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Jacob Matthews, Realtor in Tuxedo Park, New York

My name is Jake Matthews. I am a Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker in NY and a lifelong resident of Tuxedo Park, NY.  I know the Tuxedo Park community very well from the historic homes to the geography and neighborhoods and the local real estate market.  Following is a brief background about my passion for helping homeowners sell their homes, and buyers find their dream homes.

If you want to get in touch contact me here.

Jacob Matthews is an Associate Real Estate Broker at Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty in Nyack NY.   As a life-long resident of Tuxedo Park, NY, he has a deep knowledge of New York’s Lower Hudson Valley real estate markets. He was recently ranked as a monthly top sales producer in 2020 at Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty.

Jake’s 20 year professional sales and marketing background, in economic research, Internet marketing and the building industry gives him unique and valuable insights into property marketing, and a deep understanding of the built environment. The combination of these professional experiences gives Jake’s clients a competitive edge when selling or buying.

Jake works diligently to unite sellers with prospective buyers; and buyers with their dream properties. He is always client-focused, honest and puts the utmost priority on confidentiality, discretion and results. 

Jake covers the following communities for both residential and commercial real estate:

Orange County

      • Tuxedo Park & Town of Tuxedo
      • Town of Warwick and Villages of Warwick, Greenwood Lake and Florida
      • Town of Cornwall and Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson
      • Goshen 
      • Monroe / Woodbury
      • Chester 
      • Washingtonville
      • New Windsor 
      • …and other local Orange County towns and Villages

Rockland County

    • Nyack, Upper Nyack, South Nyack and the West of Hudson River communities.
    • Suffern, Airmont, Montebello
    • New City
    • Nanuet
    • …and other local Rockland County towns and Villages

In his free time he enjoys the Concours d’Elegance collector car circuit and endurance sports car racing events as well as doing automotive photography and blogging about collector cars.   He explores New York City and the Hudson Valley’s many offerings of arts, entertainment and outdoor sports. When time allows, he travels internationally with his wife and young son in search of cultural, sporting and gastronomic delights. He is an active member in several local community organizations in the Tuxedo Park, NY area.

Jake received his Bachelor’s degree in English from Boston College and studied French language and history at Université Stendhal  Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France. 

If you interested in buying or selling Tuxedo Park real estate or the Tuxedo Park area, feel free to contact me on my cell phone at 914.588.8001.  Thank you for visiting.

Jacob Matthews Realty Group LLC

Beyond the Market: Three Delicious Restaurants in Tuxedo, NY

One of the things that makes a community a great place to live is its local flavors, and that includes the fantastic restaurants in Tuxedo NY. When you are looking to explore and are considering a move to a new area, you might want to know what the lifestyle is like so you know what to expect, right?

While you may be searching for your future home in Tuxedo NY, or just browsing and trying to learn what are the current Tuxedo NY housing market trends, always explore the vibrant local scene as well. Today, let’s explore three fantastic restaurants that captures the spirit of town, whether you’re a long-time resident or a future homebuyer, these local spots are a must-visit.

In no particular order, below are three great restaurants you may explore in Tuxedo NY, along with their phone numbers, addresses, and web links.

Dottie Audrey’s Bakery & Kitchen

First is this local restaurant commonly known as “DAs” offers a scratch made comfort food, a cozy atmosphere and service with a smile! They serve some of the best baked goods in the New York Metro Area all made fresh daily, in house!  DA’s offers “family style” meals and I contend they make one of the best baguetts this side of the Atlantic. You can place a take-out order via telephone or dine-in.  While your there say hi to the friendly staff and the always present owners Pat and Jen!!!  Don’t forget to try the salmon lox omelette, the crispy tofu bowl or the black bean veggie bowl.  The strawberry lemonade is a great side drink. And take home a fresh baguette! You can also check their Instagram here, their Facebook here, and their website here.

Address: Duck Cedar Plaza at 549 NY-17, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987
Phone: (845) 915-3088

Tuxedo Sushi

Next, if you’re in the mood for something different, Tuxedo Sushi offers a modern dining experience Tuxedo Hamlet across from the train station. Tuxedo Sushi has been a local favorite for years, and it’s easy to see why it’s considered one of the best Japanese restaurants in Southern Orange County. They serve a wide menu that goes beyond incredible sushi rolls and sashimi to include delicious salads, soups, and warm, cooked Asian-style meals that are available for both dine-in and takeout. You can check their Instagram here or their website here. You can check their Instagram here or their website here.  Don’t forget to try the sweetheart roll!!!

Address: 233 NY-17 Tuxedo Park, NY 10987
Phone: 845-351-3211

Los Molcajetes Mexican Restaurant

Finally, if you’re looking for some authentic and hearty Mexican food? Look no further than Los Molcajetes where vibrant colors and festive atmosphere is always expected. With their menu being packed with traditional dishes that are made with care, from sizzling fajitas to savory tacos, this is a great option for a lively gathering. What I love is their generous portions that do not disappoint.  Be sure to try the quesadillas!! You can also check their Instagram here, their Facebook here, and their website here.

Address: 233 NY-17, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987
Phone: 845-915-3220

In summary, these three great restaurants are just a small slice of what it means to live in beautiful Tuxedo. A great local community that offers variety and access to great dining experience. Still standing through the years, this is a testament on how great these restaurants have been serving the Tuxedo community and how the locals have continued to give their undying support to local businesses.

Thank you for reading, sharing and supporting the local businesses in Tuxedo.

Well-crafted Drinks from Dottie Audrey's

Selling NY’s Lower Hudson Valley

Serving New York’s Lower Hudson Valley, with a decade of expertise in representing fine properties from Tuxedo Park, to Warwick, Goshen to Cornwall-on-Hudson to Cold Spring and beyond. I maintain a clear commitment to client success and satisfaction. I forge deals with skilled expertise in market positioning, leading edge marketing, negotiations and client solutions. With access to numerous, vetted real estate industry professional resources, my clients benefit from grounded advice, agility, speed, security and confidence. With my Sotheby’s International Realty network, my dealmaking takes place beyond my core area of direct representation into markets including New York City, Long Island, Vermont, Massachusetts , Florida, Connecticut, New Jersey and more. Contact me today for creative thinking and guided expertise to drive success with your real estate portfolio and real estate needs.

6 Simple, Low-Cost Staging Tips

Former Home and Studio of artist Jasper Johns. Simplicity / “less is more” rules the day in staging.

Photo: HTV / Michael Steele

Selling a home can be stressful, from choosing a realtor and attorney to planning for the next moves. It can be a bit overwhelming for some, but there are ways to reduce the stress and increase your odds for a successful sale. After nearly a decade in the real estate brokerage business, I can say with confidence that staging your home in advance of listing helps reduce stress; it not only begins to help you with your eventual move, but also increases the odds for successful showings and a potential higher selling price, as opposed to an unstaged home.

What do I mean by staging? I don’t mean placing fluffy throw blankets across the corner of each couch or taking the latest design trends from Pinterest or Instagram; I mean doing more substantive and meaningful actions.

Here are 6 simple, low-cost staging tips that will help you sell your home faster, for more money and with less stress!

  1. Exterior: Cut the grass, trim the shrubs, blow the leaves, plant some flowers mulch the flower beds. Powerwash your walkways and siding.
  2. Garage: clear the garage of everything except for the absolute necessary items: yard tools, a bicycle or 2 and your vehicles. Blow and sweep the floor. If you want to go one step further, you can bring in a garage floor painting specialist to epoxy paint or floor paint the garage floor.
  3. Reduce items: Simplicity rules the day in staging; less is more. Unless your home is completely bare of personal items, there is improvement to be made. I typically tell people, try to reduce your personal items by about 50% or more. This will help depersonalize the space – giving the potential buyers an opportunity to feel themselves in the home – but also goes a long way to helping you pare down or pack for your move.
  4. Paint: Paint/painting is cheap and quick. Paint obvious areas where walls are dirty, scratched and stained. It’s an opportunity to pick chic, historic or timeless colors and ditch the 20-year-old fad color. I’m a huge fan of Benjamin Moore’s historic color line.
  5. Deep Cleaning: Hire a professional cleaning crew to deep clean the entire home. Steam clean tile floors, wash windows and clean carpets. Nothing is worse for a showing than a home with obvious grime visible to the eye.
  6. Handyman Fixes: For a couple of hundred dollars, you can have a local handyman fix loose door handles, running faucets or toilets, cabinet doors and more, to make a positive impression of a well-maintained home. Buyers want to know that a homeowner has stayed on top of basic repairs – if not that they can worry about the larger stuff too.

These small tips and small expenditures of time and money will make your property sell faster, for a higher dollar amount and reduce your stress after you list your home.

Sold Stone Carraige House in Tuxedo Park

Jacob Matthews representing the sellers recently sold 32 Lookout Road. This home set on approximately 2.1 acres featured amazing original hand-cut monolithic stone and shingle exterior and a free-flowing floorplan across approximately 4,000 sf. A wonderful example of a Tuxedo Park carriage house turned full residence. Congratulations to the new owners. Sold 1/15/22.

Tuxedo Park stone carriage house, sold by Jacob Matthews, Associate Broker, Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty

Jacob Matthews Realtor earns SRS Designation

Jacob Matthews, Associate Real Estate Broker with Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty, has completed his Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) coursework, exams and designation which brings him a level-up when representing sellers in real estate transactions.  This designation conferred by National Association of Realtors (NAR) Real Estate Business Institute (REBI) increases expertise in seller representation, negotiation, ethics and effectiveness in real estate transactions.   Jacob has a passion for working with sellers and marketing homes and it repeatedly shows in the results he achieves for his clients.   He consistently trains and educates through professional associations to serve and achieve at a higher level in the industry.  SRS designation is one more step in Jacob’s dedication to professional development and growth as a Realtor.

Jacob Matthews lists luxury real estate properties in NY’s Orange & Rockland Counties and the greater Lower Hudson Valley region.

Historic Home Sold – Rock Tavern, NY

I’m pleased to announce that the John Springstead Bull House in Rock Tavern, NY (Town of New Windsor) has been sold. A classic Orange County, NY “Bull House”, this magnificent mid-19th century hand-cut stone structure still has many period details intact. A wonderful example of the Lower Hudson Valley’s unique antique homes that are now so highly coveted. The home and accessory stable barn sits on just over 3 acres of verdant Orange County lands! In need of total restoration, and rehabilitation, the home is 4 BR | 3 BA | 4800 sf. Sold January 2021. Congratulations to the new owners who are professional designers / decorators and developers who will restore the home to its glory with an eye to it’s beauty and history. You can follow their ongoing restoration project over at @bullfarm1856 on Instagram. I represented the seller in the transaction and was honored to be a part of this. Both agents worked very hard and all parties pleased! For more information on Orange County, NY homes for sale, contact Jacob Matthews, Associate Broker at Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty.

Sold Estate Home – Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY

It was a strong finish to the year, right up to the second to last day of 2020 with the successful sale of Sengen House at 6 Sengen Lane in Cornwall on Hudson, NY. I was deeply honored and pleased to represent this amazing estate home and its owners, direct descendants of the 1st, only and original owners from the early 1900’s. The home boasts some of the very best long distance, sweeping scenic views in all of the Lower Hudson Valley and the listing was extensively covered in local, national and international media. On 19.9 mountaintop acres it features a massive 9 bedroom main estate home of approximately 9,000 sf, including the attached guest quarters. And it has a detached guest cottage offering 2 beds and 2 baths w/ garage and horse stables. A rare and unique opportunity. I represented the sellers in the transaction and the buyer was brought in by an NYC broker who really was great to work with on the other side of the table. Both seller and buyer are truly pleased for the next phases here and elsewhere!

Sold in Tuxedo Park – Carriage House

Sold and Closed on 11/30/2020 – I was pleased to represent the sale of 18 Patterson Brook Road, Tuxedo Park, NY. This home is one of the most amazing properties I’ve ever marketed and sold; remarkable in every way. An authentic recreation of the 1890’s carriage house that stood on the same site. 4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Baths | 4,400 sf | 3.2 acres of stunning property and privacy! I represented the sellers in this transaction.

Sold – 23 West Lake Road Tuxedo Park

Closed and sold – Looking back at some sales I made in 2020. “The Old Fish Hatchery” closed and sold in Tuxedo Park. Lakefront cottage, 1.7 acres | 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths | 2253 SF | in ground swimming pool. Sold $998,000. on 8/17/2020. Such a great property!! I represented the sellers in this transaction. If you have any questions about the Tuxedo Park real estate market (or surrounding communities) feel free to contact me at any time at 914.588.8001.

Fish Hatchery - Tuxedo Park Lakefront Home
Fish Hatchery – Tuxedo Park Lakefront Home

Local Restaurants & Markets to Support in Tuxedo and Sloatsburg

Local restaurants and markets are still serving the the Tuxedo and Sloatsburg communities in a variety of ways.  It’s important to support local businesses in this challenging time.  Your support can help the business owners weather a severe cut-back in normal revenue so that they are there for us when things improve.  Your support also helps the food service employees and their families during this trying time.  The workers and their families depend on their jobs and we can help sustain them by shopping local.

There are a variety of shopping options from pizza to sushi to fresh baked goods, and for all price points and needs including the Sloatsburg Food Pantry which is providing critical food staples and support to the community.

In no order of preference, following are several local markets and restaurants to patronize along with phone numbers, addresses and web links to their websites and social media accounts.   I may post some more in the future as well.

TUXEDO PARK, NY

Steve’s Pizza Tuxedo: Phone (845) 915 3022   Steve’s pizza has wonderful wood-fired groumet pizza made from the freshest ingredients as well as RIBS & WINGS!!! and other goodies.  Call Steve’s to order lunch or dinner today for curb-side pickup.  Address: Across from Tuxedo Schools at 156 NY-17, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987    Follow Steve’s Pizza on Instagram here, and Facebook here.

 

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Dottie Audrey’s: Phone (845) 915-3088  Dottie Audrey’s offers some of the best baked goods in the New York Metro Area.  DA’s is offering prepared “family style” meals.  I contend they have better baguettes than you find in France.  Please place your take-out order by telephone today! Curb-side pickup at Dottie Audrey’s in Tuxedo.  Address: Duck Cedar Plaza at 549 NY-17, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987  Follow Dottie Audrey’s on Instagram here and Facebook here.

 

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Orange Top Diner: Phone (845) 351-3316 Wide variety menu of diner items.  Think Pancakes, Omlettes, Salads and more!  The Orange Top Diner has been a staple in Tuxedo for several decades, give them a call for breakfast, lunch or dinner!  Address: 192 NY-17, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987

Tuxedo Sushi: Phone 845-351-3211  Tuxedo Sushi has been serving Tuxedo for a number of years and is one of the best Japanese restaurants in Southern Orange County.   Offering Sushi, Rolls, Sashimi  as well as salads, soups and warm cooked Asian-style meals.  Address: 233 NY-17  Tuxedo Park, NY 10987 Follow Tuxedo Sushi on Instagram here.

 

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SLOATSBURG, NY

Valley Rock Mountain Market:  Phone (845) 320-6357   New to Sloatsburg, the Valley Rock Mountain Market features fresh, locally sourced produce, healthy prepared foods (hot / cold), high-quality packaged goods and pantry items.  Shop online….at this market link: https://valley-rock-market.myshopify.com/ Shop online today and then pick up your order curbside in Sloatsburg or have your order delivered in Sloatsburg or Tuxedo.  Address: 88 Orange Turnpike, Sloatsburg, NY 10974, ENTER at Sloatsburg Commuter lot off Mill Street.    Follow the Valley Rock Mountain Market on Instagram Here.

 

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Sunnyside’s Bar & Grill:   Phone (845) 753-2519  Serving it’s famous thin-crust pizza for over 50 years, Sunnyside is a local pizza staple.  Call in your order today and the friendly  staff at Sunnyside’s will be pleased to cook up a pie or other home-style meal for you.  Address: 245 Orange Turnpike, Sloatsburg, NY 10974

The Village Blend: Phone (845) 712-5585  Coffee, Cappuccino, blenders, sandwiches, soups, baked goods, cookies, cafe menu items for take-out.   Call the Village Blend today for an order!  Address: 86 Orange Turnpike, Sloatsburg, NY 10974  (enter off Mill Street and park in Sloatsburg Commuter lot next to Valley Rock Inn.)

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Hayward’s Deli & Market: Phone: (845) 753-2016  Offering prepared foods, hot and cold sandwiches, grilled foods and general packaged goods.  A staple in the Sloatsburg shopping plaza for decades, Hayward’s market is open for business so please call in your order and pick up!  Address: 59 Orange Turnpike, Sloatsburg, NY 10974

Seven Lakes Station: Phone:  (845) 712-5586 Established in 2016 and fast becoming one of the hottest craft beer taprooms in the Lower Hudson Valley. Seven Lakes Station or “SLS” is offering up cooked meals from their new kitchen as well as craft beers to go, canned or growlers!  Proprietors Jaime and Martijn are there for your take-out orders, so call in today.   Address: 80 Orange Tpke
Sloatsburg, NY 10974   Follow SLS on Instagram here.

 

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Sloatsburg Food Pantry:    From the website of the food pantry organization: “The Sloatsburg Food Pantry is an organization of committed volunteers with a broad base of community support. Our goal is to provide supplemental, nutritionally balanced food to those in need, while respecting the dignity of each person we serve. The Sloatsburg Food Pantry serves those living in Sloatsburg, Suffern, Hillburn, Montebello and the Town of Tuxedo. ”    Contact: Susan Meyer, Director at (914) 393-3160  or Joyce Donohue at (201) 394-0627 or via email   SloatsburgFoodPantry@gmail.com

This is by no means a complete list of all local businesses and I may be posting more on my social media soon.   Let’s support them all!

Thank you for reading, sharing and supporting the local businesses in Tuxedo and Sloatsburg during these challenging times!