Hunter is, along with nearby Lexington, the Catskills town I’ve spent the most time in, so I’ve been paying particular attention to the bargain end of this area.  It seems the Mountaintop has fared better than its southerly cousins during the financial downturn, and real estate values have held up better.  Plus there’s always the possibility of using your property as a ski rental to buoy prices.  All of which means, when you delve under $100k, you find places like this:

Angels and ministers of grace.  A lovely, Miss Havisham-esque old wreck, to be sure, but perhaps a little challenging as a DIY rehab, yes?  I’m not even linking to the $70k cabin where the listing merrily states “very damp!  Could be mold!”  *Shudder.*

Thankfully, there are some more promising entries in the bargain hunt:

First up is a FSBO from Craigslist.  It’s a 4BR (!), 2 bath farmhouse on a quarter acre, conveniently located square between Hunter and Tannersville.  It’s had a recent (2008), somewhat flavorless renovation, but at least  the major systems have been attended to – the owner reports new water heater, floor, windows, wood stove, well pump and high efficiency propane furnace.

It’s on village sewer, and there’s a deck off one of the upstairs bedrooms.  With major sleeping capacity and proximity to the slopes, $99k seems like a bargain on this one.

10 Clum Hill Road (FSBO/Craigslist) Gmap
Asking Price: $99,000
Beds: 4
Baths: 2
Square Feet: 1,376
Land: .25 acres
Taxes: $2025
Features: Updated systems, central location, deck

Next up is a traditional ski condo.  Not usually my bag, but it’s in good shape and sits just two block from the ski-on/ski-off part of the Hunter slopes.

Yes, okay, it’s bland as saltines despite the somewhat slapdash flourish of the stone fireplace, but I doubt you’ll find a (almost)slopeside condo for less than the $99k they’re asking here.

142-Q4 Hunter Drive (Win Morrison) Gmap
Asking Price: $99,000
Beds: 1
Baths: 1
Square Feet: 620
Land: .12 acres
Year Built: 1980
Taxes: unk.
Features: Community water and sewer, fireplace

Sure, it’s a trailer, but the interior has been completely renovated with a sort of Sauna Chic flair which I really dig.  It’s located right in the village, and one picture I found showed a dishwasher and washer/dryer.

It also apparently comes furnished.  Turn-key!  $90k.

Village of Hunter (address unknown) (Timberland)
Asking Price: $90,000
Beds: 1
Baths: 1
Features: Wood paneling, village location, furnished

This 2BR/2BA cottage is on Route 214, an incredibly scenic drive from Hunter down past Devil’s Tombstone Campground to Phoenicia.  The realtor cleverly excludes the worst of the exterior shots that show up on Realtor.com – there’s a bunch of “TLC” needed here.

That said, the angular paneled den and fireplace are charming, and there’s a seafoam green kitchen suite!  1,220 square feet of potential in a great location for $89k.

3973 Route 214 (Gene Gordon) Gmap
Asking Price: $89,000
Beds: 2
Baths: 2
Square Feet: 1,220
Land: .30 acres
Year Built: 1919
Taxes: unk.
Features: Fireplace, garage

All right, internet, I almost didn’t show you this last one.  Because, to be honest, I am completely smitten with this place and I want it for myself.  So promise me that if you buy this place you’ll let us stay there some time, okay?  Call it a finder’s fee.

It’s an itty-bitty (650 sq. ft.) 2BR/1BA with cedar shake siding, a half-acre lot and a creek running along the back.  Set just off Platte Clove Road, which runs from Hunter/Tannersville straight down the side of a gorge into Saugerties.  Convenient to everything but secluded and surrounded by high peaks and state land, with low taxes, lovely wood floors, a big flat lawn and an asking price of just $79k.  Swoon.

200 Dale Lane (Unique) Gmap
Asking Price: $79,000
Beds: 2
Baths: 1
Square Feet: 672
Land: .50 acres
Year Built: 1926
Taxes: ~$1600
Features: Shake siding, creek

More pictures of all the properties after the jump!

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An article about the non-ski related attractions of Hunter Township, which includes the village of Hunter and neighboring Tannersville, ran in today’s New York Post.

I find Hunter village rather sleepy, even by Upstate standards, but I completely concur about the warmth and friendliness. The last time I was in the hardware store on Main Street, they had coffee and cookies on offer for anyone who wanted them—seriously, baked goods at the hardware store!

This is one of the properties with a coincidental post-Irene price reduction. If you’re in the market for an estate in a century-old gated community, try this…especially if you have a bunch of weddings to host. The decor in this Onteora Park country pad is, um, pretty odd — so odd I almost like it. Lawn jockeys and balloons and wine collections, oh my. It has seven beds, 10 and a half baths, 15 acres, a pavilion, and a two-bed guest house…which, as usual, is that part I really like. Stats on the jump. (more…)

I’m in it for the guest house, myself, but the view from this 5,871-square-foot Arts and Crafts home in the ritzy Onteora Park is probably worth a million on its own. The house has its own website, which riffs on the history of Tannersville as well. It has nine fireplaces, seven beds, six full baths. That oughta do it. It was built in 1920 and from the photos looks like the right combination of updated and preserved. If this one doesn’t do it for you, there are about 20 other exclusive homes available in beautiful Onteora Park.

604 Route 23C, Tannersville (Village Green Realty) GMAP
Asking Price: $2.85 million
Beds: 7
Baths: 6
Year Built: 1920
Land: 14.5 acres
Features: Pond, Mountain views
Distance to NYC: 123 miles, 2 hours, 35 minutes

I’m in it for the guest house, myself, but the view from this 5,871-square-foot Arts and Crafts home in the ritzy Onteora Park is probably worth a million on its own. The house has its own website, which riffs on the history of Tannersville as well. It has nine fireplaces, seven beds, six full baths. That oughta do it. It was built in 1920 and from the photos looks like the right combination of updated and preserved. If this one doesn’t do it for you, there are about 20 other exclusive homes available in beautiful Onteora Park.

604 Route 23C, Tannersville (Village Green Realty) GMAP
Asking Price: $2.85 million
Beds: 7
Baths: 6
Year Built: 1920
Land: 14.5 acres
Features: Pond, Mountain views
Distance to NYC: 123 miles, 2 hours, 35 minutes

As mentioned, the village of Tannersville is up and running (though quiet!), so I thought we’d turn our spotlight on this big, old house right in town. Main Street in Tannersville has a nice smattering of businesses but fewer large stand-alone homes so close to the all the action. The realtor states this house has B&B potential (and with all that floral wallpaper, it’s definitely got the Upstate B&B look down cold). With 4 bedrooms, plus an office/den and 4 baths, you’d certainly have the space, but potential entrepreneurs should note that that Tannersville’s Main Street does already have a couple B&B offerings. Note, too, that while living in “town” in Tannersville does mean you can walk to the bar, or to brunch, or to a nice dinner, you’ll still have to get in your car and drive if you want things like groceries. Town’s geared toward fun, not practicality.

Even if you keep this home all to yourself, you’ll have plenty of original woodwork polishing to keep you occupied. Stats and more pics on the jump.

GMAP 5914 Main St, Tannersville

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Carol Shaw from Shaw Country Realty has very generously offered to check on the homes of second home owners post-Hurricane Irene. The number for Shaw Country Realty is 518-734-3500.

Part of the motivation here is the National Guard is only supposed to let residents through to closed roads. That said, I am not a full-time resident, but I was able to get through. The National Guard has been pretty reasonable about letting people pass, but if you can’t make the trip, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

One more thing: if you bought your home relatively recently, you might want to try your own broker for a similar check-in service. Many Greene County brokers have offered to do the same as Carol.

Main Street, Windham, Volunteer efforts post Hurricane Irene

Hello from Tannersville! I’ve been listening to WRIP-FM pretty obsessively, and it’s been a great source of community information about Hurricane Irene relief in Greene County. They’ve been giving out key numbers all day, many of which can be found on their website. Here’s a quick round-up of their info for getting and giving help if you live in or near Windham.

If you’re in the Windham area and need food, medicine, or water delivered (or know someone who does), call the Windham Emergency Command Center: 518-734-4938. They have real, live people answering the phones! If you’re able to drive and need food, water, or company, you can head to Main Street in Windham and stop in front of the library. They’re set up on the lawn serving hot food and giving free water to all comers. If, like me, you’re still out of electricity, this is a great option for dinner. They’re serving spaghetti for dinner tonight and could also use extra hands. Just show up and they’ll put you to work!

If you’re a mountain resident and want to help deliver food, medicine and water to folks in need, call the command center volunteer hotline at 518-610-0380. Leave a message with your phone number, and they’ll get back to you to tell you what they need. Note that many mountain roads are open to residents only, so you’ll need to show proof of residency if you plan to help out with deliveries.

Albergo Allegria on Route 296 is organizing a clothing drive. They’re accepting donations tomorrow afternoon, Sept 1st, and will be distributing them on Friday, Sept 2nd. They’re looking for volunteers to help sort the donations. Call Iris Kaplan at 518-947-4995 if you’d like to help out. The Albergo Allegria is also offering free hot showers for folks still without running water. No need to call ahead. Just show up with your favorite bath gel.

Finally, note that Tannersville is up and running—-and they have electricity! I’m writing this from Maggie’s Krooked Cafe, where you can use wireless, charge up, etc—-and where they put whipped cream on your iced coffee just to be nice.

Fingers crossed that the rest of the mountain will get electricity by the weekend, as promised!

I planned to write about this Onteora Park Estate before Irene hit. I haven’t been to visit since, but when I head Upstate tonight, I plan to take a drive through lovely, enviable Onteora to see how it fared.

This 1890 home is made of solid stuff: original wide plank floors, stone fireplaces, double-hung windows and even ornate door hinges. There are established perennial gardens throughout the 1.5 acre property, and 4 porches. I hope this pretty piece of history made it through the storm.

854 Onteora Road, Tannersville

Asking Price: $499,000
Year Built: 1890
Bedrooms: 4
Bath:2.5
Acres:1.5
Sq.Footage: 2617
Distance to NYC:123 miles, 2 hrs, 35 mins

Upstater’s Alia is in Greene County to check on her house and help out other folks who were looking for information about their loved ones and properties. (Her house is fine, yay). She reports that Route 23A is closed, but she was able to get up 23. Others reported that Mountain Road from Saugerties is closed and collapsted at Kaaterskill Falls. Tannersville, however, is doing fine and much is open for business.

Another reader wrote in to tell us that her mom, and her mom’s house, is fine, but that the caretaker of the property drowned while trying to deal with the aftermath of the storm. Our hearts go out to her.