasonic does a better job of capturing this shot. Changing the settings would improve the Kodak shot, but that would not be a fair comparison. Also, the slight difference in viewable area between the 23mm on the left and the 25mm on the right, is not significant.Room Shot With Curtains Closed: click on photos to view large originals.Again, the Kodak is on the left and the Panasonic on the right. There is a slight difference in viewable area, but not enough to make a real difference. The real difference is the photo quality, again. It is noticeable and relevant. When you view the photos at their original size, 5.o megapixels for the Kodak and 10.1 megapixels for the Panasonic, you will see the difference even more clearly. The Panasonic Lumix FX35 wins on this test as well.Small Bathroom: click on photos to view large originals.This is a very small room and the difference in the wide angle lenses is noticable, but not significant. And the photo quality of the Panasonic Lumix FX35 is superior once again.What’s missing?The Panasonic Lumix FX35 does not have the ability to stitch a panoramic shot in the camera. This is a nice feature for real estate. However, I have found myself using my Autostitch software more often than in-camera stitching. Mainly because aligning the shots in camera is a bit of a hassle. Using a tripod with stitching software can achieve superior results.The addition of High Definition VideoThe Panasonic also allows you to shoot in high definition video. Here you can see a direct comparison between video shot with the Kodak v705 and HD Video shot with the Panasonic Lumix FX35. The quality difference is readily apparent.If you’re looking for a new camera to shoot real estate, this one will do the trick.I’ve spent the day out and about with the FX35. I really like the Intelligent Auto Focus on this camera. It can sense faces, scenes and proximity to subject and adjust the settings automatically. And it does a good job of it, as you will see in this photo of ice in a glass. One of the complaints about the Kodak v705 was not knowing what setting to switch on to get the best shot. There is less need to know that on the FX35.I’ll be posting more photos from this camera on Flickr. You can find them in this Panasonic Lumix FX35 Tests photo set. Every photo in this set will be shot using the Intelligent Auto Mode, and the comparison shots on the Kodak v705, or any other camera, will be taken on the default setting.So far, I am very, very impressed.Technorati Tags: kodak v705, panasonic fx35, panasonic lumix, point and shoot camera, real estate, real estate agents, Tips & Advice, wide angle lens, wide angle lenses
Posted by realestatenews at 3:41 PM 0 comments
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Barbara Corcorens "Staging Tips"

Barbara Corcoren is a Real Estate Gru. Her credentials include straight D’s in high school and college and twenty jobs by the time she turned twenty-three. It was her next job, however, that would make her one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country, when she borrowed $1,000 from her boyfriend and quit her job as a waitress to start a tiny real estate company in New York City. Over the next twenty-five years, she’d parlay that $1,000 loan into a five-billion-dollar real estate business named The Corcoran Group. She sold the business in 2001 for seventy million dollars. These days Barbara is a real estate contributor for NBC's Today Show and CNBC.

Here is a list of her Insider Tips for Staging Your Home


1. Make the Right First Impression “Buyers decide in the first 8 seconds whether or not they want to buy your home.” -- Barbara Corcoran

• Paint the front door and trim.
• Hang a wreath on the door.
• Add potted flowers (flowers in front say this is a happy house).
• Fertilize the grass to make it bright green.
• Put fresh mulch around the bushes.
• Fix the doorbell if it’s broken.

2. Let the Sun Shine In! “After location, light is the second most quoted reason why a buyer chooses the house.” -- Barbara Corcoran

• Clean all the windows
• Replace drapery with sheer curtains or white shades
• Replace lamp shades with sheer white shades
• Replace light bulbs with higher wattage
• Trim back shrubs that block window light
• Paint the inside walls white
• Put white slipcovers on all dark furniture
• Put up lights in each corner of the major rooms

3. Remove Clutter “People can’t visualize themselves living there when they can’t see past your clutter.” -- Barbara Corcoran

• Store half your “stuff,” including knick-knacks and furniture.
• Remove personal objects like family photos and children’s artwork.
• Remove all objects from closet floors.
• Put half your clothes into storage.
• Make your linen closet meticulous; people judge hidden wiring and plumbing by how neat your linen closet is.
• Hide all electric cords and wiring.
• Eliminate unhealthy plants.
• Put fresh sheets on beds with four extra pillows.

4. Send Kitty to Grandma’s House “People buy with their eyes and their noses.” -- Barbara Corcoran

• Remove kitty litter, dog beds and other smelly pet items.
• Warm a few drops of vanilla inside the oven door.
• Smoke outside; remove ashtrays.
• Open all windows an hour before the buyer arrives.
• Keep the trash can clean.

5. Freshen the Kitchen “The kitchen is everyone’s favorite room in the house.” -- Barbara Corcoran

• Clear all countertops.
• Replace cracked, scratched or broken appliances.
• Re-grout the tile.
• Wax the floors.
• Update kitchen knobs.
• Paint or replace cabinet fronts.
• Put in a window; it can increase the value of your home 10%.

6. Clean the Bathroom “No one wants to move into your bathroom.” -- Barbara Corcoran

• Scrub the walls and floors.
• Clear off all shelves and put away personal items.
• Re-grout tiles and replace caulking.
• Hang a new shower curtain.
• Buy fresh hand towels and rug.
• Replace old soap.

7. Add Color “Touches of yellow and other warm colors say ‘welcome home.’” -- Barbara Corcoran

• Buy new throw pillows for the sofa and bed.
• Add a fresh focus tree.
• Define areas with colorful rugs.