Diane's Jersey Shore Real Estate Blog

Tank Sweeps - An Integrall Part of a Home Inspection

Diane Glander (Diane Turton Realtors) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:44:54 -0700

When the time comes to perform an inspection of the property you are buying, don't overlook the tank sweep.

Homebuyers will often order a structural inspection, a termite inspection, and a radon inspection, too. It is always a good idea to perform a tank sweep, checking for any underground oil tanks.

Some municipalities will allow a seller to fill and legally abandon a tank. The problem is if there was a leak before the tank was filled, the soil could be contaminated, and remediation can be very expensive.

It's best to find a tank when someone else owns the property and make them responsible for pulling it out, having the soil tested and issuing you, the buyer, a clear soil certification.

Attention Buyers: We have reached the bottom of the market and are on the uptick!

Diane Glander (Diane Turton Realtors) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 14:35:25 -0700

For years, clients have always asked: When will we hit the bottom. If you have asked and are working with me, you know I always said, "I won't know until we are passed the bottom and the market picks up."
Well, buyers, we are at that point in South Monmouth and Northern Ocean County.
Here is my personal experience/statistics I can share with you from the last 2 weeks of my business:
I placed 4 offers for buyers. Two of them were at or above asking price and the buyers did not get them. Why? There were multiple offers in.
Last year at this time in Monmouth County less than 300 sales were "pending." This year, it is over 1200.
Inventory in some of our towns, Sea Girt is one of them is now at almost a 6 month level. At 6 months, the market switches from a buyers market to a neutral market.
In my office, we have sold twice the number of homes from January to date in 2012 as we did in 2011.
So, what exactly does it mean for you?
The time is prime for you to buy. The media has not totally caught onto what is happening here because they monitor closed sales. This will start spreading like wildfire in the next 30-60 days. Prices will start to rise even slightly as the word spreads. So, your buying power will be diminished. Couple that with the slight rise in interest rates, and you will be looking FURTHER from the beach, or finding homes that need MORE work than you want to do to stay in your affordability range. A 1% raise in interest rates means you lose 9% of your buying power, fyi.
Call me today to discuss this information in depth. And, follow me on my facebook page where I have been posting information for the last 2 weeks about the change that's taking place in the market. http://www.facebook.com/dianesellsthejerseyshore
I don't want to have to say I told you so. Do not wait any longer, your time has come and will not last

Sea Girt, NJ-- Buyers Market to Neutral Market This Spring

Diane Glander (Diane Turton Realtors) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:59:56 -0700

Sea Girt has had a boom in sales this Spring, taking their inventory levels from a buyers market level of 7+ months, to a neutral, healthy market level of just a little over 6 months.

Under $1MM, there are the typical West of the tracks homes for sale, but between $2MM and $3MM, there is only one home available. Buyers have snatched up 10 homes this Spring.

It's an excellent time to list your house for sale. Contact me today to see how I can put my experience and in-depth market insights to work for you.

Spring Lake, NJ Under $1MM Market - Home Shortage

Diane Glander (Diane Turton Realtors) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:53:48 -0700

Thinking of buying a home in Spring Lake in the entry level pricepoint? Your choices are extremely limited this Spring season. Currently, there are only 6 active listings in this pricepoint.

If you have been waiting to sell, now is a great time. Prices were up in 2011 over 2010 in town, inventory is limited, and interest rates are low. And, the buyers are out. There are 11 homes waiting to close and 10 of them went under contract in the last 2 months.

Call me today to see how my experience and in-depth knowlege of the Spring Lake market can help you achieve your goals of buying or selling this Spring.

2011 New Jersey Monthly Magazine 5 Star Agent Award Recipient in Spring Lake, NJ

Diane Glander (Diane Turton Realtors) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:23:00 -0700

I am proud to announce that I have been chosen as a
5 Star Real Estate Agent for 2011
from New Jersey Monthly Magazine

An award given to only 7% of all Realtors in the state of NJ

If you participated in this survey, please let me know so I may thank you personally!

How Was I Selected?

Their research team contacted consumers in the New Jersey area and asked if they had experience working with a real estate agent. Consumers who agreed to participate in the survey provided the name of the real estate agent and rated that individual according to key criteria such as integrity, negotiation and closing preparation.

Surveys were sent to New Jersey area residents who recently purchased a home over $150,000 (more than 81,500 households) within a 12-month period (April 2010 to April 2011) and 1,000 subscribers of New Jersey Monthly. An additional 250 surveys were sent to mortgage and title companies.

The survey data was collected and scored, resulting in the list of 2012 New Jersey Five Star Real Estate Agents. The research methodology allows only 7% or fewer real estate agents in a given market to qualify for the Five Star award.

Five Star Professional follows standard sampling and survey practices used by other professional research organizations. Our research also includes feedback from industry peers and leaders, and a regulatory review to provide necessary checks and balances.

Jersey Shore Rental Market -- Summer 2012

Diane Glander (Diane Turton Realtors) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:06:19 -0700

If you haven't secured your summer rental yet, you just might be disappointed this year.

Not since the late 1990's have we seen so much activity so early in the season.

The Spring Lake office of Diane Turton Realtors has done twice as many rentals in January and February 2012 as compared to January and February 2011.

Many of our famous large estates have limited availability. If you are looking to rent a high end home for the entire season, you'd better hope some new opportunities pop up. There are not many left for a full month, nevermind the whole season.

And, if you are waiting and thinking you will come in May or June, we may actually have nothing to offer you this year at any pricepoint.

Thought I'd Share the Love!

Diane Glander (Diane Turton Realtors) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 11:32:51 -0700

I am awarding a CASE of girl scout cookies to 2 lucky winners.

I have been running the contest on facebook, but thought that a lot of you agents/fans of ActiveRain might want in. You must have a facebook account to enter, but you can create one, if you don't.

All you have to do is go to http://www.facebook.com/dianesellsthejerseyshore and "like" my page. That's it! I will be picking the winners - 2 of them!- at the end of April.

Thanks, and good luck!

(please, if you are from AR, mention that . . . would love to know how many of you actually respond, and if you have a fan page and I can reciprocate, let me know :-)

Southern Monmouth County/Northern Ocean County 2011 Year End Report

Diane Glander (Diane Turton Realtors) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 11:14:38 -0700

So just who were the winners and losers in Southern Monmouth County? Which towns showed an increase (yes increase!) in single family home sale values, and which ones saw a loss?

And the WINNERS are:

Point Pleasant Beach -- median sals prices in 2010 $527,000 and in 2011 $580,000

Spring Lake 1,225,000 1,500,000

Spring Lake Heights 410,000 430,375

And the LOSERS are

Avon -- median sales price in 2010 $1,210,000 and in 2011 $995,000

Belmar 501,000 422,550

Bradley Beach 525,000 520,000

Brielle 510,000 480,000

Interlaken 568,000 520,000

Manasquan 545,000 540,000

Sea Girt 1,250,000 1,245,000

These are median sales prices taken from MOMLS information 1/1/2010-12/31/2011

You can visit my website:http://www.dianeglander.com/marketanalysis.html to view the average sales price, number of homes sold, average days on market statistics for the year 2008 through 2011.

Jersey Shore Rentals

Diane Glander (Diane Turton Realtors) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 09:55:46 -0700

Are you looking for a summer rental at the Jersey Shore this year? Don't delay!

In Southern Monmouth County, the summer rental season has been extremely active. Thanks to a very warm winter, the season started early with some of the best homes 100% rented.

In January and February alone, the Spring Lake office of Diane Turton Realtors processed twice as many rentals as last year. The first two weeks of February saw some of the finest homes that charge $10,000 per week, get fully rented. Ast a matter of fact, finding a high end home for the full season has become almost impossible. In the high end towns of Spring Lake, Sea Girt, Avon, and Bay Head, only 3 were available for the full season--Memorial Day through Labor Day.

There are new rentals coming on the market every day, but those people who wait until the last minute for a better deal may not find a home to suit their needs.

Spring Fever and Fun Things to do this Weekend

Diane Glander (Diane Turton Realtors) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 09:55:01 -0700

Barlow's Flower Farm in Sea Girt has two events this weekend:

Saturday 1-2

You can create a one of a kind, spring faux wreath. Cost includes all floral materials, supplies and a 12”-14” grapevine wreath. A variety of spring flowers and colors will be available to choose from.
Limit 10 guests, Reservation Required.

Then Sunday at 11, Parent and Child Terrarium Class:

Learn about and create a terrarium garden. Participants will receive a glass container with a lid, soil, plants, rocks & tiny accessories to create a mini garden of their own. Fee: $15.00 each ($10.00 each for 2 or more), Registration Required

Barlow's is a family run business featuring some of the most unique garden planning and creative plantings in New Jersey. If you haven't been there, it's worth the trip.