saugerties_welcomes_youHudson Valley Magazine recently called Saugerties NY one of the Top 7 Hudson Valley Towns to Live In for 2012. We here at Taft Street Realty couldn't agree more! In our opinion Saugerties NY embodies all of the great things about life here in Ulster County. It is a delightful mix of natural beauty, rich history, quirky culture, and a shared sense of local identity. Like Hudson Valley Magazine, Taft Street Realty has been keeping tabs on Saugerties' rapid growth and endless potential. We've written extensively about this cool little, 200 year old(!) town in posts about Main Street Saugerties NY and much more!

Great Food, Awesome Activities, New Hotels, and Fun Festivals in Saugerties!

As the HVMag article points out, Saugerties NY is full of fun…

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Sign on Burn BanPublic officials have initiated an annual burn ban for the entire Ulster County NY area. The ban is in effect from March 15th through May 15th and it prohibits open burning of any kind. What does this mean for residents of Ulster County? Burning tree branches, logs, and other forms of dead wood (including, "brush") is normally allowed in Ulster County, as are campfires and bonfires. However, from March 15th - May 15th open burning of any kind is strictly prohibited due to an increased risk of unintended wildfires. History has shown that this particular time period is when the region is most at risk. Many don't realize that open burning is the single greatest cause of wildfires in New York State. People who live in Ulster County undoubtedly remember a 2008…

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Back by popular demand! Readers loved our last post about luxury homes for sale in Woodstock NY, so we're bringing it back and branching out to the rest of Ulster County NY! There are so many amazing homes for sale in this area, of all different styles and time periods. The surrounding landscapes are one of kind, so each home is its own unique sanctuary. So without further ado, here are 10 amazing luxury homes for sale in Ulster County NY! 

152 Elwyn Quarry - Woodstock, NY

Woodtsock NY MLS 20120975
 

Available for sale for the first time in 30 years 152 Elwyn Quarry is truly a one of a kind opportunity! This home is literally perched over a clear quarry pond, with the high-ceilinged, screened-in porch extending over the water. Private and secluded, yet within walking distance…

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WarningWarm weather and sunshine signals that spring has sprung in Ulster County, NY! The local housing market kicks into high gear this time of year, as buyers leave their computers and start viewing homes for sale in Ulster County in person. If you plan on walking along property lines or strolling land parcels with your Realtor, Taft Street Realty reminds you to be alert for ticks! This time of year (spring and early summer) is prime tick season in the Hudson Valley, but that doesn't mean you have to stay indoors! Here's the Taft Street Tick Guide to help you stay tick-free as you look at real estate in Ulster County NY.

Tick 101 - Get to Know This Ulster County Resident

Ticks come with the territory here in the Hudson Valley region, a fact that some buyers…

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Brew SamplerIf you're dining in New Paltz, NY and looking for a place that has something for everyone and plenty of room take it from Taft Street Realty and visit the Gilded Otter! The Gilded Otter in New Paltz, NY is an amazing place to grab a bite and/or some delicious, fresh-brewed beer. Perched right on the Wallkill River at the edge of the village, the Gilded Otter is a brewery, a restaurant, and a great meeting place for friends. The building alone is beautiful: large and spacious with expansive windows that offer views of Mohonk Mountain and the Shawangunk Mountain Range. The interior is open and spacious with accents of rustic stone & wood-work. The shiny basins, kettles, and tubes of the micro-brewery wind their way around the restaurant. Belly up to the…

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Clover 1It's that time of year! St. Patrick's Day is upon us and the Hudson Valley region is ready to celebrate! Everyone is Irish on St. Patty's Day, and all across Ulster County, NY there are great places to go and have some fun. So grab a beer and a plate of corned beef! Wear some green and get in the spirit of St. Patty's Day in Ulster County!

Raise A Glass - Ulster County, NY Pubs & Breweries

St. Patrick's Day falls on a Saturday this year so there's no reason not to celebrate! Ulster County, NY has a variety of pubs and breweries to have a pint and enjoy the day with some friends. New Paltz alone has enough venues to eat and drink for the entire holiday! If you like live music, head over to Bacchus Restaurant. The Irish band the Whiskey Shivers will be…

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Red GoatHow do you feel about the red goats? Kingston, NY's homegrown controversy surrounding the mysterious red goats spray-painted on some public planters has grown into an international phenomenon. A simple search on Facebook will produce a Red Goat page with over 1,500 fans! Most recently, an article in the New York Times reignited the debate over what, if anything, the red goats represent: Art or Vandalism? Protest or Graffiti? Although we may never learn the true meaning behind the red goats, the mini-controversy and the publicity that followed once again shows that Ulster County, NY has got people talking!

The Canvas: Kingston, NY

It started innocently enough. A stencil of a goat, painted in bright red, appeared on some public planters in Kingston, NY's…

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NYS Property TaxAll homeowners should know how to file a tax grievance because with a market turn like we've just experienced it's important to know if/when you are being over-assessed. If you think you might be paying too much in property taxes, a grievance can be filed and your case reviewed by a local municipality. A successful grievance can lower your property taxes and is not as complicated as you may think. But there is a deadline; so without further ado here's a quick reference guide from Taft Street Realty on how, when, (and why!) to file a tax grievance.

When To File A Grievance  

Ulster County Property taxes are based on the value of your home. Your local assessor determines the market value of your home on behalf of the municipal government; and does so in a…

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