Upstate Market Snapshot: Ulster County real estate is en fuego

2024 has launched as a tale of two counties. While this time of year is notorious for low inventory, Sullivan Co. seems to be particularly affected by it, while Ulster Co. sees more buyers taking off the gloves and battling hard for the listings that hit the market. Here the Country House Team shares its experiences in selling homes throughout The Catskills and Hudson Valley

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Guide to the Best of Narrowsburg, NY

Narrowsburg is a dynamic riverside town with an active business and arts community. Whether you're a local, first-time or repeat visitor, there's always something new to discover, from eateries with enchanting waterfront views, to fun shops that will tickle your retail urges. Here's a guide to some of the town's must-visit spots and hidden gems.

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Upstate Buyer: Top 6 home buyer costs in The Catskills and Hudson Valley

Getting the keys to your dream home involves more than just coming up with the down payment. Here are the most common costs home buyers in The Catskills and Hudson Valley will encounter, including specific dollar amounts. These reflect actual expenses from recent transactions, but please note, each deal is different and your experience may vary. I’ve excluded mortgage-related fees which we’ll cover in a separate post.

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Buyer Beware: Towns take aim at short term rentals

A turnkey property, great design and killer pics to bump your Instagram page — that’s all it takes to launch a successful Airbnb rental, right? If you think it’s that easy, prepare yourself. Towns throughout the region have been enacting laws that regulate Short Term Rentals (STRs), and some are tough enough to change the whole trajectory of your plans. 

Here we take a look at a few examples of commonly enacted STR regulations in our area. 

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Guide to the Best of Claryville, NY

Straddling Sullivan and Ulster Counties, Claryville is a bit of a unicorn with its rare combination of stunning natural scenery and minimal development. For those seeking a peaceful setting with an emphasis on outdoor activities who don’t mind having to leave town for more practical amenities, Claryville is a piece of heaven.

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Catskills Buyer + Seller: To wait or not to wait, Part 2

The doom and gloom of national headlines on the topic of real estate justify the expectation that the real estate market should be tanking. But so far prices have largely held in, thanks to fundamental underpinnings to The Catskills and Hudson Valley economy that have shifted in recent years, most obviously during the pandemic. It’s worth exploring these factors because buyer expectations of a bubble burst may be misplaced or over-estimated.

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Catskills Buyer: To wait or not to wait, Part 1

Responses to our recent buyers’ poll were not unexpected, with the word “waiting” dominating. But others referenced looking forward to property prices dropping and seem to be anticipating reentry when that happens. Is that a good strategy? National media refers to the state of the housing market using doomsday language, but our area does not always operate in lockstep with the rest of the country. So what are we seeing in terms of price movements, buyer behavior, and what can we expect over the coming months?

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Guide to the Best of Kingston, NY

Talk to anyone about the Hudson Valley and Kingston is sure to be one of the first destinations to be mentioned. Just two hours north of New York City, and with loads going on, it’s top on the list for both weekend visitors and Catskills residents alike. The city is made up of three main parts — the Stockade, the Rondout, and Midtown — and we recommend checking out all of it. To help you plan, we've rounded up our favorite restaurants, shops, spas, bars, and more.

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Upstate Buyer: How much cash do you need to buy a house now?

While the panic buying of the first heady months of Covid are thankfully long behind us, the real estate market in The Catskills and Hudson Valley remains exceedingly competitive for the most desirable properties. As prices continue to push the envelope, bank appraisals often lag, creating nearly a requirement that buyers looking to snap up their dream home pony up more cash, sometimes substantially more, than the standard 20% downpayment. We explain the workings behind the strategy and share our recent experiences.

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Guide to the best of Margaretville, Roxbury and Southern Delaware County

Margaretville and the scenic surrounding areas seem to play second fiddle to their better-known Catskills neighbors to the east, like Phoenicia and Woodstock, and to the south Livingston Manor and Callicoon. But we’re here to tell you that not only Margaretville, but especially nearby Roxbury, should be on your must-visit list for its eye-popping scenery, burgeoning businesses and myriad activities. The distinctly rural character coupled with a blossoming food and culture scene makes this a part of the Catskills that should be on your radar.

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