Sep. 30, 2008 - Breast Cancer Awareness Walk

Robyn Michele Collins Memorial 5K Walk

You can register to participate or donate to this walk for a cure taking place right here, in Franklin Township, on October 4, 2008.

Sep. 29, 2008 - The wild ride ain't over yet

Congress rejects the bailout

We woke this morning to learn another bank has fallen.  Wachovia, has been bought by Citigroup.  As I write this, it's being reported that Congress voted down the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.  It seems that the members of Congress don't see this as much of an emergency as the media told us over the last ten days.  House Speaker, Pelosi will take the heat for the comment, "We sent a message to Wall Street - the party is over."  I do believe, that comment was disingenuous or stupid, at best; setting-up this bill up for failure. 

Why? Well, many Americans wanted a pound of flesh for excessive executive compensation for poor corporate performance and this bill falled to address that head-on.  Under the proposed plan, current CEO's with valid contracts would not even be affected by the new law, had it passed.  Homeowners felt left out of the cleansing of bad loans. Not only has Wall Street been spining out of control, so have American household bugets.  A successful bailout must address both. In reaction to the public's outcry congress, republicans and dems alike, voted to save their congressional seats and partisan politics raised it's ugly head...again. 

So, now what?  Will we see the world stop turning, as promised by President Bush, Secretary Paulson, Chairman Bernanke and the leaders of Congress because this deal wan't quickly done?  I seriously doubt it. Congress and the president's advisors will be forced to go back to work and draft a plan that is more acceptable to middle-class America.

But, in the meantime, I suspect that the FDIC will foster more mergers, the stock market will drop, mortgage rates will continue to rise and credit will tighten for prospective homeowners. The political blame game will go on, as usual.

On a positive note: with the threat of a larger recession, one benefit we could see is a drop in oil prices.  Maybe, just maybe, Americans have moved-on from the motivation of the politics of fear.  Every incumbent should be very afraid on election day.

Sep. 25, 2008 - Walgreens 2-day coupon

Clip and Save

September 26 and 27, 2008 you can save $5 off a purchase of $20 or more* with a printable coupon.

 

Sep. 25, 2008 - A crisis twenty years in the making

Wall Street revisited

Honestly, I do not fully understand all that the current Wall Street meltdown/crisis entails.   But, what I do know and understand is that greed is clearly at the center.  Not just greed on the part of Wall Street bankers, corporations, politicians, but greed on the part of some mortgage brokers who pushed through unqualified borrowers, borrowers who knew they could not afford the homes being purchased and, yes, some lousy real estate agents hungry for another fat commission check.

Greed has been a cornerstone of a rabid culture that permeated American business and politics for more than twenty years.  Golden parachutes became a standard for senior managements that ensured their personal wealth whether or not companies performed well or even survived. It was "justified", in part, as a trickle down theory that said the wealth would well; trickle down from the top to the bottom.  Fictional character, Gordon Gekko, told the world in the movie Wall Street, "Greed is good." Greed is never “good” and is seen throughout the world as one of the seven deadly sins. Sadly, some of us believed him.

Watch Scene from "Wall Street"

Sep. 19, 2008 - Century 21 launches new ad platform on Zillow

Ads targeted to users' searches

If you haven’t been to Zillow.com today, then you haven’t noticed that Century 21 is now placing its branded listings right on their home page. In addition, you will find two other local listings.

Inman News reports that such placements exposes the listings to more than 8 million visits every month.  That’s a lot of hits. 

Zillow and Trulia are changing online real estate and Century 21 is right there with them.  For now, this clearly differentiates the Century 21 brand from other brokerages. 

Building on this announcement, next month, Century 21 enhances its presence on Trulia.com by enabling real-time streaming of home sales data to the web page as a display next to a consumers search results. 

Days ago, I wrote about how important sites, such as Zillow, are becoming in the search to find a home today.

Sep. 18, 2008 - Your email and hackers

Protecting yourself and online accounts

With news that Alaskan Governor and GOP vice-presidential nominee, Sarah Palin's yahoo email account was hacked, it could be the perfect time to determine just how safe is your email account(s).  I find it a little disturbing that the Governor was conducting state business using a Yahoo account, but that's another story.

In order to better protect yourself and your online accounts the areas that need special attention are 1. Password Security Questions and 2. Secure Passwords.

Lifhacker.com provides a quick tutorial on protecting your email from hackers.  Be careful out there, folks.

Sep. 15, 2008 - Buyers find their real estate agent online

Internet use for home search is up

 Reported today on Inman.com, “An individual real estate agent's web site was cited as the most useful web site during the home-buying process.  What surprised me is the survey found “About 90 percent of buyers in the Internet group found their real estate agent using the Internet…”

That is an extremely high number and a no-brainer why an internet presence is vital to survival as a real estate professional in the 21^st century.  According to the survey the top visited real estate sites, in order, are: Realtor.com, individual realtor websites such as mine, specific home listings, real estate brokerage sites, Zillow.com, Craigslist.com and Yahoo Real Estate.

For the complete article go to: InmanNews.com

Sep. 12, 2008 - You can ask, but I can't tell

Megan's Law

Yesterday, I attended a conference where the guest speaker was a prominent local New Jersey real estate attorney.  One of the topics covered was Megan's Law. 

Megan's Law is the result of Megan Kanka's 1994 rape and murder by a convicted sex offender who moved across the street from the Kanka family.   The law is divided into two parts; registration of sex offenders and the notification to the community.  Here, I am dealing with the notification component.

In New Jersey, it was explained that the law prohibits the use of information about the registration of sex offenders, such as for the purpose for obtaining or denying any housing or accommodations. It was further said, "the county prosecutor determines whether and how to provide notice of the presence of convicted sex offenders in an area.  In their professional capacity, real estate licensees are not entitled to notification by the county prosecutor under Megan's Law and are unable to obtain such information for you." 

In addition, the New Jersey Real Estate Commission specifically prohibits real estate licensees from making any inquiry or providing any information about registered sex offenders.  Real estate agents are directed to inform the person making the inquiry that information concerning sex offenders is maintained by the county prosecutor.

It was made clear that real estate licensees are prohibited from providing any information about a possible sex offender living in the immediate community.  You can ask, but even if I have personal knowledge, I can't tell.  It's the law.

For more information contact the Office of the Somerset County Prosecutor, located at: 40 North Bridge Street, Somerville, N.J. 08876 Telephone: (908) 575-3300.

Sep. 10, 2008 - Remembering our Heroes

On the eve of another anniversary of the attacks on America, we honor those who lost their lives September 11, 2001. 

We Will Never Forget

A Special Tribute to the Airline Crews of UA 93, 175 and AA 11, 77

You are missed.  Rest in Peace

http://www.unitedafa.org/res/o/911/memoriam.asp

http://www.unitedafa.org/res/o/911/memorial/services_2008.htm  

http://www.legacy.com/Sept11/Home.aspx 

Sep. 9, 2008 - Save seller funded gifts

Time is getting short to act

There is a movement in Congress to save the use of seller-funded down-payment assistance scheduled to end October 1, 2008.  This was made a part of the sweeping housing bill that President George W. Bush signed into law this past July.

The Bill, HR 6694, proposes to revise the requirements for seller-financed downpayments for mortgages for single-family housing insured by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under title II of the National Housing Act and to authorize risk-based insurance premiums for certain mortgagors under such mortgages.

Contact your Congressional Representative to request s/he co-sponsors this legislation, today.  Send Representative Rush Holt an electronic message or call his office at: 609-750-9365, 1-87-RUSH-HOLT (toll-free)

Read more on the subject at Inman News.

Sep. 7, 2008 - Paulson pulls the big bazooka

The first reactions are positive

Today, CNN reported that the Federal Government has seized control of Freddy Mac and Fannie Mae to help shore up the damaged housing market that could cost taxpayers $200 billion.  It is anticipated the bailout should result in lower mortgage costs and make credit more available.  Rates could drop by 1 per cent. Higher lending standards will remain tight and risky borrowers wills till pay extra fees.

Two months ago Secretary of Treasury Hank Paulson said that Congress had given him a bazooka by granting him power to intervene to support Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. That comment might have very well exasperated the money problems, resulting in today's announcement. 

However, the first reactions are positive.  Both presidential candidates agree on the takeover.  CNN reports, "Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., a member of the Senate Banking Committee, said that Paulson had "threaded the needle just right" with the plan, noting that it will likely be met with praise from other lawmakers. At first blush, Wall Street seemed encouraged by the news, although the true test will come when financial markets around the globe open Monday. Pimco's Bill Gross, a widely followed bond fund manager, said that the Freddie-Fannie plan was the right move. This is a significant step and almost exactly what we had hoped for,"  

Here is the statement made by Paulson today on the takeover. 

Sep. 6, 2008 - Stepping up my Web 2.0 tool chest

Staying ahead of the pack

Well, at least I'm trying.  In the effort to better serve you and other potential clients; over the last year I've been incorporating new tools to keep pace with new real estate technologies.  I'm still learning all that the Blackberry can do.  But I keep up with my emails easily.  

Most recently, I have signed onto Twitter.  What is Twitter?  Twitter is a service to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?  This is a great tool to let potential buyers of a new listing or price reduction.  You are welcome to follow me at: http://twitter.com/somerset08873

Another tool added to my box is recently discovered Retaggr.  What is Retaggr?  Retaggr is an interactive web 2.0 social and business card.  It appears with your comment made on other sites, if you wish.  You can take a look at mine at: http://www.retaggr.com/card/mjAdamsSellsHomes

And of course I maintain a presence on MySpace, FaceBook, YouTube, Outside.In  and ActiveRain.

Sep. 4, 2008 - Carriage Homes at Quailbrook - September 2008 Report

What’s happening in the marketplace, now – September 4

According to the Garden State MLS, currently there are three (3) homes actively listed for sale in this Franklin Township development, at the time of posting.  All are 2-story townhomes.

There are no new listings since the last report to you on August 6th. Listing prices range between $304,800 and $318,000. 

The following home(s) sold since my last report to you:

327 Shilling Dr  -SP $245,000    LP $254,900     Ranch

That's what is happening in the marketplace now, September 6th.

If you have specific questions about a Carriage Home proprerty or any local property, email me at: mjadams@century21.com or call (908) 583-0409. 

Sep. 3, 2008 - August 2008 Residential Sales

Franklin Township Residential Sales

The month ended with 51 Franklin Township single family residences sold between August 1 - 31, 2008. Sale prices ranged between $147,500 and 712,000.

The month ended with 587 active listings on the market, including 94 new listings.

If you have a question about a specific property in town, or stats for surrounding areas, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Source: Garden State MLS, L.L.C. **Info. deemed RELIABLE but not GUARANTEED - ALL Room Sizes are Approx.**