I grew up in Poughkeepsie and my parents are still there. My understanding is that, like everywhere else, there's been a shift from seller's market to buyer's market with average prices going down a bit. Also a lot of new construction around. But often at price tags way higher than the area has typically supported. I think it depends a lot on your location and type of house.

Orange county NY - 5 months and counting, 17% price reduction. One strange offer that when asked for more info was not real. lots of open houses.

Many of the houses I have been watching for myself have been dropping prices as well and are still on the market.

From what I am told - houses under $350/400 are selling, and those above it are not selling very quickly.

Lots of new houses on the market with crazy incentives. There was just an article about it in Sunday's paper. Offers of paying interest for 2 years, upgrades free, taxes for a year (which in Orange County can be a good chunk of change), etc.

Ughh. I'm in Poughkeepsie, on a small 6 acre farm with an 1850's colonial, barns and outbuildings. Well, I guess I'll just cross my fingers... :(

I think you probably have taxes in your favor at least. I think that is part of the problem. I know it is for me when I am looking at a house to move to/buy. I have an 1850's colonial/farmhouse with some outbuildings in so so shape (We took down a few but there are three left) I haven't taken them down though cause once you do, I am told it is more of a pain to put new ones up if someone wanted too. I only have 3 acres though. taxes are outrageous in the area I am in. That is part of why I want to move! :)

Boopadaboo -- are taxes in Orange County better than Dutchess? Where are you moving to? We are building in Red Hook -- taxes are not great there either, but the schools are... so it's worth it for us!

Wow. I had no idea there were so many Dutchess County folks here. I'm in Poughkeepsie (town) and sold my house in five days at $5k below asking price. We should be closing within the next few weeks. I actually had two very good offers in that same period, but went with the folks who were able to put the most money down at contract.

Outside of having to legalize a basement which I had finished without permits, everything else has gone rather smoothly. In fact, even with the delays due to the basement, it looks like I'll be ready to close on the sale of this place before the builder of the new home (spec house) is ready to close on that.

Wow, that's great news sbd -- my inlaws just sold their house on Treetop lane in a short while too -- I'm a Vassar alum, are you close to their?

Earthaven, small world. I'm off Vassar Road as well, but on the other side of Red Oaks Mill. Prior to living here, I actually rented an apartment on College Avenue, a stone's throw from the college. I loved living there. Mom is an alum as well.

Taxes in Orange County are much higher than Dutchess from what I have seen, which is why I think it will make it easier to sell in that county than in Orange County. (Taxes on my place are $16K)

SBD - what price range was your house in?

16k in Orange County is a crime...Having lived in bergen County NJ,my taxes were only 9500..In top rated town and school district..

The houses are twice as much in Bergen County though, so it doesn't really make it more affordable. I grew up a jersey girl and even though I work in Jersey, I don't think I could ever live there again! I am a convert.

The house was listed at $379,900 and sold for $375,000. So, yes, it is in that 350-400k range that folks are saying still seems to be selling well. The neighborhood is very desirable; relatively new, close to everything, lots of young families. So I'm sure all those factors came into play. Two other houses in this subdivision, one listed before mine and one after, sold relatively quickly as well. One was within two weeks, the other had a buyer who backed out and had another within three weeks. Of course, none of these has actually closed yet, but mine and the two others are all in contract. I've been assured by my attorney that the only way my buyers can get out of the contract is if one of them dies or they walk away from the escrowed deposit. As stated earlier, I went with the buyer who brought the most money to put down at contract - 10% - so I doubt that they will be walking. I also stalled signing contracts on the home I'm purchasing until I had fully executed contracts for the sale of this place. I did not want to end up with two mortgages.

A fourth house in my current neighborhood just went up for sale the week before last. We'll see how quickly that one moves.

That is great that you had such a quick sale sbd. Are you staying in dutchess county not sure if you were referring to your old or new house above? It is very nice there. I looked at a few houses around Wappinger Falls and surrounding area. I just think it is a bit too far of a commute.

Yes, I'm staying in Dutchess County. I'm staying in the Town of Poughkeepsie actually. The new house is only about 10 minutes from where I am currently living. Why am I moving? The home I'm in now, for me, was a starter. It's only 1600 square feet, not counting the now legal, finished basement which adds another 600 square feet or so. It's a nice home, but pretty basic; vinyl flooring, stock cabinets, etc. The new home is about twice the size and much more upscale and custom. Even though it is a spec house, I was able to change and upgrade quite a few things. I'll be making a significant profit on the sale of this place, so it seemed the right time to upgrade. I also got a pretty good deal on the new place, considering the size and amenities. I had considered adding on to this place and upgrading the kitchen and baths. But honestly, it would have cost me more to do what I wanted than the difference required to purchase the brand new home.

I am not planning on moving far either. Probably not the same town since I can't stand the taxes, but with in 15-20 miles in the same county.

Good luck with your new home. Sounds lovely!

Thanks and best of luck to you on a speedy sale boopadaboo, although it's probably a bit late for "speedy" at this point. So I'll just send positive vibes for as quick a sale as possible.

BTW, although I'm staying in the same town, I'm actually switching school districts. For those familiar with the area, I'll be going from the Wappingers school district to Arlington. With that move comes much higher taxes. Although, I believe, the Arlington district is considered better, it doesn't really matter to me as I have no kids.

Yes, arlington is definitely better than Wappingers! Sounds like you're making out all the way around -- Congrats sbd! I love Arlington area too, do you like what they did by Vassar on Raymond? It's still a bit chaotic, but I think ultimately, it will be really nice. The college wanted to encourage the kids to come out -- to make it safer for them to do so... Someone was killed crossing Raymond near Hooker Ave., a student, just before graduation, the year before I graduated.
I moved here from Pound Ridge, in Westchester, and though it was a difficut transition at first, Pound Ridge is not what it was when I was growing up, and the Hudson Valley region has really grown on me! I'm moving out of Po-Town -- well, I actually pay Hyde park taxes but have a Poughkeepsie mailing address, so you decide where I live -- but not far, just a bit up the line to Red Hook -- which has great schools. I've had my kids in private schools, but the idealist in me was never happy about that.

Ugh, I'm torn regarding the changes they've made on Raymond. I think it looks really nice, but that's about it. People around here don't know how to "do" rotaries and the two they put in are really tiny, so you basically have no choice but to stop at the yield sign if there are any cars in the rotary already. So, while I think it's aesthetically pleasing, if I had to navigate it more than once or twice a week, it would drive me nuts. I also don't see how it will make it any safer for the students. They left the crosswalk that has always been there and eliminated two lights that had crosswalks before. And there is less shoulder room on both sides now. I guess that if someone does get hit trying to walk across the rotary, at least the car won't be going that fast.

I love the Hudson Valley. Although I wasn't born here, I've pretty much lived here all my life and can't imagine living anywhere else. Mom and dad moved here prior to my first birthday. IBM of course. I love the Rhinebeck/Red Hook area. If it weren't so far from everything I do, I'd live in Rhinebeck in a heartbeat. I wish you the best of luck on your forthcoming move. Sounds like you're getting further and further north of Westchester all the time.

Yes, I hear your concerns about the rotaries, and am a little disappointed, but keep telling myself it will be better when it's finished... we shall see, I guess. Like a new haircut, maybe it will be better once it grows in a bit!

Rhinbeck is great, just price wise, a bit beyond my budget -- it's almost becoming a little Soho... or trying to... Red Hook is a bit more down to earth, and affordable!

Yes, it was economic necessity that drove me out of Westchester, and now, I barely recognize it. Too many mcmansions and limo's for my taste!