Brownstoner Upstate: Putnam County Bargains

We know. You’re looking at the above property’s $395,000 price take and thinking, “That’s a bargain?” Okay, so “bargain” is a relative term when it comes to Putnam County. As we saw last week in our Garrison post, properties are not exactly cheap in the area. However, if you know where to look (avoid Garrison and Cold Spring), you might be able to find something in your price range. This week, we’ve gathered some the more modestly priced homes in the lower Hudson Valley county. However, be warned: Just because the prices are decent doesn’t mean the taxes will be. You have to keep going north if you want lower. Putnam County is on the east side of the river, with its center located approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes from Brooklyn.

This is the most expensive listing we’ll be featuring today, so don’t worry. It gets better from here. In terms of bang for your buck, acreage, mortgage vs. property taxes, etc., this Tudor-style beauty in Brewster could fit into the bargain range, depending on your budget. We love the country bucolic feeling of it all, with cathedral ceilings, stone facade, and 3 acres of land. Pretty screen-in porch, too. Beds: 3. Baths: 2. Square Feet: 1,273. Lot Size: 3 acres. Est. Taxes: $9093.

91 Ballyhack Road, Brewster (For Sale By Owner) GMAP

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One more in Brewster before we move on. This is the largest house on the list today at nearly 2500 square feet. Also, it’s the only one with a pool AND the option to become a member at the Tonetta Lake beach, which is right across the street (lake views included with the price of the house, regardless of whether or not you’re a member of the lake club). Guest accommodations are included, as well. The house, which sits on a half-acre, is located north of Brewster in the neighborhood of Brewster Hill. Less than 3 miles from the Brewster Metro North station. The interior’s not bad, but we’re not fans of the patchwork carpeting. Beds: 4. Baths: 2. Square Feet: 2,496. Lot Size: .5 acres. Est. Taxes: $10,260.

90 Shore Drive, Brewster (Cafe Realty) GMAP

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So, we suspected it might need some work given the “as-is” statement in the listing, but the listing also says “completely renovated in 1995.” We appreciate the roomy house size (2000+ square feet) and the roomy lot size (nearly an acre). And while we also like a cedar shake exterior, we’re not totally sold on the wood paneling inside. It’s a little too much knotty pine for our taste. There’s a local bus right near here at the corner of Route 292 and 311 with a stop at the Patterson Metro North station. Car-free possibility? Perhaps. Beds: 3. Baths: 1. Square Feet: 2178. Lot Size: .87 acres. Est. Taxes: $10,479.

72 Route 292, Patterson (Grand Lux Realty) GMAP

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Let’s just get this out of the way: Paying nearly $9000 in taxes for a $235,500 property is pure insanity. That said, it’s a cute farmhouse on 1.5 acres in a neighborhood just south of Carmel hamlet, which happens to be a nice little town. Comes with a wrap-around porch, new hardwood floors, and a “generous kitchen” (we’ll have to take the listing’s word for it since there are no pictures of said kitchen). Located less than 6 miles from the Croton Falls Metro North station. Oh, and to answer your burning question, yes. It does comes with an outhouse. Beds: 3. Baths: 1. Square Feet: 1288. Lot Size: 1.5 acres. Est. Taxes: $8,595.

164 Hickory Bend West Road, Carmel (Clickit Realty) GMAP

First photo by Reed Young for 6sqft