Sunday in the Catskill, A Morning in Pictures

Lisa took us all on her Sunday morning round trip to Dianes diner in Damacus, PA, then to the Callicoon Farmers Market, then to the Agway, and then full circle all the way back to Eldred. Brave enough to join us were the owners of Cottage 7 and Cottage 14 who live next to each other over a few miles west of where we, the Petersheims, reside. It's tough going out these days since the Post article, with the papparazzi and constant requests for autographs on personal body part regions.

Now, I say brave enough because anytime someone travels with me you never know what to expect. There was time when I was sitting quietly in Highland Town Hall when I was out of the blue verbally assaulted by two women.

There was the time I walked in Fred duh Shed with my 5 month old baby in my arms and the CRAZY owner Michelle, came across the store in her 6" strides - I was expecting a big welcome since I do have quite a few homeowners who I refer to her, when instead she says 'I'm not comfortable with you in my store", stunning and perhaps embarrassing me in front of some friends. Having no fucking idea what she was talking about having not seen her in years, I called her a freak, which is an understatement and went on with my business. Funny thing about it I was just remarking to Lisa how it was kind of impressive that she was still in business after 5 years, - us both knowing firsthand how difficult that is.

There was the time I called a local excavator for a small job, and his wife spends a few minutes insulting me, my staff, and our business.

And then you never know when the guys I dissed earlier might pop up, tude in hand.

So, you never know what you get when you go out in public with me - in other towns/cities, I would be getting the key to the city - here, I get snubbed, insulted and conspired against.

But no big deal - Like Gib McKean the local real estate legend said one day over lunch - "God save us from small towns."

Probably one the biggest obstacles up here in the sticks is the counter-intuitive way things work - there is very little reward or support for a growing business, no business network, no civic organizations, no building associations, - so it's a bit lonely but I'd rather be lonely than broke, but there does seem to be much more of a network for mediocre businesses, then good ones. In a normal place, more businesses would try to position themselves to be of service to us - instead, mostly what we find is a tendency to 'spite one's noses right off one's face', but, without a doubt, it's been my ability to see and act through this that has enabled Catskill Farms to find the labor resources necessary to fuel a growing business. Me, I don't really care if I have to suffer a lot of small slights from companies that work for me, because, in the end, the big picture stays foremost on my mind - that being, my ability to start, finish and sell as many homes as I care to build - regardless of the economy, available resources or competition.

Here we are, rounding the corner from Main Street to the field where the Market is.



And a pic of Lucas in a mirror in the car, sleeping.

Pablo and Ana cheese shopping at Callicoon Wine Merchant, definitely one of the best, if not the best, wine/cheese and the like store in the region.

Is that Lisa and Lucas, or Brittany S. and her oldest?

Now, here is a place where I totally always get in trouble for 'taking it too far', since in my mind, how can't the simple observation be made that Pablo is hanging out in front of the 'fruity' section of the wine store.

And the olives, chips and sauce -

The 'What's for Sale' chalkboard -

Window flyers, with the annual Tractor Parade just around the corner.

A delicate portrait which I titled "Fake Grass and Hanging Sausage"

A look down the street -

The owner of this historic landmark shot and killed a waitress last summer while intoxicated. He received 6 months in jail - now that says more about Sullivan County's old boys network than I ever could. Don't people get 6 months in jail for driving drunk twice?

Lettuce. Funny I have two bowls I frequently eat from-, one says Lettuce Dance, and Corn to be Wild.

One of Lisa's favorite market vendors.

Fresh spring onions, or scallions.

Some doggy treats.

Lil' Lucas smiling.

And some friendly flowers.

And Lisa ending the day with some uncalled for gesture, and a great sign behind her - "Certifed..." , and all the readers can fill in the blank.

Buzz Phrase

Funny, I was looking through some websites of developers, real estate flippers, etc... and kept noticing the same trend - a trend to put as many trendy catch phrases into one description as possible.

It used to be an organization would focus in and master a direction, but these days, I guess you got throw the kitchen sink at it -

Here are some examples -

"A New Old Green Modular home" (this one catches every buzz word ever coined)

"Architect designed Custom Rustic 2 story farmhouse style "- for anyone who knows anything about area real estate, Rustic/custom/farmhouses are a couple of buzz phrases that have worked for their respective originators - but for me, who would design it if not an architect.

In the end, the same old mistakes - buzz words instead of a real product, marketing instead of a value, and houses priced where the spreadsheet calculations look interesting, instead of where the real market is.

For us, we now know we have a corner on the market, because our homes are priced incredibly low for the value we are giving - look across upstate NY for similar homes, and 1, you won't find any, and if you do, they will carry a higher price tag.

Good advice for our imitators - a good business model respects the customers intelligence, and by producing the best homes we can at the lowest price possible, we do what we can to create to most value possible - and as I repeat, our best customers are those that are most educated in the local real estate landscape.

It is then, as Gayle said, a real 'no brainer'. If only buzz words and phrases got the job done.

A cool mellow weekend planned up here in the Catskills - must of got 75 calls and emails after the Post article.

Great post on Friend's blog

Here is an excerpt written on my friend David's blog after reading the article in the Post - I couldn't agree more with the soft wisdom of her generosity -


"Speaking as a lifetime local, I'm always gratified to see people finding peace, comfort and, most importantly, easy acceptance in our communities, no matter how big a "who" they are. There are places where "live and let live" do exist, and I'm glad to live and work in a place where, by and large, those "Protected by..." security signs are just for show, and an unlocked door or car is no cause for worry.

Celebrities among us probably do recognize that we whisper excitedly about seeing them in town, but they also know the great majority of us don't want to be a bother -- just a good neighbor, willing to lend some milk, a wrench or a few flower bulbs whenever they need them. It may sound corny, but this is what life really is like up here, so it's no wonder that more than nature and solitude attract people to the area. We represent a refreshingly real change from the superficiality of life in the spotlight. I hope we always will."

Amen.

NY Post

NY Post and Tina Traster honors us today with a nice article profiling our business model and Albert's selection of Eldred as his getaway destination.

Online article pretty nice - but the print edition has a big spread.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/05282009/realestate/different_strokes_171241.htm

Goodbye Inventory, Hello Waiting List - different year, same drill.

Thank you to all of our customers who make this job fun and rewarding, - and to those who don't, well...

Homes We Sell

Homes Here, Homes Here, Get your Homes Here. Homes Here for Sale.

We are country house speculators, buying up small pieces of land, building neat little small homes, and doing it all smack dab in the face of a Great Recession.

We just closed on Johnny and Tina's Cottage 18, and Erin and Greg's Modern Ranch, hope to be heading into Contract on Cottage 21, are nearing contract consummation on Cottage 22 and had a great weekend showing our stuff off - new houses, old houses, small houses, smaller houses, houses with great land, houses with great, great land, etc...

We buy land, develop small parcels, design mini-homes/cottages/farmhouses, and sell them complete, turnkey, move-in ready, with a warranty we honor seriously.

As far as I can tell, regardless of where you are buying, no other design/build company in upstate NY is producing the diversity of architecture and a diversity of price levels than we are here at Catskill Farms.

Here are some of the beauts we are currently bringing to market - and will be ready for a fall move in.

Up above is a new 960 sq ft home we are just getting started, putting the footings and foundation in, clearing the future driveways and building area of trees and brush. We are placing it on a very pretty 5+ acres, has two bedrooms, has one bath, a full basement and lots of covered porch space. This house is just beginning so there is lots of room for some cool collaboration between us here at Catskill Farms and the future owner. This cottage is selling for $250,000.

And this picture is a shot of some of interior florishes we feature such as wide plank floors, rolling barn doors, old school radiators and hand made custom closet hinged barn doors.



And here's a black and white of Cottage 13. The first version was built by Dean, and the 2nd draft is going up over in Lumberland NY, a few miles from Barryville, NY. It's 1300 sq ft, whole house audio, security and 8 frickin' acres.

And a new Cottage 18, renamed Cottage 22, redesigned on the inside, a wrap-around porch, an extra bath, 2 beds and a walkout basement. This cottage on 5 acres is selling for $250,000, and we could have a deal signed by the end of the week.

And the old school kitchen with radiator, open shelves and white cabinets.

Cottage 21 sitting pretty in the woods, just about finished and ready for sale. This 1300 sq ft with cathedral ceiling, big ass fireplace and too much style to capture in this brief and simple narrative. Looks like Norah and Jeffrey, just returned from overseas, are traveling up on Friday to review, and perhaps sign some contracts.

Well, there you have it - the next round of inspiration, provided by Catskill Farms, reinvigorating the architectural landscape of Sullivan County and upstate New York real estate.

FAQ

We always get some of the same questions - and here they are -

1. Is the land included? yes, the land is included, and so is everything else, totally turnkey, including the grass.

2. How many acres do these homes come with? Very nice 4-6 acre plots with privacy.

3. Is this a custom home? Yes and no - It's custom in a sense that a lot of decisions about the home design and finishes are made as the house is being built - it's not custom in the sense that I pay for the whole project, and the client comes in at the end and pays for the house.

4. Do you have any houses left for sale? Yes, we have a 960 sq ft super nice cottage for $245,000, and a 1300 sq ft really great cottage for $320,000. But I doubt they will last.

5. Do you just get a conventional mortgage? Yes, we like to see qualified buyers who can put down 20% and have great credit. No sub-primers here.

6. Well, have to get to work this morning, more FAQ's later.

Posts Backdated

If our readers are interested in the rant and rave section, those posts have been backdated, but still exist.

Country Pics on a Holiday Weekend

Off-balance moonlight photo -

Baby deer trying to blend in -

Kids at a picnic in Cochecton -

Momma goose with a group of new chicks -

Cupcakes at abovementioned picnic -

Sunset over the Delaware River -

Domesticated chicken with cat in the background -

Bear -

Momma Goose puttin' the hammer down to get out of town -

Me with my son Lucas and cat Ruby -

Butterfly and bumblebee -

All quiet on the western front - looks like 2 or 3 more house deals were struck this weekend. Can you say red rope 'waiting list'? I love this recession.

Mid Century Ranch

The Ranch - seriously, it's a Ranch house - sitting on 5 acres, looking into Pennsylvania, 960 sq ft, 2 bedrooms, bath, big walk-out basement.

I remember the conversation well - "Hey, it's a real estate depression - let's really stack the odds against us, really test our metal, go build a god-damned Ranch house (sorry for the emphatic cursing)."

Well, she's done. She's amazing. And she's going to passed on to the new homeowner next week.

New driveways, new lawn, new house, new everything - How many families buying in the Catskills can say they bought a 'house that works'. It doesn't need anything - it's finished. And my builder paid for the whole thing until it was finished.

Just for clarification - the yellow tape does not demarcate a crime scene, but rather an alert to 'STAY OFF THE GRASS OR ELSE!!'

Great Picture of the interior - with the Ranch siding brought inside to define the hallway, 3 synchronized galvanized lights hanging from the stained beam, a cool radiator, a chalkboard door, and the open kitchen.

Fireplace, living room and entry to deck all in one shot.

Sitting here in my office in Eldred on a quiet Saturday morning with not much going on to distract me from some quiet reflection of what has been, what is, and what will be.

Courtney and Bronson are now in the house - not literally - what I mean is they have committed to a customized Cottage 18 on the new land I just purchased. The Adam's family (I couldn't resist) is coming up tomorrow to check us out.

and Norah and Jeffrey are nearly in contract on Cottage 21 - we just have to wait until they get back from the Cannes Film Festival to sign the papers. Well, excuse me.

Someone called me 'irrational' the other day - I was, like, 'duh, I build spec houses in the middle of nowhere during a depression, -of course I'm irrational and unbalanced."

Not Too Bad (if I do say so myself)...

Momma Goose and Family out for a stroll on Mother's Day.

These chicks were just born a few days ago...

OK, some people called us crazy when we started spreading the word that we were going to start 3 new spec homes back in November in the middle of the greatest recession since the 1930's. Who, actually, do we think we are?

But, not to point out the obvious, we are 1 week away from closing on Johnny and Tina's Red Cottage in the Woods, 10 days from Erin's Ranch on top of the Hill, and Norah and Jeffrey are moving towards contract signatures on Cottage 21.

So, to summarize - Catskill Farms has, thus far, done what very few companies in the world have done - which is, in short, sell homes and turn a profit in this severe economic contraction. Don't ask me why this is happening, but it is, and we are quite pleased, quite pleased indeed, Sam I Am.

Here's a beauty - Cottage 18 - all 960 sq ft of it. The trees are just budding and there is always a week or two that the foilage is a lightening florescent green before it matures into the deeper forest green.

And Arts and Crafty Cottage 21 with big stone pillars, tapered porch posts, exposed rafter tails, and thick spindles.

Pretty neat shot below with the wide spindles, handhewn beams, radiator and barn lamp. No wonder we're getting to be famous with taste like dat. I mean seriously, that's more character in one little corner than most homes have combined throughout their overdone 4000 sq ft.

And then the Ranch, the lovely Ranch. With the big views into Pennsylvania. This house was a totally new experiment and I think we did just fine.

So, pretty windy today, Sunday, Mother's Day. Spring is here and we are ready to get down and boogie, - if you know what I mean.