The Hudson Valley Equestrian Real Estate Specialist Team

Specializes in Equestrian Properties, Horse Farms, Land,and Commercial Equestrian Centers in Orange County, Sullivan County, Ulster County, Dutchess County, Putnam County & Westchester New York.

We can also recommend Barn Builders, Grading Companies, Veterinarians, Feed & Tack Stores.

Let us help you with Lodging, Transportation, Grooms and Stabling.

Over the years we have catered to a unique population of horse lovers in this area. As horse owners ourselves we are familiar with the special interests of equestrians through their own activities as owners, exhibitors, trainers and judges. The spectacular landscape of the Hudson Valley contains an abundance of gentleman farms, country estates, and hunting stables.

View Our Equine Listings

Warwick, Orange County NY

Farm + 12 Home Full Subdivision

$1,999,000

Estate/Horse Farm/Sub-division. This amazing property is all of this & more. Endless possibilities. 75 acres include elegantly renovated farmhouse, vintage 15-stall horse stable w/3200 sq.ft loft roofed with hand-hewn mahogany rafters. Barn-style completely modernized guest quarters w/2 apartments. Includes a 30-acre, fully approved residential subdivision for up to 12 homes, a 10-lot cluster with approx 1-acre lots and 2 hilltop "view" lots of 5 acres each. Land has an Ag exemption. Rolling paddocks & fenced pastures. Walking, riding & hiking trails. Just an hour from NYC, minutes away from Warwick's 3 quaint, charming villages,fine dining, wineries,skiing & shopping at Woodbury Commons!

WARWICK, NY GENTLEMAN'S EQUESTRIAN ESTATE $1,250,000

Featuring Spectacular Views, this private gated gentleman's estate features eleven acres +/- property overlooking the distant Catskills featuring fully fenced paddocks, 5 stall stable block, tack room, and dressage ring,with beautifully appointed home adjacent. Included is an additional 2 bed guest/staff apartment. Helipad for quick Manhattan commute. Warwick Schools. 1 hr NYC. Additional fully subdivided land available with permissions & plans for a 7500 sq ft house if desired. Click the link to visit this listing's website and virtual tour of the entire property.

Sullivan County, New York

SULLIVAN EQUESTRIAN ESTATE $1,500,000

An outstanding equestrian property nestled in the Catskill foothills of Sullivan County close to Bethel Arts Center and Villa Roma. 25 +/- acres of white picket fenced paddocks, with pristine red barn/stables. The original 1840's home has been added onto providing 3822 sq ft of living space. A wonderfully elegant country casual ambiance a la Martha Stewart, with only the very finest finishes throughout. Superb pool and fully fitted cabana with indoor and outdoor kitchens, plus 6 person sauna. Opportunities for investment with income from Gas Company lease, vacation rental or superb weekend or year round home. Additional acreage available. 90 mins NYC. Close to Villa Roma. Click the link (title) to view virtual tour and website of this outstanding property.

Equestrian Links

Horses In The Sun Shows HITS

New York State Horse Council

Eastern New York Dressage & Combined Training Association

Central New York Dressage & Combined Training Association

United States Dressage Federation

United State Eventing Association

Area 1 USEA

United States Equestrian Federation

The Dressage Foundation

Looking for something different? Allow us to assist you.

Email us with your requirements.

April 20th, marked the Sixth International Real Estate Symposium at the Vanderbilt Staten Island. Vanessa was moderator, presenter and round table panelist at the sold out conference produced by the International Committee of the Staten Island Board of Realtors. Other speakers presenting to a full house included Rick Wohlfarth, President Manhattan Association of Realtors, Zach Benjamin, National Association of Realtors, Kathy Tsao, 2012 Chair of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA). Altogether there were 10 presenters covering everything from immigration and visa issues, to  financing for international buyers and investors.

Vanessa presented "Marketing Listings to Attract International Buyers" which discussed the multiple channels available to Certified International Property Specialists (CIPS) to market their listings overseas and the marketing methods she is using successfully that have taken her to the top of the leader board for sales in the tri-state area.

Next month Vanessa is attending the FIABCI (International Real Estate Federation) Conference in St. Petersburg, Russia to discuss the New York real estate markets.

It was a bleak, miserable March day in London one Sunday morning. Hail mixed with a freezing rain tapped remorselessly on the door of 221B Baker Street like an unwanted listing agent. Inside, Sherlock Holmes sat in his overstuffed leather button chair, reading police reports in the morning’s London Times. Watson stood by the window, glowering at the miserable London weather.

“I say, Holmes,” Watson grumbled, “don’t you think it’s about time we moved away from this Godforsaken place and found a nice residence somewhere sunny?”

Holmes never took his eyes off the newspaper as he replied. “And where might that be, Watson?”

Watson thought for just a moment before replying. “Humph,” he said, clearing his throat, “How about America? I’ve heard New York recently had a winter without any winter in it at all!”

“Splendid idea, Watson,” said Holmes. “Why not fire up that computer of yours and see what’s available?”

Watson scurried to his desk, pushed off a jumble of papers, unopened letters, and fish and chip wrappers, uncovering a thin laptop computer. In minutes, he had Googled “New York Properties for Sale.”

“Good Lord!” Watson bellowed, “according to Google, there are one billion, three hundred million results for New York Properties. It’ll take all morning to get through that list!”

“Then you’d better get started,” Holmes replied, nonchalantly. “I’m off to practice my violin.”

And so, to the strains of Holmes’s scraping Verdi on his aged violin, Dr. Watson sifted through the listings on his little laptop. A few hours later, after Holmes had finished off Verdi and had gone on to attack Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, Watson interrupted him.

“What is it Watson?” Holmes said. “Have you found us a house yet?”

“No,” replied Watson, “but I’ve narrowed the list down a bit.”

“Splendid,” said Holmes. “How many homes have you found that might suit us?”

Watson looked a bit beleaguered, but had a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

“One,” he said.

“Let’s hear it, then,” said Holmes. The great detective put down his violin, took up his pipe and settled back comfortably in his large leather chair.

Watson began to read the first listing:

“Cozy home in an up and coming neighborhood. Great investment potential. Easy access to everywhere. Galley kitchen, meticulously maintained, low maintenance front yard…”

Holmes interrupted. “Stop!” he shouted, brows furrowed. “Mr. Watson, what is your opinion of this property right now?”

“Sounds perfectly fine to me,” Watson replied, a bit surprised at Holmes’ interruption. “I like cozy.”

Holmes rousted himself from the comfort of the easy chair, sitting upright. “One thing you must know, Watson, is that these American Realtors speak in a secret code, one which I have recently decoded. I’ve  written a monograph on it recently, and it’s about to be published in the London Cryptographic Gazetteer. What was that first thing you read again?”

Watson scrolled his mouse. “Cozy home…”

“Exactly,” Holmes said with a self-satisfied swagger in his voice. “Those words actually mean ‘It is tiny.’ Bring in a sofa and chair and the mice will have to move to bigger quarters. What next?”

Watson read again. “…in an up and coming area…”

“Ah HAH,” exclaimed Holmes. “Those words could only mean one thing. Can you say ‘ghetto’ Mr. Watson? More please.”

“Great investment potential.”

“Umm hmm,” Holmes said, puffing to wake up his smoldering pipe. “That means it needs more than just a little paint.”

“Easy access to anywhere.”

Holmes pounced. “That, Mr. Watson, means it is opposite a freeway on-ramp.”

“Galley kitchen?” Watson read it like a question, brows raised.

“That kitchen is so small, two people have to turn sideways to pass in it. Go on.”

“Meticulously maintained.”

“Another dead give-away, Watson,” Holmes intoned. “That means it hasn’t been updated since Churchill.”

Watson felt rebuffed. “The low maintenance front yard sounded nice.”

Holmes stood and stretched. “Ah Watson,” Holmes said with a yawn. “This means, in all likelihood, that it is paved.”

Watson looked stunned. “Good God, Holmes. I had no idea. I’d love to hear more about this monograph.”

“Yes, Watson, fascinating actually. There seems to be a whole language used in real estate that has little or no reflection on reality. As a matter of fact, some of the meanings of these words are actually back to front. Quite fascinating indeed!” Holmes puffed his resurrected pipe, making little rings float languidly upward from its bowl.

“Indeed! Give me a for-instance,” Watson begged.

“’Recently updated furnace,’” Holmes stated warily.

“Sounds good to me,” said Watson.

“’Actually, it means somebody replaced the igniter on an ancient furnace.’”

“Really Holmes! Do go on.”

“What would you think of a home described as a ‘Quaint Cottage’?”

Watson thought. “Sounds lovely. Stone walls, wainscoting, thatch roof, that sort of thing.”

“Can you imagine it actually means, ‘A wood-framed house of 700 square feet which was ordered from Sears and Roebuck in the 1939’?”

“Really!” said Watson.

“And what do you think a ‘Mechanic’s Dream’ actually is?” Holmes asked.

“No idea.”

“It’s a 600 square foot house with a 1700 square foot garage.”

“Astonishing, Holmes,” said Watson, astonished. “I had no idea such a strange language existed. How do Americans actually find out what a particular home is like from their listings?”

“Don’t you fret about the Americans,” Holmes said reassuringly, “they already know the code far better that I. If not, they learn it quickly, after comparing the first few houses they are shown to their write-ups in the websites. Americans are on to that sort of thing. That’s why the good Realtors rely on lots of accurate photographs, visual tours, and videos to avoid using those clichéd descriptions altogether.”

Watson shrugged, abandoning his real estate search at the prospect of having to learn a new language. Holmes sat down at his desk, and began rustling a stack of papers nearly three inches thick.

Watson asked, “What do you have there, Holmes. A new monograph?”

“Yes, Watson. I’ve been working on it for months now.”

“What’s this one about?” asked Watson curiously.

“Political Speeches,” Holmes said with a sigh. “So far, I haven’t been able to make any sense of it whatsoever.”

Are you a Landlord or  Real Estate Investor? Need help with your Taxes?

IRS Can Help You Now With Your Taxes

When tax season is in full swing, the Internal Revenue Service receives thousands of Landlords and real estate investors, calling daily. If you have questions  it’s better to  avoid peak times like Monday and Friday mornings when wait times are usually longest and It’s actually more effective to go online 24/7 without delay at  www.irs.gov where you can find a plethora of self help services and guides on almost any tax-related topic. The Interactive Tax Assistant can also help. It’s a tax law resource that asks a series of questions and provides you with responses to common tax law questions.

• To check on your refund: Use the “Where’s My Refund?” tool at www.irs.gov or the automated system at 1-800-829-1954. However, IRS Phone representatives don’t have any additional information beyond what these tools provide.

• Get forms and publications: If all you need is forms or publications, download and print them at www.irs.gov or call 1-800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676) to have them mailed, for free, to your home.

• Get previous years’ tax info: You can order a transcript of your account at www.irs.gov.

• Payment plans: If you can’t pay the tax you owe, you can apply for an installment agreement using the Online Payment Agreement application, or you can print the Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request from www.irs.gov, then complete and mail it.

• Business taxpayers: Taxpayers with small business-related questions should call 1-800-829-4933.

• Understanding a notice: If you received a notice, call the number on your notice, not the main help line, to reach the IRS staff trained to help with that issue.

• Specialized reasons: If you’re calling for a very specific reason, there may be a direct phone number you should call instead of the main IRS help line. Again, visit the “Contact IRS” link at www.irs.gov to get more information on contacting the IRS about reporting identity theft or fraud, reaching the Taxpayer Advocate Service, voluntarily disclosing offshore accounts, information on the Health Coverage Tax Credit, or if you’re calling from outside the United States.

Some taxpayers prefer face-to-face tax help. The IRS sponsors Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly sites in local communities. To find the closest site, search “VITA” on www.irs.gov or call 1-800-906-9887. Call 1-888-227-7669 to find TCE sites through AARP, an IRS partner. The IRS also has Taxpayer Assistance Centers located throughout the country. To find IRS offices, use the locator tool found through “Contact Your Local IRS Office” on www.irs.gov. Be sure to check office hours and services offered before visiting your local IRS office.

There may be some circumstances when you need to call the IRS main taxpayer assistance line, which is 1-800-829-1040. Here are a couple of tips on when to call:

• Call if you have questions about your tax account such as a high dollar balance due or the balance due on your installment agreement.

• Call the IRS if you can’t figure out how or if certain tax laws apply to your situation. IRS representatives can discuss your individual circumstances and help you understand your tax obligations or benefits.

Source: Internal Revenue Service, April 11, 2012

One of the leading credit report companies Experian, added a section to its credit reports last year that reflected on-time rent payments, which helped give a boost in the credit scores to some on-time rent payers. Now the two other major credit-reporting companies are following suit.

CoreLogic and FICO recently announced that they’re also adding a score that reflects payment histories from landlords, The New York Times reports.

“Evidence of positive rental payments could be a plus for consumers,” Joanne Gaskin, FICO’s director of product management global scoring said.

Nearly half of high-risk consumers saw an increase of 100 points or more after their rental history was added to their credit report, says Brannan Johnston, the managing director of Experian’s rent bureau. Consumers with average or higher credit scores, on the other hand, did not see any major difference.

The change also benefits former homeowners who went through a foreclosure. They may be able to rebuild their credit histories quicker now by showing they are “very responsible renters,” according to Tim Grace, senior vice president of CoreLogic.

Good new indeed as house prices remain at historic lows, combined with some great opportunities to get into home ownership with FHA backed loans requiring a mere 3.5% down payment in some cases and low interest rates making owning a home affordable once again.

For more information on how to become a first time home owner or to get back on-board, get in touch with us here at GPS real estate to discover your options and review the currently available inventory to match your needs.

Source: “A Good Rental History Can Help Borrowers,” The New York Times (Jan. 5, 2012)

The state of the U.S. real estate market is in the eye of the beholder. While many Americans have shied away from home purchases due to the economic downturn, a growing number of cash-rich foreign investors are seizing the opportunity to snap up U.S. homes at bargain prices.

Not all U.S. markets are universally appealing to out-of-country investors, however. International homebuying activity is largely concentrated in a few areas of the country. Using public record data compiled by San Diego-based real estate data analysis firm DataQuick, Inman News has identified the 10 most popular areas in the U.S. for foreign homebuyers. More...

Tino island was also known as Ophiussa and Hydroessa.

Tinos has a land area of about 194 square kilometers and a population of 8,574 in 2001. Administratively, the island is divided into the municipalities of Tinos and Exombourgo and the community of Panormos. Tinos has a mountainous terrain and a Mediterranean climate. It experiences warm and dry summers, and mild and wet winters.

Tinos was ruled by the Venetians between 1207 and 1715. The Venetians' influence is evident in the architecture of the island, particularly the churches. From 1715 to 1821, the island was governed by the Ottoman Empire before joining with Greece.

The island of Tinos is home to a number of museums, including the Archaeolgical Museum, the Museum of Artists of Tinos and the Museum of Chalepas. Tinos is also popular for its dovecots, wind mills and sculpture. Some of the island's great artists are Georgios Vitalis, Nikiforos Lytras and Dimitrios Filippotis.

People who identify themselves as either Roman Catholic or Greek Orthodox co-exist in the island. Church architecture in Tinos combine both Eastern and Western influences. The most popular church in the island is the Church of Panagia Evangelistria.

Transportation is not a problem in Tinos since the island has three ports—one for passenger speed boats and two for ferries and highspeed boats which carry passengers and cars to other ports.
The island of Tinos is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece because of its magnificent beaches. The beaches on the island have clear waters and fascinating landscape, and most are of golden sand or pebble. Many of the beaches on the island are just a short distance from hotels, restaurants, bars and other tourist attractions.
 
Some of the best known beaches on the island are Agios Sostis, Porto, Lychnaftia and Pachia Ammos. Agios Sostis beach is located southeast of Tinos. Agios Sostis is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. It is relatively protected from the Northern winds and has plenty of shade from trees.
 
Porto is a sandy beach located 6 kilometers east of the town of Tinos. The beach is protected from the Northern winds and has waters that do not easily get too deep. It is also surrounded by restaurants, hotels and taverns.
 
Five kilometers from the town of Tinos, a small isolated beach is found. The beach is popularly known as Lychnaftia. Lychnaftia can be easily traveled by car; however, there are no bars and taverns nearby. The nearest village in this beach is Agios Ioannis.
 
Pachia Ammos is one of the most isolated and exotic beaches on the island. The beach has clean blue waters and fine golden sand. Pachia Ammos is located about 7 kilometers of the town of Tinos and east of Porto Beach.

So you jog regularly, careful to wear supportive shoes. You go to the gym three days a week, do aerobics and light weight training and never use the hot tub. You eat broccoli to prevent heart disease, blueberries for anti-oxidents, and salmon for Omega-3s. You gave up dairy for soy, peanuts for almonds and only eat red meat on your birthday. You don’t smoke, don’t drink (except for that one glass of red wine a day) and never pass on a double yellow line.

You plan to live forever, don’t you?

Then you probably would like to know that some places have statistically longer life expectancy. Yes, like broccoli and supportive shoes, some countries are good for you. Research conducted by our very own CIA sorted through death certificates from around the world, analyzing factors including gender, race and cause of death to estimate the life expectancy of a nation’s population. They came up with an average world life expectancy age of 67.59 years. But in establishing this number, they accidently discovered that some nations’ life expectancies are longer than others. The top ten countries with the longest life expectancy are:

10. Italy

9. Australia

8. Hong Kong

7. Guernsey

6. Andorra

5. San Marino

4. Singapore

3. Japan

2. Macau

1. Monaco

Sounds like the line-up for the Winter Olympics luge competition, doesn’t it? But if you look at that list, you may notice something interesting – most of the best places to live as far as longevity are concerned have one thing in common.

They’re small. Small places seem to be healthier than big places.

I think small towns are healthier too. Factors contributing to longevity always include reducing stress, carrying on an active lifestyle and enjoying the outdoors. The Hudson Valley’s small river towns such as Piermont, Grandview and Nyack in Rockland County, with their many outdoor trails for hiking and biking, and river activities such as boating, sailing and crew must contribute their fair share to an active healthy lifestyle.

I know that people in Piermont and Nyack walk more, simply because they can. Traffic is light, and parking is often unavailable, so many people choose to walk when they go to village stores or restaurants.

In small towns, the pace of life is usually less stressful than in large cities. It’s quieter, with fewer honking horns and blaring car stereos. It’s easy to get around, with everything close by. And people by and large are friendly and helpful.

I’d like the CIA to include us in their next study. We may not be as glitzy as Monaco or exotic as Macau, but I bet we live longer. And by the way, can we get into the next Winter Olympics?

Want more information about the Hudson Rivertowns? Contact us at GPS real estate to order our comprehensive relocation information package. 

With all the continuing news about the bad housing market in America, there is a bright spot on the Hudson. Here at GPS real estate we actually have a waiting list for moderately priced single family homes in Piermont, Rockland County, NY.

There are only 17 single family homes currently for sale in Piermont. Seven are priced at or over $1 million. There are only two for sale between $450,000 and $700,000, the most popular price bracket.

Piermont has long been a desirable place to live. With its location overlooking the Hudson River, its close proximity to New York City and Westchester, its quaint downtown and village atmosphere, Piermont is a tempting place to relocate to.

This anomaly in the housing market could be a real opportunity for any Piermont residents thinking about selling or downsizing. Currently, buyers in the market are oftentimes corporate relocations or international buyers looking for American properties. Demand for properties convenient to Manhattan and near transportation hubs can generate multiple offers and higher prices for sellers.

For American buyers, mortgage rates are at all time lows. Although foreign buyers couldn’t traditionally take advantage of these rates (foreigners usually could not get mortgages because they have no credit rating here), there are now a few American lenders who have made the move to lend to foreign buyers.  I have contacts with several of these lenders. Also, many are coming with cash, which is even better. Cash buyers don’t need a lender’s approval, so closings can happen faster and go much more smoothly.

These corporate relocations are good for sellers because buyers are trying to offset taxable income. When an executive is relocated from abroad to America, they usually get an extra 5% in their benefits package, which is taxable at home. Knowing their transfer isn’t permanent, these executives often have rented their original home out, also generating taxable income. So these executives are seeking the relatively inexpensive American housing market for a place to invest.

So, thinking about moving to that place in North Carolina you’ve had your eye on? If you live in Piermont and have a moderately priced single family home to sell, you might be there sooner than you think! Give Vanessa Saunders a call and get an idea of what you could expect to sell your home for at 845 598 5083.

And if you are hoping to buy a home in Piermont or any of the Hudson River Villages, contact us here at GPS real estate. We'll let you know when new listings come available and add you to our wait list!