In January, the Case-Shiller home price index showed a 20% nationwide drop in median home prices from the year before. Current market indicators are pointing to a continued drop. The era of the buyer’s market is soon arriving, and New York’s Orange County will be offering some of the best deals in ten years. Why look at Homes for Sale in Orange County NY? Orange County is bounded by the Hudson River to the East and the Shawangunk Mountains to the West. This famous area boasts the beautiful state parks of Harriman and Sterling Forest, as well as West Point Military Academy and Brotherhood Winery, the oldest winery in America. Most of the towns lie within two hours of Manhattan which gives Orange County a special status having a rustic, wilderness feel while being adjacent to one of the largest Metropolitan areas on earth. In fact, the main town of Wallkill is generally regarded to be one of the last places within commuting distance to Manhattan that still has undeveloped land.

The Wallkill river deposits some of the most fertile soil in all of New York State, making this pastoral county ideal for planting and gardening. The county is dotted with ancient, glacially produced lakes and criss crossed with rivers and streams running down from the Catskill and Adirondack mountain ranges. The median price of a New York State home in January , 2009 was $210,000. Prices may be bottoming out soon, creating buying opportunities for Real Estate in Orange County NY that may well be hard for even the most cautious to pass up.

Parents considering residential Homes in Orange County New York will be happy to know the schools rank above the national average. In Wallkill or Newburg one can have easy access to big box stores such as Walmart and Best Buy, and all the trappings of good suburban life. Further out on the perimeter of these cities, beautiful countryside vistas open up . Orange County is often described as a real estate “ sweet spot” for maintaining proximity to Manhattan without the exorbitant prices, property taxes and general city congestion. There is some evidence that Manhattanites are beginning to take notice. More housing developments are springing up and an increasing number of development deals are taking place. The most common profile of new arrivals in Orange County are couples from the five boroughs that want clean country air and beautiful views, but desire to maintain a close connection to the city.

Prospective home buyers will be intrigued with the architectural diversity of the area, which ranges from farm style mansions to modest, bilevel wood frames to ranch style abodes. Train commutes to Manhattan can be had via Metro North’s Port Jervis line , with one way tickets ranging between $11 to $15 or $237 for a monthly commuter ticket. Right now home prices are reasonable, and bargains are abundant. Taking into account all the appeal and rustic beauty of Orange County , one realizes that prices will not stay down forever.

It’s easy to forget that there is a whole lot more to New York than the five boroughs. Plan a weekend and hop a train north to discover some of the finest affordable property in New York State.