tractorFarms have always been a part of the culture and history here in Ulster County NY. It's home to the 2nd oldest farm in NY State, (Accord's Saunderskill Farms, see below) and arguably the best tasting corn in the Hudson Valley.  Now that spring is in full bloom, the Ulster County farmer's markets will be in full swing! Our cravings started with the opening of Davenport Farmstand in Stone Ridge, NY and like many others we've been waiting for this time of year.  Residents of Ulster County can now enjoy fresh and nutritious food, grown on the farm and brought straight to their dinner tables. The abundance of fresh (and affordable!) produce from the spring through the fall is yet another reason why Ulster County real estate is so desirable among buyers.

So…

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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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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

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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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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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heartLove is in the air in Ulster County, NY this Valentine's Day! There's no shortage of romantic places to dine, breathtaking views to see, or relaxing activities for a couple to do. Ulster County, NY is known to inspire passion; from master artists in the 1800's to a new generation experiencing free love in the 60's. The beautiful surroundings set the backdrop and each unique town has a great place to eat or have a drink with someone special. It's no wonder so many people enjoy Ulster County Living. Visitors tend to fall head over heels, and not want to leave. Hey with so much to see and do, what's not to love?

Pick Your Pleasure at Mohonk Mountain in New Paltz, NY

Few places are as beautiful as Mohonk Mountain in New Paltz, NY. You could arrive here the…

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2011 was quite a year! Real estate in the Hudson Valley region has been recovering, albeit slowly, and we've kept our finger on the pulse. Events in New York State and around the world focused our attention on key issues and how they relate on a local level. All the while we've been blogging...

...so without further ado, here are the best Ulster County real estate blogs of 2011!

 

The Love Affair Continues - The New York Times & Ulster County Real Estate

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Without a doubt our best and most popular post in 2011! With over 40,000 views, this post addressed the tight relationship the New York Times has with Ulster County, NY real estate. Whether it's Woodstock, New Paltz, Rosendale, Marbletown, or Saugerties, the New York Times has pretty much covered…

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Whether you are looking in "Upstate" NY, the "Catskills", or even the "Hudson Valley", the common question pops up, "Where does one area begin and another end?"  Some buyers begin with a broad search of Hudson Valley homes for sale, while others know the specific county they want to be in.  There are even times where the buyer already knows specifically which town or area they like most.  Homes for sale in Ulster County, NY have always been very desirable to buyers.  Although surrounding counties are nice, Ulster County Real Estate, in my opinion, is extra special.  In no particular order, I decided to highlight 5 really cool and very popular areas within Ulster County, NY.  Each of these hot spots in Ulster County, NY offer something of value and are…

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There’s something in the air around the Town of Saugerties; a scent that’s easy to identify and hard to miss. The aroma of fresh garlic emanating from Cantine Field in Saugerties can mean only one thing: the 2011 Hudson Valley Garlic Festival! This extremely popular annual festival features all things garlic, and we mean all things. From garlic ice cream (yes you’re reading that correctly!), to garlic fudge, to humans dressed as dancing garlic cloves, the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival is yet another lively event unique to the Hudson Valley Region. It is another shining example of an active community that characterizes not only Saugerties but most all of Ulster County.

 

Taking place this Saturday and Sunday, the 2011 Garlic Festival started in 1989 as a…

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Happy Birthday Saugerties! Saugerties, New York is celebrating its 200th anniversary of incorporation this year! Originally inhabited by the Esopus Sachem Tribe, and then Dutch settlers in the 1600’s, Saugerties has evolved into the perfect blend of old and new. Nestled at the base of the Catskill Mountains and bordered by the Hudson River and the Esopus creek, Saugerties is a beautiful Hudson Valley town. Just 90 miles north of New York City it currently thrives as a tourist location with a bustling Main Street dotted with shops and eateries. Recently named one of the Top 10 Coolest Towns in America, Saugerties is a melting pot of rich history and energetic culture, perfectly epitomized by its vibrant Main Street.

Festivals & Farmers Markets,…

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There are few greater endorsements for a community than to be featured in the New York Times. A new article published this past weekend once again shined the spotlight on Hudson Valley real estate. Repeating a theme from a 2010 article, the piece highlights the Hudson Valley’s (in particular Rosendale) appeal to Brooklyn residents, which in turn instantly bolsters our area’s street cred (i.e. “cool factor”). 

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Brooklyn Stand Up

 

As usual Taft Street Realty has its finger on the pulse of current social trends. Citing the 2010  article, we mused in a blog if Rosendale was the “New Brooklyn”. This time around, we published our "Big Ups To Brooklyn" blog literally the day before the most recent NYTimes article.  We strive to produce high…

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