Everything you ever wanted to know about buying a home in Ulster County or elsewhere.  Tips, trends, solutions and so much more.

Open Spaces, Clean Lines 

 

Taft Street Realty is pleased to present 59 Mill Road in Stone Ridge, NY. Here's that private contemporaryimg_0419_small_400 home you have been waiting for!  Open spaces, clean lines, and a great flow from room to room.  An entertainer's dream home for sure!  Great private location just minutes from Historic Stone Ridge center.  Works very well for full time or weekend use.  A long driveway leads you to this cedar sided gem set amongst 6 gorgeous park-like acres.  Pride of ownership quite evident.  Very well maintained, and only needs a new owner's personal touches.

 

Cedar-Sided Gem

 

Extensive decking and mature landscaping complete the picture perfect setting.  Mill Road is a short, rarely traveled country road perfect for biking,…

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taft_logoTaft Street Realty is not your typical brokerage. As real estate has changed, we have changed the way our clients are served.  Gone are the days of an office lined with desks of agents waiting for the phone to ring. A brokerage has to be on its toes and on the go in order to keep up with today’s market. We're a cutting edge brokerage based on 3 simple principles: to be Local, Social, & Mobile! 

Local

It’s crucial to have a Realtor who knows the area you’re interested in. At Taft Street Realty, we’ve been a trusted local advisor to people for over 10 years. Our staff consists of life-long residents of Ulster County, folks who know virtually every back road and tiny hamlet.  At Taft Street, we continue to build a thriving relationship with local Ulster…

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972 Church Road - Saugerties, NYimg_0033_small_400

Taft Street Realty is pleased to announce our newest listing, 972 Church Road. A writer's/artist's retreat or the perfect weekend home, this unique property features a two-story 1850s saltbox-style two-bedroom, one bath with a 1960's great room addition featuring soaring beamed ceilings, custom stone fireplace, & a wall of hand-fitted glass that looks out to the landscaped back yard. Central air + deluxe security system. Enjoy relaxed easy-care living. This property shines with owner pride!

Charming Studio or Perfect Guest House...                             

 Guests won't want to leave! Across from the house, a small barn was converted into an awesome 26x18 studio/guest house with glowing mahogany floors, a wall of…

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Supporters of energy efficiency in homes and businesses claim that upgrading to energy efficient appliances, insulation, lighting, windows and other components will save Americans billions in the long run. Yet skeptics and adherents alike are wondering: how do we afford these upgrades?

The upfront expense of upgrading to more energy efficient products can be a huge obstacle for many Americans. While low-cost items such as energy efficient lights are accessible additions to many homes, big-ticket items like energy efficient air conditioners or high value insulation installations leave many homeowners wondering how to finance such large investments. The good news is that there are a number of different agencies, organizations and companies creating…

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When you go to purchase a home or condominium during the process most likely your Realtor is going to going over with you a review of closing cost and exactly what to expect on closing day so that there are no surprises.


In different parts of the country things vary as to who is required to pay for what closing costs. Local traditions have changed in some areas with the presence of non-local banks selling properties and requiring that things been done certain ways. These changes have reminded us that everything is negotiable, but in order to negotiate the best price on a property you are still better off writing an offer consistent with the way offers are traditionally written in your area.

One of the most expensive closing costs you see on the closing…

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With the holidays right around the corner, it is essential to take steps to keep your home safe. After all, you wouldn’t want anything to ruin this joyous occasion for you and your loved ones. Luckily, there are several easy steps that you can take to ensure your holiday stays the happiest time of the year.

Light Things Up Safely

Your holiday lights can be a significant source of danger if they are not used properly. To ensure your lights are safe, check them thoroughly for damage. Any lights with broken sockets or frayed cords should be discarded and replaced in order to minimize the risk of fire. Furthermore, use care to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when comes connecting strings of lights together. As a general rule, you should never…

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Ok, you’ve moved in, now let’s Party!

Buying a home can be the single largest purchase of a lifetime. What better way to celebrate this big achievement than to throw a housewarming party? Celebrating a new home has always been a great excuse for a party, and it also gives you the opportunity to present your new home to your friends and family.  Questions can arise as to what are the proper procedures and etiquette regarding a housewarming party. Are gifts mandatory? When should the party happen?  Can renters throw a housewarming party? This sounds like more work, why should I even throw a party?


Experts in the housewarming party field say that you should wait awhile after moving in and are completely settled. You don’t want people tripping over unpacked…

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Are you planning to build a new Ulster County home? If so, you might want to consider implementing a few “green” ideas throughout the construction process. Not only will this reduce your carbon footprint as well as your energy bill, but it will also increase the resale value of your home if you decide to put it on the market someday. While there are plenty of “green” construction strategies that you can put to use when building a new home, keeping these three strategies in mind will certainly get you rolling in the right direction.

Ulster Green Construction Strategy #1: Use Recycled and Renewable Materials

One of the easiest ways to make the construction process more eco-friendly is to simply use materials that are either recycled or renewable. While…

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For those who missed out on the Home Buyer Tax Credit, there is good news: the credit has once again received an extension. Enacted on July 2, the U.S. Home buyer Assistance and Improvement Act of 2010, which was largely backed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, extends the closing deadline from June 30 to September 30 for buyers who had entered into a binding contract by the original April 30 deadline. Therefore, while it is still too late for those who didn’t get the ball rolling before the April deadline, those who had trouble with closing on the deal in time can still take advantage of the $8,000 maximum credit for first time buyers as well as the $6,500 credit for longtime homeowners who decided to purchase a new home.

In order to qualify for the…

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How to Save $Thousands$ When Buying an Ulster County Home

Most home buyers want pretty much the same thing - a house that suits their needs, and for the lowest possible price. In fact, studies have been done on this very subject, and it was discovered that most buyers who have been able to buy their dream home far below the seller's asking price, had a number of things in common.

I'd like to say it was all in the agent's cunning negotiating skills, but it was actually due to factors that occurred long before the offer was even submitted. In the article "HOMEBUYERS: How to Save Thousands When Buying an Ulster County Home," I outline in detail, the three commonalities that contributed to purchasing a home for virtually thousands of dollars below the…

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