Sep. 28, 2009 - When is the second biggest home selling season?

The time is now

Almost everyone knows that spring is the busiest season for homeowners to sell their home.  What might not be widely known is that the fall season is the second busiest time. Prospective buyers begin searches shortly after Labor Day with the intent to be in their new home for the winter holiday season. This year, the pace may be even more active due to the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit that will expire on November 30, 2009. 

One of the advantages of selling in autumn is the beautiful fall leaf colors that can showcase homes to their fullest potential. Well priced properties in desirable locations with desirable amenities continue to go under contract quickly. This is examplified by the 40 Franklin Township closed home sales for the month to date; which is in addition to the other 132 homes under contract to be sold.

For home owners concidering placing their home on the market this fall, there are a few suggestions that may help secure the quickest sale along with the highest price:

1. Clean, clean, clean and clean some more. Get rid of pet/smoke/musty odors, if any.

2. Let buyers know you have pride in your home by making sure that regular maintenance (including painting) is been performed and all of the small repairs are taken care of.

3. Decorate appropriately in warm fall colors such as brown, citrus, tans and blues.  Also, make sure your home stays bright. Open blinds and turn on overhead lights. 

4. Whether you have a fireplace or not, make sure your home is at a comfortable temperature. If you do have a fireplace, flaunt it. But, never leave a fire unattended.

5. Spruce up the landscaping. Unkempt shrubbery and lawns give the impression that the yardwork is too much to handle. Seasonal potted plants can add a splash of color to your door.

6. The home should be available to show perspective buyers on short notice in addition to being widely marketed via MLS and websites. If buyers can not see the house, they will not buy the house.

7. Price the home "right" from the begining.  You are competing with every other home priced within range of yours. The ones that exhibit great value are the ones that sell.  A free Competitive Market Analysis (CMA) from a local Realtor can help you to set an appropriate price. 

8. Offer a Home Warranty. Better yet, get one that covers the seller as well as the new homeowner. It will give you both a sense of comfort.

Sep. 25, 2009 - This week's Open Houses- September 26 - 27

Franklin Township - Saturday and Sunday, September 26-27, 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 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 09/25/2009.

Sep. 25, 2009 - Family Fun September 26-27

Events near Somerset, NJ

Sep. 18, 2009 - This week's Open Houses- September 19-20

Franklin Township - Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, 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 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 09/18/2009.

Sep. 18, 2009 - 1.4 million used home tax credit

Century 21 Moretti's Home Buyers' Public Open House

It was reported in today's USAToday that the U.S. tax authorities said 1.4 million taxpayers have already used the $8,000 tax credit for first time buyers. If you qualify as a prospective first time buyer you should know that only 73 days remain to qualify before the credit expires midnight on December 1, 2009. According to the report, the White House is considering an extension to the program. However, there are no guarantees and no one knows if the benefits will be reduced or increased to include all homebuyers or remove income limits. The time to act may be now.

Century 21 Moretti Realty will be conducting a First Time Buyer's Open House, Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at it's Somerset office location; 852 Easton Avenue between the hours of 11 AM and 6 PM. All are invited to stop by to learn more about the home buying process and the $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers. Bank of America will be available to offer mortgage counceling and prequalify prospective buyers. Realtors will also be available to assist homeowners with a free Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) and answer questions concerning local market conditions. Unrepresented home sellers (FSBO) are welcome to attend to learn how paying a commission may put more money in your pocket. 

Various workshops will be available. Homeowners in need of financial assistance may wish to learn about the state sponsored Housing Assistance Recovery Program (HARP). Refreshments will be served.

For more information send email to: mjadams@century21.com or call directly at: 908.583.0409.

Sep. 14, 2009 - Quick Eats in Town

Two Local Restaurants

I was on my way back to Somerset from New Brunswick earlier today and stopped by two local eateries for quick takeout. The first was Real Jamaican Jerk an Ting, located at 500 Hamilton Street.  It is a building easy to spot, painted a bright green and yellow.  I was in time for the lunch special which amounted to an assorted menu and canned soft drink for just five ($5.00) dollars. I chose the jerk chicken salad.  It was freshly prepared in about 10 minutes comprised of mixed greens with shaved carrots, jerk chicken in a spicy sauce and a side of salad dressing.  With a home cooked side of rice and beans, it was enough for two people.  It was tasty although a little spicy. The real deal seems to be the Friday speacial Platter priced at $6.99.

The next stop was at Mr. Tods Pies also on Hamilton Street. This is a small coffee shop located at 752 Hamilton Street, nestled in the Village Plaza Mall. They also are an Internet Hotspot with free access.  Here I picked up a red velvet cake "muffin" for desert.  I'm not new to Mr Tods Pies, having visited the Easton Ave location to purchase a sweet potato pies. I have to say the muffin was a taste of heaven!  If you are a fan of a new reality show on ABC, you might recognize Mr. Tod as the first business owner to appear on the TV show Shark Tank, several weeks ago. He was asking $460,000 for a 10% stake in his business. Barbara Cocoran (Real Estate mogol) and Daymond John (FUBU fashions) offered the money; but for 50% of his company and Mr. Tod accepted the deal.

Sep. 12, 2009 - This week's Open Houses, September 12-13

Franklin Township - Saturday and Sunday, September 12-13, 2009

I will be hosting an OPEN HOUSE at 106 Chatsworth Drive, Somerset, NJ on Sunday, September 13th,  between 1PM and 4PM. Come see this bright and airy 2 bedroom/2 bath Ranch Style Townhouse with Pergo kitchen floor, fireplace, garage and an AHS home warranty included. Priced at $274,900.  Directions: Easton Ave or Amwell Rd to Demott Lane to Martino to Buckingham to Chatsworth

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 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 09/12/2009.

Sep. 11, 2009 - Family Fun September 12-13, 2009

Events near Somerset, NJ 

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

16 Maple St., East Brunswick, NJ 08816

www.eastbrunswickmuseum.org

(732) 257-1508 

Somerville Farmers' Market  Thru -10/01/2009

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

(908) 541-1600    

NJ Film Festival - Fall 2009  Thru -11/07/2009

43 College Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901

www.njfilmfest.com

(732) 932-8482  

Estate Park and Nature Tour   09/11/2009 - 09/13/2009

80 Route 206 South, Hillsborough, NJ 08844

www.dukefarms.org

(908) 722-3700    

Scenic Bike Tour of Duke Farms  09/12/2009

Twilight Bike Tour of Duke Farms  09/12/2009

80 Route 206 South, Hillsborough, NJ 08844

www.dukefarms.org

(908) 722-3700    

Jazz Feast  09/12/2009

Palmer Square W., Princeton, NJ 08542

www.palmersquare.com

(609) 921-2333    

Rutgers Gardens Gala  09/12/2009

Ryders Ln., New Brunswick, NJ 08901

www.rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu  

(732) 932-8451    

Civil War Lives  09/12/2009 - 09/13/2009

280 South MIddlebush Rd., Somerset, NJ 08873

www.themeadowsfoundation.org

(732) 690-6621  

Union County MusicFest '09  09/12/2009 - 09/13/2009

Oak Ridge Road, Clark, NJ 07066

www.ucmusicfest.com  

(908) 436-2900    

Sep. 10, 2009 - In Rememberence on September 11th

Honoring our Heroes

We will Never Forget

United Airlines Flight 175 and Flight 93 Crews

American Airlines Flight 11 and Flight 77

The Pentagon

Sep. 8, 2009 - Carriage Homes at Quailbrook - August 2009 Sales

What’s happening in the marketplace, now – September 8, 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. However, they both are in attorney review. The two properties are a 2-story townhouse with 2 bedrooms-2.5 baths and one single level ranch with 2 baths. View these active listings.

There are no new listings since my last report to you on August 6, 2009. There has been one Carriage Homes at Quailbrook sale since the last report; 383 Cotswold Place for $285,000. Three other properties are currently under contract for sale.

That's what is happening in the marketplace now, September 8, 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 09/08/2009.

Sep. 8, 2009 - Franklin Township Monthly Market Report

August 2009 Franklin Township Monthly Market Report

click to view

According to the Garden State MLS, the month of August, 2009 ended with 70 Franklin Township single family residences sold.  Sale prices ranged between $170,000 and $737,000.  This is a sharp contrast with the previous monthly sales volume of 43 transactions.   Fifty (50) of the total solds were $360,000 and below.  Clearly, the $8,000 tax rebate is stimulating first time home buyers to purchase.

The month ended with 388 active listings on the market ranging in price from $100,000 to $939,900. The month ended with 104 residential properties under contract.

That's what is happening in the marketplace now, September 8, 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 09/08/2009.

Sep. 7, 2009 - Trading up in today's housing market

One New Jersey couple's story

One couple gives their story of trading up to a larger home and how they benefited using a Realtor that they met while attending an open house.

Here, in Franklin Township, there are currently fifty-two (52) active listings for homes with a minimum of 3 bedrooms between $352,000 and $449,900.

Does moving up make sense for you? Only you can answer that question, but the answers to these might help you decide.

Sep. 5, 2009 - First time homebuyers are cashing in

Tax Credits are being filed

A National Association of Realtors (NAR) survey resulted in an estimate of more than one million first time home buyers that have used the $8,000 first-time homebuyers tax credit.  It is expected that more than 1.8 million credits will be claimed by the time the program expires on November 30, 2009.

According to new government data released on Friday, nearly 315,000 people have claimed the tax credit after filing an amended 2008 tax return; so far.  Why the disparity of numbers?  It has been reported in CNN/Money that the treasury's figures more than likely sharply underestimate the real number of people who have taken advantage of the credit because many homebuyers have not yet claimed it on their tax return.

Here in New Jersey, the report shows that through August 31, 2009 more than 5,000 first time home buyers have taken advantage of the tax credit.

There are 168 homes actively listed for sale with a list price of $300,00 or less here in Franklin Township. Contact me, today, to schedule a tour of any that meets your personal needs.