Brownstoner Upstate: Catskill Potential

Fridays at 11, Brownstoner Upstate brings you a selection of properties within three hours north, and a little east or west, of New York City.

Looking for an inexpensive fixer-upper in a town up north near the Hudson River? Allow us to offer Catskill in Greene County as a possibility to help narrow your search. We love the quaint village of Catskill, a walkable town with lots of great shops, some good food, and a riverside location that becoming more and more desirable as people look to the north for better home prices, more selection, and relatively lower taxes. The encompassing town of Catskill is home to another little hamlet we love, Palenville. We found four properties loaded with potential to become your upstate New York dream house. However, keep this in mind: These properties may need work. Some need cosmetic fixes, others need all kinds of massive renovations and repairs. Consider yourself warned.

So, it’s basically gutted and needs everything, including bedrooms on the second floor, which was once set up as an apartment. The listing warns of freeze damage to the pipes and a few other issues, as well, but it looks like it could be awfully sweet and fancy upon completion. Located on a residential street in the hamlet of Jefferson Heights, about a mile north of the village of Catskill. Beds: 0. Baths: 2. Square Feet: 1,792. Lot Size: .22 acre. Est. Taxes: $5,735.

147 Jefferson Heights, Catskill (Nola Gutmann) GMAP

——

Got several years to devote to a massive project that will result in a huge rambling old country farmhouse? This one was originally constructed in the 1700s then turned into a three-family residence. We like the idea of a single-family much better. Includes a five-acre lot, barns and outbuildings, and a pond. Listing claims a mountain view. Beds: 6. Baths: 3.5. Square Feet: 4,175. Lot Size: 5.1 acres. Est. Taxes: $5,896.

305 Cairo Junction Road, Catskill (Steve Hubbard) GMAP

——

This house near a waterfall doesn’t need lots of work; in fact, if you don’t mind the look of knotty pine and grey carpeting, it doesn’t need much at all. But we can’t help but see other things in store for this house, and we like the idea of being able to hear a waterfall outside of our window. It’s also located near the ruins of an old grist mill, which piqued our interest. Downside: It’s location near the falls puts it in the “High Risk” category for flooding. Beds: 6. Baths: 3. Square Feet: 3,780. Lot Size: .4 acre. Est. Taxes: $5,974.

500 High Falls Road Extension, Catskill (Lawrence O’Toole Realty) GMAP

——

Palenville is located in the town of Catskill, just on the other side of the Greene County line from Saugerties. It’s close to Kaaterskill Falls and lots of other places to hike and swim when it’s hot out, and we’ve driven past this neat farmhouse a few times, wondering what’s up with it. Well, here’s what’s up: It’s on the market, and it needs little work, although we’d like to rid it of those dropped-tile ceilings and the wood paneling, if at all possible. It’s got a screened-in porch and one fabulous carriage house. We might be in love. Beds: 5. Baths: 2. Square Feet: 2,240. Lot Size: .73 acre. Est. Taxes: $5,143.

3423 Route 23A, Palenville (Coldwell Banker Village Green) GMAP

——