Jul. 31, 2009 - This week's Open Houses August 1-2

Franklin Township - Saturday and Sunday, August 1-2, 2009

Regardless of the listing agent, office or MLS service; if you are not already working with an agent, give me a call or send an e-mail and I will be happy to arrange a personal tour of any listed property or open house that you might find on the Internet, print media or yard sign. Contact Me

There is no need to feel overwhelmed. Click here for Buyer Advice.  And most importantly, as a buyer read why you might not want to venture out on your own... http://tinyurl.com/acv5zx           

At the time of posting the following properties are scheduled for an Open House, this coming Saturday and/or Sunday.  Click here to view pictures of this week's Open Houses. The following are featured homes this weekend in Franklin Township and surrounding areas from Century 21 Moretti Realty http://tinyurl.com/c64npd 

Listing information provided by Garden State MLS  **Info. deemed RELIABLE but not GUARANTEED - ALL Room Sizes are Approx.**   The links will expire 60 days from 07/31/2009.

Jul. 31, 2009 - Family Fun August 1-2, 2009

Events near Somerset

What's Cooking? A display of kitchen tools & accessories  Through 1/15/2010

16 Maple St., East Brunswick, NJ 08816

www.eastbrunswickmuseum.org 

(732) 257-1508 

Memorable Encounters from Hō’nen to de Kooning:

In Honor of Yoshiaki Shimizu  Through - 08/02/2009

Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08544

http://artmuseum.princeton.edu  

(609) 258-3788  

Somerville Farmers' Market  Through - 10/01/2009

Main St. (Rt 28), Somerville, NJ 08876

(908) 541-1600  

Estate Park and Nature Tour  07/31/2009 - 08/02/2009

80 Route 206 South, Hillsborough, NJ 08844

www.dukefarms.org 

(908) 722-3700 

Scenic Bike Tour of Duke Farms   08/01/2009

80 Route 206 South, Hillsborough, NJ 08844

www.dukefarms.org

(908) 722-3700  

Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage  08/01/2009

15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08879

www.statetheatrenj.org/thomas_and_friends_live

(732) 246-7469 

Jul. 27, 2009 - Answers get the Thumbs Up

Questions answered on Truila

One of the ways I reach out to prospective homebuyers and home sellers is to answer questions submitted to Trulia Voices.  The questions might be about a specific property, a community or be generalized.  

I always try to provide responses that are concise and to the point. Where appropriate, I will direct the wriiter to additional resources  that might help to provide a solution to the query. Should you have a question regarding the purchase or sale of a central New Jersey home, you can always send it directly here to this site or as Stepanie and K have already done; post your question on Trulia.com.  I will do my best to respond quickly with a helpful and accurate reply.

how do i find a good realtor to help sell my home in somerset, nj? - Trulia Voices http://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_S... Find answers to this and many other questions on Trulia Voices, a community for you to find and share local information.

 http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Somerset_NJ-12230/

Jul. 25, 2009 - We're half way to the expiration date

First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

The federal tax credit for first-time home buyers is now about half way to its Dec. 1, 2009, expiration date.  Serious buyers who wish to take advantage of this free program should be at the very least the begining stages of buying.  Don't get caught short without the information you need. Contact me today.

Here are some frequently asked questions:

How is the amount of the tax credit determined?

1. Who is eligible to claim the tax credit?
2. What is the definition of a first-time home buyer?
3. Are there any income limits for claiming the tax credit?
4. What is "modified adjusted gross income"?
5. If my modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is above the limit, do I qualify for any tax credit?
6. Can you give me an example of how the partial tax credit is determined?
7. How is this home buyer tax credit different from the tax credit that Congress enacted in July of 2008?
8. How do I claim the tax credit? Do I need to complete a form or application?
9. What types of homes will qualify for the tax credit?
10. I read that the tax credit is "refundable." What does that mean?
11. I purchased a home in early 2009 and have already filed to receive the $7,500 tax credit on my 2008 tax returns. How can I claim the new $8,000 tax credit instead?
12. Instead of buying a new home from a home builder, I hired a contractor to construct a home on a lot that I already own. Do I still qualify for the tax credit?
13. Can I claim the tax credit if I finance the purchase of my home under a mortgage revenue bond (MRB) program?
14. I live in the District of Columbia. Can I claim both the Washington, D.C. first-time home buyer credit and this new credit?
15. I am not a U.S. citizen. Can I claim the tax credit?
16. Is a tax credit the same as a tax deduction?
17. I bought a home in 2008. Do I qualify for this credit?
18. Is there any way for a home buyer to access the money allocable to the credit sooner than waiting to file their 2009 tax return?
19. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development has announced that HUD will allow "monetization" of the tax credit. What does that mean?
20. If I’m qualified for the tax credit and buy a home in 2009, can I apply the tax credit against my 2008 tax return?
21. For a home purchase in 2009, can I choose whether to treat the purchase as occurring in 2008 or 2009, depending on in which year my credit amount is the largest?

Jul. 24, 2009 - This week's Open Houses July 25-26

Franklin Township - Saturday and Sunday, July 25-26, 2009

Regardless of the listing agent, office or MLS service; if you are not already working with an agent, give me a call or send an e-mail and I will be happy to arrange a personal tour of any listed property or open house that you might find on the Internet, print media or yard sign. Contact Me

There is no need to feel overwhelmed. Click here for Buyer Advice.  And most importantly, as a buyer read why you might not want to venture out on your own... http://tinyurl.com/acv5zx           

At the time of posting the following properties are scheduled for an Open House, this coming Saturday and/or Sunday.  Click here to view pictures of this week's Open Houses. The following are featured homes this weekend in Franklin Township and surrounding areas from Century 21 Moretti Realty http://tinyurl.com/c64npd 

Listing information provided by Garden State MLS  **Info. deemed RELIABLE but not GUARANTEED - ALL Room Sizes are Approx.**   The links will expire 60 days from 07/24/2009.

Jul. 23, 2009 - Family Fun July 25-26, 2009

Events near Somerset

What's Cooking? A Display of Kitchen Tools & Accessories  Through 01/15/2010

16 Maple St., East Brunswick, NJ 08816

www.eastbrunswickmuseum.org

(732) 257-1508

Estate Park and Nature Tour  07/24/2009 - 07/26/2009

80 Route 206 South, Hillsborough, NJ 08844

www.dukefarms.org

 (908) 722-3700 

An Introduction to Native Plants for the Home Gardener  07/25/2009

80 Route 206 South, Hillsborough, NJ 08844

www.dukefarms.org

(908) 722-3700

Rutgers Gardens Open House and Wine Tasting Festival   07/25/2009

112 Ryders Ln., New Brunswick, NJ 08901

www.rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu

(732) 932-8451   

Wonder Walk for Families: Mysteries of the Meadow  07/25/2009

80 Route 206 South, Hillsborough, NJ 08844

www.dukefarms.org

 (908) 722-3700   

Scenic Bike Tour of Duke Farms  07/25/2009

80 Route 206 South, Hillsborough, NJ 08844

www.dukefarms.org

 (908) 722-3700

Jersey Summer Beatles Bash III  07/25/2009

15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08879

www.statetheatrenj.org/beatles_bash_3

(732) 246-7469 

Coping With Deer – 07/26/2009 2:00p

Franklin Township Library

485 DeMott Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873

(732) 873-8700  Registration Required

Jul. 23, 2009 - Good news about home sales

Sales of existing homes rose in June

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said sales of existing homes in June rose 3.6 percent to an annual rate of 4.89 million units, compared with a downwardly revised 4.72 million pace in May.  The NAR said it was the first time the industry had experienced three straight months of gains in existing home sales since early 2004.

"Overall, the news is positive. We have increasing home sales for the third straight month, declining inventory and although prices fell, they declined at a less steep pace," Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, told a press conference. "The housing market is healing after four years of recession," he said.  Read more.

Jul. 18, 2009 - This week's Open Houses July 18-19

Franklin Township - Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19, 2009

Regardless of the listing agent, office or MLS service; if you are not already working with an agent, give me a call or send an e-mail and I will be happy to arrange a personal tour of any listed property or open house that you might find on the Internet, print media or yard sign. Contact Me

There is no need to feel overwhelmed. Click here for Buyer Advice.  And most importantly, as a buyer read why you might not want to venture out on your own... http://tinyurl.com/acv5zx           

At the time of posting the following properties are scheduled for an Open House, this coming Saturday and/or Sunday.  Click here to view pictures of this week's Open Houses. The following are featured homes this weekend in Franklin Township and surrounding areas from Century 21 Moretti Realty http://tinyurl.com/c64npd 

Listing information provided by Garden State MLS  **Info. deemed RELIABLE but not GUARANTEED - ALL Room Sizes are Approx.**   The links will expire 60 days from 07/18/2009.

Jul. 10, 2009 - Family Fun July 11-12, 2009

Events near Somerset

Teen Movie Matinee: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – 07/12/2009  1:15p

Franklin Township Public Library

485 DeMott Lane Somerset, NJ

(732) 873-8700

Union County's Kids Kingdom Traveling Jubilee   07/12/2009

Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

www.ucnj.org/parks/kidskingdom.html

(908) 436-2900 

Walk on the Wild Side - Duke Farms   Fri, Sat, Sun - (Year-around)

Jul. 10, 2009 - The week's Open Houses - July 11-12

Franklin Township - Saturday and Sunday, July 11-12, 2009

Regardless of the listing agent, office or MLS service; if you are not already working with an agent, give me a call or send an e-mail and I will be happy to arrange a personal tour of any listed property or open house that you might find on the Internet, print media or yard sign. Contact Me

There is no need to feel overwhelmed. Click here for Buyer Advice.  And most importantly, as a buyer read why you might not want to venture out on your own... http://tinyurl.com/acv5zx           

At the time of posting the following properties are scheduled for an Open House, this coming Saturday and/or Sunday.  Click here to view pictures of this week's Open Houses. The following are featured homes this weekend in Franklin Township and surrounding areas from Century 21 Moretti Realty http://tinyurl.com/c64npd 

Listing information provided by Garden State MLS  **Info. deemed RELIABLE but not GUARANTEED - ALL Room Sizes are Approx.**   The links will expire 60 days from 07/10/2009.

Jul. 8, 2009 - Want to sell your home quickly?

Tips for a quick home sale

CNN/Mony offers these 5 simple tips that may help to sell your home quickly:

1.  Seriously undercut the competition

2.  Remember, first time buyers are your friend

3.  Outside fixes make the biggest impact

4.  Online trick will make your home pop

5. Offer a speedy deal

For the full story click here

You have to seriously undercut the competition

Jul. 6, 2009 - Carriage Homes at Quailbrook - June '09 Sales Report

What’s happening in the marketplace, now – July 6, 2009

According to the Garden State MLS, currently there are two (2) homes actively listed for sale in this Franklin Township Townhouse development, at the time of posting.  The two available are 2-story townhouses with 3 bedrooms-2.5 baths. View these active listings.

There is one new listing since my last report to you on June 5, 2009.  Both actively listed prices range between $298,000 and $315,000. 

There have been two Carriage Homes at Quailbrook sales since the last report; 348 Cotswold Pl. - 3-bdrm/2.5 baths - $270,000. *DOM=52  356 Cotswold Pl - 2-bdrm/2 bath - $263,000  *DOM=45 

One property is currently under contract for sale and one additional property is in attorney review.

That's what is happening in the marketplace now, July 6, 2009.

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. 

Source: Garden State MLS, L.L.C. **Info. deemed RELIABLE but not GUARANTEED - ALL Room Sizes are Approx.**  The links will expire 60 days from 07/06/2009.

Jul. 6, 2009 - Franklin Township Monthly Market Report

June 2009 Franklin Township Monthly Market Report

click to view

According to the Garden State MLS, the month of June, 2009 ended with 55 Franklin Township single family residences sold.  Sale prices ranged between $187,500 and $700,000 .

The month ended with 398 active listings on the market ranging in price from $119,900 to $1,265,000. The month ended with 106 residential properties under contract.

That's what is happening in the marketplace now, July 6, 2009

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.**  The links will expire 60 days from 07/06/2009.

Jul. 4, 2009 - Happy July 4th

Happy 4th of July