For the past 30+ years my wife Bette and I have lived in the heart of the Hudson Valley, in the famous art and music colony of Woodstock, at the top of its largest mountain. Bette is part of the MacDaniel family, who settled into the Woodstock area around 1825 (a relative newcomer to the area, my family, the Rapoport’s, arrived in 1947).
After a decade in real estate, I worked for the next 20 years as the CEO of two successful marketing companies that created innovative new products and communication tools for American businesses. I negotiated agreements with companies such as Pfizer, Merck, Upjohn, Johnson and Johnson pharmaceutical companies, Cooper Industries, Crescent Wrench, MIBRO International, GM, Ford, Sears, and numerous smaller companies. In my capacity as CEO and representative of my company, I traveled extensively.
By many, I am considered an expert in creative marketing, having won numerous awards and honors for my work. I began my career as a Construction/Design engineer, hold a Masters Degree in marketing, and a Doctorate in a business development field. I am also a published writer and storyteller, and have owned several Hudson Valley businesses as well. During my earlier stint in real estate, before I began my career in marketing, I enjoyed a singular reputation as a forthright and proficient agent. In 1978, I won the first award of its kind from the Ulster County Board of Realtors for “Outstanding Service and Contributions to the Real Estate Profession.”
I have sold homes and commercial properties extensively throughout the region; no property being too large or small to represent. In fact, I’ve sold everything from restaurants chains, to apartment buildings, auto dealerships and publishing companies, to log cabins, cottages, country retreats, executive homes and large tracts of land.
In 2000, I gave up my marketing business and returned once again to the real estate profession so I could reduce my time traveling for business and focus on my life in the Hudson Valley that I dearly love. For seven of the past eight years I have been top performer and General Manager of FreeStyle Realty, our wonderful boutique three office agency. I am Ulster County’s Fair housing, anti-trust, and ethics instructor for all new agents entering the profession. I am formerly the Chairperson of its Education Committee and continue to serve as a member.
Many consider me unique in the real estate field due to my highly diverse business background. I pride myself on being very different from the average agent you may encounter. I also have a great fondness for working with people from all walks of life and with varied financial capabilities. For years now more and more folks call me “uncle” Mitch because I seem to be the one folks often turn to for information and help. It is a handle that I am proud to wear.
Buying or selling someone else’s property is a serious and personal matter to me, and it deserves a serious, well informed, professional approach. I would expect nothing less if it were my own property. With that in mind, if you ever have need of my services, you have my promise that no one will ever work harder and bring more powerful skills to bear for you. Check out some of the comments my clients were kind enough to send me.
Please feel free to call my home phone number: 845-679-7526 or send me an email. You’ll get very caring undivided attention.
“Uncle” Mitch