Yes, the holidays are actually a great time to buy a home, contrary to popular belief.

Every spring and summer, the real estate market hits peak activity, and while there’s plenty of reasons to buy in the spring, if you’re a serious buyer looking for a good deal, you may want to consider taking up your search in November and December, near the holidays, when some real estate experts consider it to be one of the best times to buy a new home.

The holidays are such busy times, and here in upstate New York, it’s also a period of time where you don’t know exactly what type of weather Mother Nature will be supplying… doesn’t really sound like an opportune time to be house hunting, right? But if you’re a serious buyer and want to avoid competing…

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real estate tips for buyersOnce you have made the decision to begin looking for homes on the Ulster County real estate market there are certain things you should definitely know first to avoid added stress and complications down the road. At Taft Street Realty, we protect our buyers and make every effort to give them all the tools and resources they need as they begin their house hunting journey, wherever it may be in the Hudson Valley region of Upstate New York. Although we focus primarily on the Ulster County NY home search, we know our tips and advice will help buyers pretty much anywhere! So without any further delay, here are 5 MUST KNOW tips for homebuyers and yet another Ulster County real state blog post authored by Taft Street Realty! Enjoy!

Loan Programs 101 | Pros…

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Ulster County Property Tax Info | How Not Knowing the True Numbers Can Hurt You

Ulster County Property Tax InfoNot too long ago, property taxes were not a major concern when looking at Ulster County homes for sale. Property taxes rarely, if ever, got in the way of a sale when it came time to close. My how the times have changed! These days knowing the exact property taxes on a home for sale is a MUST. Otherwise buyers may be in for a big and possibly very costly surprise. With the date for tax grievances quickly approaching, we here at Taft Street Realty thought it would be a good time to talk about property taxes and how to obtain accurate tax information from your local municipality. In some cases if a buyer thinks the taxes are too high they may be able to get permission from the…

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5 Important Things Affecting Ulster County Home Values

Ulster County home valuesSome of the most important things affecting Ulster County home values are associated with the location, neighborhood, and town that the property is in. In our earlier articles, Taft Street Realty discussed some of the do's and don'ts of Ulster County real estate and some signs to look for when you're viewing a home. This post covers the importance of doing your homework and researching the area that surrounds your potential dream home. Things like the taxes, neighborhood, and landscape can all have an impact on the value of the home.

Property Taxes

Back in the days, taxes never seemed to be a concern; and they certainly never got in the way of the sale when it was time to close. But today,…

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Ulster County Real Estate |10 Do's and Don'ts

 

Ulster County NY Real EstateWhen looking at Ulster County real estate there are certain things you should do to get a clearer picture of a property's condition. Asking the right questions is key, but don't forget to look throughout the property for indications of what parts of the home are in great shape, and what areas may need improvements or updates upon purchasing. As part of Taft Street Realty's ongoing series about the 15 things to look for when viewing homes for sale, here are a few more helpful do's and don'ts for Ulster County real estate buyers.

Buried Oil Tank Evidence

Ah, the infamous buried oil tank! We all fear it! So what are the signs? Which homes commonly have buried tanks? How does a buyer know if there was one…

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tips to look for home buyers15 Things To Look For When Viewing Homes For Sale

Paying attention and looking for the right things when viewing homes for sale in Ulster County NY will save you time, money, and stress. Like anywhere, buying a home in the Hudson Valley area of Upstate New York can have its ups & downs, and can can sometimes seem like a daunting task. However if you are looking out for the right things when shopping around, the process becomes easier, less intimidating, and much more fun! At Taft Street Realty we know not all agents are created equal and many agents are either new, or have very little experience when taking buyers out in the field. We always give our best information away for free and we hope this next series of posts gives you the confidence and…

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Ulster County NY Home InspectorsThe home inspection is a very important part to buying and/or selling a home in Ulster County NY. A thorough home inspection will uncover any hidden issues that a home may have so that they can be addressed prior to the closing. While a good inspection certainly provides reassurance to the buyer, it is also an extremely useful tool for a home seller as well. At Taft Street Realty, we're often asked for recommendations for home inspectors around the Ulster County NY area. Based upon positive feedback we've received from our clients and our own experiences after many real estate transactions, we've compiled a list of Ulster County NY home inspectors who are helpful and reliable. So in no particular order here are 6 Ulster County NY home inspectors!

  • Hank…

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uc_400Ulster County NY is an amazing place to live! A very diverse selection of homes for sale in Ulster County are available depending on your tastes, lifestyle and budget. A virtual paradise for the outdoors type; mountains, rivers, forests, and creeks provide endless options for activities during any season. With New York City less than 2 hours away, we get alot of the culture, arts, and dining that naturally migrates north from the Big Apple. It's an added perk that comes with being close to the most influential (and coolest!) city in the world. Of course each and every town in Ulster County is cool in its own way, but here's a quick look at what many consider to be the 5 coolest and certainly most popular towns in the area!

Saugerties NY

It's official:…

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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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calculatorWhen buying real estate for sale in Ulster County, NY, one of the most crucial phases is securing the financing and getting pre-qualified. If a buyer is going to make a formal offer on a home, it is usually customary for the purchaser to submit a pre-approval letter, which is provided by a lender, and is an assurance to the seller that the buyer can afford the home; thus making it a stronger, more reliable offer. Sometimes buyers aren't aware that securing the financing is actually one of the first steps to take when starting a home search. I makes perfect sense however, that buyers should really know their budget before viewing properties; and it is only fair to the seller (and the buyer's agent for that matter!) that buyers view (and potentially make…

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