One of the best things about being a real estate agent Upstate is being a change-scout; knowing what's new and exciting in each of our towns is part of my job. Honestly, this is no exertion! I'm inclined to want to know these things anyway! Driving cross-county to meet clients or preview a new property listing affords me opportunities to spot new action, new buildings, and new businesses in the region. Since each of my 150 Coldwell Banker Village Green Realty colleagues are also scouting the new, expanded, or improved, we were able to put together quite the list of spots we've spotted recently - everything from nouveau department stores, to pizza places, to cafes with board game rental programs. Enjoy, and let me know what you try in the comments!

New Catskills and Hudson Valley Homes For Sale

Oh my! This September we have so many gorgeous new property listings from cottages to modern homes built from green materials never before used in the Hudson Valley. I've picked out a few for our newsletter subscribers. Interested? Speak to your local expert.

Chichester Cottage

This darling cottage in Chichester sits on a pretty bend in the road on the way out of Phoenicia. Recently renovated, it's ready for you to fill with cute furniture, love, and fun. Not familiar with Chichester? Think "mountain living" and you'll have it just about right! Fresh mountain air, rushing streams, and the

We all know that bees are vital to our survival. They make our all our food happen! Bees are also endlessly fascinating, romantic, and the makers of the most shelf-stable food on the planet – while man cannot live on bread alone, we might be able to live off bees and their honey. Enter September - honey month! Regardless of your interest level in honey – from “I just put it in my tea every once in a while,” to, “I want to devote my life to bees, honey, and wax!”, the Catskills and Hudson Valley have honey resources for you. This September we’re taking a little tour of the honey landscape round-about – we’ve even got some property recommendations if you want to become a hobbyist beekeeper or start your own full-blown, for-profit apiary.  

Things To Do In Upstate New York! Being in the Real Estate biz, we're plugged into the event scene across the many counties of the Hudson Valley and Catskills region. We love all the creativity we're seeing! It seems that our neighbors spent the quiet pandemic time coming up with new and different ways for us to have fun together (without discarding the best of the old ways). We shout, "hooray" for Painting With Ponies, a no-phone music and camping festival, and a nighttime market featuring "exotic oddities". We've culled together a list of concerts, festivals, fairs, farmer's markets, and other happening events in the Hudson Valley and Catskills for summer 2022 that we're excited for. We hope to see you at some of them! Look for the Coldwell Banker

One of the easiest and most beautiful ways to be a conscientious citizen of the planet is to use native species in your garden and landscaping. As Hudson Valley and Catskills real estate experts, we at Coldwell Banker Village Green Realty know that this is a concern close to many buyers' hearts.

Never have we ever heard a homebuyer say they weren't keen on a plot of land because it was decorated with native plants - no one's shouting, "NOOOO, not a serviceberry tree!!!!" - and we have all worked with buyers who put a landscape of local plants on their wishlist in order to live "greenly".  As Local Experts, we're happy to give suggestions about everything from plumbers and interior decorators to electricians and gourmet shops (both solicited and un

Say, "Slippers, begone!", with our list of 10 Catskill events in January 2020 - they'll get you out of the house and keep you out of a funk.

There's only one way to avoid the "Cabin Fever" of February and March that we all dread in the North East - get out of your cabin! Get out! Go somewhere! I know, I know, so many of the temptations to leave home have disappeared. Want some yummy take out? You can probably get it delivered. Want to watch a movie? Gone are the days of Blockbuster and even Red Box (I miss them). Want to catch up with a friend? Skype them, whatsapp them, or facetime+facebook two different buddies on two different devices. All this seems great, until you begin to feel the walls close in and it's 10 pm on Saturday night and you

The Kingston Design Showhouse will open on October 5th! On a day when designers were loading in furniture and taking deliveries Maryline Damour, the founder of The Kingston Design Connection was good enough to give me a tour, and talk with me about why she and the other members of The Kingston Design Connection launched this project. 

A Tour of 139 Downs Street -

The Kingston Design Showhouse

Me: Maryline, thanks so much for taking the time out to talk to me. I can tell it's a really busy day here, so let's just launch in. Where should we start? Should we start with why you embarked on this project in the first place before you give me the tour?

Maryline: Of course! The goal of Kingston Design Connection is to connect Hudson

Something really exciting is happening in Midtown Kingston - The Kingston Design Connection's Design Showhouse is nearly finished!

What's the Kingston Design Showhouse?

In the early spring I had the pleasure of meeting Maryline Damour of design/build firm Damour Drake, the founder of Kingston Design Connection. Maryline is developing a Kingston Design Connection, in her words, "...to connect Hudson Valley designers to each other; to potential clients; and to the growing Kingston design scene." Designers and artisans who become involved are connecting with one another, and with all of us, through several different venues. First they've developed the Kingston Design Directory which will serve as a resource. It's a curated list of

Catskills and Hudson Valley Real Estate - A Tour Via Fireplace

Fall has arrived and it's just about time for our first indoor fires of the year. Sometimes a client's search for a home in the Catskills and Hudson Valley revolves entirely around a single feature; the fireplace. It's that important! A fireplace in the right place, in the right style, and of the right size is integral to many people's vision of "home". So, in honor of the crisp air I've clicked and sorted and pulled together a pile of properties with fireplaces to suit every taste and budget. Just imagine spending an afternoon in front of each one of these.

P.S. most of these homes have a lot of other great features as well.

1. I love the neat

You know what's great? Having your own pool. Yes, they require some maintenance. But when you come home hot from work, or a hike, or a never-ending kids birthday party, there is absolutely nothing like a private float. Here are our current listings with pools, beautiful pools!

This beautiful pool comes with a grand old stone home in Kerhonkson with significant acreage and horse stalls. Ride, and then take a dip!

This pool sits behind a warm and sophisticated home in Woodstock. Just look at the views!

 Everything about this house is surprising: the view, the wide open interior spaces, the outdoor fun complex, and the fabulous bathrooms! 

A picture is