Ulster County Real Estate Blog

Writing content for your real estate website is undoubtedly a daunting and time consuming task.  Sure you can hire a writer, but what better way to market your skills as a real estate agent then with your own voice (not to mention the economic benefit of writing your own content).  Writing your own content will pay divedends in the end when following a few easy tips.  I just posted a blog over at LouLynch.com that simplifies the process of writing real estate website content.  If you have a minute pop on over and check it out.  Leave a comment if you like.

THIS WEBSITE HAS BEEN SOLD.  Thank you for your interest.

I am selling an ulster county real estate website (UlsterCountyLiving.com) that has achieved top 10 ranking for the #1 keyword term in the Ulster County real estate market. In addition, the site has also ranked well for several supporting keywords in the Ulster and as a result is currently pulling about 50-60 leads per month. Only being live since October 08, the site ranks amazingly well despite it being in its infancy. As the site ages (along with the links that have been built to point to it) it will continue to improve, increasing both traffic and lead conversion. Currently, the site competes for position with some of the top companies in the Ulster County Real Estate market.

If you are interested in using UlsterCountyLiving.com as an additional lead source / marketing tool, let me know. I am open to discussing different options that may include support from me on an ongoing basis. The website could also be used by a top agent or team in your company propelling them into a position where they would be the only agent/team level website that exists in the top 10 in Google. It is a very good opportunity.

A few things about the site:

1. Currently in the top 10 in Google for the term Ulster County Real Estate and several other top terms in the Ulster County Market.
2. Converting traffic to leads at about 5%
3. Several customizations including a Blog, Quick Search on the homepage, interactive Ulster County Map Search, Drip Campaigns and many others.
4. Upgraded Lead Management System
5. Tons of SEO Optimized content

A few bonuses that come with the site:

1. Feeder sites:  NewPaltzHomes.com
2. Rebranding of the site to reflect new ownership
3. Four 1 hour training sessions
   
4. Over 300 existing leads

The presentation of quality and craftsmanship of days gone by is ever evident in the Modern Hudson Valley Farmhouse design. The structure brings together the charm of long ago and mixes it with the innovation of today presenting an edge on the American Farmhouse design with a modern country approach. This house is designed with a touch of class reflected by every shape, crisp clean line and gable roof. A vision of rustic charm surrounds this house and displays the reflection of the big white houses that were once observed along country roads dotting the hillsides.

This house offers the familiarity of home combined with the hint of mystery that will appeal to a special homeowner. This house is designed with efficiency in mind and therefore creates the perception that it may be a weekend dwelling or enjoyed the whole year through.

This house will take your breath away with a huge living space enhanced by the 28 ft distance from floor to ceiling. At one end of the room rests a rustic wooden fireplace prepared for that comforting crackling fire and on the other end the entertainment center that will offer you pleasure at your beaconing. The living space seems to transcend onto the two decks that on one end offer the picturesque view of the Shawangunk mountain range that seem to meet the farmlands below. The other end offers a pleasant reflection of an 18-whole golf course calling your name. These decks were constructed with parties and family gets together in mind and yet offers sweet seclusion when desired.

The large master bedroom appears to be far away from the rest of the home with a walk-in closet so large it could be a room of its own. The master bath and shower area offers peace and tranquility with its spa like appearance. The shower space and toiletry area are pleasantly divided into two separate locations. The six-foot long Japanese style tub superbly crafted for soaking and refreshing weary bones rests between his and her vanities and above windows that look natural and are easily operable to bring a glimpse of nature in with you.

See the Mohonk View Lane Website

Buying land in Ulster County NY has never been easier! If you are looking for Ulster County land, then UlsterCountyLiving.com is here to help. We offer a unique range of services with extensive experience negotiating Ulster County land for sale. Our highly trained, professional experts can help you navigate the land for sale in Ulster County to determine what parcels will suit your needs best. But our experience does not stop there! Sellers can also benefit greatly from our experience in selling Ulster County parcels. We can help determine a fair market price and get the necessary exposure to your offer for maximum sales leads.

Considerations for Buying Land in Ulster County NY

Our extensive experience with Ulster County parcels can save time and money by informing you of issues related to purchasing Ulster County land. One of the most commonly overlooked issues is that of zoning. Often this is missed by residential real estate professionals. What is your intended use for the land? Is it allowed? Are there any restrictions? We can point you in the right direction so when considering Ulster County land for sale, you have all the facts. You may need to consult with the zoning and building departments and possibly other land professionals. We can help ensure this goes smoothly.

Why Should you Buy Ulster County Land?

In today’s economy it is important to make sound investments, especially in regard to real estate. Buying land in Ulster County NY is a safe prospect because the land has a history of appreciating during favorable economic conditions and remaining stable during periods of unfavorable real estate trends. Part of the reason Ulster County parcels keep their value is the abundance of natural resources and stunning scenery that surround the area. This is a perfect area for retirement homes, second homes and for a primary residence for those in the area. The trees, meadows, open ranges and farm land make Ulster County land for sale a lucrative and compelling investment. Whether looking strictly for a real estate investment or your dream house, this is the ideal area for you. UlsterCountyLiving.com can help you with the entire process to find the perfect tract and make your Ulster County land suit your needs.

Comprised of the Town and Village of New Paltz as well as the North and South Ohioville hamlets, New Paltz is the home of the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz. Originally settled by French Protestants near the Wallkill River, New Paltz’s Huguenot Street is the oldest street in America. This National Historic Landmark has seven stone houses and a fully restored 18th century church all lovingly preserved by the Huguenot Historical Society. New Paltz is indeed a melting pot with diverse communities of Italian, Dutch, German, English and Latino citizens.

Mohonk Mountain House, located just outside of town, is a glorious 251-room Victorian resort hotel that was built in 1861. Situated on over 2,000 acres of lush green forest, this popular lakeside attraction includes gardens, hiking trails and it’s very own 9-hole golf course. The nearby Mohonk Preserve with over 1,000 technical rock climbing routes along the Shawangunk Mountain Ridge was named “one of the Earth’s last great places” by The Nature Conservancy and sees hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. In early August, New Paltz’s Ulster County Fairgrounds hosts its ever-popular annual fair and each Memorial Day and Labor Day it hosts the Woodstock-New Paltz Art and Crafts Fair where over 300 craftsman and artists present their work to thousands of visitors.

At the heart of the downtown business district are restaurants, shops and galleries and the character of SUNY New Paltz is apparent throughout the area, offering both residents and visitors an exciting and welcoming environment.

For more information on New Paltz Real Estate visit NewPaltzHomes.com

Because most of you here at AR are web-savvy real estate professionals, the majority of you know that the sales cycle is much different now-a-days as most new business is now generated on the web.  This biggest difference between today's real estate lead and the real estate lead of old is that we are contacting the lead much earlier in the sales cycle, so early in fact, the leads aren't even at the point where they are ready to talk to a realtor.  This causes frustration for the real estate agents that do lead follow-up using traditional methods.  It used to be that real estate agents didn't see or hear from prospective buyers until they were ready to start seeing homes.  Now because of the nature of the web, we are getting lead information on buyers that are just starting the research phase of their home search.  This results in leads being unresponsive to realtor contact causing the realtor to devalue the lead.

This type of behaivor on the part of the realtor will result in a significant loss in business.  See my post on The REAL Sales Cycle of the Real Estate Web Lead on LouLynch.com

There are a lot of benefits to properly analyzing the user data of the online real estate consumer before making the follow up call or email.  Having a little inside information on your lead prior to aqttempting contact speeds the process of building rapport and ultimately put you in a better position to convert the lead to a customer.

Earlier today I posted a blog on my brand spanking new real estate technology blog at LouLynch.com.

Read more on Analyzing real estate lead data from your website

IBM just recently cut several hundred jobs in the whirlwind of our rapidly declining economy. This is an all too familiar pain, especially for those in the Mid-Hudson region who recall the results of major cuts made in 1993. When businesses, such as IBM are forced to make cuts of these proportions, it has a lasting domino effect.

Read more about The IBM Cuts of 93

Very few places in the United States can compare to the Hudson River Valley in terms of beauty, architecture, and history. In fact, it has been designated a national heritage area by Congress. Currently consisting of the metro area of New York's suburbs, it was one of the initial regions to be colonized during the new world exploration, and once served as a battleground in colonial wars. This area has seen some difficult times, as well as what some would call the best of society. The beautiful Hudson River Valley, in comparison to Germany's Rhine River, has earned the nickname, "America's Rhine."

Read More about the Hudson Valley

Alabama Condominiums and Townhouses (or Condos and Townhomes), are fast becoming the purchase of choice for many homebuyers that have not considered it in the past. In today’s real estate market and current economic climate, condos offer many advantages that might make home ownership a bit more attainable. Beyond affordability, condos have a number of advantages for certain types of buyers, ranging from entry level units for first-time home buyers to Luxury Condos for more mature and affluent home buyers.

Real Estate Consultant and friend Cal Carter is one of Alabama’s foremost condo experts. Cal currently services Gulf-Shores Condos, Orange Beach Condos, and the Fort Morgan Condo Markets (among others). Cal is a solid hard working professional that enjoys helping home buyer achieve their dreams of home ownership.

Gulf Shores Condos

Gulf Shores Condos is considered by Cal to be the “hidden gem in the Alabama real estate market”. He claims that many homebuyers forget that Alabama borders the Gulf of Mexico as it extends outward from the Florida Panhandle. The Gulf Shores area has approximately 32 miles of beautiful, sun drenched Alabama waterfront property. What makes this area in more special is that it is surprisingly affordable prices in comparison to other beachfront destinations.

Orange Beach Condos

Orange Beach Condos is similar to Gulf Shores in that the unique beachfront community also borders the Gulf of Mexico extending from the Florida Panhandle. This condo heaven boasts miles and miles of pristine white sandy beaches. Orange Beach is unmatched in both location ocean views.

Fort Morgan Condos

The Fort Morgan Condos area is the peninsula located to the west of Gulf Shores AL, and meanders along the world famous Emerald Coast. Fort Morgan has the same beachfront features of the other two more populated areas. The sandy oasis of Fort Morgan offers a more remote lifestyle for those interested in privacy and seclusion. If you are interested in any of these areas please give Cal a call. Alternatively, his website is top notch and is a great starting point for a homebuyer at any level of commitment.

Cal Carter | Phone: 678-617-7665 | Web: www.gulfshoreslife.com

The Ulster County Board of Realtors only permits active members of the board to directly access the Ulster County MLS system. For public use, we make our website available so that home buyers can search virtually the same data we as REALTORS use to to research the Ulster County homes inventory. Our website contains almost all of the properties actively for sale and is updates via the MLS every four hours. The UlsterCountyLiving.com website was designed to help people easily find what is actively for sale in the Ulster County, Hudson Valley and Surrounding Area.

To Search Ulster County MLS Listings ON OUR SITE, Click Here

What is Multiple Listing Service or MLS?

A Multiple Listing Service is a real estate listings database that enables real estate brokers and agents search and find information about homes, land and other types of Ulster County properties. Real estate brokers and agents that represent Ulster County home buyers or look to cooperate with a seller's broker can utilize an MLS system to locate a property for his or her buyer. The Ulster County MLS usually contains all the real estate listings that are represented by real estate brokers who are both members of the Ulster County MLS system and of NAR (the National Association of Realtors). MLS systems are more commonly used in the United States and Canada, but are becoming the common tool of real estate professionals in other parts of the world.

Looking for an outdoor sport that challenges you to new heights? Try rock climbing in the Hudson Valley!

For over 70 years, the Gunks have been considered the rock climbing mecca of the east, with more than 1,200 routes, the Gunks have more rock climbing than any single location east of the Mississippi River. Unlike other climbing areas, the majority of routes are in the easy to moderate range, with a rating generally of 5.3 to 5.9, making it enjoyable for novice and skilled climbers alike. Being close to this time honored tradition for many years, the Gunks and nearby New Paltz New York have one of the most authentic rock climbing communities in the country. An easy drive from exit 18 off the New York State Thruway makes access a breeze.

In addition to being a playground for rock climbers, the Shawangunk Mountain range offers beauty that is enjoyed as a part of the scenery for many home owners lucky enough to live with in eye-shot.  Visit my website to browse Gunks Real Estate listings.

I know this is all over the internet by now but I wanted to do my part in supporting Marc Rasmussen by further exposing the issue.

If you have 5 minutes, please read about how the Sarasota MLS board stole a successful domain from one of their own m

embers claiming breech of ethics at first then trademark infringment later (even though MLS is trademarked by Major Leauge Soccer).  Marc acted on the advice of the NAR when registering the domain name and even went as far as to get permission prior to registering it.  Read More

The Kerhonkson Accord Chamber of Commerce is holding the 4th Annual Jennie Bell Pie Festival at Kelder’s Farm (home of the world’s largest garden gnome). The festival will take place Saturday September 27th at 12 noon. The farm is located along Route 209 in Accord.

Click here for a blog I posted on the Jennie Bell Pie Festival at Kelder’s Farm at NutshellRealty.com

PR: wait...  I: wait...  L: wait...  LD: wait...  I: wait... wait...  C: wait...  SD: wait...

A 374 acre parcel found just south of the Ashokan Reservoir was bought earlier this year by the Open Space Institute's land acquisition affiliate, the Open Space Conservancy, that is a part of the State University of New York at New Paltz. As part of the agreement, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, which maintains and operates both Ulster County reservoirs, has officially taken possession of the 219 acres in the town of Olive and 14 acres in town of Marbletown. The remaining 141 acres in Olive, have been acquired by the Ashokan Foundation.

There's a dual purpose in their land acquisition. One is to help with flood control and the other to meet EPA water quality standards so that the City does not have to filter Ashokan water.

[correction] When the Ashokan Reservoir is relatively full, DEP will sometimes release water before major rains and melts to create sufficient void to receive the additional incoming water in the west basin so the turbid excess will not overflow into the clear east basin and from there overflow uncontrolled into the Esopus via the spillway. The acquired land is an alternate path to the Esopus for these controlled water releases.

The local economic impact of the sale is that the DEP will pay property taxes on its portion which is a benefit to the tax base as the former owner, Campus Auxiliary Services, was exempt from paying taxes.

Correction provided courtesy of Jay Ungar
Ashokan Foundation, Inc.

Thanks Jay!

I am trying to get the word out about a new website I just launched. The website is a real estate website as well as a community guide (down the road). At this moment, it is positioned just to serve as an Ulster County Real Estate and community resource but have plans to open it up to other communities in the Hudson Valley.

Here is a blurb of information similar to that on my homepage:

UlsterCountyLiving.com is a free resource for anyone interested in Ulster County or Hudson Valley real estate. You'll come upon useful guides and real estate information, comprising of a directory of local information on everything from considerable restaurants to historic landmarks, tours and local events. Our concierge-type service will be helpful as you research one of the most attractive areas in Upstate New York.

Our real estate services are chiefly in Ulster County but can widen throughout much of the greater Hudson Valley. Our website makes it simple to research communities, or search the Ulster County MLS for listings. In addition, our convenient Buyers and Sellers Guides will be helpful in preparing you for the intricate details of your Ulster County real estate transaction.

Ulster County Real Estate Agent and Ulster County Expert - Lou Lynch

As a long time resident and real estate agent in Ulster County, I regularly provide stellar buyer and seller representation service, area knowledge for every client I work with. I have a well substantiated track record of success and a lengthy list of satisfied clients. For a greater insight, visit my website page to learn more about my programs and the level of real estate services.

Stone Ridge residents will vote on Aug. 11 to select a pair of Stone Ridge Library trustees from among three candidates as well as deliberate on a proposed budget hike for the library.

A recent press release, reporting on the election, stated that library officials will propose an expenditure of 217,642, which is a 14.8 increase over the 189,567 budget passed in 2006 (the last year in which an increase was requested).

Suzanne Hauspurg, president of the library board, expressed that the library had no alternative but to ask for the extra money, citing increasing overhead in the operation of the library as well as dropping value in common stock held by the organization.

"Our oil bill will nearly double this winter, to more than 9,000," she said, "and other expenses are soaring as well."

Hauspurg said the popularity of borrowing Internet borrowing had increased vastly, requiring an additional circulation clerk. "On top of that," she said, "the troubled securities markets have hurt our endowment."

Town of Marbletown Assessor Barbara Galloway said the increase would bring a average household's library tax bill to between 50 and 60, up about 5 from 2006.

Candidates for the two four-year trustee seats are incumbents Hauspurg and Jim Hoover and challenger Alan Marker.

The election will be held from 2-8 p.m. Aug. 11 at the library. Absentee ballots are available at the library and must be returned by the close of business on Aug. 11.

For more information about the election or the budget, call Library Director Jody Ford at (845) 687-7023 or Hauspurg at (845) 687-0736.

Yeah, thats right, the e-card system kicked me off again.  I posted the full blog over at REW.  They tell me I am the only Prudential Affiliate that has been suspended, this can't be true especially under these circumstances.

I really look forward to hearing some of your opinions on the subject

Click here for the full blog (rant)

- Lou

Prudential Nutshell Realty