What is the role of an Ulster County real estate agent?
They main objective of a real estate agent is to bring about the meeting of the minds between both the buyer and the seller. They do this by counseling you through the entire buying process, from helping you decide what type of home you are looking for and locating it to tracking the progress of your loan application. First, an agent will determine your needs and make appointments to see the houses that fit that criteria. Once you have located a house, the agent will help you prepare an offer (or a binder in our area) and negotiate with the seller’s real estate agent. The next thing a real estate agent will help you with is the mountain of paperwork. The required paperwork could include checking on the mortgage application, setting up and attending an inspection and any needed repairs and coordinating the attorney, title company and any other specialists required to complete the deal. An Ulster County real estate agent cannot directly arrange a mortgage. A good real estate agent can, h
First of all, when explaining Ulster County Real Estate, you start with it is location in Up-State New York. Then you mention that the County sits in the Hudson River Valley, along side of the Hudson River. Oh yeh! It takes in much of the Catskill Mountains and all that these beautiful forests have to offer like fishing, boating, hiking, biking, camping and other outstanding outdoor recreation options. So, this wonderful piece of land nearly 1200 miles square, sitting along the majestic Hudson River, in the beautiful Catskill Mountains, offers the lucky people who live here, a unique mixture of modern urban amenities in a quiet, rural and somewhat serene country environment.
This County has just about everything you are looking for as a place to live, to work and to play, and, to raise a family in a safe and sound environment. Ulster County sits in the heart of the Hudson River Valley, making it a perfect place to reside, or hide away, for those who are employed in near-by New York City.
You must experience the unique lifestyle of those lucky enough to be living in Ulster County. In addition to the custom single family homes available, there are many parcels of vacant land, condos, town homes, waterfront homes, cottages, cabins, farms and apartments available for sale or rent. You can visit homes with spectacular mountain views, waterfront homes sitting along rivers and streams, some within green and lush forests. This County has just about any and every style of home that anyone could ever ask for, and, at great bargain prices.
This is truly an outdoor recreation enthusiast dream, with hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails just a few minutes and a few miles away in the beautiful mountains and valleys close by. The County is alive in spirit with its residents taking pride of ownership in their history, their communities, their lifestyle, their homes, excellent schools, colleges and universities, their government and everything else that is a part of their good fortune in living here. Each of the towns and communities in Ulster County add their own flavor and living experience to the County’s lifestyle that the residents are so proud of.
There are business and commercial centers, employment centers, retail centers, award winning schools that are locally monitored and locally controlled, with much emphasis on the County’s historical heritage. There is also a very well educated labor force throughout the area. Ulster County homes, condominiums, town homes and apartments are modern with many just recently constructed. You can also purchase land in different areas of the County, either for ranch or farm use, or parcels within a town or community to build your dream home. You will find a variety of homes in various areas with varied prices, ranging from the very affordable to the upper price scales.
Do not underestimate the many commercial and business properties that are available in Ulster County. Modern commercial buildings, offices, medical facilities, retail, storefronts and specialty shops, as well as garages, stations and repair facilities for various products are for sale or rent. Many are close to major highways, rail service, and air service. Many of the commercial properties are located in excellent high traffic areas making them perfect to start a new business or to expand an existing operation. See you local Realtor, broker or agent for the MLS Listings on commercial real estate.
Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway, your new residence, land or business property, its time to come to Ulster County, and after you meet with your local Realtor, broker or agent, you will be prepared to start living a whole new upbeat Ulster County, New York lifestyle.
In Ulster County, scattered throughout the diverse living environments, there are many choices in homes for the first time buyer. From custom built single family homes, condos, town homes, cottages in the country, cabins in the Catskill Mountains and valleys, waterfront homes, older farm houses, stone homes and a good selection of ‘fixer uppers’ that should be looked at. The homes for sale can be reviewed by seeing your local Realtor, broker or agent and ask to see the MLS Listings, where you can pick out the homes that interest you the most.
First Time Buyer Financing
Usually the first time buyer’s first selections are always based on price, monthly payments, amount of down payment required, types of required insurance and those costs, and everything else that has anything to do with finances. Based on this, it is important to know what home purchasing finance programs are available for the first time buyer, and the current rates. There are the usual bank and mortgage loan programs that offer rates that are fixed or will fluctuate based on some index like a T-Bill, or another index. This is an important enough factor in home buying that an in depth investigation should be made into every financing option available for the area that you decide to purchase your first home. Where is the best place to ask the financing questions and get up to date and correct answers? Your local Realtor, broker or agent keeps current with all home financing programs and will help you through the steps during your home shopping experience.
New Home Purchase Program for First Time Buyers
A new program was announced by the State of New York, in December of 2009 for first time buyers. SONYMA (State Of NY Mortgage Agency) has announced two new features that can be used with their current loan programs.
1. Down-payment assistance loan of up to 3% of the home price, with a maximum of $10,000. This is a no payment, 0% interest loan, which is forgiven after 10 years.
2. Tax credit advance loan. Now applicants can receive their $8,000 federal tax credit at the closing, when they need it. If the advance is paid back by June 30, 2011, there is no interest. In order to be eligible, borrowers must generally be first-time home-buyers, and have contracts for a home signed on or before April 30, 2010, with a closing on or before June 30, 2010. Income limits for Ulster County: 1-2 person household: $83,640, 3+ person household: $97,580. The maximum single family home price under this program is $354,970,00. Your local Real Estate office can explain all the details and who to contact for this great program.
Know What You Are Looking For Before Shopping
When shopping for a home for the first time, there are some basic rules to be aware of, and a list of things you need to consider even before you go out to look at any house or real estate property.
• You need to choose the right home for your budget. There are many homes on the market, large, small, affordable, and those not so affordable, country ranches and homes, cottages, riverside homes and other types. There are ‘fixer uppers’ available that make great sense for the first time buyer if you have any construction background or experience. You must be careful not to underestimate what any repairs or updating costs will be. Your Realtor, broker or agent can help with any questions regarding ‘fixer uppers’ and guide you to the proper people who can answer questions regarding replacement costs, remodeling or other matters. You must understand what it is you are getting into, before you choose a home to make an offer on. Always get a good home inspection done so you will have an idea of what to expect in the way of anticipated problems in the future.
• Know what type of home you are looking for before you start the shopping process. Go through the different styles of homes, architecture, size, etc., and decide what type of house you want. How will this home serve your needs now and in the future for a larger family?
• Keep calm and realistic when shopping for your first time home. You simply won’t be able to have all of the amenities that you have been used to while living at home you’re your parents. Remember: the more amenities, the higher the cost. Be prepared to compromise on some items that you think you need, but in reality can live without for a while. Make a list that shows what you must have and those items you can live without.
• Know what locations you are interested in. Commuting times to your employment, medical facilities, shopping, entertainment, parks, schools, churches, libraries, auto repair shops, drug stores, hardware stores, etc., are some basic services you will need. What city services are provided?
• The home should appreciate in value. Consider the future resale value of the house. Make sure that the property is in an area that someone else would like when and if you ever decide to sell. Again, see your local Real Estate office for help on this.
Once the property closes and it is in your name,(including the monthly mortgage payments), start planning for the future knowing that everything positive you do in repairs and updating, remodeling, etc., can make the value go up, but also could make the value go down. You will have spent a great deal of time planning and you will have spent much money getting into that home. Take care of it, and know that your new home will take care of you and your family for years to come. You will have made a great investment!!
See your local Realtor, broker or agent and get started shopping for your First Home.
Written by Manisha Patel at Quick Fire Internet, Ulster County Real Estate experts. Visit TaftStreetRealty.com for the best online guide to Hudson Valley Real Estate, and Ulster County MLS listings.
