Feb. 28, 2007 - Senior Center's March Schedule

QUAIL BROOK SENIOR CENTER
625 New Brunswick Rd., Somerset, NJ
(732) 563-4213

Line Dancing - Every Monday at 10:00, and Friday at 9:30

Healthy Bones - Monday and Thursday, 1:00

Country Western Dance Lessons w/Ann Gant – Wednesday, 1:30

Chair Exercise – Every Tuesday, 11:00

Rummikub – Monday and Thursday

Crochet Group – Every Friday

Bingo – Every Thursday, 11:00

Senior Fitness (Video) – Every Tuesday & Wednesday

March 8 – Blawenburg Dixieland Band

March 13 – “Marching to the Beat” – Nutrition & Exercise with Adrianne Hill

March 15 – St. Patrick’s Day Celebration

March 19 – Visit from the Environmental Education Center Naturalist

March 23 – Popcorn & a Movie: “Houseboat”

Feb. 28, 2007 - Moving Up In A Buyer's Market

Does Moving Up Make Sense?

Only you can answer that question, but the answers to these will help you decide:

1. How much equity do you have in your home? Look at your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find out. Usually, you don’t build up much equity in the first few years of paying a mortgage, but if you’ve owned your home for a number of years, you may have significant unrealized gains.

2. Has your income increased enough to cover the extra mortgage costs and the costs of moving?

3. Is the neighborhood still a good one for your needs? For example, if you’ve had children, the quality of the schools may be more of a concern now than when you first purchased.

4. Can you add on or remodel? If you have a large yard, there might be room to expand your home. If not, your options may be limited? Also, do you want to undertake the headaches of remodeling yourself?

5. How is the home market? If it’s good, you may get top dollar for your home. If the market is down and you remain in the same area, you will get a greater saving on a larger home purchase than the loss you might take on your current home for sale. 

6. How are interest rates? A low rate not only helps you buy more home, but also makes it easier to find a buyer.

Source: Realtor Magazine Online

Feb. 23, 2007 - NJ Assembly Passes Lead Paint Legislation

The Scope of Lead Paint Inspection Expands

If you own residential rental property of any kind in New Jersey, you need to pay attention.  On February 22, 2007, the NJ Assembly passed legislation that will expand the scope of lead paint inspection requirements for multiple dwelling units to also include single-family and two-family rental dwelling units. The bill now heads to the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.

Currently, state law provides that multiple dwellings (3-or-more unit rentals) are inspected at least once every five years for lead paint hazards.

According to the bill, A3263 - Payne (D29), the Department of Community Affairs will charge a fee sufficient to cover the cost of inspections, provided that the fee does not exceed one-third of the inspection fee for a three-unit multiple dwelling.

The bill currently includes exemptions for owner-occupied two-family residential properties, properties that have been certified to be free of lead-based paint or of having a lead-free interior by a certified inspector, properties that were constructed during or after 1978, and seasonal rental units that are rented for less than six months' duration each year.

Feb. 23, 2007 - Open House

Our Town Realty Open Houses - February 25, 2007

Let me provide you a personally escorted tour of these Century 21 Our Town Realty Open Houses, Sunday, February 25th or any other time that is more convenient for you.

Read why you might not want to venture on your own to an open house and Understanding Agency.  As your Buyer Agent, I will also be a disclosed Dual Agent, as these properties are the listings of other Our Town Realty Realtors. 

Should you have question regarding agency or you wish to visit other properties, regardless of whom the listing agent or office might be, phone me at (908) 377-9262  or send an email.  I will be happy to answer your question(s) and/or schedule an appointment to view the property of interest.

Feb. 23, 2007 - Road and Bridge Projects

South Middlebush Detour Starts March 5th

Road Construction on South Middlebush Road between Blackwells Mills Road and Bennetts Lane will begin on Monday, March 5th  It will continue for up to 50 days. The road will be closed in both directions for the entire period.

Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes, or they will be detoured:

For South Middlebush Road Northbound - Left on South Middlebush Road, right on Van Cleef Road right on Amwell Road.

For South Middlebush Road Southbound - Amwell Road left on Van Cleef Road, left on Blackwells Mills Road, right on South Mddlebush Road.

For a map of the area click Here
  
The Police Department recognizes that this closure will be an inconvenience.  Residents and motorists with questions should contact Somerset County Engineering at 908-231-7024.

Feb. 23, 2007 - There's more to winning or losing

  It Ain't All About The Price, All The Time

This morning I came across a Michael Cook posting on Bloodhoundblog.com.  It speaks to the subjects of negotiations and relationships in an article titled Negotation 201: Dont Just Think about the Best Price . He focuses on past experiences in real estate and the lessons he learned.   It is a three fold reminder that more often than not you get what you pay for and that long term positive relationships will always be more satisfying than a fast cash benefit.  But…you already knew that, right?

Thanks, Michael, for reinforcing my beliefs to stay with the simple basics:

• All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten

Feb. 22, 2007 - 2006 Survey Highlights

Internet vs Traditional Home Buyers

The California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) Internet Versus Traditional Buyers Survey provides some insights to the changes that have been taking place among consumers in the real estate market, driven in part by the increased use of the Internet. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) concurs that the Internet has become an essential part of the home buying process.   

Here are the Key Findings of the survey:

Feb. 17, 2007 - From Probarginhunter.com

I discovered a link to the 30 most subscribed personal finance blogs as seen by Yan, the chief of ProbargainHunter.com  He evaluated all of the Feedburner subscriber counts to tally who was the most popular based on feed readers. 

Are you are in the mood for saving money, learning how to invest or simply looking for new ways to reinforce being frugal?  Then...give these sites a shot.

Feb. 16, 2007 - First Saturday of the Month Drop-off

Recycle date is March 3

The next drop-off for the First Saturday of the Month program will be Saturday, March 3, at the Somerset County Recycling Center, located at 40 Polhemus Lane. 

The Recycling Center is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on First Saturday of the Month drop-off dates.      

As part of the program, the Recycling Center will accept VCRs, TVs, typewriters, radios, stereo equipment, modems, fax machines, cell phones and used computer electronics such as computers, CPUs, monitors, CRTs and printers. Other items that are accepted include CDs, DVDs, computer disks, diskettes, videotapes and cassette tapes.

The Recycling Center also accepts tires, scrap metals, used motor oil, anti-freeze, used oil filters, microwave ovens and the usual curbside materials on these drop-off dates.

For more information, call the Somerset County Recycling Center at (732) 469-3363

Feb. 15, 2007 - Road and Bridge Projects

Feb. 15, 2007 - Meet Your Neighbor

An Evening at Sophie’s

When: Thursday, February 22, 2007 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Where: Sophie’s Bistro, 700 Hamilton Street, Somerset

Who: Sponsored by The Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce    

         Cosponsored by The Hamilton Street Business & Community Corporation

Guest Speakers: Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, Pat Gianotto, Pres. HSBCC and Efren Dato, Ex. Dir. HSBCC

For more information: Phone 732-545-7044   Fax 732-745-7043 or email

Feb. 15, 2007 - Local Blood Drive

Contact Wendy Winograd at (732) 545-5600, Ext. 252, or e-mail winograd@rutgersprep.org for more information.

Feb. 15, 2007 - Mortgage Rate Review

Feb. 5, 2007 - News You Can Use

February Highlights

1. Prepare and File Your Taxes for Free

If your Adjusted Gross Income in 2006 was $52,000 or less, you are eligible to electronically prepare and file your federal taxes for free. Visit USA.gov’s link to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to learn more about this program.

2. Save Energy at Home

Wintertime is often associated with costly energy bills. Check out USA.gov’s Home Energy Saver link for tips on conserving energy and saving money. You can compare the energy costs of an average home and an energy-efficient home in your zip code.

3. National Consumer Protection Week—February 4-10

National Consumer Protection Week highlights efforts to help all Americans make well-informed purchases, avoid scams, protect personal information, and file complaints. Visit USA.gov’s Consumer Guides and Protection page for information from federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as national consumer advocacy organizations.

4. African-American History Month

February is African-American History Month. Visit USA.gov’s link to the Department of Education to find a timeline of African-American history; a website about Nobel Peace Prize Winner Ralph Bunche; a multimedia exploration of the Harlem Renaissance; and much more.

5. American Heart Month

Every February, the heart plays a prominent role in the American consciousness. Valentine’s Day sparks heartfelt expressions, heart-shaped sweets, and heart-adorned greeting cards; and American Hearth Month reminds Americans about the importance of maintaining a healthy heart. The sobering fact is that heart disease remains the #1 cause of death in the United States. Show your heart some love and visit USA.gov’s link to the Healthy Heart Guide.

6. President’s Day—February 19

Monday, February 19 is President’s Day, the common name for the U.S. federal holiday officially designated as Washington’s Birthday. The holiday was originally established to honor the contributions of the first U.S. president, whose actual birthday was February 22. The holiday’s theme eventually expanded to honor President Lincoln (born on February 12) and the legacies of all past presidents.