One of the greatest gems in existence in Ulster County is Mohonk Mountain House and the surrounding 2,200 acres it sits on. This historical Victorian style resort is on the shores of Lake Mohonk and  boasts picturesque views of all the surrounding natural beauty. It has an impressive 266 guest rooms, including 28 tower rooms along with a spa, indoor pool, and an outdoor ice skating rink for use in winter months. Adjoining this property are another 6,400 acres of the Mohonk Preserve, with 85 miles of hiking and carriage trails. In the spring and summer, boating, fishing and swimming are all popular on the lake. In the fall and winter, you can enjoy cross country skiing, snowshoeing and ice-skating, making this a destination for the whole family. 

Whether…

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If you are looking for a quiet, rural area to call home or to buy your second home, Kerhonkson NY is a perfect choice. Considered a hamlet of Rochester, Kerhonkson offers peace and tranquility. There are a few amenities in downtown, including a pharmacy, post office and chinese restaurant, however, 209 cuts straight through the town making it about a 20 minute drive to most of the bigger things that you will need. You will not be disappointed as Ulster County in general is an amazing place to find antiques, unique finds and furnishings. Kerhonkson is perhaps best suited for the photographer, artist or writer looking for creative surroundings.

The property below, located in Kerhonkson is the ideal peaceful setting. Sitting on 60 beautiful acres with two…

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The trend of solar powered homes is moving from the popular west coast, nationwide, allowing homeowners to combat energy costs by giving back to the power grid. Some of these homeowners are even realizing a small profit. When Walmart is putting solar panels on their buildings, I think it's time that everyone else start thinking about it. 

What is curbing energy consumption? The answer is really common sense. Builders are smartly designing the layout of homes and features such as dual paned windows, air tight duct work, high caliber wall andattic insulation are considered with great detail. When paired with solar energy, which is captured through panels these homes are feeding electricity back into the grid. 

It is true that in the sun-scarce days of…

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st. patricks day ulster county

Many of us think of St. Patrick's Day and we think Irish food (usually corned beef and cabbage and Guinness) when in reality, there is actually a reason why this day is celebrated.

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17th, which is the saint's religious feast day and the anniversary of his death back in the 5th century. This is a day that the Irish have celebrated for over 1,000 years. St. Patrick's Day falls during the Christian Season of Lent and traditionally Irish families would go to church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon with dance, drink and feasting as the prohibitions of Lenten were lifted. 

Ulster County celebrates with a parade every year. There is no need to go all the way to NYC, where the crowds are enormous and…

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Ulster County is comprised of many towns and smaller hamlets, which offer a wide variety of activities to take part in on any day, in any month of the year. For locals and tourists alike, you are sure to find something that will peak your interest.

1. CAMPING  Ulster County has early 2,000 individual campsites over 17 independently owned and operated campgrounds. These range from the most rustic to full service and even camping resorts. There are five award winning camping resorts that offer the most fantastic amenities. You will not be disappointed with heated pools, fitness centers, children's programs, and hot tubs and spas. Some of these campgrounds even have reward programs, just like major hotels. 

2. DINING  Ulster County has taken full…

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A fixer can be the greatest investment you will ever make, or it can be a huge disaster and money pit. Fixers are great as they are not contingent on the conditions of the real estate market. Any time is a good time to buy a fixer. Lower sales price, less competition (not many people want to buy fixers), and the infinite potential for re-sale.

What should you look for in a fixer? Here are a few suggestions...

Location. You have heard this time and time again. Always remember this valuable piece of advice! Buy the fixer in a desirable neighborhood, with good schools close by, it will make it easier when you go to sell the home. Configuration. How is the house set up, are the bedrooms separated, kitchen on the main floor, etc.? Layout. Is there an open floor…

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When looking for homes to purchase, many times we look at so many and just cannot find the perfect house. There is a simple and more affordable solution than you may think: build a home. 

Depending on what your budget is, you can customize every aspect of your new home or you can choose from a range of already existing floor plans and features. Building allows you to have complete control over the way your home is designed, you will gain knowledge and have expert advice right at your fingertips. The builders and contractors will be taking care of the permits and thinking about the codes that need to be followed, leaving you with peace of mind. 

A new development of land called Cedar Ridge in Kingston New York is the perfect place to build your new…

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Buying or selling a house is sometimes an overwhelming prospect that can leave you with stress and anxiety. Hiring a real estate agent here at Murphy Realty Group can alleviate that stress, here are some reasons why:

  1. Education and Experience - Years of training and experience makes our agents well aware of all the ins and outs of the business. Most likely, they have seen it all, which will make negotiating a breeze.

  2. Agents Act as Liaisons - There are multiple calls that need to happen, an agents phone is always ringing. Buyers and sellers can be pushy, agents will guard against bad deals. 

  3. Area Knowledge - This is an agents job...think of them as your personal concierge, especially if you are from out of town. They know the area, how to…

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Spring is just around the corner and is a time when sellers are ready to call an agent and get their home on the market. Preparing and staging your house is beneficial for both obtaining maximum price and for selling quickly. Taking the time to prep your home, turns it into a desirable and very marketable property that buyers will certainly be interested in. Consider the next few ideas before doing anything!

  • DO NOT LOOK BACK. Look toward the future! Part with or separate yourself from your house – imagine that it is just someplace to stay temporarily. Look at it as if you will be handing over the keys any day to the new owners.
  • DE-PERSONALIZE. Buyers often have a hard time looking past personal photos of family and what you like to call,…

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Woodstock NYWhen looking for homes for sale in Ulster County, NY, an area of particular interest is Woodstock, NY. Woodstock, NY is ultimately known for its wide variety of art culture, from theatre to music to photography and all other art alike. This town comes alive with its vibrant small hamlet feel. People greet you with a smile as you pass them on the street and in the warm summer months it is not uncommon to hear music coming from a local musician playing on the grass in the center of town. Rich in history, Woodstock was home to many painters that attended the Hudson River School as well as musicians such as Van Morrison and Bob Dylan. There is a definite peaceful tranquility and creative vibe that is undeniable.

Woodstock, NY is just a short drive to just…

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