The Hunt
Finding That Hudson Valley Gem for About $500,000: Which House Would You Choose?
While other upstate buyers were squaring off in bidding wars, one couple looked for an ‘ugly duckling’ in the hamlet of Kerhonkson to make their own. Here’s what they found.
Henry and Jill Burk have been buying property in Kerhonkson, N.Y., for years. But until last year, they had yet to find a home there.
In 2017, while the couple were living in Port Washington, N.Y., they bought a cottage and a cabin in the Ulster County hamlet and started a house-flipping business called Lotus Restoration & Design. They still own those properties, which they plan to renovate and rent eventually, as well as a third house they intend to flip. The endeavor gave the couple a foothold in Kerhonkson, just north of the Shawangunk Ridge.
In 2020, after Mr. Burk, now 52, retired from his job as the manager of a Manhattan printing plant, he and Ms. Burk, 49, got serious about finding a place in Kerhonkson to call home. Ms. Burk still works in Manhattan as a freelance photo stylist for clients like Tory Burch and Coach, but plans to focus entirely on Lotus when she turns 50 in August.
“We fell in love with the area,” said Mr. Burk, who began rock-climbing near the local lakes 15 years ago. “The views were beautiful, it was quiet and there were low taxes.”
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His retirement thrust the couple into a Hudson Valley house search just as a stream of New Yorkers fleeing the city created fierce competition. But while other Hudson Valley buyers were squaring off in bidding wars and offering tens of thousands of dollars over the asking price, the Burks focused on fixer-uppers they could renovate themselves.
Mr. Burk picked up construction skills while working for a plumber when he was in high school and later developed those skills by flipping houses, and Ms. Burk has a background in design. Their ability to do the work themselves meant they didn’t need to spend time and money finding and hiring the right contractor.
The couple wanted a house with enough storage space for Mr. Burk’s tools and a carpentry workshop, enough acreage to have separation from neighbors, and some natural beauty — a stream, or maybe mountain views. Other than that, they were flexible.
“We were always drawn to ugly-duckling houses,” Ms. Burk said. “We want the house that no one else wants.”
Their ability to work with “whatever the circumstances are” set them apart from typical buyers, said Deborah Hitz, the couple’s real estate agent, who owns Habitat Real Estate Group, in Stone Ridge, N.Y.
“Jill and Henry have a vision,” Ms. Hitz said. “They didn’t need a perfect house, and they’re not afraid to tackle a big renovation.” Among their options:
No. 1
Ranch House on Four Acres
This three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom ranch house was built in 1967 and needed a complete update. But the four-acre property offered sweeping mountain views as well as a large barn, a shed and an attached two-car garage that could handle the couple’s storage needs. At 1,820 square feet, the house included a bonus room and a separate entrance once used for a hair salon. The asking price was $595,000, with annual taxes of about $6,200.
No. 2
Outbuildings and Creek Frontage
This seven-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom, 2,468-square-foot house, built in 1940, was once a training facility for boxers. It had classic farmhouse appeal, a large front porch and a new roof. The interior needed a gut renovation and new heating pipes, which limited the financing options. The bucolic property was 16.9 acres and came with four cottages, a large detached garage, a small apple orchard and frontage on the Mombaccus Creek. The asking price was $500,000, with annual taxes of about $3,700.
No. 3
Sweeping Catskills Views
Built in 1965, this four-bedroom, two-bathroom, 2,018-square-foot house sat on a hilly cul-de-sac with sweeping views of the Catskills in front and undeveloped land in back. The 1.6-acre lot included level areas with room for a pool and a garden. Although it needed an overhaul, the house had some nice features, including a stone fireplace in the living room, a sunroom and a screened porch. A garage with an attic and a shed provided storage. The asking price was $345,000, with annual taxes of about $5,000.
Find out what happened next by answering these two questions:
Which Would You Choose?
Ranch House on Four Acres
Outbuildings and Creek Frontage
Sweeping Catskills Views
Which Did They Buy?
Ranch House on Four Acres
Outbuildings and Creek Frontage
Sweeping Catskills Views