Perfect Metuchen Family Home

How would you like to live in Metuchen, a wonderful town located in Central New Jersey? It's a small town with a great community spirit, good schools and an appealing town center. You can walk to town from most of the homes and enjoy the shopping, a variety of restaurants and coffee bars. There's also a train station with the Northern line straight into Manhattan without having to change. If you're in a hurry, the jitney to Metuchen station stops on the corner, two blocks away.

This home is located in Beacon Hills which is a very desirable area of Metuchen. It's set on a nice sized, landscaped lot. It offers 4 bedrooms, a separate sitting room and 2.5 bathrooms. There's a large, sunny living room with a fireplace and a separate dining room. The eat-in kitchen has been updated with maple, corian counters and stainless steel appliances. Just off the dining room is a wonderful, updated 3-season room with large windows all around - a great place to enjoy the warmer weather . Downstairs there's a cozy den with new hardwood floors and on the same level is a laundry room with a half bathroom and the entrance to the garage. One floor further down, there's a partially finished basement with lots of storage. Upstairs, there are 3 bedrooms and the 2 updated bathrooms. Up one more level and you'll find an expanded 4th bedroom with a private sitting room. It's bright and sunny and there's lot of storage.

Walk around and you'll see that this home has been lovingly maintained. There's a newer roof, siding and windows. The kitchen and bathrooms have been updated. The furnace, central air conditioning, hot water heater and electrical box have all been replaced in the last 3 to 4 years. It's really in move-in condition.

If you'd like to see more pictures of the house, or the virtual tour, please visit my website at www.jackiesafran.com and go to Featured Homes. All the information is there. Contact me if you'd like a private showing.

When Did You Buy Your Home?

Many sellers are still making substantial profits on selling their homes in this softening market. The secret is when you purchased your home. If you bought your home more than 5 years ago, you'll see a good return on your investment. If you bought your home in the last 3 years (boom times), there's little or no profit. The winners are those who have owned their current homes for 20 or more years - these home owners will make a significant profit on their homes.
You need to refocus - it's not what you could have sold the home for 18 months to 2 years ago, but it's what you paid 30 years ago and what you can sell for today. You weren't ready to move 2 years ago, so it doesn't really matter what you could have sold it for - you are still going to make a very nice profit. Your house has been a great investment: not only have you had a place to call home and not paid rent, you also double, tripled or quadrapled your investment. Where else could you have invested your money and seen that kind of profit?
So it's all a matter of perspective but, for many in New Jersey, homes as investments are still making their owners money.

OPEN HOUSE IN EDISON NJ

Are you looking for a well priced home in Edison, New Jersey? If so, come and visit me at my Open House on Sunday, March 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. We're inviting you to take a look at this wonderful 3 bedroom home. It's a Single family, half duplex, 3 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom, 2-story home. This great home offers a foyer, eat-in kitchen with all appliances, formal dining room, large living room with wood burning fireplace and sliding doors to deck. There's a full basement, gas forced air heating, central air. There's plenty of updates with newer roof, replaced windows, vinyl siding, newer furnace, hot water heater, electrical service. The bathrooms have been updated and there's a new ceramic floor in the upstairs bathroom. Newer trexx (low maintenance) deck and fully fenced yard with shed. There's private parking on a long blacktop driveway. This lovely home is located in a prime location, opposite a park with a playground. The elementary school is just across the park. It is also conveniently located for shopping, major highways and the Edison train station with a direct line into Manhattan. The asking price for all of this is $295,000 and the address is 155 Jefferson Blvd, Edison, NJ 08817. I look forward to meeting you on Sunday.

NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY A HOME

The media cries that the sky is falling - not so. It all depends what you're looking to do. Here in Central New Jersey, our market has softened but it's still very much alive. For first-time home buyers, this is a great time to buy. Prices are lower, mortgage rates are good and there's an abundance of inventory - you may even find your dream home and be able to afford it!! For sellers, it's not quite so easy. Not only are they going to sell their home for less, but it will probably take much longer than in previous years. This is not the time to go it alone, you need some professional help. This is when a professional, experienced Realtor is well worth investing in. However, if you are looking to move from a smaller to a larger home, this is still the time to sell. While you may get a little less for your current home, you can buy more for less and that bigger home is going to cost you significantly less and you'll eventually be ahead of the game.

New Jersey Association of Realtors Offers Scholarships

The application deadline for NJAR Educational Foundation (NJAREF) scholarships has been extended to Monday, April 9, 2007. High school seniors and students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate college programs are eligible to apply. Applicants must reside in New Jersey and be a member of NJAR or a relative of a NJAR member. There are now 32 scholarships available, ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 each. Applications must be received at the NJAR office at P.O. Box 2098, Edison, NJ 08818 by 5:00 P.M. by MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2007 in order to be considered. The application is available at www.njar.com/edfoundapp2007.pdf.

Selling Your New Jersey Home In Winter

The prime time to sell New Jersey real estate is in the spring. Flowers are in bloom. The grass is green and everything seems new and shiny. There are generally more buyers in the market. However, winter buyers are serious buyers and there are things sellers can do to to attract the attention of these buyers.

1. Keep walks and driveways free of snow and ice. If buyers have to take their life in their hands trying to navigate through ice and snow, they just might not bother.

2. Make your home warm and comfortable. This is not the time to conserve on energy. If your home is cold, buyers will think your heating system doesn't work properly.

3. Set the mood. Play soft music in the background and bake a batch of cookies. There is nothing like the smell of warm baked goods. And leave a plate of cookies for the buyers.

4. Ask buyers to remove their shoes while touring your home. This conveys a pride of ownership and will and helps keeping your home in 'showing condition' for the next buyers.

2006 Third Best Year On Record

The National Association of Realtors reports existing-home sales eased but prices stabilized as inventories tightened in December, while 2006 was the third-highest sales year on record.

Total existing-home sales – Total existing-home sales – including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops – eased 0.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate1 of 6.22 million units in December from a level of 6.27 million in November. Sales were 7.9 percent lower than a 6.75 million-unit pace in December 2005. There were 6,480,000 existing-home sales in all of 2006, down 8.4 percent from a record 7,075,000 in 2005. The second highest total was 6,779,000 in 2004; NAR began tracking home sales in 1968. Full report...

Home Starts Down In December

The National Association of Home Builders reports "single-family housing starts decreased 4.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.230 million units in December. This was 24.7 percent below the pace of single-family starts a year earlier." Full report...

Thinking about buying central New Jersey real estate? Visit my website to view all real estate listings.

New Jersey Education Ranks High In National Survey

Education Week Quality Counts survey has given New Jersey high marks for its public education. New Jersey ranked # 4 in Chance for Success scoring, behind Virginia, Connecticut and Minnesota. New Jersey scored 19 points, while #1 Virginia scored 22.

New Jersey came in #2 for K-12 Achievement scoring with a total of 18 points compared to #1, Massachusetts, with 20 points.

The New Jersey public education system makes NJ a great place to live and raise a family. If you are thinking of buying Central New Jersey real estate, visit my website for all the tools you will need to particiate in the New Jersey housing market.

Consumer Confidence Rebounds

The Consumer Confidence Index continued to rebound from summertime lows. The December index increased 3.7 from the November level of 105.3, bringing the index to 109.0. Consumer optimism may be an indication that the housing slump which is happening across much of the country is also on the rebound.

Thinking about buying a home in central New Jersey? Visit my website to view all New Jersey real estate listings.

CNNMoney.com Reports Rise In New Home Sales

CNNMoney.com reports a surprising rise in new home sales in November. Sales are still well below the record breaking 2005 sales, but are 7 percent higher than July sales, which were the year's lowest so far.

New home inventories remain high, but November sales indicate a bottoming out of the new home market.

Interested in buying a new home? Visit my website to search all new home listings in central New Jersey.

BankRate.com Mortgage Tips

With 2007 just around the corner, BankRate.com has recommended 7 smart moves for those who have a mortgage or are thinking about getting one.

1. Review your mortgage -- does it still fit your circumstances?
2. Watch out for reset.
3. Don't pay the minimum on an option ARM.
4. When you get a mortgage, shop around.
5. Make an extra payment.
6. Think about getting mortgage insurance instead of a piggyback loan.
7. Be skeptical.

Read the full story...

Tax Deduction For Mortgage Insurance

The 109th Congress has approved legislation that will make mortgage insurance tax deductible in 2007. This insurance is charged on private and government mortgages if the down payment is less than 20 percent. It is one of those fees that is just throwing money away for the borrower, but required by the lender. Starting in 2007, the mortgage insurance premium can be treated like mortgage interest on your tax return. Full story...

New Jersey 14th Healthiest State

Reuters.com released the United Health Organizations annual state-by-state report ranking America's health. New Jersey ranked fourteen this year, up one from 2005.

The report weighed such factors as prevalence of obesity, smoking, infectious disease, cardiovascular deaths, infant mortality, child poverty, immunization rates, workplace deaths and auto deaths in determining rankings.

Overall, Americans were healthier in 2006, but continue to lag behind many other nations in infant mortality.

New Jersey's strengths included low percentage of children in poverty, high rate of high school graduation, low prevalence of smoking and low infant mortality rate. Challenges for New Jersey are limited access to prenatal health care and high incidence of infectious diseases.

Minnesota ranked as the healthiest state and Louisiana came in last. Read full report...

5 Tips For Selling A Home In A Buyer's Market

For the past few years, seller's have been in control of the real estate market, calling on the shots. All buyer's could do is say, "How high?" With the current transition to a buyer's market, homes are staying on the market longer and buyer's have regained some of their negotiating power.

BankRate.com has a great article for seller's with tips on how to sell in a buyer's market. The tips include:

1. Prepare yourself mentally for what you're about to go through.
2. Get ready for picky buyers.
3. Educate yourself about your neighborhood's real estate market.
4. Hire an inspector.
5. Consider paying the buyer's discount points.

If you are thinking about selling your home, the article is worth a full read! Then visit my website or give me a call. I'm here to help with all your real estate needs.

Interest Rates At 10 Month Low

Freddie Mac's weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey reported interest rates to be at their lowest since January, with the average rate at 6.18 percent. This is down from last week's 6.24 percent. Full story...

Top Tips For Selling A Home During The Holidays

Consider potential buyers spiritual backgrounds in your market before decorating for a holiday.

-Minimize holiday decorations to keep focus on your home and its features and benefits.
-Less is more when decorating a home for the holidays while you are trying to sell. Streamline the amount of holiday specific decorations you display.
-Christmas trees and other large holiday decorations consume space that might make rooms appear smaller.
-Install and remove exterior holiday decorations 2 weeks before and after holiday.
-Turn off lighted holiday decorations before showings, buyers should focus on your home and not your decorations.
-If you are having out-of-town house guests, ask your agent to postpone showings until after your guests depart.
-Leave out a plate of home-made holiday treats for potential buyers.
-Display summer photos of home and gardens to inform buyers of the features of the home in other seasons.
-Before showings remove snow, ice and leaves from walkways and driveways. Don't overlook outside entrances to basements, garages, and porches.
-If you plan to close the purchase or sale of a home near a holiday, check with your agent, title, company and lender to verify two business days before closing that they have all the required documents and funds have been wired to complete the transaction.
-If you are closing on your new home, select a mid-week day, early in the day, to schedule your closing time, to accommodate last minute delays by a mortgage loan processor, insurance or title company.
-If you plan to move during the holidays, keep in mind that moving companies will require more notice and could charge additional fees for packing, moving and delivering household goods on week-ends and holidays.

Visit my website for all New Jersey real estate listings, get the current market value of your home and more!

Should You Try to Sell Your Home During the Holiday Season?

A common misconception is that trying to sell a home during the holidays is a bad idea. If you are serious about selling, it can be an excellent time to list. During the holidays buyers are more serious. They have a different motivation like using vacation time to search for property. They're doing that because they have to buy, rather than want to buy. Remember Thanksgiving and Christmas is one day a piece not two months.

10 reasons why you should list your home during the holidays

1. Most November and December buyers are particularly serious and very likely facing some sort of deadline.
2. January is the biggest transfer month of the year and job transferee’s use the holidays to house hunt.
3. Many people want to buy before the end of the year for financial and tax reasons. Investors usually want to close escrow by year-end for tax purposes.
4. Most sellers wait until spring or summer to list their home. This means that during the winter months your property will have far less competition versus any other time of the year.
5. Homes show well when decorated for the holidays creating a sense of family and people are much more emotionally drawn to the house, emotion sells.
6. Many people take vacation around the holidays allowing more time to look for a home.
7. Remodeling, decorating, appliance installation and other services are more available and at less of a premium.
8. There is plenty of mortgage money available for buyers.
9. Lenders aren't as busy and can process loans faster.
10. Showings will be fewer and less intrusive, but more likely to be fruitful with motivated, qualified buyers.

visit my website for all New Jersey real estate listings, get the current market value of your home and more!

CLUE Report Alerts Buyers To Damages

A Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange history or CLUE report can help buyers avoid surprises after the deal closes by encouraging buyers to review a home's CLUE report.

Based on claims information submitted by insurers to the CLUE database, the report includes dates, types of claims, and the amount paid for each claim. If the report shows no losses, a home buyer can feel confident that no one has filed a fire, flood, windstorm or other claim against an insurer. However, if a claim has been filed, the buyer will know to take an extra-hard look at the area that was damaged. Also if the report shows that someone has filed a water-based insurance claim for mold, that might be reason enough to move on. A mold claim often makes it difficult for subsequent owners to obtain homeowners insurance. And if they can obtain insurance, it might be extremely expensive.

Only the home owner can obtain a CLUE report, so the buyer will have to ask the seller to purchase one. The report costs $19.50 and can be obtained from the ChoicePoint Web site.

If you would like more information on CLUE reports or are interested in buying a home in central New Jersey, visit my website. Here you can view all real estate listings.

Small Business Tax Advantages

Today, small business owners can take advantage of accelerated tax depreciation benefits just by purchasing a new Land Rover before December 31, 2006. See your tax advisor to determine if you are eligible for this benefit. Visit landroverusa.com/taxbreak for details.

There are, also, tax advantages to owning your own home. The mortgage interest on your personal residence is tax deductible. Thinking of buying central New Jersey real estate? Visit JackieSafran.com to view all central New Jersey real estate listings.