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.

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.

Time For Pumpkins & Corn Mazes

October...time to put away the shorts, pull out the sweaters and head to a pumpkin patch or corn maze for an afternoon of fun. Don't know where one is? This link provides you with all the local information.

October is also a great time to think about buying or selling a home. visit my website for all New Jersey real estate listings, get the current market value of your home and more!