Catskills - Sullivan County - Ulster County Real Estate -- Catskill Farms Journal

I have to stop blogging after drinking, because I have an inordinate amount to say after a cocktail or two, usually to my detriment (or someone else's). Oh well, the blog visit stats are through the roof, although I think Lisa said the other day that she is now locking her car doors at night. Here's amazing Cottage 21, all dressed up and ready to party.

Arts and Crafty - with big stone pillars, tapered columns, and a lot of bells and whistles. Front porch pond view.

And into the kitchen with Hickory cabinets and black countertop and open wood painted shelves and farm sink.

Big open living room with 1x12 white pine shiplap, stained min-wax Early American.

And looking from above at the twirling fan, and windows.

The loft space houses a bedroom, with duel barn doors. We used some 1x8 beveled siding on the exterior of this interior wall, and then stained it white.

Porch view.

Money Shot.

Big spindles, clapboard siding, 2 barn beams and a sconce and radiator that share a hue.

Living room, waiting for that house warming party that is scheduled for the not so distant future.

Really love this shower, but have yet to fine an angle that captures it truely.

And the downstairs, pretty traditional full bath, looking out into the yard.

And the side shot, perfectly tended to.

We've come a long way - our first few houses we didn't have the money, time, resources or professional relationships to even consider such a tight presentation.

My how times have changed.

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Appointments at 11, 1, 3 and 5 today. Appointments all day tomorrow. 2 new customers signed up this past week. Courtney and Bronson are in the house, signing their contracts for a house currently under contruction. Mike and Natalie are in the house, sending up a deposit for TBD land and cottage package for the future. Vicky and Thadeus showed some serious interest - so much so, I'm presently waiting for the phone to ring. Richard, a musician and insurer of fine art, is real close to reserving his spot, selecting Albert's barn as a live work play studio on 3+ acres. Rock & Roll Catskill Farms.

Well, Sooooorrrrrry Alice. Instead of posting a comment and contributing to my blog libraries and archives, Alice (lisa's mom) told Lisa behind my back my blog was becoming 'kinda cocky'. That's interesting feedback, because as far as I'm concerned, my blog posting has been a nervous and unfamilar attempt to stem the neanderthal actions of a few unnamed persons. I don't think those from afar can appreciate how real the thoughtless slights can be, and I know for a fact that if I wouldn't blog about them, they would remain localized, unpublicized and forgotten. But I do blog about the absurdity I encounter from 'professional' people because that's my life, and I blog about my life and my blog is not some whitewashed sales brochure - it's my life in the middle of the sticks building cool houses and the day to day interplay of stress, accomplishment, discouragement, victory, defeat, human nature and rationalization. Is it too far out to say I'm not perfect and overcompensate for some complaints I receive by blogging about how great we are. I think the issue revolves around not communicating effectively how beat up we can be at times, and the hype, optimism and aspiration-gloating is not so much bravado, but a band-aid to keep the enthusiasm up so we can work 7 days a week navigating a host of harrowing twists and turns in order to develop, design, build and sell very cool affordable well-designed cottages in the woods. Considering we are by far the most successful design/build firm around, and considering we are probably the most successful real estate company around even though we aren't a real estate company, and considering we are always stretching the limits of what is possible, what is achievable. I live in the middle of nowhere, and we are building selling and hiring in the middle of a depression. If I need to be a little over the top in order keep the courage up, then so be it. A frequent Saturday evenings Martinis don't hurt either (lisa just went in to make #2 for me).

I mean for chrissakes, like Kathy Griffin would say from the D-list - Suck it.

Talk about bravado - we sold a house today, if not a few houses - which means we are batting about 66% - 2 out of every 3 families/persons/couples who get the full-court Petersheim charm sales process (patent pending) end up buying. Now, match that.

Today, Richard and Nancy, an older couple who have more world experience under a fingernail than I do, living in the Congo, Ecuador, and a dozen other jungles studying monkeys, plants, natives and other interesting specie. Nancy told a story about Richard (after he was caught tasting a leaf off a bush in the front yard of the house they are thinking about buying) when he ate a plant in the Congo and his teeth turned black for a year.

Well, believe it - the phone just rang, and after a tasty drink at the River Mart, Nancy and Richard are on their way up Mail Road, then Crawford Road, down to our house because (their words, not mine), they are ready to take it to the next step - meaning, HELLO CONTRACT, and since we never lose a deal once it gets started, hello new Catskill Family member - boy, talk about a crowded bathroom at this point.

So there you have it - the Barryville Cottage - probably the most well-priced value oriented piece of Sullivan County ass that has come on the market in 5 years.

Congratulations Nancy and Richard - scientists, explorers, sailors and experimenters.

Shine on You Crazy Diamond.

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Well, it was just over a year ago that I finished this house - as it turned out, one of the most popular designs we ever came up with - so much in fact that I had to start saying no to prospective homeowners who just had to have this design - my god, it's not the only nice farmhouse in our portfolio. I think people really love the porches. The problem with this house is that, according the homeowners, this house sucked - and here we are now, browsing one of the most glowing reviews of a house one can come by - Check it out below -

"We fell in love with this absolutely charming home. Modeled after an English Country Cottage this cedar sided 2-story home sits on 4+ private acres. The property itself is just wonderful combining a forest landscape with a rolling pasture bordered by a pristine mountain creek. Situated to take advantage of the position of the sun the owners have built an enclosed garden with reclaimed hinges and copper finials...charming...charming. The home starts off with a large front porch. The interior is so impressive. The well-thought out floor plan encompasses functionality as well as character and charm, including high ceilings, wide-plank wood floors, crown moldings and schoolhouse electric fixtures. The brick fireplace is the main focus of the large living room. Real barn beams divide the living room from the formal dining room/playroom. The large eat-in- country kitchen has a wonderfully uncluttered appeal. A separate pantry with barn doors accommodates kitchen overflow. There’s a half bath off the kitchen and a rear door that opens to an oversized screened-in wraparound covered deck. The 2nd level has a master bedroom suite with full bathroom. There are 2 large additional guest bedrooms and another full bathroom. There is a walk-out full basement, again with high ceilings. The heating system is propane hot water and is extremely efficient. The home is alarmed for heat as well as for safety. This is the kind of home that is best viewed in person. .Pure Country Charm and Elegance... A must see. MLS #26146"

I just have to wonder how bad a house can be if the owners are listing the house at a price 20% higher than they paid, after a year of the most dismal declines in housing values ever. But mostly, shouldn't all those deficiencies I've been hearing about for a year be disclosed to the new buyers?

Anyway, I've always thought it was a great house - not perfect, but really great. And by the price the homeowners are asking, I guess they couldn't agree more.

It's not really any of my business, but a $360k-$390k price is probably more doable. And if it was listed with Catskill Farms Realty (which doesn't exist yet), we could have it sold in no time.

The most quirky thing about satisfaction, -be it with art, houses, wives, or life in general, - is that it is all about perception. One man's perfection is another's disaster, one man's happy place is another's hellhole - as a builder, a truer thought has never been thunk, and navigating this truism is always a challenge.

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