Kenoza Lake Estates Blog

Welcome Back

2009-07-03T07:23:00.003-04:00

There's a whole lot of moving and shaking going on lately, which has kept me extremely preoccupied for the past couple of months, but finally just starting to catch my breath... We are poised for a great summer and anxiously anticipating the ground breaking of the new home on Lot 17 as well as new gates at our Old Taylor Road entrance. Jessica and I have spent a good bit of time enjoying the lake so far this summer as well (in between thunderstorms of course) and I have to say that it is truly a magnificent place to live! A lot more information coming soon on a much more regular basis!!!

Kenoza Falls Lodge or Kosher Resort??

2009-04-12T10:44:00.004-04:00

We received the following email from Rick Leonard and I'm as curious as Rick to learn any additional history about Kenoza Lake and surrounding community so if you have any information or recollections please let us know or reply to Rick at rsleonard@sbcglobal.net

Even though I'm from California, I've visited the Kenoza Lake area and glad to see that it's now being appropriately developed. My great grandfather, Ignatz Rosenzweig , operated a "Kosher Resort" in the early part of the twentieth century on about 400 acres on and around Kenoza Lake (he disposed of it in the 1920's). By the time I started visiting the area in the late 80's, all physical evidence of the resort was gone. As a child (I'm now 53), I heard many stories about it from my father and grandparents; it was a wonderful, idyllic place where entire families spent weeks escaping from New York City's heat and humidity. Until recently, it was impossible to find anything about Kenoza Lake on the internet. That's changed now with your presence!

If you happen to have uncovered any historical facts or material regarding the resort, I would welcome the opportunity to hear of it...

Best regards,

Rick Leonard
Encino, California

Water Levels at Kenoza Lake

2009-04-12T09:25:00.005-04:00

Most potential buyers at Kenoza Lake are familiar with the Chapin Estate and know something about the ongoing fluctuation of water levels and ongoing controversy. So, I'm often asked questions about the stability of water here at Kenoza Lake. Everyone should understand that conditions at the Chapin Estate on Toronto Reservoir are specific to bodies of water used for hydoelectric power generation. Toronto Reservoir is one of several such bodies of water in the area, but Kenoza Lake is not. My best estimate of how much the Kenoza Lake water level changes is 3 feet from the low point of the driest summer to the high point of a flood.

If you are interested to learn more about what is going on with the Toronto Reservoir and how it's affecting the 'lakefront' homeowners here are two articles that were published in the Sullivan County Democrat recently:
http://www.sc-democrat.com/news/003March/31/toronto.htm
http://www.sc-democrat.com/news/004April/03/news.htm

Lakefront Sale at Kenoza Lake!

2009-03-31T16:23:00.005-04:00

Momentum continues here at Kenoza Lake Estates as we celebrate our first sale in 2009. Congratulations to Michael and Terry Groll on their purchase of Lot 17, which closed yesterday morning. Welcome to the neighborhood!! Michael and Terry have already begun designing their new home and anticipate beginning construction of their custom home either late this summer or early this fall.

Earth Hour 2009

2009-03-27T11:34:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow night, Saturday March 28th at 8:30pm is Earth Hour and one home in Kenoza Lake for sure will be participating! For one hour (8:30-9:30pm) you are invited to participate in the effort to help our planet by shutting down all electricity and lighting. This is designed for everyone around the world, so the time of day applies to local time wherever you are on Earth. If you live in a home go to your breaker panel and shut off the main breaker (too many appliances and electronics draw power even when they aren't in use) and if you live in an apartment of course turn off all the lights and unplug as many things as possible.

This is an excellent opportunity to do something very simple that really does make a difference. It's also an excellent opportunity for a romantic candlelit dinner or candlelit bath! Just time your cooking or filling of the tub to be completed by 8:30! What can one person do? Check out http://www.earthhour.org/home/ and learn all about Earth Hour and the difference that each of us can make. Get involved!

First Certificate of Occupancy Issued Today!

2009-03-19T08:10:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to Barry and Marsha Berson, the owners of Lot 20 at Kenoza Lake Estates! Barry and Marsha have the first completed home inside the gates. Best wishes in your new home guys and we look forward to welcoming each and every new homeowner as they complete their construction and begin to fully enjoy being a member of the Kenoza Lake community!

Spring is coming to Kenoza Lake Estates

2009-03-04T11:12:00.004-05:00

There are few things in life right now that I am looking forward to more than spring. The end of snow and ice (and long johns), and the first signs of robins, green grass, flowers... It's so close I can almost feel it. For Kenoza Lake Estates it means the official opening of our Old Taylor Road entrance, the celebration of our first and second completed new homes, and the beginning of our busiest selling season to date.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will be scheduled for sometime later this spring and I will post the date and the details of the event once they have been confirmed. This will be a public event held at the Old Taylor Road entrance to Kenoza Lake Estates.

Lot 17 goes to Contract!

2009-02-13T22:52:00.004-05:00

I'm very proud to say that we have our first sale in the works for 2009! I signed a contract of sale last week for Lot 17, one of our lakefront parcels, at a sale price of $325,000. See that, there are still buyers out there!!! This sales price was significantly discounted from the listing price in consideration of the fact that our newest prospective members of Kenoza Lake Estates are planning on beginning construction on a new custom home this year (and they're just really nice people). The anticipated closing date is around the middle of March so I'll be sure and put an update out there once the sale has closed.

Sullivan County Message Board

2009-01-25T13:41:00.008-05:00

I have to start off by saying that my inspiration for beginning this blog was David Knudsen from Catskill Buyers Agency and I continue to check his blog regularly for updates, commentary and general who's who and what's what in Sullivan County Real Estate. I believe David keeps an excellent pulse on the market and his website and blog are both full of useful and helpful information. Check it out at http://www.catskill4sale.com/ where you will also find a link to his blog.

Today on David's blog is a link to a fairly new forum designed specifically for Sullivan County second homeowners and those considering becoming Sullivan County second homeowners. This was designed and created by one of David's blog followers who goes by "Bix" and the link is http://sullivancountybbs.proboards.com/index.cgi so check it out!

Settled In

2009-01-25T13:25:00.002-05:00

It's been a little while since my last post. It's amazing how long it takes to get settled into a new home no matter how many times you've moved in the past. Well, Jessica and I (and Dain and Bruce) are all settled in our new home on Kenoza Lake and couldn't be happier (except for the temperatures)! We are looking forward to being part of Kenoza Lake Estates indefinitely.

New Neighbors

2009-01-06T23:39:00.002-05:00

Marc and Jessica Dubrovsky are the newest official residents of Kenoza Lake Estates! Even though we aren't inside the gates (for the moment) we are still very proud members of our great project and thrilled to be full-time residents in Kenoza Lake. This is some of the best that Sullivan County has to offer. Our home was previously the sales office for the project and will remain so temporarily until we open up our new office just down the street.

Do Your Part to Go Green in 2009!

2009-01-03T12:09:00.003-05:00

Recycling is something many people are aware of and is one of the easiest things to do in the Go Green effort. I've lived in and around Sullivan County for as long as I can remember and just recently discovered the extent of recycling options offered at the Cochecton Transfer Station located on Mitchell Pond Road East, just off of County Route 114. Almost everything can be recycled here and at no charge. I would highly recommend separating the recyclables before going to the station to expedite your time as I have recently learned. If you take full advantage of all of their options your household garbage will be reduced to virtually one bag per week.

All tin, aluminum and steel cans as well as basically every plastic container and some plastic bags (plastics #1 thru #7) go together. Then, all of your glass goes together. All cardboard boxes (corrugated cardboard) must be separate from all newspaper and lastly, all magazines, junk mail, office paper and all miscellaneous cardboard (such as a paper towel roll, toothpaste box, pasta box, etc.) all go together. Plastic shopping bags, garbage bags and other miscellaneous unlabeled plastic packaging can be recycled at most grocery stores or Walmart these days.

If you live in any sort of close proximity to this area you can easily make this trip every 1-2 weeks and not only will you be doing a wonderful service for the planet, but depending on your arrangements for disposing of your garbage you will most likely start saving some $$$ which everyone could use these days. The Cochecton transfer station is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7:45am - 2:45pm.

Holiday Thoughts

2008-12-27T07:55:00.002-05:00

In my continued efforts to fight materialism I told my wife what I really wanted for Christmas was to volunteer some place locally.

Finding a place to volunteer your time on Christmas Day is not nearly as easy as you might think, but after much searching, Jessica found the Grace Episcopal Church in Honesdale, PA looking for some extra hands to serve dinner. We discovered that Christmas Day is not the only day the church is hosting free dinner. They work together with other local churches to collectively also host a free dinner every Saturday, Thanksgiving Day, and New Years Day. For more information, call the Grace Episcopal Church at 570-253-2760 or Laura on her cell phone at 570-862-5509.

I've wanted to do something like this for quite some time and it was even more rewarding than I could have imagined. The warmth and love shared between total strangers was practically overwhelming. Reflecting on our wonderful experience, Jessica and I plan to be regular volunteers for the Grace Episcopal Church until we can initiate our own program. Initially we would like to organize some sort of charitable event hosted by Kenoza Lake Estates for Easter Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day for the benefit of local families or organizations that are in need. Ultimately (and ideally) it would be wonderful to organize something more regular than three times per year, but we have to start somewhere!

I would love to hear thoughts and ideas on this topic especially suggestions on who should be our first beneficiaries, keeping in mind that I would this to be as local to Kenoza Lake as possible...

Go Green!

2008-12-15T09:20:00.002-05:00

This is the new catch phrase at Kenoza Lake Estates because these days everyone is either "going green” or talking about it. For some it's a lifestyle and for others it’s the new trendy thing to do. Why not lead a more green life? It isn't the right lifestyle for everyone, but any contribution is welcome and appreciated by those of us who choose to make it a way of life. Recycle your plastic milk jugs, bring your own reusable water bottle to work, or just using a few less bags at the grocery check out line are all examples how easy it is to have an impact. I myself have chosen to make being green a lifestyle - my diet, choice of laundry soap, shopping choices, my car, and now my career all to minimize my carbon footprint. This career move is still new to me and I'm pretty 'green' on the subject as it pertains to construction so as I continue my research and studying I try to surround myself with those of similar ambitions and much more knowledge and experience.

Yesterday, I was invited to an open house on Stewart Road in North Branch, NY. The owners of the home, Jeff and Lizanne McMahon, are also the designers and contractors. They have created a small subdivision and this home is the model for the project. The design includes recycled local barn wood for the floors, doors, cabinets, exposed beams, and exterior siding...stone floors with the stone being from the excavated foundation...river stone floors in the showers found in the creek bed... recycled glass wall tile…insulation made from sugar cane…and the list goes on and on. The home is 100% electric derived from solar energy - a combination of solar thermal and photovoltaic. The McMahons have realized my dream for Kenoza Lake Estates and I'm hopeful to see one of their designs perched proudly on Lot 1 as our model home in the very near future.

For more information on going green check out this blog http://greencountygroup.blogspot.com/ incepted by a group of like-minded and green-minded individuals including Michael Chojnicki, a long time friend and local architect who provided the construction drawings for the McMahon's green home. I am seeing more and more people who are at least aware of their impact on the planet and are doing something about it - for economic reasons (some to save money or to make money), a cleaner and healthier environment for their family especially our children and grandchildren. Whatever the reason, I don’t think this is the time to see this as a trend; it’s a reality.

Jeffersonville Main Street

2008-12-09T11:03:00.005-05:00

I scheduled a visit to Kenoza Lake Estates with David Knudsen from Catskill Buyers Agency on Sunday. David hadn't seen the project since April (in mud season) and we honestly just wanted to show off our new bridge at the Old Taylor Road entrance and the first completed home.
The home is on Lot 20, perched on a rock ledge dramatically overlooking all of Kenoza Lake. The drama and views of the site are truly astounding. This home is actually visible from Route 52 in Kenoza Lake between Mueller and Fulton Hill Roads as you look across the lake . After a very nice tour we took a ride into Jeffersonville to find some holiday cards and upon David's recommendation, went to Echo Letterpress. What a beautiful store... check out their website for more information at http://echoletterpress.com/

Living locally, I've probably been to Jeffersonville just under 1,000 times and it's not often enough that I appreciate what a gem this town truly is and just 4 miles from Kenoza Lake Estates is worth mentioning! There are so many places to visit and this month in particular is a great time to check it out. There are a barrage of holiday events through the end of the month as advertised on the website http://www.jeffersonvillemainstreet.com/

Kenoza Lake Estates vs. The Chapin Estate

2008-11-22T12:58:00.010-05:00

In the years following the publicized enormous success of The Chapin Estate, Sullivan County has seen a lot of copycats, but none have rivaled. For those curious prospective buyers, I would like to state that it has never been and still is not my intent to compete (or copycat), but rather to compliment what The Chapin Estate has to offer. Understandably from a 10,000-foot view, Kenoza Lake Estates appears obvious and direct competitors with The Chapin Estate, but I always answer our buyers that I whole-heartedly disagree and "as long as you buy at one project or the other and keep it in the family" then I am truly pleased.

Despite the similarities of both projects, the unique differences separating them generally don't pull buyers in opposite directions, but instead tend to pull them distinctly more towards one or the other. Although water levels do tend to fluctuate, The Chapin Estate offers its buyers some of the best action for motorboats, jet skis, and the like, on two large public reservoirs, while 90-acre Kenoza Lake offers quiet, non-motorboat activity, private access, and some of the best fishing anywhere, to all Kenoza Lake Estates buyers. The Chapin Estate will also offer hundreds of home sites within its 5,000+ acres, while 390-acre Kenoza Lake Estates will be limited to no more than 60 exclusive residents.

A potential customer asked the other day ‘What amenities do you have?’ Our amenities are the forest, the land, the wildlife, and Kenoza Lake. Just as subtly beautiful and "down-to-earth" as our philosophy. My assistant Chrissy was just on Lot 21 the other day and described a scene in which there was a deer and not just any deer, but an 8-point buck who couldn’t have felt more at ease as if she weren't even there. She stared at the buck, he stared back, and neither one moved as if statues. Deer don’t often stop and pose like that. They run with their tail in the air at any sense of possible threat without question.

As Chrissy witnessed, we have apparently been successful in providing a sense of complete peace for our wildlife at Kenoza Lake Estates and would like to now extend the invitation of complete peace to our human prospects. My best advice to anyone considering The Chapin Estate vs. Kenoza Lake Estates: Come and visit both of these wonderful projects and discover where your personal sense of complete peace is waiting.

Bucking the Perception of Inactivity

2008-11-20T13:03:00.003-05:00

Despite the word on the street of “flat” or “soft” market we are experiencing a tremendous surge in activity this year. In fact, it’s the most activity we’ve seen since our properties became available in the Summer of 2006. Our prospects have been visiting fairly steadily through the year, but there has certainly been a notable increase over the past two months.

I haven’t heard firsthand how are most relative competitors such as Bethel Farms and The Chapin Estate are faring, but my impression is that we are all certainly experiencing more activity than the media would have you otherwise believe. In our case, I’m not sure if there is just one specific thing to attribute the increased interest to. Perhaps it’s our physical proximity to Bethel Woods, which continues to gain patrons as well as notoriety. Perhaps our shift in philosophy towards green building and our coined phrase ‘Go Green’ is catching the eyes of more energy and environmentally conscious individuals or maybe it's just because the word is getting out about the truly special lakefront properties that we have to offer...