Upstate House

There’s a reason that the promise of a gorgeous new home in the Catskills can sound too good to be true. Too often, they’re missing something that really matters to homeowners: enough acreage for seclusion, affordability, proximity to towns with food and culture, or modern design that actually measures up, to name a few.

With Rustic Pines, a new residential development in construction in the up-and-coming Ulster County town of Wawarsing, the team at Hudson Modern Co is setting out to prove that the Catskills dream home doesn’t have to be a mirage.

The 2,272-square-foot new modern homes are designed and customized through Hudson Modern and built on-site by developer and builder Silber Construction Co. The spacious lots are spread across 145 acres, surrounded by pristine natural beauty, and are outfitted to the nines.

“People are surprised when they learn the price is all-inclusive—we’re not skimping on quality. There are there are some very real, convenient factors that allow us to offer these homes at $350 per-square-foot,” explains Zev Eisenberg, who co-founded Hudson Modern with Sheneur Menaker. “One is the direct to builder model, another is that Wawarsing is still in an early growth phase. Neighboring Kerhonkson and Accord gained popularity recently and now have growing cultural scenes and home prices to match; Wawarsing may be next in line, but it means investing now allows room for home values to grow,” he says.

Because the Hudson Modern team is both designer and broker, they were able to incorporate recent conversations they had with other clients to inform the list of a-la-carte upgrade and customization options. “We tried to find out what people truly want in a home that fits today’s lifestyles, then based the offering on that research,” says Eisenberg.

Those traits include durable oak floors throughout, open kitchens that feature sleek quartz countertops, Samsung stainless steel or matte black appliances, and quality modern fixtures. All bedrooms include double closets, and generous primary bedroom suites can be customized to preferred size. “And the property is just beautiful,” Eisenberg says. “When completed, it will have two walking trails, two ponds, and a playground—you’re a part of a community, but there’s still more than enough privacy on the spacious lots.”

The base model homes also feature wood-burning fireplaces, 26-foot-tall ceilings, full basements, energy-efficient mechanicals, and an 8-by-28-foot deck. But what’s most surprising is the cost. Since the project’s developer is also the builder, there are fewer external parties to work with, and buyers can speak directly with the builder. That lack of a middleman translates to real cost savings. According to Eisenberg, this alone can typically save buyers up to $150,000. “You can walk into a turn-key new home with premium fixtures and finishes at a price that’s significantly lower than other similar modern new construction homes, with a luxury builder who has maintained a trusted reputation since 1984.”