Buying on the island in the last couple of years has been like hitting the lottery. One of my friends bought a house in woodstock last year for 180k, and I just had it appraised for 349k. As they say, G-d isn't making any more land.
I really don't have any experience in the market way upstate, but I can get mortgages done anywhere in New York. I can also do them in N.J., Fla., Mass., and P.A.